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

Chapter 59 The Surrender of Kazimir

Two months later, in the capital of Kazimir, the Grand Knight Territory, the atmosphere within the Supervisory Council was unusually heavy.

Inside the Supervisory Council, the knights and nobles who should have been commanding operations on various fronts in Kazimir were unusually gathered together on this day.

However, these knightly nobles, and even the high-ranking Grand Knight Commander, were all well aware of this.

They gathered here not because the situation at the front had improved to the point where commanders could return to the capital for meetings and to report on the battle.

Therefore, only one possibility remains.

The situation at the front lines, and indeed throughout Kazimir, has deteriorated beyond what they can salvage through command alone.

"Over in Ursus, their Second Army has already occupied Drip Village."

"The Seventh Army has begun to approach the last line of defense we have set up in the northern part of the Great Knight Territory, and it will take some time for them to break through it."

Inside the council chamber, in just two months, Ioleta Russell, the head of the Kazimierz government, appeared to have aged twenty years.

Her once golden hair now had several noticeable clumps of white, her face looked haggard, and her eye bags and dark circles were extremely prominent.

However, even with her mental state in such a poor state, as head of state, she still could not rest.

She also needed to listen quietly as her advisor recounted just how dire Kazimir's situation truly was.

"And Letania's offensive is even more ferocious..."

"Our troops stationed in the southwest to defend against Letania have suffered very heavy losses."

"This news was even brought to us by the communications soldier who lost an arm the day before yesterday."

The staff officer carefully observed his leader's expression, and only after confirming that she remained calm did he swallow hard and continue:

"Today, we have lost control of almost all the communication towers and all the transportation hubs."

"The Business Federation has also stopped providing us with logistical support, and we have to draw supplies from civilians in Kazimierz to supply the front lines."

"The situation at the front is likely to get even worse... Grand Knight Commander, please make a decision as soon as possible."

"—We still have a chance."

Grand Knight Commander Russell, gazing at the map before him showing the dwindling territory of Kazimir, remained calm.

"I have redeployed several more troops from the border region of Colombia to support the southwestern front."

"With an offensive launched with a massive amount of weaponry, Leitania's logistics will inevitably be overwhelmed."

"The offensive has been going on for two months. If our troops can hold on for a little longer, everything will be fine."

However, Russell, clinging to a last sliver of hope, failed to notice this.

The moment she finished speaking, the nobles in the council hall exchanged glances and then fell silent.

"...Head of State."

Finally, it was the poor staff officer who spoke up, trembling with fear:

"The Colombian border..."

"The border troops did not accept your order, citing the need to guard against Colombia."

"They did not send troops to reinforce the southwestern front."

"..."

silence.

A deathly silence fell, and no one knew how long it lasted. All that everyone present saw was their leader's trembling hand.

She silently took off her reading glasses, trying her best to remain calm in front of everyone.

"...The people I've called on, please stay."

"Lyme, Chesper, and Duke."

Russell left behind three representatives: the Silver Spear Pegasus, the War Knights, and the Nobles. The rest of the people, knowing the situation, turned and left the council hall.

And just as the soundproof doors of the council chamber closed.

Bertrand Russell, already on the verge of a mental breakdown, could no longer bear it.

"—This is an order!"

"It is an order to send troops from the border to support the front lines!"

"What are these conquering knights?! How dare they disobey my orders!"

Outside the council chamber, a group of nobles stood like rows of wooden stakes, silent.

Inside the room, Russell was still venting his anger.

"Now I understand!"

"Everyone is betraying us!"

"It's not just Victoria, who promised to attack us from both sides, nor is it just those treacherous business associations! It's even our Knights!"

"A group of self-proclaimed noble knights combined are no match for a lowly bastard witch king who crawled out of the slums!"

"They're all a bunch of good-for-nothings who only learned to eat with a knife and fork at the Knight Academy!"

"—Grand Knight Commander, I think what you said went a bit too far."

As a representative of the Conqueror Knights, Chesper, who had always hoped to improve the treatment of Conqueror Knights through war, finally could not bear the humiliation of the Grand Knight Commander.

"Every knight-errant is risking his life to defend Kazimir..."

"They're all a bunch of useless trash! Traitors and scum!"

Consumed by anger, Russell couldn't bear to listen to even the slightest rebuttal from outsiders.

In this desperate situation, the Grand Knight Commander suddenly lost his usual composure and demeanor, instead resembling a gambler who had lost everything, constantly trying to escape reality.

But no matter how much she tried to avoid it, Russell knew the truth in his heart.

Kazimir has no hope of winning this battle.

The fall of the Great Knights' Territory is only a matter of time; she must consider her next course of action.

To surrender or to flee.

Neither of these outcomes can change the fact that he will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame in Kazimierz.

His prestige as head of state among the people will plummet!
However, the difference is that if one chooses to surrender, then Kazimir will become a puppet government, and one who is valuable may still be able to retain their position in Kazimir.

If she chooses to flee, then she has to gamble.

