Chapter 210: Empress: Let's Discuss You and Nicole
The mysterious capital,Fengling moon palace.
The Eternal night Empress received Roger and Margaret, who had returned from the maritime nation.
Shak's coronation, Nicole's submission, and the empire's strategic conquest of the seas outlined in this five-year plan have been accomplished ahead of schedule and surpassed expectations.
A proxy war has overturned the original outcome, resulting in a change of maritime emperor in the maritime nation. Subsequent benefits continue to emerge, making the depths of the sea an important testing ground for imperial weaponry.
As time progresses, directly colonizing the depths of the sea is not an extremely challenging task.
In this battle, the contributions of Roger and Margaret are indispensable.
Certainly, the wise Eternal night Empress can also be described as sagacious in delegating power, refraining from sudden airdrops of confidential messages or engaging in headmaster actions such as arranging for the "forward movement of the magician's position by fifty meters".
The Eternal night Empress is also highly satisfied with the outcome of this battle.
By simply cooperating at home and making appropriate expressions, all the problems are solved by the capable Roger, my dear advisor. I don't even need to personally copy my own assignments. Is there anything better than this?
In the joyous occasion, the Eternal night Empress directly arranged a banquet at the Fengling Moon Palace to honor the two deserving courtiers.
During the banquet, the three individuals, sovereign and ministers, summarized the gains and losses of this maritime strategy, confirming that the same approach can be applied to more countries on the continent.
Margaret has already realized that Your Majesty cares only about victory, and in secret, she has learned several tricks from Roger.
Her subordinates, the nightingales and sparrows, have also acquired a vast amount of intelligence on enemy countries. With the guidance of professional strategists, they have proposed several ingenious plans.
Hmm, the little demon is gradually becoming devilish, and there's nothing wrong with that.
"Indeed, Mary, you are becoming more mature," the Eternal night Empress rejoiced, greatly acknowledging the feasibility of Margaret's proposed plan.
As long as there is good coordination with the Kingdom of Terra, the Green Vines Empire, this external threat, will keep a low profile and bide its time, and the underlying conflicts among the great powers will certainly gradually surface.
When the time comes, just intensify the conflicts between the two sides, or even among multiple parties, and there will definitely be new battlefields opening up.
The empire can use the name of third parties such as the Kingdom of Terra to sell weapons on a large scale, making money from both sides.
And precisely by having the Beast Soul Bracelet coupled with the control over the people within the Blissful Illusion Realm, the ruling costs of the great powers decrease, and productivity increases.
In addition, with the magical crystal machinery from the Terra stronghold, they can accumulate more wealth, and all these countries on the continent have the means to purchase more weapons and gear.
At this moment, we must express our gratitude to the Seven Gods Church.
It is they who tirelessly sow the seeds of hatred among the great powers and different races.
Many of them are ancient adversaries that have been in rivalry for thousands of years. They refrained from waging war previously, solely due to the existence of the empire as a greater threat.
Now, the empire, "forced" into a period of recuperation, has been shattered by Terra. As a result, our national strength has risen, the people are obedient, and the level of equipment has skyrocketed.
In just a short span of one year, numerous rulers have found it difficult to restrain their restless hearts, as they contemplate settling the score with their longstanding adversaries.
Not to mention secular monarchies, even among the divine authority of the churches, there exists animosity.
The alliance of the Seven Gods only exists on the divine plane, whereas the exchanges witnessed among mortals exhibit considerable exclusivity, especially with the direct establishment of hostile factions by deities...
In conclusion, in this world where might is revered and myriad races exists, achieving peace is arduous, yet engaging in warfare is tempting for a myriad of ruthless individuals who are quick to resort to violence.
The meal enjoyed by the trio of monarch and ministers was truly satisfying, conveniently aligning the agenda regarding the surrounding formidable powers.
