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

Chapter 44 The Return of Syracuse and Internal Problems

Several more months have passed, and under your new policies, Letania has begun its war preparations in earnest.

This isn't just something to show Syracuse; it's part of a military reform you're undertaking.

The experience of the Four Emperors' War has left you extremely dissatisfied with the current state of warfare on Terra.

The trenches, the prolonged stalemate, and the slow advance of the front lines were draining not only the morale and energy of the soldiers, but also enough to cripple the entire nation.

You firmly believe that future wars will be contests of speed, mobility, and destructive power; a competition of who can quickly tear apart the enemy's lines.

The remaining strategy is to seize the opportunity presented by the enemy's vulnerability before they can mobilize again, immediately capture their capital, and quickly end the war.

Therefore, you focused more of your attention on the army that could turn the tide of battle.

[You've always highly valued the Warlocks' traditional skills, a skill that Letania has always possessed.]

[You not only increased the production of staffs, but also strengthened the organization and discipline of the warlock orders, enabling them to better coordinate with other units in combat.]

[Furthermore, you begin to independently assemble a warlock corps composed of talented infected warlocks.]

These infected warlock groups are treated much better than regular warlock groups.

This is not only because, as infected individuals, their spell power is significantly higher than that of ordinary sorcerers after undergoing formal magical training and military-style discipline.

Furthermore, once the war enters a critical phase, the advantages of these warlocks capable of infecting others can be fully realized.

That is to recklessly burn their lives to intensify the magical offensive and widen the wounds on the enemy's front lines.

[While there are indeed some fanatical nobles and sorcerers in Letania who have contracted Oripathy in their pursuit of magical research.]

However, the vast majority of those infected still come from impoverished families and face difficult living conditions.

Even in Letania, your policies are quite considerate of the infected, doing everything you can to give them the right to be as close as possible to non-infected individuals.

Although the lives of those infected have improved considerably.

However, low social status and discrimination are issues that cannot be changed so quickly.

Now, the emergence of the Infected Warlock Corps has once again opened a window of opportunity for these infected individuals.

[Whether it's the extremely high status enjoyed by soldiers under your policies, or the exceptionally high treatment of the Infected Caster Corps, both have filled the Infected with Originium Arts talent but no opportunity to showcase it with ecstasy.]

Although they all knew that joining such a warlock order would hasten their demise and that they could die on the battlefield at any moment.

However, a large number of infected individuals still chose to join, driven by their fervor for you, or by the promise of generous benefits and posthumous compensation.

[They are almost identical to the Witch King, using the infected as pawns.]

However, this only adds one step: respecting the wishes of those infected.

What you gained in Letania was not the title of tyrant, but rather the gratitude and fervor of the infected.

[Besides the warlock order, you've also focused on developing many highly destructive and mobile weapons and equipment.]

[Unmanned bombers, Originium cannons, armored vehicles, and "Terra-style" paratroopers equipped with jet-powered launch systems capable of raiding enemy lines...]

All of this culminated in yet another military revolution on the continent of Terra.

This made you realize earlier than the armies of other countries that the future of warfare would no longer be slow trench warfare, but rapid mobile warfare.

But this ongoing military revolution isn't what you're most concerned about right now.

After months of waiting, Gertrude, who had been deeply involved in Victoria's rule in Gaul, finally brought back good news.

The referendums in several former Gallo cities have concluded.

And, as you predicted.

The Gauls of these mobile cities had long suffered oppression under Victoria, and their resentment towards her rule was already widespread.

Thanks to Gertrude's propaganda machine, the Gallic people, who had suffered long-term oppression, finally believed it.

There is a country called Letania that is willing to offer them the same astonishment as Letanian citizens.

Although the Gallic people have not forgotten that the War of the Four Emperors began because of Letania.

But when they learned that this new King of Letania was not as tyrannical as the Witch King, and that his new policies were enlightened and inclusive, the final outcome was completely one-sided.

The mobile cities that participated in the referendum all voted to join Letania with over 90% of the vote.

[This concludes the story of Gertrude leading several mobile cities back from Victoria.]

[You have finally fulfilled your first promise to the people of Letania—reclaiming the territory and spoils they deserved in the War of the Four Emperors.]

This is undoubtedly a huge victory for you.

The surrender of the Gallic remnants triggered a chain reaction in Syracuse.

