As she stepped into the city square, walking alongside Roland, Sif finally couldn’t help but ask, "Did you really receive the Goddess of Light’s protection?"
"Whether it’s true or false doesn’t matter; what matters is that others believe it."
Roland explained with a smile, "That statent will beco a blade hanging over the Rurik People. As long as I survive the next few conflicts, they’ll automatically feel weaker when facing ."
Sif wanted to say sothing but stopped.
Roland was right; the weight of that statent would only grow as Roland continued to survive in harsh struggles.
But it would also double the danger Roland faced.
Sif said nothing, just extended her right hand to shake Roland’s.
Her palm was damp with nervous sweat.
Earlier, watching Roland confront Sahalin head-on, her heart had been in her throat.
She worried every second that Roland might scream in agony, but her fear dissipated as the golden light rose.
Roland had won.
He not only won the battle of strength but also threw out that deadly statent.
This was a group weakening spell aid at the Vladimir Empire, more effective than any magic.
No need for words; she chose to walk alongside Roland.
Holding Sif’s delicate, slender hand made Roland’s heart feel particularly delightful.
Shaking hands with a bear wasn’t exactly a pleasant mory.
Sahalin’s strength was sowhat surprising to him.
However, shaking hands wasn’t exactly an attacking posture; Sahalin couldn’t shake the Divine Protection, but he did take down about a tenth of the shield.
Roland could feel that Sahalin wasn’t going all out.
The big bear seed worried about so nonexistent enemy.
Distracted, improvising against the wind, and still managing to destroy a tenth of the shield, this showed how strong Sahalin’s raw power was.
If it were a fair one-on-one confrontation, Sahalin would be fully capable of tearing the shield apart.
The mont the shield broke would be the mont Roland reported to the Netherworld.
Seeing Roland silent, Sif knew he was still replaying the earlier conflict in his mind and smiled as she said:
"Roland, twenty years ago, Sahalin was already a superstar across the continent. You’ve just beco a Transcendent, your potential far exceeds his. Given ti, he’ll never be your match."
Ti?
Roland and Sif fell silent.
What they lacked most was ti.
In silence, they walked across the square toward the city hall.
The guards politely made a gesture prohibiting passage and softly said, "Sir, our governnt is about to cease operations. If you have any matters, please co back in the afternoon for the new governnt."
His tone carried a faint sadness as he continued to loyally fulfill his duties.
Although he didn’t know where he’d be working tomorrow, he was still a guard at Val City Hall for now.
Roland looked at the guard’s calm face and said with a smile, "I am Lord Roland, Governor of Northern Rodinia in the Sussex Empire. I have an appointnt with Mr. Tony. We have half an hour; it’s plenty of ti."
The guard lowered his arm, switching to an inviting gesture.
He didn’t continue to interrogate.
With the fall of Val City imminent, even symbolic resistance served to justify his wages.
Not even the Executive Officer could stop the Sussex people; how could he manage?
The guard sighed and silently looked at the city-state flag fluttering on the square.
There was only half an hour left—oh, twenty-nine minutes—before the glorious flag would be lowered.
He’d no longer be a Val City-State citizen but rather a subject of God knows what country.
Just a subject, not a citizen.
Citizenship wasn’t so easily obtained, especially for outsiders.
The fall of a nation was a big deal, but what did it have to do with soone earning two marks and fifty fenney a month?
At the top floor of the city hall, in the Executive Officer’s office.
The door was wide open, and Executive Officer Tony, in uniform, stood by the window, silently watching the outside.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway, but Tony did not turn; he rely said indifferently:
"Val City-State is about to stop functioning. Please co back in the afternoon for the new governnt if you have matters to discuss."
"That won’t do; this must be handled by you."
A familiar voice ca from behind.
Tony’s shoulders shook slightly, almost imperceptibly.
His mory was impeccable, instantly recognizing the uninvited guest’s voice.
It was Roland, the Governor from the Sussex Empire.
He sighed deeply, his voice particularly lancholic, "Lord Governor, according to your country’s notice, the official in charge of the handover isn’t you."
"Indeed, I’m not here for the handover. I’m here to see you."
Tony slowly turned, looking at Roland and Sif, unsure of what to say.
After a few seconds of silence, he glanced at the clock on the wall and said with a smile, "Alright, we still have twenty-nine minutes."
"Governor Roland, and this is..."
"Sylph Sussex York," Sif said calmly.
The na Sylph hadn’t been used for a long ti, and saying it out loud brought a peculiar sense of unfamiliarity.
Both Sussex and York were common surnas, but combined they’d represent the Imperial Family.
With Mr. Tony’s experience, the mont he heard the na, he knew Sif’s identity.
He certainly knew Sif’s identity, but she often transford into Count Tyrone and road around. If she didn’t admit it herself, she was just a Count.
Tony secretly sighed; what was ant to co finally arrived.
Just a while ago, Sahalin had co by; although he spoke politely, the underlying aning was strong.
Join the Vladimir Empire or beco an enemy of the Empire.
If you don’t join, even going overseas you’d still be considered an enemy.
He didn’t answer directly, rely telling Sahalin he’d discuss it with his family and reply later.
He’d been standing at the window earlier.
The view from here was excellent; he could clearly watch the entire confrontation between Roland and Sahalin.
Reviews
All reviews (0)