A tavern frequenter who prided himself on his political knowledge loudly declared that peace was inevitable due to the unbreakable balance among nations, even though he had never held any public office.
A self-proclaid military expert insisted that the two major alliances were at a stalemate, even though he had never touched a firearm, and his closest encounter with the military was during a siege when he was drafted to supply goods and was speechless in front of an old soldier of the Jin Yuan Kingdom.
A soon-to-be Transcendent, sharp-eyed, announced the arrival of an era for the strong, claiming that ordinary people’s struggles were aningless, despite being on the verge of becoming a Transcendent for years.
In short, speculation was rife around the streets.
Who brought about peace beca the hottest topic during als and tea breaks.
So believed it was Roland, adeptly maintaining balance among the nations.
So believed it was Sofia, arguing that if she hadn’t wanted peace, the war would still be ongoing.
Others believed the Great Goddess found the slaughter excessive and issued a Divine Oracle to cease the war.
After all, people had witnessed the accompanying satellite descending and then ascending back into the sky.
If it weren’t the will of the Goddess, who else could wield such unimaginable power?
The strike that cleaved the White Mountain was a divine power surpassing any human’s.
This theory made Roland’s eyes light up.
Though far-fetched, the Judges left by the Goddess indeed affected the situation.
However, these folks surely couldn’t guess that Sofia single-handedly annihilated the Goddess’s Judges.
Among these rumors, there was one particularly absurd rumor that left Roland not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
A well-educated, smartly dressed young man was telling a story in a lowered voice to his young companions.
He was speculating about the Battle of White Mountain.
"Although Governor Roland is quite strong, the gap with Empress Sofia is enormous; Empress Sofia has no match at her level."
His opening caught Roland’s interest, as at least his assessnt of strength was accurate.
Roland discreetly blended into the audience, listening intently.
Seeing the growing audience, the young man’s voice grew more animated.
"You’re surely aware of the tragic past marriage of Empress Sofia. It’s said her husband never entered her bedroom."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Empress Sofia is so beautiful; how could any man resist?"
An audience mber protested in discontent.
Of course, it’s possible.
Roland silently responded within.
If a woman is as powerful as Sofia, no man would be crazy enough to risk his life.
Of course, Ivan IV was an exception. At that ti, Sofia was still a normal noble maiden willing to bear children for her husband.
It was the Rurik Chauvinism that drove the young and beautiful wife to darkness, and such a person deserves to die a thousand tis.
After Sofia personally ended her husband’s life, she was no longer a normal woman.
To be precise, Roland never regarded her as a woman.
Though she was at the peak of her charm, just slightly less seductive than Sylph, Roland never had any romantic thoughts about her.
That’s normal.
If a fierce tiger transford into a beautiful human woman, charmingly lifting a human male’s chin and teasing the unlucky fellow with its furry paw, only a freak would get excited.
Roland wasn’t that crazy.
After all, Sofia was far more formidable than a tigress.
She once brought Roland along to handle the deregistration of Queen Sisi’s family. The official reason was that she needed Roland’s protection, but in reality, it was entirely unnecessary.
Taking Roland along, even if it wasn’t ant as intimidation, still served as a warning.
Such was Sofia.
Beautiful and captivating but not soone one should truly engage with.
The young man’s story continued, and its progression was almost as Roland expected.
It was nothing but the typical narrative of adversaries becoming lovers.
Roland sneered at this part reminiscent of a third-rate romance novel.
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
He didn’t leave imdiately because he was curious about what other stories the young man could concoct.
Just as the storyline was becoming disappointing for Roland, the young man sneakily looked around, lowered his voice, and uttered demon-like whispers.
"If I’m not wrong, Governor Roland must have seduced Empress Sofia!"
Roland almost fell over.
You really have that much faith in my abilities?
He decided to leave.
He feared Sofia might send a sword flying to decapitate this loose-lipped fool, splattering blood all over him.
Roland didn’t believe it, nor did the audience.
While people enjoyed bizarre stories, they couldn’t be too outrageous.
Spectators laughed and teased the young man.
The reason for their skepticism was simple: Sofia’s martial power was too imnse; even if seduction occurred, it would be Sofia seducing Roland.
Roland didn’t like hearing this; why would he be the one to be seduced?
He had a wife; was he that without principles?
As everyone erupted in laughter, the young man blushed, shouting back in frustration.
"What do you know! In the Jin Yuan Kingdom, Governor Roland used a drink that made Empress Alina lose her will to resist. He could totally do the sa with Sofia!"
As soon as the young man finished speaking, half the audience had dispersed.
The common love for gossip among humans was second to the will to survive.
This reckless kid offended two great powers with his words; he must be mad.
They hurried away, thinking if soone wanted to risk death, let him die alone; don’t splash blood on them.
This ti, Roland couldn’t hold back.
This little scoundrel could really spin tales. Did he look like the kind of scum who’d drug and exploit won?
Taking a few steps back, Roland couldn’t help but retort, "With your story-spinning talent, why don’t you try submitting to The Sun?"
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