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

Chapter 64 The death knell for Victoria has already tolled.
Theresis led his massive Sarkaz army, marching in a grand procession towards Londinium.

[But while you began organizing the Letanian army to go to the western front, you were also making preparations for a second chance.]

You didn't place all your hopes on Theresis's plan.

As emperor, you must consider what to do if things go astray.

Using the military as a gamble without making adequate preparations beforehand is an extremely irresponsible act.

Especially since you're dealing with a behemoth like Victoria, you need to be even more cautious.

Therefore, unlike your previous lack of involvement in command during the conquest of Kazimir, you have chosen to intervene directly this time.

You first sent diplomats to Colombia and Bolívar.

Have your diplomats explain to the Colombian president that now is the best time to completely eliminate the threat posed by Victoria!

If Colombia can cooperate with you on the northern front, forcing Victoria to divert troops to the north, the pressure on the western front will be significantly reduced.

As for Hildegard, stationed in Bolívar, you ordered her to lead her troops in a feint attack on northern Victoria, launching a fierce offensive.

Furthermore, while the Victorian army was defeated, they did their utmost to annex more northern Victorian territory.

During this time, Gertrude wrote to you specifically, hoping that she could also join the army.

But in the end, you rejected Gertrude's application on the grounds that "the defense of Bolívar is also of paramount importance."

After finishing your work in the north, you turned your gaze eastward.

[Regarding the Ursus Empire, which occupies half of Kazimir and now borders your territory.]

You also dispatched diplomats carrying a large amount of treasure to express goodwill to the commanders of the two army groups.

[You've given orders to the diplomats. Convince the Ursus Empire by all means that annexing Victoria is your final wish.]

Of course, you also know that it's unrealistic to expect Ursus to completely believe your story.

Therefore, you have also deployed a portion of your forces along the border of Kazimir, which you control, to guard against a possible surprise attack from the Ursus Empire.

However, he was responsible for the first line of defense on the Qasimir border and the crucial task of commanding the army.

[Yet you defied all opposition and chose the Knights of Kazimierz and Marna Nearl.]

Although you know that Marna deeply resents you for conquering Kazimierz.

But you're even more certain that Marna also hates Ursus, who is also an invader.

Moreover, even more than you, he and the conquering knights would rather see the Ursus army occupy Kazimir.

[Over the past month, your propaganda department has done its fair share of promoting the governance of the neighboring Ursus territory within your own domain.]

As you predicted, Ursus clearly doesn't intend to properly govern the lands he's occupied in Kazimir, unlike you do.

Or rather, they never intended to treat non-Ursus citizens as human beings.

To the Ursus Empire, all non-Ursus citizens were merely slaves.

In the Ursus-controlled territories, large numbers of Kazimir civilians are beaten and even killed daily by Ursus soldiers for defying, resisting, or on trumped-up charges.

Every day, large numbers of Kazimierz civilians are forcibly relocated to undeveloped areas within Ursus territory.

What awaits them is endless days of bitter cold, hunger, and torment, and the ever-present threat of death.

[And through your revelation, all the Qasimirians under your rule have witnessed the truly miserable lives their compatriots on the other side.]

For a time, a large portion of the Qazimirs began to feel fortunate that Letania was ruling them.

Another group, however, was filled with righteous indignation and gnashing their teeth at Ursus's atrocities.

[Some more radical members of the Qazimir community, disregarding your shared identity as an aggressor, even wrote you a joint letter.]

The letter simply expresses the hope that you can lead the Letanian army to liberate your suffering compatriots in Qazimir from the brutal rule of Ursus.

While this doesn't prove that the Kazimir people have begun to forget their hatred, it's clearly a good sign.

Therefore, you confidently entrusted the first line of defense to Marna, who had deep feelings for Kazimierz, and the knights who fought there.

You believe they all understand whether it's better for the Qazimirs to be under your rule or to fall into the hands of the cruel Ursus.

