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

Chapter 45 The Twelve Families: Those stinking Letanians have come begging in our Syracuse!

The next day, news of Syracuse's return to Letania spread rapidly throughout Terra.

As expected, this has caused an uproar in various countries.

After all, for them, all of this felt too easy to believe.

What is Syracuse? It's a country that gained independence from the powerful nation of Letania.

[In the eyes of high-ranking officials in other countries who are unaware of the inside story, the relationship between the two countries should be similar to that between Colombia (the United States) and Victoria (the United Kingdom).]

[While we can't say they're as close as father and son, you could at least say they're irreconcilable enemies.]

Therefore, to other countries that had never learned the details of Syracuse's events, Syracuse's swift surrender seemed both bizarre and terrifying.

[A country that had barely managed to secure its independence under the rule of a tyrannical witch king was successfully conquered by this new emperor in just a few months?]

What exactly did this guy do inside Syracuse?

[While the leaders of other countries were bewildered, Syracuse's return sparked a wave of fervent excitement within Letania!]

Although the people of Letania do not know how you persuaded Syracuse to submit.

But they all saw the results.

[Syracusa, which had become independent under the rule of the Witch King, successfully returned to Letania's embrace less than six months after their new emperor ascended the throne!]

In an instant, the entire nation of Letania rejoiced. The people, already incredibly fervent towards you, were completely immersed in their worship.

Every day, in Triinttelmere, countless people spontaneously organize themselves to swear an oath before your statue, vowing to follow you for life.

[In Letania, hymns and musical compositions praising you abound, even becoming a trend.]

In public places such as bars and dances, many musicians gather to sing their newly composed anthems.

[At Gertrude's suggestion, and riding this wave of momentum, you, who had only been on the throne for six months, also initiated a "referendum" in Letania.]

The content of the referendum is a way of showing our support for you.

The result was exactly as expected.

In this referendum, you received 99.8% of the support.

Thanks to Gertrude's propaganda machine, the reverence for you in Letania, and even among the newly allied Gallic remnants, has become even more uncontrollable.

Those nobles who still harbored resentment towards you, upon witnessing your terrifying power of rule, extinguished their last trace of discontent.

They knew they would likely never have the chance to return to the era of feudalism.

It's better to obediently submit to your rule and work for you without worry.

At least this way they can preserve their noble status and keep their family in the upper echelons of Letania society.

No one dares challenge your imperial power anymore; your position is now unshakeable.

Now, you can finally free up your resources to properly address the internal problems of Syracuse.

[You know very well that if you want to extract enough value from Syracuse, given the current state of the Twelve Families, it's unlikely to be achieved without bloodshed.]

However, you did not send troops this time.

Once the army moves out, the twelve families of Syracuse will surely become alert, and if this provokes a united resistance...

Although we are certain to win, there will be many unnecessary sacrifices.

The morale of the people in Syracuse will inevitably be affected, which will only increase the cost of your rule.

Therefore, you have already decided to handle the problem of the twelve families in a way that minimizes sacrifices.

This time, besides Jian, Hildegard, and Madame Sicily, you only brought the elite troops personally trained by Jian—the secret police.

However, this time, the secret police's mission is not to protect you.

These fifty secret police officers will be your fatal blow in dealing with the Syracuse family.

……

"Oh? You're here?"

Your land-based ship is rapidly approaching Vorsini, the mobile city of Syracuse.

[On the outskirts of the city, you notice a row of people standing at the front, each dressed in luxurious and exquisite clothing, clearly belonging to the owners of the property.]

Behind them, a group of members, men and women, young and old, had been waiting for some time.

"The people in the front row are the heads of the Syracuse Twelve families."

On the land-based ship, the Sicilian woman sitting next to Chen Qi appeared much more composed after several days of mental preparation.

"Behind them are their families and the core members of the organization."

"For the people of Syracuse, family and clan are always the most important things."

"The twelve heads of households are willing to bring their families to welcome you, which is the highest honor they can offer according to Syracuse tradition."

"—That would be an immense honor."

[I must say, the traditions of the Syracuseans touched you in a unique way.]

If you simply look at it from a human perspective, you'll have a lot of positive feelings towards the Syracusean people and their concepts of family and kinship.

But unfortunately, you have arrived here as a king.

You wouldn't show even the slightest bit of mercy to such destabilizing elements as the "Mafia."

Moreover, you are well aware that these family heads have not gathered here to swear allegiance to you or to demonstrate their stance.

[If you hadn't taken such a tough stance by threatening to invade with your army, these clan heads would probably have treated you no differently than they would have treated the Witch King.]

[Highlighting an attitude of indifference.]

They simply want to know whether you, the Emperor of Letania, will affect their family's status; that's all.

And you will grant them their wish.

"Gentlemen, let's go. We shouldn't keep the people of Syracuse waiting any longer."

As he spoke, Chen Qi turned his gaze to the trembling Sicilian woman standing to the side and said calmly:

"Madame Sicily, I would like to trouble you to introduce me to her."

"...No problem, Your Majesty."

Now, Madame Sicily, who no longer resists, obeys all of Chen Qi's orders without question.

