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

Chapter 99 The Night Before the Uprising: Chen Qi's Chosen Successor?

Late at night, when even the servants had returned to their homes to rest, the Shivaesh family became unusually active.

In the council hall, where there were no lights and only the light of a few candles, Chen Qi, despite his serious illness, still sat in the head of the family seat at the very front.

His illness was not cured; the occasional cough and low-grade fever still lingered in his body.

However, this cold and dangerous patriarch, even just sitting there, was enough to inspire fear.

His eagle-like, sharp eyes, even if they only sweep across your cheek, can send chills down your spine.

His face, as sinister and unpredictable as a wolf before a hunt, seemed poised to reveal its ferocious side at any moment, sending chills down your spine as if you were falling into an ice cave.

"Sir, everyone has arrived."

"...Where is Enya?"

In the dimly lit council chamber, Chen Qi noticed that Enya was not present.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Faced with Chen Qi's question, Horn Peak's expression also turned somewhat sad, and he replied in a low voice:

"The young lady refused to come to discuss the matter."

She said... she doesn't want to talk to you right now.

"……I see."

Having received what was somewhat expected, Chen Qi's eyes dimmed slightly before he quickly regained the composure befitting a family head.

"Then let's not wait for Enya, everyone, let's begin."

"...Brother, how about I try to persuade sister again?"

However, Encia, who was the only one present who was completely unaware of the current situation, was summoned to the council chamber by Horn Peak, but she also vaguely sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere.

His older brother seemed determined to do something desperate.

To Encia's suggestion, Chen Qi simply shook his head and replied to his youngest sister in a gentle tone:
"No need, Encia. As for your sister... I'll find a chance to tell her tomorrow."

"Now, everyone here, whatever I say next, please don't be surprised, and please don't make a fuss."

“If what I have said is leaked out, the Shivaish family will be doomed.”

In an instant, the atmosphere in the dimly lit council hall became extremely solemn.

After confirming that everyone had nodded, Chen Qi calmly announced the final decision that made everyone present's hearts skip a beat.

"Everyone, Manju Academy and the two major families have been suppressing and ostracizing us in the past three years, almost to the point of exhaustion."

“Especially Manjuin—I have ample evidence to prove that Manjuin was the mastermind behind our mother’s death!”

"Brother, are you telling the truth?!"

Upon hearing Chen Qi's words, Encia, who was still deeply troubled by her mother's death, couldn't help but call out.

This time, even Olaf was moved, his eyes trembling as he gazed at his adopted son and asked:

"Are you telling the truth, Qi?"

"You mean... that train derailment wasn't an accident? It was the people from Manju Academy who wanted to harm us?"

"Of course." Chen Qi nodded calmly and said coldly:
"The elders of the Manju Institute have long been blinded by lust for power. They want to keep Sherag living under the shadow of ignorance and darkness forever, so that the power of the Manju Institute can be passed down from generation to generation."

"And we, who advocate industry, reform, and opening up, are a thorn in their side!"

“They want to drive our Shivaish people out of Shelag, where we have lived for generations, and to that end, they have gone so far as to plot the murder of our families!”

"If I don't avenge this, I will be ashamed to be a human being!"

Chen Qi, seriously ill, no longer had the loud voice he used to have, but it was still as fierce as a dragon's roar and a tiger's howl, sending chills down people's spines.

Everyone could hear the suppressed fury of revenge in his hoarse voice, and everyone's heart was gripped by his words.

“Tell us, Qi.”

Even though she had no blood relation to the Shivaesh family, Chen Huijie, stirred by Chen Qi's words, was already unable to contain her passion.

This chivalrous and righteous woman stared intently at Chen Qi and quickly asked:

"What are you going to do?"

"I will overthrow the rule of the Manjusaka Academy, restore Sherag, restore the Shivaish people, and bring back a bright and just world."

"And the Manju Academy must pay for their crimes with their blood!"

The moment Chen Qi's hoarse, low roar rang out, everyone present seemed to see a roaring beast, and their breath caught in their throats for a moment.

But the next second, what surged into everyone's hearts was a shared anger and determination to fight the enemy.

At this moment, they fully understood that they were about to embark on a path of no return.

"As my brother instructed, I secretly trained over a thousand assassins during my studies in Victoria."

At this moment, Enciodes, who had participated in Chen Qi's entire scheme, also took the initiative to stand up and explain to everyone:
"They were all equipped with Victoria's advanced armor and weapons, and after three years of training, they were capable of matching the elite troops of some major powers."

"This power is our trump card for overthrowing the Manju Academy, taking over the Holy Mountain, and suppressing the other two major families!"

"Death squads? Qi, Ensiodis, you've even trained death squads?"

However, even though he knew that his son wanted to launch a coup to protect the family, Olafell was still amazed by his adopted son's shrewdness.

It turns out that he had started planning everything for this day as early as three years ago.

It turns out that ever since the child learned that his adoptive mother had died in a conspiracy, he had already been planning his revenge!

For three years, he managed to remain hidden from everyone, only revealing his dangerous side on the eve of his revenge.

With the eyes of an eagle and the gaze of a wolf.

