In the Name of Empress-Chapter 571 - 343: A Letter Home (Part 2)

Sofia shook her head with some regret and quickly put the matter out of her mind.

She was just curious, not someone who enjoyed prying into others’ privacy; she wasn’t that bored.

If she couldn’t see it, so be it; she could completely guess what Sif would write.

Nothing but the sweet words of a young girl in love.

Such trivial things only young people enjoy; not seeing it is no loss!

With a trace of regret, Sofia turned to the last page of the letter and finally witnessed Roland’s hard-earned prowess as a champion writer.

He expressed his emotions using classic Elf poetry.

Northern Elves wandering away from home, longing for their wife and children.

Sofia was silent for a long time, her eyes suddenly brightened.

Wait, wife and children?

She hadn’t had such gossipy thoughts for a long time. This semi-public, semi-private letter reminded her of some memories from when she was an ordinary person, but that memory quickly dissipated into the void.

Putting down the Endless Letter, Sofia walked to the window, her solemn expression returned to calm.

It was just an occasional satiation of curiosity; she would never look at this Endless Letter again.

She might as well hand it over to Sif tomorrow so she can conveniently correspond with Roland.

To think they’re married and still have so much to say—sickening to watch.

Sofia took a deep breath, adjusting her emotions.

Perhaps because she gave up controlling the Frosty Winter, or maybe due to the massive loss of power, she helplessly found herself more like a mortal now.

Once Roland stabilizes the situation, and she is no longer needed to prop things up, she’ll go to the Arctic Glacier to collect Cold Ice Spiritual Energy and reforge the Bright Blue Fury.

She had promised Angelina, and she must fulfill it.

...

Cabinet meeting hall.

The first cabinet meeting since Roland assumed the role of Imperial Cardinal Minister.

When he walked into the office building, the guards on both sides tilted their eyes at a forty-five-degree angle, suddenly raising their guns in salute.

The guards had received emergency training and recognized the new Cardinal Minister.

Though it seemed absurd for a foreign Prime Minister to become the nation’s Cardinal Minister, the guards understood this was politics, a realm not theirs to meddle in.

Never mind a foreign Cardinal Minister; even Her Majesty the Empress was once a Prudon noblewoman. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

No matter where one comes from, it’s enough that they are now a member of the Empire.

Entering the cabinet meeting hall, Roland ignored the ministers approaching to greet him, heading straight to his seat and turned to survey the room.

Under his cold scrutiny, a few ministers’ expressions were noticeably strained, while others displayed indifference, and some silently bowed their heads, avoiding eye contact with Roland.

Roland put down the folder and drew a scepter from beneath his robe.

A scepter with white chrysanthemum patterns and a double-headed eagle emblem, made from special metal sourced from the Arctic, radiating an imposing gleam, representing the Empress’s authority.

The ministers were stunned, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Seeing their confused expressions, Roland spoke coldly.

"Gentlemen, I hope you remember one thing: it was Empress Sofia who called me here for reform and innovation. She entrusted me with her scepter, granting me absolute authority equivalent to that of an Emperor."

"As long as I see fit, I can dismiss or deal with any official."

Roland’s words were resolute, straightforwardly laying his cards face-up for all to see.

He had no desire to engage in political maneuvering with these people for months to reorganize order.

Time waits for no one.

The peace talks would commence soon; he must quickly reorganize the cabinet to echo only his voice.

Should he wish to listen, they may speak.

If he deems it unnecessary, they should just execute commands.

To make these obstinate bureaucrats understand the significance of reform was as challenging as persuading an elephant to wear stockings.

Roland lacked such patience, nor did he care what the cabinet ministers thought.

Should anyone not know their place, he wouldn’t mind setting an example by making a spectacle of them.

According to his estimation, the Rurik people were hotheaded, and many in the cabinet had military backgrounds; they surely couldn’t tolerate it.

Should anyone spring out, that would be ideal—he could easily replace a few troublemakers with their younger deputies.

In officialdom, no favor is heavier than recognition and promotion.

Some older ministers relied on having served three emperors, treating the young with disdain.

Roland’s target was them.

Yet, unexpectedly, no one opposed him.

He puzzledly looked at several cabinet members with military backgrounds, only to find that their eyes held more admiration and appreciation.

Wow, these old geezers were quite the actors.

Roland silently snarked.

Just as he was preparing to improvise his next words, applause erupted.

Led by an unknown pioneer, more and more cabinet ministers joined in clapping.

While Roland was still perplexed, Prime Minister Angelina smiled and explained:

"Roland, you don’t understand the Rurik people. We admire the strong and respect Heroes."

Roland remained somewhat baffled; his reputation was always shrewd, morally bankrupt, and scandal-ridden—how could it possibly align with courage?

Angelina offered no further explanation but glanced in the direction of the Summer Palace.

Roland suddenly realized—challenging Sofia was an act of courage.

To survive such a challenge reflected competence.

Regarding his cunning, everyone had experienced it, so it required no elaboration.

There was one thing Angelina hadn’t mentioned: Roland underestimated the supreme status Sofia held in the Vladimir Empire.

The Rurik people might not believe in God, but they certainly believed in Sofia.

Her standing here rivaled or even surpassed that of a deity.