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

Chapter 74 The Next Empress, Viviana?

At the very top of the tower, under your command, all the empire's armies on all fronts are rapidly assembling according to your plan.

Although the mace's fate has consumed your mind with hatred, your strategic planning remains meticulous.

You know, once this war begins, it will be far more than just a war between you and the Ursus Empire.

Your empire has already occupied the most prosperous lands of Terra and possesses the strongest military force on this continent.

Now, the only force capable of militarily curbing your expansion is Ursus.

To prevent future conflicts from affecting their own countries, other nations will inevitably intervene, constantly hindering them both on the front lines and in the rear.

You have prepared for this in two ways.

[You sent envoys to both Columbia and Great Yan, who might intervene in this war, and clearly explained to them the purpose of your expedition to Ursus.]

Of course, under the current circumstances, the effectiveness of diplomacy is certainly limited.

Therefore, you appointed Gertrude to lead Bolívar's army to guard the key transportation routes connecting Bolívar to various places, thus establishing the link between Bolívar and your territory.

You also ordered the Duke of Wellington, who had surrendered to you, to lead the army of Tara to guard the northern border of Victoria.

You also deployed Army Group E as the general reserve for the defense of Colombia.

As for Hildegard, the Black Queen, you secretly transferred her back to Letania.

You have an even more important task that requires the assistance of this Black Queen.

Having ensured that Colombia would make absolutely no impact this time, you finally turned your attention to the war against Ursus.

[You should even assume that this war might involve a combined force of Ursus and Great Yan.]

However, given the current situation in Great Yan, where a large army needs to be stationed domestically to guard against giant beasts and the "Sui,"...

Even if the Great Yan Dynasty were to send troops to support Ursus, the number would certainly not be large.

Therefore, what you still need to consider is Ursus's main force.

You have mobilized all your remaining army groups, armored units, air force, and warlock units to the battlefield against Ursus.

[You also mobilized a guerrilla force composed of Kazimierz's conquering knights, personally trained by Manna of the Nearl family, to penetrate deep into the eastern territory of Ursus.]

Ursus' war machine largely stems from the rich, yet undeveloped, mineral resources in the eastern part of their territory.

Ursus's mining development is heavily reliant on a large number of infected individuals and the civilians they conquer.

These people endure harsh living conditions in the mining area and have long harbored resentment towards Ursus.

[If this force can be used effectively, then we can cut off transportation and supplies from eastern Ursus to the front lines.]

[Therefore, Ursus's weapons of war will be restricted, and may even face obsolescence!]

As for Marna.

The people of the Linguang clan are still in your hands. Even if he lacks fighting spirit, he would never dare to betray you.

Of course, you didn't place all your hopes on Marner and his partisans.

You also dispatched the Gestapo to contact Talulah, the leader of the Reunion Movement whom you had previously befriended.

[You've orchestrated a massive campaign of destruction and sabotage by the Reunion Movement in coordination with Manna's Knights of Conquest in the mining region east of Ursus!]

Compared to Manna, Talulah and the Reunion Movement, they harbor a deep-seated hatred for Ursus.

You believe that, as Ursus Tower crumbles, Talulah and her Reunion Movement will provide you with significant assistance.

However, something rather unexpected happened on the main battlefield.

[Your puppet governments of Vichy Gaul and Casimir, upon hearing of your impending war against Ursus, surprisingly displayed a strong desire to participate in the conflict.]

Each of their militaries sent representatives to express the demands of their respective military and civilian populations.

We hope you will choose their army and become the vanguard in the conquest of Ursus.

You chose to respect their wishes.

[You will lead the newly formed vanguard of Gaul, along with the knights of Casimir, as the vanguard in this battle.]

Both armies had suffered ravages at the hands of the Ursus Legion and harbored intense hatred towards Ursus.

You can be confident in their fighting capabilities.

[You also assigned the two most elite army groups, A and B, to support the Gallic vanguard's frontal assault and ensure a decisive victory in the first battle.]

This time, you unusually issued a death order to the commanders of two army groups.

Once the war begins, the Ursus front lines deployed on the border must be torn apart swiftly with the most intense firepower, drawing away the Ursus army group's strength as much as possible.

Meanwhile, Army Groups C and D will launch an offensive from the southern part of the Qazimir region occupied by Ursus, breaking through the weak defenses of the Ursus Army Group.

[Then, in coordination with the main battlefront, they reaped the Ursus army from behind like a scythe!]

If this strategy proceeds smoothly enough, you will annihilate two of Ursus's eight army groups in one fell swoop!

With a quarter of its military strength rapidly absorbed, the collapse of Ursus's defenses is almost inevitable!

[At this point, the grand strategy has been set.]

However, among your ministers, there are still many loyal and righteous individuals who strongly urge you to dissuade them from launching this war, which will drag your empire and even this land into an abyss.

