In the Name of Empress-Chapter 379 - 264: There’s Always a Way

The Fourth Fleet has returned to port.

At Emre Port, the Empress impersonated by the Magic Mirror came in person to greet and give the highest honors to the returning fleet.

Officials from Brook Province, along with those from the Emre City Government and Port Authority, lined up on the shore to welcome them.

The military band played triumphant songs, and a 17-gun salute was fired.

A 21-gun salute is for a national leader, 19 for a head of government; for someone of Roland’s rank, even a 17-gun salute is somewhat excessive, but at Sif’s insistence, it was done according to the protocol for a deputy head of government.

Sif’s reasoning was simple.

It wasn’t just Roland who was returning but the entire Fourth Fleet that had fought bravely abroad.

Surprisingly, the Monarch was nowhere to be seen.

Sif’s expression changed slightly as she stood on the pier, her breathing somewhat labored.

The Monarch was the flagship; if it was gone, the battle must have been fierce.

Her heart was somewhat unsettled, almost unable to resist rushing over to grab Roland for an explanation. Fortunately, Roland seemed in good spirits, and she held back.

After the grand welcoming ceremony, the sailors of the Fourth Fleet disembarked in batches, the ships anchored at Emre Port, and the officers and soldiers began their leave.

The bodies of sailors killed in several naval battles were not brought back but, following tradition, returned to the ocean.

The Warrior Cemetery is their resting place, but only their belongings are buried there.

After enduring the long welcoming ceremony and finishing the banquet, Sif, who always maintained her elegant demeanor, finally waited for the reception to disperse.

She closed the door, looking at Roland’s slightly tired expression, all her doubts boiled down to one greeting.

"How was the journey?"

"It was fine, although some things happened."

Roland smiled and said, "If you want to know the story of the Monarch, then sit down and listen to me."

He knew Sif’s curiosity was almost at its limit, so he stopped teasing her and began the story without exaggeration.

"Unfortunately, the glorious Monarch went down with that big sea turtle. It’s fortunate you’re okay, otherwise, it would be too much of a loss."

Roland shook his head slowly, "If we returned to the Imperial Capital on the old Monarch, we would lose a great publicity opportunity."

Sif’s heart moved, and she began to ponder the meanings behind Roland’s words.

A moment later, her eyes lit up brightly, "Are you saying the New Monarch represents the new Emperor and a completely new style?"

"Exactly. In fact, the new flagship was constructed before we set out to sea, and it’s a very unique ship."

If Roland said it was unique, then it must be extraordinary. Sif didn’t speak, but her eyes, which could speak, seemed to grasp Roland’s hand and say, "I’m very curious!"

Facing the curious Sif, Roland didn’t keep her guessing and straightforwardly said:

"It’s a semi-ironclad ship with iron armor wrapped around it."

"Wrapped in iron armor?" Sif was baffled.

She hesitated for a long time, thinking even the smartest person could make mistakes, and timidly reminded, "Roland, iron of the same volume is much heavier than water, it simply can’t float. Are you sure it’s an ironclad ship?"

"Of course."

Roland continued the story, "The density of iron is greater than water, you’re right, a solid iron ball can’t float in water, but what if it’s a hollow iron ball?"

Sif almost blurted out "even if it’s hollow, it’s still iron, it can’t float," but she held her tongue just in time.

Seeing Sif seriously contemplating, Roland didn’t waste words but took out a book titled "Physical Common Sense" and handed it to her.

This is a book from the Elf Race library.

It is far more advanced than the human physics research of this era.

Receiving the book, Sif didn’t immediately flip through it. Even though the ironclad ship was somewhat strange, since Roland said there was no problem, then there surely was no problem.

She was more concerned with another matter.

Did General Nephropidae provide any useful information, such as her father’s whereabouts?

Seeing Sif’s tense expression, Roland didn’t tease her and said solemnly:

"You need to be mentally prepared for what I’m about to say."

Sif’s fingertips trembled slightly, her eyes reddened, tears nearly fell.

She knew well that her father returning would only harm the country and cause trouble for her. Under Roland’s guidance, she had become a qualified politician, no longer prone to childishness.

She also knew her father must die.

She knew everything.

But at this moment, it was hard to control her emotions; after all, he was her father.

Sif trembled as she asked, "Father, he..."

"The Late Emperor unfortunately encountered a sea accident, confirmed to have passed away."

Sif’s breath stopped instantly, biting her lip as she softly asked, "Who killed him? Was it General Nephropidae?"

"It was the Sea Witch Adina, she’s a ruthless and cruel figure. The Late Emperor..."

"Father isn’t dead," Sif asserted firmly.

"The Sea Witch is one of the Four Ocean Generals, with power and status far above Nephropidae. Anyone capable of reaching such a high position has remarkable political acumen; she wouldn’t waste time doing something foolish. Killing the Emperor would have no benefit; I believe Father is most likely being held under custody."

"Roland, we..."

"He’s dead, the Late Emperor has passed, that’s beyond doubt!" Roland was unyielding, his voice low but his stance firm.

Sif’s eyes reddened, biting her lip as she asked, "From what I know of Father, he’s not a tough and resilient strongman, but a common person with a fragile heart. Can’t we save Father, let him retire to the family estate in peace?"

Roland wanted to agree but remained silent.

Silence was a stance too.

Edward might be able to relinquish power and not contend with his daughter, but what about his old ministers from back then?

They were loyal to the Emperor and were doing well.

An accident turned them into ministers of the previous regime.

In the foreseeable future, these old ministers would gradually fade from politics, distancing themselves from the power center.

Would they be willing to accept this? Of course not, they just had no way to resist.

They had no support, no anchor, like headless flies.

But if Edward returned, it would be different.

These old ministers would surely rally around Edward, hoping for restoration.

Whether successful or not, it would be detrimental to national interests.

Some people, even without doing anything, cause immense harm simply by being alive.

Sif understood this reasoning clearly and finally couldn’t hold back her tears, sobbing, mumbling, her voice dwindling. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"I know, I know it all, but he is still my father, my only family. Is there really no way for him to live without disrupting us?"

Crying, Sif bitterly laughed at her predicament.

There really was no such way.

Much like when she once wished to return the crown but couldn’t, as long as her father lived, he was a colossal political figure. Even if he didn’t intend it, someone would place a crown on his head.

Seeing Sif in such grief, Roland suddenly thought he might be the only elder who would bless them in the future, and abruptly changed his mind.

"It’s not impossible; he can live under the sea forever, for a lifetime."