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

Chapter 46 Those who defy the imperial decree shall be executed!
The Grey Hall. An underground parliament jointly established by the twelve families of Syracuse.

Although Syracuse has a government and judiciary on the surface, even the most ordinary Syracuse citizens know that these courts can't decide anything.

Everything in Syracuse, including its judicial, political, and economic systems, is controlled by powerful families behind the scenes.

Even court trials are sometimes treated as a "coming-of-age ceremony" for family members.

In this context, the Gray Hall becomes the "parliament" representing the collective will of the twelve families.

This is the heart of Syracuse.

To deal with you, the Emperor of Letania, the twelve families have united for the first time ever.

They've deployed a large number of their family's core members and assassins, occupying every corner of the Gray Hall in layers.

[It's ostensibly for protection, but you understand that it's a deterrent measure imposed on you by the twelve families.]

[And besides Hildegard, who has been reduced to a maid and lost all her power, "unbeknownst to you," no one else has followed you anymore.]

[The twelve families, according to their original plan, are demonstrating to you their control over every aspect of their family affairs.]

These family heads, who have been rooted in Syracuse for so long and have never truly opened their eyes to the world, seem to believe that their power is the strongest in Syracuse.

But in your eyes, Hildegard, and in the eyes of the Lady of Sicily.

The provocation from the twelve families is utterly childish and laughable.

They have never witnessed true power.

And soon, you will let them see you.

"...So, all the family heads are here."

"Now, let me announce to you the new policies following Syracuse's annexation by Letania."

In the Grey Hall, Chen Qi, now only accompanied by Hildegard dressed as a maid, faced the twelve patriarchs around the round table, as well as Texas, who was listening in. His expression became solemn.

Soon, the calm and rational monarchical demeanor that both Madame Sicily and Hildegarde found familiar returned to Chen Qi.

"After discussing with Mrs. Sicily, I gained a preliminary understanding of the customs and traditions of Syracuse."

"I allowed Syracuse to return to Letania and be established as an autonomous region."

"Leytania will not interfere with Syracuse's administration, legal, cultural and economic autonomy."

[Your words had barely faded when the twelve family heads in the Gray Hall began to whisper amongst themselves.]

Both you and Hildegard can clearly sense the joy, relief, and contempt these patriarchs hold for you.

You observed the reactions of the family heads, remaining outwardly calm but inwardly sneering.

Beside you, Hildergard clenched her fists unusually.

She is indeed angry with you.

To be precise, the anger stemmed from their disdain for the "Emperor of Letania."

Although she is no longer the Empress, Hildergard remains steadfast in her belief—to create a better Letania.

Even Hildegard had to admit that, as Emperor, all your recent reforms, policies, and diplomacy made her feel that Letania was gradually growing stronger.

Therefore, deep down, she acknowledges that you are worthy of the title "Emperor of Letania."

Even if you humiliated her severely.

Even if you trample on her dignity and prestige.

She still acknowledges you as you are now.

Therefore, witnessing how your kindness in allowing Syracuse to retain its autonomy while creating more value for Letania was seen as weakness by these patriarchs.

The former queen, who was touted as the "second Witch King," was unexpectedly enraged.

But she didn't have a reaction.

She is waiting to see how you, as the emperor, will handle this matter.

"—However, I also have requirements for the various families."

After the twelve family heads finished their discussion, Chen Qi changed the subject, his expression becoming increasingly serious as he said:
"As the Emperor of Letania, I cannot allow the land under my rule to fail to contribute anything to the country in the future."

"I will not allow any land under my rule to be barren."

"Therefore, after Syracuse officially returns to Letania, I hope to make Syracuse a light industrial base for Letania."

"The numerous factories soon to be opened in Syracuse will, needless to say, all require the protection of your families."

“I don’t want the large amount of construction funds Letania has invested in Syracuse to go to waste because of Syracuse’s ‘tradition’.”

"Furthermore, we do not want the various families in Syracuse to continue to be divided and infighting under Letania's rule."

After saying that, Chen Qi turned his gaze to the twelve family heads who had fallen completely silent, and gave Hildegard a look.

Over the past few months, Hildegard had become quite familiar with Chen Qi's instructions and understood them perfectly.

