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

Chapter 126 The Rift in Family Ties, the Responsibility of Passing Down the Legacy (End of the Sherag Chapter)

[Sherrag, what should have been an ordinary day, was disrupted by news that shook Terra.]

King Kalan was forced to abdicate in the palace yesterday by his prime minister Ensioudis and was shot dead.

No one could have imagined that the King of Kalan, who had transformed Kherag from a closed, small country into a powerful nation integrating military, religious, economic, and tourism influences over the years, would meet his end in such a manner.

However, while the news was shocking, it was undoubtedly good news for all the kings of Terra.

After all, at a time when almost all countries are declining in strength due to internal strife, the sudden rise of a small but powerful nation is undoubtedly a nerve-wracking event.

[This country, in particular, is now becoming Terra's economic and trade hub, and it's extremely difficult to conquer.]

At this point, the sudden death of a wise, autocratic leader foreshadows the country's imminent decline.

Furthermore, with the death of this king, an unprecedented civil war will erupt within Shelag, causing their current prosperity to collapse rapidly.

[Same concerns also linger over many elites, especially those who have substantial funds deposited in Kalan Bank.]

They were all worried that their wealth held in the Karan Bank would be impacted by your death, or even seized by the new leader of Shelag.

For a time, all of Terra turned its attention once again to this only neutral nation recognized by Terra, with a mixture of hope and unease.

But the truth surprised them greatly.

Because you designated Enciodes as your successor early on, you had ample time to prepare for his ascension.

During his years as prime minister, he had already amassed considerable prestige within the upper echelons of Shelag, making his ascension to the throne far smoother than yours had been.

There was no sensation, no internal strife, not even a dissenting voice.

[With all the patriarchs surrounding him, Enshiodes smoothly inherited your throne and became the new King of Kalan.]

To the astonishment of other world leaders, Enciodes did not initiate any sweeping reforms after assuming power.

During his coronation ceremony, he only criticized your brutality during your reign and your disregard for the aspirations of the people of Shelag; he did not deny any of your achievements.

"King Kalan may be ruthless, but he is by no means mediocre; he may be cruel, but he is by no means bloodthirsty."

"He dedicated everything he had to the construction of Shelag. It can be said that without him, there would be no Shelag as we know it today."

"We should express our gratitude with solemnity to this great monarch for everything he has done for Sherag."

"We should carry on his legacy and ideals, and perpetuate the prosperity and strength of Shelag today forever."

[Afterwards, seemingly worried that the people of Sherag would think he was only praising you out of brotherly affection, Ensiodis had further methods up his sleeve.]

[During the three years of your economic plan, rumors have been circulating among the deeply resentful Sherag people that you have hidden billions of dollars worth of gold beneath Mount Karan.]

This time, the most impartial governor in their eyes, Chen Huijie, conducted a live broadcast via the Shelag intercity network, investigating all your remaining assets at the Kalan Bank.

Finally, after a three-day investigation, your assets have been made public.

Five sets of clothes, two of which were reserved for royalty.

[To set an example, the 1000 francs deposited in the Kalan Bank earned him only slightly more than the average worker or farmer.]

[And besides everyday items like books, notebooks, and pens, the most expensive tool you own is the gun you used to commit suicide.]

As for the rumors circulating among the public about gold and hundreds of millions in assets, Chen Huijie, in his public speeches, guaranteed them in his personal and national capacity; these are merely rumors.

All of this is sufficient proof that during the years you ruled Shelag with brutality, you never enriched yourself.

All the funds in your hands were used for the construction of Shelag.

When the truth was revealed in Shelag, the people of Shelag fell into a collective silence.

During your reign, the feelings of the Sherag people towards you were, to put it mildly, quite complex.

They despise your attempts to usurp power and seize the country, and they hate the ruthless pressure of your economic plans.

Yet, it must be acknowledged that everything they enjoy today is due to your policies.

You may have made them suffer a lot, but in the end, you made them all enjoy the rewards of their hard work.

It was precisely because of this complex emotion that when Ensiodis announced that you would be given a funeral befitting the honors of Jeragund, everyone in Sherag displayed a subtle and nuanced reaction.

