In the Name of Empress-Chapter 376 - 261: I’m Waiting for the Enemy

Amidst the flowers, applause, and secret relief of the people of West City, the Fourth Fleet left the Jin Yuan Kingdom, sailing down the broad West River and returning from the northern outer sea to Emre Port, the largest port of the Four Overseas Provinces.

On the flagship Monarch, Roland stood on the top deck, hands behind his back, calmly watching the sea, expressionless.

Three days ago, Sif had led the army back along the original route, and afterward, he led the navy back to Emre Port by sea.

This expedition to Jin Yuan, though perilous, was greatly rewarding.

Eliminating Marco, establishing Alina securely, no longer needing to worry about someone backstabbing him during a confrontation with Sofia.

The night before departure, Roland and Alina formed a secret agreement to maintain consistency on major issues.

Alina’s ruling foundation is not solid, and Roland is not in a hurry for her to make a statement. He plans to wait until she consolidates domestic order and firmly grasps power.

Currently, neither Roland nor Sif has the authority to sign on behalf of the country; this secret agreement is merely a private arrangement and has not ascended to national policy.

To express gratitude, Alina prepared a large amount of grain, supplies, and cash as compensation for Roland and Sif’s assistance.

This remuneration was not in the name of the state but was paid using Marco’s "private assets."

Although Marco was upright and had little private property, now that he is dead, the unsettled accounts have to trouble him a bit.

He caused so much trouble for the country that a little payback after his death is only fitting.

Apart from supplies and money, Alina also handed over a dozen main battleships as compensation for the loss of the Perth to Roland.

With these well-maintained main battleships, the Fourth Fleet’s strength soared to a new level, and with the imminent launching of new battleships, its power has long surpassed its peak period.

Even when compared to the Imperial Navy’s First Fleet, it is not far behind.

Aside from these team-strengthening gains, he also obtained Marco’s magic armor.

This armor contains strange magic power; Roland plans to take it back for Master Anthony’s appraisal.

Marco’s sudden rise to power was certainly due to personal effort, but this abruptly appearing armor certainly played a key role.

Moreover, he acquired a new Inheritor Badge.

Facing the complex internal situation in Jin Yuan, Alina was quite confused and had to seek guidance from Roland. Roland, recalling the history of another world, helped her design a suitable path.

Who says there cannot be an emperor in a republic? As long as the people all recognize Alina, who can oppose?

For providing such precise political guidance, even though he is not of the Jin Yuan people, he still obtained the treasured Prime Minister’s Badge.

Carved with an iris pattern, the golden Prime Minister’s Badge sank into the base of a Soul Card, further enhancing Roland’s strength.

Within Jin Yuan, many opposed compensating with battleships, believing it to be national disgrace, but Alina remained unmoved, persistently firm.

Later on, those ministers who strongly opposed received a gift: the autobiography of Dictator Marco.

This gift gradually calmed them down.

Whether it implied not acting like Marco or hinted not forcing Alina to become like Marco, they dared not say a word further.

Marco was ruthless; Alina was more formidable than Marco.

Some already realized this truth, while others needed time to settle.

While Jin Yuan recuperated and reorganized, Roland and the Sussex military departed.

They had done what needed to be done, taken what needed to be taken, and staying further could easily trigger animosity among the Jin Yuan people.

The Jin Yuan people are proud; they are more likely to accept a domestic tyrant but not external interference.

Standing on the upper deck, Roland did not use a telescope, instead gazing into the distance with the naked eye.

"What are you looking at?"

Lisa’s gentle voice sounded in his ear, bringing a warm breeze.

During the stay in Jin Yuan, while everyone else was busy with their own matters, only she had nothing to do.

Fortunately, she quickly found amusement.

Unlike the culinary desert of Sussex, Jin Yuan and Talia are the culinary peaks of the Rodinia Continent. The cuisines of Jin Yuan and Talia each have their own characteristics, forming their own systems.

Lisa visited the best chefs in West City as a state guest, seeking their culinary expertise.

Since she did not have to worry about trivial matters, she diligently learned cooking every day and would share her creations with Roland and Sif.

Though their praise wouldn’t earn Lisa any extra star ratings, their commendations lifted her spirits greatly.

In good spirits, learning naturally came quicker.

In just over a month, Lisa not only learned from the best chefs of the Jin Yuan Kingdom but also became an honorary vice president of the Continent Gourmet Association and earned the title of Five-star Gourmet.

Embarking on her Path of Transcendence with the profession of [Chef], Lisa holds an extraordinary obsession with culinary arts.

Even though she has now turned to fire magic cultivation, she hasn’t forgotten her cooking skills.

There is something she can only keep to herself, never revealing it to Master Anthony.

Mastering fire is just for better cooking.

Otherwise, she would never have the motivation to learn the tedious magic.

Seeing Roland’s profound gaze, Lisa was somewhat curious. The waters around here were only three and a half days’ journey from Emre Port, and there couldn’t possibly be any enemies. What was Roland worried about?

