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

Chapter 176 The Fallen Agor Leadership, Goredia's "Shooting the Sun to Eliminate Insects"

"Ok?"

Just a few days after Greta left the laboratory, Chen Qi, who was now alone again, had already sensed something.

"How is this going?"

"Why do I feel uneasy as soon as Gretia returns to Agor?"

"It's like... there's some kind of conflict between her and Skadi that's beyond my imagination?"

It wasn't entirely psychological; rather, Chen Qi sensed a strange fluctuation in the magnetic field power of Goredia, who was far away in Agor, for a fleeting moment.

Through this fluctuation, Chen Qi also sensed Gretia's negative emotions.

And hostility toward Skadi.

But Chen Qi didn't understand.

Skadi and Grandia, whether in the game or in real life, should be trustworthy comrades-in-arms.

Why does Gretia harbor hostility towards Skadi?
If it's because Skatina wants to overturn the decisions of the Agor leadership, didn't Gretia say early on that she wouldn't interfere too much in this matter?

Besides, given the personalities of the two women, what kind of conflict could there be between them?
"Ugh……"

Unable to figure out the problem, Chen Qi sighed helplessly after some deep thought.

"Could it be that my presence has altered the interpersonal relationships in this simulation?"

"But... I don't think I did anything that would make Greta hostile towards Skadi?"

Chen Qi has quite a bit of experience with simulations, and he's long been used to the various changes in interpersonal relationships caused by his own little butterfly.

But this simulation was indeed the most confusing one for Chen Qi.

"...Never mind, hopefully Skadi will realize this soon and have a proper talk with Gladys."

Ultimately, Chen Qi chose not to interfere in anything, but instead devoted himself to honing his mental strength in the laboratory.

Right now, he has no time to concern himself with the petty squabbles in Agor.

He will be facing "lumberjacks" from beyond the stars, who could arrive at any moment.

“Skadi and Ulpian have both reached the Star Breaking Realm.”

"Their promotions will inevitably arouse the vigilance of the lumberjacks... After more than 10,000 years, the lumberjacks must have recovered their strength."

"However, given their current strength, I cannot expect the Kingdom of Agor to provide me with any assistance."

"Is the only thing I can rely on myself, and the sea lineage left behind by Lu?"

Chen Qi remained silent for a long time after thinking about this.

Of course, it wasn't because Chen Qi had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the lumberjacks' relentless onslaught more than ten thousand years ago that left him with any psychological trauma.

Rather, Chen Qi was really looking forward to the arrival of the lumberjacks, so that he could fight without any worries and have a good time!
But Chen Qi's concern wasn't for himself, but for Hai Si.

This group was created by himself and Lu, the crystallization of their wisdom.

Over ten thousand years of evolution, although Haisi has evolved into the form of a weapon of war, fortunately, the existence of its "father" has prevented Haisi from developing in an uncontrollable direction.

But what would Haisi's future be like if he died in a bloody battle with the lumberjacks?
Chen Qi had no doubt that without his own limitations, with the current strength of the Sea Si, they would quickly purify Agor, and even the entire Terra.

At that time, they will rely on the resources of all the lands of Terra to transform into their nests and complete the land's command—to transform into endless "trees" to resist the lumberjacks' offensive.

However, the continent of Terra is now home to countless other living beings, in addition to the Sealings.

These creatures cannot simply sit idly by and let the Sealings erode the land on which they depend for survival, thus assimilating themselves into a part of the Sealings.

Chen Qi did not want the day Lu Fu was to arrive to see the Hai Si, whom she regarded as purifying the earth and bringing life to all things, eventually evolve into an out-of-control war machine.

Chen Qi could not simply leave all of Hai Si's problems to Lu to handle alone.

He is the one who manages the balance between Haisi and Agor, and even the balance of this land.

He must get Haisi back on track.

"Om..."

Outside the laboratory, Isamara's massive body seemed to sense Chen Qi's sorrow.

He twisted his body, sending a signal of concern to Chen Qi through the magnetic field within him.

"...There's nothing to worry about, Isamara."

"In my current state, no matter how weak I am, I still have the power of 97 horses."

"With me here, I can protect you. Those lumberjacks won't be able to easily step over my corpse like they did more than 10,000 years ago."

"I'm just worried about you guys."

Chen Qi turned his gaze to the window on the seabed, where Isamara was still using her body to protect the hibernation pod that had landed.

"I just don't want... you to perish along with me."

"Furthermore, I do not want Hai Si's future to be one of devouring all living things on this planet, as this would go against Lu's wishes."

