In the Name of Empress-Chapter 447 - 308: The Price of Peering into Fate (Part 2)
The hope was faint, but worth a try; however, Roland gave her no chance at all.
From Roland’s standpoint, having Alina alive to coordinate the strength of the Jin Yuan Kingdom as support was indeed the most prudent choice, but it forsook any possibility of Alina breaking through.
Perhaps in his heart, her attempt was doomed to fail.
Being underestimated by the person she trusted the most, Alina suddenly felt disheartened, and her once flowing hair gradually wilted, no longer fluttering.
She would do anything Roland required as long as he needed it.
After repaying her debt, she felt no attachment to this world whatsoever.
Watching Alina’s childlike frustration, Roland could easily guess her little thoughts.
Though a girl’s thoughts were hard to discern, Alina was now a child who had given up on herself.
A child’s mind is simple and still relatively easy to guess.
"Alina, in your eyes, am I really the kind of person who would go to such lengths, help you conceal your identity, assist in your return to Xidai, and even risk my life on the battlefield?"
Alina slowly opened her eyes, her lips trembling as if wanting to retort but holding back.
Could it be that Roland had another plan?
"I will fully cooperate; besides the secrets I can’t reveal, you can know anything you want. But before the divination begins, you must promise me one thing."
"Tell me, I will agree to anything," Alina’s voice trembled slightly.
Though she expected Roland to pose stringent conditions, she only hoped he would support her divination.
This was her perfect chance to master the divination skill, possibly her only chance, and she didn’t want to miss it.
An astrologer who doesn’t want to be a prophet is not a good captain; of course, she wanted to improve.
"Establish a Soul Blood Link with me." Roland’s expression was calm, as if discussing what to have for lunch today.
Alina turned abruptly to stare at Roland, hardly daring to believe her eyes.
She couldn’t quite understand why Roland would make such a sacrifice.
The backlash’s power was so fierce that, though customarily, it would only slightly surpass the threshold to kill Roland; through the Soul Blood Link, the damage could be mitigated, and both would survive.
But that was just customary. What if the backlash’s force was stronger?
What if the backlash’s force was just enough to take them out?
Even if they weren’t killed by the backlash, they would certainly be severely injured, perhaps even left with aftereffects.
"Why?"
"Less nonsense. Without your help, facing Sofia would likely mean throwing my life away. Although this most likely binds you and me to die together, I hope you won’t refuse."
Roland stared earnestly at Alina, his attitude resolute.
Alina: "..."
Roland was right; the Soul Blood Link could be established but not undone. Now Roland was saving her, sharing the risk with her; in the future, she and Roland would be bound to face Sofia together.
They could face death twice hand in hand.
Alina’s romantic gene, typical of the Jin Yuan People, was activated. In her twenties and never having been in love, her heart suddenly began to race.
Is this a commitment unto death?
"I am willing!"
Alina’s cheeks blushed, she bowed her head and whispered, not daring to meet Roland’s eyes.
Images of how she met Roland flashed through her mind.
She met Roland even before Sif, just a bit later than Lisa. Upon first meeting, she couldn’t see through Roland’s fate, and though she didn’t know what strengths Roland had, she felt he was a talent worth befriending.
This is how she got the old ticket to Jin Yuan, leading to the ensuing story.
Because of this ticket and its value, Roland was willing to take significant risks to shelter her.
He gambled little for the greatest benefit.
She didn’t know what feelings Roland harbored for her, but in her time of greatest need, Roland had reached out to her with a warm hand in the darkness.
Maybe it was because she felt their days were numbered after forming the Soul Blood Link, or perhaps she recalled long-buried memories, but Alina suddenly felt much more cheerful.
Given that life probably only had a few months left, why hold back?
When alive, we should be bolder. Even if timid, we have to face death when it’s time, so why not act recklessly once?
Raising her head to look at Roland, Alina’s heart raced like a drunken deer, chaotic and hasty.
The Soul Blood Link ceremony wasn’t lengthy but demanded much from the participants.
Fortunately, Alina was skilled and sincere, so there was no issue.
Both bit their fingertips, using their fingers to paint bizarre symbols on each other’s faces, chanting lengthy and strange spells.
Because they were so close, they could feel each other’s breath, heartbeat, and warmth.
As the blood continually seeped into their skin, their cheeks grew hotter and hotter.
As the two sweated profusely, the ceremony finally concluded.
No time for celebration, they could already sense the warning of the Soul Blood Link.
From now on, they would share life, soul, and longevity.
They would die together or live together.
Roland felt like laughing; he had never imagined his first Soul Blood Link would be with Alina.
But time was tight, and he had no choice.
He had to hurry and help Alina complete her final breakthrough, accumulating enough power to break through Tier Six, perhaps even higher.
Alina was a crucial piece in the confrontation against Sofia; she couldn’t go wrong.
She couldn’t wait any longer; the coming days marked the perigee of the Ham Comet. Influenced by the comet, the current Power of Stars was strong and stable, ideal for divination.
If they missed this window, the next time the Ham Comet returned would be in seventy-six years.
By then, their graves would be covered in grass meters tall.
Since no alternatives existed, Roland simply accepted without hesitation.
