On this special day, Saint Roman was immersed in joy and laughter across the nation.
Their chosen way of celebrating was simple and crude: feasting, singing, dancing, and displays of strength.
Whether in the streets or alleys, wherever people gathered, free-flowing fruit wine and beer (the only two types of alcohol in this world) were available. People roasted skewers of meat along the streets, shared delicacies, and danced the unique national dances of Saint Roman.
Even the combat legions on the front lines would raise white flags today, celebrating in their camps.
Xiao Xun saw this as a good opportunity to strike proactively, taking advantage of the enemy's complacency, believing he would not engage.
When he proposed this to Sailerpeisi, he was sternly rejected by the Empress.
"The purpose of our war is not to win, but to fight for peace, to fight for freedom. Now we are the defenders, we are in the right. If we use a sneak attack, then people will think Saint Roman is despicable and treacherous, and they will truly have the moral high ground."
Xiao Xun persuaded, "As the saying goes, 'All warfare is based on deception,' 'The art of war is the way of deception'..."
Mu Jiahe pressed her hand, "What you're saying, if used on the main battlefield, people would think you're a capable general with a good mind. But if you launch an attack during such an important national celebration in your own country, people will think you're a person who stops at nothing to achieve your goals, a sign of a nation's downfall."
Seeing Xiao Xun's slight displeasure, she continued, "I know you mean well for this country. What you've said would be perfectly fine in that world, and in ancient times, it could even be called 'The Divine General of War.' But this world has its own rules, and I don't want to be a rule-breaker, because this is the empire my ancestors worked hard to build, and I absolutely cannot allow it to perish in my hands for any reason."
Looking at Empress Sailerpeisi, clad in her military uniform and looking valiant and heroic, this was the true presence of a ruler commanding the world.
Xiao Xun unconsciously said respectfully, "Yes."
Saint Roman, sixty years of history, still faced the issue of succession. The Empress of the Shengduo Dynasty was already in her early thirties but had no children of her own.
During this important festival, several foreign envoys attending the event stood up and conveyed the warm greetings and high respect of their respective monarchs to the Empress.
They also submitted marriage proposals from their countries, invariably representing second, third, or even lower-ranked princes who merely held the title of heir apparent.
The content of the marriage proposals was largely the same, expressing a desire to become a friendly lifelong companion to the Empress, thereby fostering an unbreakable alliance between the two nations to jointly counter the threats of Winter and the beastmen.
Sailerpeisi stated that alliances were welcome, but if they were to be formed in such a manner, the First Empress of Saint Roman could consider these countries to be looking down on her.
"If you truly wish to form an alliance in this way, then have your kings come to me with their territories. Do not send these 'imposters' who claim to be heirs but are not even the first in line. Our country does not need its queen to protect its territorial security through arranged marriages."
Facing the imperious Empress, these foreign envoys were naturally driven out of the Fire Shield Divine King's Palace by the Empress's guards, with their tails between their legs.
Xiao Xun watched Sailerpeisi, still angry, and stepped forward, "Your Majesty, there's no need to get worked up over them. If you truly wish to choose a partner, why not emulate the 'marriage by combat' from that world? In this world, martial arts are magic. Whoever's magic is superior, wins!"
Sailerpeisi laughed at Xiao Xun, "What if an old man wins the final competition?"
Xiao Xun confidently replied, "That's simple. You can just set an age limit for the participants."
The Empress then asked, "What if I don't like the man who wins?"
Xiao Xun thought for a moment, "That's also possible! You can just tell the winner that if he wants to become my partner, he must defeat the High Priest."
"And if he wins?"
Xiao Xun was dumbfounded and instinctively said, "Someone young enough to defeat your teacher, our High Priest? Such a person must be a protagonist from a novel, someone with a protagonist's halo. Wouldn't it be good to simply incorporate such a person into your harem?"
Sailerpeisi nodded with satisfaction, "That makes sense. If so, you sign up first!"
Xiao Xun took two steps back, "Your Majesty, you can't joke like this! I don't know magic, you know that. If something were to happen to me. Bah! I wouldn't even survive the first round. Then who would drive for you, who would cook for you, who..."
Empress Sailerpeisi waved her hand, "Silence, chattering like a sparrow."
With a silencing spell, Xiao Xun's lips were sealed together, giving him a comical appearance.
Having made up her mind, she instructed Prime Minister Gerya to handle the matter. After all, the Empress's selection of a consort was more important than the national celebration, as the dynasty's continuation was at stake without a direct heir.
Thus, the major dukes and ministers took this matter very seriously. Moreover, the Empress had stated that the first to sign up was Swayne, the royal male favorite written into the palace's secret histories.
Having him sign up first clearly indicated her intention to provide an excuse to officially recognize him.
The Prime Minister believed that to be worthy of the First Empress, it wasn't enough to just have magic. One needed a strong physique, an intelligent mind, fearless courage, and high execution capabilities—in short, a blend of literary and martial prowess.
Therefore, the members of the House of Representatives decided to adopt a three-round challenge format. Those who passed all rounds would be among the candidates for the Empress's future partner.
Xiao Xun returned to the castle bedroom with Sailerpeisi. His seal removed, Xiao Xun touched his restored mouth and took a deep breath, feeling his lungs instantly become unobstructed. "My Queen, why are you bullying me!"
Mu Jiahe changed out of her clothes and looked at the "pitiful" Xiao Xun. "What do you mean bullying? Isn't giving you a chance to become a member of the royal family a good thing? It's something many people dream of and desire."
Xiao Xun pouted, "This isn't the Goddess of Mercy sending children, what's there to desire? Besides, I don't even know magic. I'll definitely be sent to my death if I go up."
"Don't worry! The matches are all conducted with restraint, and you have a noble title, so they wouldn't dare kill you. Perhaps when your life is threatened, you might unleash unimaginable extraordinary energy."
Xiao Xun patted his stomach, "Stop drawing! My refrigerator is already full, and I haven't finished digesting the 'cake' from Boss Wang yet."
Mu Jiahe jumped off the bed, blue flames igniting in her hands, "You dare to tease me? See if I don't burn you to death."
Two blue fireballs, like flying blue Smurfs without 'underwear,' rushed towards Xiao Xun.
Seeing this, Xiao Xun grabbed the quilt and blocked. The velvet quilt instantly turned to ash, but the 'blue Smurfs' did not extinguish. Instead, they continued to charge towards Xiao Xun, who had rolled down the stairs.
"Damn it, Your Majesty, you're serious!"