Chapter 66: A Bloodbath Where No One Gets Hurt?
This was Xiao Qiao Yi’s first time seeing the Empress of Eternal Night.
However, generations of the empire’s youth had grown up with portraits and statues of the Empress, so she recognized her instantly.
By the Grand Supreme Arcane Way, Roger was indeed on the right path. He was now undertaking something monumental!
The Empress was looking at *me*!
At this late hour, why wasn’t the Empress sleeping? Why had she graced Bing Zhuang with her presence?
It *had* to be for the “New Arcana”!
As a contributor to this magazine, Xiao Qiao Yi felt immense pride and honor, standing even straighter than before!
A pair of burdens that defied the empire, swayed slightly in front of the Empress of Eternal Night because of this posture.
The Empress of Eternal Night’s eyes deepened.
Was she… showing off to me?
Xiao Qiao Yi could never have imagined that her zeal for serving the nation would lead to such a misunderstanding.
As an imperial citizen, as a mage, Xiao Qiao Yi Barton was, like others, an ardent fan of the Empress of Eternal Night.
Being able to serve her idol as a fan, she was currently immersed in the joy of “I’m complete!” her cognitive abilities were declining!
A flash-step that gambled her entire career, landed her a hug from her male god, and now she’d met her lifelong Goddess.
I’m life’s ultimate winner!
I’m a born artist of heavy cavalry command!
Who else could grasp such fleeting opportunities?
Staring at the Empress of Eternal Night, Xiao Qiao Yi was so excited her brain was trembling.
Portraits and statues couldn’t capture even a tenth of the Empress of Eternal Night’s beauty.
It was a completely unexpected encounter. Xiao Qiao Yi looked straight towards the door, not thinking to avoid the gaze, and instinctively stared at the Empress of Eternal Night for a few more moments.
So beautiful! So powerful! Such amazing presence! Such a great figure! And her outfit matched her so perfectly!
This was a woman without a single flaw, truly my idol!
God, look at her!
Xiao Qiao Yi entered fan mode, gradually losing the ability to think, her fingertips trembling slightly.
After instinctively exclaiming, “Greetings, Your Majesty,” she continued to stare directly at the Empress of Eternal Night.
That is, until Roger nudged her, and she quickly lowered her head.
As a subject, one must maintain a humble demeanor in the presence of the supreme Empress.
Roger, on the other hand, was already accustomed to the Empress of Eternal Night’s stunning beauty, as well as her omnipresence and elusiveness.
She had even managed to pull him out from the crowd at the library while he was disguised as Dio.
Seeing the Empress at the manor bestowed by her… what was so unusual about that?
The Empress of Eternal Night had observed the reactions of both of them.
This was a scenario she had never envisioned.
It was, just, rather sudden.
The Empress of Eternal Night’s emotions were complex.
So complex, in fact, that she enacted a localized time stop.
She needed a moment, just a moment, to calmly think and analyze the situation, to examine her own heart.
To prevent herself from making a foolish, laughable mistake in her haste.
She was truly tired of Roger’s constant teasing. She had never been teased in such elaborate ways since childhood. She was forced to learn to use time to gain space, to master this maneuver.
The Empress of Eternal Night’s question was: why did seeing these two make her feel uneasy?
Logically, that shouldn’t be the case!
As for Roger, he had never known what it meant to be humble in the face of an Empress.
His politeness was a facade; he constantly made jokes about the Empress in his inner monologue.
She had kindly gifted him a small, warm nest, and kindly helped enhance his skills, which were worse than a goose’s, only for him to pettily suspect she was here to review his work progress?
He was far too full of himself!
She had always believed in trusting those she employed, and not employing those she doubted, hadn’t she?
Once she entrusted “New Arcana” to him, she wouldn’t arbitrarily interfere and cause trouble, would she?
However, being teased by Roger made her angry, not uneasy, and she was even somewhat accustomed to it…
If she lacked that magnanimity, that boy would have been preserved as jerky long ago.
So, her anger shouldn’t be related to Roger’s inner thoughts?
The Empress eliminated this possibility and looked at Xiao Qiao Yi beside him.
This girl appeared impulsive and impolite, but upon closer inspection, her excitement was entirely genuine, not the duplicitous, cunning, and malicious kind of a Taibellian woman.
Such a reaction was normal for a loyal imperial subject meeting the Empress for the first time.
It was standard practice, nothing to make a fuss about. The Empress had fans all over the empire, and she certainly wouldn’t quibble over this level of impoliteness.