Hildergard was one of the most vocal critics.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness."

"Your Majesty's personal campaign against Ursus is highly inappropriate. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

Hildegard, who had just returned from Bolivar, stepped into the tower and expressed his views to Chen Qi with both anxiety and seriousness.

"Conquering Ursus will bring us no benefit whatsoever! Once Ursus mobilizes, we will inevitably pay a heavy price to conquer it!"

"Moreover, Ursus is responsible for resisting the demons of the North. If they resort to any means necessary, they may very well invite the demons to join the battle!"

"At that time, not only Letania, but even the entire continent of Terra may be doomed!"

"...Are you done talking?"

On the throne, Chen Qi listened quietly to all of Hildergard's remarks before opening his eyes.

Unlike his previous tyranny, Chen Qi is now in an unusual calm—calm, yet stubborn.

To Hildergard's heartfelt words, Chen Qi gave only the most indifferent reply:
"I have my own plans for these matters, Hildegard."

"You only need to carry out my decrees; I will need your strength."

Hildegard opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Judging from Chen Qi's attitude, she understood that she could no longer dissuade him.

He's already caught in a vortex of stubbornness; trying to dissuade him now will only backfire.

Perhaps only after he has completed this revenge will he regain some of his sanity.

"...Also, regarding your sister, I have already explained it to you in the transfer order I gave you."

After a moment of silence, Chen Qi addressed Hildergard with a tone devoid of any remorse or pity:

“I had to kill her, I hope you can understand.”

"……I see."

In the letter, Hildergard, who already knew Liselotte's final fate, shook her head with a bitter smile after a hint of melancholy in her eyes:
"I knew this day would come."

"She is more obsessed than I imagined. She is deeply entrenched in the lust for power and cannot extricate herself."

After closing her eyes in deep sorrow for a long while, Hildegard, whose emotions had calmed down somewhat, then made a request to Chen Qi:

"Your Majesty, may I see her one last time?"

"No matter what, she was my sister, and I should go see her off on her final journey."

"...Gestapo."

In response to Hildergard's request, Chen Qi simply summoned a Gestapo officer and said calmly:
"Take her to the underground dungeon, to Liselotte's corpse."

After Hildergard's figure disappeared from the hall, facing the once again silent environment, you leaned wearily against the cold throne.

Fremont, along with his students, has begun researching how to strengthen Mace's willpower to continue resisting the corrupting influence of the evil spirits.

[You know very well that even if you raise a large army and annihilate Ursus, it will only be a release of your pent-up anger.]

No matter how long the mace resists, as long as the demon exists, the demon's corrosive effects on her will never disappear.

Unless you can eliminate the evil spirits.

But is that even possible?

You can't find the answer; you only know that as long as there's a glimmer of hope, you'll fight with all your might.

Even if you know it's like a moth drawn to a flame.

“…Father.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out to Chen Qi, who was jolted awake. Having just survived an assassination attempt, he almost reflexively drew the "Breath of Kings" from beside him.

Soon, following the breath of the kings, Chen Qi saw Viviana, who was slightly startled, her throat only one centimeter away from the tip of the sword.

And standing behind Viviana, leading her, was Vina, who had removed her veil but was still wearing a wedding dress.

"Vivianna."

Upon seeing his adopted daughter, Chen Qi immediately sheathed his sword, forcing a weak, apologetic smile onto his weary face. "I'm sorry, did Daddy scare you just now?"

"...It's alright, Father, I understand how you feel right now."

However, Viviana unexpectedly shook her head. At only eight years old, she began to comfort the exhausted king before her.

“Father… I used to think that you were a man who only cared about the country and was indifferent to Mother Mace and Mother Gertrude.”

"But what happened today made me realize something."

“Father, I just didn’t want everyone to discover your weakness, and I didn’t want Mother Jian to be in danger.”

"If Father wants to avenge Mother Jian, I won't say anything more."

"But there is something I must tell my father..."

As she spoke, Viviana slowly opened her small, delicate hands, which had been holding something, in front of Chen Qi.

In Viviana's hands was a small scalpel.

It was the scalpel that Chen Qi had personally given to Jian.

"Please, never forget who you are."

"Otherwise, even if Mother Jian wakes up, she won't be happy."

Perhaps because she hadn't had much contact with her father, Chen Qi, over the past eight years, Viviana still seemed somewhat nervous.

However, the way she tried so hard to convey her thoughts to Chen Qi still moved the exhausted Chen Qi.

He unconsciously turned his gaze to Vina, who was standing to the side.

"...I have no objection to your expedition to Ursus, since I don't like Ursus either."

Vina shook her head, indicating that Viviana's words were not something she had taught her.

"Although our relationship is nominal, I am still your concubine."

"At the very least, I don't want the Ursus army to besiege the city; that would be a terrible situation."