For some reason, at this moment, Olafel recalled the elder's evaluation of his adopted son.

Such cunning, such scheming, and such masterful planning.

My adopted son truly deserves the Grand Elder's assessment in terms of his treacherous and ruthless nature.

"Of course." Facing his adoptive father's question, Chen Qi gave a cold smile and said calmly:
"Without a sufficient army, we could never suppress Manju Institute on our own, let alone suppress the Perroch clan, who are completely subservient to Manju Institute."

"And our plan to overthrow Manju Academy is also very simple."

"Tomorrow is the start of the Saintess Trial. The selection of the Saintess is the most solemn ceremony in Sherag."

"At that time, Manju-in and all the important figures from the other families will surely gather at the summit of Mount Sheng."

"And we will make our move the moment Enya passes the trial and is officially chosen as the 'Saintess'!"

"By then, our assassins, who have been lying in ambush on the summit of Mount Sacred Mountain, will take control of all the important figures in Manju Academy immediately."

“I will personally lead the team for this matter, and Chen Huijie will assist me in carrying it out.”

“Okay!” Chen Huijie nodded in agreement without hesitation.

"Yes, sir." Horn Peak nodded steadily.

"Then, after receiving my signal, the remaining assassins quickly took control of all the guards and soldiers of the Perroch family!"

“I have entrusted this matter to Fiona, and she will carry out this order for me.”

"Enciodes, Encia."

Chen Qi turned his gaze to his younger siblings. Faced with a coup that could lead to utter ruin with one wrong step, Chen Qi did not want to entrust them with any important tasks.

Chen Qi had his own deeper plans.

"...You will join me at that time, representing the Shivaish people, to witness the moment when Enya becomes a saint."

"Remember, you must not reveal any flaws, otherwise our whole family will be doomed."

"—Yes, I understand, brother!"

After a moment's hesitation, Encia nodded firmly and chose to support her brother's plan.

"Brother, there is something I want you to know."

Enciodes, who was also nodding, suddenly remembered something and handed a gift box that he had prepared beforehand to Chen Qi.

Because the council chamber was so dimly lit, even Chen Qi didn't notice the gift box. He asked with slight curiosity:
"This is?"

“This is a gift I prepared for you, brother, from the black market in Victoria.”

As Ensiodis spoke, he unwrapped the gift box.

It wasn't until he opened the gift box that everyone could see what the "gift" Ensiodes had mentioned was.

A large-caliber revolver, gleaming with a silvery sheen, lay quietly in the gift box, as if beckoning its owner to hold it tightly in their hand.

"This, this is the gift you gave to my brother, second brother?!"

The moment Chen Qi slowly picked up the gun, Encia suddenly realized why her second brother had completely prevented her and her sister from getting close to the gift box.

"I know you graduated from the Royal Guard Academy, and close combat is one of your strengths."

“At Manju Temple, you will be protected by the Snow Spirit of the Mountain, so your safety should not be a problem.”

Ensiodis remained composed and said:

"However, brother, your journey to the sacred mountain is extremely dangerous. If any unexpected event occurs, there may not be enough time to react."

"Please take this gun for self-defense, brother, just in case." "There are only 3 etched bullets in total. I'm sorry, brother, I've done my best."

"—That's enough, my dear brother."

After loading three etched bullets into the chamber, Chen Qi cast a look of great satisfaction at his calm, collected, and meticulous younger brother.

However, that satisfaction... was by no means just the satisfaction of regarding his younger brother as his right-hand man.

It's more like looking at a successor who is capable of inheriting one's will with a sense of reassurance.

After the council session ended, Chen Qi, who remained alone in the council chamber, sat there for several hours.

However, just when he felt it was about time, he suddenly opened his eyes and said calmly to Horn Peak, who was still guarding outside the door:

"Horn Peak, I have a favor to ask you."

“Master, please speak,” Horn Peak replied quickly from outside the door.

"...Go to Ensiodis's and Ensia's rooms, observe what they are doing, and then report back to me."

"……Yes."

Although they didn't quite understand their master's actions, Horn Peak still chose to carry out Chen Qi's orders.

During this free time, Chen Qi got up alone and returned to the living room.

Because all the servants had been dismissed beforehand, the living room remained as it had been during the banquet.

Here, Chen Qi's gaze was focused on the gift box that Enya had given him, which he hadn't yet had a chance to open and examine.

"This is……"

Upon opening the gift box, Chen Qi, whose vision was not clear in the darkness, felt a warm, soft, and familiar sensation inside.

Upon taking it out, Chen Qi finally saw the gift that Enya had mentioned, the gift she had made herself.

It was a gray and white scarf.

Moreover, judging from the feel and craftsmanship alone, Chen Qi could be certain that this scarf was not only hand-knitted by Enya, but even the yarn used to knit the sweater... was probably made from the hair she combed off each year.

Because the feel of this scarf is just like Enya's soft tail.

As the elder brother, Chen Qi has combed the hair of his younger siblings countless times.

As for the film, their annual molting season is enough to give Chen Qi a major headache.

Now, Enya has used everything that once caused him headaches and helplessness to weave him a warm garment.

