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

Chapter 60 Assassination
[Kazimir, one of the top five military powers on Terra, fell in just two months under the combined attack of Letania and Ursus.]

[Ioleta Russell, the Grand Knight Commander who had ruled Kazimir for decades, surrendered the entire nation to the Emperor of Letania when his army was at the gates.]

The news sent shockwaves through all of Terra.

Although Kazimir's military strength cannot be compared with that of a true military superpower.

However, Casimir was, after all, a nation that gained independence while caught between the powerful states of Victoria and Ursus.

Even though they were attacked from both sides by Letania and Ursus, their defeat and surrender within two months was truly astonishing.

[In particular, Ursus, which was not a military superpower, was the first to breach the capital of Qazimir.]

[On the contrary, Letania, who has never been known for its offensive prowess, is the one everyone remembers!]

Faced with the territory of Kazimir divided between the two countries, all nations have finally fallen into a state of high alert and have begun to guard against your further actions.

The eight dukes of Victoria began to simultaneously increase taxes and expand their military.

[For a time, both in Victoria itself and in the Lower Gauls and Tara under their rule, the people were filled with resentment.]

This sparked an even greater uprising in the two vassal states that were already seeking independence and rebelling against Victoria.

[Meanwhile, facing Letania, the southward advance of Ursus, and the looming threats from Bolívar and Colombia in the northwest, the eight dukes were even more determined.]

They deployed tanks, drones, and even troops to violently suppress uprisings across the country.

Every day, more than a hundred people are killed or injured due to military suppression alone.

[Without a doubt, the suppression by the eight dukes was extremely effective.]

Under military suppression, the uprisings in Lower Gaul and the Tara region were almost swiftly crushed.

Even the Tara independent faction known as "Deep Pool" has temporarily fallen silent.

However, although the uprising was suppressed, the anger of the people in both Lower Gaul and the Tara did not dissipate; it was merely forcibly suppressed.

[These two barrels of dry explosives, with only a sliver of fuse remaining, could detonate if ignited.]

That would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to Victoria.

Besides Victoria, Colombia has also begun to participate in this arms race.

The Colombian government has begun a large-scale expansion of factories within the country and is strongly supporting the development of enterprises and companies in all fields, including military, biological, physical, and materials science.

Colombia's inclusive, free, and open domestic environment has provided fertile ground for many people passionate about science.

Many scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs, both domestic and foreign, have been drawn to this still small but promising nation.

[However, this will not elevate Colombia to the status of a major power in the short term.]

But everyone saw Colombia's development potential. Given time, it would undoubtedly become another superpower no less powerful than Victoria.

The news of Casimir's partition not only made Victoria uneasy, but also brought about a butterfly effect you couldn't have foreseen.

Far away in Kazdel, the Sarkaz civil war that had already broken out has miraculously subsided!

However, since you lack an intelligence network in the Kazdel region, you've only heard some unreliable rumors.

It is said that Theresis and Theresia were worried that their civil war, regardless of who won, would result in significant losses for the Sarkaz race.

[Especially since they sensed that a world war might be about to break out.]

This is a war that the Sarkaz, having already experienced a civil war, cannot afford.

Therefore, the brother and sister, who had already made up their minds, tacitly chose to stand together again, uniting the Sarkaz clan once more.

This means that in future strategies, you will have to take the Sarkaz, an uncontrollable factor, into account.

Although Kazdel is a tiny place.

However, the combined power of the Sarkaz clan is indeed enough to turn the tide of the battle.

[In response, you also took your own measures.]

"Oh? You want me to represent Letania on this mission?"

When Fremont, who had been summoned, learned of Chen Qi's new appointment, he showed a somewhat surprised expression.

"Kid, are you sure?"

"Although it may be inappropriate for an old man like me to say this, the Sarkaz are not a reliable race."

"Working with the Sarkaz, kid, you're making the devil's side."

"—What a coincidence, old man, in many people's eyes, I'm probably a devil too."

Despite Fremont's warning, Chen Qi, who had made up his mind, didn't care.

There is no friendship between countries, only interests.

“As long as I can satisfy the interests of the Sarkaz, and the Sarkaz can satisfy my needs, then we can cooperate.”

“Fremont, tell Therese, and Theresia too.”

Chen Qi rose from his seat at the Kazimierz Supervisory Council, which had been used as a temporary palace, and walked straight to Fremont, his expression becoming increasingly solemn.

Fremont also realized that the person he was talking to now was not "Qi".

Rather, it was the most powerful emperor of Letania on this land.

