In the Name of Empress-Chapter 431 - 301: Everyone’s Journey

Two caravans departed from Hansa City, heading in different directions.

One of them escorted Angelina and the valuable books back to their homeland.

In response to Sofia’s congratulatory gift, Roland was uncharacteristically generous.

The books Angelina specifically requested, he handed over; those she didn’t name, he gave as well.

He also solemnly stated that this was a gift for all Rurik People, and no one should keep them for personal use.

Angelina was naturally overjoyed and agreed quickly.

She thought these were gifts to the Imperial Family, not realizing they could be spread more broadly.

She was unaware that Roland was an Inheritor, and that spreading knowledge allowed him to grow. The wider the spread, the faster Roland’s growth.

She instinctively believed that Roland intended to use this method to ease relations between the two countries and leave a path open.

This reasoning was quite logical.

After all, no one believed Roland and Sif could defeat Sofia.

Even a weakened version of a ring with just one-tenth the power almost cost Roland his life, let alone dealing with the still awakening strength of Sofia.

Roland wanting to leave himself an escape route was quite sensible.

During Angelina’s captivity, she was well-fed and taken care of, except for suffering greatly in the hospital at the end, though fortunately, the doctor announced the treatment was over before it killed her.

Overall, the experience of being captured wasn’t too bad.

Unpleasant memories were overshadowed by the joy of gaining new knowledge.

Plus, Lisa’s perfect culinary skills made Angelina more willing to view this captivity as a unique journey.

The ten carriages full of books made her feel the trip was worthwhile.

Perhaps the Empress might forgive her because of the books? Angelina silently prayed.

Before departing, Empress Sylph attended the banquet personally.

Seeing Sylph, Angelina felt more regret.

A young woman like Sylph, who matched or even surpassed Sofia in female charm, made even Angelina envious.

She impulsively wanted to persuade Sylph to bow to Sofia.

But seeing Sylph’s deep eyes, she chose to remain silent.

She couldn’t persuade Sylph to submit, just as she couldn’t make Sofia bow down.

They were of a kind.

They were different from others. If they were birds, they would undoubtedly soar in the highest skies.

Sadly, the Earth is not the sky, and cannot hold two Great Emperors.

The banquet ended in a friendly and harmonious atmosphere.

Angelina praised Lisa’s culinary skills, giving them a perfect score.

She lauded Sylph’s wisdom and courage, though she didn’t praise her looks. After all, any compliment on her appearance was merely a statement, not an exclamation.

Only in front of Roland did she manage just one word.

"Thank you."

Roland bid her farewell and quickly turned away, afraid he wouldn’t hold back his laughter.

In truth, it was he who should be thanking her.

If Angelina knew those books were crucial tools to overturn Sofia, she might have angrily burned them all.

Angelina left.

She arrived with a heart like ash, and departed laden with bounty.

The day after her departure, another larger caravan left Hansa City, heading north toward Suyige Province.

This was the Empire’s newest province and Roland’s fiefdom.

This was the starting point of the Imperial journey and the beginning of Roland’s journey to spread knowledge.

This was the first Imperial tour since the Empress’s ascent to the throne, despite her repeated requests to control the scale, the number of people exceeded expectations.

First, there was the security detail comprised of three hundred elite Forbidden Guards and two hundred White Rose Knights.

The Empress’s safety was not to be taken lightly.

Though the journey was entirely within the Empire’s territory, it still needed an escort.

If someone were to assassinate the Empress, regardless of the outcome, the Empire’s face would be lost.

In short, the Empress’s safety and the Imperial Family’s dignity must be ensured.

Choosing Suyige Province as the first stop was a result of careful consideration.

This was the Empire’s most recently expanded territory, with one-third of its population originating from the former Oden Kingdom.

As per agreement, the Oden People could freely leave Suyige Province within three years, without interference from the Sussex Empire.

After three years, those who remain will be subjects of the Empire.

The tour was destined to be challenging, so it was prudent to start from the most difficult place.

The procedure for the tour was simple: the Empress’s caravan enters the square, local officials greet them, and the Empress meets the onlookers, making acquaintances.

According to tradition, public activities end here, and subsequently, local officials arrange some visits or interactive events.

For example, meeting representatives from the masses, listening to their appeals, and so on.

But for this tour, an important segment was added, where Caesar Roland and the accompanying Minstrels would tell stories.

Stories of the Empress.

Empress Sylph was now an idol adored by all, her popularity surpassing any Emperor in Sussex history.

Though some traditionalists disliked such ostentatiousness, they were in the minority.

Most of the populace, regardless of age or gender, wanted to witness the Empress’s charisma firsthand.

Depending on the province’s size and importance, the public tour lasted about one to two days.

If you add up the journey’s consumption, this tour won’t be over in less than half a year.

