In the Name of the Queen

The carriage stopped in front of the mountain road leading to the Summer Palace.

This mountain road was originally passable for carriages, but Sophia didn't like being disturbed, so she asked someone to smash most of the road surface, leaving only the width for pedestrians.

Sophia and Angelina were walking on the mountain road, and Angelina was very consciously half a step behind.

Angelina never thought there was any problem with this.

Sophia was not only the supreme emperor of the world's largest country, but also the person who stood at the peak of the world's power.

She didn't know that Sophia now abandoned her previous power and was still exploring a new way to become a strong person. Her hard power was even slightly weaker than her.

Even if she knew, she wouldn't have any ideas, she would just move to the Summer Palace to protect Sophia closely.

Sophia seemed to be in a good mood and even took the initiative to talk about something.

"Angelina, do you have any opinion on my arrangement?"

Angelina was startled and her face turned slightly pale.

Of course she knew what Sophia was talking about, that is, she suddenly proposed to arrange a new wife for Roland at the welcoming banquet.

She thought Sophia was joking, but she didn't expect to bring it up again.

Angelina's mind went blank, and she didn't even know how to answer.

Sophia didn't force her to answer, but smiled and said: "A wise man once said that only by settling down and building a career can you feel at ease. To make Roland feel at ease, he must have a sense of belonging."

Angelina wanted to remind Sophia that although Roland's moral bottom line was flexible, his feelings for Sif were unquestionable, and it was too difficult to find a girl better than Sif.

She didn't think she could compare with Sif. Whether in status, beauty or even strength, Sif was better than her.

Using 90 points to replace full marks, this is called.

She remembered a business term Roland once said, it seemed to be called consumption downgrade?

There was another sentence that slipped to her lips, but she didn't dare to say it.

Looking at the whole world, the only one who could compete with Sif was Sophia herself.

She didn't dare to say this.

Seeing Angelina's hesitation, Sophia thought she was unhappy because she brought it up without telling her in advance, so she smiled and explained:

"Don't worry, Roland doesn't dare to accept this condition at all, so my real price is to give him a winter palace."

"But this is the bedroom of the emperors of all dynasties!" Angelina couldn't help but remind her.

"Emperors of all dynasties?"

Sophia said calmly: "If I don't die, I will be the last emperor of the empire. If I die, these things are not important."

Angelina was silent for a moment.

Sophia was right. High-level extraordinary people have a lifespan beyond that of ordinary humans.

With Sophia's strength, it will be no problem for her to live to the final return day. She has no offspring, so she has to be the emperor forever.

Since she doesn't like the Winter Palace, this palace has to be idle all the time. It is a good choice to give it to Roland as a gift.

Angelina nodded and said nothing.

The Winter Palace is a holy place in the hearts of the Rurik people. Her Majesty the Queen gave Roland an art treasure house while also putting pressure on him.

If we can't achieve results, the Rurik people will definitely not accept it.

Sophia stopped talking and just quickened her pace, and Angelina followed behind her obediently.

Ever since she became Sophia's personal guard at the age of fourteen, she has been following behind Sophia and guarding her silently, and she has long been accustomed to it.

At the gate of the Summer Palace, Sophia suddenly stopped. Angelina understood that the queen didn't want her to follow her in, so she said goodbye tactfully.

However, Sophia stopped her.

"Angel, you have been following me for almost ten years, right?"

"Ten years and thirteen days." Angelina answered casually.

"You were originally sent to be my personal maid, but the first thing you did with me was to follow me to seize the imperial power. Now I think about it, it's really amazing."

"Your Majesty, I..."

"You are 24 years old this year, and it's time to get married. You don't like Roland, so if you have someone you like, I'll make the decision for you."

"Your Majesty, I am loyal to you and have no second thoughts!" Angelina was a little flustered.

Angel was her name when she was a maid for Sophia. Since entering the Shadow Temple, Sophia rarely used this name. She didn't know what Sophia meant, so she had to express her feelings.

Sophia smiled slightly, and her voice softened a little, without the coldness of the past. It didn't sound like the queen talking to her subordinates, but more like a sister caring about her ignorant sister.

Her gentle eyes made Angelina feel a little relieved, but her words still made Angelina flustered.

"Angelina, I know your loyalty very well. Starting a family and being loyal to me are not contradictory. Don't you want your descendants to inherit your title?"

"Your Majesty, I don't want to."

Angelina looked at Sophia bravely, her tone was particularly serious.

"Your Majesty, I may have had some ideas before, but after seeing your stunning sword, I suddenly felt that love between men and women is meaningless."

"Love and marriage will not bring me happiness. I long to become stronger and to be as strong as you one day."

Angelina bit her lip and said, "I know I can never catch up with you, but at least I have to walk on the right path."