“They want the Sarkaz to be revived, they want the Sarkaz people to have their own homeland—I understand.”

"They want to demonstrate the power of the Sarkaz to other countries in this land and complete their revenge—I understand."

“Tell them that if they want to achieve this goal, the opportunity is right in front of them.”

"That is, to cooperate with Letania."

"As long as they have Letania's support and protection, they can build a home for the Sarkaz with peace of mind."

"And what I want in return is for them to fight for Letania!"

"Let the Sarkaz, together with the great Letania, conquer all the powerful nations of this land!"

"At that time, I will fulfill my ambition and let the flag of Letania fly in every corner of this land."

"The Sarkaz will also carry out their revenge."

As Chen Qi recounted his grand strategy, his eyes gleamed with the same fervor and ambition that Fremont knew all too well.

That was his old friend, Herhunzoren, with almost the exact same expression before he went mad and brutal.

Just as alarm bells were ringing in Fremont's mind, and he thought that the emperor he had once admired was also being consumed by endless desires.

A sudden female voice interrupted their conversation.

"—Qi, you're right, the Grand Knight's tour is all set up. When do you plan to go?"

The moment the council chamber doors were pushed open, Jian's calm voice rang out clearly.

In Fremont's eyes, he noticed that the king, who was almost consumed by desire, had his eyes clear again the moment this woman appeared.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Chen Qi smiled and nodded at the mace, saying:

“Jian, I still need to entrust my guard duties to you.”

"During this pilgrimage, I think I will encounter several loyalists of Kazimierz."

“Kasimir is dead, and our war with Victoria is not far off.”

"Therefore, I want to make full use of the power of the newly occupied territories as soon as possible to strengthen our strength."

"...You always have ingenious ideas."

As long as Chen Qi's ideas are not cruel or oppressive, he will generally not object to them. He also showed his reliability as always after smiling.

"Don't worry, with me here, no one can hurt a single hair on your head."

"Yes, I'll leave everything to you. Jian, go down."

After watching Jian leave the council hall, Chen Qi finally turned his gaze to Fremont in front of him.

Soon, Fremont felt that familiar, sharp gaze that belonged to the emperor.

Having witnessed all of this, Fremont's last remaining doubts were finally dispelled.

It turned out to be the case.

Is this woman the emperor's "scabbard"?

So, as long as this woman is alive, this emperor will know how to restrain his sharpness and prevent his fierceness from harming those around him.

Even better news: with the power of this "scabbard," Fremont has no need to worry that she will die by accident.

In that case... perhaps it's better to choose to stand with an emperor who possesses a powerful empire, is wise and intelligent, ruthless and cold-blooded, yet still rational.

For the Sarkaz race today, this is the best way out.

"—Alright, I believe you. You've shown the way out for the Sarkaz."

Having made up his mind, Fremont no longer hesitated; he chose to trust his own judgment.

He believed that the path taken by this greatest emperor he had ever seen would surely lead to the revival of the Sarkaz!
But before he set off, he made one last request.

"However, persuading the brother and sister who have different beliefs is not an easy task."

"Although they are on the same side for now, I think we should try our best to win the support of one of them when necessary."

"Then, Your Majesty, if I cannot persuade either of them, who do you intend me to bring back to cooperate with you?"

Chen Qi barely hesitated before choosing the person he was determined to win over.

"Go to my room, there you will find the second half of my book, 'Mein Kampf'."

“If necessary, you can give this part to Theresis.”

“I believe he will be able to understand from this what it takes to revive the Sarkaz.”

……

Carrying the new chapter of your "Mein Kampf," Fremont, along with his students, embarked on the road back to Kazdel.

Meanwhile, as planned, you boarded the pre-arranged car and began your tour of the Great Knight's Territory.

Along the way, those being reviewed included not only the Leitanian army that had already occupied the Grand Knight territory.

[And the commoners and knights of Kazimierz, whom you have already conquered.]

The emperor's tours of newly conquered territories symbolized his control over these lands and his concern for the hearts and minds of the people.

[Only when all the common people felt a genuine fear of the emperor who had conquered them, and showed absolute obedience, would this be possible.]

This symbolizes that this land has achieved initial stability.

Therefore, your tour this time is to demonstrate your power and ruthlessness to the people of Kazimierz.

[Make them afraid to challenge your power, and completely subservient to your rule.]

Simply put, this parade will succeed if it goes smoothly.

This symbolizes that the spine of Kazimierz has been completely broken.

