The same adeptness in wielding the power of Frosty Winter, the same ice-cold demeanor, the same disdain for men.

But Sofia knew, Angelina was merely a poor imitation of her.

Angelina quickly appeared before her.

"Anjie, what do you think of Roland?"

"A cunning, despicable, shameless enemy," Angelina answered instantly.

Sofia felt a headache coming on; the current Angelina was clearly in a state of having forgotten to bring her brain.

Noticing the Empress's indifferent expression, Angelina shuddered suddenly and hurriedly revised her comments.

"But Roland is not an ordinary person. He is Empress Sylph's mainstay; one could consider him a part of the Empress. Therefore, his personal morals don't matter."

"Because he has no bottom line and is resourceful, he is a very difficult enemy to deal with."

Angelina said softly: "He is definitely not a match for the Prime Minister!"

"What if the opponent is you?"

Sofia asked calmly.

Angelina's eyes lit up. Could the Empress intend to send her to Val City?

She looked up at the Empress, her gaze full of determination, "As long as it's a fair duel, I don't fear him!"

Sofia was instantly speechless.

A fair duel? That's the coldest joke she's ever heard, colder than the Polar Glacier.

She sighed softly, somewhat helplessly said: "Go back to the Arctic Glacier and calm yourself for another six months."

"Your Majesty, I want to work for you!" Angelina was anxious.

Although training in the core zone of the Arctic Glacier was fast, becoming stronger couldn't be achieved by secluding oneself; constant experience was also necessary.

Her current strength was much greater than during her visit to Sussex. Why shouldn't she serve the Empress!

Sofia sighed softly and said:

"I'll say this only once. Fair duels are reserved for exchanges between strong individuals and situations where victory is assured. At other times, defeat your enemies in the most certain way, even if the means are vile."

Angelina was stunned but still firmly stated, "I remember this!"

"If Roland returns to Val City and there's a conflict of interest, how will you deal with him?"

"Show no mercy, and use every means to deal with him!"

Sofia continued to ask: "What if powerful individuals from Jin Yuan Kingdom also have conflicting interests with you?"

"Similarly, show no mercy, and use every means to deal with them!"

Sofia was amused and smiled, "What if they ally together?"

"This... Roland is at odds with Jin Yuan Kingdom, how could they ally?"

"I'm asking how you would respond, not how they would ally!" Sofia raised her voice.

"Then I will also ally with the powerful individuals from Tirol Kingdom and Prudon Kingdom! That way, it's three against two; I still hold the advantage." Angelina responded quickly.

Sofia nodded in satisfaction and continued to ask, "What if they too have conflicting interests with you?"

"This..."

Angelina was puzzled, weren't they friendly nations?

Seeing her sweating profusely, Sofia calmly said: "Remember, if the situation becomes too complicated to handle, prioritize allying with Roland to deal with others."

"As you command."

Although Angelina accepted the arrangement, she still couldn't understand why Her Majesty had arranged it this way.

Sofia apparently did not wish to explain, merely announcing that she would manage Val City affairs. The bottom-line goal was not to lose the city and to prevent the Magic Crystal Ore Vein from being secretly mined.

Angelina breathed a sigh of relief.

This is too simple.

The thought of dealing with both Roland and other national powerhouses made her a bit nervous, but merely maintaining the status quo was something she could surely accomplish.

Sofia pondered for a moment, then took off the Deep Blue Ring and flicked it towards Angelina.

"Take it."

"Your Majesty, this is your engagement ring; I, I..." Angelina was terrified.

"I've been widowed for many years; this ring means nothing to me, but it's of some use to you. Use it to crush any foes truly undefeatable."

A flash of coldness flickered in Sofia's eyes as she said indifferently: "It's approximately a tenth of my strength at full power, sufficient." She didn't tell Angelina that the ring's power exceeded what she described, and Angelina could also recharge it herself. Overpowered equipment easily causes dependency; it was meant to be a life-saving tool.

Angelina could feel the entire palace enveloped in coldness, every hair on her body stood on end.

She knew, this was the Empress's most unwilling memory.

Although royal marriages have nothing to do with emotions, it doesn't mean the Empress could accept being neglected by her husband.

She couldn't understand why the Late Emperor would overlook such beauty and grace as the Empress's?

It was rumored that Her Majesty the Empress never received the Late Emperor's affection, and was even a virgin.

No one dared discuss this affair, whoever mentioned it would die.

Angelina knew this was a disgrace.

On her wedding night, her husband couldn't even be bothered to pretend and went to be with his lover, a humiliation anyone would find unforgivable.

Especially for the Empress.

So, she killed her husband, seized the crown and scepter.

Angelina carefully kept the ring, preserving it as a treasure, not daring to wear it casually.

After watching Angelina leave, Sofia sighed softly and continued summoning other ministers.

She knew the true intellect level of this group of fools, so she didn't give them room for creativity, but directly informed them of the goals and methods.

After she had arranged the last task, it was already late at night.

Slowly rising, Sofia walked towards the north.

She intended to stay beneath the Arctic Glacier for half a year.

She could hardly suppress the rampage of power within her and had to hibernate beneath the Arctic Glacier for a period before the spring and summer.

Every power has a price.

She possessed invincible power of her level, and naturally paid a price far beyond imagination.

The day of return was near, and the whole world considered her the most certain to ascend.

Indeed, she had no rivals; her only opponent was herself.

If she couldn't control the rampaging power before the return day, she would be torn apart by the Supreme Law.

The world's strong individuals were troubled by weakness, only she was terrified by her excessive power.

She hoped these fools wouldn't mess up.

Her speed was swift, gliding through the night like a ghostly shadow, unnoticed by anyone.

Before entering the Arctic, she paused, casting a glance to the west.

If only she had a Prime Minister like Roland, capable and unorthodox.

But alas, there wasn't.

What were he and that little girl busy with?

Sofia barely hesitated for a moment before disappearing in the first light of dawn.

Neither Roland nor Sif were strong enough, unqualified as enemies or allies.

...

Roland was busy establishing a university.

While the whole world speculated on his next move, he and Sif attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Rodinia University.

This university consisted of five colleges: Philosophy College, Science and Technology College, Alchemy Academy, Military Academy, and Magic Academy.

The university's name seemed rather grand, and many cautious, seasoned officials advised Roland not to be so ostentatious, but he refused them all.

Low-profile wouldn't cut it.

To attract talents across the continent, a striking name was needed.

Recently, many talents from various sectors came to join him, yet those reaching the S-level threshold were practically nonexistent, and even those meeting the A-level standard were rare.

Clearly, the real talents were still on the fence.

They not only watched Roland's attitude but also his capability and breadth of vision.

To gather all talented minds across the continent and yet dare not use the name Rodinia University—how does that work?

As for whether such extravagance would offend others, Roland didn't care.

True strong individuals never lack enemies.

As long as one is sufficiently powerful, numerous enemies are inconsequential.

Empress Sofia had the most enemies, yet whom did she fear?

He would personally serve as the university president, nurturing a base team.

After all, as the Inheritor, only this way could he advance rapidly in strength.

The confrontation with Sahalin made Roland somewhat fearful.

While strategic machinations are crucial, strength is the foundation.

He could outwit Camille, even Sahalin, but could he outwit Sofia?

In the face of absolute strength, stratagems are just farces.

Only by having roughly equal power would there be qualification to calculate against Sofia.

Under the gaze of all the officials, Roland and Sif walked together towards the university entrance.

He raised his right hand and solemnly announced to everyone.

"Rodinia University welcomes everyone to join, regardless of race, regardless of nationality, as long as you have a thirst for knowledge."

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