They bet that Letania will continue to escalate the war and be defeated in battles against powerful nations such as Victoria and Ursus.

In that way, he could lead the remaining knights and core members to revive Kazimierz.

Of course, she had a third option.

That was to choose suicide, to preserve her honor and dignity as head of state and Grand Knight Commander through death.

But did Russell really want to die?
Does she really dare to die?

"...Grand Knight Commander."

However, just after Russell, having finished his outburst and sitting down in silence, slightly out of breath, Lyme cautiously spoke up:

"Actually, if we want to change the course of the battle, we have another candidate."

“This person doesn’t need to command, or even take action. Just by stepping onto the front lines, he can greatly boost the morale of the knights.”

At this point, Russell gradually realized who Lyme was referring to as the "chosen one".

"...You mean the Lin Guang family?"

The Lin Guang family.

When this family, practically synonymous with "heroes" in Kazimierz, reappeared in everyone's ears, everyone's eyes lit up with excitement.

"However, the head of the Linguang family, General Cyril, is bedridden, and his eldest son, Snitz, has been missing for a long time."

"Isn't there also Marner?"

Chesper, a knight-errant, immediately spoke with a touch of excitement the name of the "rogue" with whom he had some acquaintance.

“Marna once organized a group of knights. Although his style of doing things was not like that of a knight, he was very good at delaying and harassing tactics.”

"Since Letania's logistics are a major problem right now, why don't we ask Marna to organize a larger team of rangers?"

"Even if he doesn't like the current Kazimierz, with the country in crisis, I believe that given his character, he won't refuse our invitation!"

"If we can hold out for a few more months, then the crisis in Kazimierz will be resolved, won't it?"

However, due to his emotional turmoil, he didn't even notice that the Grand Knight Commander's brows furrowed even more deeply the moment he heard "Nearlight Family".

Clearly, even now, Russell still does not want to activate the Nearl family.

Because although the Nearl family is brave, they are heroes in the eyes of the Kazimierz.

However, the Rinko family is also a staunch traditionalist in chivalry.

Russell knew very well that the entire Nearl family was very dissatisfied with the current commercialization of Casimir, and they all blindly hoped to restore some kind of "championship".

But as head of state, Russell has many more things to consider.

If this crisis in Kazimierz will require the help of the Nearl family to turn the tide.

In the future, the aristocratic faction in Kazimir will inevitably gain more influence, and the balance in Kazimir will be broken.

And more importantly.

If the Lightbringer family truly saves Kazimierz from its national crisis, their prestige in Kazimierz will soar to unprecedented heights!
It might even threaten her position as Grand Knight Commander. If, in the future, someone from the Nearl family does rise to power, will the Nearl family hold her accountable for her past suppression of them?
Even the fact that the eldest son of the Rinko family and his wife's "disappearance" was related to her would be known to the Rinko family.

What should I do then?
But with the country in crisis, and no better options available, should the Lin Guang family be kept hidden away forever?
"You... let me think about it some more, let me think about it some more..."

Lost in a dilemma, Russell rubbed his throbbing head and finally waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

Looking at their Grand Knight Commander, who was still hesitating for some reason, Chesper wanted to say something, but was stopped by the other two.

However, just as the meeting was about to end...

But an unexpected event occurred.

"boom!!"

"what happened?!"

A sudden explosion caused the Securities and Futures Commission building to shake violently.

Russell had barely managed to gain a foothold, but before she could even ask a question, the council chamber doors were pushed open.

"No, something terrible has happened! Grand Knight Commander!"

The knights and nobles who thronged in said, their faces filled with panic:
"It's Leitania! The Leitanian fleet has broken in!"

"what?"

The shocking news struck Russell like a heavy blow, leaving the Grand Knight Commander momentarily speechless.

Although his thinking had stalled, his instincts led Russell to subconsciously believe that it was all a lie.

"Weren't the Leitanian troops still on the southwestern front two days ago?"

"They breached the southwest defenses in just two days? How is that possible?!"

"—Grand Knight Commander! If you don't believe me, go out and see for yourself!"

The nobleman's tone was more impatient with this Grand Knight Commander who was still escaping reality.

"The fleet was already hovering over the Great Knight Territory, and our city defense forces didn't even put up a fight before the Great Knight Territory was invaded!"

"Now, I'm afraid the Lytanian army is starting to flood into the city, Grand Knight Commander! You'd better run!"

Having said that, the nobleman ignored Russell, who was still in a daze, and turned around in a panic, wanting to escape the mobile city that had already fallen.

"Grand Knight Commander?"

However, the three people in the council chamber were also extremely anxious as they looked at Russell, who was still unable to come to his senses.

"Please wake up! Grand Knight Commander! We have to leave!"

"what……"

In a daze, Russell finally awoke from his shock and quickly began to understand the words of the person beside him. His gaze unfocused, he murmured to himself:

"Yes, we should leave, flee the Great Knight's Territory."

"But where can we escape to?"

"Wherever you go, it's better than staying here to die, Grand Knight Commander!"