There shouldn't be any problems handing over the borders of Qazimir to them.

[And within Victoria, you've put in even more effort.]

[You dispatched your Gestapo to secretly contact the puppet ruler of Lower Gaul and Abrahana, the leader of the "Deep Pool" faction operating in Tara.]

You've used the autonomy of Lower Gaul and Tara after the overthrow of Victoria as leverage, hoping to gain their support when the war against Victoria begins.

Of course, you also know that regardless of what response Lower Gaul and Tara give you, they most likely won't immediately send troops to oppose Victoria.

They will only lend you a hand when your massive army is pressing in.

But if it can reduce the eight dukes' chances of winning by even one point, it's worth it.

[After you completed all these arrangements, news quickly arrived from Rembiton.]

When the government of Rembiton learned of the arrival of the Letanian army, it surrendered almost without hesitation.

[E Group Army occupied the entire territory of Rembiton in just two hours.]

At this point, all your plans are complete.

The Leitanian legions, with high morale, complete equipment, and ample logistical support, awaited the signal to launch a general offensive against Victoria.

……

Meanwhile, after a week of marching, Theresis led his Sarkaz army to Lontinim.

Outside the city of Lentinium, someone was already waiting for him.

“The Regent of Sarkaz, Mr. Theresis.”

“I am the Duke of Cavendish of Victoria, and on behalf of Victoria, I welcome you, and the Sarkaz.”

"—No need for formalities, Your Highness. It is our honor to be invited to defend the capital of the Victorian Empire."

Facing the representative of the royalists, who was also the Duke of Cavendish who had invited the Sarkaz to oversee the proceedings, Therese put a lot of effort into the etiquette that the Victorians valued most.

He lowered his stance slightly, but maintained the ruthless attitude befitting the Sarkaz regent, demonstrating his reliability.

As expected, Duke Cavendish was quite satisfied with Therese's performance.

Despite being the Duke of Victoria, he deeply disliked the Sarkaz and their "demon bastards."

But compared to those with their own agendas, none of them are necessarily loyal to Victoria, and some dukes even covet the throne.

The Sarkaz, a race driven by self-interest, actually seem much more reliable.

"Now that you have arrived, please enter Londinium."

"I have some instructions for Mr. Therese regarding the current situation in Lentinium and Victoria."

"Let go!"

At Duke Cavendish's command, the gates of the mobile city behind him, known as the "Never-Fallen City," slowly opened to the Sarkaz army before him. Seeing Londinium so easily open its gates to him, even Theresis's steely heart was deeply shaken.

But Theresis's face remained as solid as the ice of Ursus, showing no sign of melting.

Even the Sarkaz army behind him, and even the proud rulers of the royal court, were completely silent.

They simply followed the regent silently, waiting for his signal.

Duke Cavendish, who led Theresis and the Sarkaz army into Londinium, failed to perceive any danger in the solemn atmosphere.

He was explaining to the "mercenary leader" he had brought in his reasons for sending Sarkaz to Lentinium.

“Mr. Therese, I am very pleased that you could come.”

"To be honest, your arrival relieved me and even felt like a timely help."

“I think Mr. Theresis should also know that the little bastard emperor born to the witch king of Letania is eyeing our Victoria with covetous eyes.”

"Your arrival at this crucial moment has undoubtedly strengthened Victoria's defenses and eased our burden."

The Duke of Cavendish's joy was heartfelt.

He originally sent the Sarkaz to Londinium simply to keep other dukes who were disloyal to Victoria in check.

But now that the Sarkaz have taken up residence in Lontinim, the forces of the eight dukes can be concentrated on the front lines to defend against the large army of Letania.

It is not used to guard against each other.

After all, Sarkaz's position is neutral.

The proposal to have Sarkaz guard Londinium was one that none of the eight dukes liked, but none would oppose.

