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

Chapter 39 I will only follow you for the rest of my life

"Da da da……"

The clock ticked away relentlessly, its ticking echoing clearly in the temporary detention room.

In this cramped cell, Gertrude stood alone, quietly listening to everything happening outside.

The repeated shouts of "Long live!" gave her an answer to the outcome of this reform.

"Finally, he succeeded."

"The new emperor of Letania... Has all my sacrifices so far finally paid off?"

Filled with an unprecedented sense of security, Gertrude couldn't help but recall her past experiences...

From a count's daughter whose territory was confiscated and who lived in constant fear, she has now become one of the women closest to the Emperor of Letania.

If it weren't for the cold air in the confinement room and the mist from his own rapid breathing constantly stimulating Gertrude's nerves...

She might even think that it was all just her imagination.

Am I finally free from fear and anxiety?
Could a vicious woman like herself, who is so insignificant and insignificant, really reach the pinnacle of power?
"Squeak."

"Ok?"

Just as Gertrude's heart was racing, the sound coming from the cell door quickly caught her attention.

Those were two familiar noblemen.

"Count Dilov? Baron Böme?"

Gertrude looked a little disappointed at not seeing the Prayer she had been longing to see, but she quickly got up and asked:

"Has Qi already defeated the Twin Queens and become the Emperor of Letania?"

"He's the one who told you to let me leave, isn't he?"

"—You guessed right, Your Highness."

The court that had once presided over Chen Qi's treason case, now Count Dilov, who had pledged allegiance to Chen Qi, responded to Gertrude with a smile:

"Now, Lord Qi is the esteemed Emperor of Letania."

"But unfortunately, you only guessed half right."

“Baron Böhme and I have come not to release you, but to convey His Majesty’s decree.”

"Imperial decree?"

Gertrude was taken aback by what she heard, and under her gaze, Count Dilov slowly took out a letter from his pocket and read it aloud.

"His Majesty's edict."

“Gerdrud Strolo, in collusion with the Twin Queens, plotted treason, failed to report the matter, and is suspected of treason. According to the laws of Letania, he should be executed by being cut in half at the waist in the marketplace.”

"I have considered your past merits and intended to show leniency, but the law of the land is as firm as a mountain, and cannot tolerate personal feelings. Therefore, I hereby order Gertrude to commit suicide."

Having said that, Dilov put the "mandate" into his pocket, looked at the dazed Gertrude, and said with a regretful expression:
"Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for us. We are just following orders."

"His merits are great, but His Majesty is wary of him. Such a thing happening to His Highness the Duke has made the nobles extremely indignant."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, we will definitely seek justice for you until His Majesty is willing to restore your reputation."

"You can go in peace."

"—Count Dilov."

But before Count Dilov could finish speaking, Gertrude had already resumed her usual venomous smile.

Facing these two nobles who arrived carrying "official documents," she showed no fear whatsoever, and simply asked indifferently:

"Could you please let me see His Majesty's edict?"

“I’ve been a long-time servant of His Majesty, and I can recognize His Majesty’s handwriting.”

"If I can confirm that it is His Majesty's handwriting, I will commit suicide on the spot, how about that?"

As Gertrude had expected, Dilov's expression changed visibly as soon as she finished speaking.

Meanwhile, Baron Bermey, who had remained silent all along, reached into his pocket.

If Gertrude still can't figure out the answer to this situation, then she has truly wasted her time as the head of the Ministry of State Security.

"As expected, this was not His Majesty's edict at all."

Gertrude stared at Dilov with a cold laugh and questioned him:

"This isn't Qi's idea at all; it's the idea of ​​you nobles, isn't it?"

“Ever since I took charge of intelligence, you guys have been wary of me. This time, you plan to get rid of me secretly without Qi's knowledge, right?”

"...I'm really curious, how did you guess that?"

Seeing that his plan had failed, Dilov stopped pretending and instead squinted at the composed Gertrude, asking curiously:

"This plan was the result of discussions among the nobles, and even the Elector Marquis was involved, which is why we know about the play that His Majesty and you are putting on."

