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

Chapter 102 From this day forward, I am an eternal thief.
In Shelag, every household has a statue of Jeragand.

However, if we're talking about where the most magnificent Jeragund statue is, it's undoubtedly the one in the backyard of Manjushri Temple atop the holy mountain.

According to legend, this statue was sculpted by the original elders of Manjushri Temple, based on their memories of the apparition of Jeragund.

Therefore, this original statue of Jeragand is considered the most divine being in Sherag.

[And now, you have brought all the remaining elders of the Manju Academy, as well as all the family heads you have captured, including your closest associates, before this statue.]

You will judge them here.

You must ask them to confess their sins in the most sacred place in their hearts.

“...The Sherag people must never lie in front of Jeragand.”

"These are the laws written in the Manjushri Court, and they are also the divine oracle that the Sherag people must obey."

[Under the gazes of countless people—some indignant, some fearful, some unable to look directly at you—you calmly approached the anxious elders.]

However, in their eyes, the sudden cessation of your tyranny after you've already achieved everything fills them with even greater fear.

It was as if the person lingering beside them wasn't a young man.

Instead, it was a beast that had already eaten and drunk its fill, yet still regarded them as prey, their lives hanging in the balance.

"Now that the Grand Elder is dead, all the heads of the Sherag family are under my control."

"No one can save you now. Your lives are just a matter of a word from me."

"And you'd better not take any chances. Even if Yeragand doesn't appear, I know far more about the truth than you can imagine."

Facing the elders who had once been high above and controlled Sherag, kneeling before the statue of Jeragand.

Now, in front of Chen Qi, who has everything under control, these elders are all trembling with fear, sweating profusely.

Having lost all their power, they could only close their eyes and pray incessantly to Jeragand, a place they didn't even know existed.

At this moment, they had become Jeragand's most devout followers.

Before them, under a gloomy sky, Chen Qi sat unperturbed before the statue of Yeragand, coldly gazing at the elders, and calmly declared:

"Therefore, it will do you no good to fool me."

That will only make me angrier.

"...Now, in front of so many people, and in the presence of Yeragand, tell me, elders."

A cold glint flashed in Chen Qi's eyes, and under everyone's watchful eyes, he coldly questioned:

"Who were you working with to murder my parents?"

Is it Perrochi? Or Brantao? Or both?

[A question that could be described as a death sentence.]

[You didn't even give these elders the option that "it was the Grand Elder's doing alone."]

[Not only because you know it's almost impossible, but also because you want to take this opportunity to completely end the three-way political situation in Sherag.]

Similarly, this is also the issue that you, and your family members present, are most concerned about.

Now, under your tyranny, they can no longer lie, because it makes no sense to them.

Now is your best chance to get justice.

"...It's the Brantau family."

Finally, unable to withstand the pressure, the Second Elder, under everyone's watchful eyes, revealed the ultimate truth behind the conspiracy.

A deathly silence fell over the scene.

All eyes involuntarily turned to Latatos, the head of the Brantau family.

Latatos was already drenched in cold sweat, her beautiful face deathly pale, gasping for breath as if her heart and lungs had stopped.

"What?! That train derailment wasn't an accident after all?!"

Completely unaware of all this, Actos, upon learning the truth, cast a disdainful glance at the dazed Ratatos and said viciously:

"You actually conspired with the people from the Manju Academy to create this?!"

"Despicable! Shameless! Such despicable behavior!"

"Shut up! Your sister would never do such a thing!"

However, Hurlus, who was sitting next to Latatos, immediately stood up to defend her sister.

But her face, equally pale with fright, could only force back her tears and look at her most trusted older sister, pleadingly asking:

"Sister, is what the Second Elder said a lie? Is it true?"

"Sister, you absolutely didn't participate in any murder, right?!"

However, even with Hugh Ruth's desperate pleas and near tears, the distraught Ratatos could offer his sister no answer.

Because she knew that the moment the Second Elder revealed all of this, she, and her family, would be destroyed.

It's over, it's over.

Latatos felt utterly hopeless.

"Oh it's you……"

Having learned the truth, Ensiodis, who had also suppressed his desire for revenge for three whole years, stared at Latathos with eyes full of hatred.

But he did not lash out, nor did he utter a single insult to Latatos.

Because he knew that only his brother had the right to decide their fate.

Taking matters into one's own hands will only ruin all of one's brother's plans.

Therefore, I need to be patient.

"……very good."

[Having heard everything the Second Elder explained, your expression didn't even show the slightest change.]

You simply snapped your fingers without any expression.

Soon, upon receiving your signal, a mountain snow spirit arrived and presented the elders with a confession that you had prepared beforehand.

“This record contains a series of crimes committed by the Manju Institute, from ancient times to the present.”

Chen Qi explained indifferently:

"Among them, the earliest can be traced back to the early days of the Manju Academy, how it manipulated the Holy Maidens and seized power."

"The most recent ones are the murders of the Shiva'ish clan and the plot to poison Vales' father to death by the High Elder."

“If you feel there is no problem, then put your fingerprints on this confession.”