"You want to gain powerful strength?" Sophia was a little surprised. She didn't expect Angelina to be so determined in pursuing power.

She smiled and said, "It's good to have ambitions, but the road to strength does not have to be walked alone. Look at Roland and Sif, aren't they good? They can even withstand my killing moves."

Angelina shook her head firmly, "I'm stupid and can't take care of too much at the same time. You have been cultivating my political, diplomatic, and military abilities, but I am far inferior to Roland. If I can't concentrate, I'm afraid I will accomplish nothing. "

Sophia stared into Angelina's eyes with a stern gaze. Angelina, who usually did not dare to look into her eyes, was extra stubborn this time and looked into her eyes without giving in, showing her determination.

The cold wind passed between the two of them, blowing the tips of Angelina's hair.

Her fair face was already covered with beads of sweat, and her clothes were soaked with sweat, which showed how much pressure she was under.

This is the first time she has violated the Queen's arrangement in ten years of following Sophia.

If the Queen arranged for her to marry Roland half a year ago, she would only think about what to wear at the wedding and would never have any other ideas.

But it can't be done now.

That sword was so beautiful that it took her breath away and made her life different from now on. The worldly enjoyment of life can no longer touch her in the slightest.

If Sophia's stunning sword cannot be copied, she will die with her eyes open.

She felt a faint sense of guilt for disobeying Sophia's arrangement, but she really couldn't do it.

Instead of reluctantly agreeing to be perfunctory, she would rather bear the Queen's direct wrath.

Sophia walked up to Angelina and touched in her pocket, but remembered that she never had the habit of carrying a handkerchief, so she had to wipe the sweat from Angelina's forehead with her sleeve.

"Looking at how nervous you are, it seems like it's really not easy to do things around me."

Sophia said slightly self-deprecatingly.

Angelina didn't dare to answer. The leader can criticize himself, but if you keep talking, you will be ignorant.

At times like this, just listen.

Sophia pondered for a moment, not knowing what she was thinking. Angelina was a little worried, but she gritted her teeth and persisted.

She didn't lie.

That sword that seemed to be able to split the entire world not only opened a huge crack on the top of the White Mountain, but also divided the old era and the new era, and also killed the confused Angelina.

From then on, her life had an unshakable goal.

Sophia recognized her persistence and said calmly: "Angelina, I have chosen a harder and farther path. The star road to the goddess of winter is now available. Are you interested?"

Angelina's pupils suddenly shrank, she couldn't believe her eyes.

She subconsciously thought that Sophia was testing. After all, the whole world knew that Sophia was best at controlling ice and was the master of extreme cold. The most suitable star path for becoming a god was winter.

No one is crazy enough to want to compete with Sophia on this road.

She has a very good chance of getting the qualification to go to the divine realm. However, she voluntarily gave up the easiest way to achieve godhood.

This kind of thing beyond cognition frightened Angelina. She quickly knelt down to apologize, but Sophia grabbed her shoulders and couldn't kneel down.

"Angelina, do you want to be the goddess of winter?"

Sophia's eyes were soft and her voice was full of temptation.

Although she is only at the fourth level now, and Angelina is only at the sixth level, there is no doubt in her tone, as simple as eating and drinking.

Angelina was infected by her confidence, her eyes were moist, and she nodded vigorously.

The moment he lowered his head, his tears condensed into ice and fell to the ground.

Sophia's voice sounded again, "Angelina, the further the pursuer travels on the Winter Star Road, the farther away from the worldly feelings. Have you thought about it?"

"I will never regret it!" Angelina's eyes were firm as if she wanted to join the party.

"Okay, come with me. I will first share with you my training experience before the Holy Domain, and then I will help you recast the Blue Fury."

Angelina is the person Sophia trusts most, and she certainly knows the origin of Blue Fury.

An ice-attributed artifact, perfect for those seeking the winter star.

Although only the hilt of this artifact was blown up, the problem is not big. The core of the artifact is in the hilt, and the blade can be repaired.

Hermitage.

Roland, accompanied by Sakhalin, inspected and took over this prestigious palace.

This palace is known as the Five Palaces of Rodinia, together with Sheffield Castle in the Sussex Empire, the Cité Palace in the Golden Kite Kingdom, the Hot Spring Palace in the Tyrol Kingdom, and the Triumphal Palace in the Kingdom of Pruden.

Among these five palaces, the Palais de la Cité and the Winter Palace are the largest and have the highest artistic value of their collections.

Roland's current wealth and status are no longer the same as before. He is no longer a young man who would celebrate buying a house on Belfa Street for 100 pounds.

If Sophia gave him a manor, he wouldn't care at all, but this is the Winter Palace.

