In the Name of Empress

Chapter 694 390: Or

But the Ocean Race is full of confidence in the Sea Emperor's resurrection, linking it to the Demon Emperor's revival, Roland also assumes the Sea Emperor can win the returning resurrection match.

Since the Sea Emperor's return need not be worried about, and the Goddess's descent is useless to worry over, Roland could not figure out what the Sea Emperor Hall wanted to discuss with him.

Could it also be the Divine Punishment Legion?

Roland squinted his eyes, his thoughts becoming increasingly bold.

As he fell into deep thought, the Sea Guard Captain who had been mercilessly mocked by him almost fainted from anger.

He wanted to challenge Roland to a duel, but rationality controlled his mind, and he gave up.

It's definitely not because he couldn't win; he just didn't want to disappoint the Imperial Consort.

The Sea Guard Captain's lips turned white from anger, his face flushed, but he forced himself to calm down.

"Mr. Roland, I apologize for my earlier discourtesy."

"This is a formal invitation from the Council, and we hope you will accept."

The Sea Guard Captain respectfully took out an invitation from his pocket, his face as sullen as someone who had just lost both parents.

After all, there were instructions from some important figures that he couldn't fulfill.

Since he couldn't meet some important people's requests, he had to fulfill others' instructions, the captain thought silently.

This invitation was indeed very formal.

Not only formal, but it also broke Roland's stereotypical impressions of the Sea Emperor Hall.

Just the long list of titles before his name made him look at them in a new light.

These guys actually wrote down all his titles, even including some less well-known Viscount territories.

The Sea Emperor Hall really knew him well.

This invitation was also very sincere, very courteously inviting Roland to visit the Sea Emperor Hall soon, even guaranteeing safety in the name of the Sea Emperor's subjects.

Roland was very touched but still declined.

As the Sea Guard Captain stood stunned, not knowing what to do, Roland smiled, put away the invitation, and returned an invitation to him.

"As the leader of the Rodinia Alliance, I prefer to hold this meeting in Friendship City Val."

"Please give me the opportunity to warmly entertain your esteemed personnel."

Roland spoke as if it were a trifling matter, "I've had a quite pleasant interaction with Miss Catherine, she should know my character and that it's absolutely safe with me."

"How dare you..."

The Sea Guard Captain's words stopped abruptly, sweat streaming down his forehead.

He almost blurted out, the consequences of which he couldn't even bear to imagine.

Both parties had no objections to the meeting, but there was disagreement over the location. Though the Sea Guard Captain's words grew more polite, his stance remained unchanged—Roland had to go.

Otherwise, he would be opposing the entire Ocean.

He wouldn't say it directly, but the implication was clear.

Roland's face was full of a fake smile, continually thanking the Sea Emperor Hall for the invitation, but still not going.

He had his reasons for not going—there were no benefits.

He wasn't concerned about so-called face and dignity, but very practical benefits. He had long since ceased to be a youthful boy, and disputes over pride didn't interest him.

As long as the benefits were sufficient, even an invitation as forceful as Sofia's would be gladly accepted.

Without enough benefit, even if begged, he wouldn't go.

His time was very valuable and couldn't be wasted.

Seeing the deadlock between both parties, Adina had to step in as a mediator.

"Mr. Roland, Captain Karas, you are both my guests, and I hope no unpleasant events occur in my city."

"I have a compromise suggestion: what about holding the meeting in Petit?"

"This is my city, and Edward's home; Petit also hosts thousands of human members. It's a city co-built by land humans and the Ocean Civilization. Such a location is the fairest for a meeting."

Adina cast a gentle glance at Roland.

Her meaning was clear—stop arguing, or do you want to make the entire Ocean your enemy?

Fair? Roland didn't agree with this viewpoint.

Edward was Adina's husband, nominally co-governing the city with her, and indeed assisting Adina, but this was ultimately an Undersea City.

One couldn't just regard it as an extension of human territory due to the presence of a former Emperor and a few thousand unwilling to return companions, could they?

