in the name of the queen.

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

This section of mountain road was originally accessible to horse-drawn carriages, but Sophia didn't like being disturbed, so she asked someone to tear down most of the road surface, leaving only enough width for pedestrians.

Sophia and Angelina were walking on the mountain road, and Angelina was very conscious of lagging behind by half a step.

Angelina never thought there was anything wrong with this.

Sophia is not only the supreme emperor of the world's largest country, but also the person standing at the pinnacle of power in the entire world.

She didn't know that Sophia had abandoned her previous strength and was exploring a new way to become stronger, and her hard power was even slightly weaker than hers.

Even if she knew, she wouldn't have any idea and 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 chat about something.

"Angelina, do you have any objections to my arrangement?"

Angelina was startled and her face turned slightly pale.

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

She thought Sophia was joking, but she didn't expect her 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 when you have a family and a career can you feel at ease. If you want Roland to work with peace of mind, you have to make him feel 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 to Sif. Sif was superior to her in status, beauty, and even strength.

Using 90 points to replace the full score is called.
She remembered a business term Roland once mentioned, which seemed to be called consumption downgrade?
There was more to say, but she didn't dare say it.

Looking at the whole world, the only one who can compete with Sif is Sophia herself.

She didn't dare say that.

Seeing Angelina hesitate to speak, Sophia thought she was unhappy because she brought it up without informing her in advance, so she explained with a smile:
"Don't worry. Roland doesn't dare to accept such an offer, so my real price is to give him a winter palace."

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

"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 will not matter."

Angelina was silent for a moment.

Sophia was right. High-level transcendents had lifespans beyond those of ordinary humans.

With Sophia's strength, she will definitely have no problem surviving until the final day of her return. Since she has no offspring, she will have no choice but to remain the emperor.

Since she didn't like the Winter Palace, the palace had to remain idle. Giving it to Roland as a gift would be a good choice.

Angelina nodded without saying anything.

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 they fail to achieve results, the Rurik people will definitely not be convinced.

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

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

At the gate of the Summer Palace, Sophia suddenly stopped. Angelina understood that the Queen did not want her to follow her in, so she tactfully said goodbye.

But Sophia stopped her.

"Angel, you've 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 that I think about it, it's really strange."

"Your Majesty, I."

"You are 24 years old this year, and it is time to get married. If you don't like Roland, then I will decide for you if you have someone you like."

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

Angel was her name when she was Sophia's maid. 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 any of her usual coldness. It didn't sound like a queen talking to her subordinates, but rather like an older sister caring about her ignorant younger sister.

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

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

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

Angelina bravely looked at Sophia, her tone extremely serious.

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

"Love and marriage will not bring me happiness. I long to become stronger and hope 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 want to stay 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 you don't have to walk the path of strength alone. Look at Roland and Sif, aren't they doing well? They can even withstand my killer moves."

Angelina shook her head firmly. "I'm stupid and can't take care of too many things. You've been cultivating my political, diplomatic, and military abilities, but I'm not as good as Roland. If I can't focus, I'm afraid I'll accomplish nothing."

Sophia stared into Angelina's eyes with a stern look. Angelina, who usually didn't dare to look her in the eye, was particularly stubborn this time. She looked at her without giving in, showing her determination.

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

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

This was the first time she had disobeyed the Queen's arrangement in the ten years she had followed Sophia.

If it was half a year ago when the Queen arranged for her to marry Roland, she would only consider what clothes to wear at the wedding and would never have any other thoughts.

But it can't be done now.

That sword was too beautiful, so gorgeous that she couldn't breathe, and her life was different from then on. The enjoyment of worldly life could no longer touch her in the slightest.

She would die with regret if she couldn't replicate Sophia's stunning sword move.

She felt guilty for disobeying Sophia's arrangement, but she really couldn't do it.

Rather than just agreeing perfunctorily, she would rather endure the Queen's direct wrath.