She picked up a bottle of red wine that had been prepared beforehand and poured it into the glasses in front of each head of the household.

Chen Qi raised his wine glass, slowly stood up, and said:

"Therefore, I hope that the heads of the twelve families can end their infighting and work together."

"The twelve families were merged into one, bringing them back from the shadows to the light, and making them legitimate members of the Syracuse government."

"From this day forward, you are all subjects of Letania, loyal servants who will shine for Letania."

“Syracuse will no longer have any ‘family business’; all the profits will belong to everyone, to Letania.”

"If the heads of the families accept this proposal."

"Then, please drink this glass of wine."

Chen Qi's words fell as if they had sunk into the sea.

A deathly silence filled the gray hall; not a single person stood up, nor did anyone raise a glass.

After an eerie silence lasted for more than ten seconds, a figure that surprised everyone was the first to raise a glass.

—It was young Texas.

Texas tilted her head back and drank the red wine almost without hesitation, before Chen Qi could even stop her.

"Gulu gulu."

After downing a glass of red wine, the young black wolf girl's face turned bright red, and she quickly became dizzy and disoriented.

Although no one really considered this child to be an agent of the "Texas Family".

But everyone knows Texas's own stance.

The child's simple values ​​told her that the emperor's proposal was civilized and correct.

Texas's statement quickly broke the deadlock in the Grey Hall.

"...Since Miss Texas has already expressed her opinion..."

"Then I agree."

Soon, Madame Sicily raised her glass and, in full view of everyone, downed the red wine in one gulp.

After doing all this, Mrs. Sicily left her seat, took the dizzy Texas into her arms, and stood beside Chen Qi.

At this moment, all the heads of the families present understood from Madame Sicily's position.

The founder of the Grey Hall had long been aligned with the Emperor of Letania.

At this point, one of the twelve family heads finally couldn't sit still any longer.

"—Your Majesty, I feel that something is amiss in this matter."

The head of the Moretti family, one of the most powerful of the twelve Syracuse families, couldn't help but stand up and say:
"Members are prohibited from disclosing any information about the family to civilians, police, or even the government."

“Even if arrested or facing trial, members must remain silent and refuse to testify or provide evidence.”

"This is a Syracuse tradition, the 'law of silence'."

"The 'Law of Silence' is an ironclad rule that the Syracuse family has always upheld to ensure internal loyalty, purity, and unity!"

"If our family members were to appear in public like government officials, external forces would become aware of our existence and attempt to infiltrate and sabotage our family!" "A betrayal could destroy the family we have painstakingly built!"

"Therefore, please forgive me for raising this objection, Your Majesty the Emperor, but my family absolutely cannot accept such a proposal."

"My family also agrees with the Moretti family head's opinion."

The head of the Conte family also stood up and said:

"Our family's presence in the shadows makes it easier for us to help His Majesty protect Syracuse."

"But if Your Majesty insists on implementing such a decree, then we can only protest by not cooperating."

Of course, this does not represent the complete sincerity of the two family heads.

Madame Sicily explained to you before she left that the more powerful the family, the less likely they were to approve of your proposal.

Once all family businesses are unified, powerful families will no longer have a legitimate reason to continue suppressing and annexing weaker families.

The family's expansion will come to a halt, and everyone will stagnate—this is certainly not the outcome a powerful family would want.

After all, each of the twelve families, regardless of who they are, harbors ambitions to crush the other families and unify the underworld of Syracuse.

A weaker family might hope to receive your protection.

But powerful families only want this law of the jungle—the survival of the fittest—to continue.

And you, watching those two family heads rise to leave, what will your choice be?

"—The two of you."

Before any options appeared, Chen Qi's icy voice, cold enough to make everyone present stiffen, fell with crystal clarity.

But Chen Qi ignored the reactions of the others.

He spoke to the two family heads with the utter detachment of emotion, like a completely rational machine:
"Syracuse is now part of Letania."

“I am also your emperor.”

"Can I interpret your actions as—disobeying an imperial decree?"

In an instant, everyone sensed the deep killing intent emanating from Chen Qi's icy tone.

