In the Name of Empress-Chapter 419 - 294: Is This Also Part of the Humiliation?
Christine watched Joseph’s back, her eyes filled with desolation.
Joseph was a descendant of the teacher, only a year or two older than her. As a youth, he was sent to the Divine Court and ascended to the high tier Sanctuary through his abilities, truly a promising young man.
Does he not know the Wende Empire’s demise is inevitable?
Of course, he knows.
Even if he knows, some things still must be done.
Joseph’s family is a hereditary nobility of the Wende Empire, with ancestors who were renowned generals. Their fate is deeply tied to the Empire.
If he doesn’t return, people will criticize him for the rest of his life.
Christine is different.
She is clergy serving the Goddess, merely born in the Wende Empire.
She has received the Wende Empire’s grace but has long repaid it with her performances on the battlefield.
Though she feels sorrow for the Empire’s plight, she has no stance or reason to accompany it to the grave.
Though feeling some melancholy, Christine maintained her expression well, not mentioning the recent upheaval, and instead briefed Roland on the expansion of the Temple Warriors.
With Roland’s strong support, the Temple Warriors lost in the Battle of Helentz Castle were fully replenished and continued to expand to 37,000.
This army is temporarily designated as the 19th Light Guard Army Division.
Although the number is similar to that of a full field army, Christine maintains the nominal structure of a division.
If an army’s numbers are at the army level, and its combat power is at the army level, then it is an army-level unit.
Even if in name it is a division.
As long as the benefits are reaped, it’s better to stay low-key.
After the introduction, seeing Christine in low spirits, Roland wisely bid farewell and left, allowing Christine to digest her melancholy herself.
Some matters cannot be advised by outsiders, better not to mention them.
Watching Roland leave, Christine sat back in her chair wearily, her slender body sinking deep into the large leather seat, her eyelids drooping.
The firmness and decisiveness from earlier were gone, leaving only helplessness and confusion in her eyes.
She made the most rational choice, but does absolute rationality truly exist in this world?
"Teacher, if it were you, what would you choose?"
She once sacrificed thousands as bait to annihilate the main force of the rebels, achieving a brilliant victory, earning the title "Cold-blooded Witch" from this victory.
In the recent Battle of Helentz Castle, she completed her transformation.
She was no longer that cold-blooded witch who viewed everyone as pawns, but a wise leader with both decision-making skills and human emotions.
Yet today, she made a cold-blooded choice once more.
Roland gave her the opportunity to choose; she could have returned with ten thousand men to try to turn the tide, and if the battle went poorly, she could have led the Wende Imperial Family to retreat and form a government-in-exile.
She could care for the Wende people’s feelings, boost morale, and preserve her reputation.
But, can she win if she goes back?
Entering the professional realm, Christine’s spirit was instantly invigorated.
She approached the military map, staring at the surroundings of the Wende Empire, frowning and thinking, occasionally moving some pieces onto it.
No need to mark data; she knows the weight of these pieces.
War is the cruelest art, in which she is a professional.
After a rapid simulation in her mind, she came to a relatively reliable conclusion.
If the Wende Empire were united, if the parliament didn’t hinder, if the nation could quickly unleash its war potential, if Sofia never appeared, there indeed would be a significant chance of winning.
As the dawn of victory appeared, Christine could not smile.
Because these prerequisites are exceedingly harsh.
The aged Wende Empire is plagued by internal conflicts, the parliament knows nothing but hindrance, Sofia is only missing, not dead, she will come sooner or later.
The Wende Empire, though it has the potential to mobilize millions of troops, is ultimately doomed.
The process may be quick, maybe slow, but it will come eventually.
This depends on the degree of internal strife.
Christine exhaled and her expression returned to calm.
The Wende won’t perish!
Even if the entire nation falls, as long as Wende people remain, there’s hope for restoration.
But it’s crucial to preserve the spark.
She and these Temple Warriors are the sparks of Wende’s restoration.
She recalled Joseph’s eyes at the time of farewell, instantly understanding.
Joseph understood too, so he wouldn’t use moral coercion to force her to return.
In this vast Empire, if no one accompanies its final act, it would be too tragic.
Joseph will live and die with Wende, ensuring the world knows the spirit of the Wende people.
The subsequent restoration is up to Christine.
Neither of them has it easy.
Standing by the window, Miss Saintess cast her gaze northward.
Beyond the horizon, several hundred kilometers away, is Hansa City’s center, in the Governor’s Territory.
The city isn’t large, but it’s vibrant.
Colleagues are intensely competitive among themselves, yet extremely united externally. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Only such a team could possibly defeat Sofia.
No time to mourn the impending doom of the Wende Empire, after handling the transition matters in Val City, Roland handed the city over to Tony and Christine, and returned to Hansa City.
Sif will soon come to the front lines, waiting for Sofia to appear.
He must seize the time to recharge the Ice Crystal Blue Ring, letting Sif also understand Sofia’s true strength.
The decisive battle is nearing; every moment is precious.
...
Without hearing a knock, the courtyard door opened.
Angelina, who was reading newspapers, looked up in surprise.
She had been under house arrest at a manor in the suburbs of Hansa City for a week.
Initially captured, she was sleepless, overwhelmed by shame, anger, and sadness, tossing and turning all night without sleeping well.
Fearing Roland might change his mind and continue to humiliate her, and fearing the Empress’s wrath over her failure.
