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

Chapter 51 We, Victoria, are loyal allies of Letania!

Trinitylme, where the twin towers that once stood were destroyed, has long been completely overturned.

This towering, dark tower, built on the ruins of the Twin Towers and capable of being called a "spectacle," was only officially completed at the beginning of this year.

This is the tower where Chen Qi is located, and it is also his palace.

In Letania, the height of the tower where the emperor resided often represented his ambitions.

Therefore, successive Leitanian emperors liked to build their towers even taller, to show their determination that their achievements would surpass those of their predecessors.

This is especially evident in the Witch King.

After the Twin Queens overthrew the Witch King, they deliberately built their towers a little lower to express their approachable attitude.

But when it came to Chen Qi, he didn't have so many requirements.

Chen Qi always believed that imperial power had nothing to do with how tall a building one lived in.

Even if he still lives in the slums, as long as he controls the army and its core members, he will still be the rightful emperor of Letania.

Moreover, Letania currently has too many expansion projects to undertake, and it would be too unwise to invest so much manpower and resources in such a tall tower.

In the end, Emperor Chen Qi could not dissuade Gertrude and had no choice but to hand the matter over to the Ministry of Industry.

And so, in that year, his towering palace was finally completed.

It is unclear whether this was Gertrude's arrangement or a tacit understanding between the workers in charge of the construction and the ministers.

Chen Qi's tower is more magnificent than the Twin Queens' tower, both in terms of grandeur and height.

It even faintly surpasses the tower that the Witch King once possessed.

On this sunny day, the newly built tower finally welcomed its first group of foreign guests...

"Father! Father!"

"I learned the magic Grandpa Fremont taught me yesterday, and Father said you have to stay with me all day today!"

Inside the tower, seven-year-old Viviana, clutching a chessboard, excitedly ran towards the council chamber where her father often sat.

However, this time, as soon as Viviana ran to the door of the council chamber, she was stopped by two Golden Law Guards who were stationed there.

"your Highness."

One of the lawyers, Jin, answered neither humbly nor arrogantly:
"His Majesty is speaking with a very important guest and it is inconvenient for him to see you at this time."

"Important guest?"

Viviana, who was stopped, showed a hint of surprise on her face, followed by disappointment.

“Father… has been in talks with guests lately.”

Although it was the expected result, Viviana, who is usually obedient and sensible, had a few more ideas of her own this time.

"Uncle Ryan, Uncle Brant."

"I promise I won't make a fuss. May I go in and listen to my father and the guests' conversation?"

"This... I'm afraid that won't work, Your Highness."

The Golden Law Guardian named "Ryan" sounded somewhat troubled. Faced with the most beloved princess in the entire tower, he could only patiently reply:

"His Majesty specifically instructed that Your Highness should not be allowed to enter."

"But Texas and Lappland can sit in on the classes, so why can't I?"

But this time, before Viviana could ask again, a pair of gentle hands embraced her from behind.

"Viviana, please don't bother your adoptive father, okay?"

"Mother mother..."

The person hugging Viviana from behind was her biological mother.

This beautiful woman, who had returned from Colombia, was clearly a true wife and mother, patiently explaining to her daughter:

"Your adoptive father is dealing with very important national affairs; his decisions can affect thousands of families."

So, please don't cause him any trouble, okay?

"Woo..."

Finally, seeing Viviana nod dejectedly, the lady breathed a sigh of relief and led her away from the entrance of the council chamber.

But the lady knew very well why this seemingly cold-blooded emperor wouldn't let Viviana near this place.

“Telling you the truth won’t hurt, madam.”

"War is about to break out."

“Every day from now on, I will be playing a game with the smartest politicians in this land, and I don’t want Viviana to know any of this.”

"I don't want her to become like me, a person full of lies and deception, too early."

"I want her to at least have a peaceful childhood."

Recalling Chen Qi's instructions to her, the lady felt a mix of emotions.

She didn't even know how to face the emperor, who was both her enemy and her benefactor.

But she thought that, at least for Viviana, he would be a good father.

……

"Your Majesty the Emperor of Letania, I must reiterate once again."

