Chapter 207: He Skillfully Deceived the Young Girl
Nicole is not foolish; being chosen as a saint, she undoubtedly possesses remarkable intelligence.
That is why she was able to stand out at such a young age, confidently entrusting Collins with the responsibility of managing the Temple of the Sea.
When Roger admitted that he could be called "Joestar," Nicole's immediate thought was of the Joestar in the Anti-Green Vines Alliance group, the spy dispatched by the Kingdom of Terra to the Empire...
In an instant, she grasped a multitude of things.
During this period, while the situation on land was tumultuous, there were also subtle changes in the underwater landscape, as if an invisible hand was stirring the entire chessboard, leaving her bewildered and feeling a sense of madness consuming the world.
However, when Nicole connected the influential High Commander of the Imperial Night Guard, along with the "spy" from the Kingdom of Terra, to the Dragon King in the Anti-Green Vines Alliance group, the hazy and unclear images in front of her suddenly became clear and enlightening.
No wonder Terra continues to acquire advanced technology from the Green Vines Empire, no wonder the newly established Orc nation possesses such formidable productivity, no wonder Crown Prince Shaktan can effortlessly seize the central forces of Krenwell, and no wonder that sovereign spore exploded Na'vi's camp at a critical moment...
If we say that Roger is Joestar, then the Green Vines Empire is the arms supplier to the Naga. Considering my own remarks in the chat group, Roger's ability to accomplish all of these tasks, to dictate the ultimate outcome of the battle between the Naga and the merfolk, would be as easy as a mere flick of the wrist.
When Nicole first accepted aid from Tasika, she had already unknowingly stepped into an irrevocable trap.
It turns out that everything that has recently happened in this world is all part of the Green Vines Empire's layout and strategy.
Indeed, the victories that the Great Powers celebrated were merely victories that the Green Vines Empire wanted them to witness.
Indeed, that Eternal Night Queen... truly a cunning and malevolent person!
Just rescued a certain empress of the System's Child who was in danger, and she sneezed uncontrollably, "Who just blamed me again?"
Nicole looked at Roger, her eyes flashing with a sequence of shock, anger, fear, despair, hatred, and finally settling into a self-mocking calmness.
So Tasika is the empire's spy?
She asked a question that she deemed to be quite insane.
I actually doubted the queen of a nation, the revered leader of the Orcs, and my "close confidante" with whom I had countless topics of conversation, as a spy from the hostile nation of Terra?
However, this is the only conjecture that can reasonably explain the current situation.
Roger replied with a smile:
"The term 'spy' is not quite appropriate, we are comrades with a common goal."
Is your ultimate goal in interfering with the oceans to turn the Mermaid Kingdom into another Terra, in accordance with your performance?
The Naga Empire would also become another Terra.
What a tragedy, Tasika has betrayed her faith by colluding with you devilish beings.
No, it should be said that faith abandoned her first, for the gods are the true devils who wield the holy light.
Roger briefly recounted the tale of the ancient empire of Green Vines that once waged war against the orc tribe.
The goddess of war watched as Joestar schemed with the lives of orcs, solely to exact vengeance upon the Imperial people, but in the end, his plans backfired and he disappeared in defeat, leaving the orcs utterly defeated.
Nicole remained silent, unable to utter a single word.
A similar scene had just unfolded beneath the sea.
Her deity, too, merely orchestrated the lives of the Naga expeditionary forces to fulfill the divine prophecy.
As the divine prophecy descended, the reinforcements offered were meager, yet the Naga were willing to stake everything to capture the landing zone...
Originally, Nicole was fervent and didn't weigh the cost and benefits; dedicating herself to the divine was the very essence of her existence.
However, with the devastating defeat of the war, Shak's words, coupled with Roger's self-identification explosion, fatal blows ensued one after another within a single day.
She once believed that her unquestionable faith had developed a slight crack.
The omnipotent and benevolent sea deity, at the moment of complete defeat of the Naga expeditionary forces, didn't bestow a divine miracle to reverse the tides, which made it quite challenging for Nicole to accept.
We launched a holy war, gambling everything for the sake of God, yet for God, this was merely an inconsequential move in the game.
Upon hearing about the similar plight of Tasika, and recalling the countless years of history in this world, she suddenly realized that the celestial gods had always maintained such an attitude.
However, in her past as a saint, she selectively blinded herself, refusing to contemplate the role played by the gods in it.
She believed that it was the fault of those followers for not being good enough and not having pure enough faith. If is was her, she thought, she would not have ended up in such a situation...
The reality, however, dealt her a heavy slap in the face.
How ironic.
The arduous expedition she painstakingly initiated ultimately yielded nothing, only resulting in countless killings and the destruction of numerous beauties.
The room had been prepared in advance by the secret society of sorcerers, with auxiliary magic formations capable of detecting thought patterns and emotional fluctuations, while also enhancing the persuasive power of every word uttered by Roger.