So, analyzing it this way, the behavior of both subjects seemed normal, nothing objectionable?
But why did she feel so uncomfortable and agitated, with a blockage in her chest, a sense of unease?
Despite the fact that the two before her, a perfect match, vibrant and young, presented a beautiful scene, she could only find it jarring and emitting an unbearable scent of sourness.
Looking down at Xiao Qiao Yi’s arm linked with Roger’s, she felt an urge to tear them apart, to send one to hell and the other to the abyss, never to meet again.
But she hadn’t set any rules prohibiting romantic relationships between imperial officials, nor did the current Great Qing Laws forbid unions between nobles and commoners.
Naturally, she had no reason to break them up.
After ascending the throne, the Empress of Eternal Night had established a code of conduct for herself: never punish her subjects without reason, lest she become a tyrannical, foolish ruler.
So, after analyzing everything, she seemed to have figured out nothing. The Empress grew even angrier!
She was angry at herself for being angry without reason, angry that she couldn’t find the cause, in short, she was just angry!
A vicious cycle.
Her psyche exploded.
The Empress initiated another time stop.
She was someone who got stuck on problems, who insisted on thinking about things she couldn’t figure out.
If Angelina were here, and the Empress of Eternal Night were willing to open up, her best friend would surely tell her:
“You’re jealous because you like him, and you’re unhappy because you’re jealous.
And because you’ve never expressed your feelings of liking him, you have no legitimate outlet for this unhappiness, which is why you’re angry.”
However, one cannot see the true face of Mount Lu for being too close to it.
The Empress of Eternal Night didn’t understand the feeling of liking someone, and even if she did, she wouldn’t admit it.
Even if she admitted it mentally, she wouldn’t tell Angelina.
After all, tsundere was the Empress’s true nature.
Thus, the matter was stuck in this dead loop.
She had never liked anyone before, nor had she ever lacked any material or spiritual rewards.
Therefore, she understood happiness, anger, sadness, worry, and curiosity, but had almost never experienced jealousy.
It could only be said that she was too excellent.
When everyone around her could only look up to her, what was there to be jealous of?
Everything in the world seemed within her grasp.
This seemed to be a form of equivalent exchange: the cost of gaining power was not experiencing many common human emotions.
When faced with an insurmountable problem, the Empress of Eternal Night never admitted defeat, never took the easy way out.
She confronted it head-on, like Yu Gong moving mountains or Jingwei filling the sea, deploying her final move: the analysis method of blind bullshit.
This move was called forced blame-shifting.
If the problem wasn’t hers, then it had to be with the two people before her.
Xiao Qiao Yi was her ardent fan; as everyone knew, fans didn’t harm their idols, so it definitely wasn’t her fault.
Therefore…
First, it was Roger, who had committed the sin of sloth.
His aversion to her inspecting his progress must be because he was being lazy and hadn’t been working, and was therefore conscience-stricken.
Second, it was Roger, who had committed the sin of deception.
He had been so confident in the Imperial Council Hall, yet he had started slacking off again.
Deceived, she *had* to be angry!
It would be unreasonable not to be angry.
In conclusion, it was all Roger’s fault.
As long as she confirmed that Roger hadn’t been working, she would have a legitimate excuse to punish him, and punishing him would make her feel better!
She would expose this truth in front of Xiao Qiao Yi, letting her see what kind of lazy bum her superior was!
He constantly betrayed the trust the Empress placed in him, completely unworthy of your admiration, my poor, misguided little fan!
The time stop ended.
Roger and Xiao Qiao Yi only felt a strong magical fluctuation, unaware that the Empress of Eternal Night had already staged a romantic mind-game within herself.
Time was a more complex law than space, and when used well, it could have quite a disorienting effect on three-dimensional beings.
For instance, the Empress felt a long time had passed, but for Roger, it was still the moment he opened the door.
The Empress of Eternal Night gracefully entered the office, surveyed the surroundings, and casually said,
“The research on the Secret Society’s Magic Cores has begun in earnest. I’ve come to see how Lord Roger’s work is progressing. If you encounter any difficulties or need more personnel, please inform me promptly.”
“Lord Roger” had reverted back to “Lord Roger.” Women always liked to hint at their resentment and anger through subtle details.
However, men were usually oblivious, thinking she was just discussing work.
So, Roger respectfully replied, “I will compile a list of personnel and resources needed and submit it to Your Majesty’s palace tomorrow morning.”