This is a top-notch treasure house with tens of thousands of art treasures. How could Roland not be moved by it?

Thinking that these worms actually put their black hands into his pocket, Roland's murderous intention became more and more intense.

Sakhalin took Roland around. Before leaving, he lowered his voice and said: "Barov, the housekeeper of the Winter Palace, is the cousin of the late Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother is one of the few people in the court who treats Her Majesty well."

"The list of the Hermitage collection should be in the Royal Archives. I will help you find it later."

"No."

Roland said calmly: "If Barov doesn't even have the ability to get the list, how can he dare to attack the Winter Palace? He is so arrogant because he is sure that Sophia will not deal with him for this matter."

Sakhalin frowned lightly. Roland called Her Majesty the Queen by her first name, which was somewhat against the etiquette of a courtier. However, considering that Roland's status was more like a guest than a Rurik, he had to pretend to be deaf and dumb.

Seeing that Roland was still clear-headed despite his anger, he was a little curious and asked tentatively:

"What are you going to do? Continue to pursue it? In fact, Barov took it."

"I have my own way."

Roland interrupted Sakhalin and said calmly: "I will report to work tomorrow. It's late now, so I won't send you off."

Seeing Roland's firm attitude, Sakhalin no longer insisted and left.

He and Roland had no personal relationship, and even had some personal grudges. Although he would not go against Roland for the past trivial matters for the sake of the overall situation, he also had some thoughts of watching the show in his heart.

The Queen gave the Winter Palace to Roland. Was it a real gift or a test?

He was a little curious.

After sending Sakhalin away, Roland did not return to the main bedroom, but found a slightly remote house as his residence.

Back to his residence, he immediately lit the magic lamp, spread out the paper and pen, and began to brew his emotions.

Just as he was writing, there was a knock on the door.

"Master Roland, are you here?" A trembling old voice came from outside the door.

"Is that Barov? Please come in." Roland did not look up, and said calmly, writing without stopping.

Soon, the palace steward Barov stood at the door. He smiled very honestly, and his forehead was full of wrinkles, but from his appearance, he did not look like someone who dared to resell royal property.

"Barov, what do you want?" Roland asked casually without looking up.

"Master, His Majesty said that you will be the master of the Winter Palace in the future, and asked me to obey your orders. Please move to the Mirror Palace to rest, which is the bedroom of the master of the Winter Palace."

Roland put down the pen in his hand, looked up at Barov, and said calmly:

"That's not necessary, I am just temporarily managing here on behalf of Her Majesty Sophia, and she will come back to live here in the future."

This sentence contained a lot of information, and Barov's face changed obviously, and he didn't even dare to look at Roland.

His brain began to work rapidly.

Sophia has never lived here since she seized power, and she hates this cage.

What does Roland mean? Has Sophia forgotten the pain of the past, or...

Barov thought of a terrible possibility, and his hands clenched and unclenched.

He thought of all the possibilities, but he didn't expect Roland to be talking nonsense.

In the stereotype of the Rurik people, no one dared to joke with Sophia, let alone the operation of canceling the household registration book by falsely conveying the imperial edict.

But Roland is not a Rurik person, he dares.

Anyway, Sophia will not expose his lies. Since Sophia doesn't expose it, it is true.

As for when Sophia will move back, it depends on her mood. Does Barov dare to ask the time?

The old steward originally just wanted to fight with Roland, but he didn't expect to face Sophia, and he was scared for a while.

He hesitated for a moment and said slowly, "Her Majesty hasn't been here for many years. It's an honor for the Winter Palace to have her back."

Seeing that Barov had no doubts, Roland casually said something insignificant, "Barov, I don't know much about the Winter Palace, but I saw that the fountain was in disrepair and I saw some other things. You don't want Her Majesty to be furious when she returns to the palace, do you?"

"What do you mean?" Barov looked at Roland in surprise and asked tremblingly.

"I don't care what method you use. The Winter Palace will be completely restored to the state when Her Majesty left within a month. I mean completely restored."

Barov was stunned.

He stood there blankly, not knowing how to reply for a while.

Roland ignored him and just waved his hand to signal him to leave.

Barov was dizzy from Roland's combination of punches, and couldn't even guess his true thoughts, so he had to leave unhappily.

Watching him leave, Roland continued to work at his desk.

He must complete a plan tonight, a blueprint for the future development of the empire.

At tomorrow's cabinet meeting, he will let the cabinet members know that he is serious about building the empire.

He never thought that Barov would spit out what he ate.

After all, he is a relative of the old queen mother, and the old queen mother is Sophia's last softness in the court.

But what does Sophia's unwillingness to care have to do with him?

The Winter Palace is his territory now.

He is considered a good deed if he does not take advantage of others, but someone dares to put a dirty hand in his pocket?

