In the Name of Empress-Chapter 515 - 328: Hey, It’s a Catfight! (Part 2)
"What did you see?"
"I..."
Sif initially wanted to deny it, but she knew it was impossible to deceive the other party and would instead lose momentum. So she simply admitted it openly.
"I wanted to see if you had any murderous intent, but all I saw was a glacier."
Sif shrugged, as if she were talking about something trivial.
Even though she was facing an enemy and acting shamelessly, her demeanor was exceptionally endearing. Even Sofia, whom she had peeked at, couldn’t muster any killing intent.
Just as Sofia’s brow began to furrow, Roland’s voice rang out.
"Honorable Sofia la... Miss."
Roland instinctively used a term meant for married women, then keenly sensed the temperature dropping. So he quickly switched to the word "miss," suitable for an unmarried maiden, just before saying "lady."
The temperature rose again, returning to normal.
Roland couldn’t fathom the reason behind Sofia’s absurd proposal, so he decided to stall by engaging in conversation to bide time and see what she truly wanted.
"Miss Sofia, your proposal came so unexpectedly, I’ve been too shocked to believe it since. Apologies for the slow response."
"Really." Sofia’s words were concise, using one when two would do.
Roland’s heart skipped a beat as his mind raced to analyze the sincerity behind Sofia’s proposal.
Firstly, he ruled out the option of luring him away to be killed.
Would a tiger need schemes to kill a chicken? Sofia wasn’t of that nature either.
Many Transcendents had perished at her hands, several of whom were made into ice sculptures displayed at the Summer Palace’s entrance. She killed them head-on, without strategy.
If lure and kill weren’t possible, was it to sow discord?
Looking back on Sofia’s political career, she often used cunning against ordinary enemies, opting for efficiency and minimizing cost.
One other possibility was that she saw Roland’s governance in Sussex and the Jin Yuan Kingdom and wanted him to educate the muscle-headed idiots of the Vladimir Empire.
In a flash, Roland devised a countermeasure.
He glanced back at Sif.
They were familiar enough to exchange information with just a look, needing no eye contact.
It was a tacit understanding built over years of close interaction, surpassing even that with Lisa.
He chatted with Lisa far more frequently than with Sif.
However, his gaze found no target, as Sif was immersed in the shock of her failed Insight Skill, her eyes losing their gleam, leaving her bewildered. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
Forget it, Sif is part of this. Can’t blame her.
Roland shifted his gaze to Lisa.
Though they often chatted cross-server, there were moments of deep understanding. Sister Lisa wasn’t directly involved, so she shouldn’t be as confused.
Yet his gaze still had nowhere to settle.
Lisa was anxiously watching Sif, not noticing him at all.
Roland was speechless; weren’t these two rivals? When did they grow so close? Not a word to him, really distancing.
He had no choice but to look at Alina.
Though he spent the least time with Alina, their relationship was also the shallowest. Shouldn’t...
Forget it, none of them are reliable. I’ll handle it myself.
Seeing Alina’s gaze was also fixed on Sif, Roland gave up on using glances to remind his three companions and turned to face Sofia.
"Miss Sofia, since this is a transaction, do I have the right to negotiate?"
"Yes." Sofia’s unique concise reply.
"Miss Sofia, if, and I emphasize if, I go there to serve as Prime Minister, would my family also receive your protection?" Roland carefully inquired.
Sofia remained calm, pointing her slender fingers at the group of four including Sif.
Her beautiful eyes shimmered with a bright blue light, adding a hint of amusement to her gaze, "Them?"
Even Roland, who was thick-skinned, felt a bit embarrassed being pointed out by Sofia.
"Well, what I mean is..."
"Rest assured, work is vital," Sofia interrupted Roland’s explanation, seemingly frustrated, almost unable to keep the fierce intent at bay. She didn’t want to hear any more nonsense.
"Her Majesty Sofia, you know, my wife and I are both young, and we have no children, so we need some time together."
"Seven days’ leave every year, your family can visit, and the Winter Palace is at your disposal." Sofia laid out Roland’s arrangements in the simplest terms.
Although her tone was calm, Roland knew this was the bottom line, unchangeable.
What kind of stinginess is this, giving only a week off for a year’s work? And this job lasts five years; who could bear it?
Roland’s lips twitched, reminiscent of pre-travel overwork as a corporate slave and similar experiences post-travel. His mood almost exploded on the spot.
He nearly couldn’t help but stop the negotiation until he saw Sofia’s eyes.
It was evident she was suppressing her own anger.
Azure flames flickered in her attractive eyes, flowing with a stifling aura of destruction.
Roland wasn’t sure if he could defeat Sofia, but now wasn’t the time to gamble.
He bit his lip and continued to ask, "I want to know the cost of peace."
"Along the longitude line of the Frank Castle ruins, each camp will conquer smaller nations and distribute internally without interfering with the other’s interests."
"No activities targeting the opposing camp."
Sofia uncharacteristically elaborated, her voice deep, "As long as you perform well, these trivial matters can be negotiated."
