in the name of the queen.

Chapter 358 Heartbeat Zero Distance

Roland and Christine hid in Menette's carriage carrying rare treasures and blended into the convoy on their journey to Tyrol.

This was not Roland's first visit to Tyrol, but his last visit could not be spread to others, so he had to pretend to be curious about his first visit to such a precious place.

Menette was not very interested in finding out the cause of death of old King Franz.

No ability, and no motivation.

No matter how the old king died, his death was an established fact.

There are only a few people who can kill silently in a concert.

He could probably guess that this matter was related to Sophia.

Queen Sissi sent people to assassinate Sophia who was in a weak period, but was killed in return.

Given Sophia's vengeful character, it would be a miracle if Queen Sissi was still alive.

Menette just didn't expect Sophia's revenge to be so cruel. Not only did she attack Queen Sissi, but she also made their entire family die in peace.

In response, Menette could only wipe away his tears and open the champagne.

His family was a branch of the royal family and originally had no chance of inheriting the throne, but Sophia directly cancelled the household registration of Franz's family, making the originally weak legal basis stronger.

There are several other family branches that also have the right of inheritance, but he is the only one who has both the strength and the legal basis.

After a brief internal struggle and several accidents, Hames, who was nominally his nephew but actually his own son, gained the right to inherit the throne.

Since he had gained the greatest benefit, he had no reason to continue the investigation.

He did not stop the investigation, but he did not support it either.

The old king is dead, and there aren't many people willing to do justice for the dead, at least not here.

In short, the succession to the throne of the Kingdom of Tyrol was settled peacefully.

After gaining the throne, Menette still faces many challenges.

The dispute within the royal family was settled, but there was still much trouble.

The first thing is how to face Roland and Sophia.

This question is not difficult for the old fox Menette. As long as he does not admit that Sophia is the murderer, he does not have to avenge the old king.

But there must be an explanation for the old king's death. You can't just say that the whole family caught a cold and died at the concert.

This ridiculous way of dying will leave a stain on history.

After much thought, Menette finally found a good way to clear his name.

Find Roland.

Roland and Sophia killed the person, and they also needed to cover up the facts.

The Darkin are planning to use the Kingdom of Tyrol as a springboard for invasion. If successful, it will be a disaster for all of humanity. Roland and Sophia also have the motive to stop it.

The common interests and the common enemy gave Menette the confidence to come to Roland.

He was not wrong. After learning that the dark side barrier was loosening and the dark race was invading, Roland made a wise decision without hesitation.

Personal grudges are nothing in the face of the threat of the Darkin.

Roland didn't like Menette, but he didn't refuse to cooperate.

Although Menette is not a good person, he has done nothing wrong on major issues.

It would be a real disaster if this guy was determined to join the Darkin and help cover up the truth.

Compared with Franz's family and Field Marshal Matsen who were bewitched by Queen Sissi, Menette at least did not fall to the bottom.

As for the fact that Menette himself had corrupt moral character, was greedy for money and lustful, and had no bottom line in doing things, Roland selectively forgot about it.

Personal morality is not the main criterion for evaluating politicians.

As long as you do the big things well, no matter how decadent your private life is, it will be a small matter.

Roland's plan was to sneak in with Christine, use Christine's sensitivity to the dark attributes to screen out the high-ranking human officials who had been corrupted by the Dark Elves, and then capture them all in one fell swoop.

If possible, try to understand the principles of the Darkin invasion and take remedial measures.

Roland didn't have much hope of completely plugging the hole. He just hoped that the crack would not turn into a wide road so that he could come and go as he pleased.

According to known intelligence, the Darkspawn is a general term for the branches of human races that failed in the competition in the Second Era.

In the Age of the Gods, the victors ascended to the divine realm, while the losers either fell into reincarnation or were banished to the most barren land of exile, which is the dark side.

These dark groups also have another name, the demons.

They were once members of the human race, but after failing to compete for opportunities with the descendants of the three goddesses, they became demons.

The dark side has scarce resources and a very harsh living environment. One can imagine the misery of the dark side survivors.

If a harsh living environment cannot defeat a group of people, it will surely temper them into steel.

Being able to survive in such a hellish place, the average combat power of the Darkin far exceeds that of ordinary humans.

Once they invade, it will be like the nomadic peoples letting their horses loose on the farming peoples who have enjoyed peace for a long time. Regardless of whether they win or lose, it will be an unprecedented catastrophe.

Menette rode alone in a carriage, while Roland and Christine hid in another carriage.

The two of them didn't say much along the way and the atmosphere was a bit depressing.

