In the Name of Empress-Chapter 410 - 290: Your Majesty, Save Me!

Although several major countries protested against the Sussex Empire and even threatened war, they chose to remain silent when faced with an advancing army.

Roland mobilized over one hundred thousand elite troops and hundreds of warships to occupy Val City State by force.

The Tirol Kingdom, now overwhelmed with its own issues, did not wish to take the lead and had to choose a dignified retreat after protesting.

They had only a few thousand troops stationed in Val City to maintain order and protect the interests of its citizens and merchants; they were powerless against the hundred thousand troops of the Sussex Empire.

They burned their camps, looted the wealth of the occupied zone, and left with swagger.

The Wende Empire, now deeply mired in the quagmire of war, was already strained, and had long wanted to abandon Val City State but lacked an excuse.

Roland’s ultimatum gave them a way out; although they cursed under their breath, they swiftly withdrew from Val City without even burning their camps or looting the territory.

To outsiders, the Wende Empire, being an ancient empire, left room for maneuver, unlike some newly risen tycoons.

But only internally did they know it wasn’t about dignity; it was just that the parliament failed to reach a result, and the military leaders felt it wasn’t worth offending Roland.

Christine Saintess of the Wende Empire had good relations with Roland; even if only for the Saintess’s sake, they need not offend Roland over such triviality.

When Val City State was divided into occupied zones, there were five major countries, with Sussex and Jin Yuan being Roland’s supporters. The Wende Empire and Tirol Kingdom withdrew honorably, leaving only the Vladimir Empire.

Stationed in Val City State was the Shadow Sanctuary’s fifth seat, Frost Grip Angelina.

After receiving Roland’s ultimatum, she could hardly believe her eyes.

How could anyone so blatantly oppose the Empire and defy the Empress?

Though furious, Angelina remained calm.

She had seventeen thousand troops, Val City was indefensible, and the Sussex forces coming to receive the city exceeded one hundred thousand, with fleet support.

Even without much thought, the outcome was clear.

Angelina was unafraid of death, but she did not want these loyal, brave warriors to die in vain.

To hold out and not retreat would not only mean death but also add another defeat to the Empire’s record.

She did not want to retreat but couldn’t fight, so she had to pen a request to Roland.

Her request was simple: to avoid unnecessary warrior casualties, the commanders-in-chief of both sides would duel for victory.

If Roland won, she would immediately withdraw, leaving the camp unscathed, departing without looting.

If she won, she would retain the Vladimir Empire’s interests.

Roland’s reply came swiftly, within half a day.

"Given your food supply support, I agree to a duel for victory, but if your side is defeated, you must leave behind weapons, armor, and the military flag."

Roland’s conditions were very harsh.

Abandoning weapons and armor upon defeat might be explained, but losing the flag represented the disbandment of the unit.

Though strict, he knew Angelina would certainly accept.

If they resisted to the end, the seventeen thousand troops wouldn’t last until reinforcements and would be wiped out, the flag would still be lost.

Roland’s meaning was clear.

The reorganized nineteenth division of the Vladimir Empire stationed in Val City was sure to be annihilated; this point was non-negotiable.

He could allow disarmed soldiers to return as civilians; this was his bottom line.

Everyone was dignified, concerned with face. The loss of military flag without disbandment would only invite ridicule.

Roland intented to completely defeat the reorganized nineteenth division; whether as prisoners or annihilation was secondary.

As expected, upon receiving the reply, Angelina angrily swept all documents with the desk.

But after rage, she had no choice but to accept the conditions.

Sitting calmly in her office, Angelina caressed the ring gifted by the Empress, containing energy equivalent to one-tenth of the Empress’s full power.

This was her grand present for Roland.

Though killing Roland would have serious repercussions, she had no choice.

The Empress had vanished for too long, enough to unsettle the Empire internally, allowing enemies to seize the chance.

She had to kill Roland with a thunderous gesture, restoring the Empire’s dignity.

Though maintaining a certain cooperative relationship with Roland, that was past tense.

Facing national interests, personal gains and losses counted for nothing.

The agreed battlefield was atop a flat mountaintop in the depths of White Mountain.

The duelists must travel alone to the duel site, without escorts, and personnel from both countries must not enter the White Mountain area on the day of the duel.

The duel manner was unrestricted, weapons unrestricted, until one side died or surrendered.

These conditions were quickly affirmed by both sides.

After settling affairs, Angelina breathed a long sigh, heading to White Mountain without looking back.

She knew Roland’s current strength was formidable and had a record of soloing Tier Seven powerhouses; she was just a step away from Tier Seven, definitely not a match one-on-one.

But she had the Empress’s bestowed ring.

This was her biggest trump card.

She believed Roland also had cards, but could any be bigger than the Empress’s ring?

As Angelina set out, a hot air balloon was slowly drifting towards White Mountain.

Roland was on the hot air balloon, accompanied by Lisa and Christine.

Lisa was visibly tense, constantly twisting the hem of her clothes.

