In Ark Simulator, why do I always get a tough start?

Chapter 100: The Day of the Coup, 100% Success Rate!
【Mount Khartoum, the Holy Mountain of Karan.】

[The holy site of Shelag is also the place where the saints of Shelag lived, worked, and prayed throughout their lives.]

In Shelag, whenever a previous saint dies, all eligible women in Shelag are required to enter the Chosen Shrine and kneel in prayer all day.

Only the girl struck by the first drop of melting snow in the shrine that day was considered "the chosen one of Jeragund" and qualified to become a saint.

Enya is the only woman in the Shivaesh family qualified to participate in this trial of the saintess.

The Saintess Trial, simply put, is a challenge where the chosen one must rely on their own strength to climb to the summit of the sacred mountain, braving the biting winds and blizzards.

However, the snow trails leading to the sacred mountain are extremely long.

Furthermore, as the sacred site of Kjerag, Mount Kjerag is closed to the public for most of the year.

Furthermore, Manjushri Temple strictly forbids the laying of any paving stones, or even rocks, on the path leading to the sacred mountain.

Their reasons are nothing more than the ignorant notion of "prohibiting any modifications at the foot of Mount Jeragund."

This also means that the ski trails on the holy mountain are not only long, but also steeper and more dangerous than most of the roads in Kjerag.

[It is already extremely difficult for an ordinary man to climb the sacred mountain on his own.]

Building upon this foundation, the Trials of the Saints, in order to demonstrate the chosen ones' "respect and devotion" to Jeragund, included an extremely difficult challenge added by the Manju Academy.

They demanded that the chosen ones of the saint, as they traversed the heavenly path, adhere to the rule of "bowing once every three steps and ringing a bell once every five steps."

Only when the chosen one reaches the summit of the sacred mountain and hangs the bell of the trial on the bell rack will she officially become "a saint recognized by Jeragund".

In a sense, Manjuin's explanation does make some sense.

Such a long journey, such cruel trials, such harsh conditions.

Unless it's truly a case of "Yelagand's blessing," it's virtually impossible for anyone to complete this brutal trial solely through their physical abilities and willpower.

This was less a trial and more a ritual of "offering a living sacrifice to Jeragund."

[And Enya is about to embark on this trial path, one from which there is very likely no return.]

"call……"

Enya, now dressed in the saintly robes made by the Bronta family and holding a bell, gazed at the towering snow track before her and let out a long breath.

Enya didn't know why, even though she had embarked on a long and torturous path to death.

However, she showed no fear whatsoever and remained unusually calm.

It's as if... there's a mysterious power within her, constantly protecting her? Comforting her?
A gentle voice echoed softly in Enya's mind.

"Don't worry, don't be afraid, Enya."

"Everything will turn around, and none of the things you fear will happen."

"Please believe that you are still loved."

Is that... Jeragand?
Enya wasn't entirely sure.

She didn't quite understand what the voice meant by telling her that she was loved.
Could it be that her "righteous" older brother would tell her at this moment that he didn't want her to go to her death?
Thinking of this, Enya shook her head bitterly, extinguishing her last glimmer of hope.

However, just as she was about to embark on this one-way journey to heaven.

An unexpected figure appeared silently beside her.

"Enya".

"?Brother——Master of the family?"

The moment your voice rang out behind Enya, you noticed a fleeting look of surprise on her face.

However, Enya quickly regained her composure.

Hearing her still distant way of addressing you, clearly still harboring resentment, you showed no reaction.

You simply stood quietly beside your sister.

"...Master, you are seriously ill and it is not appropriate for you to stay here for long."

Despite being deeply hurt by her brother's ruthlessness last night, Eun-ah couldn't help but express her concern, as they had been siblings for many years.

"The wind in Shelag is biting cold. The patriarch should wear more clothes and go up the mountain first."

"...Thank you for your concern, but I'm not cold."

However, upon hearing Enya's feigned indifference, and no longer needing to pretend, you revealed your caring side as an older brother to your sister.

Under Enya's slightly stunned gaze, you simply pulled down your collar, revealing the scarf Enya had given you, the one she had knitted herself.

“Enya, the road is long and steep today, and the journey is arduous.”

"After you become a saintess, you will stay on the top of the holy mountain for the rest of your life. It will be extremely difficult for you and me, brother and sister, to meet again in the future."

"Brother, I'm so sorry."

[You gaze silently at Enya, now that your spies are gone, and look into her slightly trembling eyes, you whisper.]

"I can't help you with this trial."

“But… your brother is willing to travel with you and escort you all the way to the summit of the holy mountain.”

"Consider it as me, your older brother, seeing you off one last time."

"...The journey to heaven is fraught with peril, and the head of the family is still seriously ill. Enya does not wish for the head of the family to suffer any loss."

However, after a brief silence, Enya, who had intended to persuade her brother to abandon this dangerous idea, met her brother's familiar, gentle yet resolute gaze.

