Volume 2: Empire Chapter 153: Race against time
"Your Highness, do you have any idea about the throne?"
Luke's sudden question made Queen Christina stunned. This room was filled with various things, and there was barely enough space for two people to sit down and talk. It was really not a place to discuss such serious topics.
But the question was finally raised.
Queen Christina did not punish Meteorite for this disrespectful issue, but thought about it seriously.
"If I say that I have no thoughts about the throne, you will definitely not believe me. But that is just a temporary fantasy. I believe that many people will have such thoughts, but they will not put such thoughts into action.
I hadn't really considered this crazy idea until you asked this question.
I want to ask, why are you asking me this question?
The second prince, Alex, listens to Agatha and you very much. If you don't let him return to the imperial capital, he won't set foot outside the Crescent Oasis. Even if you push Agatha to the throne directly, there doesn't seem to be much resistance."
Queen Christina looked at Luke, her calmness made her eyes very clear. She was confused, no matter how she thought... she was not the best candidate for the new emperor for Meteorite.
Luke also looked at Queen Christina. Although his mobile phone database contained players' summaries of the queen, this time he wanted to truly understand her through his own eyes.
Anyone who sees Queen Christina will be amazed by her beauty and dignified temperament. Some people say that she is the last traditional princess. If she had not been intercepted and then neglected by Augustine, she would not have read those imperial biographies in the cold palace, and she would not have such a strong obsession with power.
Luke now believes that Queen Christina's obsession with power was not caused by reading biographies of emperors, but because she did not want to go back after leaving the cold palace.
Even if she came to the North and died in the Snow City, she would not want to die alone in the cold palace.
She is a powerful yet pitiful person.
“Whether it’s Alex who ascends the throne as the new emperor, or Agatha, or any other royal family member who ascends the throne, they will not allow a queen dowager who holds real power in the palace.
Giving up power and being imprisoned in the cold palace, or dying unexpectedly in a court struggle, are not the ending I want to see for you.
It seems that only your ascension to the throne can be the perfect solution."
Listening to Meteorite's answer, Queen Christina looked as if she had not expected it at all.
"Is this why you want to push me to the throne? I thought you could give me a more convincing answer."
Luke smiled and said, "Of course there are some plausible answers. Emperor Augustine looked down on Alex's abilities, so he is definitely not suitable to be the emperor of the empire during this extraordinary period of history. Agatha has no intention of taking the throne, and I don't want her to be trapped in this vortex without any way out.
Others are not even qualified to compete.
It seems that you are the only suitable candidate... At least in the most difficult time for the Empire, the Kingdom of Ruthen will definitely provide food for the people of the Empire."
Luke's words made Queen Christina laugh: "I think Augustine's vigilance against you is totally unnecessary. Although you hold power and can even choose the future emperor of the empire here, you don't have the idea of clinging to power.
Power is a yoke to us, but to you...it seems to be just a tool."
"That's a very novel metaphor. I accept it. Now tell me your answer. This will affect what I will do after I return to Saint Lun City!"
Queen Christina knew that as long as she nodded, the eldest prince Fania and Emperor Augustine would die.
Many, many people are going to die!
"The crown is too heavy for me to bear right now. If I were to simply serve as regent and wait for a wise heir to take the throne, I could take on this responsibility."
Queen Christina did not take any desperate measures at this critical moment, which showed her maturity after being abandoned in the Snow City.
No matter what the reason was for Meteorite to push me to the top, I must leave a way out.
For Luke, whether Queen Christina ascends the throne and becomes emperor or serves as regent as queen, as long as someone can stand up and stabilize the political situation after the death of the eldest prince Fania and Augustine, it will be fine.
"Okay, it's settled. The most important thing now is to escort you back to the imperial capital in time." Luke stood up and said to Queen Christina, "Your Highness, please get ready. We'll set off now!"
Queen Christina knew that in the imperial capital at this moment, every second could bring about a new change, and every second counted.
She did not waste any time, and when she returned to the banquet, she announced that she would leave Snow City and return to the imperial capital. At the same time, as the queen, she ordered the Snow City garrison to reorganize into the Snow Army on the spot. Then, she quickly wrote a few orders, and as the supreme commander of the northern battlefield, she ordered the Snow Army to take over the nearby imperial northern army control area.