Sophia walked up to Angelina and felt 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 that it's really not easy to work around me."

Sophia said with a hint of self-mockery.

Angelina didn't dare to respond. She said, "Leaders can criticize themselves, but it would be immature of you to continue talking along with them."

At times like this, just listen.

Sophia pondered for a moment, and no one knew what she was thinking. Angelina felt a little worried, but she still gritted her teeth and persevered.

She didn't lie.

The sword that seemed to be able to split the entire world not only cut 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 more difficult and longer path. The star path to the Winter Goddess is now open. Are you interested?"

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

She subconsciously thought that Sophia was testing her. 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 her to become a god was winter.

No one would be crazy enough to compete with Sophia on this road.

Her chances of obtaining the qualification to enter the divine realm were very high, but she took the initiative to give up the easiest path to becoming a god.

This unimaginable thing frightened Angelina. She quickly knelt down to apologize, but Sophia grabbed her shoulders and prevented her from kneeling any further.

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

Sophia's eyes were soft and her voice was seductive.

Although she was only at level four and Angelina was only at level six, there was no trace of doubt in her tone, as if it was as simple as eating and drinking.

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

The moment I lowered my head, my tears froze into ice and fell to the ground.

Sophia's voice sounded again, "Angelina, the further the seeker goes in the winter star path, the further away from the mortal world. Have you thought about it?"

"I will never regret it!" Angelina looked determined as if she wanted to join the party.

"Okay, come with me. I will first share with you my previous training experience in the Sanctuary, and then help you recast the Azure Fury."

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

An ice-attributed artifact that is perfectly matched with the pursuers of the Winter Star Path.

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

Hermitage.

Roland, accompanied by Sakhalin, inspected and accepted this prestigious palace.

This palace is known as one of the five great palaces of Rodinia, along with Sheffield Castle of the Sussex Empire, Palace of Cite of the Golden Kite Kingdom, Spa Palace of the Tyrol Kingdom, and Triumph Palace of the Prudentia Kingdom.

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

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

If Sophia had given him a manor, he wouldn't have cared at all, but this was the Winter Palace.

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

Thinking that these parasites were actually reaching their dirty hands into his pockets, Roland's murderous intent grew stronger and stronger.

Sakhalin took Roland on a tour, and before leaving, he lowered his voice and said, "Barov, the chief steward 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 Your Majesty well."

"The list of the Hermitage's collection should be in the Royal Archives. I'll go find it for you later."

"No need." Roland said calmly, "If Barov didn't even have the ability to take the list away, how could he dare to attack the Winter Palace? He is so arrogant because he is sure that Sophia will not punish him for such a small matter."

Sakhalin frowned slightly. Roland calling the Queen by her name was somewhat against the etiquette of a subject. But thinking that Roland was more like a guest, not a Rurik, he had to pretend to be deaf and dumb.

Seeing that Roland was still thinking clearly despite being angry, he was curious and asked tentatively:

"So what are you going to do? Continue to pursue it? Actually, it was Barov who took it."

"I have my own way."

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

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

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

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

He was a little curious.

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

After returning to his residence, he immediately lit the magic lamp, spread out paper and pen, and began to gather his emotions.

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

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

"Is this Barov? Please come in." Roland said calmly without looking up, and his pen did not stop writing at all.

Soon, the palace steward Barov stood at the door. He had a simple smile and his forehead was full of wrinkles, but from his appearance he didn't look like someone who would dare to resell royal property.

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

"My Lord, His Majesty said that you will be the master of the Winter Palace from now on, and asked me to obey your orders. Please go to the Mirror Palace to rest. That 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 this place on behalf of Her Majesty Sophia. She will return to live here in the future."

This sentence contained a lot of information. Barov's expression changed visibly, and he didn't even dare to look Roland in the eye.

His mind began to race.

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 clenched and unclenched his hands nervously.

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

In the Rurik people's stereotype, no one dared to joke with Sophia, let alone forge an imperial decree to cancel the household registration book.