In the end, Enya silently swallowed all her words of dissuasion.

It all turned into a sigh, a whisper.

“Patriarch, even if you are willing to accompany me through the trials, you will not be able to become a Holy Son.”

"Therefore, please, Master, act according to your ability."

[Eun-ah felt a mix of warmth and unease, looking at you as your familiar brother once again, but she didn't choose to forgive you out of gratitude.]

She was a little confused.

[The smiling, warm-hearted older brother before me, and the cold-blooded patriarch of last night... which one is the real you?]

Do you truly consider her and her family as loved ones, or merely tools in your power struggles?

Before she can figure out all of this, Enya still cannot fully forgive you.

But you weren't in a hurry.

Because this heavenly path leading to the summit of the holy mountain is not merely a path for you to tell your beloved sister the whole truth.

[And it is you who, in full view of everyone, intends to personally toll the death knell for Manjusaka.]

……

"what?"

"The head of the Shivaesh family is actually going to accompany the candidate for saintess during the trial?"

And at the gate of Manjushri Temple atop the holy mountain.

According to the law, the elders of the Manju Academy, who were to wait here to witness the saintess complete her trial, and all the patriarchs of the families, all showed expressions of utter astonishment upon learning this news.

"What is he doing?"

“Sherag only chooses the saintess, not the saintess. Even if he passes the trial, he is not qualified to continue serving Yeragand.”

The burly Actos was the first to be speechless, turning his gaze to Ensiodes and asking:
"Hey, second son of the Shiva'ash family, tell me, what does your patriarch plan to do?"

"—Everyone, please allow me, on behalf of my elder brother, to explain to you."

Ensiodis, representing the Shiva'ish clan, humbly explained to the Grand Elder and the assembled clan heads:
“Brother… no, the patriarch hopes to take this opportunity to change everyone’s prejudice against him.”

"For a long time, because of the industrialization and openness promoted by the Shivaesh family, the Manjusaka and other major families have believed that our family has no faith in Jeragand."

"Today, the patriarch wishes to take this opportunity to show you... the piety of our Shivaish clan."

“We are willing to let the girls of our family embark on the trial to become saintesses.”

“Our family patriarch is also willing to participate in the same trial, not for personal gain, but to prove his devotion to Jeragand.”

"Oh? Is that really the case?"

However, when Ensiodis said this, the heads of the families looked at each other in surprise.

They all felt something was off, but they couldn't quite put their finger on why.

After all, voluntarily participating in the Saintess Trial seems to offer no real benefit other than enhancing the reputation of the Shiva'ish clan.

"Hahaha! Great! If it's really as you said, that would be perfect."

After hearing this, Actos thought about it carefully but couldn't come up with any other reason, so he burst into laughter.

The head of the Perroch family, who originally harbored no goodwill towards the Shivaesh family, immediately put on a kind face and smiled upon hearing that Chen Qi's trip was merely to prove his faith in Jeragand.
“Ah, if all three of our families were as devout as Yeragand, why would we need to fight like this?”

“I misunderstood you before, thinking that you had no faith in Jeragand, but it seems I was wrong.”

"...Absolutely stupid."

However, Ratatos, the head of the Brantau family, was speechless when he saw Actos's foolish appearance.

Beside Latatos, her sister Hulus, witnessing the event, also stepped forward and asked, "Sister, what do you think? Is the head of the Shivaesh family really that devout?"

"How could that be, my silly sister... But I can't figure out why he did that."

Latatos shook her head, feeling something was amiss but unable to figure out the answer. She then turned to her sister's husband, one of the few members of the family with considerable martial prowess, and said:

“Yucatan, remember, if anything goes wrong, protect your wife and get her away from the Holy Mountain first.”

"Yes, master."

As one of the few armed people present, Yucatan nodded in response.

However, Ensiodis took in the expressions of everyone present, whether they believed or doubted.

He knew that his brother was only one step away from success.

The only thing he still needs to care about is the Grand Elder!
This person was regarded by both him and Chen Qi as the culprit who killed their parents and wanted to expel the Shivaish family...

As Ensiodis turned away, he witnessed the Elder's slight surprise followed by an almost undisguised smile of joy and relief.

Ensiodis understood—the last threat had vanished!
Everyone has already fallen into the inescapable trap set by his brother, and there is no way they can escape!

……

[Take three steps and bow once.]

[Ring a bell every five steps.]

You silently accompanied your beloved sister, completing this trial from beginning to end.

Until you finally received the result you had been waiting for.

[The Grand Elder's level of vigilance towards you: 0%]

The success rate of the coup was 95%.

“…Enya.”

"Ok?"

[Having walked halfway, Enya, who had remained silent the whole time, paused for a moment instinctively after hearing you speak.]

And you know, now is finally the time to tell your sister the whole story, the whole plan.

"...I'm sorry, brother."