The two family heads also unconsciously stopped in their tracks.

However, perhaps because of Chen Qi's previous amiable demeanor, they felt that Chen Qi's current toughness was nothing more than a bluff.

Or perhaps they felt that, given their family's influence in Syracuse, Chen Qi would absolutely not dare to harm them.

Ultimately, the two arrogant and complacent family heads made the worst choice of their lives.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but my family simply cannot accept these conditions."

“If we accept, our family members may consider us a disgrace.”

Therefore, we regret that we do not wish to join.

After saying that, the two family heads took another step outside.

This step completely exhausted Chen Qi's last bit of patience.

Holding the drowsy Texas woman in her arms, Mrs. Sicily keenly noticed Chen Qi slowly closing his eyes...

“...Hildegard.”

"I'm listening."

"...According to the laws of Letania, what is the punishment for those who disobey the imperial decree?"

"Replying to your Majesty."

Having already clenched her fists and unable to contain herself, Hildegard responded to Chen Qi for the first time, word by word.

"According to the laws of Letania, those who disobey orders are disrespectful."

"Kill them all, without mercy!"

"—Then what are you waiting for?"

Chen Qi abruptly opened his eyes, staring coldly at the two family heads who had sensed the danger ahead, and immediately gave the order:
"Bring to me the insolent one who insulted Letania!"

"Order!"

As soon as Chen Qi finished speaking, Hildergard felt a familiar power return to her body!

Although the number of forces returning is not large.

But, enough is enough!
"boom!"

"what?!"

Suddenly, a strange force slammed the doors of the Gray Hall shut, leaving the two family heads, who hadn't had time to escape, trapped inside.

The next second, an extremely strong suction force pulled the two of them uncontrollably toward the round table in the gray hall!

It was as if a pair of invisible hands had grabbed their bodies!
"boom!"

With two dull thuds, the two patriarchs' bodies slammed heavily onto the round table in the gray hall!
The sudden impact left the two family heads feeling dizzy, and the broken ribs and damaged internal organs caused by the impact filled their mouths with blood.

But Hildergard won't give them any time to react.

The other family heads present all felt a gust of wind, and a blurry black figure flashed past them.

Before everyone could react, Hildergard was already standing on the round table.

Her high-heeled foot slammed down hard on the back of the struggling Moretti patriarch.

The purple flames in her hand transformed into a sharp sword, which was already placed against the neck of the Moretti family head.

"You, you dare to kill me?!"

Only then did the Moretti family head gradually regain some consciousness. Looking at the sword so close at hand, his incredulous voice rang out again:
"If I die, my family will never let you go!"

"My officials, my descendants, will avenge me for generations to come! You will never be able to rule Syracuse in peace!"

"—You needn't worry about that, Patriarch Moretti."

However, Chen Qi, who merely stared at this scene with a cold smile, replied in an extremely relaxed tone under everyone's terrified and incredulous gazes:

“I understand very well that dealing with a united family like yours, even leaving behind a single spark, could become a future threat.”

"Therefore, I will send your entire family down to join you."

Having said that, before Patriarch Moretti could react, Chen Qi calmly gave the order to Hildergard:

"Beheaded."

"Ah."

Hildegard, whose face showed no emotion, swung her sword down without hesitation after receiving Chen Qi's order.

Moretti and the head of the Conte family were forever frozen in that final moment before their deaths.

"puff!"

Blood gushed out of the severed neck like a fountain, splattering onto the surrounding ground and staining the gray hall's floor tiles red.

The air was thick with the smell of rust, and warm blood meandered along the ground, forming dark red streams.

Everything around seemed to be instantly tinged with the color of death, and even the air seemed to stand still.

All that remained was the glaring red and the two heads that had rolled to the ground, silently telling the story of the end of life.

died.

The heads of the two top three families in the Syracuse family died so hastily and easily.

What brought everyone back to their senses was Chen Qi's calm, unwavering voice.

"So now, which family head dares to oppose my decree?"

"Please, step forward quickly."

"I don't have time to waste any more words with you."

This is the first chapter today! There will be another update tonight, so stay tuned!
Please give me your support and votes, dear readers! (crying emoji)
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(End of this chapter)