There was neither support nor opposition.

Even so, on the day of the funeral, all the people of Shelag put aside everything they were doing to come and pay their respects.

At the funeral, two figures stood out conspicuously.

Harold, who had been captured twice but released both times, traveled all the way from the countryside of Victoria to attend your funeral.

[And General Glaufeld, the Duke of Letania, who was defeated by you and forced to sign a humiliating armistice.]

But the arrival of your two defeated adversaries is not to mock your death.

On the contrary, at the funeral, both nobles, accompanied by their wives and children, solemnly offered flowers, mourned, and prayed for you throughout the proceedings.

Turning enemies into friends is the most difficult and precious thing in the world.

And these two nobles, whose reputations were indelibly tarnished because of your existence, both offered you their heartfelt respect as enemies.

[Enciodes personally selected the finest oak from Kjerag for your coffin, and together with your two sisters, Enya and Enshia, and your friend Fiona, carried your coffin down to your grave.]

[During the burial process, watching your coffin gradually sink into the soil, Eun-ah, who had been able to hold back her emotions, completely broke down.]

In public, this saintess, whom you had "enslaved" for years in the eyes of the Sherag people, nearly lost control of her emotions and jumped into the pit, burying herself with you beneath the soil.

Fortunately, Encia, equally grieving, stopped her sister in time, preventing her from doing anything foolish in her overwhelming sorrow.

[And just as your coffin was completely lowered into the ground, and the funeral was about to come to an end, a shocking scene unfolded.]

Suddenly, the already gloomy weather turned into a fierce storm with thunder and blizzards, as heavy snow and torrential rain poured down from the dark clouds.

[Since Yeragand sheltered this land, a catastrophic snowfall, unseen for a thousand years, has suddenly descended upon this land.]

"Oh no! Oh no!"

"King Kalan's death has made Jeragand no longer our protector!"

[An elderly man from Sherag, witnessing this unprecedentedly cruel weather, cried out words in terror that moved everyone present.]

However, they were different from those who went there for refuge or rushed to Jeragund to pray for blessings.

[Enya, unable to distinguish whether the water on her face was rain or tears, raised her head blankly, staring at the rain-soaked sky, and murmured to herself:]

"Yela...is that you?"

Are you crying because of your brother too?

The vast snow-capped mountain remained silent, except for the sounds of the wind and torrential rain; no sound answered Enya.

However, Enya clearly sensed the desolation, sorrow, and pain emanating from the sacred bell that was constantly being struck by the wind in her arms.

[And amidst the ravages of the cold wind and blizzard, besides Enya, a tall figure remained in place.] [Her second brother, Ensiodis.]

From the end of the funeral, the new king remained silent, kneeling silently before his beloved brother's tombstone, letting the wind and snow batter his body.

It seemed that only by doing so could he alleviate even a little of the guilt, remorse, and unease in his heart.

He knelt before your tombstone for a full day and night.

[It wasn't until the next day, when the snow gradually subsided and the guards came to find the new king for his first court assembly after his ascension to the throne, that they finally found him.]

[Enciodes remains kneeling before your tombstone, not even moving an inch.]

[But overnight, pure white flowers bloomed on his robes, and even before your tombstone.]

Those in Sherag who are well-versed in ancient texts will recognize this white flower as "Tears of God."

As the name suggests, legend has it that the tears shed by Yeragand will transform into these rare flowers found only on the snow-capped mountains. These flowers can bloom for a thousand years without ever withering.

Jeragand bid you a final farewell with her tears.

From this moment on, in the hearts of the people of Shelag, your life has become a legend.

As for Enciodes… after kneeling for a day and a night, he miraculously didn't fall seriously ill, but only developed a high fever and groaned in pain in bed for several days.

However, looking at her ailing second brother, Enya, who was caring for him as his younger sister, could no longer feel even a trace of sympathy or dependence in her eyes.

Even if she knows that all of this was part of your long-planned scheme.

But she still couldn't accept that her second brother had shot and killed their beloved elder brother.

[This once inseparable brother and sister have been rifted beyond repair by your death.]

The bond between these siblings can never be the same again.