If war breaks out halfway, the tour could end at any moment.

Roland originally thought the Suyige trip would be met with cold reception, at least the Oden people wouldn’t have a friendly face.

But the sight of tens of thousands of people bustling in Pioneer Square left him astonished.

What’s happening here?

Roland frowned slightly, instructing the Guard Captain to ensure security.

Raikkonen, the duty Guard Captain, nodded calmly and quickly left the carriage to maintain order.

Watching Raikkonen’s back, Roland’s lips curled into a faint smile.

It’s hard for him to connect this composed and capable young man with the paparazzi reporter who used to get chased and beaten across several streets.

When Manager Truwa entrusted his young son to him, he probably didn’t foresee that this boy would now hold a Baron’s title, a Brigadier General rank, and deeply earn Roland’s favor, with a bright future ahead.

Everyone grows.

Roland caught a glimpse of Sif, dressed in a simple ceremonial outfit beside him, and thought to himself that if Sif didn’t have the potential to challenge Sofia, he certainly wouldn’t let her seek her own demise.

But Sif’s potential far exceeded his expectations.

He could grow stronger by spreading knowledge, and Sif was no less capable; as her popularity and public support continued to rise, her aura became increasingly majestic, her strength advancing rapidly.

Currently, Sif has only made public appearances in a few cities like the Imperial Capital and Hansa; Roland can hardly imagine how she will grow by the end of this tour.

This journey belongs to them.

It’s not a honeymoon trip filled with flowers and moonlight, but a soaring adventure together.

Everyone is growing in their own way.

Roland and Sif are, and so are the others.

On the day the tour started, Lisa left Hansa and returned to the Magic Association.

She solemnly proposed to her teacher that she wants to enter the Demon Spirit Tower to train.

Anthony’s face changed drastically, his head aching.

In the past, Lisa was not too focused on training and was more interested in cooking, causing him headaches; now, Lisa is overly ambitious, causing the same headache.

The Demon Spirit Tower was a top training ground for the Magic Empire’s elite talents to push their limits and achieve breakthroughs.

Mages enter the Demon Spirit Tower in a spirit body form, continuously honing themselves under siege from countless ferocious demonic spirit projections, or they die.

Once in the Demon Spirit Tower, there’s no turning back.

Either you pass through the levels or die on the spot.

With Lisa’s strength, although she has a chance of survival upon entering the Demon Spirit Tower, it’s not much.

Anthony’s persuasion dissolved in the blazing flames in Lisa’s eyes.

Knowing he couldn’t dissuade her, he patiently explained strategies for passing the Demon Spirit Tower.

Lisa, after all, is his disciple, and he had to offer whatever help he could.

Lisa obediently listened to her teacher’s explanation and entered the Demon Spirit Tower alone.

Once inside the Demon Spirit Tower, her obedient smile slowly disappeared, replaced by determination.

"Demon Spirit Tower, reset!"

Resetting the Demon Spirit Tower naturally invalidated any small backdoor her teacher had left; she had to rely on her skills to pass.

Lisa wasn’t acting out of spite, nor was she fooling around.

Her reasoning was simple. Would the enemy leave her a backdoor?

Relying on her teacher’s backdoor to pass would leave her crying on the battlefield.

...

When Roland stood in Pioneer Square in Suyige Province to deliver his passionate speech, the Jin Yuan Republic was undergoing a power transition.

Liberator Alina entrusted government affairs to her most trusted subordinates, like her father.

Romeo, who learned politics and governance from Mr. Carlo, got the chance to run the country.

Alina didn’t relinquish power; she just needed peace of mind.

On the night of the power transition, Alina entered Mont Blanc not far from the Peak of White Mountain.

There was an observatory there, built with her father’s investment.

The location had a good view and pleasant climate, allowing for clear nightly views of the starry sky.

She wanted to seclude herself here.

During the day, she read and calculated, and at nightfall, she gazed at the starry sky, touching the tracks of destiny.

She wished to accumulate strength, making one last calculation before the outbreak of war.

She wanted to directly explore Roland’s destiny track.

Even if she couldn’t fathom the direction, she wanted to touch lightly, feeling the turbulence brought by unknown fate.

She was a Stargazer, a faceless person, and a Prophet.

She always thought about evading fate’s backlash, always trying to view from a distance without daring to embrace fate’s impermanence head-on.

This kind of person is not qualified to gaze upon the starry sky.

She picked up a quill pen and left flying words on the letter paper.

"If you have the time, come to Mont Blanc and gaze at the stars together."

It was brief and incomplete, but she knew Roland could understand.

Facing Roland’s destiny.

Also facing her own destiny.

Was the gaze penetrating the river of fate, or was her soul crossing the river of the Netherworld?

She had some anticipation.