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

Chapter 84 A brief moment of tenderness, Viviana's crisis?
"When I woke up, everyone told me that you were dead."

“They all say that you raised a great army for me to take revenge on Ursus.”

"Later, you went to the North to fight the demons in order to save Terra."

"I won't even see your body."

Inside the beer hall, Jian, who had finally released all the emotions that had been suppressed for more than a decade, realized that it was already evening.

In order to prevent outsiders from seeing his disheveled appearance and to keep the news that Chen Qi was still alive a secret.

Jian had to spend some time dressing himself up properly before closing the shop and hanging up a "Closed" sign.

Of course, when it comes to dressing up, in the past ten years or so, Jian has never learned how to do makeup or buy pretty clothes like a woman.

She simply washed her face, tidied her messy hair, and changed into clean clothes.

Fortunately, Jian's natural beauty proved to be a strength.

Even though she's over 30, Jian is still as bright, dashing, and capable as when Chen Qi first met her.

But he also possesses a mature composure, and a gentle tenderness that he can enjoy alone.

“Fremont told me himself that you were swallowed up by the ‘Wasteland’…”

“I did think about going to the ‘Wilderness’ to find you, but that old man scolded me and sent me away.”

Jian placed a glass of beer in front of Chen Qi, then casually sat down in the seat closest to him.

Her long, slender legs were naturally crossed as she calmly recounted her experiences and changes over the past decade or so.

"But I still haven't given up."

"So at your funeral, I asked Viviana to bury my coffin with yours and announce my death to the public."

"And I changed my appearance and searched all over this land for a way to enter the 'Wilderness'."

"...So, that's why you honed your horns to resemble those of a Sarkaz to conceal your identity?"

After listening to Jian's account and learning of her determination, Chen Qi shook his head, unsure whether to be moved or amused, and said softly:
"Why do you have to do this? Mace."

"You have clearly experienced the feeling of having your mind corrupted by evil spirits."

"The 'Wilderness' is the stronghold of demons. Even if you find a way to enter the 'Wilderness,' what means do you have to resist the corruption of demons?"

"In the end, didn't I save you for nothing? Fool."

However, recalling her somewhat foolish obsession at the time, and how she herself had made herself laugh, she replied without regret:
"But when I think about you all alone in that desolate 'wasteland,' fighting off the demons all by yourself."

"You must be very lonely and helpless."

"Even if there's only a one in ten million chance, I want to be by your side, to accompany you and protect you as much as possible."

"...This is the only thing I can do for you after all."

"...Thank you, Jian."

Having said all that, what more could Chen Qi say?

No longer the emperor of Letania, he no longer needed to have any concerns and could finally speak freely with his sword, revealing their love for each other.

After a brief moment of tenderness, at Chen Qi's prompting, Jian continued speaking on his own:
"I have wandered for many years and gone to places that many people consider dangerous."

"You've been to the snowy landscapes and the hot, windy lands to the south. I've also been to Colombia, seeking help from some passionate scientists there, but all to no avail."

"But even though I survived several times by sheer luck, I still couldn't find a way to get to the 'Wilderness' with my abilities."

"After drifting for seven years, I finally gave up."

"I think even if you are still alive, I will never see you again, given my limits."

At this point, Jian gave a wry smile, seemingly mocking his own incompetence.

Despite being a brave and invincible black knight in the eyes of others, she accomplished nothing when it came to the man she loved.

"So I came back here, back to where it all started."

"I'm thinking of running this place for you and fulfilling your past dreams."

"At least this way, I can still find some solace in the thought that... you are still alive by my side."

"—Silly woman."

Listening to Jian's monologue, Chen Qi, whose heart was overflowing with love, still suppressed his emotions and asked:

“You should stay by Viviana’s side. Now that she is the Empress, she is the one who needs your help and companionship the most.”

“You are Viviana’s mother, why waste your energy on me, a ‘dead person’?”

"...But even if I were here, I couldn't help Viviana in any way."

When Jian mentioned the empress, whom he treated like a daughter, a hint of helplessness flashed across his face as he said softly:

“I cannot prevent the independence of East Kazimierz and Victoria, nor can I command an army, and I cannot even help her with political affairs.”

"Moreover, she has Gertrude by her side, as well as that Black Queen."

"Even they can't do anything about it, so what can I do even if I'm right next to them?"

As he spoke, Jian's gaze regained some seriousness, and he turned his gaze to Chen Qi beside him, saying calmly:

"If Viviana really needs someone right now..."