In Victoria's current political climate, it's better for Lentinium to fall into the hands of the profit-driven Sarkaz than into the hands of a duke with a different stance.

However, with the nation in peril, the eight dukes, who remained wary of each other and held stereotypes about the "lowly" Sarkaz, did not consider this at all.

That is, the Sarkaz's hatred for them.

They believed that the Sarkaz, who didn't even have a country and could only survive as mercenaries on this land, had no power to shake their rule.

They forgot that the Sarkaz once had their glory days.

They were unaware that the Sarkaz had once enslaved everything on this land.

They had no idea just how powerful the Sarkaz, now reunited under the leadership of Theresis and Theresia, could be!

“…Thank you very much for your trust, Your Highness Duke Cavendish.”

Therese's eyes remained fixed on Duke Cavendish, without shifting even slightly.

But having already stepped into Lentinium, he keenly sensed the tremors caused by the slow closing of the distant Lentinium city gates.

This means that the entire Sarkaz army has now entered Lentinium.

This also means that his actions can finally begin!

At that moment, Theresis smiled dangerously.

"...Then, Your Highness Duke Cavendish."

"Please rest assured, you will forever entrust Lentinium to the Sarkaz."

"—What does this mean?!"

However, Duke Cavendish finally detected a hint of danger in Theresis's tone, which was no longer concealing her emotions, and his expression changed instantly.

But by the time he realized the danger, it was too late.

"puff!"

Duke Cavendish only felt a bloody afterimage flash before his eyes.

The next second, the view in his eyes shifted from Theresis's cold, stern face to the gray roads of Lentinium.

Therese, who had severed Duke Cavendish's head with a single sword stroke, didn't even bother wiping the blood from his face.

The regent immediately issued orders to all the Sarkaz!

"Quickly take control of Lentinium."

"The Blood Demon Lord shall lead the Royal Army to immediately take control of the walls of Londinium and annihilate all the city's defenders, leaving no survivors."

"As ordered."

Despite his arrogance, the Blood Demon Lord, who still understood the importance of the situation, transformed into a cloud of blood-red mist without saying a word and flew towards the city wall.

Behind him, numerous members of the Blood Demon clan, along with his royal army, were rapidly advancing towards the city walls.

"The King of Carrion led the other half of the royal army to wipe out all the guards in the city of Londinium."

"clear."

The King of Carrion led his carrion-eaters, who dispersed in various directions of Londinium in a floating state.

Having issued the two most important orders for controlling a city, Theresis remained vigilant and continued to issue further orders:

"Where is the Master of Pardons?!"

"Your Highness." Several figures dressed in black robes, exuding an eerie aura, quickly assembled under the leadership of their leader, Quesatushta.

"No matter what method you use, quickly locate and take control of 'The Shard'."

"Yes!"

“Manfred, you lead the army and gather all the civilians of Londinium.”

When it came to the most meticulous work, Theresis summoned his highly anticipated student and solemnly instructed the young Sarkaz general:

"Tell these civilians that we are the vanguard sent by the Emperor of Letania, and that we have seized control of Lentinium!"

“Then, let some of them ‘escape’ from Lentinium, and send our men to drive them in different directions.”

"Also, tell the 'shapeshifters' that it's their turn to shine."

"We must let everyone in Victoria know that their capital has fallen!"

Overwhelmed with emotion, Theresis's chest armor heaved violently, and even her eyes burned with a flame of hatred.

He had no idea how long he had been waiting for this dreamlike scene.

The most crucial point in letting the Sarkaz carry out this revenge personally is to reclaim the confidence and dignity of the Sarkaz clan.

Once all this is settled, the Sarkaz clan, having completed their revenge, will achieve a great unity unlike anything seen in thousands of years!

By then, all the Sarkaz, and even his own sister, might approve of the path he has chosen.

Victoria.

I hope you will like this, the death knell tolled by the Sarkaz, for your empire!

(End of this chapter)