In the Name of Empress-Chapter 499 - 324: Everyone Is Striving to Survive (Part 4)
Sif set up a challenge, which is quite reasonable.
After all, Alina is a newcomer, and her willingness to accept it already shows great magnanimity.
The time before the Sixth Return Day was exclusively for him and Sif. If they can survive, Sif’s mindset might change. Her higher pursuit is the pinnacle of power.
Roland didn’t argue, nor did he say anything insincere, which pleased Sif. However, she still couldn’t resist biting Roland’s shoulder lightly.
She didn’t use much force, just left a mark.
"And your Sister Lisa, since she doesn’t plan to marry, let’s just live together."
Compared to Alina, Sif is more willing to accept Lisa.
Lisa seeks companionship and won’t compete for anything.
She doesn’t compete for anything, which actually makes Sif feel a bit embarrassed. Lisa and Roland aren’t related by blood, they grew up together, and are well-acquainted, having gone through so much together. Separating them would be a colossal joke.
As for how they choose to accompany one another, let them decide.
Sif and Lisa already had an understanding. Now, it was just being clarified in front of Roland.
But this tolerance also came with a price.
Sif left a bite mark on Roland’s other shoulder. Neat and tidy, like a crescent moon.
Roland’s apology melted into Sif’s gentle eyes.
She said nothing, only gave Roland a look.
She was about to set off for an expedition, and tonight she needed to be filled with Roland’s courage repeatedly.
Such a reasonable request, Roland, of course, would not refuse.
Just when the two were about to leave hand in hand, there was a knock at the door.
"Lord Roland, is this a convenient time for you?"
Roland paused for a moment before recognizing the hoarse voice. It was from the recently captured and now loyal new leader of the Graham Sea Demon clan, Munina Gram.
Roland initially planned to make the Sea Demon tribe an important supplementary force, but he gradually realized that this group of Sea Demons had rigid thinking and not many talents worth using. According to his selection criteria, he could only form a special unit of about a thousand.
Moreover, with Munina becoming Mr. Norton’s adopted daughter, Roland felt it was improper to exploit them excessively, so the Graham Sea Demons gradually became marginalized.
This decisive battle for destiny was primarily a land war, so he simply didn’t conscript the Sea Demon tribe to participate.
One couldn’t expect the Sea Demons to fight the Empress of the Frosty Winter at the Peak of White Mountain, could you?
Even if they managed to climb the snowy mountain by luck, they would freeze, unable to care for themselves.
Although the Graham Sea Demons were temporarily out of use, Roland believed they would be of great use when advancing into the Ocean in the future. Thus, their task was to recuperate and have more children.
He even implemented incentive and support policies for promoting childbirth within the Sea Demons.
After a long pause, Roland still couldn’t figure out what Munina was seeking him for at this time.
Seeing Roland unresponsive, Sif gave a light cough and responded on his behalf, "Miss Munina, please come in."
With a creak, the door to the command room opened.
A charming face slowly appeared at the door.
Munina was dressed in human clothes, even wearing a skirt to cover her fish tail.
Dressed conservatively, she didn’t look like a Sea Demon, nor like a cyborg, but rather like a strictly-raised noble lady.
"Your Majesty, Lord Roland, I have a report."
"Please, go ahead."
Even though Munina was encroaching on her and Roland’s night, Sif maintained her patience and smile.
Timidly, Munina didn’t dare meet Sif’s gaze. For some reason, she felt the Empress seemed rather displeased.
She quickly got to the point, "Your Majesty, the Graham Clan is also a part of the Empire. We have both duty and the right to contribute."
"I wish to lead an elite force to join the navy and serve the nation."
Sif hadn’t expected Munina to make such a request, raising her eyebrows slightly, she spoke softly, "I only wish for this special force to have fewer numbers, considering the Graham Clan is still in recovery."
"Not many, just over five hundred, and mostly middle-aged who can’t reproduce."
Munina quietly replied.
The Sea Demon tribe loses their ability to reproduce after the age of thirty-five, and these warriors aged around forty can no longer contribute to population growth, so instead, they win the clan benefits through their blood and flesh.
She knew well that this was a battle to decide the Empire’s fate, and if the Graham Clan didn’t contribute, they wouldn’t have a say when dividing the spoils afterward.
These middle-aged warriors and singers in the clan are the backbone, much stronger than the young ones.
They’re prepared to burn their all to win benefits for the clan.
Munina felt distressed, yet she couldn’t refuse, as this was the choice that best aligned with the clan’s interests, despite being somewhat cruel.
She understood that a clan couldn’t rise by relying on others’ charity but must strive for it themselves.
When necessary, even she could be sacrificed.
When Munina raised her head again, there was no hint of weakness in her eyes, only determination.
Sif couldn’t refuse such a gaze. She nodded and calmly said, "Alright then, you will lead them to join the navy to support in reconnaissance and protection."
"Your, Your Majesty, this force will be led by Elder Nigma. I intend to follow you and Lord Roland to offer support."
"But our battlefield is primarily on land; your follow-through holds little meaning." Sif looked at Munina with some confusion, somewhat puzzled.
Sea Demons lose half their fighting strength once on land; when exposed to the dry air, they can barely sing a few notes. Munina surely understood such a simple principle, so why insist on following the main forces?
Munina bravely met Sif’s gaze, loudly explaining, "I, I can perform the complete three great movements in a dry environment, but no longer than half an hour."
First movement, Charm.
Second movement, Chaos.
Third movement, Sorrow.
All are very practical group auxiliary abilities.
Sif’s lips curled slightly upwards, and she softly said, "Munina, I am about to set off on an expedition. You will stay by my side. I have some singing techniques I want to discuss with you."
