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

Why did Chapter 37 fail? Simply because of "incompetence".
"Stop with such high-sounding words, Fremont."

"You betrayed us, and even more so, you betrayed Letania, who provided shelter for your lich race!"

Even though all her power has been temporarily taken away, the White Queen is still unwilling to submit.

She struggled to lift her head, her face already deathly pale from exhaustion, but she still bit her lower lip tightly and questioned Fremont, word by word:

"Why...why did you betray us?"

What exactly did we do wrong?

"The reason you united with those nobles to create us was because you couldn't tolerate the Witch King's brutal rule over Letania, was it?"

“You created us because you believed… that after we overthrow the Witch King, we can create a better Letania, right?”

"We want to free the people of Letania from the quagmire of war and from the oppression of a tyrannical ruler."

"We hope that when people look up, they can see a brilliant sunset, not dark clouds filled with the metallic smell of blood..."

"But why did you betray us?"

The White Queen gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with grief, indignation, and incomprehension as she stared at Fremont.

"Could it be... that everything we've done was wrong?"

However, after a long while, Fremont looked at the Black and White Queen kneeling on the ground, her words filled with inexplicable confusion and resentment, and finally let out a long sigh.

"Sigh... what adorably silly bighorn sheep."

"You've been sitting on the throne for so long, haven't you understood one thing yet?"

"What's the use of just talking about one's initial intentions when one is an emperor? Doesn't it all come down to how well the actual implementation goes?"

"According to you, Helhunzoren was initially just a selfish tyrant who wanted to see a wider world."

"So, all the policies and initiatives he implemented to revitalize Letania before he went mad were fake?"

"Even the lives of the Leitanian people who once enjoyed a period of prosperity under his rule were a false prosperity?"

"Remember, I actually saw Letania under the rule of Herhunzoren."

Perhaps it was because he had heard too many one-sided accounts from the Gemini Queen regarding the rule of her former best friend.

Or perhaps it was because of his annoyance at how dull-witted the twin queens he had created with the knowledge of liches were.

Fremont's tone was more aggressive than usual.

"If you want to say that all of this is a deception to fool the world."

"Then, Your Majesties."

"Why can't you create a false golden age like Herhunzoren's to deceive your poor people?"

"Isn't painting a picture of peace something that you monarchs must learn to do?"

"Why is it that under your rule, the people are filled with resentment and anger? It has even escalated to the point where they are supporting your opponents to overthrow you?"

"us……"

Fremont's words made the Twin Queens, who were kneeling on the ground, open their mouths, but they couldn't utter a rebuttal for a long time.

If they were still powerful in the past, the Gemini Queens would have had enough confidence to offer a calm explanation to any ministers who questioned their rule.

For example, the cruelty of the Witch King's rule, and his arrogance that disregarded the lives of others.

For example, the changes in Letania under their control are that they are gradually emerging from the slump following the Four Emperors' War and restoring national order step by step.

For example, as long as they are there, no one dares to invade Letania.

Just like they've always claimed in their public statements.

They can still use similar words to tell everyone in Letania that under their rule, Letania is thriving.

But now...

The Black and White Queens, kneeling on the ground, gazed at each other, their powers sealed, now reduced to the state of slaves.

And, surrounding them were the loyal guards of Kim Jong-un.

Even the people of Letania, who originally loved them and cheered for their overthrow of the tyrannical witch king, became Chen Qi's help in overthrowing them.

"...We don't understand."

Why did we fail?

In the end, all the words were reduced to a single question.

The two artificial empresses, from the moment they were created, were regarded as weapons by the nobles. They were always involved in the highest-level power struggles and witnessed the nobles' boring desires and endless greed.

Overthrowing the Witch King was their mission from the very beginning.

But what truly gave them the idea that "the Witch King needs to be overthrown" was the "correct" thought that arose in their minds after witnessing the Witch King's cruelty.

After overthrowing the Witch King, creating a better Letania was also what they considered the most "correct" thing to do.

But if everything was "correct," why were they overthrown like the Witch King?
“We are clearly making the right choices.”

"Why did we still fail?"

"Why is it that the people of Letania, under our rule, are living worse lives than during the reign of the selfish and self-serving Witch King?"

“Tell us, Fremont…why is this?”

Looking at the Black and White Queen, who had lost her former pride and now resembled a lost child.

Even Fremont, who had created them with his own hands, couldn't help but show a hint of pity in his eyes.

Others may not know, but Fremont, who witnessed their rise from weapons to the pinnacle of power in Letania and their subsequent fall to the bottom, understood the bewilderment in the hearts of these two empresses better than anyone.

But the empress's status, and the scheming nobles, prevented them from revealing their inner confusion.

They could only force themselves to straighten their backs and show the world their confidence and strength.

Having lost everything and suffered a complete defeat, they now have a real chance to re-examine their own hearts.

But Fremont couldn't answer them.

Because he was also looking for the answer to this question.

