In the Name of Empress-Chapter 501 - 325: The Empress’s Thoughts (Part 2)
If she were an ordinary person, she would likely cry her eyes out and lead a miserable life.
However, she is a Transcendent, a powerful Transcendent.
She didn’t endure for long, and after confronting Ivan IV face-to-face, she took action.
The frozen blood turned the Winter Palace red.
According to official records, Ivan IV died unexpectedly of a "cold."
On the same day, more than seven hundred members of the Imperial Guard died of "cold."
The Rurik People, who revered strength, were shocked by Sofia’s terrifying power; after a brief moment of stupefaction, they unhesitatingly embraced Sofia as the new Emperor.
As for Ivan IV, he was just a sickly man who couldn’t even withstand a cold. Who would weep for a sickly man who froze to death?
This was the process of Sofia’s ascension to the throne.
Simple, brutal, yet in line with the Rurik People’s philosophy.
After a brief pause, Sofia once again stepped forward toward the parlor.
She smiled self-deprecatingly.
Why were the memories of the dead attacking her again? Was she too vulnerable recently, or was she feeling uneasy because the Day of Return was nearing?
No one in this world was her match; what was the reason for her unease?
Sofia slightly frowned, unable to comprehend this.
Her memory had large blanks, as if hidden beneath an ice field, hard to discern its true form.
A voice in the dark seemed to remind her that everything would be revealed on the Day of Return.
Since she couldn’t understand, she decided to stop thinking about it for now.
Even though she was somewhat wearied, this country couldn’t function without her.
Her few trusted ministers were commendably loyal, but they were all action-oriented talents; at least half of their brains were lodged with her.
She wouldn’t complain about these ministers’ incompetence.
This was her choice, her standard; she couldn’t enjoy the convenience and then hide when trouble arose, right?
As Sofia entered the parlor, several ministers were already waiting impatiently.
Upon seeing Sofia, these ministers simultaneously revealed expressions of relief.
"Your Majesty, you are as illustrious as ever; I am happy for you,"
Prime Minister Borisov smilingly flattered.
Sofia sat down expressionlessly on the throne, tapping the armrest with her slender fingertips, producing a crisp sound.
"There’s no need for flattery. How are things this month?"
"Your Majesty, this month, four more countries have disappeared or are about to disappear,"
Borisov took a deep breath and said, "First, the good news— the Wende Empire has finally given in and surrendered, but they’re still putting up a brave front, insisting it’s not an unconditional surrender, demanding we retain the Imperial Family’s directly-controlled territories, including the capital Valsa."
"What do our allies think?" Sofia didn’t rush to state her opinion but continued to inquire.
"The Tirol Kingdom only wants the coal-producing Zone Buskens, and the Prudon Kingdom has already acquired the territory west of the Vistula River; they are not very interested in the Wende Empire’s directly-controlled territories."
Borisov mumbled discontentedly, "Those two bastards both say they respect your opinion. But the Prudon Kingdom also complains about their heavy losses on the western front, that they can’t continue the attack."
"The Tirol Kingdom’s reason is that they have sharp domestic conflicts and need to recall the troops to suppress domestic uprisings."
Sofia calmly asked, "Baron Borisov, what do you think?"
"I think we can demote the Wende Empire to a kingdom, cede territories, sign a tariff treaty, and force them to stand with us. After all, our real enemies are Sussex and Jin Yuan; there’s no need to expend too much force on them."
Sofia cast her gaze to Sahalin beside her, softly asking, "Baron Sahalin, how about the military’s opinion?"
Sahalin was the chief of the Shadow Sanctuary, who was disgraced by Roland’s scheme in Val City, known as the Blade of Destruction.
After his setback in Val City, he learned from his shame and displayed the calm demeanor of a great general in the conquest of small countries like the Boli Khanate, completely different from his previous impulsive self. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
Now he has been promoted to general, ostensibly the military’s third-ranked.
When Marshal Suvorov handled the front line matters, he stayed in the capital responsible for logistics coordination, an importance hard to overstate.
Facing the Empress’s inquiry, he confidently raised his head and replied loudly, "Marshal Suvorov’s stance is very firm; as long as Your Majesty needs it, he can completely resolve Wende within a month."
"Oh? With two allies’ help, it took him half a year and he still couldn’t handle that hard nut. Now without allies, he’s confident?"
Sahalin said slowly, "The Marshal didn’t explain the reason, only expressed his resolve."
Sofia looked at Sahalin with great interest, softly asking, "Baron Sahalin, where do you think the Marshal’s confidence comes from?"
"Without Prudon and Tirolians participating, although at least half of the combat strength is gone, the logistics pressure is also greatly reduced, and with unified command, it’s normal for the Marshal to be confident."
Sahalin answered with full confidence.
Isn’t that so?
The Wende Empire’s imperial army has only a hundred thousand left; if we can alleviate the logistics pressure, the gap in combat power between the two sides leaves a full chance to swallow the opponent.
Sofia neither confirmed nor denied, casting her eyes on Angelina, who stood half a step behind Sahalin.
"Angelina, what do you think?"
Angelina’s body trembled slightly, incredulously lifting her head, looking at the Empress, as a mist of tears unknowingly appeared at the corner of her eyes.
Being captured and imprisoned by Roland, losing the Ice Crystal Blue Ring, and even being forced to charge the ring, indirectly providing the enemy a chance to research the Empress’s strength, she did not just make a mistake, she committed a crime.
Driven by deep trepidation, she returned to the Empire with books gifted by Roland, to confess and atone unreservedly before the Empress, willing to plead guilty.
