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

Chapter 87 The show ends, the fear is awakened.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived! Bow!"

"victory!"

In the tower's reception room, escorted by two rows of fully armed Golden Law Guards, Viviana, as always, greeted her important guests with the air of an empress.

Unlike Chen Qi, who only brought his confidants to talk with important guests, Viviana, as the Empress, paid more attention to appearance and demeanor.

Only by doing so could she ensure that the important guests she was to meet would not overlook her imperial majesty because of her female identity and her stunning beauty.

Unfortunately, Viviana's tricks never really worked when she was dealing with the Duke of Victoria.

After all, these dukes were well aware that their very existence was the "Achilles' heel" that the empress cared about most.

Therefore, for Viviana, this is still the Empress to whom they nominally need to be loyal and submit.

The Dukes of Normandy and Cactus remained far more brazen.

The two men simply rose and, with the most ordinary aristocratic bearing, bowed to Her Majesty the Empress in greeting:

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

"Mmm." Viviana's expression held a hint of excitement, but her tone remained unusually calm as she replied.
"Duke of Normandy, Duke of Caster, please take a seat."

"Yes."

The two dukes were somewhat suspicious, as they were certainly not new to dealing with Her Majesty the Queen.

But today, Viviana, whom they always remembered as gentle and kind, seemed to be in a bad mood.
Moreover, after the two dukes sat down, Viviana remained standing proudly before them, her figure not yet seated on the throne, which made them even more puzzled.

The Duke of Caesar, who was very skilled in intelligence work, observed the scene before him and became wary.

Could it be... that Her Majesty the Empress has reached her breaking point and intends to take action against them here?
"Your Majesty, you should know the purpose of our visit today."

Beside Caesar, the Duke of Normandy, though sensing something was amiss, still intended to proceed according to plan. He spoke to the calmly composed Viviana:
"Victoria is one of the oldest countries on this land. Thousands of years ago, Victoria had already developed its own civilization, writing system and language."

"Although Victoria was defeated fourteen years ago and submitted to the rule of the late emperor."

"But even today, the people of Victoria still find it difficult to integrate into the culture of Letania and become a true part of Letania."

"Since Her Majesty the Queen came to power, she has only focused on the development of Rembiton, Gaul and Tara, while paying little attention to the future of Victoria."

"The people of Victoria are full of complaints and public resentment is boiling over."

"Therefore, on behalf of the common aspirations of the millions of people of Victoria, we once again submit this application to Her Majesty the Empress of the Holy Empire of Letania."

"Your Majesty, please have mercy, follow the will of the people, and grant Victoria's millions of citizens a way out, so that Victoria may be freed from the shackles and control of the Empire."

"It's as if His Majesty has shown mercy to the people of Kazimir."

“Otherwise, we dukes and Speaker Vina cannot guarantee that we can continue to suppress the overwhelming public opinion of the people of Victoria.”

It should be said that the Duke of Normandy made thorough preparations for all of this.

He knew very well that the Queen before him was a leader who valued public opinion highly—the independence of East Qazimir was the best proof of that.

If a powerful wave of public opinion can be generated, making the Queen realize that Victoria will add more turmoil to her rule, she will most likely get rid of this hot potato.

In particular, Vina is still under their control.

Almost all the dukes of Victoria knew that Vina and Qi had no feelings for each other.

But the princess and Viviana had a very good relationship.

This became something they could exploit, and their last trump card to force Viviana to compromise.

But to the surprise of the two dukes...

The Viviana before them did not show any signs of compromise as they had imagined.

She didn't even show the slightest hint of embarrassment; instead, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

"...I remember that I granted the Duchy of Victoria autonomy as early as three years ago."

"Furthermore, Speaker Vina and several dukes have assured me that as long as I do not interfere with Victoria's governance, you will continue to be loyal to the Leitanian Empire."

"But now, they have gone back on their word once again."

"Isn't this a bit... disrespectful to me and Letania?"

Having suppressed too much resentment for so long, Viviana, now emboldened, finally unleashed a rarely known side of her: anger.

“Let’s talk this out, Duke of Normandy and Duke of Caster.”

“You are challenging my authority, and you are challenging the bottom line of Letania.”

"Or is it that the independence of East Kazimierz has caused you to misunderstand me?"

This empress, who was always elegant, dignified, and gentle, spoke with unprecedented coldness:
"I may not like war, but I have never been afraid of challenges."

“Bearing the fate of the millions of people of Letania on my shoulders, there is nothing on this land that can frighten me except the late emperor.”

"Hereby, I issue you this final warning."

"Do not offend my authority again, and do not mistake my mercy for weakness."

"Your Majesty, you are truly open and honest today."

