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

Chapter 134: Jian and Yela got into a fight?

Leaving aside the two women on the sacred mountain.

At the same time, Chen Qi, holding his sister Encia's hand, finally arrived at Shivaesh's mansion based on his somewhat hazy memory.

What came into view was an old house that looked even older than Chen Qi remembered.

Although in terms of size, the Shivaish mansion has undoubtedly expanded considerably, not only with a larger garden but also with a significantly larger number of servants.

However, without the traces of family members, even with many servants, the mansion can hardly avoid being stained with the dust of "loneliness".

"Brother... I'm suddenly a little nervous."

Looking at her home, which was so close at hand, Encia, who had been away from home for more than ten years, suddenly felt a belated sense of fear welling up from the bottom of her heart.

"I kept it a secret from everyone and climbed down the cliffs of the snow-capped mountains to successfully run away from home."

"Looking back now... my actions not only caused a lot of harm to my second brother and sister, but also to my father..."

Her hand, which was gripping her brother's tightly, began to sweat involuntarily, and she asked in a slightly trembling voice:

"Brother, I'm scared."

“I’m afraid that my dad has gone through so many hardships, and he’s just watching our family fall apart. He’s already…”

"—Being afraid now is useless, Encia."

However, sensing his younger sister's nervousness, Chen Qi, as her older brother, reassured her with a firmer handshake, and said with considerable emotion:

"If we're talking about harm, all of this I've planned will cause the most damage to my father, in order to ensure Ensiodes's smooth succession to the throne and to stabilize the political situation in Sherag."

“I would actually be happier if my father still had the energy to blame us.”

"However, you don't need to worry too much, Encia."

Turning his gaze to Encia, Chen Qi, who shared the same unease, also displayed the responsibility of an elder brother, jokingly saying in a lighthearted tone:
“You are the youngest in the family. Even if your father wanted to beat you, it would never be your turn.”

"If your father hits you, run away quickly."

"Brother, I've taken a lot of beatings for you since I was little, so one more won't make a difference."

"No way."

However, Chen Qi's answer softened Encia's heart and dispelled the gloom in her mind.

Encia gripped her brother's arm tightly, straightening her chest and raising her head to appear composed, and said:
"I'm no longer the child I used to be, who could only hide behind my older siblings."

"Brother, no matter what awaits us ahead, I will always stand by your side!"

"...Good boy."

Feeling quite gratified, Chen Qi stroked Encia's soft fur as he strode towards the Shivaish mansion.

Just as Chen Qi and Enshia arrived at the gate of the mansion, the two mountain snow demons guarding it blocked their way with their halberds.

"stop."

One of the mountain snow demons said coldly:

"Are you two tourists? This is the private residence of the Shivaish family, and tourists are not allowed to visit."

"If you are lost, we can send someone to take you back to the commercial street."

"What's wrong? Does even Shiva's own people have to report in advance before returning home?"

Hearing the two guards' words, Encia, shrouded in a black robe, completely ignored them. Her carefree nature, unleashed after returning home, led her to shout at the top of her lungs into the mansion:

"Dad! It's me, Encia!"

"We're back, Dad!"

Having honed his skills in the wilderness for over a decade, Encia had developed a roar that even wild beasts feared, easily penetrating the walls of the mansion.

Encia did this not only hoping to get a response from her father, but also for another ulterior motive.

In case her father didn't respond to her calls, then she could prepare herself mentally for the possibility of facing her terminally ill father...

However, before the two guards, who had been startled by Encia's roar, could recover and reach out to subdue Encia,

Upon seeing this, Chen Qi chuckled softly.

"Calm down, don't get violent."

Amazingly, as soon as Chen Qi finished speaking, a mysterious force abruptly froze the movements of the two guards.

The two guards couldn't even move their eyes, let alone shout to alert the others to the enemy attack.

Fortunately, this terrifying nightmare soon came to an end with the arrival of one person.

"Enshia?! Is that Enshia?!"

With a series of heavy footsteps, the gates of the Shivaish mansion were quickly pushed open.

Olafell's face, which looked far more weathered than Chen Qi and Encia remembered, appeared standing before them.

Olafell, gazing at the two figures before him, one tall and one short, both shrouded in black robes, hesitated for a moment before tentatively speaking:

"Encia? Is that you?"

"—It's me, Dad."

The moment Encia saw her father, her carefully prepared mindset crumbled almost instantly, and she couldn't help but shed two lines of tears.

She removed the hood of her black robe, revealing hair just like Olaf's, and said, trembling with guilt and emotion:

"Dad, your unfilial daughter is home."

"Enshia!"

When he saw his youngest daughter, who had been away from home for more than ten years, return to his side with a mature appearance that he could hardly recognize, Olafur couldn't help but burst into tears.

The father and daughter, who had been separated for so long, couldn't wait to embrace each other tightly. After rushing into her father's arms, Encia finally sobbed and expressed her apology, which was more than ten years overdue.