Firstly, let these nations and powers mutually exhaust each other, ideally reducing their territories to ruins. The empire shall act as an arms dealer, profiting from both sides, achieving industrial advancement and accumulating strength. Lastly, we shall reap the harvest of the entire world.
Alas, isn't this just the same path that the lighthouse traversed in the past?
Indeed, undertaking the world war quest of others truly has the potential to transform oneself into a superpower!
While conversing with the Eternal Night Empress, she casually inquired about a crucial point that was not elaborated upon in the previous battle reports.
By the way, how did you manage to persuade the esteemed Saint Nicole? I heard she has always been renowned for her unwavering faith.
Roger's expression immediately became somewhat stiff, although he had a clear conscience, it was entirely that girl who took the initiative, but being suddenly questioned by the Empress made him inexplicably uneasy.
I must confess... it was all orchestrated by Lord Roger, I, as his humble servant, was unaware of these proceedings.
With a malicious sidelong glance, Margaret swiftly tendered her resignation, saying, "Your Majesty, I have just recalled some makeshift military assignments that need attending to. I must take my leave!"
"Go ahead," the Eternal Night Empress agreed without hesitation.
Although Roger's inner thoughts were in disarray just now, she heard sensitive terms such as "imprisonment," "loyalty," and "Is it comfortable for the Lord?" Indeed, it is necessary for Margaret to step down.
She needed to privately inquire with her invincible commanding officer if he had done something to upset her.
Your Majesty, I too have suddenly recalled that the Nightfall Guard has a multitude of matters to attend to...
"Now, the domestic situation is still stable, so there's no urgency on your end," the Eternal Night Empress easily saw through this individual's attempt to escape, her expression turning grave. "Give me a detailed account. Tell me exactly what you and the Lady Saint discussed and did. How did you manage to convince her to cooperate with the Empire? It must be quite intriguing, don't you think?"
Damn Margaret, she escaped so quickly, showing no regard for the bond of brotherhood!
Fortunately, I was prepared for this question in advance. I already have a draft! Let me think about how the harmonized version was recited...
After the initial tumult, Roger, at least outwardly, had regained his composure.
He fluently narrated the tale of a captive saintess, skillfully exploiting the cracks in her faith towards the Sea God, promptly instilling a series of truths within her, ultimately leading to her defection from the shadows and embrace of the light.
In theory, this is indeed the truth.
It's just that many crucial details were skipped over. Nicole's true loyalty lies not with the empire, but with Roger, a key detail.
If it were a typical relationship between ruler and subject, this level of understanding would surely suffice.
In this story, Roger is remarkably loyal, taking pride in the empire's actions and using the charismatic persona of the Eternal Night Empress to influence the enemy leader, ultimately achieving success.
This can even be considered a subtle flattery, who knows, it might bring him additional rewards if it pleases a certain emperor!
The problem, however, is that the relationship between the Eternal Night Empress and Roger is anything but ordinary ruler-subject dynamics.
With the tacit understanding of the two parties, coupled with hearing his willingness to speak, how could the Empress possibly let him go so easily?
Really? I can't believe it! Once the Saintess learned about the Seven Gods' activities, she joined forces with the empire? Shouldn't we simply broadcast the truth to the entire world so that the empire can uphold global peace?
The Eternal Night Empress's face showed a pensive expression, her eyes glaring at Roger with a mocking tone, clearly saying, "Confess honestly to me!"
[How could such a flawless story like mine reveal any loopholes? This shouldn't be happening!]
Ahem, it's alright. Fortunately, I have also prepared the R12+ version...
Roger cleared his throat and said, "Indeed, there are some trivial details that are not worth mentioning to avoid wasting Your Majesty's time..."
It's alright. The night is long, and I have no other appointments today. You may carefully recount the entire process, without omitting any significant or minute details.
The eyes of the Eternal Night Empress narrowed even further, exuding an increasingly dangerous aura.
It seemed as if any further expression of Roger's unreliable or unclear remarks would result in her subjecting him to harsh interrogation, coercing him to confess...
