In the Name of the Queen

After the contract was signed, although Heitinson and Christine left with dark faces, Sif, who took advantage, also looked a little disappointed.

She looked down at the floor and asked with some disappointment:

"Are you afraid that I will lose?"

If Roland was worried about her safety, it wouldn't be unacceptable.

But she was really sure. If she couldn't even win against Christine, why should she fight with Sophia?

She needed the opportunity to experience, so why did she miss it?

"I believe you will win, I have absolute confidence in you, but can you guarantee not to get hurt?"

Roland said calmly.

Sif was silent.

There is no need to be harsh in front of Roland. She can indeed win, but Christine is a talent cultivated by the Holy Temple of Light, and she will definitely be able to fight.

If Christine refuses to admit defeat after killing Red Eye, the final result is likely to be one death and one injury.

Kill the Saint of the Holy Temple of Light, and the feud will become more serious.

Roland said with a smile: "Sif, you are the queen, not a charging general. We already have a huge advantage, but you go to fight with others. Isn't this giving your opponent a chance to make a comeback?"

"I understand. To give the opponent a fair chance to fight, the commander should go to a military court." Sif said with a smile.

This sentence comes from her exclusive teacher Roland.

Roland nodded with satisfaction, that's right.

Why do you have to rush in and fight when you can solve the problem with your brain? Why do you have to have a fair fight when there are more people and fewer people? Is there anything on your mind?

Sif had no worries, but Christine did.

Back on the ship, she returned to the cabin without saying a word, anger biting her like a poisonous snake.

She was really angry.

The amount of money to be lost this time is not a small amount.

Compared with this loss, the loss of 30,000 believers into the arms of the pagans was a greater blow.

This would affect her reputation and adversely affect her future bid for the papacy.

Although Roland designed an exquisite handover method to cover up, the facts will not change.

The great joy brought by welcoming the resurrection of the holy spring was wiped out by Roland's shamelessness.

The remaining three points also disappeared because Sif avoided the battle.

Just when she was furious, there was a knock on the door.

"Christine, are you still angry?" Hettingson's voice came from outside the door.

"Teacher, I want to be alone for a while."

"My child, what are these losses compared to the glory of the Holy Spring's resurrection? It was really unwise for you to challenge Sif recklessly just now. Fortunately, Roland stopped you."

Christine didn't like hearing this, "Teacher, do you think I can't win?"

"That's not true. You have the Holy Pact of Light and the power given by God, so you have a great chance of winning. But that little girl is very competitive. If you fight back desperately, can you guarantee that you won't get hurt?"

Christine was silent.

After a moment, Hettingson's voice sounded again, "Do you know her true identity? If you can't control your strength and kill her, have you thought about the consequences?"

Christine originally wanted to say that he was just a count. It would not cause sectarian conflicts and wars between countries.

The words reached his lips but he swallowed them back.

The teacher will not be alarmist. Since killing Sif is said to be a big problem, her identity must not be simple.

She opened the door and invited the teacher in, and respectfully asked the teacher to take a seat.

"Teacher, who is that Sif? Is she the hidden saint of the Holy Palace of Abundance?"

Thinking of Sif's pitiful gaze passing over her chest more than once, she felt itching with hatred.

Superficial woman!

How can a person's value be measured by two lumps of fat?

Looking at Christine's flushed face, Hettingson sighed and said softly:

"That Earl Sif is most likely Queen Sif."

"What?"

Christine's expression froze instantly.

The teacher was right, even if it was a fair fight, if he killed the Queen of Sussex, it would be a big disaster.

The Wende Empire is a country with weak Chinese power and extremely poor geographical location among the major powers. In recent years, it has been targeted by Vladimir, Pruden and Tyrol, and is facing the danger of war at any time.

Sussex, which pursues a continental balance of power, is the foreign aid they can most rely on.

If there is a war with the Sussex Empire, the Wende Empire will not be far away from being destroyed.

Christine broke into a cold sweat after hearing this, and quickly stood up to salute Hettingson.

"Teacher, you saved me."

"My child, I'm old and can't take care of you for the rest of my life. Your talents and potential are top-notch, and you can listen to the oracle. Your future is limitless. Don't be impulsive in the future."

Listening to Hettingson's words, which seemed to be about the aftermath, Christine panicked and her voice trembled slightly.

"Teacher, I have written down everything you said. You are not old yet, and you still want to witness my coronation with your own eyes."

Hettingson looked at Christine with a smile and said softly: "Okay, it's a deal."