But perhaps someone can give him that answer.

"pray."

"Could you please, future Emperor of Letania, tell me the answer to this question, as well as to the two poor little lambs?"

Fremont turned his gaze to Chen Qi, who was calmly observing everything, unusually abandoning his usual blunt and vulgar attitude.

At that moment, he was like a student eager for knowledge, pleading with his mentor to show him a glimpse of the vastness of knowledge.

"The reason is simple."

Chen Qi approached the Gemini Queens, met their bewildered gazes, and calmly answered the question.

This answer, however, was so simple that it shocked everyone present.

"I overthrew you by relying on the discontent and anger of the millions of Leitanian people."

"And their anger stems from your policy of sacrificing the interests of the nobility when you were trying to win them over."

"And now, you have lost not only the support of the people, but also the support of the nobility."

"Ultimately, there is only one reason for all of this."

Chen Qi looked down at the kneeling twin queens, showing no mercy to his enemies, and said, word by word:

"—It's simply because you're incompetent."

inability.

The Twin Queens, Fremont, and even Jian and the group of Golden Law Guards, none of them expected that Chen Qi's answer would be like this.

Is the Gemini Queen incompetent?
Even if this question were posed to everyone now, they would absolutely not evaluate the Gemini Queens in this way.

Although the Twin Queens were weapons created to fight against the Witch King, they had already emerged in the political arena of Letania before overthrowing the Witch King.

Ultimately, they even defeated all the nobles of Letania and ascended the throne as weapons.

With such a legendary journey, who would say they were incompetent?

But for Chen Qi, this was the only evaluation he could give to the twin queens.

"You overthrew the Witch King in order to give the people of Letania a better future."

"But do you think you've achieved this?"

Faced with Chen Qi's cold questioning, the twin queens remained silent for a long time before lowering their heads in shame.

They couldn't look Chen Qi in the eye.

Because they knew all too well that the person in front of them was someone who had been affected by their policies and had come to this point in order to seek revenge.

But Chen Qi did not give them a chance to escape.

"If you are truly more wise than the Witch King, why would a citizen of Letania like me become a force to overthrow you?"

"If you can truly control the nobles, why sacrifice the interests of the common people to appease them?"

"If you are truly powerful enough, why are you kneeling before me, who is utterly powerless?"

Chen Qi knelt on one knee, lifting the chins of the Black and White Queens with both hands, forcing their eyes to look directly at him.

Under their trembling eyes, Chen Qi uttered the words he had long planned, words that would make the Gemini Queens "experience a humiliation worse than death." "All of this is because of your incompetence."

"And on this land, an incompetent monarch has only one path to take..."

"That is, to die a humiliating death."

Having said that, Chen Qi stood up and finally lowered the chin of the Black and White Queens, leaving them kneeling blankly in place, their minds in turmoil.

After a long while, the Black Queen let out a mournful laugh.

"Heh, heh heh heh heh..."

"Incompetent... Yes, you're right. Having fallen to this state, what else can we say but hate our own incompetence?"

The Black Queen, who seemed to have finally come to terms with everything and realized it was all their own fault, used her last bit of strength to straighten her back.

At this moment, she seemed to regain the pride and unyielding spirit of an empress, gazing at Chen Qi before her, and said with neither arrogance nor servility:
“Qi, you are right. Compared to us, you are undoubtedly the more capable Emperor of Letania.”

"I have no regrets about losing to you."

"I only hope that you, who led Letania into war, will not repeat our mistakes in the future."

Having said that, the Black Queen slowly closed her eyes, as if she had let go of everything, and said with a carefree air:

"Alright, Qi, now it's your turn. Give this loser a quick death."

"Hildegard...no..."

However, looking at her sister who was willing to die for her cause, the White Queen finally showed obvious panic and unease.

She instinctively tugged at her sister's sleeve, but quickly realized that the key to the problem did not lie with the Black Queen.

So the White Queen turned her gaze to Chen Qi, whose face was cold, and pleaded in a low voice:
"Pray...no, Your Majesty!"

"We are willing to submit to your rule, and only hope that you will mercifully spare our lives."

"Lizelot?!"

However, the Black Queen was truly enraged by her sisters' pleas for mercy.

She abruptly opened her eyes, glaring angrily at the White Queen beside her who was bowing and scraping before Chen Qi, and rebuked her bitterly:
"What are you doing?! We are the twin queens of Letania! We should die like kings!"

"At least in this way, we can still be called the Queen of Letania, and the people will remember our bravery!"

However, the Black Queen's angry rebuke could not shake the White Queen's resolve in the slightest.

She bowed her head deeply before Chen Qi, her long, flowing golden hair cascading to the ground, her voice incredibly humble, like a servant pleading for her master's mercy.

"Please... have mercy."

“My sisters and I will prove that our rule over you is worthwhile.”

"Oh?"