Inside the solemn and dignified council chamber, the man with a fat, clothed bird always dangling from his shoulder was none other than Colombian Vice President Jackson.

At this moment, he was speaking with a serious expression to Chen Qi, who sat indifferently on the throne, arguing forcefully:
"Bolivar's international problems are not only related to Letania's interests."

"Colombia still has many vested interests in the land of the Bolivar."

"If the Leitanian army insists on sending troops and using force to intervene in Bolivar's affairs."

"Therefore, Colombia will have no choice but to take military action to protect its national interests and suspend all trade with Letania."

However, this presents a threat from Colombia, a country with considerable military strength that provides Letania with a steady stream of much-needed Originium.

Chen Qi, who is usually extremely rational and calm, reacted with unusual indifference.

"--So be it then, I don't care."

"Varied?!"

For a moment, Vice President Jackson even thought he had been deceived by his ears.

But under his gaze, the emperor remained unperturbed, speaking casually as if nothing had happened:
"Moreover, not only me, but I don't think the Dukes of Victoria would care either."

“Am I right, Duke Windermere?”

"—That's right, Your Majesty."

This time, Duke Windermere, who was once again pushed forward by the dukes to negotiate with Chen Qi, looked extremely relaxed, even somewhat amused by the spectacle.

After all, from Victoria's perspective, they would love for Colombia's interests to be harmed.

Victoria felt nothing but humiliation and hostility towards Colombia, a country that had gained independence during a time of national crisis.

The Dukes of Victoria were particularly uneasy about the growing power of Colombia.

They are worried that Colombia will become a major power threatening them in the future.

But now, Victoria is leaderless, with the eight dukes each ruling their own territory and holding their own armies. None of them want to go and fight Colombia alone.

Putting aside the question of winning or losing, even if you win, you will still suffer heavy losses.

At that time, the severely weakened duke will inevitably be swallowed up by the other seven dukes.

This is something no duke would want to happen to him.

In particular, the Tara uprising has now broken out in Victoria, making it a time of both internal and external troubles.

Therefore, the Duke of Windermere, as the negotiator, shared the same interests as the other dukes on this point.

They need to use Letania to weaken Colombia!
If this could trigger a conflict, or even a war, between Letania and Colombia, that would be ideal!

"The Duchess of Windermere!"

Seeing this, Vice President Jackson assumed that Windermere hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation and added solemnly:

"Please don't forget, if the Letanian army is to enter Bolívar, it will inevitably have to pass through Victoria!" "Aren't the eight dukes worried that the Letanian army might clash with the Victorian army when they cross the border?"

The vice president practically made it clear that Chen Qi might use a pretext to destroy Guo.

But this time, it didn't even wait for Chen Qi or those around him to speak.

Duke Windermere's expression changed immediately, and he coldly rebuked him:

“Mr. Vice President, I cannot allow you to trample on the reputation of the nation of Letania and the friendship between our two countries.”

“Victoria and Letania, we fought side by side in the Four Emperors War, and our two countries have a long history of cooperation.”

"I am here as a representative only to discuss the transit route of the Leitanian army and to strengthen relations between the two countries."

"Instead of worrying about Victoria's safety, Mr. Vice President."

Duke Windermere sneered:

"You should worry about the safety of Colombia itself."

"—Since that's the case, then I have nothing more to say."

Windermere's sarcastic remarks, combined with Chen Qi's unwavering attitude, made Vice President Jackson realize the truth and get up to leave without hesitation.

Chen Qi's reaction remained extremely indifferent; he simply summoned the person and said calmly:

"Lappland, see the guest out."

"As ordered."

The white wolf girl, who had been guarding Chen Qi and waiting for orders, quickly caught up with the departing vice president.

Soon, only Duke Windermere, Chen Qi, and Texas, who was standing guard, remained in the council chamber.

"Now, all the irrelevant people have left."

"Let's have a proper discussion about real state affairs, Duke Windermere."

"Just to my liking."

When faced with Chen Qi, who had regained his monarchical demeanor, Duke Windermere's attitude became much more solemn.

All of this was in line with what she and the other seven dukes had predicted.

Colombia’s opinion is not important on this issue.

Leitania and Victoria only ever care about each other as great powers.

