Chapter 19: Who is the Greatest Empress?
A dense fog enveloped the collapse zone of the Great Library.
At the core of the mist, in what was once the Scribe’s office, no sound or light penetrated.
Onlookers, whose curiosity had drawn them towards the source of the magical storm, wanting to know what friction had occurred between the Empress of Eternal Night and the new Scribe, Dio, suddenly felt a sharp pain in their eyes.
Their eyes swelled and teared up as if sprayed with chili water.
Mages also possessed healing abilities.
However, the Empress of Eternal Night’s methods were superior, suppressing their spells to a minimum with a continuous effect, rendering their tears unstoppable.
Director Rodney was no exception. Crying, he lamented, “Curiosity killed the cat. I knew the Empress didn’t want anyone to see, but I just couldn’t help myself…”
Many things seem more intriguing the more they are hidden, fueling everyone’s curiosity.
Clearly, the Scribe had written something to anger Her Majesty to this extent.
So, what exactly did he write?
I really want to know!
Damn it!
I’ll probably never get to see it now!
In the center of the fog.
The historical advisors had all fainted. The Empress of Eternal Night took a deep breath and mockingly looked at Roger, “Tell me, why do you think I wouldn’t dare to kill you? And why can’t I kill you?”
She assumed Roger was about to reveal his past achievements, to confess he was Angelina’s brother, or to expose a hidden organization behind him…
But the Empress had already made up her mind. Regardless of who was behind Roger, she was determined to kill this young man who dared to tamper with history to vent her anger!
However, Roger’s response was not what the Empress of Eternal Night had anticipated.
With a slight smile, he calmly replied, “I am nobody. I am merely a Commoner, a Commoner whom Your Majesty bought with a thousand pieces of gold. Your Majesty set a precedent by appointing a Commoner to an official position, only to kill him within ten days. What would those Commoners who were infinitely grateful and expectant towards Your Majesty think? Would they believe Your Majesty feared the noble lords of Congress?”
“I, fear, no, ONE!”
The Empress of Eternal Night detested Roger’s composure at this moment.
She found this logically sound statement more detestable than his usual disrespectful retorts.
Her starry eyes blazed with anger, and terrifying magical energy flared in her hand. In the next second, she could transform into a human turret and blast Roger into ashes.
Yet, in the end, she didn’t cast any magic. Instead, her anger gradually subsided.
“I thank Your Majesty for sparing my life.”
Roger saw her expression and took a small step forward.
He made his move, like a general checkmating the king.
And he added fuel to the fire.
The Empress did have her fears.
She feared the endless gossip of her subjects, feared her hard-earned efforts being destroyed, feared betraying the trust and dedication of her followers…
The Empress of Eternal Night ruled the empire with an iron fist, able to forcefully enact any policy.
However, appointing a Commoner to an official position touched upon the interests of the nobility, and she faced significant opposition.
Her loyal parliamentarians were locked in fierce debates with the traditional nobles, and they were on the verge of achieving a significant breakthrough.
At this juncture, if she were to personally execute the Commoner she had appointed…
Her previous declaration of “recruiting talent regardless of background” and her efforts to forge a new era for the empire would all turn into an illusion.
The Commoners would only distance themselves further from her.
Is she playing games with us, Your Majesty?
Therefore, this Dio Brandu truly couldn’t be killed.
Not only could she not kill him, but she also had to protect him from being killed by others.
This was to avoid creating the false impression that the traditional nobles were too powerful and that the Empress was incapable of protecting her own people.
Otherwise, which Commoner would dare to serve in her court?
This was the first time since the Empress of Eternal Night ascended the throne that she wanted to kill someone but couldn’t.
The Empress of Eternal Night stared at Roger, every word squeezed through her teeth, carrying the biting chill of the northern wind, “Dio Brandu, do you hate me?”
“I do not hate you. I am proud of Your Majesty’s achievements.”
“Then you wrote about my negative history and tarnished my image?”