If he tolerates this, others will think he is a great man.

Roland wrote the basic situation of the empire in the front, and added opening remarks such as "Under the wise leadership of Her Majesty the Queen, our country has achieved a series of brilliant victories in the Rodinia War", and finally picked up the pen to write the pain point that touched the soul.

Although the empire seems to be thriving, the fate of the country depends entirely on Sophia.

Without Sophia, the Vladimir Empire would be torn apart by internal problems alone, not to mention starting a war.

Sophia invited Roland to solve the problem, so of course he had to get straight to the point.

He was grateful for what he had received from Sophia, and now he had received a dukedom and a winter palace from her. In addition to the friendship they had fought side by side in the Battle of White Mountain, he was determined to help.

Outsiders always have different perspectives on problems, and Roland summarized the problems of the Vladimir Empire very clearly.

Unbalanced development.

Unbalanced regional development, the prosperity of the empire's big cities and the backwardness of remote areas seem to be two different worlds.

This problem also exists in Sussex and Golden Kite, but not as serious.

The rural and remote areas of the Vladimir Empire even remained in the tribal era. In this era when the evil feudal system was about to end, many places in the empire still practiced slavery.

The development of ethnic groups was uneven. The contradictions between the Ruriks and the Tatars, the steppe people, and the Heihe people always existed. The Great Rurikism made other ethnic groups lack a sense of belonging to the empire and were more like mercenaries.

It was easy to find problems. Roland quickly sorted out dozens of problems that troubled the empire in politics, economy, military, education, industry and agriculture, and wrote them down in different categories.

Rubbing his wrist, he fell into deep thought.

It was easy to find problems, but how to solve them?

He began to look for inspiration from another world.

While thinking, his right hand subconsciously scribbled on the white paper. When he woke up from his meditation, he was shocked to find a sickle and half a hammer on the paper.

Roland stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar symbol for a long time, his face changed slightly, and he quickly tore the paper into pieces.

His breathing was a little rapid, but he soon calmed down.

The steps were too big.

The current Vladimir Empire has a stable imperial power and a weak industrial base, so some things are just fantasies.

Let's be realistic, at least end slavery within the empire first.

There are still tens of millions of serfs living in dire straits in the empire, and many tribal herders who failed in the tribal annexation have become slaves.

These people only know their masters, and don't even know the empire and the empress.

They have no property, and all they can lose are shackles, so they are very strong in combat.

As long as these people are liberated, the face of the empire will be completely renewed.

Roland hesitated again and again, but still wrote this up.

Although this policy will definitely offend the big landowners and slave owners in the cabinet, how can it be changed if you don't even have the courage to face the problem?

He must be worthy of this reward.

Roland thought of the welcoming banquet in the daytime. Although Sophia was as arbitrary as ever, and her actions were full of arrogance and arrogance, she really wanted to introduce him to a new wife.

She even wanted to introduce Angelina, her most trusted friend, to him.

Good intentions cannot be accepted, but kindness must be appreciated.

Roland worked all night and finally drew up a blueprint for the empire's development plan.

Looking at the morning light in the east, he let out a long sigh and put away the dozens of pages of documents.

It was still early for work, and going to sleep at this time would only make him more sleepy, so he simply stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the servants who were cleaning had already started working.

These servants were also miserable. A few servant leaders such as Barov could benefit from guarding the Winter Palace, but these lower-class people would definitely not have a good life.

Not only did they have to work, but their salaries would most likely be exploited and deducted.

Roland thought of the former Knights of the White Rose, and of Wharton and Stanley.

His eyes lit up, and he vaguely thought of the idea of ​​cracking it.

Since the White Rose Knights incident, Stanley has faded out of the public eye and has been active in the business circle with another identity.

He can learn about Barov's sales channels through his connections with Sassanid merchants, and then start with the lower-class slaves after obtaining solid evidence, so that Barov will die clearly.

Theft and selling the palace's treasures in huge amounts are punishable by death in any country.

After thinking of the breakthrough point, Roland was in a good mood. He returned to the desk and found a beautiful piece of letter paper. He stroked the material of the letter paper and was surprised to find that it was a magic prop.

Although he didn't understand the purpose, Roland still picked up the letter paper and started writing.

"Dear Fu, I'm fine here

Miss you.

- Your beloved Roland."

Thinking that there was a cute elf in Sif's belly, he decisively added the plural form after you.

Roland rang the bell, and a young man who looked like a knight appeared at the door.

This was Tom, the young general who escorted him to take up his post.

Roland was relieved when he did things.

"Please help me deliver a letter home. I'm going to work."

Handing the letter to Tom, Roland hummed a happy little song and walked towards the government hall.

A new day has begun. (End of this chapter)