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

Chapter 75 The Witch King's Legacy, "The Voice of the Mortal World"

Guided by that unknown voice, you set foot on a piece of Letania's land for the first time.

[Enwade Region]

Have you heard that Helhunzoren, the greatest king of Letania, was once the Elector of this region?

However, the story of his life before he became Elector is little known.

Before becoming Elector, he was always referred to as "Count Utica".

And today, the tower you stand upon is the Tower of Utica.

Compared to your towering palace towers that reach into the clouds, the Utica Tower seems so small.

But with each step you take towards the top of this tower, you can perceive it more clearly.

There, someone is waiting for you to arrive.

That was a figure that had lingered by your side ever since you began plotting to seize the throne of Letania, a figure you could never shake off.

"boom."

Pushing open the door, Chen Qi was greeted by a room filled with books, musical pieces, and instruments, covered in dust.

Since Chen Qi executed half of the nobles involved in the rebellion by cutting them in half at the waist, the position of Earl of Utica has been vacant for a long time, and no one has come to this tower for a long time.

However, Chen Qi saw the "person" who was waiting for him there.

It was a long, blood-red horn floating in mid-air.

Chen Qi didn't need to identify it; he recognized it at a glance. The blood-red horn was exactly the same as the one on his head.

"--interesting."

A calm male voice rang out again.

But this time, it wasn't in Chen Qi's mind, but echoed clearly within the room.

“You and I are not related by blood, but you have similar horns and a similar personality.”

“Aside from the fact that you don’t have any magical talent flowing through your body, even I might doubt your background.”

"I never imagined that His Highness the Witch King, who had already fallen into the 'Wilderness,' could still spy on everything outside in this way."

At this moment, Chen Qi, who had completely understood who the "horned" person in front of him was, responded to him with no fear and no respect whatsoever.

"Then, I wonder what important matter the former emperor had in summoning me here?"

“You are very straightforward, which is rare for an emperor.”

"More importantly, I don't like wasting time."

The Witch King's tone was full of admiration for Chen Qi.

The two proud emperors of Letania were speaking to each other for the first time.

But the atmosphere between the two was as relaxed as old friends chatting, and as close as father and son.

Perhaps, for the Witch King who had been silently observing all the changes in Letania from within the "Wilderness," this was a different story.

He also sincerely hoped that the Leitanian emperor before him, who had always claimed to be the "son of the Witch King," was his true descendant.

Even though he knew it was all just wishful thinking on his part.

“I witnessed everything you did for Letania in the ‘Wilderness,’ for future emperors.”

“I must admit, you have done very well. You have accomplished what I have not been able to achieve. You have proven that the path you have taken will give Letania a new eternity.”

"And now, you've encountered difficulties; the power of that evil spirit has left you helpless."

"I have come to give you guidance."

The Witch King, who had always regarded others as ants and dust, was surprisingly patient and gentle with Chen Qi this time.

In his heart, the younger generation before him was already an emperor he had to face squarely, a "tower" that even he himself had to look up to.

What the Witch King wants to do now is to add the most important piece to this "tower".

“I built the ‘Pavilion’ (palace) in the ‘Wilderness’ to fight against the evil spirits here and prevent them from invading reality.”

"But, with my own strength, I will ultimately be unable to stop all the evil spirits."

"The evil spirit that has put you in this predicament is one that has invaded the world from this 'desolate region'."

"And it, at the end of that icy plain, has become a door that will never be closed."

"Qi, you need to drive that demon back into the wasteland once again."

"Only in this way can the influence of the evil spirits be dispelled from reality."

"—What should I do to drive it away?"

Sensing a glimmer of hope from the Witch King's guidance, Chen Qi immediately asked the question that concerned him most.

"Do I need to rely on Fremont's 'exile' ability to send the demons back to the wasteland?"

"No, Fremont alone cannot do it."

Although only the long horn was floating in the air, Chen Qi seemed to see the Witch King gently shaking his head.

"But, if it were my power, perhaps I could drive those who slipped through the net back into the wasteland."

"Qi, the future Emperor of Letania."

"If you have enough will and courage to face the deepest fears of the abyss, then pick it up."

“That long horn will teach you everything I have.”