Ah, no, it is the pursuit of truth!
Roger had been by the side of the Eternal Night Empress for so long that he had become familiar with her ways, instantly feeling a sense of fear, yet not completely intimidated.
The complete truth, he certainly cannot disclose, even at the cost of his life, because speaking it might genuinely lead to his demise.
Therefore, he must counter the curiosity of the Eternal Night Empress, though this strategy may carry a certain level of risk, requiring utmost caution in its execution...
The first step of counteraction is to engage in nonsensical ramblings and distractions, diverting the attention of the Empress!
Roger deliberately feigned a hesitant and reluctant expression, saying, "Your Majesty, with your countless important matters to attend to, I dare not waste your time. I dare to vouch, with Margaret's head on the line, that Saint Ni is definitely a reliable friend of the empire."
Empress: ???
Damn it, using Margaret's head as a guarantee? Shouldn't you use your own for such matters?
Her face darkened, "If I allow you to speak, then speak!"
"Actually, Nicole said some things that might upset Your Majesty."
"Speak!"
Those words involve me, some of which are highly disrespectful. I implore Your Majesty not to be enraged...
"Are you going to speak or not?!"
The Empress of Eternal Night couldn't help but slam the table in frustration.
Of course, We are well aware that Nicole must have committed egregious acts with you. Otherwise, We wouldn't bother to inquire!
With your limited excuse-making ability, do you really think that you can escape our peerless intelligence and insight? Don't entertain the illusion of being able to flee!
Roger seemed startled by her sudden anger, he flinched and cautiously replied, "I will speak, Your Highness, immediately..."
As she saw him stammering and attempting to buy more time, the Empress of Eternal Night's hands began to radiate with the enchanting glow of magic. Finally, in a sluggish manner, Roger spoke:
She asked me if I had ever tried to prevent Your Majesty from defying the gods, and I naturally replied that I had not. Your Majesty is the divine dragon of the heavens, after all, and how could you possibly care about the desires of a humble servant? Then Nicole made a multitude of astonished expressions and said that others may not understand, but I am undoubtedly different in Your Majesty's heart...
"Such nonsense! How could she, a mere Naga priestess, possibly know My Majesty's thoughts?" The Empress of Eternal Night's face immediately revealed a hint of panic as she swiftly denied, "I treat all of My subjects equally. Throughout My reign, I have always pursued fairness, fairness, and nothing but fairness!"
Roger nodded as a matter of course and said, "Indeed, that's exactly how I responded to Nicole. In the presence of Your Majesty, all the subjects must rely on genuine talent and learning. There is absolutely no unfairness... However, Nicole was quite stubborn. She claimed to have analyzed the empire's intelligence and data, firmly insisting that Your Majesty harbored such feelings towards me..."
"What kind of feelings? This is a completely forced interpretation, a malicious conjecture!" the Empress of Eternal Night exclaimed, sweeping her sleeve as she stood up and turned away, not wanting Roger to catch a glimpse of her flushed face.
Is My Majesty's feelings so evident? To think that they have been noticed by a completely unfamiliar island nation priestess?
In the eyes of that priestess, am I truly perceived as a foolish sovereign who harbors unrequited love for his own subordinate?
This is slander, blatant and unfounded slander, which I absolutely cannot acknowledge! I have clearly disguised myself so well!
The good news is that Roger doesn't seem to believe it now, so we must absolutely prevent him from believing.
If he were to know that I like him, what if he starts taking advantage of it in the future and becomes inactive again, right?
Therefore, I... I must now pretend to be angry! Completely deny this matter!
The Queen of Eternal Night made an instant decision, portraying an expression of immense fury. She turned around and forcefully flipped the table, saying, "I am already aware of this matter. Considering Nicole has recently joined the empire without understanding the situation, I shall temporarily overlook her unfounded remarks. Have you mentioned this matter to anyone else?"