Originally, with the extraordinary power of the legendary priestess Nicole, these magic formations and interferences should not have had any effect whatsoever.
However, she is currently in a state of intense emotional turmoil, with significantly diminished insight and judgment, rendering her unable to control her own thoughts.
Thus, without realizing it, Roger gained an understanding of her emotional shifts and began speaking with targeted remarks, fueling Nicole's state of mind.
Faith shaped Nicole's devotion, fervor, and madness, yet deep within her heart, there still existed a kind and gentle side.
Roger relentlessly tapped into her vulnerable side, unsettling her with his words, presenting to her the impact caused by this war, and foretelling the consequences that lie ahead for Naga.
Nicole was on the verge of collapse, as everything Roger spoke was like ancient whispers of deities, rendering her unable to endure.
If the Naga emerge victorious, seize the landing point, and fulfill their millennia-old dream, she will become a hero.
Great achievements always come at a cost, for throughout history, those who accomplish remarkable feats don't concern themselves with trivial details. As long as she can bring victory to Naga, she can afford to go beyond the norm without facing any consequences.
However, she failed, suffered a complete defeat, lost Naga's final leverage, and even led Tasika, the malevolent wolf, into the midst of the Naga.
She could recall what Roger had said, that the Green Vines Empire intends to transform both the Mermaid Sea Kingdom and the Naga Empire into a new kingdom called Terra.
The wolf's ambition is laid bare for all to see.
Naga has already incurred astronomical debts, and after this failure, she will face a counterattack from the Mermaid Sea Kingdom.
The growth and transformation of Prince Shakti, along with his attitude towards Naga, will become an everlasting nightmare haunting Naga in the days to come.
In order to survive, Naga will only become increasingly reliant on the support of Terra and subsequently fall into the clutches of Tasika's malevolence...
My best friend is very kind-hearted, but she only extends her kindness to orcs and doesn't care about how much blood and tears Naga sheds.
Numerous thoughts loomed in Nicole's heart as she looked fearfully at Roger.
The Joestar who deceives himself and enjoys conversing with himself in the group is, astonishingly, the head of the Intelligence Department of the Green Vines Empire.
How frightening it is.
How treacherous it is.
How malicious it is.
But oh, how mighty it is!
He intends to divert the attention of the world towards other directions, while the Green Vines Empire lurks in the shadows, stealthily accumulating power, blending in with the masses, and creating more room for development.
Therefore, Nicole ultimately realized that she couldn't bring herself to hate him.
He is a person who will stop at nothing to protect his own country, and if the roles were reversed, you would do the same
The only difference is that without his intellect, it would be impossible for oneself to do better than him; it would only lead to a failed war...
Roger doesn't need many words to deceive people's hearts; he only needs to reveal the truth and facts to Nicole, and her faith will crumble.
At this moment, Nicole began to regret her past actions. Although her expression remained calm, her eyes were empty, filled with immense confusion about the future ahead.
In the end, her gaze towards Roger was left only with envy.
Admiring him for protecting his own country, admiring him and his queen for making the lives of the people of the empire increasingly better.
Roger looked at Nicole sympathetically. This young girl had a good heart, but her upbringing was centered around molding her into a perfect believer, a religious leader who would sacrifice everything for God.
In that position, if she isn't ruthless enough, if she isn't decisive enough, she won't be able to accomplish anything.
Nicole may be at fault, but the greater error lies with those deities who continuously fuel conflicts in the world of Eternal night.
Growing up in the realm of religion, Nicole is destined to have a mindset that differs from that of ordinary individuals.
Until she faced her most devastating failure, tearing apart the facade of the sea god's omnipotence, all-encompassing nature, and unwavering adoration for the Naga.
With her sensitive and contemplative nature, the truth presented by the instant empire sparked a profound transformation in her thinking.
Nicole, if you truly feel remorse for everything you have done, you can still utilize your position, power, and reputation to do something for the Naga.
Do you wish for me to become a lackey of the empire?
Rest assured, the empire seeks not a lackey, but a comrade. If you are interested, I will share with you all the information regarding the empire's goals and ideals, the adversaries it faces, and the ultimate destiny of this world. From there, you may judge for yourself.
Is this the reason Tasika chose you?
Nicole was taken aback, but upon careful consideration, the complexity in her gaze as she looked at Roger was both expected and unexpected.
A hint of awkwardness flashed across Roger's face, Tasika's initial choice was not the empire, but him instead...
However, these inconsequential details need not be disclosed to Nicole.
He swiftly declared with resolute, fervent, and shamelessly unwavering conviction, "Indeed, believe in the wisdom of Tasika, as you understand. Only with a shared ideal can we willingly have her cooperate with us."
Nicole clenched her right hand tightly around her left hand, her nails digging into the flesh, causing blood to ooze, yet completely unaware of the force she was exerting.
She longed to find hypocrisy and deceit on Roger's face, to prove that his words undermining and defaming the gods were nothing but fabrications...