The only thing she can pray to God for now is that the emperor will spare the Syracuse family from bloodshed.

Led by Madame Sicily, Chen Qi, Hildegarde, Jian, and the fifty fully armed secret police officers who followed them disembarked from the land-based ship.

The moment Chen Qi, dressed in an exquisitely crafted black robe and sporting scarlet horns, stepped out of the land-based ship...

The twelve family heads removed their hats, covering them to their chests, and bowed to Chen Qi in standard Syracusan etiquette:
"The Syracuse XII family awaits Your Majesty the Emperor of Letania."

"Be bold!"

This time, before Chen Qi and the others could speak, a secret police captain behind him coldly addressed the twelve family heads before him:

"Syracuse has now returned to the embrace of Letania and is now under the rule of His Majesty."

"Since you are part of Letania, when you meet His Majesty, you should observe Letanian etiquette and bow to him!"

The captain's reprimand immediately sent a chill down the spine of the Sicilian woman who had just come to her senses.

These stupid guys!
Do they really think that their deeply entrenched power in Syracuse can render an emperor who so easily declared he would "slaughter Syracuse until they submit to his rule" powerless?!

Do they really think that with the example of the Witch King, this descendant of the Witch King will be even more helpless against them?
idiot!

But before Madame Sicily could open her mouth to rebuke her, a hand beside her grabbed her.

That was Chen Qi's outstretched hand.

"...I apologize, patriarchs of Syracuse, my men said some rude things."

"But I am indeed very curious, since I sent an etiquette officer to introduce Letania's etiquette to everyone before I came here."

"Why do you still choose to adhere to the traditional rituals of Syracuse?"

Under the horrified gazes of Madame Sicily and even Hildegard who was right beside her, Chen Qi surprisingly showed a very kind expression to these family heads.

In their eyes, who knew Qi's cold-blooded side all too well, Qi with a gentle smile was even more terrifying than when he was indifferent and ruthless.

Unfortunately, this was the first time the heads of the Syracuse families had come into contact with Qi.

They were unaware of the other side of the emperor before them.

"Your Majesty the Emperor."

Deceived by Chen Qi's rather gentle attitude, Alberto Saluzzo, the head of the Saluzzo family, took the initiative to smile and explain to Chen Qi on his behalf:

“Syracuse is a closed country, and everything here bears the imprint of our culture and traditions—even our tails.”

"We have our own deep-rooted beliefs, therefore, we have chosen to welcome you in the Syracuse style."

"Please believe that our respect for you remains unchanged."

The respect remains undiminished?

Does it mean they're not even willing to learn basic Letanian etiquette?

This time, not only Madame Sicily and Hildegard, but even Jian could hear the hypocrisy in the patriarch's words.

This is a plan to give them a hard time right from the start.

"……I see."

"Indeed, it was my people who were rude first."

However, despite the implied meaning that even a mace could understand, Chen Qi seemed completely oblivious.

He simply maintained a gentle demeanor, like a young emperor without much guile.

“Well then, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, and I will also observe the customs of Syracuse.” “I have heard that the people of Syracuse value family ties, so please introduce your respective families to me, esteemed heads of households.”

"I would also like to... get to know your families."

"—It is our honor, Your Majesty."

Perhaps it was because of Chen Qina's status as the "son of the Witch King" that these family heads, who thought that even the Witch King could not do anything to them, looked down on this "son of the Witch King" even more.

After Chen Qi revealed his kind and benevolent side, almost none of them doubted that they had been deceived.

"This emperor seems much more benevolent than his father."

"As expected, the head of the Sicilian family was just scared out of his wits."

“She thought that by bringing some ‘gun and order’ from Laterano and becoming the head of Greyhall, she could control our families.”

"I'm afraid that the so-called invasion of a large army is just an excuse for Madame Sicily to consolidate the power of our family under her command."

"Luckily, I didn't fall for it back then."

"Ha, even the Witch King couldn't do anything to us back then, what can his son do to us?"

“In Syracuse, the rules cannot be broken. Even the emperor of Letania would have to abide by them!”

—The thoughts in the minds of the various family heads varied: some were contemptuous, some were curious, some were indifferent, and some were dismissive.

But not all heads of households are like this.

The heads of the Saluzzo, Bellone, and Rossetti families keenly sensed something from the emperor's smiling face...

A young, promising, and ambitious emperor... didn't even try, but instead lowered himself and submitted to the rules of Syracuse.
This doesn't seem like the behavior of an emperor who slaughtered so many nobles without batting an eye.

unless……

"Ok?"

When Chen Qi's gaze lingered on the members of the Saluzzo family...

Behind everyone, two figures that looked like replicas of the black and white twins caught his eye.

"Are these two children also from the Saluzzo family?"

“Ah, Your Majesty, please excuse my rudeness. This is my daughter, Lappland Saluzzo.”

Chen Qi's sudden words jolted Alberto back to his senses. He quickly suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and respectfully introduced himself to Chen Qi:

"The other one is the daughter of the Texas family in Colombia, who was fostered by my family, Cellina Texas."

"Lappland, Texas, quickly pay your respects to His Majesty the Emperor."