Looking at the kneeling White Queen, Chen Qi revealed an expression of interest. Under the silent gaze of Jian, he once again used his finger to lift the White Queen's chin.

Gazing at the White Queen's exquisite and dignified face, Chen Qi smiled faintly and asked in a low voice:

"Then tell me, what benefits do you have for me?"

"...In any case, we have been working in the political arena of Letania for more than ten years, and we have considerable influence among the nobles."

Seeing that Chen Qi seemed interested, the White Queen seized the opportunity and calmly spoke to Chen Qi, who was so close at hand:
“If we submit to His Majesty, then the last remaining nobles who depend on us will completely turn against you.”

"Your Majesty will not need to go on a killing spree and bring more turmoil to the political situation in Letania."

"Moreover, keeping us here will be beneficial in calming the people's hearts and demonstrating Your Majesty's benevolence and tolerance."

"With our abilities, Your Majesty, when you go to war, we can not only provide you with assistance, but also safeguard the rear for you."

"Oh? It sounds like you guys are actually quite useful."

However, although Chen Qi's tone suggested he was interested, looking at his feigned surprise, the White Queen simply couldn't believe that Chen Qi was sincere.

Sure enough, the next second, Chen Qi tightened his grip on the White Queen's chin, and his tone shifted coldly as he said:

"Does that mean that keeping you alive will only make you a greater threat to me?"

"My dear, former Empress?"

"I'm only giving you one chance... So, how do you intend to convince me to trust a woman who has betrayed me twice?"

"...I and Hildegard are now just powerless lambs to be slaughtered."

The White Queen revealed an almost identical bitter smile to the one she had used to lull Chen Qi into a false sense of security.

The only difference this time was that she truly couldn't think of any way to turn things around.

All she knew was that she and her sister had to survive.

Only by surviving can they have a last glimmer of hope.

Choosing death is always the most foolish option.

"Our destiny is entirely in your hands, Your Majesty."

"If Your Majesty wishes to punish us, please give your instructions."

Having said that, the White Queen pressed her head firmly against the cold floor, signifying her complete surrender, both physically and mentally.

Meanwhile, the Black Queen, seeing her sister's submissive appearance, felt deeply humiliated and almost instinctively clenched her fists.

However, even the Black Queen was powerless to control her own destiny.

Their fate is now in Chen Qi's hands alone.

"...I will not leave behind anyone who poses a threat to my rule."

The moment Chen Qi calmly finished speaking, the White Queen's heart leaped into her throat, and she felt as if she wanted to bang her head against the floor even lower.

"But, I must admit, you are indeed useful to me."

"So, what should I do... to save your lives while simultaneously erasing all your prestige from the hearts of everyone in Letania?"

But the next second, Chen Qi's tone changed again, no longer as serious as his usual monarchical manner.

But the teasing in his words sent a shiver down the spine of both the Black and White Queens.

Because at that moment, they both thought of an extremely terrifying possibility—

Soon, Chen Qin's sinister voice confirmed their suspicions.

"Then I will have no choice but to break your spines and make you lose all your dignity in front of the people of Letania."

"Fremont."

Chen Qi turned his gaze to Fremont, who was smiling silently to the side, and asked in a low voice:
"The Gemini Queens were created using your knowledge, and I believe you know better than anyone else here how to 'manage' them, right?"

"Of course."

Fremont stroked his beard. Having anticipated this scene, he naturally offered the only hope for the twin queens' survival.

"Then, hand over their 'operational authority' to me."

"Can you do it?"

"—No problem at all."

As soon as Fremont finished speaking, the Gemini Queens suddenly felt a shiver that came from their very soul.

Within the Gemini Queens' vision, a chain-like phantom appeared around their necks.

And the one holding the chains around their necks was none other than Fremont, who created them.

But what drove them to despair was that, under Fremont's spell...

The ownership of these chains gradually shifted from his hands to Chen Qi's...

At this moment, powerless, they could only watch helplessly as the "chains" around their necks gradually tightened and bound in Chen Qi's hands.

"boom!"

"The transfer of control is complete."

Fremont took a deep breath, as if nothing had happened, and then elegantly ignored the Twin Queens' murderous glare.

Instead of him, there was Chen Qi, who clearly felt that he could control all the Gemini Queens' actions at any time, with a malicious smile.

"Congratulations, Black and White Twins, you survived."

“But from this day forward, you will no longer be the twin queens of Letania.”

"I am the only emperor of this country."

Chen Qi pretended to tug at the "soul chain" in his hand.

The Gemini Queens, utterly powerless, fell forward like prisoners dragged by chains.

It wasn't until they struggled to lift their heads that they were met with Chen Qi's undisguised, sinister smile hidden in the shadows.

"As for you, you are merely my spoils of war, my... slaves."

"Now, let us announce my victory together before all the people of Letania."

"This is my complete revenge on you."

Today's second chapter, marking another week of maintaining an 8,000-word writing pace.

Please continue to support us, dear readers!
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(End of this chapter)