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

Chapter 80 The Sleeping Emperor, Eternal Letania

"here it is……"

When Chen Qi opened his blurry eyes again, what greeted him was... endless darkness.

It was as if someone had abandoned him in the deepest part of the universe.

Here, Chen Qi, shrouded in darkness, had only a few scattered stars as his sole source of light.

But compared to this darkness that could swallow a person whole, the light emitted by these stars was less than the tiny flame of a candle about to burn out.

In this space, there was only a deathly, despairing silence.

Loneliness, deathly silence, and an unyielding darkness.

At this moment, as Chen Qi's memories gradually returned, he realized where he had come to.

"Is this the 'Wilderness'?"

"A realm overrun by demons, a place devoid of anything but emptiness, a space devoid of hope."

"Can I never go back?"

Although he already knew the outcome, when he was actually in the darkness, Chen Qi still felt a sense of despair.

However, all of this was an outcome he had already anticipated.

However, just when Chen Qi thought he was going to be forever lost in this "desolate land",

The silence was broken by a deep voice that he recognized all too well.

"There is no need to be afraid, child."

"The Leitanian Emperor, who bravely and fearlessly confronts the evil, should not fear the darkness."

The moment that deep yet warm voice fell, two rows of pillars of fire, burning with eerie black flames, were ignited one after another at an extremely fast speed, moving from far to near.

Although the light provided by these black flames was very limited.

But it was enough to illuminate Chen Qi's feet and everything before him.

"Come forward, child."

“Come to my side, come to our Letania.”

"...The Witch King?"

The only sound in this void echoed in Chen Qi's mind as the dark floor tiles stretched out into the unknown distance beneath his feet.

He hesitated for only a moment before taking the first step forward.

He couldn't tell if this was yet another act of demonic manipulation.

He simply accepted whatever the outcome might be, thinking that "even the worst outcome is just another way of dying," and continued on his way.

In this void, time has long been blurred.

Following the guidance of the black flames, Chen Qi gradually saw his destination at the end of the road.

This is a magnificent palace that is no less impressive in scale than its own in Letania.

Even more eye-catching is the towering structure that stands proudly in this void, so tall that even if you look up, you cannot see the top of it.

Chen Qi could tell at a glance.

The height of this tower far surpasses that of the palace where he once lived.

"--The scale of the former 'Pavilion' was acceptable as a palace."

“However, after learning that you are coming to the ‘Wilderness’, I believe that the former ‘Pavilion’ is no longer able to bear the weight of your unparalleled achievements.”

"Therefore, I spent some extra effort to renovate 'Pavilion'."

Beside Chen Qi, the Witch King's deep voice rang out again without warning.

As Chen Qi slightly turned his head, he saw that the Witch King had already stood beside him, his blood-red eyes silently gazing at the magnificent palace before him.

"What do you think? You have surpassed my achievements, Emperor of Letania."

"Is this palace worthy of your unparalleled achievements? Is it sufficient to contain your vast ambitions?"

"...Your Highness, perhaps you overestimate me."

Having prepared himself for the outcome of his journey, Chen Qi's mindset had become much more open-minded.

At that moment, he seemed to have rediscovered his true self from "death".

"I'm just an ordinary person selling beer in the slums."

"The millions of people of Letania believed in me and that I could bring them dignity and happiness, which led me step by step to the throne."

"To this day, the most expansive and magnificent empire on the continent of Terra has been established."

"And now, the only thing I can give them in return..."

"It's just about continuing to be an emperor and continuing to protect their happiness here."

"...I think I understand why I lost to you."

As a naturally powerful being, the Witch King has always maintained a cold and indifferent attitude towards all ants that are beneath his notice.

He despised all the weak, with only higher goals, more mysterious knowledge, and the creation of unparalleled achievements in his eyes.

But for Chen Qi, the emperor who climbed step by step from the lowest level of society to the pinnacle of power, and even created a great enterprise that even he had to admit was inferior to, was a different story.