"Then it's settled?"

"What, do you want to sign another treaty?"

Hettingson's joke made Christine's expression darken again.

Everything the teacher said was right, she should and must listen.

But I’m really angry.

After reaching an agreement, the fleets of both parties went their separate ways, as if nothing had happened.

Looking at Bishop Hettingson's leaving figure, Bridges raised the corners of his mouth slightly and ordered the fleet to continue moving forward at full speed.

It is obvious that the Governor has taken advantage of this.

If it was Mr. Bishop who took advantage of him, he wouldn't be able to do so with a dark face.

Especially the young girl next to her, whose eyes were filled with murderous flames and she couldn't hide them.

She's a pretty little girl, but she just can't hold her breath.

Not as good as Her Majesty the Queen.

Not as good in every aspect.

Bridges silently gave Christine a score, and then returned to the command room to observe the situation on the water.

Christine's fleet had no transport ships, so they moved very fast. They were in a hurry and finally arrived at the city-state of Val at night.

Roland was not in a hurry and let the fleet sail safely.

They had to wait until the revival ceremony was completed before they could leave. It didn't matter if they left a day earlier or later.

He also had the leisure to receive the pigeons sent by Hansa, and urged Athos and others to prepare reinforcements.

The revival of the holy spring was a big deal and would definitely attract the attention of the whole world.

3,500 people against 700 people, the advantage was mine.

The advantage in military strength allowed him to easily control Christine.

But these people were not enough. If someone brought 20,000 troops to participate in the ceremony, he would be the one to be controlled.

He didn't want to be the second Christine.

He even deliberately slowed down to give the troops of the three provinces time to assemble.

Standing on the top deck, Roland couldn't help but complain silently.

Is he a natural troublemaker? Going out to pick up someone is such a hassle.

The revival of the Holy Spring is certainly a great joy for the Court of Light, but it also reminds him that the Sixth Return Day is approaching rapidly.

He cannot take it lightly.

The next afternoon, Roland's fleet entered the waters of the Val City-State.

Just as he was wondering whether the Doval City-State would pretend to be dead, a fast patrol boat came speeding over.

This kind of human-paddled speedboat is not affected by wind and is extremely fast, suitable for inland patrols.

But in front of naval guns, it is as fragile as a piece of paper.

A well-dressed young officer stood at the bow of the patrol boat. He gestured to Roland's fleet to stop the ship for inspection.

Bridges frowned slightly and looked back at the upper deck.

Roland moved forward with one hand, motioning him to keep going.

The huge fleet consisting of hundreds of transport ships cannot stop at will.

A sudden stop is likely to cause a collision.

Not only that, it would take a lot of effort to set sail again.

More importantly, as long as it stops, the whole world will know that the imperial fleet was intercepted by the Val city-state.

Bridges signaled to the flag bearer and asked him to answer with flag language.

"This is the fleet directly under Governor Roland of the Sussex Empire. If you really need to check, please slow down and come to the side and come up by yourself."

This was very impolite, even quite rude.

But considering the strength comparison between the two countries, it was not too much.

According to Bridges's meaning, Governor Roland was still polite.

If he was in charge, the answer would be only one word, "Get lost!"

Seeing that the Sussex Empire was so brutal, the young officer trembled slightly and his face flushed.

Is this the world of the survival of the fittest?

He was a little unwilling.

Grabbing the flag bearer's small flag, he waved it vigorously at the Mary Rose.

"Dear Governor Roland of the Sussex Empire, although the city-state of Val is a small country, it is also a sovereign state recognized by major powers. Please abide by diplomatic etiquette and submit a customs application before passing."

"We will not and dare not stop the imperial fleet, but ask your country to abide by international conventions."

The Mary Rose replied quickly.

"Sorry, we are very busy. The relevant procedures will be completed later."

"Is this the diplomatic etiquette of the self-proclaimed civilized Sussex Empire?" The young officer waved his arms and asked.

Just as Bridges was about to answer, he heard Sif's voice.

"Tell him that if he does not accept the replacement procedures, I will issue a declaration of war now!"

Bridges was stunned for a few seconds, and excitedly saluted Sif with the most standard military salute.

Overbearing, right? Arrogant, right? That's right, this is the style of our Sussex Empire.

If you don't agree, come and fight.

Since the Fourth Fleet accompanied the late emperor on the underwater cruise, the Imperial Navy, especially the Fourth Fleet, has been questioned.

Who dares to show off his power over the Imperial Navy, right?