However, she was unsuccessful.
The things she had believed in all her life, those were the true deceits!
Nicole sat on the ground, her body feeling somewhat weak, as she softly pleaded, "Please, Sir Roger, I implore you to grant me a chance, to give Na'ga a chance."
Roger snapped his fingers.
Little Joey presented Nicole with a large box of highly confidential information.
Then she and Roger exited the room together.
"Did that saintly lady truly agree?" Margaret, waiting at the door, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, finding it somewhat unbelievable Roger's accomplishments.
How could such devout followers be swayed so easily?
Roger casually waved his finger, indicating a heightened sense of ease and complete lack of pressure!
Margaret couldn't help but feel tempted to ridicule him, observing his arrogant demeanor.
Little Joey tugged at her and said, taking the lead, "Lord Zuo, there is no need for doubt. The commander, being skilled at manipulating ambitious young ladies who hold high positions, surely has his own ways."
"Indeed, it does seem so," Margaret immediately recalled her desperate attempts to curry favor, only to end up engaging in a nocturnal escapade in Odo with Princess Tasika. Amusement sparked in her gaze.
Of course, now she is Queen Tasika, yet her attitude towards Roger remains unchanged.
Hence, even the mere saintess will likely be unable to escape her impending doom!
If it weren't for the fact that everything in that room was visible to them, one would suspect him of employing some illicit means.
Roger turned his head to look at little Joey, who suddenly betrayed him. Little Joey had an innocent expression on his face and blinked his eyes, gesturing with a nod towards Margaret.
It seems to be saying, "This little devil has also been misled by you, the adult", right?
Roger instantly shivered, finally realizing the scent of danger and the strong acidic aroma permeating the air.
He whispered softly, "Darling, have you set your sights on any legendary weapons recently? Shall we return to Odor to visit the auction house?"
This is probably the otherworldly version of a "universal remedy," isn't it?
...
...
The temporary encampment of the Shaq forces in the maritime nation.
After days of fierce battles, the Naga expeditionary force has finally been completely annihilated, although there is still a tremendous amount of follow-up work to be completed.
However, the soldiers still need to rest in order to recover their physical strength.
Inside the prince's whale carriage, Roger and Shaq are engaged in a clandestine discussion.
"Nicole's attitude is one of redemption, and naturally, I have no objection to her returning to the Naga Empire," Shaq spoke in a relaxed tone, his smile serene, as if discussing a trivial matter like deciding what to eat for a stimulating taste experience.
However, what he was discussing was the first war criminal responsible for causing tremendous losses to the maritime nation.
However, now no one can judge from his expression and tone whether the prince of the maritime nation harbors any resentment, even though he has clearly captured Nicole alive but chooses to let her go.
After all, is the attitude of the mermaid really important to the empire?
And the Green Vines Empire is not a benevolent nation either, they would not intentionally let the enemy go and bring trouble upon themselves.
So there is only one possibility, that Nicole, like oneself, chooses to serve the empire, thus earning the scene just described by Roger.
So it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Everyone shares the same subservient status, so what does his personal grudge and hatred towards the Naga have to do with the Green Vines Empire?
Questioning Roger's humanity?
It is highly probable that it would only result in self-inflicted humiliation, damaging the relationship between the two individuals.
Therefore, the most rational course of action would be to tacitly accept the occurrence of this matter, exchanging concessions in this regard for the empire's support in matters of strength.
Indeed, it is true that it was Roger's provocation that allowed Shaq to grow into a true heir of the Sea Emperor.
However, after undergoing transformation, he began to contemplate matters with the interests of the maritime nation in mind, and as a result, his relationship with Roger gradually grew distant.
This is perhaps destiny's favorite little trick to play on mortal beings.
Of course, Roger could perceive that the future Sea Emperor had ample vigilance towards himself and the empire.
This is a form of maturity, as well as an inevitable part of growth.
When shouldering the life and death of billions of people, it becomes impossible for anyone to continue acting according to their own whims.
At this moment, Roger also spoke with the tone of an imperial spokesperson, displaying a diplomatic demeanor.
"Your Highness, rest assured that the empire will not interfere in the internal affairs of the people seeking revenge against the Naga."
Thank you for your understanding, esteemed individual. There is one more matter: my father's personality is ill-suited to the current state of affairs in the oceans.
"Regardless of whether the Fourth Prince awakens, the empire will support Your Highness in ascending the throne."
The mermaid royal family will forever be the empire's ally and the everlasting friend of the House of Charles.
Shak solemnly agreed with the sentence, then quickly smiled and started discussing other topics with Roger.
The two young individuals engaged in lively conversation, despite their diverse ethnic backgrounds, shared similar expressions, demeanor, and intonations, exuding an unmistakable air of seasoned cunning.
The controversial issues with significant informational content are resolved with a mere few words through the exchange of interests.
The details discussed later, on the contrary, are inconsequential.
