In the Name of Empress-Chapter 451 - 309: I Will Spread the Rumors Myself
"And this powerful existence does not wish for us to face Sofia in our best state."
Roland picked up after Alina, smiling as he spoke, "In other words, our chances of winning might not be high, but they are certainly not zero."
Alina’s eyes immediately turned fiery.
"It’s so good to have you. If it were just me, I would definitely have been deceived."
"You’re entangled in the situation, while I’m a clear observer." Roland enjoyed Alina’s praise but remained modest.
"Even though as an observer you see clearly, most others couldn’t see through it." Alina wasn’t simply flattering him; it was a truth she admitted she couldn’t manage herself.
If she couldn’t manage it, then the short-sighted officials in the Jin Yuan Kingdom would be even more oblivious.
If only our Jin Yuan Kingdom had a wise man like Roland...
Suddenly, Alina shivered with a revelation and excitement as she stood up, realizing the blind spot.
To perform an accurate divination, she asked Roland many questions, including the real reason for his tour with the Sif Empire.
Roland did not hide anything.
Their lives were linked together, already passengers on the same boat, so apart from his identity as a Transmigrator, there was no need to hide other matters.
Alina tentatively proposed, "Roland, are you interested in coming to our country for a speaking tour and temporarily acting as our Prime Minister?"
"Huh?" Roland was stunned.
A speaking tour was certainly no problem; spreading knowledge in the Jin Yuan Kingdom was only beneficial to him. Acting as Prime Minister would increase his control over the Jin Yuan Kingdom, which was also advantageous.
But he was, after all, a foreigner; was it feasible?
"Is it appropriate?"
Seeing Roland not refusing but merely hesitating, Alina couldn’t help but laugh.
"Appropriate, it’s way too appropriate! We have a legend in the Jin Yuan Kingdom that only with foreign and female leadership is it a true Jin Yuan Kingdom."
"You’re the foreigner, and I’m the woman, so..."
Seeing Alina almost about to pounce, Roland knew that hesitating any further would be unreasonable.
This was inherently a mutually beneficial arrangement, so why decline?
"Alright, I’ll go back and discuss it with Sif and find a suitable time..."
Alina couldn’t help but give Roland a disdainful glance, "Don’t discuss it anymore, everyone knows Sif only listens to you. Why put on an act? Besides, do we have much time?"
Roland didn’t particularly like the first part of Alina’s comment, but the latter part was truth.
Time was their greatest enemy.
"Alright."
"Let’s go, I can’t wait any longer. Let’s set out now, return to Xidai in three days, and I’ll pick a fief without an owner for you. You’ll become Count Leon. This way, no one will dare to oppose you being Prime Minister."
Before he could react, Alina tightly gripped his hand as if afraid he would immediately run away.
Roland chuckled and shook his head, "Even if we’re in a hurry, I should at least write a letter to my family. Besides, if you just make me a Count, what will others think?"
"Alright then, we’ll set off tomorrow, and I’ll send someone to deliver the letter."
Alina smiled as radiantly as a flower, looking at the dimming candlelight and Roland, who shone softly like a pearl in the dim light, feeling particularly delighted.
In response to Roland’s final doubt, she softly said, "I have a way to silence others. No one understands Jin Yuan better than me. You should focus on being a good Prime Minister."
From despair to hope, it only takes one day.
Who dares to say Roland cannot create miracles?
No matter how formidable Sofia is, she is still flesh and blood. At the same tier, even if invincible, she cannot withstand the soul blood link uniting the four of us. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
The sacred link binds our flesh and soul.
There is nothing to fear; let’s go!
That night, Alina was too excited to sleep.
Roland, however, was troubled about how to explain to Sif.
He knew Sif was understanding and would surely empathize, which made him feel all the more guilty.
He had promised to visit a friend before leaving, but after setting off, ended up going to another country for a speaking tour and even taking an official position; it was quite a large difference.
Think as he might, all he could offer was sincerity.
From Alina’s prophecy to seeing through the false prophecy, he did not hide anything.
To protect Alina’s dignity, Roland was considerate enough not to mention her hysterical moments.
Not that it was concealment, but it was better not to say things that would harm unity.
Dawn awoke the snow-capped mountains.
Everything was as before, except the avalanche-altered mountains seemed to be narrating something.
The letter was tied to the pigeon’s leg and flew northward towards the Empress’s Palace.
Roland and Alina rode magnificent white horses, heading north, changing steeds in key cities along the way, traveling non-stop for two days and nights to return to Xidai.
In the West Palace, Alina arranged for several maids to attend to Roland’s bath and rest, hastily summoned Romeo before he’d even caught his breath.
After hearing Alina’s arrangements, Romeo hesitated, unsure of how to voice his concerns.
Seeing his conflicted expression, Alina could guess his thoughts and solemnly asked:
"Do you have any objections?"
"Of course not. Governor Roland has already proven his governance capabilities in the Sussex Empire; he will definitely be up to the task."
Romeo knew that Alina had already made her decision, and opposing her directly would only breed antipathy or even rebellion in her heart.
He could only follow Alina’s plan and later find a way to detect potential pitfalls.
Hearing Romeo’s endorsement, Alina’s stern face softened.
"Romeo, please mind your address; you must call him Count or Prime Minister in the future. Don’t let others mock our Jin Yuan people’s hospitality."
Inwardly, Romeo ranted.
With Count and Prime Minister titles, plus your complete trust, does this guest not have more power than the host? Is he really a guest?
Romeo had witnessed Alina’s growth process, understood her rebellious nature, and knew that direct advice would only make her more resolved, so he had to tactfully broach:
"Alina, have you considered that others might criticize you?"
"Sparrows chirping won’t stop the wheat from growing." Alina replied with a well-known Jin Yuan saying.
"I’m not saying they will directly question your decision, but rumors will definitely spread."
"What kind of rumors?" Alina asked nonchalantly.
Romeo bit his lip, hesitated for a while, and finally chose to speak directly as a reminder.
"Do you remember the rumors about Roland and Empress Sylph? Back then, his assistance to the yet-to-rule Empress sparked countless rumors. Our Jin Yuan people’s love for gossip and tabloid news is second to none."
Alina scoffed dismissively, her disdainful eyes showing a hint of contempt: "Not just on par, but even more exaggerated."
"As long as you know that, so how do you plan to dispel the rumors?"
"Why dispel them?"
Alina laughed disdainfully, "I won’t even give them a chance to start rumors. Rumors are stopped by the wise, and can just as easily start with them."
"Instead of letting them speculate, I’ll write a few rumors myself and submit them, even earn some manuscript fees."
Romeo stared at Alina, dumbfounded, speechless for a long time.
Was this a do-or-die approach, or was it a reverse strategy?
His brain worked rapidly, almost overheating yet still unable to comprehend.
Alina had no inclination to explain to him and waved her hand to end the conversation.
Romeo still wanted to persuade her, but Alina preemptively cut him off: "My future and destiny are inseparable from Roland now; there’s no need to say more."
Romeo left, crestfallen.
He sighed, pondering a dreadful possibility.
If the person involved spreads the rumors, is it still a rumor?
