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

Chapter 42 The Visit of Madame Sicily
After having the Golden Law Guard escort Duke Windermere away, Chen Qi did not relinquish his monarchical demeanor.

Gertrude.

"My Majesty."

Upon hearing his king's call, Gertrude immediately rose.

The Black and White Twins keenly noticed how brightly the eyes of the arrogant and vicious woman in front of them shone when she looked at Chen Qishi.

It was a fervent gaze filled with reverence, admiration, and even a touch of affection.

However, Chen Qi did not pay attention to it, or perhaps he did not notice it at all.

He simply began to make his arrangements according to his preconceived plan.

"Now, you're not only in charge of our intelligence work, but also oversee our propaganda department, right?"

"I need your propaganda department to operate at full capacity in Letania, and in those mobile cities we want to win over."

Chen Qi opened his eyes. The black and white twins beside him, whom he had ordered to wear this shameful maid outfit, held no appeal for him at this moment.

In the eyes of the Black and White Twins, all they could see was the surging ambition burning in this man's eyes.

"We must promote our new policy to the greatest extent possible, both inside and outside Letania."

"We want to tell everyone that Letania is currently the most friendly and convenient country for infected people and outsiders of all the countries in this land."

"We are willing to provide jobs for all the unemployed, education for children, and an orderly society for everyone."

"As long as they are willing to join Letania and contribute their efforts to its development."

"We will rebuild their homes and provide them with shelter."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your high expectations!"

Just as Gertrude confidently accepted the appointment, Liselotte, the white maid beside Chen Qi, hesitated before tentatively speaking:

"...Your Majesty, I feel that this matter may not go so smoothly."

Soon, Liselotte's probing was met with Gertrude's extremely hostile gaze.

"Shut up! Have you forgotten what I told you?"

Feeling that her abilities had been questioned, Gertrude gritted her teeth and coldly rebuked Liselotte:
"How dare a mere slave question His Majesty's judgment?"

"It seems His Majesty has been too lenient with you. It's time to set some rules for you..."

"—You don't need to defend me, Gertrude."

However, just as Gertrude was about to summon the Golden Law Guard to let Liselotte experience the punishment she had created, you intervened in time to stop her.

[Although you could have spoken up when Liselotte was being executed, which would not only have shown your mercy but might have also earned you some goodwill from the Black and White Twins.]

But you disdain using such petty tricks to subdue the Black and White Twins.

You firmly believe that since the only conviction the Gemini Queens have found amidst their confusion is that they want to "create a better Letania."

[So as long as they stay by your side, they'll eventually understand whether you're good or bad to Letania.]

"Lizelot, do you have a different opinion? You might want to tell me."

"Yes." After gathering her thoughts, Liselotte answered softly:

"Your Majesty, those mobile cities were once the land of the Gauls."

"The Gauls are the most stubborn people. They have a strong sense of belonging to their country, and many still hope to rebuild Gaul."

"Moreover, the Gauls also have a deep-seated blood feud with us during the War of the Four Emperors... I think the Gauls might not be willing to submit to our rule."

"...Is that all you wanted to say?"

Seeing that Liselotte had finished explaining her insights, Chen Qi shook his head with a smile.

After hearing Liselotte's worries, his only thought was that the political level of Terra was so low that it was almost laughable.

However, the Gemini Queen should be considered an exception.

"Lizelot, Hildegard."

"Tell me, why do the people of Gaul miss Gaul so much? Is it simply because they feel a sense of belonging to Gaul?"

Faced with this sudden question, the black and white twins exchanged bewildered glances.

Although they didn't give Chen Qi an answer, their "what else?" expressions betrayed their thoughts.

Instead of answering this simple question himself, Chen Qi turned to Jian, who was wiping his greatsword, and asked:

"Jian, representing the former ill-fated people of Letania."

"Tell me, you were born in Letania, so why don't you feel a sense of belonging to this country?"

"—Nonsense, I was starving to death in the slums back then, and neither the Witch King nor the Queen gave me a bite to eat."

Jian replied, finding it rather amusing:
"You've never raised me, nor given me a good life, so why should I love Letania?"

"A very simple answer."

Satisfied with Jian's reply, Chen Qi turned his gaze back to the thoughtful black and white twins and chuckled as he answered:

"This is also why I believe the Gauls will eventually submit to us."

"Victoria suppressed and guarded against the remnants of the Gauls under her rule for a long time, and never gave them a decent life."

“In this environment, as long as we have enough publicity to convince the people of Gaul that we will be a country that is more accepting of them.”

"Choosing to suppress them in Victoria, or to treat them as equals in Letania, is not a difficult choice."

I must say, your reasoning is very simple and easy to understand.

But the Black and White Twins had to admit that it was such a simple truth that they simply couldn't grasp it.

Their impression of the Gauls was only that they were brave, stubborn, and unteachable.

[But they never imagined that what the remnants of the Gauls needed most was a land willing to accept them.]

[This is something that not only they were unaware of, but even the eight dukes of Victoria were unaware of.]

The eight dukes, and even the people of Victoria, were more concerned with the hatred the Gallic remnants held for them, and did not want the Gallic remnants to have any voice.

Unexpectedly, these long-suppressed Gauls would become the best proof of Chen Qi's victory to the people of Letania.

These accepted Gaulish descendants will further strengthen Letania's overall power.

But you have even deeper considerations.

"—Of course, there's something even more important."

Chen Qi smiled faintly:
"The submission of these Gauls will have a significant impact on a country that has already broken away from us."

"If we can accept the Gauls, then why can't we accept this country that once belonged to Letania?"

"You mean..."

Seeing Chen Qi's suggestive tone, Hildegard clearly guessed what country he was referring to.

