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

Chapter 66 The Destruction of Victoria

News of the complete breakthrough by the Letanian army on the western front spread throughout Victoria with astonishing speed.

Soon, the remaining dukes learned that the iron torrent of Letania was sweeping into Victoria.

Even their prized steam knights were destroyed by the Letanian army.

At this moment, even Duke Windermere, who was desperately trying to reclaim the capital from the Sarkaz, was...

The dukes, who had been content to remain in their positions, standing idly by, hoping to reap the benefits, have finally sensed the crisis and fear!

Faced with the greatest challenge in Victorian history, most of the dukes remained complacent.

This was also due to their confidence in Victoria's national strength and in the power of steam-powered knights.

Although the dukes had the authority to command the actions of the steam knights.

But these loyal steam knights never pledged their allegiance to the dukes.

[But it was the King, and Victoria.]

[And precisely because of this, these steam-powered knights, arguably the most powerful weapons of war in Victoria, became a thorn in the side of the power-hungry and self-serving dukes.]

Duke Windermere was one of the representatives who tacitly approved the disposal of the Steam Knights.

Faced with such a crucial situation on the western front, she ordered the near-total withdrawal of her elite troops, choosing instead to entrust the task of defending the front lines to the steam knights.

She certainly didn't want to see her elite army suffer heavy losses due to Letania's fierce attack.

This will only severely weaken her power, rendering her unable to continue participating in the power struggle within Victoria.

Therefore, she chose to entrust this heavy responsibility to the Steam Knight.

Duke Windermere firmly believed that, given the formidable strength of the Steam Knights, even if the Letanian army managed to break through the lines, they would pay a heavy price.

Moreover, the death of the Steam Knight can be seen as Duke Windermere indirectly eliminating a major threat.

[It's a win-win situation, so why not?]

[It should be said that any other duke, in the Duke of Windermere's position, would almost certainly make the same judgment.]

But the one thing they didn't anticipate was...

The Steam Knight has lost.

[And they lost so quickly!]

In less than a day, the Letanian army had destroyed Victoria's strongest defenses.

[In fact, the Letanian army suffered almost no losses and charged straight into the heart of Victoria!]

Now, all the dukes were in a panic.

Upon learning that his lines had been breached, Duke Windermere, who had only marched for a day and hadn't even reached Lentinium, was completely at a loss.

[Faced with the ferocious Lytanian army charging from behind, Duke Windermere didn't even have time to set up a defensive line before the Lytanian steel chariots arrived.]

The Duke of Windermere was forced to lead his elite troops in a desperate resistance across the vast plains while simultaneously appealing for help from the nearest duke.

At the outset of the battle, Duke Windermere's army held a slight advantage in numbers against the Letanian vanguard, destroying some chariots.

However, as the Leitanian army gradually joined the battle, the Victorian forces, facing an overwhelming armored onslaught, began to falter.

The fierce battle raged for a day and a night. Ultimately, Duke Windermere's army, under the relentless attacks of the Leitanian army and air force, was divided and gradually decimated, falling into disarray.

The Duke of Windermere was captured after a failed suicide attempt in this encounter.

But just as your soldiers were about to bring the captured Duke Windermere before you to claim credit, a small accident occurred.

The support that Duke Windermere had requested from other dukes has actually arrived!

They all began to worry: if even the Duke of Windermere, one of the few militaryly skilled among the eight dukes, had fallen, what would they have to fight against the Letanian army?

Therefore, without prior consultation, the dukes tacitly agreed to send the strongest support they could provide.

[—Steam Knight!]

[When a total of four steam-powered knights descended from the sky, appearing on this battlefield littered with corpses.]

The Duke of Windermere, who witnessed this scene, even felt certain that he would be rescued.

However, the response to Duke Windermere was a barrage of artillery fire from over ten miles away, a barrage that had been poised to strike long before!

It should be said that the simultaneous appearance of four steam-powered knights on the same battlefield is unprecedented in Victoria's military history.

To halt the advance of the Letanian army, the four steam knights chose to transform their massive mechanical bodies into shields to defend the position.

And your legion has made these steam knights the perfect targets!

Under the fierce onslaught of your artillery, air force, and warships, the four massive steam knights were utterly annihilated by the barrage.

[Even compared to dealing with a single Steam Knight, this artillery bombardment was much easier to hit, significantly increasing the probability of an effective strike.]

The steam knights who were being bombarded didn't even dare to retreat a single step.

These loyal steam knights understood that if they retreated, the lights of countless homes behind them would be destroyed.

However, they were powerless to repel the enemy.

The limit of what they could achieve was destruction under endless bombardment, sacrificing their lives to commemorate the demise of an empire, and giving themselves a final shred of dignity by dying in battle.

Finally, after an hour of shelling.

[Under the desperate and incredulous gaze of Duke Windermere, who was about to be taken back to command post.]