Will he not secretly mock me with his sister?
Your Majesty, rest assured. Nicole's baseless conjectures, I shall certainly not spread them to anyone. If it were not for Your Majesty's inquiry, I might have completely forgotten about them.
The Queen of Eternal Night listened to Roger's heartfelt words and knew that this time he was truly sincere, never having mentioned it to anyone else. This relieved her of her worries.
This matter ends here, never to be discussed again in the future. No one should know about it, understand?
"I shall comply with the decree."
Very well, you may withdraw. Your performance this time was admirable, and you must strive even harder in the next opportunity.
Please, Your Majesty, calm your anger and take good care of your own health.
The Queen of Eternal Night listened to the fading footsteps of Roger and breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, I displayed enough wit to avoid any slip-ups, not being perceived as a foolish individual with unrequited affection!
Roger departed from the Fengling Moon Palace with a sense of sorrow in his heart. He couldn't help but look back at the scattered meals, observing the precious utensils that had endured the test of time for countless years, now shattered to pieces...
Until he was far away from that grand hall, at a distance suitable for teleportation back to the mansion, only then did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
What a close call, I almost got pushed into revealing the truth!
Luckily, I was clever enough to provoke the Queen of Eternal Night with some alternative words spoken by Nicole, which prevented her from further inquiries, leading her to voluntarily terminate the conversation.
This is intelligence that Roger had only recently confirmed.
He had always believed that the Queen of Eternal Night was an experienced player, teasing him like a younger brother.
However, as his relationship with little Joey grew deeper, and as he met more people of the opposite sex, he realized that the image of the Queen of Eternal Night as an experienced seductress may have been a façade.
It was simply an exaggerated joke, which made her blush first!
Upon confirming this, Roger had a foolproof escape strategy at his disposal.
All that is needed is to respond to the teasing with an even thicker skin than the other person, so that in the end, it will be the one with the more delicate face who feels embarrassed.
In a battle between the debauched young master, who is surrounded by countless maids, and the lowly empress, who pretends to be a bad woman despite having no experience in love, is there even a need to guess who is more shameless?
...Well, this is not exactly a glorious matter.
Anyway, today Roger used the same tactic, disregarding Nicole's peculiar speculations, and immediately diverted the attention of the Nocturnal Queen to clearing her own suspicions, with no energy left to investigate what exactly happened between Roger and Nicole...
However, it is a pity that today Roger's intention to probe the Nocturnal Queen was also evident, judging from her reaction.
It resembles a state of furious exasperation as if a sensitive matter has been struck, yet also resembles a state of furious exasperation as if falsely accused…
In any case, it is truly difficult to discern the thoughts of a furious and ruffled empress based on her demeanor.
One can only say that Nicole's analysis is indeed too far-fetched and speculative, as she is unaware of the intricacies of her interactions with Your Majesty.
Now, at most, it can be considered as having friends with shared ideals, but it hasn't risen to the level of nurturing such emotions, has it?
Ah, women's hearts are truly troublesome matters. To ensure prudence, it would be best to have Your Majesty take the initiative first.
If she, being such a resolute individual, truly harbors intentions, she would undoubtedly forge ahead without hesitation...
No movement, therefore, it indicates that there has been no movement yet!
However, speaking of her, that girl is also quite troublesome.
Roger returned to the Maotai Winery and upon seeing a certain saintly woman awaiting him in his study, he couldn't help but let out a gentle sigh.
He knew that the time for the nightly encounter had arrived once again, and there was simply no evading it.
In the gaze of anticipation from Nicole, the two individuals entered a completely soundproofed basement.
Roger stood against the wall, facing Nicole, while Nicole leaned forward, assuming the posture of a Naga tribe's kneel, in front of Roger, parting her lips slightly...
Began to pray, recounting one's daily experiences to him.
And what if not?
Will the believers do any other peculiar things for the "temporary god"?