"Now, let's return to the question we just discussed, Your Majesty."

“If you really need to attack Bolívar, then your army will inevitably have to pass through Victoria and Colombia.”

"To be honest, we have no problem with your army occupying the Bolívar."

“But Colombia… their army is indeed no match for yours.”

"However, we do not want Colombia to be occupied by Letania as well."

Duke Windermere stared at Chen Qi with a grave expression and asked in a deep voice:
"In this regard, Your Majesty, could you possibly offer us a guarantee?"

"—No problem."

However, everything went even more smoothly than the Duke of Windermere had imagined.

Chen Qi simply snapped his fingers, and Texas, who was standing nearby, presented Duke Windermere with a pre-prepared agreement.

This agreement is, in fact, about the territorial division of Colombia and the Bolívar.

"As long as Victoria allows our troops to pass through and remains non-participatory during our troops' occupation of the entire territory of Bolívar."

"Then, when the Victorian Empire annexes Colombia in the future, Letania will certainly guarantee not to interfere or participate."

As soon as Chen Qi finished speaking, he noticed that Duke Windermere's only remaining eye had begun to sparkle.

At this moment, he realized that the other party had taken the bait.

But his performance must continue.

"This agreement has my signature and Letania's seal on it."

“Duke Windermere, you only need to sign your name and the names of the seven dukes on behalf of Victoria.”

"Then, this agreement is now truly in effect."

"...Your Majesty, you truly are...a great emperor!"

The Duke of Windermere's breathing became heavier, and her heartfelt smile was so genuine that even she, as a duke, could not suppress it.

She never expected that His Majesty the Emperor would be so lenient with them!
It was impossible for Letania's army to reach Bolívar without bypassing Colombia.

The Colombian vice president's recent attitude clearly indicates that he is preparing to go to war with Letania!
And in this war, regardless of who the victor is.

Colombia will inevitably suffer a severe blow!
At that point, would the other seven dukes still hesitate when faced with an incredibly weak Colombian who could collapse at the slightest kick?

To grab the biggest piece of the pie from Colombia, they're going to charge ahead faster than anyone else!

Perhaps they could even take the opportunity to annex Bolivar as well.

This is a cost-effective deal; you don't need to spend your own money or send troops, you can just make way for them.

As the representative, I can gain immense prestige simply by returning to Victoria with this agreement.

The Duke of Windermere could not think of a reason to refuse.

“On behalf of Victoria, I hereby sign this agreement with His Majesty the Emperor of Letania.”

May the friendship between our two countries last forever!

……

Meanwhile, Vice President Jackson, who had left the council chamber, was frantically trying to figure out a solution.

He knew that war was inevitable.

A large portion of Colombia's rapid development is funded by the "Independent State of Bolivar," which they control.

If Letania is allowed to annex the entire Bolívar region, Colombia's development will inevitably be affected.

Therefore, Colombia must not back down!

But can Colombia really withstand Letania's military might?
And after the war ends, will Victoria take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack?

If that happens, the demise of Colombia would be almost inevitable!

Just as the vice president was in a state of confusion, an elegant female voice beside him brought him back to his senses.

"—Mr. Vice President, you're going the wrong way."

"Ok?"

Just as Jackson looked up, the smiling white wolf girl directly opposite him gracefully pointed him in another direction.

By all accounts, it doesn't look like the direction from which one leaves the tower.

“I know the Vice President has a lot of confusion.”

Although only twelve years old, Lappland had already blossomed into a graceful young woman. With the most standard business smile on her face, she explained softly:

"But our dear Emperor, the negotiations with Colombia are not yet over."

"Please follow me to the reception room, Mr. Vice President."

"After our Emperor finishes his business, he will discuss with you the true cooperation between our two countries."

Genuine cooperation?
Before the vice president could react, the large bird that had been perched on his shoulder but had never uttered a sound nodded as if it understood something.

Big Bird... to be precise, the real president of Colombia, Mark Max.

It had already vaguely realized it.

This emperor of Letania was perhaps the most brilliant charlatan in the land.

His deception and conspiracies will completely change the fate of all the countries on this land.

Chapter Two for today!

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(End of this chapter)