[Your Majesty actually cares more about “New Arcana” than I thought. I need to work harder! If only I had known… maybe… well… it would have been good… alas…]
The Empress of Eternal Night remained noncommittal.
She interpreted Roger’s delayed response and the subsequent chaotic and negative inner thoughts as evidence of his lack of effort today.
If she didn’t check on him, he wouldn’t bother trying harder, right?
Planning to offer a perfunctory list tomorrow morning to fool her?
With such clumsy tactics, how could she be a wise, eternal emperor if she was easily deceived?
Keep acting, I’ll expose you immediately!
She sat down in Roger’s seat and picked up his work log.
Instantly, the Empress sensed Roger’s inner thoughts becoming increasingly tense, his mind completely flustered.
This state of being unable to read specific thoughts could be simply summarized as… see how anxious he is!
Guilty little brat, caught in my trap, aren’t you?
In reality, this was the emotional fluctuation all creators experienced before releasing their work.
Steadiness, in fact, was a manifestation of pessimism and a lack of confidence.
Regardless of past successes, until a new manuscript was truly recognized by the audience, Roger oscillated between two extremes: “My new video will definitely top the charts, I’m the GOAT!” and “What the heck did this noob create again?”
A Schrödinger’s uploader, like a pufferfish having a spasm, inflating with one like and deflating with one negative comment.
Moreover, the Empress of Eternal Night was not just a viewer; she was the financial benefactor of “New Arcana,” possessing veto power.
With such an existence conducting a surprise inspection of his half-finished work, how could Roger not panic if he were a creator?
The Empress of Eternal Night opened the work log and first saw the directory structure of “New Arcana.”
“Light of the Empire,” “Arcane Frontiers,” and “Apex of Magic” — the three main sections were rationally and meticulously planned.
Furthermore, many possibilities for the inaugural issue’s editorial direction had been discussed. Even if someone backed out, the content for the first issue could still be rich and eye-catching.
Additionally, there was an entertainment section for recording historical legends and interesting photos, which was quite novel.
Upon seeing this, the Empress of Eternal Night couldn’t help but look up at Roger.
Was this the work he had submitted in less than a day?
Even without her halo’s influence, this magazine, on its own merits, would attract enough subscribers from the mage community!
Although it was just a directory now, the content hadn’t been filled in yet.
But this framework alone was worth its weight in gold, possessing epoch-making significance!
After all, there was only one newspaper at the time, information channels were limited, and entertainment options were even more scarce.
“New Arcana” catered to both aspects.
Even with the Grand Library, mages could read all the accumulated classics of humanity, but that was all outdated knowledge.
Cutting-edge content, ambiguous theories with no conclusive answers, usually couldn’t be written into books.
But magazines were different.
They updated monthly. Even the slightest germ of an idea, a bold conjecture, could be published.
Perhaps with the wisdom of everyone, the answer could be found in the next issue.
The Empress of Eternal Night quickly realized that if “Light of the Empire” was the means to a strong nation she desired, a rallying cry for imperial mages to shift towards research and production…
Then the “Arcane Frontiers” and “Apex of Magic” sections would elevate the overall skill level of imperial mages, creating a grand path for shared experience, mutual progress, and joint exploration of magical mysteries!
Thinking about the virtuous cycle that would form after the release of “New Arcana” and the changes it would bring to the entire empire, the Empress of Eternal Night set aside her personal emotional distress.
She had romantic sentiments, but more importantly, she was an emperor with the empire in her heart.
Visions of imperial mages displaying their wisdom, constantly proposing new ideas, and reaching the pinnacle of debates that pushed the boundaries of magic, flickered before her eyes:
“If anyone has never been shocked by magic, they simply don’t understand it.”
“Magical energy is discontinuous!”
“Are the results of magic truly absolutely inevitable?”
“Octavius, the God of Magic does not roll dice.”
“Dean Hall, don’t tell the God of Magic how to do things.”
Musing on these scenes, the Empress of Eternal Night’s passion ignited!
Behind this work log were arranged schedules for commissioned articles, compilation, and publication.
All that was needed was sequential execution, and “New Arcana” would undoubtedly be successfully published.
This was sufficient proof that Roger had been working overtime, genuinely and diligently, with an efficiency far exceeding the Empress of Eternal Night’s expectations.
More importantly, the work he presented brought unexpected joy, far exceeding the benefits he had lobbied for earlier!