"I think what she needs most is you."

"...How is Viviana?"

Chen Qi felt a pang of heartache when he thought of his adopted daughter, who had to shoulder the burden of the empire alone since she was eight years old.

Although he witnessed Viviana's power transition in "A Glimpse into the Future," it proceeded relatively smoothly.

However, judging from the independence of Victoria and East Casimir alone, and Viviana's excessive concessions, he could also sense something unusual.

His adopted daughter was probably not as all-powerful as he had been when he was in this position.

"not too good."

Although he had left the palace, Jian still knew a thing or two about Viviana's situation. He shook his head solemnly and said:
"Your prestige as the former emperor is far too high, so much so that even if your adopted daughter is very capable, she is no match for you in the eyes of the ministers."

“I have heard from Gertrude more than once that many ministers who were once loyal to you are now insincere and indifferent to your daughter.”

"In addition, the independence of Victoria and East Kazimierz dealt a significant blow to Viviana's prestige."

"Right now, there is little confidence in your daughter's rule throughout Letania."

Even though she has already done very well.

"……I see."

Chen Qi had, of course, anticipated this outcome.

Chen Qi knew that his rule was largely based on his prestige, and that he had conquered too quickly, without having time to digest the vast territories he had taken.

This was supposed to be an integration that would have taken decades, or even centuries, to complete.

But with his death, all these hidden dangers were bound to erupt.

Ultimately, these problems were all planted during his reign, and Viviana was just a pitiful child who took the blame for him.

But this did not prevent her from losing all her authority in the hearts of the people and her ministers.

Jian clearly noticed Chen Qi's slight change in emotion, and with a tightening in her heart, she couldn't help but ask:

"Don't tell me you're planning to go back to Trinity right now and announce that you've regained all power."

"—No, I've already died once for Letania. How can a dead man become emperor?"

Chen Qi shook his head, finding it rather amusing.

He hadn't forgotten that his real-life identity was the Third Prince of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Putting aside how the prince of Great Yan becomes the emperor of Letania, even if I were to become emperor, would my stance be towards Letania or Great Yan?
Chen Qi certainly didn't want the day when he and his second brother would have to fight each other.

Just as Ursus was unwilling to believe in his peace at first, once he sat on the throne, many things could no longer be stopped simply because he wanted to.

"...But, as a father, I can't just stand by and watch others bully my daughter without doing anything." "Especially since my daughter needs my help the most right now."

Chen Qi had already made up his mind, and said with a faint smile:
"Perfect timing. I also want to go to Victoria and ask my former princess why she chose to 'betray' me."

"And I also want to ask about those dukes whose lives I spared."

"Who gave them the audacity to bully my daughter?"

"I support that."

Feeling a warmth in her heart at Chen Qi's decision, Jian also chose to approve and support the idea of ​​the man she loved.

But just as Chen Qi got up, preparing to head to Trinitylme immediately.

The sudden outstretched hand of the mace forcefully pulled Chen Qi, who had not resisted, back into his seat.

"...But we don't need to rush like this, do we?"

Jian's lips curled slightly, but his hand gripping Chen Qi's shoulder was as firm as an iron clamp.

Under Chen Qi's slightly stunned gaze, Jian spoke while simultaneously unbuttoning his collar with his other hand.

“Viviana has been on the throne of the Empire for more than a decade. She may need you, but you are late, and she can still get by.”

"How about you just stay with me these next few days?"

Soon, the exposed, healthy and firm wheat-colored mountains shocked Chen Qi's pupils with a powerful impact.

However, this wasn't the first time Chen Qi had experienced such a shock, and he remained calm in the face of everything before him.

"...We've only just reunited after so long, and we haven't even had a proper talk yet. Are you in such a hurry to do this?"

"I was planning to prepare properly for this day."

"I don't want to wait any longer."

Faced with Chen Qi's teasing, the emperor, with a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth, gave him no way out, and said aggressively:
“I used to keep my feelings to myself because I was worried about you being the emperor.”

"But this hiding lasted for more than ten years... It almost turned me from a vibrant young girl into an old woman."

"Consider it compensation, Your Majesty. Shouldn't you reward your loyal guard with something tangible?"

"...It seems like I have no choice but to accept this?"

Having said that, Chen Qi stopped refusing and took Jian's hands, intending to go to the second floor of the beer hall to solve this "problem".