He also ordered the Snow Legion to select an elite detachment of 3,000 men and march toward the city of Saint Lun... to receive the victory reward.
Queen Christina knew the importance of having a direct line of troops, especially in the fight for the throne. She didn't know what choice Milscom would make, and she couldn't put all her hopes on Meteorite.
Everything was ready. Queen Christina got on the royal carriage and, escorted by the remaining royal knights and palace guards, left the Snow City and rushed into the endless snowfield.
Luke sat in the carriage, leaning against the soft leather, and yawned. "I didn't get much rest all the way to Snow City. The assassins sent by Fania won't arrive so soon. I'll take a nap first."
Queen Christina knew that with the heavy snow blocking the roads, Meteorite had to pass through the Art County Alliance-controlled area, and she must not be careless on the road.
I couldn't help but feel more grateful towards him.
"Go to sleep..."
Queen Christina wanted to say something when she found that Meteorite had fallen asleep leaning against the carriage.
What exactly did he go through?
Queen Christina couldn't help but look at the snowy field outside the window. The remnants of the battlefield were buried under the snow. Does anyone know the contribution of meteorites to this war?
Who knows where he will lead the empire?
Queen Christina turned her gaze back to the sleeping Luke…powerful, young, mysterious, and it seemed that everything was under his control.
That kind of confidence makes it easy for people to trust and rely on him.
The snow continued to fall outside, and the carriage pulled by the royal horses bred by extraordinary people was moving quickly in the snow.
In Saint-Lun, snow had been falling since morning. Although it was not a blizzard like in the north, it still dyed the whole city white.
The victory of the Battle of Snow City has been reported back.
Unlike the Art County Alliance, which was evasive and secretive, the Golden Shield Empire exaggerated the victory of this battle. All major newspapers described in great detail how the defenders of Snow City fought bravely in the face of an enemy that was several times their size, and how satisfying the final counterattack was.
Everyone knew what the victory in the Battle of Snow City meant for future wars. The invading army of the Art County Alliance was blocked in the north, and the crisis of Saint Len City being under siege was temporarily resolved.
All this is thanks to Queen Christina. When the battle in Snow City was at its most difficult, she still insisted on staying at the most dangerous front line. It was her presence that made Snow City a rock in the stormy waves, and finally persisted to victory.
Most people don’t know what the Secret Service did inside. Queen Christina’s identity made her the brightest point in this battle, and the contributions of others were overshadowed by her brilliance.
This is an outcome that the eldest prince Fania does not want to see.
In the Silver Manor, Fania sat alone in the slightly warm study, and the butler standing beside him told him what happened in the imperial capital and the palace today.
"Master, Prime Minister Gabriel has cancelled tonight's dinner, and the cabinet is preparing to welcome Her Royal Highness the Queen back to the imperial capital. There is nothing unusual at Rose Manor, and Her Royal Highness the Princess has not left Rose Manor all day.
General Feliope, commander of the Saint Lun City Garrison Corps, has resigned and has left the imperial capital with his family.
..."
Fania stopped the butler from continuing and asked, "Is there any news from Raging Waves City?"
The butler replied: "We have contacted the Governor of Meteorite many times, but the Governor's Office has always replied: The Governor is busy and has no time to come to the Imperial Capital.
Master, reliable information shows that Governor Meteor has not made a public appearance for a long time, and some people speculate that he is not in Raging Waves City. "
Fania asked, "If he is not in Raging Waves City, where is he?"
The butler said awkwardly, "I don't know... I'm sorry, Master! Meteor has accepted the influence of the Blade Brotherhood in Raging Waves City, and the Secret Intelligence Bureau's Raging Waves City Headquarters is his most direct line, so it's difficult for our people to obtain accurate intelligence.
But it is certain that he is not in Saint Lun City and has never appeared in Rose Manor. "
"Meteor, Meteor, where are you?"
For what Fania was about to do, Meteorite's attitude was very important. If Meteorite didn't come to Silver Manor to clearly declare his allegiance, his heart would always be a little unstable, which was also one of the reasons why he had not made up his mind.