“I did not intentionally tarnish Your Majesty’s image. It was merely…”
Roger puffed out his chest, proudly stating, “I love Your Majesty, but I love the truth even more!”
“You… you actually…”
The Empress of Eternal Night looked at the Scribe standing proudly before her, his eyes clear, and suddenly felt lost.
This time, he was being uncharacteristically sincere.
His words reflected his true thoughts.
Did he truly care about the truth so much that he would risk his life to expose it?
Was this not the same lazy, insincere scoundrel she knew?
How could he be so resolute after changing his identity, possessing the integrity of a renowned minister?
He acts without fear of consequences, his words and deeds aligning with his will.
The Empress seemed to see a heroic spark in Roger!
She was utterly shocked.
She suddenly stopped being angry.
She even felt a glimmer of pride.
Although such a person was not suitable for the position of her Scribe, he might be entrusted with a greater responsibility!
The Empress of Eternal Night decided to temporarily suspend Roger’s role as Scribe, intending to re-employ him once she found a suitable position.
Just then, that familiar inner voice echoed in the Empress of Eternal Night’s mind:
[I was so scared! I thought Blood Mother was going to lose control and slaughter me. In the end, I was the one who was smarter and managed to fool her!]
[Spreading the truth is important, but saying goodbye to this boring Scribe position and unlocking my new lazy lifestyle is even more important!]
[It’s hilarious! Blood Mother actually cares so much about a history book, so much about her reputation. It’s a bit… naively adorable!]
The Empress of Eternal Night’s recently calmed emotions were once again stirred by a raging storm.
Adorable?
She had been labeled with countless negative titles such as cruel, bloodthirsty, evil, depraved, insane, and debauched.
But this was the first time anyone had called her adorable.
Those two words had a devastating effect!
They instantly dissolved the Empress’s feelings of warmth.
This scoundrel dared to call her adorable?
She let out a cold laugh, “Dio, do you realize how many people in this world see me as an idol? Have you considered the impact of revealing the truth on them, causing their beliefs to crumble? Shaming the empire?”
This statement was essentially saying, “You are the most naive, the most adorable!”
Roger responded in a deep voice, “Your subject naturally knows, but I still believe that all people have the right to know the truth. Your Majesty’s attempt to conceal the truth is the act of a foolish ruler, a sign of a guilty conscience!”
[No, isn’t this Empress angry enough yet? Hurry up and dismiss me!]
[Let me add more fuel to the fire! I’ll scold her to her face! Those who obtained their rule unjustly fear being called usurpers the most, right?]
[Women tend to overthink. If the empire endures forever, an executioner would bear infamy for the sake of his people; if the empire is destroyed by the gods, no matter how perfect your actions, you’ll still be reviled as a dog and burdened with countless criticisms…]
[Because in this world, victory is righteousness. The defeated have no right to write history!]
[The Empress I admire most is one who dares to erect a blank monument in the world, allowing people to judge her achievements. That is true magnanimity!]
[If you, little girl, don’t dare, then quickly let me go back. Don’t delay my grand plan of lazing around here!]
The Empress of Eternal Night had indeed been provoked by Roger again, but upon hearing his inner thoughts, she miraculously calmed down once more.
Victory is righteousness?
An Empress who erected a blank monument?
Allowing people to judge her achievements?
A surge of heroic spirit suddenly filled the Empress of Eternal Night.
If she dared, why shouldn’t I?
Let’s see who is the greatest Empress!
She proclaimed loudly, “Esteemed subject Dio, your words are greatly appreciated. The history of this empire shall be compiled according to your wishes. All truths that you believe the people of the empire should know shall be revealed. Write freely, and I, will not change a single word!”
Roger looked at the Empress’s incredibly confident and radiant face, utterly stunned.
(Today’s victor and loser: The Empress accepted an empire’s history she disliked, and Roger continued to serve as Scribe due to his excessive talking. Both lost.)
