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

Chapter 55 The Outbreak of World War, Tsvönek or War

[In just one month, Bolivar brought exciting good news.]

Apart from the territories occupied by Colombia, Hildegard has conquered the entirety of Bolívar and has begun further consolidation and integration.

The war ended quickly, and if all goes well, Bolivar will fully restore order within a year.

But not long after, some bad news reached your ears.

Kazimir and Victoria signed a non-aggression pact in the Imperial Diet.

According to news reports, the two countries agreed in their signed agreement that if either country is invaded, the other will send troops to its aid.

The reactions of both countries have proven that your burning ambitions have been laid bare among the top leaders of those nations.

They will no longer adopt an appeasement policy and continue to watch you annex other countries' territories.

This will inevitably have a huge impact on your future plans.

But none of this can affect you anymore.

Now, Bolívar has captured the stronghold, his troops are in high spirits, and their energy reserves are extremely abundant.

The military factories produce enough weapons and supplies every day to equip half an army group; the stockpiled reserve supplies are already covered in dust in the warehouses.

With all preparations complete, you've set your sights on the nearest country, one that has long been wary of you.

【Kazimir.】

Separated from Bolívar and Letania by several countries, there are only two routes for trade and the exchange of strategic materials.

[First, the handover will be completed via Victoria, Sheraco, and Colombia, utilizing the already well-developed railway networks of both countries.]

[Secondly, a nearly straight cross-border railway would be built through Casimir, northwest of Letania, leading to Colombia and Bolívar.]

Once completed, this railway will not only mean the exchange of resources and military power between Letania and Bolívar.

This also signifies a potential two-pronged attack on Colombia in the future.

The situation in Letania is still dire; a retreat to Bolívar may be necessary in the future.

This near-straight high-speed railway will bring tremendous convenience.

Therefore, Casimir is bound to be the next target of destruction.

Of course, you didn't openly reveal your ambitions to everyone.

Although the leaders of various countries are well aware of each other's ambitions, you don't want to become the target of the people of Kazimierz so quickly.

Therefore, you only choose to demand a fortified city near the border between the two countries from Qazimir.

[Tsvonek.]

This is a fortified city on the front line of the confrontation between Kazimir and Letania.

If you can capture Tsvönek, you can use it as a transit point to build a cross-border railway between the two countries.

[Therefore, having made up your mind, you issued an ultimatum to the Grand Knight Commander of Kazimierz.]

You're giving the Kazimir people a choice.

[Tsvöniek, or war.]

[Of course you understand that the Kazimir leadership, who have already begun to be wary of you, will not choose to compromise.]

Having been deceived by you once, Victoria is even less likely to support you again, and will instead become a huge threat to you in your battle against Kazimierz.

[In that case, Letania would be forced to fight on two fronts, and in the long run, it would inevitably face defeat and destruction.]

To avoid this situation, you've already found yourself a second suitable ally.

The Ursus Empire.

This vast empire, located in the frigid far north, is a true war machine.

The Ursus Empire is vast, but due to its harsh climate, difficulty in development, and other factors, nearly 90% of its land remains undeveloped and desolate.

The people of Ursus have also struggled against nature and harsh winters for a very long period of history.

All of this came down to the reign of the former Ursus emperor, who ushered in a path of industrialization and military strengthening similar to that of Letania today.

Through waging wars against neighboring countries and plundering their resources, the Ursus Empire's national strength developed rapidly.

This allowed the people of Ursus, who had endured countless years of hardship, to finally experience the benefits of war.

Therefore, the Ursus Empire, much like Letania, has a large number of fanatical warmongers.

[Among them, naturally, were many old nobles who had earned their military merits through war.]

However, due to the defeat in the war against the Eastern Kingdom, coupled with the new emperor's emphasis on internal development, Ursus is now experiencing a sudden surge in internal conflicts.

The irreconcilable conflict between the military nobility and the nobles supported by the new emperor makes the Ursus military nobility desperately need a victory to gain greater influence within the palace.