"I can guarantee it as long as you put your fingerprints on it."

"I will not kill you under Jeragand's watchful eye."

"What?! Vales' father was poisoned by the Grand Elder?!"

Upon hearing Chen Qi's words, Aktos once again cried out in alarm.

Because the Vales that Chen Qi mentioned was a general from his family.

Vales' father was also a general in his family and was highly regarded by his family.

However, when Vales' father was seriously ill, it was Actos who personally fed the general the medicine that the elder had given him, which caused him to die suddenly the next day.

Only now did Aktos realize that all of this was the work of Manjuin. After a long silence, he couldn't help but sigh.

It was this sigh that made the originally energetic and hot-tempered patriarch seem to expel all his high spirits.

"So that's it..."

"In the end, I was actually taking the blame for the people who killed my family members? And the organization I was protecting was such a... shameless and despicable institution?"

Actos, muttering to himself, seemed to have aged ten years in an instant, and no longer struggled with anything.

With even the most loyal follower of Jeragand and the best sword of Manjusaka giving up resistance, the Elder Council's last hope was completely extinguished.

"Are you really willing to make this promise in Jeragand's presence?"

The second elder, trembling with fear, placed his last hope on Chen Qi, who stood before him as cold as iron.

"If we confess, you... won't kill us?"

"--certainly."

Your answer remains cold and devoid of emotion.

"Although I am not a native of Shelag, I have lived on this land for twenty years."

“I can swear to Jeragand if you confess.”

“As long as she can see you, I will never kill you.”

“But from this day forward, you will no longer consider yourselves elders, but will be demoted to scribes.”

"Your only place is the library. Stay there and spend your lives studying the ancient books left by Jeragund."

“…Alright, I am willing to plead guilty.”

Finally, having received your assurance, the elders, relieved, exchanged hesitant glances and ultimately chose to yield.

They bit their fingers, and under your gaze, pressed their fingerprints onto the confessions.

Only after the last elder pressed his handprint did you manage a forced, unsatisfied smile.

"……very good."

"Later, a mountain snow spirit will take you to the scripture pavilion, where you will find the necessities you need."

"Now, get out of my sight."

[Under your cold urging, the elders offered no resistance. Having escaped unscathed, they kowtowed in gratitude and swiftly departed the scene.]

However, after all the elders had been taken away, the last Snow Demon to leave approached you and asked in a loud, unreserved voice.

"Sir, what should we do with them?"

"Simple."

A bloodthirsty smile crept across your lips.

“I only promised them that I wouldn’t kill them where Jeragand could see me.”

"Then let's drag them all out of Jeragund's sight and deal with them there." [Your tone was so casual, as if you were talking about killing chickens and sheep with ease, not human lives.]

But those around you, whether the other family heads or Chen Huijie who still harbored a sliver of hope that you would preside over a fair trial, were all terrified by your ruthless methods of eliminating all threats.

You've also made them fully understand your vengeful and ruthless nature.

"As for the heads of the families... except for Latatos, you may all return."

You have lost all interest in these family heads who, in your eyes, have completely lost their ability to resist.

You know, they can't make a fuss anymore.

“However, besides the head of the family, one important member of your family must remain here as my hostage.”

"Of course, once you return to your families, you are free to defect or revolt."

"As long as you are confident, with the strength of your family, you can defeat my mountain snow demons."

"Or you are like me, not caring at all about whether your family lives or dies."

"You are welcome to give it a try."

Leaving behind a final warning, you casually waved your hand and gave orders to the remaining snow demons.

"Send the heads of the families back, and then settle the hostages in separate rooms of the Manju Courtyard according to their families."

"Yes."

At your command, the mountain demons dragged all the heads of the families, including your own, down from the sacred mountain.

Of course, you also noticed the tears welling up in their eyes when Enciodes brushed past you.

You know, your brother understands everything you've done.

He knows that you molded yourself into such a ruthless dictator for the sake of the power transition in Shelag.

He also knows that your indiscriminate treatment of them today is also to make them distance themselves from you...

Fortunately, in the future, if one day you reach the end of your rope, they might seize the opportunity to overthrow your rule and become your successor.

At that time, Ensiodis, who overthrew you, will become the beloved ruler of the people of Sherag, the one who overthrew the Demon King.

In the future, under his rule, Shelag will no longer face the same pressures you face today.

[And the moment your eyes met Enciodes's, you knew you hadn't chosen the wrong person.]

Your younger brother will surely succeed in inheriting the empire you prepared for him.

However, after Enciodes was also taken away, you found yourself facing the eyes of Chen Huijie, whom you had kept hidden until now.

But, when facing your closest friend, you're unwilling to say anything more.

What you received was only Chen Huijie's calm reply, tinged with deep disappointment.

"...I misjudged you, Qi."

"...Whether I saw it correctly or not, let history and future generations judge this matter, Chen."

[Regarding Chen Huijie's disdain for your power-hungry behavior, you simply smiled, feeling no remorse.]

You didn't even exchange another word with Chen Huijie. You knew very well that you could never persuade her on matters of principle.

Chen Huijie remains the same chivalrous and courageous heroine.

