In the Name of the Queen

Autumn comes, winter comes, and the New Year finally arrives in the snow.

The first snow of the magic new calendar year 1795 arrived as scheduled on the first day of the New Year.

On the small hill outside Emre Port, there is a temporary new house.

This is where Roland and Sif enjoy the sea and hot springs together.

As night falls, Sif feels a little emotional as she looks at the snow-covered ground.

Unknowingly, she and Roland have known each other for almost four years.

From a reactionary who writes random novels to an inseparable part of her life, Roland's weight in her heart is completely different.

He is already a part of her that she cannot give up.

"The last year." Sif rested her head in Roland's arms and whispered softly.

Wearing a furry bearskin coat, her originally well-proportioned body looks particularly bloated, and her little head squeezed in the fur collar looks like a doll.

It's not that she is afraid of the cold, but she simply buys and sells for the purpose of creating killing.

For every bearskin coat consumed, a big bear is hunted.

She didn't like bears very much, because this cunning and savage wild animal always reminded her of the terrifying enemy in the east.

So she bought five bear fur coats and changed them.

Today's white bear fur coat is an entry-level magic equipment, which has good resistance to ice damage.

In addition to this coat, she also has a white bear fur coat called Snowman.

That is a serious magic equipment and an external armor used to keep warm in the decisive battle.

Although this approach is a bit childish, it can make Sif happy, which is enough.

Roland held her soft little hand and said gently:

"It is the last year of the old days and the first year of the future."

According to Master Anthony's inference, the sixth return day in 1795 will definitely come.

The masters of astronomy and prophets supported by major forces have also come to similar conclusions.

As the return day approaches, the situation on the continent is becoming more and more tense.

The Holy Alliance headed by the Vladimir Empire, the Pruden Kingdom, and the Tyrol Kingdom and the Free Alliance headed by the Sussex Empire and the Golden Kite Republic have become the two major camps.

Other countries either choose to fight on the side, become battlefields or hide on the sidelines and tremble.

Talia and Nubia are far away from the main battlefield. They formed a loose alliance and declared neutrality.

Other small countries are not qualified to remain neutral and can only stand on the side.

New Val Federation and other countries chose to join the Free Alliance. They could not compete with the huge army of the Holy Alliance.

In addition to these small countries, there are two big countries that have not joined any camp.

The Wend Empire wanted to form an alliance with Sussex and Golden Kite, but was told that they would only consider the alliance after the war.

It seems to be a reply, but it is actually a rejection.

If the Wend Empire has the ability to repel the Holy Alliance alone, does it still need allies? If it really has this strength, Sussex should beg him to form an alliance.

Although Sussex did this cold-bloodedly, it was not appeasement, but to defend its own interests.

The Wend Empire and the Vladimir Empire competed for the orthodox status of the Ruriks and the final right to interpret the belief in light, and there were irreconcilable contradictions.

They can reconcile with the whole world, but they can't be friends with the Vladimir Empire.

Even without allies, they will resist to the end.

The best solution for the Sussex Empire is to remain neutral, call for peace, and then export weapons and funds to the Wend Empire so that they have the capital to resist.

Use the blood of the Wend Empire to consume the enemy's spirit.

A cold-blooded and rational choice.

As for the loss of the Wend Empire.

What does it have to do with me? Roland never felt that he had an obligation to be responsible for them.

The culprits who caused the decline of the Wend Empire were the great nobles and royal families in the country, and the enemy that plunged the Wend Empire into dire straits was the Vladimir Empire.

He was bleeding heavily to provide low-interest loans and military assistance to the Wend Empire.

Although the money had to be repaid after the war, he at least gave support.

Do other countries dare to support the Wend Empire?

Sophia has publicly announced that whoever dares to support the Wend Empire will be the next target.

The whole world was trembling with fear at this sentence, and only the Sussex fleet shuttled between the North Sea and Haros Bay to give blood transfusions to the Wend Empire.

He has done his best.

Seeing Roland lost in thought, Sif guessed what he was worried about and asked softly:

"Are you worried about the Wend Empire?"

"I'm not worried about them. We can cut off the blood transfusion in the spring." Roland said casually.

Sif was a little surprised. In the past six months, she has devoted herself to the imperial tour, leaving beautiful songs and moving smiles in every province, just like a superstar.

