In the Name of Empress-Chapter 422 - 295: Which Empress?
She has arrived.
The accompanying historians appear calm, silently recording the Empress’s itinerary.
The beautiful and glorious Empress Sylph Sussex York arrived in the loyal city of Hansa on September 21, 1794.
Green leafed five-petaled White Rose banners fluttered through the streets, artillery fired twenty-one shots, and the red carpet stretched from the city gates all the way to the central square.
Caesar Roland personally led foreign officials ten miles out of the city to welcome her.
When the Empress lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage, waving to her subjects, the cheers were deafening.
There were no pre-arranged actors, it was all genuine emotion.
Roland dared to vouch for it with his integrity, at least he hadn’t set up anything.
He smiled as he looked at the dazzling Sif, the sun-like figure eliciting his reflections.
When they left the Imperial Capital, they couldn’t be described as stray dogs, but they were certainly in a sorry state.
Yet when Sif returned to Hansa City, everything had changed.
She was now a monarch wielding complete Imperial Authority.
She had dealt with disloyal opposition.
She guided burgeoning industries, such as commerce, education, and finance.
She personally opened new territories for the Empire.
Reflecting on these achievements, Roland, as the man behind the Empress, felt honored.
Sif’s expression remained majestically stern yet amiable, elegantly waving to each person, exchanging gentle glances with her subjects.
Many witnessed the Empress’s majestic appearance for the first time—they could hardly believe such a beautiful and otherworldly girl existed in the mortal world.
She was so perfect she didn’t seem human, but rather resembled the most beautiful race in legend—the Elf.
Led by someone, an individual knelt on the ground, overwhelmed and in tears.
The crowd effect quickly took hold; soon, more and more people knelt, unable to look directly at the radiant halo behind the Empress.
Sif squinted, glancing at Roland with some doubt.
Isn’t this a bit overacted?
Roland shrugged, smilingly responded with a look.
It’s not acting, it’s all emotion.
The welcoming contingent, along with self-invited citizens, totaled over thirty thousand people, yet Sif and Roland’s gazes could precisely lock onto each other amid the crowd.
In just one look, they completed an exchange.
Roland did not advise Sif on how to handle it.
Once again, an impromptu test was presented.
Sif’s lips curled upward, she no longer feared examinations because she knew the full-score answer.
Extending her hands, raising them in a lifting gesture, she signaled everyone to stand.
The kneeling crowd hurriedly stood up.
As they awaited the Empress’s speech with excitement and trepidation, Sif’s crisp voice spread far through the amplification Magic Array, echoing over the city.
"Subjects, remember, the people of Sussex need not kneel to anyone. I will defend your freedom and dignity!"
The entire audience fell silent, then erupted into thunderous cheers.
Someone began to sing "Empress Tianyou," the melodious tune infecting all present.
More and more people joined the chorus, the song grew louder, causing the entire city to gently tremble.
Sif glanced at Roland out of the corner of her eye.
Three parts pride mixed with seven parts joy of reunion, gently spreading.
Roland raised his hands, clapping rhythmically.
The admiration was heartfelt.
This was indeed a perfect answer, more impressive than the lines he anticipated.
Although it seemed somewhat incongruous for an absolute monarch to promise freedom and dignity to the subjects, everyone was willing to believe, and that was enough.
The city’s entrance ceremony resonated toward a nearby manor.
Angelina, reading at the time, was disturbed by the loud sound, hence reluctantly put down her book, climbed onto the rooftop, and raised her telescope to view the scene.
This was her reward for recharging the Ice Crystal Blue Ring.
Her field of view had expanded.
From this angle, she could observe the entrance ceremony from afar.
As she watched the beautiful and proud Sif, admired by all, Angelina bit her lip, silently grumbling.
Such a beautiful girl, she would surely be quite captivating if made into an ice sculpture, wouldn’t she?
Hope you can smile like that when facing Her Majesty Sofia.
An absolute monarch promising freedom and dignity to their subjects?
How absurd.
How can she say this shamelessly without any emotional burden? Who taught her this?
Angelina put down the telescope, wordless.
She knew well who taught Sif—it was Roland.
This is your last romantic moment, enjoy it well.
Disinterestedly, Angelina jumped off the rooftop, returned to the study under the cautious eyes of two maids, and resumed her reading.
She realized she’d indeed wasted too much time before.
Her Majesty the Empress was right, no matter how busy, one ought to make time to read more books.
Thoughts of her life’s fire extinguishing in the Empress’s wrath oddly imparted a sense of urgency in time’s passing.
There’s no time left to waste; there are many books she must read.
The disputes and deceit beyond suddenly felt extraordinarily distant.
Among the books she could borrow, her favorite were astronomy and geography.
Regrettably confined here, she couldn’t go out to witness this beautiful world.
Fortunately, she still had a telescope; nighttime belonged to her romantic moments.
She could gaze at the stars.
Compared to the vast cosmos, humans are so insignificant.
Be it Sif or Roland, even the invincible Her Majesty Sofia, they are nothing compared to the myriad stars.
Even the high Goddess is insignificant against the cosmic expanse.
We are all ants, just that some ants are slightly stronger.
Having attained a deep understanding, Angelina no longer paid attention to the cheer outside, pulled out a copy of "Basic Astrology" from the shelf, and began studying it carefully.
Tonight, she’ll watch the stars.
...