But you are destined not to be a chivalrous hero.

[Until all the heads of the families have been sent away, and your hostages have been taken away.]

[In the snow-covered backyard, only you and Enya, silently watching everything, remain before the silent statue of Jeragund.]

After a long silence, you felt a slight weight on your shoulder.

"...The snow is heavy, don't get sick again, brother."

Behind Chen Qi, Enya took off her cotton coat and gently covered her brother with it.

As Chen Qi's most secure "hostage," Enya showed no sign of tension, her eyes filled with tenderness and heartache.

Enya knew that from now on, she might be the only one who could comfort her brother at any time.

Her brother had already taken on the fate of Sherag, and she was the one who could help him the most and share his burden.

“…Enya.”

Facing his gentle younger sister, Chen Qi smiled with long-lost relief and gently took her hand.

Finally, after a long sigh, Chen Qi murmured:

"...From now on, your brother will be a thief forever."

Enya remained silent, only gently grasping her brother's cold hand.

In her heart, her brother was definitely not a thief.

She did it to seek justice for her family and to give Sherag a future hero.

She firmly believes that in the future, the people of Sherag will give her beloved brother a fair evaluation.

……

"Huh? When did so many people suddenly appear?"

"I don't know, they don't look like locals at all."

"Are those armors they're wearing? Or are they made of steel?"

"Could it be that foreign troops have invaded?"

In the only town of Shelag, the people there had no idea that a coup d'état, a serpent swallowing an elephant, had been completed atop the holy mountain.

Their peaceful lives were disrupted by the arrival of fully armed mountain monsters, which made the people of Shelag even more uneasy.

But powerless to change anything, they could only watch helplessly as the Snow Demons, under the command of a young Liberian man, erected something resembling a telephone pole in the center of the town.

"You, aren't you that Edwis kid?"

"Nosis! You're Nosis, aren't you?"

Among the crowd, an older man recognized the young man leading the group, Liboli, as one of the family members who had been expelled three years ago for plotting against the Shivaesh family.

"You, how did you get back? And with so many soldiers?"

"Uncle knows about your family's affairs and knows you have grievances, but this is the rule, the price your family should pay for doing bad things."

"Don't do anything rash or immoral! It's not too late to turn back now!"

Nohis: "..."

However, when the uncle beside him tried to dissuade him, Nosis, a key member who had participated in the entire coup plan devised by Chen Qi, simply responded with a disdainful sneer.

"Don't tell others to do good without suffering others' suffering."

"Uncle, from this moment on, there is no turning back for me."

Nohis answered the man's question calmly and firmly, and then focused all his attention on the temporary communication station in front of him.

Soon, with the help of several mountain snowmen, a very simple temporary communication station was completed.

"A simple communication station has been set up and is connecting to the intercity network."

"Yes, in that case, the news from Manju Academy can be announced throughout the entire Sherag."

Nohis nodded in satisfaction.

He gazed at the towering sacred mountain not far away, unable to conceal his trepidation and excitement.

We must succeed... Prayer, and Enshiodes too.

"Connected!"

Soon, at the excited call of a mountain snow ghost, the loudspeaker on the temporary communication station emitted a sharp busy tone.

Then, resounding throughout the entire Sherag was Chen Qi's declaration of victory in seizing power, delivered from faraway Manju Academy.

"...Gentlemen of Sherag."

“I know you have many doubts and fears, but whether you accept it or not, from this day forward, you will have a new ruler.”

"The crimes of the Manju Academy are too numerous to list. Soon I will publish the confessions of the Manju Academy elders, which have been signed with their fingerprints."

"All the souls who were persecuted by the Manju Institute will finally find peace."

"And the darkness of ignorance will no longer hang over Shelag."

"The King and the Holy Maiden will give you a brand new future."

"Long live Sherag!"

Chen Qi's hoarse voice echoed clearly in the air above Sherag.

However, even though all the Sherag people heard Chen Qi's declaration, most of them still showed incomprehension and could not understand what had happened.

Only the mountain snow demons who had already taken control of the country, and all the meritorious officials who had contributed greatly to Chen Qi's coup, understood this.

They won the final victory!

"We won! We won!"

"This country belongs to Lord Qi!"

"Waaaaah... We're back! We're finally back!"

In an instant, the snow demons throughout Shelag cheered and jumped for joy after confirming Chen Qi's victory.

Some members of the Edwis family, who had successfully avenged themselves and cleared their names, wept with joy, repeatedly kowtowing towards the holy mountain to express their gratitude to their benefactors.

Upon hearing all this, Nosis let out a long sigh, expelling all his unease.

Victory.

Nohis understood that this was not only Chen Qi's victory, but also Sherag's victory.

They were finally free from constraints and no longer had to worry about being bound by religion.

Instead, they can unleash their full potential and give it their all! They can fully utilize their talents for the future of Sherag!
"From this day forward...shelag will enter a new era."

"It's all worth it so that our family's tragedy will never be repeated, and so that the people will no longer be ignorant and powerless."

"Pray...please don't let me, or the people of Shelag down."

(End of this chapter)