They felt bad at the thought that the music capital of Tyrol might become a rift for the invasion of the darkin.

Perhaps because she felt the atmosphere was a bit depressing, Christine tried to think of something happy and shared it with Roland with a smile.

"Roland, I have good news. In recent months, the promotion speed of believers of light has increased."

Roland's smile froze on his lips and he sighed inwardly.

How is this good news?

Unless he chooses to betray Sophia, the conflict with the Goddess of Light is irreconcilable.

The strengthening of the believers of light is not good news for him.

Christine usually speaks in her original voice, but once she gets into the mood, her voice becomes particularly sacred, with an awe-inspiring and inviolable air.

Although he wanted Christine to shut up, when she started talking, Roland had no intention of interrupting her.

This is the power of the holy sound possession.

Christine introduced the breakthroughs of the Temple of Light since the new era.

In previous years, it was considered a success if there were a dozen ordinary temples every year, and it was more of a matter of luck for high-level temples.

However, since the beginning of this year, hundreds of ordinary temples have been born in just three months. Even if the most stringent standards are followed, there are seven people who can be promoted to high-level temples.

There are not so many places for promotion to the high-level temple every year, so Christine had to let them serve as preparatory temples and wait for the right time to be promoted.

"It is clear that the will of the Great Goddess is growing stronger, and the power she projects to her hometown is also growing stronger."

Christine's conclusion made Roland's heart beat faster.

Looking at Roland's tangled expression, Christine asked quietly, "Roland, are you still unable to make a decision? Sophia is hopeless, and eternal damnation is her inevitable end, but you can still be saved."

She lowered her voice and reminded him, "Roland, the destruction of the body and soul is not the most severe punishment from God. It is even a merciful ending. The real punishment from God is to let the blasphemer live and endure the endless pain of the burning soul forever until the end of the world."

The corners of Roland's lips trembled slightly.

Compared to this kind of ending, annihilation is indeed merciful.

If he fails, he must self-destruct in advance and not give Tia any chance.

If Christine knew what Roland was thinking, she would probably be so angry that she fainted, but fortunately she didn't know.

Looking at Roland's expression, she was sure that Roland had really listened to her.

She smiled and reminded him, "The Lord of Light is kind and merciful. As long as one performs enough meritorious deeds, even blasphemers can be redeemed."

Perhaps because she was afraid that Roland would think wrongly, she quickly reminded him, "Roland, salvation is a gift. The redeemed can escape the suffering of reincarnation in the material plane and enjoy themselves in the paradise of the gods. Not everyone can be redeemed, at least not Sophia."

"Roland, even if you don't consider yourself, you still have a wife and children in the future. You have to consider them."

Facing Christine's earnest gaze, Roland's expression finally relaxed a little.

He increasingly understood why bosses were afraid that their employees would not get married.

If you have concerns, you can't be carefree.

On the final day of Advent, Sophia dared to take the entire world with her to destruction, but he couldn't do it.

The most invincible thing about Sophia is not her strength, but the fact that she is not bound by anything.

Facing Christine's ardent and expectant gaze, it was difficult for Roland to continue to be vague.

“If Sophia wants to destroy everything, I will stand against her. But she is still my ally now.” Christine let out a long breath, her eyes shining with a light she had never had before.

She murmured softly, "I know, she's too strong. We can't force her."

"Roland, don't feel any psychological burden. As long as your heart is toward the light, it won't be considered betrayal even if you temporarily join another camp."

This is a common religious whitewashing tactic.

If you want to save a person, he/she has to compromise due to the situation.

If you want to kill someone, he/she is a bad bastard with pus oozing from head to toe.

As long as there is a need, there is no reason they can't make up.

Roland looked out the window and said softly, "We're at the concert hall."

He didn't look at Christine, he was a little afraid of being exposed.

Given Christine's devotion to the goddess, she shouldn't have made such a concession, but she did it anyway.

It was obvious how much she valued him.

Roland knew Christine; her likes and dislikes were extreme.

If Christine finally knew that he still chose to stand against Tia, he would probably become the most extreme enemy.

Roland's palms were slightly sweaty.

The thought of having more crazy enemies like this gave him a headache.

If they really became enemies, would he be able to do it?
Just as Roland was daydreaming, his somewhat cold hands were wrapped in soft light.

Christine held his hand, passing on warmth and light.

"Roland, I know it's hard for you, but please persevere. As long as you face it bravely, the darkness before dawn will eventually dissipate, and we will eventually welcome the light."

Christine's voice had an indescribable magic. Even though Roland was determined, he still began to imagine the dawn after the darkness under her guidance.