Chen Qi could imagine how happy Enya must have been when she made the gift herself.

...And that's why he could understand how desperate his sister was when he pretended to be heartless and made her become a saint for the sake of the family's interests.

"……master."

While Chen Qi remained silent, Horn Peak had unknowingly returned to Chen Qi's side.

At Chen Qi's instruction, Jiao Feng, having ascertained the situation, reported everything he had witnessed to his master.

"Master, I have followed your instructions and gone to check on the Second Miss and the Second Master."

"When I arrived, the second young lady was still awake, tossing and turning in her room, pacing back and forth."

"It seems that your decision to overthrow Manju Academy has put a lot of pressure on the Second Miss."

"Hmm." Chen Qi nodded, not surprised by Jiao Feng's report.

Encia is still young, and as the youngest sister, she is overly protected in the family.

In the face of such a major event, the fact that Encia was not frightened to tears already met Chen Qi's expectations of her.

Sending Horn Peak to observe Encia was merely to see if there were any unexpected surprises.

Throughout the entire process, Chen Qi only paid the most attention to one person.

"Then, what about Ensiodis?"

"Replying to your question, sir," Horn Peak replied respectfully.
"When I arrived, the second young master had already fallen asleep, and was sleeping very soundly."

“I could faintly hear the second young master snoring from outside the door. I’m sure he’s not pretending to be asleep.”

"……it is good."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Chen Qi's tone rarely showed a hint of joy.

Chen Qi, his eyes gleaming with light, raised the gun in front of him again. A smile spread across his face as he murmured to himself:
"This kid proved me right after all."

"Having been protected by me, his older brother, for so long, he has grown into such a shrewd and calculating person in just three years... He's not simple!"

"With this kid as my successor, I can confidently and boldly do everything I want to do!"

Having said that, Chen Qi turned his gaze back to Horn Peak beside him, his expression immediately becoming extremely solemn as he spoke:

"Horn Peak, you'd better remember what I'm about to say."

"Master, please give your orders!"

Seeing his master so serious, Horn Peak dared not be negligent in the slightest, and even prepared himself for the possibility of losing his life.

But the next second, Chen Qi said something that Jiao Feng never expected.

“From today onwards, you are no longer my guard, and you no longer need to worry about my safety.”

“You will only have one master from now on, and that is Ensiodes, my dear brother.”

"I need you to protect his safety with your life, understand?"

"--yes!"

After a moment of stunned silence, Jiao Feng, having grasped Chen Qi's implied meaning, immediately agreed to Chen Qi's instructions with the utmost solemnity.

Horn Peak, born into the Yek family and serving as a bodyguard to the head of the Shivaish family for generations, knew very well.

My master has already chosen the next head of the Shivaish family!

Horn's guess was not wrong.

In fact, even today, some hesitation still lingers in Chen Qi's mind.

It wasn't that he hesitated about the coup, but rather how he should handle Sherag's rule after it happened.

Chen Qi was faced with only two paths.

The first rule is to overthrow the Manju Academy, control the Holy Maiden and the heads of the two major families, and seize all of Sherag's power as an absolute superpower.

The second point is to overthrow the Manju Academy, expose its crimes to the world, and then hand over all the power of the three major families to the Holy Maiden, Enya, for judgment.

Afterwards, the three families will continue to coexist in the land of Shelag through a council.

From a conservative perspective, choosing the second path is definitely the safest and most legitimate option.

After all, compared to Chen Qi becoming the first ruler, the Holy Maiden's credibility among the people of Sherag was far higher.

If power is handed over to Enya, then I won't have to bear the infamy for all eternity.

Even in the hearts of the people of Shelag, he will become a celebrity who corrects wrongs and goes down in history.

However, the parliamentary format was still too slow for Chen Qi.

The impending world war in Letania and the impending destruction of Kjerag were like a lit fuse, urging Chen Qi to accelerate his pace.

He didn't have time, and neither did Sherag.

Chen Qi knew that once he embarked on this path, there would be no turning back.

A regime that relies solely on force and military power to suppress its enemies will be rejected by the people and cannot last.

What awaits them in the future is undoubtedly being overthrown by the people.

However, after being overthrown, who can continue to lead Sherag into the future?

Now, Chen Qi has the answer in his heart.

"—System, bring up my progress bar," Chen Qi said in his mind.

[Task 1: Eliminate the vigilance of other families and the Manju Academy (In Progress)]

[The Perroch family's level of vigilance towards you: 0%]

[The Blangau family's level of vigilance towards you: 0%]

[The Grand Elder's level of vigilance towards you: 5%]

[Task 2: Cultivating Forces for a Coup (In Progress), Progress: 100%]

[Task 3: Seize Religious Support, Progress: 50%]

The coup attempt has a 90% success rate, an extremely high probability of success!

It's a sure thing! Looking at his extremely high success rate, Chen Qi no longer had any hesitation.

“My dear brother… I firmly believe that with your magnanimity and ability, you are absolutely capable of taking on this heavy responsibility.”

"Then, let me, your elder brother, remain silent until you become the leader whom the people of Sherag all yearn for..."

"Let me finish everything for you!"

(End of this chapter)