The last steam-powered knight was utterly destroyed by a charged shot from the main cannon of the "Victory," crashing to the ground on the plains.

The battlefield returned to silence, save for your calm and resolute voice, which continued to command the troops.

"Never stop, heroes of Letania, keep going!"

"Our goal is to conquer Victoria!"

……

On April 7, 1092, the Duke of Windermere was captured by the Letanian army, and all four of his steam knights were killed, shocking the entire nation of Victoria.

Meanwhile, news of the resounding victory on the main battlefield in Letania finally reached many people's ears.

On the same day, Hildegard, who was engaged in fierce fighting with the Victorian army on the northern front, finally saw the Victorian army's morale decline.

[At night, Hildergard changed her feint attack strategy and personally led a fierce assault on one location, inflicting a major defeat on the Duke of Wellington's army stationed on the northern front!]

[Then Hildegard led Bolívar's army with unstoppable momentum, capturing five mobile cities north of Victoria within days, with the city garrisons surrendering without a fight.]

On April 10, the Colombian president announced Colombia's formal intervention in the Battle of Victoria, leading 4 Colombian federal troops in an advance towards northern Victoria.

Under the federal forces of Colombia, the fall of Londinium led to the collapse of the western front, and the already demoralized Victorian army crumbled at the first sign of trouble.

On April 15, Bolívar met with Colombian troops and signed a non-aggression pact.

On April 16, Bolívar separated from Colombia again, expanding in opposite directions to the northwest and northeast of Vitória.

Under the conquest of Hildegard and the Colombian army, the major mobile cities in northern Victoria fell one after another.

Duke Fife, one of the eight dukes, was defeated in the process and captured by Hildergard.

On this day, Army Group A of Letania on the Western Front had become a chasm dividing Victoria from north to south, penetrating deep into the heart of Victoria.

[And the Letanian army has only one target—Lentinium!]

[Once the Letanian army joins forces with the Sarkaz of Londinium, there will be no possibility of Victoria retaking Londinium, the capital of Victoria.]

The fall of the capital means that all the power of the eight dukes has become meaningless, which is tantamount to declaring your victory in this war.

But you don't want to pin your hopes on the surrender of the eight dukes.

What you want is to firmly grasp every inch of Victoria's land in your hands!

You order Army Groups B and D, which also broke through from the western front, and Army Group E, located far away in Rembiton, to march south towards Victoria and expand their gains.

[And you, leading the elite A-Group Army, marched relentlessly towards Londinium.]

Along the way, you and your army encountered repeated resistance from the steam knights.

[But the eight dukes lacked means of communication and coordination, making the rescue of the powerful steam knights akin to the Calabash Brothers trying to save their grandfather—sent them away one by one.] [These steam knights, symbols of Victoria's former power and glory, were thus destroyed one after another by your cannon fire.]

Their deaths served almost no purpose other than to demonstrate their unwavering loyalty to Victoria.

They cannot stop your advance, nor can they hinder the progress of the Letanian army!

On April 19th, even more shocking news arrived in Victoria!

The Duke of Wellington, one of the eight Dukes of Victoria, a highly respected military leader, announced a partnership with Deeppool, the "Tara independence force."

[The following day, the Duke of Wellington and Abrahina, leader of the "Deep Pool," formally announced their support for the autonomy of the Kingdom of Tara and their resistance against Victoria's rule, in response to Letania's call!]

With this defection of the most influential duke in northern Victoria, the entire northern region of Victoria fell.

On the same day, the leader of the puppet government of Lower Gaul, after contacting the commander of Army Group B, which was expanding its territory to the south, also declared his submission to Letania's rule, citing support for autonomy.

[A few days later, as you approached Londinium, you issued the new decree to Tara and Lower Gaul.]

[You declared that the Kingdom of Tara would be renamed the "Autonomous Kingdom of Northern Tara," and the Kingdom of Lower Gaul would be renamed the "Autonomous Kingdom of Vichy Gaul," and, in your capacity as Emperor of Letania, you recognized the autonomy of both countries.]

In exchange, both countries will submit to Letania's rule as vassals and declare the territories under Letania's rule.

[And allowing the stationing of Letanian troops, and establishing economic and trade ties with Letania itself.]

At the same time, you also issued your first decree to both countries.

[You request that both countries promptly dispatch troops towards Lentinium to join forces with the Letanian army!]

[Upon the issuance of this edict, almost the entire population of both Gaul and Tara responded!]

The civilian population of both countries is already deeply resentful and harbors a profound hatred for Victoria due to Victoria's long-term violent repression and economic sanctions.

With your permission, the Tara people and the remnants of Gaul formed a rebellion and began their march towards Londinium!

[Now, the territories of Victoria in the south, north, and west are all under your control!]