But Roland is not a Rurik, he dares.

Anyway, Sophia won't expose his lies. Since Sophia won't expose them, then it's true.

As for when Sophia will move back, that depends on her mood. Does Barov dare to ask about the time?
The old butler originally just wanted to fight with Roland, but he didn't expect to face Sophia, and he was frightened for a moment.

He hesitated for a moment, then said slowly, "Her Majesty has not been here for many years. It is an honor for the Winter Palace that she is back."

Seeing that Barov had no doubts, Roland casually spoke of a trivial matter, "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. Within a month, the Winter Palace will be completely restored to the state it was in when Your Majesty left. I mean completely restored."

Barov was stunned.

He stood there blankly, not knowing how to respond.

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

Barov was dazed by Roland's combination of punches and couldn't even guess his true thoughts, so he had to leave in dismay.

After 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 would make it clear to cabinet members that he was serious about building the empire.

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

After all, he was the old queen mother's relative, and the old queen mother was Sophia's last soft spot in the palace.

But what does Sophia's unwillingness to care have to do with him?
The Winter Palace is now his territory.

It's already a good thing for him not to take advantage of others, but how dare someone put their dirty hands into his pocket?
If he endures this, others will think he is a good person.

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

Although the empire seemed to be thriving, its fate depended entirely on Sophia.

Without Sophia's support, the Vladimir Empire's internal problems alone would be enough to tear the huge empire apart, let alone starting a war.

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

He had always been grateful for what he had received. Now that he had received a duchy and a winter palace from Sophia, plus the friendship they had fought side by side in the Battle of White Mountain, he was sure to help.

Outsiders always look at things from a different perspective, and Roland summarized the problems of the Vladimir Empire very clearly.

unbalanced development.

Regional development is unbalanced; the prosperity of the empire's big cities and the backwardness of its remote areas seem like two different worlds.

This problem also exists in Sussex and Golden Kite, but not to such an extent.

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, slavery was still practiced in many places in the empire.

The development of ethnic groups was uneven. The conflicts 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 they were more like mercenaries.

It was easy to find problems. Roland quickly sorted out dozens of problems that plagued 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’s easy to find the problem, but how to solve it?

He began to look for inspiration from another world.

While he was lost in thought, his right hand subconsciously scribbled on the white paper. When he woke up from his thoughts, 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 soon calmed down.

It's too big a step.

The current Vladimir Empire has a stable imperial power but a weak industrial base, so some things are just wishful thinking.

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

There were still tens of millions of serfs in the empire living in dire straits, and many tribal herdsmen who failed in the tribal annexation were reduced to slave laborers.

These people only know the Master, not even the Empire or the Empress.

They had no property and only their chains to lose, so they were very strong.

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

Roland hesitated for a long time, but finally wrote it down.

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

He must be worthy of the reward.

Roland thought of the welcoming party in the daytime. Although Sophia was as arbitrary as ever and acted with arrogance and dominance, she at least sincerely 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 through the entire night and finally drew up a blueprint for the empire's development plan.

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

It was still early before work, and going to sleep now would only make me more sleepy, so I simply stood up and walked to the window.

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

These servants are also suffering. A few servant leaders like Barov can benefit from guarding the Winter Palace, but these lower-class people definitely don't have a good life.

Not only do they have to work, but their wages will 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 a way to crack the problem.

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

We can use his connections with Sassanid merchants to understand Barov's channels for selling stolen goods. After obtaining solid evidence, we can start with the low-level slaves and make sure Barov dies clearly.

Embezzlement and selling huge amounts of imperial treasures are punishable by death in any country.

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

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

"Dear Fu, I'm fine here.
miss you.

—Your beloved Roland."

Thinking of the cute little 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 is the young General Tom who escorted him to his post.

Roland can rest assured that he can do the job.

"Please deliver a letter home for me. I have to go to work."

Roland handed the letter to Tom and walked towards the government hall humming a happy tune.

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