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

Chapter 49 The Merger of Leicester and Syria: Cultivating Two Wolves

“Then, we will go and unite the family, and announce His Majesty’s decree to the family members.”

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, we will give you a satisfactory answer within five days."

"Well, let's go."

Chen Qi simply waved his hand casually, and the Syracuse family heads, led by Madame Sicily, left in a state of fear and trepidation.

After these family heads left, Chen Qi watched them go, then whispered to Jian beside him without turning his head:
"Jian, have you already ascertained the locations of the families, branches, and family members of those beheaded patriarchs?"

"It's all under control now."

Jian responded in his usual calm tone:

"The Sicilian lady secretly kept a personal guard called the 'Mouth of the Giant Wolf,' which helped us a lot."

"Then, what should be done with these people, Your Majesty?"

"—Just kill them all."

Chen Qi's tone was incredibly relaxed, sounding to outsiders as if they were discussing what to eat for dinner.

But Texas, who was stuck in the same place because his family was not in Syracuse, felt a chill run down his spine.

"...Do you need it?"

Having received Chen Qi's order, a hint of reluctance flashed in his eyes, and he softly asked:

“These families mostly consist of children and women; they pose no threat.”

"...They are all mafia members, and to the people of Syracuse, they are exploiters, violent organizations that should not exist."

Chen Qi understood Jian's mindset, of course. As a "human" person, Jian's emotional side was also sending out the same signal to Chen Qi himself.

But in the end, his ideals and sense of responsibility as "emperor" prevailed over the scales in his heart.

"As long as even one member of any of these families we have destroyed escapes Syracuse, driven by this hatred, they will become potential threats to our rule in the future."

"As the emperor of Letania, I will not allow anyone who could shake Letania to leave Syracuse alive."

However, Chen Qi also noticed Jian's complete silence.

Chen Qi couldn't help but soften his heart towards this comrade who had followed him from the very beginning.

“...Hildegard.”

"I know."

This time, before Chen Qi could give the order, Hildegard, who had rolled her eyes, understood what she had to do.

And watching Hildergard's retreating figure, accompanied by several secret police officers, as she walked unhesitatingly toward her destination.

Chen Qi seemed to be touched as well, and chuckled softly as he said to her retreating figure:

"Thank you, Hildegard."

Chen Qi's voice made Hildegard pause slightly.

But she didn't turn around; instead, she answered calmly:

"Don't thank me, I don't like doing this kind of thing either."

“You and my sister are exactly the same; you both like to make me play the bad guy.”

"It's alright, I'm used to it."

"Then try to show me how your Leitania is any different from the one we have."

"……His Majesty."

Hildegarde uttered the last word so softly that it was almost unbelievable.

But watching Hildegard's quickening departure, Chen Qi remained stunned for a long time before finally letting out a few laughs.

"...It seems that this former empress is gradually beginning to agree with your approach."

"This also shows that I've done a pretty good job as emperor."

Hildegard's departure allowed Chen Qi to briefly break free from his monarchical demeanor, revealing a belated sense of weariness.

After all, no matter how strong Chen Qi's mental fortitude was, it still took considerable courage to maintain his momentum and mock Zhalo, who could swallow him whole at any moment.

But he was the emperor, and he could not afford to show weakness.

If he shows even the slightest bit of timidity or lack of confidence, this emotion will infect everyone present and may even affect the final outcome.

Whenever this happens, Chen Qi can only numb himself with his own thoughts over and over again.

All of this is just a simulation.

Even if I fail, I won't really die.

Only by thinking this way can he maintain absolute confidence in his demeanor, make those around him believe in him, and remain at ease.

Once his mistake leads to a change in the situation.

Then he has let down all those who believed in him.

But after the storm subsided, Chen Qi also needed some time to catch his breath.

Beside him, Jian quietly watched the sweating, panting man, and after a long silence, suddenly asked in a low voice:

"...Qi, am I really useless?"

"Hmm?" Chen Qi turned his head slightly in surprise, noticing Jian's dejected expression, and he quickly realized what was going on.

After shaking his head and shaking his head at Jian's self-pity, Chen Qi gave his own solemn answer.

"Jian, do you remember what I said to you back in the beer hall?"

"If one day I truly become like Letania, corrupted by this throne and losing my humanity, then I would be grateful if you could send me on my way?"

"……certainly."

Jian subconsciously reached for the scalpel hanging on his belt.

She had carried this scalpel, which was completely out of character for her, with her ever since Chen Qi gave it to her.

"Remember, stay this way, mace."

"Now, the only person I have by my side who still recognizes what I used to look like."

For Chen Qi, the mace represents his human side.

In the future, he will do many more things that, in a moment of impulse, could cause the bloodshed and sacrifice of millions.

Therefore, he needs the mace even more to help him preserve his humanity and prevent himself from becoming a madman who colludes with the Witch King.

That would be the greatest betrayal of the country and of those who helped him ascend the throne.

"...I don't want to kill you, Qi."

A hint of struggle flashed across Jian Qing's cold face. Right now, she didn't want the day Chen Qi spoke of to actually come.

But the examples of the Witch King and the Twin Queens make Jian feel that such a future is simply unavoidable.

Chen Qi's attitude towards this was incredibly nonchalant.

"Then pray that I may die young, like a wise emperor, before I am completely corrupted by this throne."

After saying that, Chen Qi turned his gaze to the side, to Texas, who had been quietly watching them from the beginning.

Faced with this black wolf girl who could remain calm and composed even after witnessing such a spectacular scene.

A strange thought gradually formed in Chen Qi's mind.

"His Majesty."

"Texas."