This rift in their relationship hurt more than just the brother and sister.

[It even affected the entire rule of Shelag.]

[The day after your death, Fiona, now the Grand General of Kjerag, submitted her resignation to Ensiodes.]

[Fiona heard that her homeland had submitted to the mighty army of Letania and declared independence, becoming the nation of Tara.]

However, independence did not bring much prosperity to her homeland. On the contrary, the leader of the "Deep Pool," who ruled the country of Tara, seemed to be endlessly conscripting soldiers, as if brewing some larger war.

Fiona has learned a lot from you and understands even more the weight of the responsibility of a leader.

Now is the time for him to return to his hometown and put his knowledge into practice.

However, Ensiodis knew very well that this was merely Fiona's excuse for not wanting to stay in this place of sorrow.

But he still granted permission.

A week later, Chen Huijie, then Governor-General of Sherag, left without saying goodbye after leaving a letter of resignation.

Before leaving, she made sure to hand over all her work and appointed one of her most trusted subordinates in Shelag to take her place.

[Chen Huijie, who is not good at expressing her true feelings, unusually frankly expressed her thoughts in a letter.]

"Qi is dead, so I have no reason to stay here any longer."

"He made me realize that many things in this world are not simply black and white. He made me see many things clearly, yet he still allowed me to retain this sense of justice."

"Don't let him down, Ensiodis, or I will come back to take your head in the future."

With this, both of your trusted lieutenants have chosen to leave because of your death.

However, their departure may cause the least harm to Ensiodis.

[After your death, your father, Olaviel, continued to be entrusted with important responsibilities by Ensiodes. As Minister of Finance, his power is now comparable to that of the Prime Minister.]

Even so, Ensiodis never saw his father again in the years that followed.

Olaf repeatedly requested to see his son, who had become the new king.

Olafur refused to believe what others said.

He didn't believe it.

One's own son might kill his own other son.

But Olafel's requests were repeatedly rejected by Ensiodis... This was the only thing Ensiodis, now the new king, would avoid.

When confronted with questions from his younger sister, Encia, Encia never responded, only asking Encia to stop bringing it up.

He didn't want to tell his sister, who couldn't keep secrets, all of this.

Although the power of the various families in Sherag has been weakened by the war, they remain deeply entrenched and influential.

If they were to discover that this was all part of your long-planned scheme, the patriarchs, realizing they had been deceived, might jeopardize the rule of Sherag.

The cautious Enciodes was unwilling to gamble.

He chose to use time, and your "Decree of Grace," to gradually weaken their influence generation after generation, until the fragmented and divided families could no longer contend with royal power.

But everything he did caused indelible damage to Enshia's heart.

[Eunsia, who truly believed that her second brother had killed her brother, ran away from home one day, and no one knew where she went.]

But King Ensiodis could only suppress his heartache and keep all these secrets buried deep inside.

Years later, after Ensiodis's rule had completely stabilized, the rebuilt statue of Jeragand once again stood atop Mount Kjerag.

This time, however, when the people of Shelag turned their gaze to the newly created colossus, something was amiss.

Compared to the Jeragund that the Sherag people knew, the newly built colossi of Jeragund have much softer and more beautiful faces.

[For some high-ranking family heads, what surprised them even more was why Yeragand's appearance was so similar to that of the head maid who had died when the Holy Mountain collapsed.]

Beneath this colossal statue, which attracts thousands of tourists for photos every day, a woman with exquisite features and outstanding demeanor is responsible for greeting visitors and cleaning.

No one knows for sure when this woman arrived in Shelag, or when she received this sacred work.

No one had ever seen the woman's husband, nor did they know his name or where he worked.

All anyone saw was the gleaming ring on her ring finger, which she never took off, silently telling all those who tried to pursue her that they should know when to back down.

Only occasionally, early risers will see the woman sitting alone on the steps, gazing silently at the colossus of Jeragund, as they climb to the summit.

At these moments, a single, poignant tear would fall from her eyes, which were as clear as the night sky.

[The drops fell at the woman's feet onto the pure white flowers that had bloomed sometime earlier.]

(End of this chapter)