"Our acting skills should be up to par, so why did you see through it?"

"—Because none of you understand that man as well as I do."

Gertrude replied with a look of disdain:

"The closest people to Qi are either that muscular woman Jian, or that old man Fremont, or at the very least, a law-abiding guard named Jin."

"Since when did it become your place as an earl to deliver his edicts?"

"Besides, how could I not know how elegant his handwriting is, considering he used to want to be a doctor?"

"I sometimes can't even understand his handwriting. How could he write imperial edicts for you?"

Chen Qi wanted to kill her? If Gertrude had just been stripped of her military power, she might have thought so.

But soon after Chen Qi arranged for her to go to the Ministry of State Security, Gertrude herself gave up the idea.

She knew very well that she was neither good at commanding troops nor at managing the rear.

The only reason I can hold such a high position is that I was Chen Qi's first Sakta (angel) investor.

He could have remained a powerless and powerless duke forever.

But he still chose to put her in charge of intelligence work, which is of vital importance to a country.

He made himself, who had no power or soldiers, control the secrets and incriminating information of almost all the nobles in the empire, giving himself power that was above almost all the nobles!

What kind of trust is this?
How much importance does this show?
Now, you've convinced Gertrude that Qi will kill her out of fear of her contributions?

joke!

He still needs the information he has to help him eliminate these nobles, so would he be willing to kill her?
Such foolish behavior is not something an emperor whom Gertrude values ​​would do.

"...It seems that you and His Majesty are truly deeply in love."

After a long silence, Dilov, who never expected to make such a mistake, no longer concealed his vicious smile.

“But this cannot change your fate, Your Highness.”

"Our new emperor really doesn't like us."

“He actually dared to say from the Twin Towers that ‘Leytania is no longer a loosely feudal state.’”

"And you are the head of spies trained by this new emperor."

“You have all our weaknesses in your hands. In the future, you will be the greatest help to His Majesty the Emperor in overthrowing us.”

"Therefore, we, along with several Electors, all wish for your death."

As they spoke, Dilov and Böhme each took a staff from their pockets and pointed it at Gertrude with a cold smile:

"And now, this is our best opportunity."

"ridiculous."

Faced with such a desperate situation, Gertrude herself was surprised that she did not feel the slightest bit of fear.

All she wanted to do was laugh out loud.

He laughed at the folly of these nobles, at the fate they were about to share with him. "You think killing me will make Qi spare you?"

"You think that if I'm dead, he has no other way to kill you?"

“Dylov, Böhme, and all you nobles and electors!”

"I'll be waiting for you in hell."

Having said that, Gertrude straightened her clothes, faced the two who had raised their staffs, and slowly closed her eyes.

She raised her right hand high, as if her beloved emperor were within arm's reach:
"For victory!"

The next second, Gertrude, with her eyes closed, felt a strong gust of wind coming towards her!

Soon, some slightly warm liquid was splashed onto her face.

Is it blood? Is it her own blood?
Instead of the pain and helplessness she had imagined, Gertrude belatedly opened her eyes after a long while.

However, what Gertrude saw was the still-standing figures of Dilov and Böhme, raising their staffs to her.

The only difference is that their heads have disappeared.

The gushing blood stained Gertrude's clothes and face, but she could still make out the two figures standing behind the two headless corpses.

That was the last image that appeared in her mind before she died.

"Looks like we made it."

Silently sheathing his greatsword and casually tossing aside the two headless corpses with his mace, he smiled slightly and said to Chen Qi beside him:
"I didn't understand at first why we rushed over to save her."

"But it seems that while I was away, you've already tamed this woman too."

"—I can't help it, I don't want to hold a memorial service for my few loyal subjects."

Chen Qi, having sheathed his sword, looked at the stunned Gertrude and gave her a relaxed smile.

This smile was the genuine emotion he used to show only to Jian and Viviana.

"Gertrude, I'm sorry you had to go through this."

"--His Majesty!"