While enjoying the treatment of a big star, she cares less and less about domestic and foreign affairs.

Even if she sorted out the intelligence, she didn't have time to read it.

Roland mentioned the important intelligence, and it didn't matter whether she read the other intelligence or not.

She pondered for a moment and completely understood Roland's choice.

The Wend Empire cannot not resist. If they don't resist at all, the enemy will come too fast.

But they can't resist all the time.

Although the probability is small, if they really resist the onslaught of the Vladimir Empire, national pride will be awakened, and many problems that have plagued the country can be effectively solved.

By then, the national fortune of the Wend Empire will flourish and even become a hegemon.

This is absolutely not possible.

If the Wende Empire really resisted the frontal attack, Roland could only stab them in the back and then fight Sophia.

When did I become so cold-blooded?

Roland laughed at himself and dispelled the boring kindness.

True kindness is to end the war as soon as possible, not to be bound by so-called kindness.

He is now a captain who controls 100 million people and a huge empire. He must calculate the pros and cons ruthlessly and make the right decisions, even if some decisions are cruel.

Thinking of the captain, a familiar face appeared in front of Roland.

Captain Alina, who almost took him to exile at sea.

Is she okay now?

I heard that she also began to practice in seclusion to prepare for the decisive battle.

Just as Roland and Sif were enjoying the snow scenery, the sound of footsteps came from the hillside.

Soon, Raikkonen, who came in a hurry, appeared in front of them.

"Your Majesty, Governor, this is the handwritten letter and formal invitation letter from Alina, the liberator of the Golden Kite Kingdom."

It's really a coincidence that the captain's letter arrived just as he thought of the captain.

Roland took the letter and handed it to Sif without even looking at it.

If it was someone else's letter, he could open it and read it directly, but Sif and Alina had never had a very harmonious relationship, so it was better for Sif to read her letter first.

Sif just smiled but didn't take it.

"My hands are cold, you open it."

Roland looked up and saw Raikkonen's back was already hundreds of meters away.

This kid is quite good at observing people's expressions.

Roland smiled and shook his head, and opened the envelope.

Cold hands? No one would believe this reason. During this period, Sif has been constantly strengthening her ability to resist cold, and her resistance to cold is ridiculously strong. How could her hands be cold?

She just trusts Roland completely.

Alina's letter was very simple. After a simple greeting, she invited Roland and Sif to visit her observatory.

Of course, the public invitation letter was a state visit.

Although Roland and Sif were invited, Alina knew that Sif would not go.

Sif was very busy.

"What does she want to do?" Sif frowned slightly, biting her lip and swallowing the second half of the sentence.

Their time is very precious, and she doesn't want to waste it if there is no reason that cannot be refused.

"Spying on my fate." Roland said calmly.

"Is there something wrong with her brain?"

Sif mocked Alina's behavior without hesitation, "If she had the strength and courage, she could have deduced it long ago. She has no ability to deduce at all, and she will still retreat when the time comes."

"This time is different, I can see her determination between the lines."

Sif frowned slightly, a little dissatisfied with Roland's explanation.

"You can see this?"

"Yes."

Roland's fingertips pointed at a mark on the letter paper, "You see, she wrote too hard and even broke the pen, leaving a stain."

Sif was stunned, and smiled and teased: "Is this the murderous intent and determination seen from the handwriting?"

Roland shrugged and just smiled.

Otherwise, do you really think it's a novel, and you can see the murderous intent in the text at a glance?

He is not Sif, who can see through things.

Sif took the letter, stared at it for a long time, and said softly: "Since you said so, I believe your judgment. When are you going?"

"I'll leave tomorrow and come back at the beginning of next month at the latest."

"Okay, I'll wait for you." Sif did not stop Roland, but just put her hands on his shoulders, stood on tiptoe, and closed her eyes.

Roland leaned over and kissed her.

Sif was a gentle and majestic queen outside, but in front of him she was just a soft and lovely young girl.

It was not the time to fall in love when the enemy was at hand, but who could control the spread of feelings?

The flames that were enough to ignite everything engulfed the barrier of reason.

Sif's fiery response, the sound hummed from her nose was intermittent, but it easily touched Roland's heartstrings.

"Carry me into the house."

The girl was so bold to hint to this extent that he naturally couldn't play dumb.

He picked up Sif by the waist and strode towards the bedroom.

