In Ark Simulator, why do I always start out as a ruthless person?.

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Chapter 22: The enemy is at the tower, why is His Highness rebelling?

That night, the originally quiet beer hall was once again filled with noise.

But unlike the mixed crowds in the past when they did business, those gathered here now are all nobles and generals wearing military uniforms and of distinguished status.

Although they all looked exhausted, they were in high spirits and were eager to discuss with each other.

"Earl Qi was so anxious to gather the troops. What happened?"

"Could it be that Earl Qi is finally planning to force the Elector to abdicate?"

"Or is it really as Lord Qi said, that Casimir's group of knights finally took action?"

"*Letanian slang*! Why are you thinking so much? I've been waiting for a year and I'm almost dying of suffocation! This time I have to put the results of the army's training to the test!"

However, amid the noise, the voice of a stormtrooper in charge of escort drowned out everyone else.

"Earl Qi is here!"

The moment the guard's voice rang out, it was as if all the air in the beer hall was sucked out in an instant, and all sounds disappeared.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the stairs on the second floor. When Chen Qi, who was also wearing a military uniform, appeared in everyone's sight, all the generals and nobles below the stage raised their hands towards Chen Qi!

"For victory!"

"To win."

A year later, Chen Qi, who had become completely accustomed to the worship and fanaticism of others, responded to everyone with great calmness.

He did not speak a word, nor did he give any instructions, but everyone's eyes followed him unconsciously. Only after he sat down at the long meeting table did everyone take their seats according to their position and status.

This time, Chen Qi did not keep the question in suspense, but spoke directly to all the nobles in front of him who had sworn allegiance to him.

"Everyone, the time when this era tests us has finally arrived."

Chen Qi's words instantly ignited the atmosphere at the scene, and everyone immediately understood that the long-awaited promotion that Qi promised them was just around the corner!

"Lord Qi, tell me! What do you need us to do?!" A viscount boldly asked, his tone full of uncontrollable ecstasy and restlessness.

"My subordinate Marcus has tracked down the movements of a man suspected to be Elector Shi Tongling." Chen Qi nodded and immediately explained to everyone the most superficial meaning of his actions.

"Our Lord Elector is suspected of sending a suspicious cargo to the border. According to the intelligence I have obtained, the owner of the cargo is likely to be Casimir's man."

Suspicious cargo?

For a moment, all the nobles looked at each other in bewilderment. Finally, someone took the initiative to ask Chen Qi:

"Sir, what is that 'goods'? Why do you need to be so cautious?"

"Good question."

In response to this, Chen Qi did not answer immediately, but instead changed the subject and smiled:

"Everyone, have you heard the rumor that our Elector Count once fell in love with a commoner woman on Marigold Street?"

"If we count the days, if our Lord Elector is impatient, then even from the time he officially took over as Lord Elector until now, the woman should have been having a tryst with him for more than a year."

"In the past year or so, what is the most likely thing that two people who love each other but cannot be recognized will create?"

At this point, everyone understood the implication in Chen Qi's words.

For a moment, everyone present was filled with disbelief. Finally, an earl suppressed his excitement and asked Chen Qi tentatively:

"Sir, are you saying that the 'cargo' might be the Elector's illegitimate child?!"

"——Other than this, I really can't think of what valuables the Elector has that need to be sent to the border between Leithania and Casimir and transferred secretly."

With the advantage of being familiar with the plot, Chen Qi was able to confirm the true identity of the "cargo".

If nothing unexpected happens, this "cargo" is the "Candle Knight", Viviana, who was secretly sent to Casimir by the Elector Shi Tong and was adopted as the daughter of the Grand Knight of Casimir!

Of course, she is just a baby now.

If it was Chen Qi in his previous life, if he knew that he would meet a goddess-level character in the game one day, he might be extremely excited and ask her to sign an autograph for him as a commemoration, right?

But now, Chen Qi, who shoulders the wishes of countless people, no longer has the naive thinking of the past.

Now, after knowing the existence of Viviana, his only thought is - the value that this handle can bring to him!

This baby will be his ultimate weapon to gain the position of Elector!

It will also help him get one step closer to his goal of "revenge on the Gemini Queen"!

And this is not only what Chen Qi could think of, all the nobles in front of him who were ready to fight had already thought of it!

"Sir, tell me, what do you want us to do?!"

"——Everyone, listen up!"

This time, Chen Qi did not hesitate at all. Everyone stood up quickly after he gave the order, waiting for Chen Qi's order.

"As nobles stationed on the border, we have the duty to guard against infiltration from other countries. We will strictly investigate any suspected acts of leaking our country's intelligence."

"At present, Lord Elector Shi Tongling is suspected of leaking secrets to foreign forces. We are obliged to fulfill our duties!"

"Count Graufeld!" Chen Qi cast his eyes towards the earl who was sitting in the front row on the right and was the first to pledge allegiance to him, and gave the order:

"Send troops to the border town immediately and be on the lookout for any movement by Casimir at any time!"

"Yes!"

"Count Feuerbach, you take another team and follow the guidance of Director of Logistics Management Marcus. You must ensure that the transportation of the 'goods' is fully supervised!"

"Yes!"

"——Everyone else!" After issuing the two most important orders, Chen Qi's eyes became extremely determined, and he made his own decision to all the remaining nobles.