"I will help Viviana, do my best to stabilize the rear, at least stabilize Victoria's people."

"Don't lose everything in Ursus, Your Majesty. I don't want Viviana, the future empress, to inherit the mess you left behind."

"Losing everything..."

However, Vina's words reminded Chen Qi and made a thought arise involuntarily in his mind.

But when he realized that what he was about to embark on was likely a journey of no return.

He quickly made his decision.

"—Viviana."

"I hope you can keep something for Dad for the time being."

As he spoke, under Viviana's bewildered gaze, Chen Qi took Viviana's small hand and slowly closed his own eyes.

Soon, the "soul shackles" that controlled the Black and White Queen were transferred to Viviana at his will.

“Viviana, Dad, what I’m about to face may be the toughest battle of my life.”

Looking at Viviana, who was still somewhat dazed after receiving the "soul shackles," Chen Qi personally handed the scepter beside him to his daughter.

That was the scepter symbolizing the royal power of Letania.

“If I come back, Dad, you will return this scepter to Dad.”

"But if Dad doesn't come back..."

Chen Qi paused, and under Viviana's increasingly perceptive gaze, he maintained his smile as he spoke:
"This scepter is yours."

"Remember to show this scepter to Hildegard, Lappland, Texas, and Gertrude."

"Of course, if your mother can really wake up, remember to show her that too."

"They will understand what this means and know what they should do."

"Father..."

Having already grasped the meaning of life and death, Viviana naturally understood the determination in her father's words.

But no matter how intelligent or precocious Viviana was, she was still just an eight-year-old child.

Knowing that her beloved father might not return from this journey, she couldn't help but shed two lines of tears and hugged him tightly.

This was the first time in Viviana's memory that she had been so close to her father.

Even Vina, standing to the side, couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion as she looked at the adoptive father and daughter embracing tightly.

She had initially thought that this man was merely a political animal driven by extreme rationality and devoid of humanity.

However, the events of the past few days have indeed completely changed Vina's perception of Chen Qi.

It turns out that he also has love, hatred, and irrational moments.

It turns out that, setting aside his talents, he was just an "ordinary person".

"Alright, alright, don't cry, Viviana... You have to learn to be strong."

"Dad didn't have time to teach you anything, so you'll have to learn everything else on your own."

"I believe you will learn how to be a good queen, Viviana."

Chen Qi, who was gently patting Viviana's back, hadn't had a chance to say a few more words to his daughter.

A calm male voice, unfamiliar to him, entered his brain without warning.

"You want revenge, don't you?"

"You want the power to drive away evil spirits, don't you?"

The sudden sound made Chen Qi's eyes narrow involuntarily, and his muscles tensed up even more.

But feeling Viviana still sobbing in his arms, Chen Qi was certain that the man's voice had not reached Viviana's ears.

So that means... this voice is only directed at me?

"……Who are you?"

Chen Qi asked the voice in his mind:

"And why do you know about my affairs?"

"—Leytania, there is nothing I do not know."

That calm voice, revealing a deep-seated arrogance, responded to Chen Qi with only a light laugh:
"As for who I am, you will know when you see me."

“O future emperor of Letania, come to me.”

"I will give you everything you want and help you complete your revenge."

……

"Lizelotte..."

Meanwhile, in the pitch-black underground prison of the tower, Hildergard, led by the Gestapo, finally met her sisters.

To be precise, it was the remains of his own sisters.

Looking at Liselotte, who was locked to the wall, her flesh and skin scraped off, leaving only a few remnants of flesh and bone, and a heart, a trace of pity appeared in Hildegard's eyes.

"Ugh……"

"Lizelot, why are you so obsessed with the throne?"

"Does that mean we are nothing without the throne? Does that mean we are destined to be incapable of anything without obtaining the throne?"

"We still have many responsibilities to fulfill, and Letania's greatest crisis is imminent. Why did you make this choice?"

"If you still really can't figure it out."

"This time, let me take you to witness it."

With that, under the watchful eyes of the Gestapo and guards, Hildegard slowly walked toward Liselotte's remains.

Suddenly, she struck, piercing through Liselotte's sternum and grabbing Liselotte's last remaining heart.

A moment later, accompanied by a soft golden light, Liselotte's heart transformed into a wisp of energy and merged into Hildergard's body.

Soon, the gentle light shield that was originally only usable by Liselotte appeared in Hildergard's hands.

The next second, with a thought from Hildergard, the spear burning with eerie purple flames also appeared in Hildergard's other hand.

Gun and shield.

Protection and destruction.

At this point, everything was under Hildergard's control.

"If you don't want to protect him, don't want to protect this Letania."

"Let me temporarily take your place and fulfill the duties of the Queen, Liselotte."

"Let me borrow your power to fight Ursus, to the very last moment, against that demon!"

(End of this chapter)