After being threatened and intimidated by you, the Sicilian lady returned to Syracuse in fear and anxiety, and almost immediately summoned the heads of the other eleven families to convene a meeting in the Grey Hall.

In the Grey Hall, Madame Sicily relayed to the other family heads the news that you were likely to use force to conquer Syracuse.

But what deeply saddened Madame Sicily was the reaction of the other heads of the family...most of them were indifferent.

This is not surprising.

[Letania's previously loose feudal system allowed families ample time to establish a deep-rooted influence over the land of Syracuse.]

Different families in Syracuse were constantly at odds with each other, the twelve families fighting amongst themselves and completely ignoring the decrees of the Letanian Emperor.

This is also why the Witch King agreed to their independence.

Syracuse is utterly useless; keeping it is pointless. Even if resources are invested in its development, it will be destroyed by the infighting among the twelve families.

It would be better to let them become independent and reduce the burden on the country.

Apart from Madame Sicily, the other heads of the family paid absolutely no attention to independence, freedom, or national sovereignty.

For them, all they cared about was their family's influence in Syracuse and their mutual distrust of one another.

As long as the new emperor of Letania doesn't interfere with their family's business, they don't care whether they're under the Grey Hall or the emperor.

Madame Sicily was greatly disappointed by the shortsightedness of the family heads.

Ultimately, she had no choice but to seek help from her close friend in Lateran, Agnil, who had brought "guns and order" to Syracuse with her.

Agniel's ostensible identity in Syracuse was that of a priest at Syracuse's only church, tasked with propagating the doctrines of Lateran.

But only the Sicilian knew that this promising young man from the Saccota had once been a strong contender for the Lateran papacy.

If it weren't for the shared ideals between the two, which ultimately led to their agreement, Agniel might be the Pope of Lateran today.

[But it was because of this relationship that Lady Sicilius sought Agniel's help.]

She wanted to know if Natlathany would send troops to provide shelter should Syracuse be attacked militarily.

"Latland will provide shelter to some good people, and will do its utmost to protect all countries that are willing to spread its teachings."

"—If it were before, I might have answered you with the same confidence, Sicily."

In a café, Agnier, equally helpless, said to the distressed Madame Sicily:

“My rival back then… I should call him Ivangelista XI now, right?”

"He understands this very well."

"The laws of Lateran cannot be universally applied. We are already struggling to protect the Sarkaz and a few other races as much as possible."

"The prosperity and bustle of Laterana, which seem so out of place with this land, are just superficial."

"Latland also has its own concerns and its own limits."

"If the new emperor of Letania really decides to lead a large army to attack Syracuse..."

"Perhaps Lateran is powerless to do anything about this."

Agnier's words plunged Madame Sicily into utter despair.

For several months, although war did not break out.

But looking at Letania's unstoppable rapid development, the expansion of its army, and the continuous emergence of new weapons of war...

Madame Sicily understood that she had no other choice. And when news of the referendum by the Gallic remnants finally reached her ears, her last glimmer of hope was extinguished.

Ultimately, after discussions in the Grey Hall, Madame Sicily had to make this difficult decision.

"Because of my arrogance, I have offended His Majesty the Emperor."

“Now, on behalf of the Twelve Houses of Syracuse and all the people of Syracuse, I am willing to submit to your rule.”

"To avoid bloodshed, all family members will refrain from resistance."

“If Your Majesty can show mercy to the people of Syracuse… I am willing to accept any punishment Your Majesty may impose.”

Inside Shi Tongling's tower, Chen Qi listened quietly to the pleas of the uninvited Sicilian woman, who had bound herself tightly with hemp rope.

Outside the tower, Madame Sicily also brought herself a coffin.

She was using every action to convey a message to the cruel king before her.

She came with the mindset that she was certain of dying.

She only hoped that her death without resistance would earn her the king's mercy towards Syracuse.

Facing the kneeling Sicilian woman, the black and white twins standing behind Chen Qi showed a hint of pity in their eyes.

They all believed that this supreme ruler of Syracuse was about to become a sacrifice for the king to establish his authority in Syracuse.

But to their surprise, Chen Qi, who slowly got up, took the initiative to walk towards Madame Sicily, who was kneeling on the ground.

The next second, Madame Sicily, who had her eyes closed and was quietly awaiting her fate, felt the ropes binding her being slowly untied.

"Your Majesty, you..."

"I have only been on the throne for less than half a year, I am not so foolish as to lose my mind."