Chesper was extremely anxious. He realized that the Grand Knight Commander in front of him had temporarily become a puppet and lost his judgment.

Just as Chesper was about to carry Russell on his back and flee the fallen Grand Knight Territory at full speed.

Outside, a broadcast that almost covered the entire Great Knight Territory stopped them in their tracks.

"—The head of the Khizimir, Ms. Ioleta Russell."

"I am the Emperor of Letania, I pray."

“If you are still inside the Securities and Futures Commission building, I sincerely invite you to come out and speak with me.”

"Please also abandon all futile resistance. My army has already occupied the Great Knight Territory. You have nowhere to escape and nowhere to hide."

"...Take me to the open-air balcony."

"Grand Knight Commander?!"

Finally, Chen Qi's voice completely shattered Russell's last shred of hope.

Under the incredulous gazes of the other three, Russell, who had already made up his mind, simply shook his head with a bitter smile and said:

"Thank you, loyal knights... but you have done more than enough."

"Leave the rest to me. Let me have a proper talk with this Emperor of Letania."

"...At least, it would be good to let the civilians of Kazimir suffer less."

……

"Jian, the influence I gave you in Kazimierz has indeed worked."

Meanwhile, inside the new Leitania warship "Victory," Chen Qi was looking down at the Grand Knight Territory, which had been taken over by the Leitania army.

With a faint smile on his face, he praised the mace beside him without reservation:

"The Infected Knights of Kazimierz are indeed willing to help us conquer this city."

"They helped us deal with the city garrison and opened the gates for us, allowing us to easily control the Grand Knights."

"—It has nothing to do with me. The reason they agreed is simply because they agree with your ideas."

Looking at Chen Qi, who was in high spirits, a faint smile appeared on Jian's face, and he replied in a low voice:

"I just read your book to them. They believe you can help people living with more dignity, and that's the most important thing."

"Yes, once we take over Kazimierz, I will give the infected people of Kazimierz the treatment they deserve."

Chen Qi nodded, but soon his attention was drawn to a figure appearing on the top of the Securities and Futures Commission building.

Using the warship's long-range vision capabilities, he recognized the man as Ioleta Russell, the Grand Knight Commander of Kazimierz.

Upon seeing the person he had been waiting for finally arrive, Chen Qi smiled faintly and raised the warship's communicator once more.

Soon, his voice once again filled the entire Great Knight Territory.

"Nice to meet you, Grand Knight Commander of Kazimierz, Lady Ioleta Russell."

"Let's cut to the chase and let me tell you about the current situation in Kazimierz and your only remaining options."

"Your army has been defeated. In just two months, we have captured your capital and taken nearly 100,000 knights prisoner."

"And our great Leitanian Empire suffered only a few thousand casualties."

"As for the other half of your territory, it has already been divided up by the Ursus Empire, and you have nowhere to escape."

"Now, I am giving you one last chance, which is also my last act of mercy."

"Give up the pointless struggle and resistance."

"Surrender to me, surrender to the great Empire of Letania, and become a part of Letania."

"Surrender or die. Grand Knight Commander, give me your answer within ten minutes."

"In ten minutes, our mighty Leitanian army will slaughter all those in Kazimir who dare to resist."

"We will stain this city red with the blood of the Qasimir people."

Having said that, Chen Qi refused to say anything more and simply chose to wait quietly.

Russell, standing on the open-air balcony on the top floor of the Securities and Futures Commission building, saw only a small communicator being released from the warship and rolling to her feet.

Russell knew that this communicator determined the fate of countless Qasimirians.

If you take it yourself, the people of Qazimir will be spared from slaughter.

If we kick it away ourselves, then Kazimir will become history, and the Kazimir people who sacrificed themselves in this war will become nothing more than a string of cold numbers.

"Grand Knight Commander..."

"...Everyone, you don't need to persuade me anymore."

Now, Russell, who was still pondering how to defend against Letania's attack, suddenly felt much more at ease.

As the head of the Kazimierz regime, she has always considered herself an extension of the Kazimierz will, a benchmark among knights, and a knight among knights.

But when faced with the loss of life, the loss of wealth and honor, and the threat to the lives of thousands of Qasimirians.

Russell finally came to a complete understanding of himself.

He was nothing more than an incompetent, mediocre, cowardly, and selfish leader.

He was powerless to save Kazimierz, and he didn't even have the courage to preserve his honor by committing suicide.

But at least...

Faced with the lives of countless Kazimierzstans, she could make this decision—to avoid slaughter—with impunity.

And so, under everyone's watchful eyes, the Grand Knight finally bowed to the Emperor before him and picked up the communicator that had fallen to the ground in the most humble manner.

The next second, all the Kazimierz people in the entire Great Knight Territory heard the declaration made by their revered leader.

“I am I, Grand Knight Commander of Kazimierz, Ioleta Russell.”

“On behalf of all commoners, knights, and nobles of Kazimierz…”

"To... the great Emperor of Letania, the mighty Letania Empire..."

"surrender."

(End of this chapter)