"Your brother made you become a saintess, and he was so mean to you at the banquet. Did that hurt you, Enya?"

"elder brother……"

Faced with her brother's sudden honesty, Enya, caught off guard, felt a slight tremor in her heart and subconsciously uttered the name she knew best.

But Chen Qi didn't have time to be moved.

Still recovering from his serious illness, he found it extremely difficult to even move his body. The fact that he was able to walk halfway down the Heavenly Road was entirely due to his willpower.

That will, known as the "stubbornness of revenge."

"Brother, I don't want to make excuses, but what I'm about to tell you is the most important thing."

“Enya, it was my idea to make you a saintess, but all of that was because I wanted you to help me overthrow the Manju Academy.”

"My elder brother needs your help to avenge our mother's death at Manju-in Temple!"

"!"

As soon as Chen Qi finished speaking, Enya, who was suddenly jolted, was in a daze and almost dropped the trial bell from her hand.

However, the biting cold wind still made the trial bell ring softly...

It was as if a deity was experiencing a subtle stirring within its heart.

"...So, brother, what do you plan to do after you overthrow Manju Academy?"

After a moment of silence, Enya seemed to understand her brother's determination, and after a moment of silence, she asked the most crucial question.

"Good question."

Chen Qi, however, made no attempt to hide anything and responded to Enya word by word:

"Brother, I won't lie to you. After Manju Academy is overthrown, I have to take you hostage and become the only king of Sherag."

"Only in this way can we ensure that the remaining families will not start an internal strife for power after the Manju Academy is overthrown."

"Only in this way can I, as your elder brother, guarantee that after the Manju Academy is overthrown, Sherag will continue to pursue open reforms in accordance with our family's principles."

"Only in this way can I, as the elder brother, unite all the forces of Shelag and enable Shelag to develop rapidly!"

Chen Qi finished speaking, but did not receive a reply from Enya.

Chen Qi knew very well that his words sounded suspicious no matter how you looked at them; he was just using his family as tools to fight for power and profit.

Because he couldn't explain why he was so fixated on Sherag's power.

He couldn't explain where the pressure he felt so eager to develop Sherag came from.

But Chen Qi did not treat Enya as a child and swallowed all the things she did not understand.

He still explained to Enya frankly:

"Enya, believe it or not, your brother has foreseen that a new great battle is about to begin."

"Shelag is in a strategic location, easy to defend and difficult to attack. No matter which country it is, once a major war is imminent, we will inevitably be the area occupied."

"Therefore, in order to save our home, we save the homes of countless Shelag people."

"Brother, I have no choice but to do this... Do you understand?"

Having said that, before receiving a response from Enya, you couldn't help but turn and leave.

But the next second, you see Eun-ah, who, without you even noticing, is gazing at you, silently shedding two clear tears, weeping with joy.

"……I knew it."

"I knew it, brother, you still love us."

“I knew it. Everything my brother did for us in the past was absolutely true.”

Countless words seem pale in comparison at this moment.

[Yesterday, Enya didn't sleep a wink, even when Horn came to call her saying she had an important meeting to attend to, she completely ignored him.]

Enya doesn't resent you for pushing her down this path, which most likely leads to death.

[Because, as you said, she is the daughter of the Shiva'ish family, and when the family needs her to shoulder responsibilities and make sacrifices, she should not hesitate.]

However, what she hopes for is that you, as the elder brother, are not sacrificing yourself for personal gain or power, but for the safety of your family.

Instead of... acting like a patriarch, ordering her to make sacrifices.

Now, Enya finally understands everything.

[Having understood your resolve, Enya, after wiping away her two tears, revealed a support and determination that would earn your attention.]

"Go, brother, do whatever you want to do."

"I will not hate you, nor will I resent you, even if I am just a tool that obeys your orders in front of everyone."

"As long as I still know that my brother is my brother... that's enough."

"I will support you."

[Task 3: Seize Religious Support, Progress: 100%]

The coup attempt had a 100% success rate; it was an absolute success!

Accompanied by the clear system voice in his mind, Chen Qi slowly closed his eyes, suppressing his trembling heart and the tears welling in his eyes, and answered heavily:
"I will do my best, Enya."

"I will protect you until the day I die."

The final restraints have finally been lifted. At this moment, you feel your steps become lighter, and your mind becomes infinitely clearer.

Now, nothing can stop you from seeking revenge.

No one can stop your ideals, your ambition.

You raise your head high, gazing at the Manjusin Temple atop the mountain peak, now faintly visible.

[You vaguely saw the ugly face of the Grand Elder, who looked down at you as if gazing at a subdued animal.]

You finally smiled.

Hatred drives you to keep moving forward, relentlessly advancing towards the summit of that mountain.

You understand that you're not climbing a mountain.

These steps beneath your feet are the flesh and bones of those you are about to slaughter.

That mountain peak is the divine throne you are about to ascend!

This is your ladder to God!

(End of this chapter)