"Is there such a good thing?"

Hearing the Witch King's words, you couldn't help but let out a few sneers.

The Witch King's ambiguous words might sway some of his most fanatical followers, but they won't fool you.

[Because you are far more adept than the Witch King at inciting fanatical worship in people.]

You realize that the Witch King hasn't told you the whole truth.

“Then, Witch King, tell me.”

"What is the price for gaining your power?"

"...All power comes at a price, especially when you acquire power that is not yours."

Seeing that his words had been exposed, the Witch King offered no explanation and calmly replied:

"Within this long horn, there remains my last vestige of will, 'The Voice of the Mortal World'."

"Even if it is just a remnant of will, not everyone can bear it."

"If you cannot bear this will, death may be the easiest end for you."

"And if you are capable of enduring it, but unable to integrate with my remaining will..."

"Then, this 'sound of the mortal world' will gradually take over your mind, until one day, you will become the 'vessel' for my resurrection in this world."

"If that is the case, then I will be at peace with myself to be resurrected through your body and to rule over Letania once more."

The Witch King's tone held a hint of arrogant amusement, and he spoke to Chen Qi with a touch of provocation:
"I have already explained the price of all this."

"So, Qi, who has neither unparalleled talent nor the magic to move mountains and overturn seas, has become an unparalleled emperor who surpasses me."

"Are you willing to accept my challenge?"

"—I couldn't ask for more, Your Highness the Witch King."

Faced with the Witch King's challenge, you smiled once again.

But behind that smile lies your unwavering determination.

And so, without hesitation, you reached out your hand towards the blood-red horn floating in mid-air.

"call!"

The moment Chen Qi's palm touched the Witch King's horn, a strange, reddish-black energy transformed into a blood mist and began to merge into Chen Qi's horn.

Chen Qi could clearly sense that a consciousness that did not belong to him was gradually taking shape in his mind. It was the remnant will of the Witch King.

"Now, we are one."

In Chen Qi's mind, the afterimage of the Witch King formed by the blood mist smiled and spoke to him, while reaching out his hand to Chen Qi's consciousness in his mind.

Just as the Witch King's palm was about to touch Chen Qi...

But he suddenly reached out and grabbed the witch king's wrist!

"--No."

"Your power now belongs to me, Witch King."

With Chen Qi's contemptuous and disdainful response, the lingering image of the Witch King in his mind vanished in an instant.

Ultimately, all the blood mist began to merge into Chen Qi's horns and body, transforming into the true power he possessed.

[Congratulations, host, you have experienced an "adventure."]

[“Serendipity” allows the host to unlock new terms besides those selected in this simulation.]

[Due to the different "serendipities," the rarity and strength of the affixes that the host can unlock will also vary. New affixes have now been unlocked for the host.]

[The Obsession with Revenge (Witch King's Legacy, Six Stars):]

Make good use of the power of this hatred. Perhaps this power won't be able to be transformed into magic next time, but this obsession will surely lead you to your revenge.

"boom!"

However, just as Chen Qi completed the inheritance of the Witch King, the door to the room was suddenly kicked open.

An old and anxious figure suddenly burst into the room and immediately shouted:
"Kid! How did you find this place?! Did you hear something—"

Fremont, who had burst into the room, suddenly paused, his pupils contracting sharply as he stared at Chen Qi in front of him.

When Fremont finished casting the spell on the mace and heard that Chen Qi had arrived in the Enwald region, he already had a bad feeling.

Now, Fremont can smell the magical fluctuations floating in the air even with his eyes closed.

That's the aura of Helhunzoren!

His eyes trembled slightly as he stared at Chen Qi, who slowly turned around and gazed at him with a pair of blood-red eyes.

After a long pause, Fremont finally spoke tentatively, his tone incredulous:

"...Helhunzoren?"

"Could it be that you bewitched this kid and resurrected him by borrowing his body?"

The next second, however, was met with a faint smile from Chen Qi.

"—He tried, but failed, old man."

"Now, the power of the Witch King is completely under my control."

As he spoke, Chen Qi casually opened his palm, and an inconspicuous blood-red energy wave began to gradually condense in his palm.

Although Chen Qi was not very proficient in using this power for the first time.