The Witch King could not ignore a single word he uttered.

As emperor, the Witch King was an absolutely rational consequentialist.

Since Chen Qi, who has accomplished a greater cause than himself, firmly believes in the so-called "power of the people" that he once ignored.

Then, the Witch King will not hesitate to overturn his former belief that "ants cannot resist the strong".

"Just as I was defeated by the black and white twins created by the electors whom I regarded as ants."

"When all the weak forces are gathered together at one point, the power that is unleashed will be earth-shattering..."

"That's it, that's it..."

"Qi, you really do see further than I do."

After a moment of contemplation, the Witch King seemed to have convinced himself and, with a gentle smile like that of an elder, patiently spoke to Chen Qi:
“You are indeed more suited than I to the throne to bear all the burdens.”

"Now, let me complete your coronation, Prayer."

"Your throne is at the top of that tower."

……

The Witch King personally guides you step by step to the top of Pavielon.

The spiral staircase, a symbol of power, seems to have no end.

In Letania, each step you take represents not only greater power, but also heavier responsibilities.

At the top of that tower, you saw with your own eyes the "supreme throne" that belonged to you.

It was a solitary throne, devoid of any glittering decorations, walls, or fortifications, and even lacking any vassals to guard it.

It stood there, all alone, letting all the demons of this dark void attack it head-on.

But the emperor sitting on this throne cannot stop it, nor can he dodge it.

He could only sit there quietly, calmly, composedly, and confidently accepting all the provocations and attacks of the evil forces.

Because he was the emperor of Letania.

Because, behind him, lay Letania.

The emperor fears no challenge whatsoever.

This is the throne that belongs to you.

“Pavilion is a palace built by my will.”

“But ‘Pavilion’ cannot completely stop the invasion of evil spirits; it… is still so small.” The Witch King closed his eyes tightly, seemingly hating himself for being such a narrow-minded ruler.

“But this is only my limit, not Letania’s limit.”

"Qi, you are the Leitanian Emperor I know, the one with the strongest will."

“I believe that your will will surely build ‘Pavilion’ into a true empire that can stop evil.”

"To make Letania last longer than eternity... is the supreme duty of us, the emperors of Letania."

The Witch King's eyes were filled with an air of self-righteous arrogance and unwavering determination.

"Go, Qi, the future Emperor of Letania."

"Sit on the throne that belongs to you, burn your will, and with your flesh and blood, become the shield and spear that protects Letania."

"……I see."

You gaze at the throne that will become your final destination, and let out only a soft sigh.

[Then, without hesitation, you strode confidently toward the throne.]

Behind you, the proud Witch King, with unprecedented reverence, solemnly watched you walk towards your end.

But gazing at your resolute back, a touch of emotion involuntarily crept into his eyes.

Although the Witch King doesn't have many opportunities to interact with you.

But in his heart, he hoped countless times that you were the true "Son of the Witch King," a son he could be genuinely proud of.

Perhaps, to the Witch King, he has long regarded you as his own offspring.

But precisely because of this, he couldn't say anything more.

He could not stop his proud descendants from fulfilling the mission he was meant to have.

This is an insult to his awareness.

The Witch King can only be the sole witness as you walk before that throne—

Finally, he stood solemnly atop the nine heavens.

Only at the moment you sit on the throne do you feel that the immense burden on your shoulders has been completely lifted, and the hardships and pain of your entire life have been soothed.

[After belatedly realizing you're surrounded by exhaustion, you can finally get some proper rest.]

Thinking this, you slowly closed your eyes.

Gradually, your head drooped down.

Having not had a good night's sleep in years, you finally found a rare moment of peace in this void of time and space.

Perhaps now is the time for you to go to sleep.

Under the Witch King's calm gaze, time flowed swiftly through this void, and you, deep in slumber, remained unaware.

One day, ten days, one month, one year...