Furthermore, due to its involvement in wars and conflicts across the globe, Ursus has become virtually completely isolated internationally.

You believe the Ursus Empire will be very interested in your invitation.

Soon, just days after you issued your ultimatum, the diplomatic envoy from Casimir arrived before you with a reply from Grand Knight Commander Russell.

"If Letania wants to use war to change the ownership of Tsvonek."

"Then let's start a war."

[Ambassador Kazimir's words didn't surprise you at all.]

After all, Kazimir has already signed an agreement with a powerful nation like Victoria, so it seems to have nothing to worry about.

Moreover, Qazimir, which occupies a place between several powerful nations, can definitely be considered a military power.

Their ace unit, the "Silver Spear Pegasus," is renowned throughout Terra for its exceptional mobility and coordinated attacks.

[Legend has it that every Silver Spear Pegasus can slice through stone pillars with a sword and pierce through floors with a javelin.]

They even physically pursued Ursus warships, using a "boarding" tactic to cripple them.

What's even more terrifying is their coordinated operations.

The battle formation of seven silver-spear celestial steeds was enough to make even a thousand-strong army unable to breach it.

Their extreme speed and explosive power allow them to break through enemy lines like divine intervention.

With such an elite army, coupled with the rise of the gladiator knights, a martial spirit flourished throughout Kazimierz.

Kazimir's military strength on Terra is definitely among the top five.

However, your reaction to the threat from Kazimierz was remarkably calm, given that you were already prepared.

"Then please convey my regret and sorrow for the Grand Knight Commander's choice this time."

"Also, please remember to tell your Grand Knight Commander."

"All of this is the choice of the Kazimierz people themselves. When they fall into hell, they should not beg for our mercy and compassion."

Having said that, you didn't look at Ambassador Casimir again.

"—Lizelot, see the guest out."

Not long after the white maid saw off Ambassador Kazimierz, the Texas black wolf girl entered the room after a polite knock.

She has brought you good news.

"Everything is as you predicted, Your Majesty."

This time, Texas, who was appointed by you as the diplomatic envoy to negotiate with Ursus, gave you a detailed report on the situation as soon as he returned home. "The old nobles of Ursus have always wanted to seize the rich lands of the western continent, but they have been isolated and cannot find a way to do so."

"So, when we extended an olive branch to them this time, those old nobles agreed immediately."

"They said they were willing to send the Second and Seventh Armies to cooperate with our operations against Kazimir."

"Both of these army groups were previously deployed by Ursus on the Kazimir front and have considerable combat experience."

"Of course, Your Majesty, you know that."

With a Pocky stick dangling from his mouth, a hint of helplessness on his face, he shrugged and said:
"We can't do business with those starving bears of Ursus without paying a price."

"So in exchange, we will give half of the territory of Kazimir to Ursus."

"We had a long debate with those old nobles, and finally we managed to divide the land into areas, securing some of the wealthier lands with a larger population for us."

"—Well done, Texas."

Looking at the map sent by Texas, which clearly divided the post-war territories of Kazimierz and Ursus, you smiled with satisfaction.

This is not just about the achievements Texas has made, but also about the capabilities Texas possesses.

[Having received only three years of education, coupled with Texas's already far-sighted nature and precocious nature, she highly valued this educational opportunity and therefore studied exceptionally hard.]

It must be said, Fremont is a good teacher, and Texas is a good student.

Otherwise, even if you trust a child who is only twelve years old, you couldn't possibly let her go down there alone to gain experience.

[Especially since it's a crucial position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.]

[Although this time, Texas was chosen as the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the negotiations with Ursus as part of the "Emperor's Guard."]

[But you still provided Texas with a well-established team to lead the negotiations.]

However, Texas was not intimidated by the Ursus nobles; instead, it argued its case forcefully to secure the greatest possible benefit for Letania.

This makes you convinced that Texas will undoubtedly become a pillar of Letania in the future.

But your surprises don't end there.

"boom!"

The door was kicked open very casually, and Lappland's white wolf figure walked into the room lazily and casually, holding his head in his hands.