"I'm sorry... Dad... I shouldn't have run away from home..."

"I'm sorry I made you worry, Dad... I'm so sorry..."

However, faced with the apology from his most beloved daughter, Olafel simply patted Encia's back and, suppressing his emotion, said:

"It's good to be back, it's good to be back."

Finally, after the father and daughter were reunited, Olafel also noticed the figure standing next to Encia, a figure whose height was extremely familiar and who exuded an aura that made him feel both close and unfamiliar.

Although she already knew the truth from Enya, Olafur's tone still held a hint of disbelief, as if afraid her illusions would be shattered, and she asked:

"You, are you..."

"—It's me, Father."

Chen Qi, who was called upon, slowly took off his hood, revealing the young face that Olafel had been thinking about, and which was no different from the one in his memory.

The only thing that felt unfamiliar to Olaviel was perhaps the golden dragon horns growing from the head of his adopted son and the dragon tail protruding from his back.

However, noticing his adoptive father's gaze, Chen Qi touched his dragon horns and smiled as he spoke:

“Look, Father.”

"Now, no one will say I have the look of a wolf anymore."

"—Who dares!"

Standing before his son, Olaf, still displaying the strength of a father, fought back tears and shouted with a powerful voice:

"My son is the King of Khalan of Shelag! He is the greatest king of this land!"

"Without him, there would be no Sherag today. Let's see who dares to call you 'Wolf-like Looker' now!"

Seeing his adopted son who had come back from the dead, Olafur was overwhelmed with emotions that defied description, but all he could say was a whisper of rebirth:
"It's good that they're alive... My children are still alive... That's better than anything else."

Olafell is old, and having lost his beloved wife, his only hope in life is to ensure that his four children grow up safely and peacefully.

However, a series of unforeseen events repeatedly shattered Olafur's hopes, as he watched helplessly as his children became leaders and high-ranking officials shouldering the heavy responsibilities of the nation.

In the end, they even turned against each other for the sake of the country's legacy.

Upon learning that his son had killed another son and witnessing his family fall apart as a result, Olafell was indeed on the verge of collapse.

But there was always a belief supporting him.

He didn't want to die like this.

As a father, even though he knew that the relationship between his children was almost beyond repair, he didn't want to do nothing.

As long as their father is alive, no matter how hostile these children are to each other, at least they are still a family.

If even I were to leave, then my three children would become complete strangers.

Supported by this belief, Olafur finally lived to witness the day when all his children returned to his side. Olafur now only wants to thank his past self for not giving up on this last hope.

"Father, your legs..."

Having been reunited with his adoptive father after a long separation, Chen Qi, who also had many things he wanted to say to him, first looked at Olafell's legs.

"This?" Olafel bent his leg and then smiled as he lifted up his trouser leg.

Soon, a steel body shaped like a human leg came into view of the brother and sister.

"This is Enciodes, designed for the experts I brought in from Colombia."

"At first I wasn't used to it, but now I'm fine. I can even run in the snow for a while with this leg."

"Alright, let's not talk about me anymore. It's windy outside, you must be cold. Come inside and warm up by the fire."

Olafel waved his hand, took his two children's hands, and walked home.

Before stepping into the house, Chen Qi also released the binding spells on the two guards and transmitted his voice to their ears from a distance.

"Go to your emperor and receive an extra year's salary as a reward for your loyalty and dedication."

"Also, remember everything that happened today and keep it to yourself, understand?"

With Chen Qi's voice echoing in their minds, the two guards, having regained control of their bodies, knelt and bowed to Chen Qi's retreating figure with a mixture of surprise and solemnity:

"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

……

Back in the Shiva's mansion, bathed in the warmth of the heating and fireplace, the brother and sister talked a great deal with their father.

Enshia shared which countries he had set foot in over the past ten years, which dangerous forbidden areas he had ventured into, and which dangerous creatures and gangs he had fought against.

Encia's vivid account, filled with many personal experiences, made Chen Qi and Olaf worry for her, constantly scolding her for her recklessness and impulsiveness.

Despite the worried reproaches from his brother and father, Encia never showed the slightest sign of annoyance.

On the contrary, after experiencing so much danger and deceit, Encia cherished this opportunity to let down her guard and talk without any defensiveness.

However, after Encia had told all the stories she could think of, Olafel finally spoke, looking at her daughter with her cheeks flushed.

“It seems that Encia, you’ve really grown up over the past ten years or so.”

"So, tell Dad, in these past ten years of adventures, Encia, have you met any men you've taken a liking to?"

"Ahem! Why, why are you suddenly asking this?"

Unexpectedly, Encia, whose topic changed so quickly, almost choked to death on the salty milk tea in her cup.

But after a bout of coughing, Encia's face showed a look of utter disgust, and she said in an annoyed tone:

"Dad, if you want a grandson, don't rush me!"