The butler, who was looking forward to the last step, said: "Master, I think with Meteorite's wisdom, he must have seen that the empire is about to change. Meteorite is a smart man, and he controls such great power and resources, so he will not easily express his position.
In fact, I think that Meteorite's not showing up is a kind of support to you, the Crown Prince. After all, your advantage is so great. Nutao City has not made any move so far. Aren't you just waiting for the situation to change?
When the day comes that you ascend the throne, Meteor will surely come as fast as he can to offer his loyalty to you."
Fania nodded in approval.
Now the trend of great changes in the imperial capital has become a reality. Those who should stand in line have already stood in line, those who should wait and see are still waiting and watching, and those who should run have already run away. Moreover, this situation has not forced the emperor to come out, which shows that he really has no way to show up.
Even the Royal Knights and the Palace Guards were shaken. Only Milscom and a group of loyal knights and guards were still guarding outside their father's bedroom.
It was impossible for Meteorite not to notice this overwhelming situation.
He probably wanted to raise his own status by not coming to pledge allegiance. When the situation in the palace becomes clear but he is urgently needed to take charge of the situation, he can get more.
"What's the situation in Snow City?"
The butler replied: "The mission has been issued. The assassin is heading to the North. The Northern Army will cooperate with this operation. Her Royal Highness the Queen will not return."
Fania nodded again.
Snow City actually defeated the At County Alliance, which was beyond Fania's expectations. Because of this personal prestige was pushed to an unprecedented height. If she was allowed to return to the imperial capital, it would definitely be a huge uncontrollable factor.
There cannot be any variables in this palace coup, Fania is determined .
He asked again: "There won't be any mistakes this time."
"No!" The butler said affirmatively: "The North is your North. Snow City is to the north of the North Army's defense line. The Queen must pass through the North Army's garrison area to return to the imperial capital.
On the snowy plains, it was impossible for the Queen to escape detection by the Northern Legion.
And the city guards will also keep an eye on the queen’s whereabouts.”
In Fania's view, Queen Christina was like a turtle in a jar. In her own advantage zone, if she was discovered, she would die.
The Queen doesn't need to worry anymore.
Then Fania asked, "Are there any new developments on the southern front? Is the Duke of Celtic still behaving well?"
The butler replied: "After your envoy went to Tedega Hill to meet His Excellency the Duke, the Barbarian Legion cooperated very well.
Since the nobles of the West Territory joined the Empire, the Brotherhood of the Blades has been even more divided, and the Celtic Duke has long lost his former ambitions. For him now, being able to keep the Tedegar Hills as a barbarian autonomous territory is a favor from you, the master. "
Fania nodded again.
Now that the North has repelled the attack of the Art County Alliance, there will be no more major battles before the end of winter. The North has always been under his control, and when he ascends the throne to become the new emperor of the empire, the North will definitely be the first to support him.
The Celtic Duke has been stabilized on the southern front, and with General Joshuel's army in charge, the southern counties will also support him.
The Meteorite in the East is now in a wait-and-see attitude, waiting for me to control the imperial capital and then promise him some benefits, and he will definitely come over.
The West…Alex only controlled the Crescent Oasis, and his West Army was severely weakened by Meteor's proposal. Facing the general trend of the empire, the West nobles knew what to choose.
If Alex doesn't surrender, he will die!
Fania felt that he was the destined leader who could turn the tide in the empire's critical moment.
Father! You were wise all your life, but you became stupid when you got old, and you almost broke the great empire into pieces. You looked down on me, but in the end I had to clean up the mess for you.
But... Fania thought of Queen Christina again. The victory in Snow City had brought about great changes within the palace. She absolutely could not place all her hopes on the assassin.
"Has everything been arranged in the palace?"
"My Lord, everything has been arranged. His Majesty's absence has made people nervous, and most people are looking forward to the new emperor's ascension so that they can swear allegiance.
Master, we are all waiting for your final decision."
Fania closed his eyes and reconsidered the cards in his hand. After waiting for about an hour, he opened his eyes and said fiercely: "Since everyone is waiting for the new emperor, then don't let everyone wait too long..."