But this small, blood-red energy ball, in terms of sheer lethality, is enough to kill dozens, or even hundreds, of people in an instant.

Without a doubt, Chen Qi, having received the legacy of the Witch King, now possesses a level of mastery over Originium Arts that far surpasses anything he had achieved in the past.

The magical memories, knowledge, research, and musical notes recorded by the Witch King in "The Sound of the Mortal World" all transformed into memories and flooded into Chen Qi's brain.

It was as if it were everything he had always possessed.

"The Witch King lost, and this time, he lost badly."

"...I never expected that you could defeat that Herhunzoren by relying on your own will."

After confirming that the person in front of him was indeed Chen Qi, Fremont stroked his beard with lingering fear and couldn't help but sigh:
"You're really lucky. Even just a remnant of consciousness is something not everyone can handle."

"It seems you're ready for revenge and prepared to face those demons."

"—Enough with the nonsense, Fremont."

Chen Qi shook his head, regaining his usual composure and majesty as emperor.

This time, Chen Qi, now possessing true power, is even more terrifying and awe-inspiring than before.

"I hope your visit this time is not just to follow me, but to bring me good news."

"Then you've got what you wanted."

Fremont chuckled and nodded, saying:

"The envoy from the Great Yan side sent a reply, and it seems that the Emperor of Great Yan does not want to get involved in this mess."

"Da Yan declared that it had nothing to do with the assassination and would not send troops to aid Ursus."

"Their only request is that after your expedition to Ursus ends, Letania can stand with Yan Kingdom to guard the northern border and face the threat of the demons."

"Then, it's about the Sarkaz."

"Theresis is busy making a fortune in Londinium and probably doesn't have time to deal with your affairs."

"But he also promised that he would absolutely not interfere, and would even help you defend against Colombia to the north."

"However, it seems that Her Highness Theresa does not approve of your actions."

"Fortunately, Princess Theresa did not approve of going to support Ursus."

"However, I heard that she has a capable person under her command who seems to have gone to Ursus to serve as a military advisor."

"Be careful, kid, that's someone who's very unhappy with your expansion."

"It doesn't matter."

Hearing Fremont's words, Chen Qi's lips curled into a cruel smile, and he coldly echoed:
"Whoever stands in our way, this time, Letania will crush them."

"I will make Ursus pay the price in blood for their stupidity."

Feeling the surge of Originium Arts energy within him, so abundant it seemed capable of destroying a city, a new idea flashed through Chen Qi's mind.

"However, I now have a better idea regarding the first strike of the war."

"I will personally sound the horn of Ursus's destruction!"

……

Ten days have passed, and your army has assembled as you planned, marching in a mighty force towards the border between Letania and Ursus.

[And here on the border, Ursus has already built solid fortifications, awaiting your arrival.]

[It should be said that from the moment you and Ursus divided Kazimir, Ursus had already been plotting how to deal with your empire.]

[Blocking your iron torrent is an impregnable front line, built by Ursus over several years.]

This military fortress, winding like a long dragon along the border, was not only hidden deep underground, but also equipped with the most advanced defensive facilities of its time.

Its walls are thick enough to withstand the most intense artillery bombardment; its tunnels are deep and intricate, like a labyrinth, enough to disorient any invader.

[On the defensive line, towers are densely packed like stars, each an indestructible guardian, ready to repel any invading enemy with overwhelming force.]

This defensive line is truly a marvel of military engineering.

It simply stood there silently, as if proclaiming without words—this is an insurmountable barrier.

[Without a doubt, even your overwhelming force, or the Gaulish and Casimir vanguard armies that harbor a deep-seated hatred for Ursus, would have to pay an extremely heavy price to breach this defensive line.]

Once this battle begins, it will transform into a bloody, meat-grinding battlefield.

However, the soldiers of the Ursus Second and Third Armies, stationed there with nothing to fear, were secretly anticipating the outbreak of this battle.

They were all imagining how they, who had never been defeated, would make the soldiers and tanks of Letania bleed profusely on this front.

But just then, an unexpected figure appeared in their field of vision.

That was your silhouette.

[You, the emperor, actually stood proudly at the very front of the army.]

(End of this chapter)