Looking at the incredulous gaze of the Sicilian woman, Chen Qi, who had risen again, said calmly from his superior position:

“Syracuse has a complex web of family factions, and if I need to unify so many families together.”

“Mrs. Sicily, you are the best choice to help me govern Syracuse.”

Therefore, I will not kill you.

"Not only will I spare your life, I will also make you the supreme ruler of the Syracuse region."

Chen Qi continued talking to himself, completely ignoring Madame Sicily's slightly dazed expression.

She seemed somewhat confused as to why this arrogant, cruel, and proud emperor would show a benevolent side after she had clearly shown weakness.

But Chen Qi ignored Madame Sicily's bewilderment and instead told her how he would rule Syracuse.

“Syracusa has its own deeply rooted culture and traditions, and it is not very realistic to force you to follow in the footsteps of Letania.”

"Therefore, I will preserve your autonomy."

"In the future, I will open more light industry and textile factories in the Syracuse region."

"As for the family..."

When mentioning Syracuse's unique "Mafia families," Chen Qi paused slightly before calmly saying:

"What you need to do is keep these factories running for me."

"After the profits from industry are paid to the national treasury in accordance with the law, the remainder can be distributed among your families. Letania will not interfere with your family competition."

"This is the biggest concession I can make."

"...I understand. I thank Your Majesty for your magnanimity and willingness to grant the people of Syracuse a way out."

After talking with Chen Qi, she finally understood that Chen Qi was not as cruel as the Madame Sicily appeared on the surface. Her heart was finally at ease, and she breathed a long sigh of relief.

However, a bitter smile flashed across Madame Sicily's face as she murmured:
"But... Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, things are probably not as simple as you imagine."

"Oh?" Chen Qi became slightly interested and gestured for Madame Sicily to continue.

"The conflict between the twelve families is deeply rooted. Over the years, Syracuse has missed countless opportunities for development due to the family disputes."

Madame Sicily, not daring to hide anything, recounted the story in detail:

"The mutual obstruction between families has resulted in Syracuse's industrial backwardness and slow urban development... Most of Syracuse's industries are controlled by families."

"No one in the family wants to see the other family become too powerful, and no one wants to see the other's power expand even a little bit."

Even if His Majesty bestows his favor equally upon all families, distributing the factories evenly among them...

"I believe that before long, the twelve families will each take their own actions and burn down the factory that Your Majesty has painstakingly built due to various 'accidents'."

"Oh……"

Madame Sicily's bitter response made Chen Qi gradually realize that he seemed to have oversimplified his approach to governing Syracuse.

"It sounds like if Syracuse is to develop, I'll have to personally find a way to resolve the issues of the twelve families."

"Your Majesty is holy."

Madame Sicily responded almost reflexively.

But, just as Madame Sicily finished speaking, she suddenly realized what Chen Qi was saying from his murmur!
Suddenly, a terrible thought popped into Madame Sicily's mind, making her break out in a cold sweat.

The next second, Chen Qi's order confirmed her guess.

"—Lizelot."

"Yes."

Sensing something amiss, the white maid Liselot immediately snapped out of her reverie.

After several months of training, the black and white twins, who were initially ashamed and indignant, have gradually adapted to each other's roles as maids.

Therefore, they were able to respond to Chen Qi's orders with ease.

"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

"Go contact Jian and have her take all the secret police with me to Syracuse."

"……Yes."

Chen Qi glanced at Liselotte, whose attitude towards him had become increasingly composed over the past three months, but otherwise remained unchanged, and sighed silently in his heart.

It seems unlikely that it will be possible to subdue this more cunning White Queen.

Fortunately, Chen Qi had another option.

“Hildegard, this time, you will come with me.”

"……just me?"

Hildegard was a little surprised to be singled out.

Yes, only you.

Chen Qi's face remained flawless; he simply smiled and replied:
"If you do well this time, I might consider loosening some of your restraints."

"It's a deal."

Upon hearing that some of her constraints could be lifted, Hildergard's eyes lit up noticeably as she craved freedom.

She didn't even notice the worried expressions on her sisters' faces, and immediately agreed.

After smiling, Chen Qi turned his gaze to the Sicilian woman, whose face had stiffened.

"This time, I may need your help to introduce me to the other family heads, Madame Sicily."

"Regarding my policies for governing Syracuse, I need to seek their advice."

Having already sensed the impending storm, Madame Sicily had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

"...Yes, Your Majesty."

The first chapter today!
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(End of this chapter)