But this time, before she could even speak, a knock on the door interrupted her.

"Come in."

"His Majesty!"

The door opened with a click, and a weary-looking Jin Lufa guard stepped into the room. After bowing, he quickly replied:
"We have invited the nominal supreme leader of Syracuse, Madame Sicily, to discuss matters in accordance with His Majesty's decree." "Perfect timing."

Everything went more smoothly than Chen Qi had imagined. He then asked the Golden Law Enforcement Guard:
"Madame Sicily, did you encounter Duke Windermere who just came downstairs?"

"Your Majesty, they met and even talked for a while."

Jin Lufawei replied truthfully:

"The Lady of Sicily inquired about the purpose of the Duke of Windermere's trip, and after learning that an agreement had been reached, the Lady of Sicily seemed to waver."

"well done."

Chen Qi nodded in satisfaction; this was exactly the result he wanted.

"Mace".

"Hmm?" Having finally finished repairing the weapon, Jian quickly realized that it was his turn to work after hearing Chen Qi call his name.

"Please take the Golden Law Guards and give Madame Sicily a proper welcome."

As he spoke, an expression unlike any he had ever shown appeared on Chen Qi's face.

This expression was one that the black and white twins beside him were very familiar with—arrogant.

It was almost the same expression that Qi had when he looked at them, as if their power was sealed and they could only kneel and beg for mercy.

That same kind of domineering, arrogant, and aggressive attitude that is just like that of the Witch King.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, the black and white twins probably wouldn't have believed it at all.

Just moments ago, Qi was politely receiving Duke Windermere, but in the blink of an eye, he could transform into this incredibly powerful imperial demeanor.

"Let's go, everyone."

"Let's go to the balcony and greet this lady from Sicily."

……

"Is this the tower of the new emperor of Letania?"

Outside the tower, a woman with beautiful silver hair, though middle-aged, whose features still hinted at her former stunning beauty, was waiting.

Looking at the Letania Tower before her, which she hadn't seen for countless years, she felt a surge of emotion.

She understood, of course, that she had been invited by the new emperor for only one matter to be discussed.

That is the question of the ownership of Syracuse.

As a leader who quelled the conflicts between various families and brought "guns and order" to Syracuse, Madame Sicily naturally wanted to maintain Syracuse's independence.

But she was also very clear in her heart that persuading this new emperor would not be an easy task.

She knew all too well that Syracuse's loosely organized twelve families were simply no match for a nation's regular army.

All she could do was try her best to maneuver around the situation.

[And pray to the "Lord" of Lateran, that this new emperor is a reasonable man.]

"Ok?"

However, what alerted Madame Sicily was the sound of increasingly clear footsteps.

The footsteps were so uniform and synchronized that Madame Sicily could gradually make out the magnificent armor worn by these soldiers.

The woman in the lead, dressed in a military uniform, exuded such an imposing aura that even the worldly-wise Madame Sicily felt a slight tremor in her heart.

Without a doubt, these people are the true elite of Letania.

Madame Sicily even sensed that each of them had dozens, or even hundreds, of lives on their hands.

"Stand in two rows."

"Salute to our guest, Madame Sicily."

Under Jian's command, the two rows of Jinlufa Guards raised their hands high in unison.

With a cool and aloof expression, Jian approached Madame Sicily and, without uttering a single wasted word, directly addressed her:

"Madame Sicily, His Majesty is waiting for you. Please come with me."

"...Thank you for your trouble."

Under the intimidating presence of the Golden Law Guard, Madame Sicily managed to calm herself and, after a few barely perceptible deep breaths, slowly walked into the tower.

As for the guards she brought from her family, they had already been terrified by the imposing presence of Jin Lufa and Jian.

Left with no other choice, Madame Sicily went alone.

She understood that this was a show of force from the King of Letania, a demonstration of his strength and determination to take Syracuse.

This greatly increased the pressure on Madame Sicily.

[But when she casually looked up at the tower again, she noticed a particularly conspicuous figure standing atop it.]

Although it was their first meeting, she was certain that you were the new emperor of Letania.

The presence of a group of high-ranking generals behind you further emphasizes the emperor's majesty.

At this moment, Madame Sicily had already made a bitter decision in her heart regarding this interview that had not yet begun.

Syracuse may be destined for a bloody conflict.

"...Back then, Jian and I were just ordinary people struggling to survive in the slums."

"And now, I stand in the tower, looking down at the most powerful people in Syracuse, and I can still do so without any worries."

Perhaps unable to contain your emotions, atop the tower, you spoke your heartfelt desires to everyone around you.

"Gentlemen, I make a promise to you all."

“One day, we will be like the thunder of spring, and overnight, the army of Letania will reappear in Syracuse.”

Your prophecy demonstrates your faith.

Your promise stirred the hearts of everyone present.

Even the black and white Gemini, filled with resentment towards you, have to admit it at this moment.

What you are doing surpasses the achievements of all the kings of Letania.

You are making Letania whole and strong again.

[You have made Letania more powerful and fearsome than ever before, even without sorcerers as powerful as the Witch King.]

Being by your side, Gertrude's reverence for you grows ever stronger.

Liselotte silently lowered her head, her mind in turmoil.

[And Hildegard, who originally hated you the most, pursed her lips and then looked at you with an indescribable complexity in her eyes.]

You understand, she's thinking, and she's wavering.

You've already managed to pry open a corner of this former "Black Queen's" heart.

This is the first chapter of the day; there will be another update tonight as usual.

Almost 20 words! Now that I'm off the new book charts, I'll have to rely on everyone's support to keep going. Please keep supporting me! *sobs*
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(End of this chapter)