If you show weakness today, more people will dare to provoke you tomorrow.

Bridges rushed to the observation deck, grabbed the small flag, and waved it vigorously, as if roaring in response.

His movements were so violent that the small flag hit the mast after waving it for the last time, and it broke with a "crack".

Looking at Sif standing majestically on the top deck, like a Valkyrie descending, Roland had a vague illusion that Sif seemed to be transforming at this moment.

He did not interrupt Sif, allowing her to continue to maintain the state of enlightenment.

No matter who stays on her, please stay a little longer.

However, Roland's prayer was not answered.

A few minutes later, Sif looked back blankly, looking at Roland with a dodge in her eyes.

"I, was I too arrogant just now?"

Arrogant?

A little, but not enough.

The world's resources are limited, and if you don't fight, there are many people who will.

When the day of return comes, ordinary people can still pray to follow the right big brother, but he and Sif have no way out.

Be serious, this is a fight to the death, not a dinner party.

He nodded solemnly at Sif, smiled and said, "Of course not, this is good."

Sif breathed a sigh of relief, and while Roland wasn't paying attention, she stuck out her tongue a little embarrassedly.

She was indeed holding her breath just now, and was a little impulsive.

Since Roland said it was okay, let's do it this way in the future.

The patrol boat of the Val City-State was left aside, and the young officer stared blankly at the huge hull of the Mary Rose passing by in front of him, and he was completely confused.

Standing on the top deck, Roland glanced at the young officer, and his heart was calm.

Idiot, you don't even know that you are being used as a gun.

With the strength of the Val City-State, it survives only because the surrounding big countries need a buffer zone.

In this era of jungle law, a tiger may not eat you when drinking water, but it may not eat you if you take the initiative to flirt with it.

A tiger may not eat you, but it can bite to death those who get in the way.

As long as the people in power in the Val City-State do not have serious brain problems, they will accept the emergency approval of the Sussex Empire and go through the formalities again.

Thinking of Christine and others who arrived in the Val City-State in advance, Roland could guess who sent this young officer to test.

His evaluation of Christine dropped a few points.

Far inferior to Sif.

Although Sif is a little cowardly, she will not put her face forward to be beaten.

The imperial fleet anchored at the port on the shore of Val Lake, and Bridges's adjutant took the documents issued by Sif to the Port Authority to go through the relevant formalities.

The formalities are still being re-processed, and the people from the Port Authority have already set up a formation to welcome them at the dock.

In order not to affect shipping, no salutes were fired, but the reception standards were not low.

Looking at the flattering smiles of the mayor and the director of the Port Authority, Roland nodded with satisfaction.

This attitude is the right way to survive in the cracks between big countries.

To make a living, it is not shameful to accompany guests with a smile.

The director of the Port Authority smiled and welcomed the group ashore, and settled Roland and Sif in the suite on the top floor of the guesthouse.

Before leaving, he did not forget to remind them a few words, "Governor, there are too many guests recently, and I can't arrange a separate floor for you. Please forgive me. Next to you is the representative of the Golden Kite Country, and downstairs is the representative of the Weimar Federation, both of which are friendly countries of your country."

After saying this, he slipped away quickly without waiting for Roland to ask.

Friendly countries?

That's right, after all, they haven't declared war yet, so they are friendly countries, right?

After closing the door and looking at Sif's melancholy expression, Roland thought that she was still a single girl and it was really inconvenient for her to live with him, so he smiled and said:

"I'll stay on the boat tonight, and this place is for you."

"What do you mean? Let me live alone among the enemies?" Sif's eyes widened.

"This..."

"You live in the outer room, I live in the inner room, and let me use the bathroom first." Sif made arrangements in an unquestionable tone.

Looking at Sif's eyes as clear as the blue sky, Roland raised his hands in surrender.

Since she didn't care what others said, he didn't need to be hypocritical.

Safety first.

If Sif was murdered in a daze, he should commit suicide to apologize.

"I saw that you looked melancholy just now, and I thought you were worried about your reputation being damaged"

"Damaged reputation?"

Sif smiled and said, "Can a broken thing break again? The whole world thinks it's useless for us to avoid suspicion now."

"I won't be melancholy about such a small thing, look there."

Her finger pointed to the wooden wardrobe in the inner room.

"The wardrobe is neither rosewood nor pine, but the most common oak, and it smells really bad."

She looked serious, as if this was the most serious problem in the world.

Roland was stunned and speechless for a long time.

He was careless, he really didn't understand girls.

Especially a noble girl like Sif.