In the Name of Empress-Chapter 460 - 312: Star Spirit (Part 2)

Although the sparse records from the previous eras describe the Star Spirits in a simple manner, it’s discernible that they were a powerful race, highly skilled at drawing power from the stars.

Why did such a powerful race disappear without a trace?

There’s no need to guess; it must have been divine punishment.

If the records of this anecdotal history were true, then Alina’s identity is quite extraordinary.

Descendant of the Star Spirits, astrologer, her race and profession are a perfect match.

Considering Alina’s miraculous progress, advancing consecutively for three years after choosing to be an astrologer, Roland gained more confidence in this anecdote.

While he was perusing the book intently, the yellowing pages suddenly emitted a foul smell, with smoke billowing up.

Without hesitation, Roland picked up the cup beside him and poured its tea over it.

There would certainly be some loss, but saving part of the content is considered a victory.

The instant the tea contacted the yellowing pages, a loud bang sounded. By the time Roland detached his outer robe to wrap around the anecdotal history to save it, it was too late.

The book couldn’t be saved, his robe was ruined, and any normal person would feel at least a bit upset, yet Roland was no ordinary person; his eyes lit up.

Only seeing something that shouldn’t be seen would trigger a self-destruct protocol.

It seems the Star Spirits indeed existed, and this anecdotal history might have touched upon the truth.

Instead of lamenting over the destruction of an anecdotal history book, Roland immediately went to the library and quickly found a few more books related to Star Spirits.

Some described the basic situation of the Star Spirit race, while others depicted their customs and folkways when they still existed.

These books’ records seemed extravagant; in fact, they were extravagant.

Normally Roland wouldn’t believe such wild things, but these books all ended the same way, with spontaneous combustion and inextinguishable flames.

He couldn’t help but believe it.

After gathering all the information regarding the Star Spirits, Roland could essentially confirm that Alina was a descendant of the Star Spirits, just without the awakened memory.

If she could awaken the inheritance memory within her about the Star Spirits, perhaps she would truly have a chance to master the Great Prophecy Skill.

In any case, it’s all positive.

The self-destruction of information related to the Star Spirits didn’t discourage Roland. He took out a blank Wordless Book, channelled magic power into it, and the contents from his memory automatically surfaced, rapidly expanding across the blank Wordless Book at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.

This was also the trait of his profession as an inheritor of extraordinary professions.

Endowed with an extraordinary eidetic memory, he could project his thoughts to materialize them, converting them into the contents of a book.

Simply put, Roland wasn’t merely copying books, nor writing them — he was "thinking" them.

Wherever his thoughts led, the book would follow.

An inheritor writing a book only confronts the challenge of imagination, not expression.

Roland quickly made a complete copy of the books just burned and then carried them to find Alina.

Even though it was late at night, he believed Alina hadn’t gone to sleep.

And even if she had, she must get up, for this matter was of utmost importance.

Roland rode a carriage to the West Palace and was stopped by guards at the Old Imperial Palace entrance.

His brows furrowed slightly but soon relaxed.

These soldiers probably weren’t deliberate; after all, he had just taken office during the day, so it was normal for frontline soldiers not to know him yet...

What a load of nonsense!

Indeed he assumed office just today, but he was the Prime Minister!

The State Secretary would definitely relay information about his appointment to relevant departments at the first opportunity, along with Roland’s portrait for identification purposes.

If a dignified Prime Minister were continually denied entry, could this job even be done anymore?

Roland, with much interest, looked at the soldier asking for a pass, pointing anytime at the family insignia engraved on the carriage.

"This is Miss Alina’s exclusive carriage; this should be enough to prove my identity, right? Please inform the Liberator, telling them Roland seeks an audience." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Roland also had a token in his possession, which allowed direct entrance to the Imperial Palace, but he didn’t want to use such a precious item as a pass just yet.

This token was a ticket given to Roland by Alina back when she was still an international student at the Art Academy.