At Alberto's call, two girls, who looked about eight or nine years old and had white and black hair respectively, emerged from behind their family members.

Still children, they weren't so afraid of Chen Qi's "emperor" status; instead, they looked at him with curious eyes.

In the end, it was the white wolf girl named Lappland who first lightly touched the hem of her skirt with two fingers and gracefully bowed to Chen Qi:

"Lappland Saluzzo greets His Majesty the Emperor."

With the white wolf girl's example, the black wolf girl, whose expression was even more indifferent, also realized what was happening.

However, unlike Lappland, the girl named "Texas" did not follow her example and instead awkwardly raised her hand to Chen Qi.

"For victory."

“Cellina Texas greets His Majesty the Emperor.”

"...How come you know the way the Leitanians salute me?"

Seeing that young Texas was saluting him in this way, Chen Qi showed some interest and squatted down to ask.

After a moment of silence, Texas, under the gaze of everyone, still gave what she believed to be the correct answer.

"...Your Majesty, you seemed a little angry just now because everyone didn't bow to you in the Letanian way."

"So I thought I'd use a salute that wouldn't anger His Majesty."

"How did you figure out I was a little angry?"

Upon hearing Texas's answer, Chen Qi's eyes lit up slightly, and he asked a question that startled the surrounding family heads.

After all, although Chen Qi's words were a question, they were no different from tacitly admitting Texas's guess.

"...I'm just guessing."

Texas was unable to answer Chen Qi's question immediately.

But the young girl keenly sensed that something was amiss in the atmosphere, and asked more cautiously:
"Your Majesty, am I mistaken?"

"Texas."

At this moment, Alberto, realizing that something was wrong, quickly reprimanded him:

"How dare you presume to know His Majesty's thoughts? Quickly apologize to His Majesty!"

"--Need not."

However, Chen Qi simply waved his hand, stopping Alberto from speaking.

And then there was Texas, blinking her big eyes with a curious expression.

Chen Qi gently stroked her head, then stood up and gave Texas a meaningful reply.

"Unfortunately, at this moment, your answer is wrong, Miss Texas."

"However, your conjecture is very interesting."

“This time, I’m giving you special permission to participate as the Texas family’s representative in this discussion with the other twelve family heads in the Gray Hall.”

"How about you listen in and try to find the answer yourself?"

After saying that, Chen Qi turned his gaze back to the heads of the families.

His smile remained as gentle as ever.

But after Texas's words, the family heads finally sensed a hint of danger in Chen Qi's smile.

"Esteemed patriarchs, do you have any objections to this?"

"...We have no objections."

This time, the patriarchs, having learned their lesson, dared not disobey Chen Qi's wishes.

However, just as Chen Qi was being led by a group of people, he slowly walked towards the Gray Hall.

Jian and his group of secret police, who had originally planned to follow, were stopped by a group of family members the moment they stepped into the city gate.

"I'm sorry, but from now on, the safety of His Majesty and the heads of the various families will be taken over by the family."

"The head of the family has prepared a banquet for everyone. Please follow me."

"...I am not at ease with His Majesty having only a former empress who has lost all her power by his side."

Looking at the family members who had stopped him, Jian frowned slightly and said in an icy tone:

“They can go with you, but I have to stay with you.”

"...I'm sorry, this is the decision of the family heads."

The family member replied to the mace with neither servility nor arrogance:

"But we will convey your request to His Majesty."

"As long as His Majesty replies and allows you to be escorted, we will bring men to escort you to the Gray Hall."

"Could you please cooperate?"

"… whatever you want."

After thinking for a while, Jian nodded, seemingly convinced, and without saying any more nonsense, followed the other family member with the secret police.

No sooner had the mace left than the family member snapped his fingers, summoning another accomplice.

"Go quickly and tell the heads of the families that the former empress beside the Emperor of Letania has lost all her power and is no longer a threat."

"Yes."

The brief conversation clearly confirmed one thing—the twelve families had secretly united temporarily in order to fight against Chen Qi.

From the moment Chen Qi stepped into Volciny, they had maintained firm control over the rhythm of the game.

They wanted to lead the young emperor by the nose.

But will Chen Qi really do as they wish?

On the other side, the figures of Jian and the secret police had just stepped into the building where they were being rewarded.

The previously relaxed Jian suddenly changed his attitude, coldly issuing the order:
"Take control of this area and don't let a single person escape."

"Yes!"

Before the family members inside could react, fifty secret police officers scattered like ghosts.

With a series of dull blows and thuds as they fell to the ground, dozens of family members were dealt with within a dozen seconds.

They didn't even have time to let out a scream before their heads were separated from their bodies.

Soon, the captain of the secret police reported to Jian:
"My lord, there are 27 people in total, including servants and cooks, and we have taken them all into custody."

"What should we do next?"

"...Awaiting His Majesty's signal."

Jian, who was fully aware of all the plans for this trip to Syracuse, did not show the slightest concern for Chen Qi, who was "risking his life."

She knew that the outcome was decided the moment he stepped into Syracuse.

The twelve families of Syracuse are about to pay the price for their arrogance.

Chapter Two Today
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(End of this chapter)