Though Lisa didn’t ask, Roland knew what she was thinking and explained proactively, "Do you remember Uranie?" (Chapter 195)

Lisa had a good memory and quickly recalled the name.

"I heard from Munina about her. Madame Uranie is a Sea Demon of the Grim Clan, married into the Graham Clan, but went missing during the massacre at the sea depths."

"I’m waiting for her."

Roland’s words left Lisa dumbfounded for quite a while.

After a moment of silence, she decided to yield to reality.

She gently tapped Roland’s shoulder and quipped with a smile, "Do you think I can figure it out? Just tell me what’s going on."

Though Lisa was strong, the little fists landing on his shoulder were as soft as before.

She was still herself, not a single change.

Roland explained the situation to Lisa concisely.

The Grim Clan was more powerful than the Graham Clan. Both sides were always vying for the legitimate voice of the Sea Demon Race. Although they intermarried, there were irreconcilable contradictions.

The sea massacre was the result of the Grim Clan allying with General Nephropidae as a big backer.

Uranie was no ordinary Sea Demon. She had strong self-preservation abilities, yet she disappeared during the massacre, which is definitely suspicious.

"She’s definitely not dead."

Roland calmly said, "If I’m not mistaken, she’s watching us from not far away."

Lisa was startled and shivered, whispering softly, "Will General Nephropidae come too?"

"Hard to say. Nephropidae’s true form is that of a giant sea turtle. Turtles are known for being timid and cunning, but once their strength surpasses a certain level, they become exceptionally bold. In the current version, General Nephropidae is invincible in the sea, at least that’s what he believes."

"So, the chances are high that he will come."

Lisa’s previously rosy face turned pale, and her voice trembled.

"What should we do? We are no match for him in the sea."

"We might not be able to kill him, but I’ll strip him of his shell."

Roland said calmly, "At Alina’s house, I found a notebook. It’s a draft of a natural history manuscript written by Mr. Carlo, and it includes records about General Nephropidae."

"Mr. Carlo fantasized about establishing a super-nation of harmonious coexistence among races. He had done significant research on Sea Demons, Werewolves, Centaurs, and other mysterious races."

"Nephropidae’s shell is both a lifesaving tool and a burden. The current General Nephropidae’s real strength has reached Tier Six, but he’s completely hindered by his shell."

"If Mr. Carlo’s conjecture is correct, there’s a good chance of leaving Nephropidae shell-less."

"And what if he’s wrong?" Lisa couldn’t help but ask.

Roland didn’t answer, only gave a slight smile.

That’s a question Sif would never ask.

Roland and Sif had too few chips in their hands; every game could be the final one.

The failure means they’ll travel the Nether River together, making company on the way. What else can they do?

Win, or die.

He had no other choice.

Lisa wasn’t a fool. She vaguely guessed Roland’s thoughts but merely sighed internally and said nothing more.

She recalled an old proverb from her hometown.

Once born, one is on the road to die generously; there is no turning back.

She just stood quietly beside Roland, readying herself to face the challenge with him.

No matter how powerful Tier Six may be, today is the Seventh Return Day, even if the Goddess descended, she could only use Tier Seven strength; that is the fundamental law of the universe’s operation.

General Nephropidae cannot surpass it either.

Since learning magic from Anthony, Lisa was no longer the small-town citizen she once was; her horizons had broadened significantly.

If all seals were lifted, Teacher Anthony could at least break through to a True Mage (equivalent to Tier Five); moving onward would become difficult.

Teacher’s expectation for her was at least to reach Great Mage, equal to Tier Three, and go further if the opportunity arises.

She once asked the teacher his expectations for Roland, but Anthony remained silent for a long time and just shook his head.

The old Mage could not see through Roland.

Roland might die tomorrow, or he might make it to the end; his limit was a question mark.

Anthony implied that everything about Roland was unknown, but Lisa didn’t care; she believed that the teacher hinted Roland had the potential to become a God.

What’s just a giant sea turtle, in front of a future Great Mage and a candidate God?

Roland caught Lisa’s expression changes in the corner of his eye.

Watching her shift from panic to swelling confidence in half a second, Roland fell into complete silence.

He sighed lightly in his heart and continued to gaze at the sea.

A girl’s thoughts, indeed unfathomable, better abandon such high-level challenges.

Maybe unearthing General Nephropidae’s shell would be simpler.

According to the intelligence he had, General Nephropidae’s shell might weigh dozens of tons, although lighter, it didn’t lose to Orichalcum in hardness.

The huge shell could be used to strengthen the new flagship’s armor.

Thinking about an invincible flagship, Roland suddenly looked forward to the nightfall.

Only when night deepens could these pirates come out of the dark depths of the sea to meet their doom.

He had prepared enough surprises for General Nephropidae.

The exquisite craftsmanship of Alchemy Master Norton and the wild imagination of Naturalist Carlo combined to set an inescapable trap for the beast.

General Nephropidae, will you come?

Roland squinted his eyes, gripped his scepter, feeling inexplicably anxious.