This was somewhat self-deceptive.

But he also knew this was the Ocean Race's bottom line.

Having the Sea Empress come ashore to meet him was unrealistic, and the Sea Emperor Hall would never agree.

He nodded and accepted the compromise plan.

Roland was not very satisfied, but Captain Karas was quite displeased.

He was hopping mad, with words of denial on the tip of his tongue, until he caught sight of Adina's gaze.

Whether the Sea Emperor Hall intended true negotiations or hostages, there was no substantial difference here and at the Sea Emperor Hall.

Roland attending the meeting was more important.

Karas grudgingly accepted the compromise plan and left in a huff.

He departed with the Sea Emperor Guard, leaving behind a sound of angry snort.

Watching his back, Adina felt a bit helpless and had to explain for these arrogant people.

"Roland, don't bother with these minor figures. The high-ranking members of the Sea Emperor Hall are clear-minded; they recognize your strength, which is why they're setting up this meeting."

Roland merely smiled, saying nothing more.

He even exaggeratedly raised his hands, jestingly saying, "In the coming days, should I wear shackles and a Magic Banning Ring?"

Adina glared at him, snorting, "Roland!"

"Alright, alright, I won't run away. I might as well spend some time reading in the library."

Adina initially wanted Roland to stay in a certain palace with restricted movement, but Roland preemptively spoke, making any subsequent suggestion of soft detention seem impolite.

"You are my friend and of course can move freely within Petit. But to avoid delay when the Sea Empress arrives, please don't wander far."

Although it was still a form of house arrest, the range of activity was the entire city, which was much better than before.

Roland nodded, got up to leave, and as his back disappeared through the banquet hall door, he paused and said calmly:

"If I were to leave forcibly, would you stop me?"

"Of course not, but I can't guarantee about the people from the Sea Emperor Hall." Adina was honest.

Her stance was determined but she avoided Roland's core question.

Roland's concern was whether, if the negotiations broke down, he would not sit still, and during the breakout, would Adina's subordinates act?

This was a choice question.

Yet Adina chose "or" between "yes" and "no."

Roland said nothing but already knew the answer.

Abstention came in many forms.

Rejection but unspoken abstention, support but unable to publicly express support, rejection and open abstention, support and open abstention, reluctance to express an attitude of abstention.

And "or."

Roland cooperatively moved into the luxurious palace arranged by Adina, enjoying the sea's delicacies and experiencing a different culinary culture.

The taste was good but had a faint fishy smell.

This was the characteristic of Ocean cuisine.

No fishy taste, no ocean.

The Ocean Race didn't reject this pure sea flavor.

Moreover, these foods were primarily raw, emphasizing original flavor, even lively and jumping.

Roland could only sigh at this.

If Lisa were here, at least he wouldn't suffer in terms of dining.

Since food couldn't satisfy the stomach, spiritual nourishment would have to satisfy the mind.

Fortunately, the collection at Petit Library was very rich. Last time, Roland read about the Sea Emperor's failed love story here.

Though a bit servile when pursuing Tiya, once the Sea Emperor awakened, he proved capable.

In the decline of the Ocean Race, before he fell into slumber, he tried every means to send Tiya's kin on their path first, killing all the elders and talented youth of Tiya's kin.

Roland was very curious about what kind of person a powerful being like that would choose to marry as the Sea Empress.

He found the relevant records.

The Sea Emperor Hall did not hide the records of the Sea Emperor taking a consort.

The Sea Emperor's failed romance hit him hard, and after a long period of silence, he finally realized.

Even without love, with his status and position, he could effortlessly have the best women.

He did not marry, yet he acquired...

A full five hundred Imperial Consorts.

Some consorts lived during the same period, others never met.

Their common feature was not holding external power.

Roland closed the manuscript, falling into contemplation.

The current Sea Empress was markedly different from the previous five hundred Imperial Consorts.

What special charm did she possess to be selected by the Sea Emperor Hall to become the only real power-holding Empress?

He was very curious.