It had never been used and had since become a secret between Roland and Alina.

Even though he didn’t want to reveal it, for convenience’s sake in finding Alina quickly, he displayed the ticket.

Crafted with exquisite workmanship, this temporary ticket was sufficient to testify to Roland’s notable identity, let alone, he merely wanted the soldier to relay a message, not necessarily enter directly.

By convention, at least a report should be made, yet today’s palace gate guards seemed out of sorts, neither permitting entry nor willing to report, resolutely refusing.

Witnessing this guard’s conduct, Roland secretly questioned; how could such a person be selected to guard the Old Imperial Palace’s gates?

Possessing the finesse of a diplomatic approach is critical as a doorkeeper.

Thus, this palace gate soldier likely had issues.

Roland didn’t want to waste words on them; if they wouldn’t let him in at night, he’d look for Alina tomorrow.

He must remind Alina that although ministers could be replaced gradually, such an inept guard dog must be immediately dismissed.

Regardless of corruption or sheer incompetence, they held no qualification to safeguard the West Palace.

As Roland turned to leave, hurried footsteps resounded.

The burly captain of the Old Imperial Palace’s guard force ran over.

He was gasping for breath, his legs trembling.

Having been plucked from a lady’s arms, his body, drained by indulgence, felt empty; hearing the commotion outside jolted him to rush out, only to see Roland!

He was so frightened that he almost wanted to leap into the Netherworld.

Roland’s prestige, he knew well, and staying unshaken would be indeed strange.

The captain hurriedly blocked Roland’s path, explaining deferentially.

Seeing the captain so well-informed and tactful, Roland didn’t trouble him; after the report, he headed towards the Emperor’s bedroom.

Arriving at the Emperor’s bedroom, Roland found the sleepless girl gazing into the dark night.

Alina calmly looked at Roland, a bit curious.

"Roland, what’s so urgent that you find me in the middle of the night, even clashing with two guards?"

"Before we talk, you might want to take a glance at these books, just flip through briefly."

The books documenting the Star Spirits hadn’t self-combusted; Alina flipped through them casually, feeling increasingly uneasy.

These introductions about the Star Spirits didn’t seem like tales but rather felt like veritable realities.

Alina, in silence, finished the last book, raising her head to look at Roland.

"Do you think I’m a descendant of the Star Spirits?"

"Very likely," Roland chimed in.

"Then let’s let facts speak for themselves; a mark of the stars is hidden on the chest of the Star Spirit race, which can be made visible by concentrating their spirit."

Alina didn’t finish her sentence, but the implication was clear; she had no star mark, so she couldn’t possibly be a Star Spirit descendant.

She disdained the frivolous act of falsely claiming ancestry.

To put her mind at ease and reassure Roland, she opted to verify herself.

She glanced at her voluptuous curves, closed her eyes, and began focusing her spirit.

She suppressed distractions and focused her spirit at the window, feeling for any sensation from her chest...

Sure enough, no response occurred.

Verification went almost as expected; lack of a mark signified...

Alina opened her eyes, smiling as she lowered her gaze to her chest, utterly stunned.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible; I’m human, not some Star Spirit!"

Angrily, she stood, fuming fiercely, resolving nothing yet.

In helpless fury, Alina gradually calmed, sitting dazedly without speaking for a long while before laughing at herself.

For a sovereign of a nation to not be human but a Star Spirit, it was sheer parody.

With a touch of despair, Alina softly asked Roland, "If I were a Star Spirit, would you still treat me as before?"

"I wouldn’t," Roland replied calmly.

"I see..." Though expecting this answer, Alina still felt a trace of discomfort within.

"Since you must hide your identity as a Star Spirit, you’ll surely need friends. I’ll confide this secret with those close, deepening our friendship boundlessly, enduringly."

Alina sat silent for a while, slowly speaking, "Thank you, Roland. From today onwards, I’ll change my family name to Bonaparte. I shall raise the banner, fighting alongside you until the end."