"Then, as representatives of Victoria, we will give you a frank answer in accordance with Her Majesty the Queen's wishes."

However, Viviana's sudden display of unprecedented assertiveness did indeed momentarily take Normandy and Caesar by surprise.

However, before he could realize that today's negotiations might break down, the Duke of Caesar, who wanted to take a step back, did not get a chance to speak.

The next second, the Duke of Normandy, who shared the same wish as the other nobles in Victoria, preemptively responded to Viviana with a fake smile.

Under Caesar's horrified gaze and Viviana's indifferent stare, the Duke of Normandy said confidently:
"Even if the Leitanian Empire rules Victoria for several more decades, the people of Victoria will not change their identity."

"As for the military you mentioned, I urge you to think about it calmly."

"After all, once the Leitanian army is on the border, the Speaker, as the legal successor of Victoria, has an obligation to lead the people of Victoria in raising the banner of resistance."

"I think Her Majesty the Queen would not be willing to go to war with the Speaker, would she?"

"Moreover, His Majesty's army has just undergone a reduction in troops, which is the least suitable time to launch an attack."

"Or, let's be more honest."

As they spoke, the Duke of Normandy, unfazed by Viviana's imposing manner and convinced she was bluffing, smiled calmly with absolute confidence:
“Your Majesty, Victoria can return to you exactly what you just said.”

“Apart from the late emperor, Victoria fears no one else.”

The Duke of Normandy's words echoed clearly in the drawing room.

Viviana's silence in his presence only reinforced the belief of this duke, who had once been utterly humiliated and defeated by Chen Qi, that his judgment was correct.

Sure enough, compared to that monster, this immature little empress was far too easy to handle.

Now, that monster has vanished into thin air along with the evil spirits.

If Victoria rises to power, these heroes who helped restore the nation will be able to gain a higher status than before!
As for Speaker Vina...

In the eyes of the nobles with their profound heritage, this heir to the throne was merely a figurehead.

However, after several minutes of silence, just as both dukes, with differing sentiments, believed that Viviana was about to compromise—

"Oh? You truly fear nothing but me?"

From behind them, a calm voice that sent chills down their spines rang out without warning.

The next second, before the two dukes could even react, the voice was already close to their ears, uttering the most bloodthirsty words in the calmest tone.

"—So, even if I were to slaughter the entire Victoria, I presume you would already be prepared and fearless?"

"you you you……"

However, the moment the sound rang out, the two dukes felt a chill as if they had fallen into an ice cave, which surged from their feet to their brains!
There is no other reason.

Once they've heard that voice, they'll never forget it.

That was their deepest fear, a voice that cast an indelible shadow over them and the entire Victoria!
However, even though the voice was right next to them, the two high-ranking dukes didn't even dare to turn their heads.

They are afraid.

They fear that if they turn around, they will see the figure that should be dead still standing in front of them.

Their fragile nerves could completely collapse in an instant, driving them into madness. "—You mean to say, I'm dead, right?"

However, Chen Qi, who had already anticipated the Duke of Normandy's words, looked down at the two trembling, sweating dukes and chuckled contemptuously:

"madness."

"When did I ever say that my death was imminent?"

"When did I ever say that I had forever abandoned my loyal empire?"

"All of this is nothing but the wild speculation of you ordinary mortals."

"I have returned like lightning."

In the silent reception room, apart from Chen Qi's arrogant and disdainful words, no one dared to utter the slightest sound.

Even the two dukes, whose legs were trembling with fear and whose faces were deathly pale.

But they didn't even have the courage to breathe loudly in front of this emperor.

"But now, I see you all humiliating my beloved daughter? Humiliating the Queen of Letania whom I have chosen?"

Looking at these two dukes, who were once his defeated adversaries but were now swaggering in front of his daughter, Chen Qi's eyes finally turned completely cold.

"Who gave you two spineless dogs the audacity to threaten Queen Letania?"

"Despicable maggots."

"Kneel down before me!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!!"

Finally, under Chen Qi's stern shout, his terrifying aura that seemed to swallow mountains and rivers completely extinguished the last shred of hope that supported the two dukes.

The two dukes, who were full of confidence just a second ago, suddenly fell off their seats and onto the ground.

But they didn't even have time to think about themselves.

In an extremely awkward posture, the two crawled around to Chen Qi and frantically kowtowed to the emperor, whom they dared not even look up to acknowledge.

Chen Qi didn't even need to reveal his power, nor did he need to prove his identity.

Even just his proud presence was enough to terrify these insects and make them tremble with fear.

"Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!"

"We were just misled! We were merely following orders!"