Having completed their respective missions, the army groups and rebel forces, under your command, began to converge on Londinium, the heart of Victoria.

……

"How are things, Manfred? Are our compatriots holding on?"

On the walls of Londinium, Regent Therese, led by his student Manfred, personally inspected the defenses of the walls.

After more than half a month of fighting, countless cracks, pits, and even traces of blood have appeared on the seemingly impregnable walls of Londinium.

As Theresis watched the Sarkaz being carried away one by one due to their severe injuries, his heart bled, yet his expression remained solemn.

"General, judging from the casualty ratio, we can hold out for at least another month."

Manfred reported to Therese in a clear, logical, and respectful manner:
"Thanks to the strong defenses of Londinium and the 'Shattered Tower,' we have been able to hold out until today under the full force of the four dukes' attack."

"The steam knights of Victoria have stormed the city several times by air, but with the presence of the Blood Lord and the King of Carrion, we have been able to eliminate them."

“But… General, what I’m worried about now is not the city’s defenses, but the resources within Londinium.”

Manfred frowned slightly and said to Therese with an uneasy expression:

“Lentinium is the heart of Victoria, and the necessities here, such as food and fresh water, need to be supplied from outside.”

"Now, the four dukes have surrounded Lentinium and cut off all our food and fresh water supplies."

"The food in Lentinium is only enough to last us for three days, and the fresh water is only enough for one day."

"The Sarkaz are battered and accustomed to surviving on the battlefield; we might be able to hold out a little longer."

“However, I am worried that if this continues, the Victorian civilians inside Londinium will riot, which will affect our war.”

"—According to the Shapeshifter syndicate, the Leitanian Emperor's army will arrive soon."

Although Tracy felt uneasy as she listened to Manfred's report, she did not show the slightest fear.

As regent, he had to appear calm and composed in front of all the Sarkaz, as if everything was under his control, in order to stabilize morale.

Especially when things are at their most desperate, Therese needs to remain calm.

Just then, Theresis suddenly felt a slight tremor coming from the city wall beneath her feet...

Soon, the tremors became more pronounced, causing even the small stones on the city wall to shake.

During the two weeks of fighting, Theresis, who felt this shock almost constantly, quickly made a judgment.

"Victoria's army is about to launch another siege!"

“Manfred, get your people ready. Victoria is likely to deploy steam knights. Be prepared to deal with them at any time.”

"—Wait, General!"

But at that moment, Manfred, who vaguely sensed that the frequency of the vibration seemed different from the usual pace of the Steam Knights, pointed his finger into the distance.

"General, look, it seems there's a small sandstorm approaching over there!"

"Sandstorm?"

Upon hearing this word, Therese immediately thought of a possibility and quickly turned her gaze to the dust that Manfred was pointing to in the distance.

Soon, under Theresis's racing heart and expectant gaze...

He finally saw clearly.

The flag of Letania flutters in the dust in the distance!
"That's not a sandstorm, it's the Leitanian army!"

For the first time, Therese couldn't contain her excitement and blurted it out.

His words soon reached the ears of Manfred beside him, as well as the Sarkaz guarding the city.

At this moment, it was as if a boulder had fallen into a lake, creating huge ripples.

The Sarkaz, whose spirits had gradually become numb during the two-week siege, showed a long-lost excitement upon hearing the voice of their Regent.

"The Leitanian army has arrived?!"

"What! They really came?!"

"Were Victoria's army completely defeated?!"

One after another, exclamations of surprise, joy, and disbelief spread rapidly across the city walls like the flu!
And when all the Sarkaz on the city walls could clearly see the increasingly clear Letanian flag in the distance.

A long-suppressed joy of victory finally erupted into cheers that echoed across the city walls!

"Fellow countrymen! Take up your weapons! Defend our city!"

Faced with the cheering Sarkaz compatriots, Theresis's face lit up with an unprecedented smile of joy.

This iron-fisted monarch had faint dark circles under his eyes, and even as this long-awaited victory arrived, his eyes welled up with tears.

But he suppressed all his emotions.

He raised his sword high and loudly made his final preparations before welcoming victory.

"Victoria's army is about to be defeated! Victory is within our grasp!"

"Manfred, you command all the city's defense forces and defend Londinium with all your might. Do not allow any enemy to set foot in our city!"

"Yes, General!"

Manfred immediately accepted the order.

Perhaps because of the atmosphere, the young Sarkaz general also wept with joy, his eyes filled with tears.

Therese, on the other hand, raised his sword high, unleashing a deafening, cathartic roar that released all the humiliation, resentment, and hatred he had suppressed for a century!

"All the rest of the Sarkaz, all of our kind!"

"Let us wash away our thousands of years of humiliation with the blood of the Victorians!"

"For Kazdel! For Sarkaz!!"

"Follow me—for revenge!"

(End of this chapter)