What's even stranger is that the guards outside seemed completely unfazed by this, and didn't even try to stop them.

"Oh, Your Majesty, busy?"

Upon seeing Chen Qi, Lappland simply greeted him casually, her tone so ordinary it was almost disrespectful.

But when she noticed that Texas was also there, Lappland's expression changed slightly.

Lapland immediately lowered her arms and, with an exceptionally elegant and charming aristocratic posture, bowed to Chen Qi, saying:

"Your Majesty the Emperor, Lappland Saluzzo pays his respects."

"—No need for formalities, Lappland."

Seeing Lappland, who is usually quite casual with you but becomes deliberately elegant and dignified only when Texas is around, you find it rather amusing.

"Did you come here this time because there has been progress in the work of the 'Ministry of State Security'?"

"Of course, Your Majesty, I am here to report on the progress of my work."

When Lappland heard you call her name, especially in front of Texas, the white wolf tail on her back noticeably swayed faster.

[And you clearly noticed it as she approached you with a cheerful gait.]

When Lappland smiled and gestured to Texas, a faint hint of smugness was unmistakable on her face.

[And over the past three years, you've witnessed countless scenes like this.]

Perhaps it's because of your interference, like a butterfly, that Lappland and Texas's relationship has changed significantly over the past three years, even after escaping the poison of their family.

[Compare this to your impression of the entanglement and clash of beliefs between the two.]

Lappland now seems to regard Texas more as a close friend, and... a rival?

[This is probably because Lappland knows that her opportunities were secured for her by Texas.]

Lappland was grateful to her friend for changing her destiny.

But in Lappland's heart, she still didn't want to be a "prince's page."

Although the two studied together under Fremont's tutelage, Lappland was much more carefree than the diligent Texas.

She disliked reading and even enjoyed causing mischief and playing pranks, often infuriating Fremont.

However, every time Fremont tested their homework, Lappland's grades were consistently close to Texas's.

Even for their first trial, after learning that Texas had been assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by you, Lappland volunteered to choose the more challenging and dangerous Intelligence Department.

Moreover, compared to Texas, who gets things done honestly, Lappland has far more ulterior motives.

In order to "become independent faster than Texas," she even spent time specifically cultivating a good relationship with you, her godfather.

Over the past three years, Lappland has treated you more freely in private than he would treat his own father.

[In fact, in the eyes of many tower guards and servants, Lappland is even closer to you than Viviana.]

Of course, you did create some "illusions" for Lappland in this respect.

Because of a habit from your past life, you prefer to call Lappland by her given name.

[But with Texas, people are more accustomed to calling her by her surname rather than her first name: Cellina.]

Lapland often took great pride in this.

But soon, when faced with matters of national importance, these everyday trifles are forgotten.

"So, Lappland, what intelligence has the 'Ministry of State Security' obtained?"

"—As His Majesty instructed, we have done a lot of work with the Business Federation in Kazimir beforehand."

A dangerous smile, as if he had spotted his prey, played on Lappland's lips as he explained to Chen Qi in detail:

"There are indeed quite a few potential partners within the business association."

"They were very dissatisfied with the Grand Knight Commander's long-term suppression of them and his suppression of commercial development, but because they had no army, they were unable to resist."

"However, having control of the financial resources and logistics, they still provided us with a lot of intelligence about the interior of Kazimierz."

"For example... the location of assembly points, command posts, communication centers, railway hubs, etc."

As she spoke, Lappland's smile deepened, and she chuckled softly:

"It seems that the merchant lords really want us to overthrow the wicked nobles and knights."

“They desperately hope that our free and open Letania can liberate them, these ‘oppressed’ merchants.”

"So that they can make a fortune in Kazimierz without any restraint."

"—Then, let's grant them their wish."

The news from Lappland brought a smile to your face.

The Qasimirans believed the war hadn't even begun; however, they were unaware that they had already lost the initiative.

Now, it's time for them to regret their choices.

(End of this chapter)