In the Name of Empress-Chapter 332 - 228: Alina’s Decision

Alina tried hard to stabilize her excited emotions, but she couldn’t.

Hope came too quickly, and she was caught off guard.

She initially thought that returning to Jin Yuan and going back to West City was just a fool’s dream, but unexpectedly, the opportunity was right in front of her.

The Citizens of Xidai conquered the Palace Prison, openly resisting the temporary government, and rescued tens of thousands of political prisoners!

Although their brave resistance was quickly suppressed by Marco’s National Army, their sacrifice was not in vain.

Watching Alina’s obviously excited expression, Roland didn’t say anything, he just poured her a cup of tea, signaling her to speak slowly.

Roland played the role of a patient listener.

When Alina spoke of the drastic changes occurring within Jin Yuan, he was originally not very concerned.

After all, the development of political conflicts in Jin Yuan into real-life confrontations was not unheard of; it was quite familiar.

Until Alina mentioned the news of the Palace Prison being conquered and the release of tens of thousands of "political prisoners".

Roland’s expression subtly changed.

He keenly smelled the gunpowder behind this matter.

He couldn’t help but interrupt Alina, pointing directly at the crux of the problem.

"Is Marco dead?"

Alina’s initially excited expression instantly froze.

She was silent for a long time, her voice somewhat desolate, "No. He has control over the situation, it’s said that the citizens of West City killed numbered in the thousands, and the guillotine blades dulled from overuse."

"No, you’re wrong, he doesn’t have control of the situation at all. If he really had control, so many people wouldn’t have died. These dead had families and friends. Doing so will arouse public resentment."

Roland stood up, pacing around the room, then asked in a deep voice, "Can it be deduced?"

"I’m sorry, I’m personally involved, I can’t deduce my own fate."

This was reasonable, as a healer can’t heal themselves, a fortune teller can’t predict their own future.

Roland pondered for a moment, carefully weighing the known information, a plan forming in his mind.

"Alina, I know you’re anxious, but we can’t rush. To regain power, we must be fully prepared."

"I understand." After the initial excitement, Alina gradually calmed down.

Roland was right.

This wasn’t a child’s game, but a cruel fight to the death.

If over-prepared without needing it, no harm done, but if underprepared and countered, it means a one-way trip down the Nether River.

Alina lowered her head, and in a soft voice asked, "Roland, my head is a mess right now, I really don’t know what to do, could you decide for me?"

Roland had been waiting for these words.

At least Alina hadn’t been overwhelmed by this opportunity and still recognized who was leading.

After a moment of contemplation, Roland reminded, "Alina, the fact that Marco could suppress the resistance shows his power is still in the upper hand. The serious bloodshed in the capital indicates his power is no longer overwhelming. What we need most now is to gather intelligence, prepare, and wait for the right opportunity."

"Of course, we can’t just wait; we need to add fuel to this powder keg."

Alina’s mind was already in complete disarray, since Roland had an idea she was naturally willing to listen.

She nodded like a pecking chicken, accepting all Roland’s suggestions. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The Jin Yuan Kingdom had long been a powder keg, not even on the verge of explosion, but having already exploded once and just barely controlled.

"We can spread messages through various channels within Jin Yuan, inciting opposing sentiments."

Alina continued nodding but still hesitated in reminding Roland, "But I’m afraid that’s not enough. Many people in Jin Yuan are brave enough to resist, yet there is no leader."

"There is."

Roland’s gaze fell on Alina’s face, the meaning was clear.

As the daughter of Mr. Carlo, founder of the Republic, Alina’s name at such times was like a light in the darkness, bringing hope to the resistance forces.

It’s darkest when walking without a light; resisting the old order is no different.

Alina was still a bit hesitant, "If I directly announce that I’m alive, it will surely alert Marco. He’ll most likely think you’re sheltering me. After all, enmity is also a kind of relationship, my death having a direct connection with you makes it more suspicious."

