In the Name of Empress

Chapter 693 390: Or

Faced with such a display, most people would likely be startled or angry, but Roland was no longer the inexperienced youth of years past. The teacup in his hand didn't even tremble.

"Adina, you really know how to scare someone. I thought you brought so many people to kill me, turns out it was just to invite me as a guest."

Adina bit her lip, saying nothing.

She had always disliked Roland's style of speaking and acting. Compared to the witty, humorous, elegant, and handsome Edward, Roland, although seemingly noble in manner on the surface, was a rogue inside.

Not as good as Edward.

This was Adina's assessment of him.

Roland certainly didn't care what his stepmother thought. In his eyes, compared to Sylph, Adina was just a fish worth a glance or two.

Except for that old guy Edward, who loved endlessly, who else with any sense would get involved with a fish?

In this atmosphere of superficial politeness and mutual disdain, Roland calmly blew away the froth from his teacup and casually asked, "Who is the Sea Empress?"

"You'll know when you meet her. She is now the most powerful person in the Ocean Race, even surpassing Haiyan Marshal Plaiden."

Roland was a bit surprised; he indeed had never heard of the Sea Empress before.

Judging from Adina's tone, the Sea Empress hadn't appeared for long.

He was somewhat curious, but still shook his head.

He certainly wanted to go to the Sea Emperor Hall, but not in this manner.

"Inviting a guest with over a hundred fully armed samurai surrounding them, is this how the Sea Emperor Hall treats guests?"

Roland spoke coolly, not openly refusing, but his attitude was clear.

Adina frowned slightly but still patiently assured Roland.

"Roland, you don't need to worry about safety. The Sea Emperor Hall holds the highest position in the Ocean World and would never be discourteous to a guest."

Roland said nothing, simply staring at the hundreds of "blade axe hands" behind Adina.

Adina hesitated briefly, then gestured for the samurai to stand down.

The Sea Emperor Hall required Roland to attend, and to ensure his compliance, had specially dispatched over a hundred elite Sea Guards to "escort" him.

But she understood Roland; this guy had no real principles and wasn't the kind to maintain dignity at the cost of his life.

Roland could handle both tough and gentle approaches, but would not do anything without benefit.

She understood Roland, but these Sea Guards did not. They were used to being domineering in the sea; they had never seen anyone dare refuse the Sea Emperor Hall.

Roland's attitude angered them.

Though the Sea Emperor Guards retreated one by one, the Guard Captain leading them stared intently at Roland, his stout hands instinctively reaching for the blade at his side.

He wanted to lash out but restrained himself.

Roland's formidable reputation had been built through strength; even the Sea Emperor Hall, usually indifferent to outside news, knew him well.

Thinking of the Sea Empress's strict order to bring Roland in no matter what, the Guard Captain took a deep breath, setting aside the arrogance he had long held.

On land, humans are invincible, but this is the seafloor.

The Ocean World is not a place for humans to act arrogantly.

The Guard Captain, in as friendly a tone as possible, extended the invitation once more to Roland.

"The Imperial Consort has commanded... the Imperial Consort invites Mr. Roland to visit the Sea Emperor Hall. She said you absolutely won't regret this meeting."

Being often responsible for external communications, the Guard Captain, though accustomed to arrogance, could discern the gravity of the situation and maintained composure.

In his view, Roland sought nothing more than so-called "respect." Now that he had given as much face as he could, Roland had no reason to refuse.

However, Roland still shook his head.

"Sorry, I have passed the age of liking to adventure everywhere. I have a family, a career, and won't easily take risks."

This statement almost choked Edward.

You claim not to like adventure? Then were your travels across two continents a road trip?

But he didn't expose Roland, just took a sip of wine to calm himself.

He had accepted his fate, accepted that his daughter would inherit the throne early. He even liked Roland because of his affection for her.

After all, he was the former Emperor of the Sussex Empire, and his heart was still with the homeland.

Adina's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

Roland's meaning was clear: he was concerned about safety and didn't want to go to the Sea Emperor Hall.

This statement was somewhat doubtful of the Sea Emperor Hall's intentions; Adina sighed inwardly, knowing the Sea Emperor Hall's envoy wouldn't accept such a tone.

Sure enough, as she expected, the Sea Guard Captain exploded instantly.

In outrage, he tightly gripped his longsword, his complexion turning deep red, like a shrimp being boiled.

"Roland, you are insulting the Sea Emperor Hall!"

"Insulting? You plan to wash away the shame with my blood? Fine, I accept a duel to the death."

Roland looked at the Sea Guard Captain with a hint of disdain, a teasing smile in his eyes.

This was clearly not a simple invitation. It was a negotiation in the guise of a guest invitation.

He couldn't see the sincerity from the other side, only arrogance with a hint of seawater.

Such negotiation was unnecessary.

Or rather, this was also a part of the negotiation.

He and the Sea Empress he had never met were already engaged in a showdown across the air.

Roland's mind raced, quickly reaching a bold conclusion that the Sea Emperor Hall was not as removed as most thought, indifferent to the changes in the outside world.

Although they didn't have to undergo the frequent Day of Return trials like the Land Transcendents, they too faced ultimate challenges.

The resurrection of the Sea Emperor, the descent of the Goddess.

If the Sea Emperor could not be resurrected, the fate of the Ocean Race would inevitably be tragic—at best, a choice between braised or steamed seafood.