"Take all the remaining troops with you."

"Follow me and march towards Shi Tongling!"

"Although it may be a misunderstanding, we must fulfill our duty and ask the Elector to provide an explanation for his actions."

"Yes!"

Although Chen Qi's words were righteous, the nobles present who had long been unable to contain themselves knew how long they had been waiting for this opportunity to force the emperor to abdicate.

However, although Chen Qi had made all the arrangements, the nobles still felt somewhat uneasy.

The reason is that there is an empty seat in the front row to Chen Qi’s right.

Everyone knew that the position belonged to Gertrude, a veteran in Chen Qi's party.

But why is Gertrude not here with such a big operation today?

And why didn’t Earl Qi say a word about this?

Was it simply that he hadn't noticed? Or had Gertrude been assigned other important tasks long before?

"Everyone, before you set off, I have something to tell you."

As if he had noticed everyone's uneasiness, however, Chen Qi obviously had no intention of revealing the most important part of the plan.

He just stared at everyone and said meaningfully:

"Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. From the moment you believed that I could bring you a better future and chose to be loyal to me, you can only go to hell with me."

"If you are worried, you can just betray me as soon as you get out of the house. But I think everyone should know what the end will be for someone who betrays once."

"Therefore, there is only one outcome for us - victory or death."

"--yes!"

……

"Alas... I don't know if it will go smoothly..."

In the high tower led by Shi Tong, at this time, the young Elector "Werner" had not slept all night, and was pacing back and forth restlessly at the top of the tower.

He was very worried, concerned about what problems might arise with the transportation of his "cargo".

Especially in the current situation, almost everyone knows that there is a count named Qi who is eyeing his position as elector.

Once I was caught with a flaw, the situation I faced would be even more serious...

"You may rest assured, sir."

However, standing next to Walter was a knight wearing luxurious dark gold armor. He was the "Golden Law Guard" sent by the Gemini Queen to protect Walter's safety.

And it is obvious that this person is the highest-ranking person in this team of Golden Law Guards.

"Although Earl Qi is eyeing your position as the Elector, according to our speculation, he will not gamble everything under the current circumstances."

"He is a cautious man. If he can use the method of nibbling away at something step by step, he will not risk everything on a gamble - not to mention that this will cause great loss to his reputation."

"During this period of time, Her Majesty's spies will do their best to collect evidence. I think you don't have to worry about anything."

"...Thank you, Brent. I feel much more at ease with your words."

However, Brandt's comfort did relax Wollner's nervous expression a little, but the Elector's frown still proved that his worries were not eliminated.

Because what Walter concealed was a secret known only to him.

——His illegitimate daughter was now being escorted by his men and transported as "cargo" towards the Grand Knight Territory of Casimir.

Not only Brent, but even the twin queens were unaware of Walter's illegitimate daughter.

Even in the tower of Volna, besides him, only a few old servants who had served their several generations of Electors knew about this.

At first he fell in love with a beautiful commoner woman, but he could not get the recognition of his father or even the entire aristocratic class, so he could only meet with the woman secretly - until his father died for overthrowing the Witch King.

At that time, his lover was already pregnant.

As for this unaccepted love, Walter obviously does not have the courage to face the ridicule of the entire aristocracy and the shame of his family by making this love public.

So he kept his lover, and even the daughter born to him, secretly protected in the top floor of the tower, not allowing anyone to approach.

He had covered up the matter perfectly.

He also planned to protect his daughter like this until she grew up and could take care of herself, and then send her away to live in Leitania...

This is the last thing I can do as an incompetent father.

However, the sudden rise of Earl Qi in recent days, like a flood and a beast, has disrupted his plans.

This ambitious man, who has been gradually encroaching on the region under his control, allied with more and more nobles and generals, and is deeply loved by the common people, makes Volner feel an unprecedented sense of crisis!

He realized that Qi's massive campaign for him was for his position as the Elector!

He also guessed that if he really failed, the secret hidden in the tower would definitely be known by the ambitious Qi.

By then, the only daughter became Qi's hostage.

Then, as a former Elector, I would probably become a sponge in his hands that could be rubbed at will until the last drop of water in his body was squeezed out.

He will never be able to turn things around.

And his daughter will become the eternal plaything of this ambitious man.

If that's the case, even if I die, I'm afraid I won't be able to repay my debt to my wife and daughter?

So, after weighing the pros and cons, and in order to prevent his wife and daughter from being caught in one fell swoop, Walner had to make this difficult decision.

He sent his lover to Colombia for refuge.

At the same time, he secretly sent his daughter to Casimir.

Volna didn't dare to send his illegitimate daughter to other Leithanian nobles because he was too afraid of Qi's influence.

Especially after seeing that Qi could make so many nobles willingly obey his orders, Volner became even more worried.

What if one day, a noble whom I can trust reveals the news of his illegitimate daughter in order to surrender...

By then, this shocking scandal would cause his image in the hearts of the people to plummet, and he would only lose his position as Elector even faster.

Therefore, he had no choice but to send his daughter to Casimir.

At least, Grand Master Casimir is an upright knight.

She will temporarily take care of her daughter and help his wife and daughter reunite in Casimir in the future.

At least Casimir was still a military power.

In the future, even if the worst case scenario occurs and Qi really becomes the emperor of Leithania, it will probably be difficult for him to defeat Casimir.