[...until your body and this solitary throne are forever united as one.]

While you slept, Pavielon was undergoing dramatic changes.

[What was originally just a solitary tower, Pavieon, began to expand under your will.]

Gradually, towering city walls began to rise here.

Within the city walls, an astonishing number of industries, resembling factories and armories, were being built and put into operation at an alarming pace.

[A short while later, a brand-new steel war machine, created in the factory, emerged.]

Then came the second, the third… more and more steel armored vehicles were put into use, becoming part of the defenses protecting Pavieon.

Gradually, more cities were built, and more weapons were produced in factories and put into use.

A month later, the city's defensive cannons were installed on the walls of Pavieon, unleashing an angry roar at any evil spirits that dared to invade.

A year later, Pavielon had expanded nearly twentyfold.

The city walls were now covered with defensive cannons, and even the air force was fully operational, launching relentless carpet bombing raids against the invading demons.

Three years later, even the demons, whose instinct was to "erase concepts," seemed to have learned what fear was, and few demons dared to approach this steel fortress anymore.

However, there are still self-proclaimed powerful demonic entities that repeatedly challenge the city that tries to stop them from spreading their void.

They launched suicidal attacks time and again, only to be repeatedly annihilated by artillery fire.

Of course, occasionally there are truly powerful beings who can break through your city defenses with all their might and painstakingly fight their way to your throne.

[Several years have passed. In the perception of higher demons, you, who have never awakened, should have died long ago.]

But on that throne, your body showed no signs of decay, not even a single wrinkle on your clothes.

It's as if you really were just asleep.

Soon, these demons that have fought their way to your side will be blasted to smithereens by the accompanying firepower.

[Or perhaps they were destroyed by the Witch King, who also guards this place.]

Throughout this process, you never woke up even once.

Perhaps you are truly exhausted, or perhaps you are waiting for a crisis that truly requires your intervention to arise.

Even in your slumber, your very presence terrifies the demons, making them unwilling to approach this "unbreakable" barrier.

At this very moment, what you rule in this void is no longer just a small "Pavilion".

Beneath your throne lies yet another "Laetonia," built by your own will in this void!

As long as you reside here, no evil spirit will ever set foot on Terra again.

As long as you stand proudly here, Letania will live on forever.

[Until a thousand years, ten thousand years later, another, greater emperor, emerged on this land, capable of replacing you—]

You will forever guard this borderless void.

[Until eternity, or destruction.]

Finally, with the last wisp of consciousness fading away, Chen Qi's consciousness entered the vortex of reincarnation.

Soon, as his consciousness gradually returned from the chaos, the system's female voice echoed in his mind once again.

[Congratulations, host. You have completed the second simulation. The simulation result is rated as: A.]

[Simulation results have been covered.]

[The host scored highly in this simulation; the system has unlocked the new feature "A Glimpse into the Future" for you.]

"what is this?"

[This function, in response to the host, makes reasonable predictions about the host's future after the simulation ends, based on the host's choices and actions in this simulation.]

Within this feature, the host can clearly understand the future actions and life trajectories of the country they manage or the people they know after the simulation ends.

Of course, the host can also learn about future generations' evaluations of you, thus gaining a full understanding of your achievements.

[Host, would you like to activate the "Glimpses into the Future" feature?]

Life trajectory?
Thinking of this, Chen Qi couldn't help but picture the faces of Viviana, Jian, Vina, and Gertrude...

I wonder what will happen to them after I'm gone forever.

Can Viviana really govern the empire she left behind?

Will Hildegard, Gertrude, and Texas support her?
And then there's the mace... She's already driven the demons back to the "Wilderness," is she really saved?
For a moment, Chen Qi felt unusually tense.

But in the end, after taking a deep breath, unable to suppress his worry and curiosity, Chen Qi answered without hesitation:

"This is troublesome, system. I need to activate 'Glimpses into the Future'."

[Okay, starting up for the host.]

(End of this chapter)