After a long period of contemplation, Chen Qi turned his gaze to the laboratory in front of him, which had not been in operation for a long time.

In fact, apart from the time Skadi and Gretia were present, Chen Qi never gave up on conducting further experiments on Hai Si during these more than 10,000 years.

However, his research focus has shifted from the initial "Blue Dream Project" to a new objective.

"Don't worry, Isamara, my friend."

"I will definitely find something to help you and the other 'newcomers' break through to the anti-gravity realm of 50 horsepower."

"At that time, you will be able to take thousands of sea creatures and leave this planet to cultivate life on other uninhabited planets and continue to fulfill the land's will."

"And I will continue to hold off the loggers until you are ready to deal with them."

"Om~"

From the seabed, Isamara's joyful and encouraging call once again entered Chen Qi's mind.

However, unlike Chen Qi and Isamara, who were truly working for the survival of Terra, they were different.

In the distant Agor, over the past few years, he has remained immersed in endless internal strife and struggle.

……

Time has passed, and in the blink of an eye, Skadi has firmly established herself as Hera's most favored confidante for three whole years.

Over the past three years, everything has progressed far more smoothly than Skadi had imagined.

Just as Skadi had predicted, the "One Heart Society" grew rapidly over the past three years.

[The First Deep Sea Fleet, originally planned to have only about 500 members, has, after three years of training, seen over a thousand Deep Sea Hunters successfully trained and incorporated into the fleet.]

[Each Deepsea Hunter must possess at least 3 horsepower of magnetic field strength to be allowed to graduate.]

The fact that the "Deep Sea Hunter Training Ground" remains incredibly popular and has even been expanded proves that the number of participants will continue to increase in the future!

[A legion composed of thousands of powerful individuals, each wielding at least 3 units of magnetic field power.]

Every deep-sea hunter is a match for any fully equipped elite squad in Agor.

Even with the technology and scale of the Agor civilization, this is a formidable legion whose training cost is unimaginable and whose power is terrifyingly immense.

[And this terrifying training cost was something that the Supreme Council, led by Hera, provided Skadi with full support from beginning to end.]

Even the benefits and subsidies of the "Ichishin-kai," a group of high-ranking military officers gathered in Skatina, were tacitly approved by the Supreme Council.

Furthermore, after the first batch of Deepsea Hunters graduated, many of the officers who came for training returned to their own fleets.

[And every officer who returned to the fleet rightfully assumed an important position within it.]

The positions of chief of staff, deputy captain, adjutant, and even deputy commander were all monopolized by these officers who controlled the magnetic field.

[Skadi's First Deep Sea Fleet's connections began to permeate the capillaries of all of Agor's fleets.]

Even so, the officials of the Supreme Council remained oblivious.

This left Goredia, who served as the Minister of Intelligence within the Supreme Council, feeling an unprecedented shock.

[Gredia had never imagined that the consuls sitting in the seats of the Supreme Council would be such a hopeless bunch of fools. [They entrusted their lives to others, blindly believing they could control a person's will.]

However, Goredia more or less failed to understand the mindset of the Supreme Council's officials.

From their perspective, this legion, whose members were all incredibly powerful, was not only a frontline force fighting against the Sea Siren, but also a solid fortress protecting their safety.

Under these circumstances, they naturally want their guards to be as strong as possible.

The stronger the guards, the more unshakeable their positions, and the lower the possibility of a coup.

[And these guards could even help them consolidate their control over the army, so why not?]

What? Why aren't you worried about Skadi staging a coup?

[Hilarious! Who is Skadi? The Supreme Consul, Hera's adopted daughter!]

How could the rulers not trust Skadi, and how could they not trust Heratia?

Just as an emperor wouldn't believe that eunuchs and the Embroidered Uniform Guard would rebel.

To be more specific, it's like how Emperor Xuanzong of Tang didn't believe An Lushan would rebel.

[As confirmed by the high-ranking officials of the Supreme Council, Skadi was indeed that eunuch, that An Lushan.]

The only difference is that Skadi is neither a man nor fat.

Moreover, Skadi, who has maintained a high position yet remained remarkably low-key over the years, mostly working quietly, has left a very deep impression on the council officials.

Soon, these rulers all reached the same conclusion as Heratia.

Skadi is a very simple and innocent girl.

Aside from her overwhelming strength, which far exceeded their expectations, they couldn't sense any ambition or desire in Skadi.

In fact, the officials' feelings were not wrong.

Even knowing that the Agor leadership had concealed the truth about Haisi and developing a desire to overthrow them, Skadi herself had no lust for power.