But as you ride in the car, with your mace and personal maid Liselotte by your side, receiving the adoration of the masses, you know that things are definitely not going so smoothly.

Because in this country, there is still a group of loyal people you know.

And your tour this time is especially for them.

You also believe that they will definitely appear.

"Whoosh!"

"!"

A sudden whooshing sound made Jian, who was closely following the car, quickly notice it.

With his exceptional eyesight, the moment he drew his sword, Jian recognized the projectile shooting towards Chen Qi's heart from the top of a tall building not far away—

It's a crossbow bolt.

And these were not ordinary arrows.

It was a small ballista that required two people to draw the bow before it could fire, and it was equipped with siege bolts!

This means that even if the crossbow bolt were cut in mid-air, it would be of no use.

That still wouldn't change the trajectory of the crossbow bolt, and Chen Qi would still be shot and killed.

Therefore, there is only one option left for the mace.

It's about turning yourself into a city wall to block this crossbow bolt!

"boom!"

Faced with the incoming crossbow bolts, Jian neither dodged nor evaded, but instead took the initiative to meet them head-on!
The powerful impact of the small siege crossbow bolts did not cause the mace to retreat even a step; she simply withstood it with her physical strength.

But even though his muscles had relaxed briefly after blocking that heavy blow, his nerves were far from at ease.

Because she felt it.

At the top of that tall building, something even more powerful than a siege crossbow is charging towards us!
He could even hear the roar of the enemy as they charged forward!

"For Kazimir!!"

Saw!
Roaring as she hurtled down from the high-rise building came a blonde woman clad in armor and wielding a long spear.

Chen Qi, Jian, and even Liselotte beside him could all sense the rage in her bloodshot, hateful eyes and the fury in her roar.

Facing the roaring knights, the mace, having just received a blow from the siege crossbow, had to be admitted, judging solely from its imposing presence.

If I were to try to take this attack head-on now, it would be quite difficult.

The muscles in the arm may be torn, and it is estimated that the stabbed part will be difficult to avoid being pierced.

However, as long as he avoids fatal wounds, it is not impossible for him to block this attack.

Just as Jian was about to unleash her full power, Chen Qi, standing behind her, suddenly spoke up:

"Mace, dodge."

In an instant, Chen Qi's words caused Jian's brain to shut down.

But out of instinctive trust, Jian's body still subconsciously avoided the knight's attack trajectory.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Chen Qi showed no sign of tension when facing the knight who was suddenly attacking him.

He only made one move.

He dragged the still-dazed Liselot next to him in front of him!

Liselotte, who had only just realized what was happening, had already become Chen Qi's shield!

Before her, the knight who had suddenly attacked was unable to change the trajectory of his attack, and the long spear in his hand seemed poised to stab her and Chen Qi to death together!

Faced with this sudden and desperate situation, Liselotte's survival instincts led her to almost instinctively activate her Originium Arts—

"boom!!"

The spear, which had been unstoppable, suddenly collided with an indestructible golden shield of light!

The powerful impact caused the surrounding ground to tremble violently, and many civilians who were kneeling on the ground were blasted back by this overwhelming force.

In mid-air, the knight princess with long golden hair, gripping her spear tightly, gritted her teeth and tried her best to break through the strange light shield.

However, no matter how hard she poured Originium Arts into the spear, the light shield in front of her, whose cracks were gradually spreading, remained unbroken.

"Crack!"

Finally, under the almost desperate and unwilling gaze of the knight princess.

Her spear snapped in two.

"—An assassination attempt! Catch the assassin!"

Only then did the Jinlu Guards, responsible for protection, realize what was happening and surrounded the knight princess with long halberds.

Before long, with the help of the two Golden Law Guards, the exhausted golden knight was dragged to Chen Qi's front with almost no resistance.

"Your Majesty!"

The knight, who had been kicked in the back of the knee by Jin Lufawei, collapsed to his knees, powerless.

Just as she tried to straighten herself in resistance, the long halberds of the two Golden Law Guards forcefully suppressed her body.

Even so, under Chen Qi's gaze.

Even though her face was deathly pale, this proud knight princess still struggled to raise her head and stared at him with hatred in her eyes.

"...Although this is our first meeting, I know you."

From inside the car, Chen Qi gazed down at this man he had once loved dearly in his past life, but who had now become his enemy, with the cold, imperial gaze of an emperor.

"Born into the heroic family of Kazimierz, a member of the Lightbringer family."

"Margaret Nearl".

"How dare you attempt to assassinate the emperor who conquered your country?"

(End of this chapter)