She put down the work log, her gaze filled with doubt, “Roger, this plan is so brilliant. Why did you seem reluctant for me to see it earlier?”
Roger gave a wry smile, “It’s just a hastily compiled draft, unpolished and unrefined. I was afraid it would offend Your Majesty’s eyes.”
“Lord Roger, excessive humility is naught but pride. Who was it that advised me not to aim for perfect answers, reminding me that life is a constant negotiation, moment by moment?”
The Empress of Eternal Night smiled, tapped the desk, and said, “‘New Arcana’ will proceed in the direction you’ve determined. Continue with it!”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s trust!”
Roger was truly grateful.
Such a generous benefactor, a divine client, he loved it!
Xiao Qiao Yi, standing beside them, was naturally overjoyed as well.
The work she was involved in had been recognized by the Empress!
The Empress of Eternal Night casually offered a few words of encouragement and commendation to both of them, and also learned that Xiao Qiao Yi had just retired from the military and had no place to stay in Oudou.
The two were about to arrange a place to live.
“There’s no need for such trouble. Miss Barton can return to the palace with me tonight. We can continue discussing your ideas for ‘Apex of Magic,’ and tomorrow I’ll take you to the Secret Society to discuss commissions. Would you be willing?”
“I am certainly willing! Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor!” Xiao Qiao Yi agreed without hesitation, nearly fainting from surprise.
She could go to the Empress’s private chambers? The Empress would personally take her to visit the Secret Society?
How could I be so fortunate to be so highly valued by Your Majesty?
It must be all due to Lord Roger’s influence, all because of “New Arcana”!
She completely forgot what she was supposed to be doing with her male god, only excited about the prospect of visiting Maple Spirit Moon Shadow Palace.
The Empress of Eternal Night was naturally very satisfied, the feeling of being stifled and uneasy vanishing.
I didn’t punish my subjects without cause; this is an affirmation of their work, a reward for their efforts!
I truly have the potential to be an eternal emperor!
Roger was initially quite relieved.
Xiao Qiao Yi had chosen to retire to follow him, abandoning a promising future. He felt regret for her.
If she could gain the Empress’s favor this time, it might be a case of “a blessing in disguise,” meaning he hadn’t held her back.
Only after the Empress of Eternal Night teleported away with Xiao Qiao Yi did Roger snap out of his euphoria over the Empress’s approval of “New Arcana.”
He vaguely felt something was amiss.
The night wind blew past his solitary figure, and Roger suddenly realized:
Wait, where’s my girlfriend? My very large girlfriend, suddenly gone?
“A class on personal hygiene is a waste if you don’t attend it!”
Roger was filled with grief and indignation, feeling like a lonely old man abandoned by the world.
A bloody battlefield where no one got hurt… went into a halftime break.
…
…
Three days later.
Roger and Xiao Qiao Yi were busy separately working on “New Arcana.”
Although they were in the same city, it felt like a long-distance relationship, with hardly any time alone together.
Roger recruited an editorial team and stayed at Bing Zhuang to review manuscripts, revise them, and arrange printing and distribution channels.
Some of the old consultants who had previously compiled the Imperial History also arrived. They were responsible for filling the “fun” sections of “New Arcana.”
Currently, the most captivating content for the empire’s people, making them unwilling to miss it, was naturally stories about the Empress of Eternal Night!
These historical consultants, who had compiled the tenth volume of the Imperial History, would write a dramatized novel about the Empress of Eternal Night’s ascent in the magical profession based on historical records, and then serialize it in “New Arcana.”
The title of the first installment had already been decided: “The Empress of Eternal Night and the Philosopher’s Stone.”
Xiao Qiao Yi, along with several assistants, traveled between the Secret Society, the Imperial Magical Academy, the Southern Magical Alliance, and other locations, carrying the Imperial Edict and urging the highly learned mages to complete their manuscripts as soon as possible.
Another seven days passed.
After publicly announcing that Major General Romer had led five legions into the Cambusaac Desert and was about to go to war with the beastman tribes, the Empress of Eternal Night did not end her speech. Instead, she produced a thin booklet.
She smiled and introduced, “This is a magazine. You can think of it as a monthly ‘Long Live the Queen Newspaper.’ It’s called ‘New Arcana.'”
PS. Requesting monthly votes. I want to break into the top ten of the new book rankings this month. Help me out!
Monthly votes are also within the scope of rewards, a spoiler-free tool for urging updates! Use them!