He was startled and woke up from his fantasy.

Tia’s light is completely different from what Christine imagined. She just happened to reach the divine realm through the path of light.

She does not represent light.

Roland did not evade this time. He looked at Christine firmly and said in a deep voice:
"Anyone who blocks the light is our enemy. I will defend the light with you."

No one can stop Roland from defending the light, not even the Goddess of Light.

But Christine had no idea what Roland was thinking. She looked at him in surprise, and the smile on her lips could no longer be concealed.

She stretched out her hands, crossed them into a cross, and shone her fiery gaze into Roland's heart.

Roland knew that this was the Oath of the Cross of Light.

Those who violate the rules will fall into darkness forever, unable to turn around.

He stepped forward without hesitation, passing his arms under Christine's arms and crossing them into a cross.

Cross your hands, place them on each other's chest, and feel each other's heartbeat.

It was so fast that it was a bit messy.

They were all a little nervous.

Although his hands were on Christine's chest, Roland did not have any romantic thoughts. He only felt a piercing pain.

Although Christine was originally poor, she at least had something, but now it is completely gone.

She was seriously injured and was lucky to survive.

Christine looked at me with a frank look in her eyes and said softly, "Don't be sad. At least you can feel my heartbeat at close range."

Her smile was pure, but Roland's was a little forced.

When exchanging heartbeats, he silently made a wish, and there was one more person he had to protect.

He wanted to awaken Christine from her false beliefs and let her live for herself.

Just as they exchanged heartbeats, the carriage slowly drove into Schönbrunn Palace.

Roland and Christine did not get out of the car and continued to hide.

Menette exchanged a few words with a dark-faced man in black, who then walked towards the carriage where Roland was.

He raised the curtains and saw the stacked boxes.

Roland and Christine were behind the box.

They concentrated and held their breath, without any fluctuations in their aura.

Hiding one's body is a compulsory course for the strong and it is not difficult for them at all.

The man in black hesitated and lowered the car curtain.

Queen Sissi died mysteriously, and Menette will be the future ruler of the kingdom.

Although he looked down on Menette, the man in black still gave him face.

They must be suppressed when necessary, and they cannot be vague when they need to be appeased. There are not many pure-blooded Darkin who can pass through the gap, and many things still have to be done by these secondary Darkin.

The essence of the Darkspawn is still human. Even though they are divided into four major branches: Succubus, Red Demon, Green Demon, and Blood Demon, they do not have reproductive isolation from humans.

Since they are of the same race, transformation is simple.

As long as one accepts the dark sacrifice ritual and produces the dark seed in the body, he or she will become a member of the Dark Race.

Such members are known as lesser darkspawn.

The guides have always been despised, but they always exist.

After the man in black left, Roland and Christine breathed a sigh of relief.

They didn't expect that the person who came to inspect the carriage was the high-ranking shadow councilor who besieged Sophia that day.

The power of the seven high-ranking shadow senators' formation was comparable to that of the Soul Blood Link Formation, but they were unlucky and were cracked by Christine's plan, and the formation was broken before it was completed.

After the failure of these seven people, five died and two escaped. The two who escaped were obviously stronger.

If they were exposed, Roland and Christine would have no choice but to kill and then run away.

With Sophia backing him up, Roland was not worried.

He was just worried about Christine.

God knows how many Darkborn there are in Tyrol. Sophia probably doesn't want to protect her. It was really dangerous just now.

Looking at Roland's nervous expression, Christine also felt a little scared.

With the protection of God's power, she herself does not need to panic.

She was just worried about Roland.

God knows how many Darkborn there are in Tyrol. The goddess is probably unwilling to protect him. It was really dangerous just now.

Menette didn't even look back at the carriage. Although the most dangerous stage had passed, he still couldn't relax.

He has made his choice, and now it's up to Roland to perform.

What he believed in was not Roland, but the series of miracles that Roland created.

After all, Roland is a ruthless man who confronts Sophia head-on and yet protects himself and his family.

He shuddered at the thought of the dark seeds growing in his body.

Although the senior councillor codenamed Nine told Menette in a friendly manner that this was a stigmata, Menette was only grateful on the surface, but in his heart he was greeting the senior councillor's family.

He didn't want to be a slave to the Darkin.

Cooperating with Roland means giving up some benefits at most.

If you make a deal with the devil, you may lose even your soul.

Of course he can tell what is more important.

Looking up at the tallest building in Schönbrunn Palace, Menette frowned.

He has the seed of darkness in his body and can see the darkness under the light.

This magnificent palace has long been shrouded in darkness.

Roland, can you create another miracle?

(End of this chapter)