The moment Gertrude saw Chen Qi appear, her eyes welled up with tears almost instantly, even though she had been able to face death with composure.

Even Gertrude herself couldn't understand why she felt such a sudden surge of emotion in her chest after seeing Chen Qi.

Is it because of the suspension bridge effect?

She couldn't tell the difference anymore.

All she knew was that all the fear and resentment she had suppressed with courage surged into her heart the moment that man appeared before her.

This belated fear made her feel like she had suffered a great injustice.

This feeling of grievance led her to hug the man in front of her the moment she left the cell.

This was something she would never have dared to do before.

"Okay, okay, stop crying, stop crying."

Even Chen Qi, who was being hugged by Gertrude, did not expect Gertrude to have such a strong reaction.

This is completely different from her previous habit of disguising her true character.

But Chen Qi quickly realized that this was a good thing for him.

Gertrude revealed her true self to him, which shows that she had opened her heart to him.

This finally allowed him to believe that Gertrude's life trajectory had undergone a major change because of his existence.

I finally have another person I can trust.

"Alright, stop crying. How can you act like a duke like this? People will laugh at you to death if they see you like this!"

"—You weren't the one who almost died, of course you're not afraid!"

Gertrude almost gritted her teeth as she spoke fiercely to Chen Qi:

"I was so scared! I thought I was going to die! I thought you were really going to give up on me!"

"—I will never give up on you, Gertrude, never."

However, faced with Gertrude's expressed fear, Chen Qi's expression gradually became serious.

The moment he finished speaking, Gertrude's expression clearly froze for a moment.

It was just a simple sentence, not even a promise.

However, the grievances that had filled her heart had inexplicably subsided considerably...

“I am here to make a promise to you, Gertrude.”

Chen Qi solemnly said to Gertrude:

"As long as I live, you will always be under my protection."

"In this world, no one but me can kill you."

"No matter when or what help you need, even if the whole world is against you, I will stand with you."

"This is my promise, and it is also the promise that the Emperor of Letania makes to you."

"Are you willing to believe me, Gertrude?"

Chen Qi's soft call brought Gertrude back to her senses.

But when Gertrude realized what was happening, her eyes became red and swollen again.

the first time.

For the first time since Gertrude could remember, she had heard someone say that he would protect her.

For the first time, someone told her that he and she would always stand together.

For the first time, someone told her... that no one but him could take her life.

For a moment, Gertrude felt a mix of emotions... a sense of grievance, but also a deep joy.

What she felt wronged was that it took her so long to meet someone who could protect her and spare her from the endless torment of "unease" in her heart.

The good news is... no matter what, she finally met him.

A person she would give everything for.

Whether it's the highest respect from a subject or the purest... love from a woman.

She was willing to offer herself to the king before her.
"Of course I'm willing."

"I, Your Majesty."

After saying this, Gertrude knelt down before Chen Qi with utmost piety, just as the Sakotas would pray to their "Lord".

She lowered her head, as if wanting to kiss the dust at Chen Qi's feet, to express her heartfelt loyalty.

"Get up, Gertrude."

All eyes were focused on Gertrude, so much so that Chen Qi didn't notice the subtle look in Jian's eyes, who seemed to have sensed something.

Chen Qi bent down and gently helped Gertrude up, his eyes sparkling with barely suppressed joy.

“Gertrude, mace, our journey has only just begun.”

"The road ahead may be even more difficult, and the three of us will need to stick together through thick and thin to have any chance of success."

"Are you still willing to walk with me on this journey?"

"—Your Majesty may command me (do as you please)." X2
In the small detention cell, the two women who were Chen Qi's right-hand women responded to his wish without hesitation.

No, this is no longer just Chen Qi's wish, but their shared wish.

They were all willing to entrust their lives to him.

They did this solely to witness the day when the ideals of the man they "love" would truly come true.

Chapter Two Today
The revenge arc has come to an end; next up is the governance arc.
Please give me your support, dear readers! Your support is my biggest motivation to keep updating!
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(End of this chapter)