Although they were already engaged, he and Sif still maintained a state of being close and distant, both ambiguous and intimate but not completely breaking the window paper.

According to Sussex tradition, you can't get married before an important war begins.

Old Sussex people believe that luck is conserved. If you get married, you will consume too much luck and you will encounter bad luck on the battlefield.

War also has metaphysics. You can not believe it, but it is best not to take the initiative to touch it.

When Sussex soldiers say goodbye to their lovers before going to war, they always try their best to enjoy each other's tenderness, but they will not really break through the last step.

They will hug, kiss, and promise each other that they will get married after the war, but they will not really do all the things that couples should do.

If they really die on the battlefield, at least they will not leave too many concerns.

It is somewhat irresponsible for an unmarried girl to raise a posthumous child alone.

Roland knew that tonight was the time for him and Sif to make a life and death agreement.

They would enjoy close contact and solemnly swear to get married after the war.

Although this oath made Roland shudder, this is the romance of the Sussex people. Sif will definitely do this, and he can only follow the local customs.

He carried Sif into the room, but before they reached the bed, Sif suddenly broke free from his arms, nervous like a frightened rabbit.

"I'll take a shower first, wait for me." Sif lowered her head shyly and whispered softly.

A girl of noble birth like her would certainly not accept having a strange smell on the promised night, not at all.

Looking at Sif leaving quickly, Roland's originally uneasy heart was replaced by heat and more uneasy.

It was snowing heavily tonight, and it was indeed a good day.

Roland looked forward to it patiently, and then waited for more than an hour.

He was really worried, so he had to walk towards the hot spring in the backyard of the manor.

There is a natural hot spring on this mountain, and there is hot water even in the cold winter, so it was chosen as the temporary manor of the queen.

He and Sif would occasionally stay here and soak in the hot spring when they passed by Emre Port.

Although the Sussex people have rich beliefs, they are relatively conservative. Young people with strict family education rarely live together before marriage, and they will not meet each other frankly until the wedding night, so they always go into the pool to soak in the hot spring one after another, and have never been in it together.

"Sif, are you still not well? It's very late."

The hot spring is very quiet.

Roland was a little anxious, and raised his voice and asked: "Sif, are you okay? If you don't speak, I will go in to rescue you!"

The hot spring is even quieter, with only the sharp sound of wind and snow whistling from above.

Roland's hands and feet were cold, and his heart seemed to be stabbed by a sharp blade, and his whole body was trembling.

Although he was panicked, he still forced himself to calm down.

First, we must rule out the possibility that Sif was attacked by someone.

Sif is extremely powerful and protected by the Insight Technique. How could she be killed silently? Even if Sophia did it herself, it would not work.

Maybe she fainted from the hot spring?

Roland called a few more times, but there was still no response. He had to walk closer to the hot spring to check the situation.

As he walked along, Sif's body fragrance was looming and becoming clearer and clearer.

She was indeed here.

Roland shrugged his shoulders, didn't think much, and pushed the door open.

After all, she was his wife, so it wouldn't be rude to see her in advance.

This was to save someone.

Sure enough, Sif's clothes could be seen by the hot spring.

Through the misty water vapor, one could vaguely see her jade-white body, half lying on a big rock, with her head tilted. Sure enough, she fainted.

She fainted from the hot spring on the agreed night?

This was something he could laugh about for the rest of his life.

Roland breathed a sigh of relief and walked towards Sif.

He squatted down and reached out to touch Sif's cheek to check her condition.

He could sense Sif's body temperature and slight breathing, and knew that she was just fainted and nothing happened, so he was not too panicked.

Roland stood at attention and saluted to show respect as he watched Sif's delicate body soaking in the hot spring.

With his broad palms supporting her shoulders and back, Roland exerted a little force, preparing to pull Sif out, wrap her up and carry her away.

However, Sif's body did not move at all.

Roland was slightly stunned. He could not pull up this weight of less than 50 kilograms. What was going on?

He quickly increased his strength, but it still did not move at all.

Roland was really anxious this time. He held Sif with both hands and was about to exert force, but he was grabbed by the neck and dragged into the hot spring pool fiercely.

Before he could exclaim, the whole person sank into the water, and soft lips covered his lips.

The soft and hot kiss completely swallowed up his last bit of reason.

He sank into the water, sinking deeper and deeper.