"It was all Her Highness the Princess—it was Vina who instigated this! Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

"You guys are talking nonsense!"

However, upon hearing that the Duke of Normandy ultimately intended to pin the blame on Vina, Viviana could no longer suppress her anger and retorted:
“Mother Vina—Speaker Vina was still working hard for the people of Victoria until the last time we corresponded!”

“She is truly working for the benefit of the Victorians, and she has never mentioned it to me! She wants to lead Victoria out of Letanian rule!”

"She knew that doing this would only cause Victoria, the post-war nation, to suffer even more!"

"—It seems you've lost your last chance."

Viviana's rebuttal caused Chen Qi to lose his last bit of patience with the Duke of Normandy, who was full of lies and had been arrogant at first but obsequious at second.

"Then, as an apology for offending Queen Letania."

"Go to hell, Duke."

"His Majesty--"

However, the Duke of Normandy, who had been sentenced to death by Chen Qi, suddenly raised his head under the threat of death and made a final stand.

"Your Majesty, you cannot disregard the safety of Her Highness the Princess!"

"Oh? That's an interesting response."

But Chen Qi's smile was chilling in response to the Duke of Normandy's threatening pleas for mercy.

"But unfortunately, you got it wrong again."

"Viviana might be a good girl who cares about this princess who is not related to her by blood."

"But why do you think I would care about a tool for a political marriage?"

With that, Chen Qi merely touched the Duke of Normandy's head with his palm, and the intense magical fluctuations completely shattered the Duke's brain.

The next moment, one of the last remaining dukes of Victoria died without resistance at Chen Qi's hands.

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah……"

However, looking at the Duke of Normandy lying beside him, bleeding from all seven orifices and dying a gruesome death, the Duke of Caesar finally broke down.

A warm flow emanated from the beautiful duchess's lower body, but she was completely numb and unaware of her loss of composure.

She was afraid, afraid that she would be the next one to face death.

"—The Duke of Caster."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

However, Chen Qi's calm remark was enough to make the duchess tremble with fear.

She crawled to the emperor, gripping his heels tightly with both hands, and begged for mercy in utter terror:
"Your Majesty! I, I swear! I was just momentarily blinded by greed! And I really did try to dissuade them from having any more delusions!"

“I am related to Vina—no, I mean Her Highness the Princess—by blood. Even if I wanted to sideline Her Highness, I would never endanger her life!”

"Your Majesty, please spare my life! I am willing to be exiled abroad as a prisoner and surrender all my power to Your Majesty!"

However, Chen Qi did not grant the Duke of Caesar's request for mercy.

Instead, he turned his gaze to Viviana and calmly asked:
"Your Majesty? What do you think?"

"...Although the Duke of Kester was an accomplice, he still had some effect compared to the other dukes who were stubborn and unyielding."

Having long understood that this was an opportunity for her father to show his abilities, Viviana immediately displayed her relatively benevolent and kind side as an empress.

"Moreover, she is related to Her Highness the Princess, and as long as she is willing to serve loyally, she will be a great help."

"Father, why not spare her life, strip her of her dukedom, retain only her status as a councilor, and bring all her and other dukes' influence under the unified administration of the empire? What do you think?"

"As for the Duke of Normandy..."

Viviana had absolutely no goodwill towards this duke who, even on his deathbed, tried to shift the blame elsewhere.

Subsequently, under Chen Qi's encouraging gaze, Viviana gave her response:
“...I don’t like the punishment of slaughtering an entire clan.”

"Therefore, I will only exterminate the direct bloodline of the Duke of Normandy. I hope you will take this as a warning."

"—Duke of Caesar, have you heard Her Majesty the Queen's decree?"

After hearing Viviana's arrangement, Chen Qi nodded in satisfaction, casually kicked away Duke Caster's hands, and suddenly said:

"She spared your life, so hurry up and thank her."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity!"

Having survived a near-death experience, the Duke of Caesar was truly grateful to Viviana from the bottom of his heart this time.

The duke was seen bowing his head repeatedly to Viviana in gratitude.

In an instant, the blood on her forehead and the tears flowing from her eyes mingled together on the floor.

"And by the way, take the Duke of Normandy's body back with you, so that your bunch of complacent noble accomplices can see the consequences of rebelling against Letania."

"Tell them that Her Majesty the Queen's mercy also has its limits."

Not wanting to give him another glance, Chen Qi coldly instructed the Duke of Caesar before leaving:
"Furthermore, you'd better keep your mouth shut and not tell anyone about my return."

"I want to see just how many parasites who refuse to submit to my rule will emerge after I die."

"Don't spoil my enjoyment, Caesar."

"—I will obey Your Majesty's decree!"

(End of this chapter)