"Big brother, second brother, and sister are all still single, aren't they? They're always around you, why don't you go find them?"

"—Although your second brother is single, he is the King of Kalan, and his marriage is no small matter."

Hearing her daughter's rebuttal, Olafur retorted righteously:
"As for your sister, don't forget, your sister is a saintess, and saintess is never allowed to marry."

"In the more than ten years you've been away from Sherag, have you not even met a decent man you like?"

"Ugh, those men are all dirty and smelly, I don't want them!"

Because of her adventures, the men she encountered were either Sarkaz mercenaries or adventurers whose hygiene was just as worrisome as her own, so Encia really didn't develop any good impressions of the opposite sex.

However, unable to withstand her father's persistent questioning on this matter, Encia quickly pushed Chen Qi, who was peacefully drinking tea to the side, forward.

"Brother! Help me! I don't want my father pressuring me to get married!"

"—Just now at the door, you said you'd face the difficulties with me. How come you've forgotten in less than an hour?"

Chen Qi shook his head with amusement at Encia, who was curled up behind him.

However, it must be said that Encia's tactic of shifting firepower was very successful.

Looking at his proudest eldest son, Olafel, who had already learned about his life through Encia's letter, asked with considerable curiosity:

"By the way, Qi, Encia said in her letter that you already have someone you love?"

"Who is she? What's her nationality? How old is she? How did you meet?"

"Besides, why didn't you bring her this time? Let me, as her father, meet my future daughter-in-law."

"Father, don't be so anxious. Jian is not someone who can withstand your enthusiasm."

Faced with his father's persistent questioning, and despite remaining unmoved by demons and thousands of powerful soldiers, Chen Qi finally managed a bitter smile, unable to withstand the pressure, and quickly replied:

"As for the mace, she has actually already arrived, but she is currently on the holy mountain."

"If nothing unexpected happens, she should be talking to Jeragand right now, right?"

"...Speaking of this, Qi, you have to answer me honestly."

However, the mere mention of Jeragand caused even Olafur's expression to turn serious. He gazed at his proudest eldest son and asked, word by word:

“As your father, I have never believed the rumors outside, but today, I have to ask.”

"You...you really had that kind of relationship with Lord Jeragand?"

"...It's not as intimate as you imagine."

When asked about Yeragand, who had helped him greatly in the past, Chen Qi pondered for a moment before giving his response, saying:

“But Yeragand really helped me a lot. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to withstand that assassination attempt, let alone drive the enemy out of Shelag.”

As for my relationship with her...

Chen Qi pondered this question for a while before figuring out why Yeragand valued him so much.

"I guess I could say I took advantage of a loophole?"

"After all, Yeragand has always been protecting Sherag alone. The Manju Institute was ignorant and dark in the past, so Yeragand naturally wouldn't value such a group of people."

“And I was the first person she met, and we could be considered like-minded partners.”

"Yeragand has guarded Sherag in solitude for thousands of years. She has finally found someone she can communicate with. She has probably placed all her loneliness of thousands of years on me, hasn't she?"

"I'm not quite sure how to describe this feeling..."

“But I know very well that from the moment Yeragand sacrificed herself to protect me, I had to give her an answer.”

"—Good boy."

Chen Qi's response filled Olaf with genuine pride. He patted Chen Qi on the shoulder and smiled as he spoke:

“The most important thing for a man is to be responsible. I am very happy that you answered like this.”

"But, Qi, have you thought about how you should handle your relationship with the person you love and Jeragand?"

"I have a headache, don't I?"

Chen Qi shook his head with a wry smile; he hadn't come up with any solution to this problem yet.

For Chen Qi, his only hope now is that a peaceful negotiation between Jian and Yeragand can yield a positive outcome...

"Boom——!!"

However, just as Chen Qi was pondering this, a sudden, earth-shattering sound immediately drew everyone's attention.

"what happened?!"

Chen Qi immediately put down his teacup and walked towards the door. The next second, he, along with Encia and Olavier who had rushed over, witnessed a scene that shocked them.

In the distance, around the towering holy mountain and the colossus of Yeragand, it was as if an explosion had occurred, with countless snowflakes flying wildly.

And these "explosions" continued to occur, each round more intense than the last, each one shaking the entire city of Shelag.

Looking at the scene before him, Chen Qi realized that things were in serious trouble.

"Oh no, the scene I least wanted to see has happened."

Despite his toothache, Chen Qi watched the war erupting at the sacred mountain and realized that the conversation between Jian and Yeragand had clearly not been pleasant.

But now that things have come to this, he has no other choice.

"We have to stop them! We can't let them tear down Shelag!"

"Encia, protect Father, I'll be right back!"

Before Encia could react, Chen Qi used his magic to tear open a portal in front of him, teleporting him to the summit of Mount Holy Mountain.

As for whether he can stop these two crazed women... that's another story.

(End of this chapter)