In the Name of Empress-Chapter 553 - 338: Fulfilling the Contract
Roland and Sofia conspired on the battlefield about collaboration, with no objections from the entourage.
Angelina, ranked 32, need not worry about those ranked 2-11, nor about the top 60. Her position is very stable.
Also as stable as the old dog were Sahalin of the Blade of Destruction and Pulkin the Great Shepherd, who rushed in upon hearing the news; their ranks were also in the twenties.
Not quite at the top but better than at the bottom, their primary strategy was survival—staying alive would ensure they could wait for commendations.
These three all came from the Vladimir Empire and usually had good relationships, naturally forming a collaborative team.
They did not approach Sofia.
It’s not that they didn’t want to escort her, but they lacked the ability. The enemies Sofia faced were in a league they couldn’t venture into; entering such a high-level field recklessly would only lead to instant shattering.
The gap between Tier Sevens was simply too vast; they couldn’t help. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Sofia’s gesture to them was very clear, demanding that they protect themselves.
Angelina certainly didn’t oppose Sofia and Roland’s compromise. The earlier probing attack proved that Roland’s five-person team had the ability to counter the dissatisfied Sofia, possibly even turn the tables.
Though Sofia’s Bright Blue Fury was yet to be unleashed, Angelina already broke out in a cold sweat.
She suddenly recalled the past incident of being captured and imprisoned by Roland.
Though she believed Sofia would not be defeated, she still felt inexplicably nervous.
With so many opportunistic bastards lurking around like hyenas, a temporary ceasefire between Sofia and Roland was the best outcome.
Compared to those uninvited guests from overseas continents, Roland and Alina were at least from the civilized society of Rodinia, where everyone could sit down and talk.
Sahalin hadn’t expected Her Majesty the Empress to be forced into negotiations with Roland, feeling more painfully helpless and unable to assist.
Amidst the agony, he also felt a sense of lament.
Just a few years ago in Val City, he could easily overpower Roland but suffered losses due to Roland’s cunning schemes.
After those losses, he kept them in mind, hoping to regain ground.
However, in just three short years, his gap with Roland had widened.
His rank was 27, not only unable to catch up to Roland but even on par with Angelina.
Once the Blade of Destruction, now a side character off the central stage, Sahalin felt somewhat discontented but fully supported Sofia’s decision.
The only one among the Rurik trio who likely didn’t wish for reconciliation was Pulkin the Great Shepherd. He wasn’t targeting Roland but the Divine Court of Light.
As the leader of the Orthodox Church of Light that branched from the Divine Court, the rift with the Divine Court was almost irreconcilable.
Despite his reservations, he chose silence.
Just now, he looked up at the leaderboard, quickly submitting to reality.
Christine, ranked 14.
Just three more opponents to vanquish, and she could ascend directly to Tier Five, soaring to new heights.
With support from Sofia and Roland, her rank promotion was almost inevitable.
Thinking of this, Pulkin’s already sorrowful and wrinkled face grew even more creased.
Feeling dejected, aside from preserving his life, he cared about nothing anymore.
The joys and sorrows of humans never interconnect; much happiness is built upon the sorrow of others.
While Pulkin suffered, the Pope Eugene of the Divine Court of Light felt much better.
Eugene personally ranked 50, hopeless for early advancement but not facing much trouble securing a promotion slot.
His strength was inferior to his old rival Pulkin, saved only by the vast foundation of the Divine Court, maintaining the orthodox status of the Light lineage.
These years under the pressure of his old rival, his life had been tough.
But all of this was ending—Divine Court of Light had a successor. Christine ranked 14 was the Divine Court’s greatest hope.
As the strong individuals schemed and formed small alliances, he slowly approached Christine.
Under Christine’s gaze, he raised the Scepter of Light.
"Christine, you are the Lord of Light’s most outstanding disciple, and the finest among the young ones. The future of the Divine Court belongs to you; please do not decline."
Christine certainly wouldn’t decline, even feeling some of the old folks had been lingering too long.
She should have received the Scepter of Light long before.
Since Eugene was so perceptive, his future would transform from being purged to being revered.
Christine accepted the scepter with both hands, saying slowly, "Your Grace Eugene, this is a wise choice. Your humility won’t be disappointed."
That statement was enough.
Though Christine might seem cold-blooded and harsh to outsiders, she was never capricious, always fulfilling her words.
She stated Eugene could settle calmly, regardless of what he might have done in the past—he wouldn’t face retribution.
Eugene said nothing, quietly joining up with the Chief Judge of the Divine Court of Light.
The Chief Judge ranked 90-something; hoping for a promotion opportunity would require a miracle. He saw clearly that if there was no chance, survival took precedence—no stirring trouble.
Their reason for not aligning with Christine was similar to Angelina and others: self-awareness.
Roland merely glanced at the leaderboard and already knew it had issues.
His peripheral vision fixed on the floating flying palace. Hawkeye Referee’s conscience was very bad—that guy was here just to watch the spectacle.
This ranking was mostly accurate, but many adjustments had been made in the details, intentionally promoting mutual slaughter.
The second rank was held by the king from the New Continent, Ansue.
This world’s New Continent was not devoid of civilization; in its central region lay the powerful Jialan Empire.
And the chief strongman of Jialan Empire was Ansue the Wise Man, wielding the Thunder Staff.