This was a duel of life and death; although she believed Roland would win, she was inexplicably uneasy.

But with the duel imminent, she dared not disturb Roland’s confidence, hiding her full worries.

Seeing her troubled expression, Roland smiled, patting the Moonlit Silver Armor and touching the white wolf leather armor draped over it.

"Relax, I have double armor protection, an injury-immune Magic Spring Ring, and life-saving Divine Protection; that’s four layers of defense. Even if Sofia herself comes, killing me won’t be easy, let alone a mere Angelina."

"Of course, I will not underestimate; I will go all out from the start."

Christine did not speak, only silently walked closer to Roland, placing both hands on his shoulders.

The milky holy light surged into Roland’s body.

Although most of it was rejected, a small portion still merged into his body.

"Thank you."

Roland’s gratitude was heartfelt.

Miss Saintess, recognized by the Goddess of Light, could infuse divine energy into allies to enhance their attributes.

Although he was disliked by the Goddess, this divine energy did not discriminate.

His stamina and strength were greatly enhanced, and his ability to regenerate life also significantly optimized.

"No need to thank me, we are allies."

After buffing Roland, Christine took a few steps back and returned to the cabin.

At such times, saying anything would only weaken Roland’s momentum, so it’s better to say nothing.

With the Saintess’s buff, Roland was more confident as he leaped from five hundred meters high.

He waved goodbye to Lisa while opening his parachute.

As Angelina arrived at the dueling arena, Roland landed just in time.

Watching Roland descend from the sky, Angelina remained slightly silent, looked up at the sky, and asked softly:

"Roland, when you said neither side should set foot on White Mountain, did you mean this?"

Flying above, of course, didn’t count as setting foot.

Roland once again played a word game.

Angelina remembered the past confrontations between the Shadow Sanctuary and Roland, feeling a bit of a headache.

The Shadow Sanctuary had already suffered two defeats at Roland’s hands, and to lose again would be a severe blow to the organization.

She sighed softly, foregoing further protest, and instead drew her sharp blade. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Second seat of the Shadow Sanctuary, Frost Grip Angelina, please."

With Camille Yang defeated and removed, Angelina’s position in the Shadow Sanctuary advanced significantly, directly becoming the second seat.

With her strength very close to Tier Seven, she even had hopes of competing for the chief seat a few years ago.

As the day of return approached, the power of experts from various factions increased rapidly.

She improved quickly, but still far slower than Roland, who had ascended three tiers in three years.

She focused her mind, dispelling all distractions, readying herself for battle.

"Caesar of the Sussex Empire, concurrently Governor of Northern Rodinia, Leader of the White Rose Knight Order, Count Roland Rundbell, please."

Angelina remained silent, her lips trembling slightly.

She had already lost in terms of titles; she couldn’t afford to lose in the upcoming fight.

Without wasting words, she tapped her toes and transformed into a dazzling blue light, rushing forward.

Since it’s a life-and-death duel, why bother talking? Just make the move.

In spring, White Mountain was still covered in snow, and the location of their duel was on snow-covered peaks that remained icy and snowy all year round.

Though there was flat ground, it was also snow-covered.

This terrain was Angelina’s home ground.

She leveraged the might of ice and snow, striking with lethal moves.

Blue afterimages appeared as her speed constantly increased until it peaked.

Her two blue daggers gleamed with cold light, aiming directly at Roland’s throat.

In a blink of an eye, Angelina appeared before Roland, a coldness emanating from her body, sending shivers over Roland’s skin.

Roland casually raised his scepter, precisely striking the daggers. Meanwhile, he raised the Shield of Light in his left hand, blocking another dagger.

"Well done, now it’s my turn!"

Roland let her have the first move as thanks to Angelina for helping with the supplies.

But that was the limit.

He would never pretend to be a master by letting Angelina use her strongest moves while binding his hands and feet to fight.

Using his strongest lethal move to tear the opponent apart was the greatest respect.

"Duang!"

A violent clash sounded.

Roland easily swept away Angelina’s daggers and without hesitation, followed through to swing his scepter at Angelina’s head.

Since it’s a life-and-death duel, naturally, it’s either the enemy dies or I live.

As Angelina wasn’t willing to surrender, she could only die.

Although it would be unsightly for such a beautiful girl to die with a smashed head, Roland wasn’t in the mood to pity her.

Angelina wasn’t weak; any form of mercy would be suicidal.

But at least knowing each other for a while, Roland was willing to offer her a way out.

"Surrender or die!"

There were two blinks of an eye before the scepter fell; she had to make her choice.

Angelina felt her whole body enveloped by a chilling lethal intention.

Roland was going for the kill.

This was a Tier Seven crushing a Tier Eight, leaving her no means to fight back.

She had to choose between death and surrender.

If it weren’t for the Empress Ring.

Angelina didn’t hesitate for a moment, squeezing the Ice Crystal Blue Ring hard.

Your Majesty, save me!