In the Name of Empress-Chapter 416 - 292: The Saintess’s Request (Part 2)
"Here, take it."
Roland casually took off the ring from his left middle finger and placed it in Lisa’s warm palm.
Lisa caressed the ring, feeling the cold emanating from it, and lowered her head slightly, speaking softly:
"At that time, I wanted to come down and save you, but Miss Saintess forbade it. She said you could extricate yourself and also mentioned my using fire to melt the Ice Barrier would cause thermal expansion..."
"She’s right; it’s thermal expansion and contraction. The drastic temperature change could cause the ice block to crack, and who knows, I might crack along with it."
A hint of surprise flickered in Roland’s eyes. He found it hard to associate the Divine Court’s Saintess with knowledge of physics.
This reasoning would make sense coming from Norton, but hearing it from the Saintess was somewhat jarring.
Yet he quickly came to terms with it.
In this world, gods do exist, so believing in them is also materialistic. For the Saintess, the face of the Divine Court, learning physics is normal.
His understanding of this world was still far from enough.
Lisa toyed with the ring for a moment before returning it to Roland.
She need not worry about Roland suspecting her of letting him die; there were just some things she had to say.
Having said it, she felt relieved.
After returning the ring to Roland, Lisa caught a glimpse of him wearing it again on his middle finger and felt something was amiss.
This ring came from Empress Sofia, and Roland wearing it seemed odd.
After a moment of hesitation, she changed the topic, "Roland, how long do you intend to keep Angelina locked up?"
"Until Sofia is enraged enough to come out of hiding."
Lisa suddenly realized, so that’s it.
This makes sense; Roland wouldn’t do such a boring thing.
It seems that wearing Sofia’s ring on the middle finger is also part of the provocation.
Perhaps to Sofia, this act is more humiliating than detaining Angelina.
Thinking that the ring has an Ice Attribute, she sighed softly, "It’s a pity I don’t understand Ice Magic, so I can’t replenish the ring’s energy. Neither Anthony nor Sura is skilled in Ice Magic."
Roland smiled and shook his head, "It’s all right, someone will help replenish it."
"Who?" Lisa’s curiosity was piqued.
"Angelina."
Roland’s lips curled into a mischievous smile as he teased, "I don’t keep idle people here; even prisoners of war must work to earn daily supplies and food."
Lisa: "..."
She laughed in relief.
This is Roland’s style; helping Val City State regain independence seemed contrary to Roland’s habits.
Seeing Lisa hesitating to speak, Roland knew she still couldn’t quite understand the reason for backing Val City State’s revival.
The public explanation is "fully respecting the Val people’s right to autonomy," but everyone knows that’s nonsense.
If they truly respected them, why annex them back then?
If they truly respected them, why station troops now?
Some matters shouldn’t be examined too closely; probing deeper only reveals more issues.
Though Val City State has regained independence, it lacks self-determination in military and diplomatic authority, and the crucial White Mountain Magic Crystal Ore Vein has been taken by Roland.
Rather than a country, it’s more a semi-colony disguised as a nation.
This is the limit of compromise for the Sussex people.
Tony is a shrewd politician; he understands this perfectly.
He didn’t take up the role of Governor of New Val City State but continued his position in the Imperial Cabinet of the Sussex Empire.
He intends to use himself as a buffer and bridge, allowing the motherland to take a slight respite amid big powers’ struggles and maintain dignity as much as possible.
This requires high political wisdom and skill; none but him can achieve it.
While Mr. Tony was delivering a passionate speech at the square, Roland and Lisa had already arrived at the Divine Hall of Light.
The Holy Spring, dry for a thousand years, was now flowing, with priests and nuns carefully cleaning and collecting Holy Water.
Holy Water is different from river water; though also colorless and transparent, it tastes sweet and refreshing, a sip can brighten the soul and bring tears of joy.
According to Roland’s observations, Holy Water’s real composition is high-quality mineral water infused with dissolved Light Divine Power.
Though it doesn’t miraculously cure all diseases as the clergy boast, it certainly benefits the human body.
In an era scattered with quack doctors where butchers could double as surgeons, the clergy’s healing ability already surpasses that of doctors, and with Holy Water, it’s even more effective.
As Roland and Lisa briefly watched, they saw several citizens blessed with Holy Water fervently thanking the Goddess statue.
Some even expressed their willingness to devote themselves to the faith.
They showed plenty of sincerity, but the Divine Hall of Light doesn’t just accept anyone; everyone has the right to believe in the Goddess, but beliefs vary.
Large religious organizations all have strict hierarchical systems.
Clergy are like this, so are followers.
The follower treatment disparity in Val City State is even more significant.
Ordinary followers need to pray for three days and participate in a lottery, with only the fortunate ones obtaining a small amount of Holy Water.
High Tier followers demonstrate their devotion through generous donations and naturally don’t need to queue for a lottery; they can request Holy Water allocation whenever needed.
Standing nearby and observing for a while, Roland saw no faith, only business.
While he remained calmly observing, a High Tier white-robed priest finally noticed him and hurriedly approached.
"His Highness the Light, you should’ve let us know you were coming so we could prepare a welcoming ceremony." The priest respectfully bowed to Roland.
Roland, as a Knight of Light, holds a very high status, akin to a Cardinal with real power and an official Saintess, only second to the Pope, even Christine, who hasn’t yet become an official Saintess, doesn’t have his standing.
Moreover, he possesses significant secular authority, and the white-robed priest wouldn’t dare slight him.