Looking at the Texas woman bowing to him, Chen Qi lowered himself again and, with unprecedented patience, asked the Black Wolf girl:
“You previously guessed that I was very angry at the family heads’ reactions, but I denied your answer.”

"Now, I'll give you one more chance."

"Having witnessed such a grand scene, tell me, what are my feelings towards the heads of the Syracuse?" "...Your Majesty."

After a moment's thought, young Texas calmly gave her answer:

"I think that someone like His Majesty, who has bigger goals in mind, doesn't care about the opinions of the family heads at all."

"Your anger, joy, fury... all your emotions are just to achieve your goal."

"it is good!"

Receiving an answer that was even better than he had expected, Chen Qi expressed a rare and overwhelming joy.

Feeling extremely satisfied, Chen Qi finally decided to stop suppressing his desire for the girl.

He wanted to... raise this girl himself.

Chen Qi had a premonition.

Texas did not grow up in the quagmire of family, but rather under the careful nurturing of a nation.

He will become a great figure no less than the Black and White Queen!

He will be the right-hand man of himself and even the next generation of the King of Letania!

"Texas."

With golden light gleaming in his eyes, Chen Qi, unable to conceal his joy, asked Texas, who was clearly frightened, word by word:

"Would you be willing to leave Syracuse and return to Letania with me?"

"With your intelligence and talent, staying in Syracuse and interfering in the petty squabbles between these families every day is a waste of your abilities."

"I want you to receive a better education and be nurtured into the future pillar of Letania."

“I see this potential in you.”

"...To Letania?"

Ultimately, Texas is just an eight or nine-year-old child.

Although she had witnessed the intrigue and backstabbing of family feuds since childhood, the successive shocks still left the Black Wolf girl bewildered.

However, it must be said that Chen Qi's invitation was a huge surprise for Texas.

She was born in Colombia, a country that symbolizes "civilization," but grew up in a family that represents "violence."

Growing up, she witnessed Colombia's rapid development.

We witnessed just how rapidly the world has changed under the influence of "civilization".

But her family remained unchanged, eroding away day after day in violence and infighting.

At that time, Texas had already vaguely foreseen the possible demise of her family.

Faced with the ever-advancing "civilization," the existence of the "family," which cloaks itself in civilization but engages in acts of violence, will inevitably be crushed by the times.

She wanted to change this future, but she was powerless to do so.

Ultimately, she had no choice but to rely on her family's business to travel from Colombia to Syracuse.

She wanted to find the answers to her family's future and resolve her confusion on the land where her family was born.

And now...

Texas stared at the emperor before her, who could kill thousands in an instant.

The emperor of Syracuse changed everything effortlessly.

The precocious Texas understood.

I've finally found the answer.

"...Your Majesty, I think that even if I answer that I am unwilling, given Your Majesty's power, you would probably force me to go to Letania, wouldn't you?"

"clever."

Chen Qi readily admitted it, and his gaze toward Texas held even more satisfaction.

Texas, who was very willing to accept a new life, suddenly remembered something and immediately said:

“Then I am willing to travel to Letania with Your Majesty.”

"However, Your Majesty, please grant me a small request."

"Go ahead," Chen Qi agreed readily.

"...It's about my playmate, Lappland."

Thinking of this playmate with whom he had a good relationship, but who was heavily influenced by her family, Texas also intended to bring her along to change her fate.

“She and I had a very good relationship, but in the family, capable children are also used as family members, and she was one of them.”

“I don’t want her to continue being poisoned by the family’s ideology, so I hope she can accept His Majesty’s teachings with me.”

"I wonder if Your Majesty is willing?"

Okay, it's a deal. May you have double happiness.

Unexpectedly, he encountered Chen Qi offering a "buy one get one free" deal. Without hesitation, he agreed to the slightly apprehensive offer from Texas.
"I grant your permission."

"However, this matter needs to be discussed with the head of the Saluzzo family to see if her parents are willing."

"Of course, I will also find an opportunity to send a letter to your family in Texas to ask for their consent."

"...When did you become interested in little girls?"

Only after Texas, who couldn't wait to go to the Saluzzo family to find Lappland, left did his companion, Jian, jokingly ask Chen Qi:

"Are you addicted to being a father? One Viviana isn't enough, you want two adopted daughters from Syracuse too?"

"I can't help it, I don't want Viviana to be too lonely."

In high spirits, Chen Qi deliberately followed up on what Jian meant:
"I plan to have Fremont teach them knowledge and Originium Arts. As for martial arts... I'll leave that task to you, Mace."

"They are the future pillars of Letania, you must nurture them well."

"...How come I feel like I'm only 20 and I'm already a mother?"

Jian shook her head with amusement, but she still accepted the mission very seriously.

After all, this was one of the few things she could do to the best of her ability.

You have finally completed the unification of Syracuse and Letania.

While it will certainly be challenging for Syracuse to catch up with Letania's pace of development, you have undoubtedly made a good start.

Now, within the borders of Letania, you have no more worries.

It could be said that if you were to die at this time, you would be the most regrettable and tragic emperor in Leitania's history.

The people of Letania will place your portrait in the same spot as the Witch King.

For decades, even centuries to come, the fierce debate will continue: between you and the Witch King, who will be the greatest emperor of Letania?

But you did not die.

Moreover, Letania's progress is far from over.

At this moment, your ambition can no longer be contained.

You are no longer content with the territory that Letania originally possessed.

Instead, you cast your greedy gaze upon your distant enemies.

But you know very well that Letania is currently in dire need of reconstruction; industrial and military reforms are underway, and everything is just beginning.

Letania needs time and an opportunity.

You also need to wait for changes in the international situation, and for your opponents to reveal their fatal weaknesses.

That will be the moment when your reforms face their final test!

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(End of this chapter)