For Skadi, being a major admiral wasn't as enjoyable as being a deep-sea hunter or an electrician.

The responsibilities have become heavier, and I can no longer do whatever I want, say whatever I want, or even have more time to myself.

Skadi knew very well that if she didn't do this, Agor's civilization was destined to be destroyed by the tide of the Sea Legions.

As the only one who knows the truth, and prepared to bear the consequences, Skadi had no choice but to do this.

But this still doesn't change Skadi's usual indifferent attitude towards power.

Under Skadi's influence, the Supreme Council officials, seeing their power growing ever stronger, began to indulge in increasingly unrestrained behavior.

Skadi's "One Heart Society" became an open secret among Agor's upper echelons.

Furthermore, because the senior members of the "One Heart Society" are all high-ranking members, the resources and benefits provided to these members by the "One Heart Society" are top-notch.

Therefore, many high-ranking officials regarded Skadi's "Ichizen" as a high-end club.

Through their connections with Skadi, they became senior members of the Isshin Society, using their positions to protect and facilitate Skadi's army.

They themselves came to the "One Heart Society" to participate in social gatherings, dance, and have fun, exchanging ideas and strengthening relationships with many high-level members they wouldn't normally have access to.

Through the One Heart Society, communication among Agor's top officials has become more frequent than ever before.

[And what about all the governors who want to curry favor, the scientists who want to communicate with high-level technicians, or even the self-important deep-sea hunters who want to fight the strong?]

In order to meet the person they want to see, everyone must give Skadi face.

Skadi practically became the nightclub owner appointed by Agor's upper management.

This expanded her network of contacts countless times over.

All of this was quietly observed by Goredia.

However, no matter how anxious Goredia was, how she tried various methods to persuade and even strike at these corrupt parliamentary officials who colluded with Skadi, she was powerless to change their minds.

All Goredia received was her mother Heratia's indifference.

[And the suppression from the parliamentary officials who harbored resentment towards Goredia after learning of her report.]

This filled Goredia with despair as she watched helplessly as the Agor leadership slid deeper and deeper into the abyss.

Beyond despair, what ignited in Goredia's heart was even greater indignation at the corruption of Agor's leadership.

"boom!"

"These bastards!"

According to information sent by subordinates, two more Supreme Council officials have joined Skadi's "Ichishin-kai" for their own purposes.

Goredia, who was determined to clean up Agor's corrupt officials but could only watch helplessly as so many consuls continued to degenerate, experienced a long-absent surge of strong emotions.

In this state of indignation, Skadi's harmless face also appeared in Greta's mind...

But this time, Goredia could no longer feel any affection for Skadi.

Jealousy, resentment, and anger burned fiercely in Goredia's chest.

"Skadi..."

"Is this your plan?"

“Drag the Agor leadership into the abyss of depravity, and then drag them all down from their pedestals.”

"That's a really good plan."

"But... I simply cannot associate with you using such methods."

As Heratia's daughter, Goredia, who had always upheld all the virtues and responsibilities expected of a ruler, could no longer stand idly by.

She couldn't stand by and watch more consuls fall into Skadi's trap.

As long as there is a glimmer of hope that could give Agor's ruling party a boost, Goredia would not agree to Skadi's coup plan.

She also realized that she had to do something.

"Da da da."

Soon, a knock on the door distracted Greta.

As she responded, one of her assistants came forward and presented her with an invitation to her mother, Heratia.

“Governor Goredia, this invitation was entrusted to me by Governor Heratia.”

"Next week, Governor Heratia wishes to host a family dinner, specifically for you and several other senior governors."

"……I see."

Greta accepted the invitation, and after glancing at the list attached to it, she immediately understood why her mother had done this.

Because this list contains individuals who have been impeached by Gladys and whom she believes have succumbed to Skadi's temptations and become completely corrupt.

His mother invited him to negotiate with these officials, probably hoping to ease tensions between them.

But this time... as Goredia looked at the list, she had already made up her mind.

I can no longer sit idly by.

The entire Agor ruling class is degenerating; the corruption and stupidity of the Agor government have reached an appalling level.

He had to go and tell his mother all this, to make it clear to her that Agor was now in a precarious situation.

If... it really comes to the point where there's no other way.

I must personally eliminate those few worms!
"—Tell Governor Heratia that I will keep my promise."

Despite her unwavering resolve, Goredia showed no sign of wavering on the surface.

Her face was ashen, and her tone was icy cold, as if she had transformed back into the ruthless deep-sea hunter who had killed Hai Si.

That's right.

Now, Goredia is fully prepared to take down "Hai Si"!
(End of this chapter)