"Of course, we can’t say it outright, we need a story, a story that can kindle people’s hopes."

Alina’s eyes lit up.

Roland, having won writing awards before, was a master at crafting stories.

In Alina’s anticipation, Roland thought for a moment and immediately stitched together an enigmatic story.

"The Saintess who passed away rose again from the flames, and from Colt, she will inherit the ancient family’s will to save the entire Jin Yuan Kingdom! She will end the endless bloodshed, reckoning with the evil that wrought chaos, bringing the country back on track, and saving people from the guillotine."

"Will that really work? I can’t pretend to be a Saintess, much less resurrected." Alina lowered her head with some embarrassment.

Roland earnestly looked at Alina, softly saying, "If you can save Jin Yuan, then you are the Saintess in everyone’s heart, no doubt about it. As for resurrection, it merely adds to your sanctity."

"You were officially certified dead by the Jin Yuan Kingdom’s ambassador and our Empress; to appear alive would make everyone a laughingstock. Therefore, you must be resurrected."

Alina’s heart raced, but she was still somewhat hesitant.

"I have never doubted the feasibility of the plan. But if my authority becomes unshakable, are you really reassured?"

Alina’s words were tactful.

If she’s brought to power by foreign forces, her legitimacy would be seriously called into question, and she wouldn’t dare oppose Roland in international affairs.

If she were the "resurrected Saintess," she’d have absolute authority, and even being elected as Emperor by the populace wouldn’t be unusual, making it difficult for Roland to control her.

She did not want to owe Roland, and some things had to be made clear.

Roland restrained his smile, seriously saying, "Alina, if there’s not even this bit of trust between friends, it’s too sad."

Alina suddenly lowered her head, hiding her emotions, and softly asked, "If the interests of my country and your interests conflict, what should I do?"

She didn’t want to harm Roland’s interests, nor did she wish to betray national interest, and so she was troubled by this.

Although over 1,400 kilometers away from West City, she was already contemplating how to handle her relationship with Roland upon regaining power.

Roland smiled reassuringly.

Alina valued their agreement and did not want to harm her homeland’s interests, and so she was struggling.

This small conflict was something he had considered from the start of their collaboration.

"As long as our interests remain aligned, that’s enough. The future Rodinia scenario will be a struggle between the Sea Power countries led by our Sussex and the Land Power countries led by the Vladimir Empire."

"If you stand with me, Sea Power naturally gains the upper hand. If you choose Sofia’s side, then the Land Power becomes stronger."

Alina looked at Roland incredulously, her voice a bit airy.

"Is that all it takes?"

"Yes, that’s enough." Roland replied frankly.

He didn’t console Alina, as this truly was his bottom line.

The current policy of the Jin Yuan Kingdom clearly aims to become a prominent country, showing a preference for an alliance with the Vladimir Empire.

If Marco consolidates power, the Four Overseas Provinces are likely to get pinned by the two major powers.

Even if the best Marshal were resurrected, they wouldn’t be able to break the deadlock of a two-front war.

As long as Alina stood by him, it would be a huge diplomatic victory.

"We’re friends, right?"

Roland spoke softly.

As long as Alina stood by him on the Sixth Return Day, it would suffice.

Let future worries be dealt with by the future.

Inexplicably, he had a feeling that Tier Seven was the peak of mortal powers, and from Tier Six, the Transcendents would gradually fade from the view of ordinary people.

If he continued to crave mundane power, status, and wealth, progressing further would become tremendously difficult.

As long as he could get past Sofia, the relationship between the Sussex Empire and Jin Yuan Republic didn’t matter to him.

Alina’s eyes turned slightly red, nodding vigorously.

Even brought down this far, Roland still didn’t see her as a subordinate, considering her a friend.

As long as she could gain power, the Jin Yuan Republic would be a steadfast ally to Roland.

That’s her bottom line.

Future troubles would be left to the new leader.

She only desired to reclaim everything that belonged to her father and punish the traitors.

As for power? She became increasingly indifferent to it.