But before Chen Qi could even react, his lips were suddenly sealed by a pair of scalding hot lips.

He only found out at that time.

Despite his cold demeanor, he possessed a surprisingly passionate heart.

The tense struggle lasted for several minutes, and as time went on, more and more sweat poured down their foreheads, and their movements became increasingly anxious.

In the end, it was Chen Qi, who was stronger, who was once again firmly pressed to the floor by the mace.

"So, are you prepared, my dear Emperor?"

Having completely suppressed Chen Qi, the swordsman revealed a wicked smile, whispering each word clearly:
"Perhaps in the eyes of others, you are an invincible 'god,' an existence capable of destroying the world."

"But to me, you are just a small animal waiting to be hunted."

"I won't let you escape until I've eaten and drunk my fill, understand?"

……

Three days later, on the outskirts of Viseheim, Zoro was anxiously waiting for the prince he was to protect.

"It's been three days and two nights, why hasn't Your Highness returned from your sightseeing yet?"

"Although I have sent several messages to His Highness, and His Highness has replied to them all... why is His Highness unwilling to meet with me?"

Zuo Le felt very uneasy. He was worried that his prince might have encountered some danger.

Although Chen Qi had ordered him not to follow, if the prince were to be in danger, he, as the guard, would still be held responsible.

In particular, Zuo Le recalled that several times when she tried to contact His Highness out of concern, His Highness on the other end of the phone was always panting and his tone was full of strange impatience.

Zuo Le felt increasingly that his prince might be in some kind of trouble.

"No, I must go and track down His Highness."

"Even if I am punished by His Highness afterward, I need to know where His Highness is."

However, just as Zuo Le was about to use his light-footed skills to go to the city council of Viseheim, reveal his identity to the officials there, and ask them to help him find the person.

His gaze, however, fell upon a familiar figure not far away, being supported by a blonde woman.

"Your Highness!"

Upon finally seeing Chen Qi, Zuo Le rushed to his side, breathing a sigh of relief and saying:

"Thankfully, I'm relieved to see that Your Highness—Brother Chen Qi—is alright!

"But... why do you look so haggard, Brother Chen Qi?"

Soon, Zuo Le also noticed that something was wrong with his prince.

In just three days, His Highness's face turned pale, one hand was supporting his kidney, and his steps were unsteady, requiring support to walk steadily.

What made Zuo Le even more suspicious was that he noticed several wounds hidden under his prince's disheveled clothes... that looked like bite marks.

Although Zuo Le wasn't entirely sure of Chen Qi's strength, he didn't believe that the Third Prince of Da Yan would be so easily injured.

Moreover, the location of the injury was in such a private area.

So that means His Highness was injured willingly?
With this in mind, Zuo Le turned his gaze to the blonde woman beside him.

Looking at the woman in military uniform, her intimate gestures towards his prince, and her radiant appearance brimming with vitality, he was struck by her appearance.

At just seventeen years old, Zuo Le seemed to understand after a brief moment of thought.

"Your Highness, Your Highness?!"

"What are you yelling about? I'm perfectly fine."

Chen Qi, who had recovered some of his energy through healing magic, looked at Zuo Le, whose handsome face was flushed red, and shook his head with amusement, saying:

"Alright, don't be so naive. It's fine to tell you."

"I came to Viseheim this time specifically to find the princess I had already chosen."

"However, it's best to keep this to yourself and not tell anyone else, especially not to my second brother."

“I’m afraid he’ll come up with some weird excuse again and try to get me the location of that golden toilet—do you understand?”

"Yes! Your Highness!"

Realizing what he should do, Zuo Le knelt down on one knee before the mace without hesitation, adopting the posture of a military general:

"Your subordinate, Zuo Le, greets Your Highness!"

"Ah."

However, Jian's reaction to Zuo Le, such a timely and sensible subordinate, remained quite indifferent.

For her, titles like princess or empress held no interest whatsoever.

All she wanted to do was stay by the side of the person she loved, never to be separated from them again.

"Then, Your Highness, what should we do next?"

"—It's about time."

"I think we should go see Her Majesty the Queen and have a good talk with her."

At this point, a mysterious, mischievous smile appeared on Chen Qi's face, and he murmured to himself in a voice only he could hear:

"Although I tried my best, the empire that I had finally managed to unify has split up again, and there is no reaction at all. It's like selling off your father's land without a care."

"When I get to the tower and see Viviana, I'll pin her down on the bed and spank her hard."

(End of this chapter)