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

[She is waiting to see how you, as the emperor, will handle this matter.]

"——But, I also have requirements for the major families."

After the twelve family heads finished discussing with each other, Chen Qi changed the subject and said in a more serious tone:

"As the emperor of Leithania, I will not allow the land under my rule to be unable to provide assistance to the country in the future."

"I will not allow any barren land to exist in the land under my rule."

"Therefore, after Syracuse officially returns to Leitania, I hope to make Syracuse a light industrial base for Leitania."

"Needless to say, the large number of factories that will be opened in Syracuse all require the protection of all the families."

"I don't want the huge amount of construction money Leitania has invested in Syracuse to go to waste because of Syracuse's 'tradition'."

"I don't want Syracuse to be ruled by Lethania, where the major families still have political disagreements and internal strife."

After saying that, Chen Qi turned his gaze to the twelve family heads who had fallen into complete silence, and glanced at Hildegard beside him.

Over the past few months, Hildegard, who had become relatively familiar with Chen Qi's instructions, understood what he meant.

She held up a bottle of red wine that had been prepared long ago and poured it into the glasses in front of each family head.

Chen Qi also raised his red wine glass, slowly stood up and said:

"Therefore, I hope that the heads of the twelve families can end their infighting and work together."

"The twelve families merged into one, allowing the family to return from darkness to light and become a legitimate member of the Syracuse government."

"From now on, you are all subjects of Leitania, loyal subjects who will shine for Leitania."

"There will no longer be any 'family business' in Syracuse. All profits will belong to all of you and to Leitania."

"If, all the family heads accept this proposal."

"Then please drink this glass of wine."

As soon as Chen Qi finished speaking, it seemed as if his words had fallen into the sea.

Deathly silence permeated the gray hall. No one stood up, and no one raised their glass.

After this eerie silence lasted for more than ten seconds, a figure that surprised everyone was the first to raise his glass.

——It’s young Texas.

Texas tilted his head back and drank the red wine without hesitation. Even Chen Qi didn't have time to stop him.

"Gulu gulu."

After drinking a glass of red wine, the young black wolf girl's face turned red and she soon became dizzy.

Although no one really regarded this child as an agent of the "Texas Family".

But everyone knows Texas's own attitude.

The child's simple values told her that the emperor's proposal was civilized and correct.

Texas' statement quickly broke the deadlock in the Gray Room.

"…Since the young lady from Texas has expressed her opinion."

"Then I agree."

Soon, Mrs. Sicily raised her glass and drank the red wine in full view of everyone.

After doing all this, Mrs. Sicily left her seat, hugged the dizzy Texas in her arms, and stood beside Chen Qi.

At this time, all the heads of the families present also understood from Lady Sicily's position.

The founder of the Grey Hall had long since sided with the Emperor of Leithania.

This time, one of the twelve family heads finally couldn't sit still anymore.

"——Your Majesty, I think there is something wrong with this matter."

The head of the Moretti family, which is considered to be the most powerful of the twelve Syracuse families, could not help but stand up and say:

"Members are not allowed to reveal any information about the family to civilians, police, or even the government outside."

“Even if arrested or facing trial, members are required to remain silent and refuse to testify or provide evidence.”

"This is the Syracuse tradition, the 'Law of Silence'."

"The 'Law of Silence' is the iron rule that the Syracuse family has always used to ensure internal loyalty, purity, and unity!"

"If we allow our family to be as public as government officials, then outside forces will be aware of our existence and will infiltrate and sabotage our family!"

"If there is betrayal, it may lead to the destruction of our carefully managed family!"

"Therefore, please forgive me for raising objections, Your Majesty, my family cannot accept such a proposal."

"——My family also agrees with Patriarch Moretti's opinion."

The head of the Conte family also stood up and said:

"The family hiding in the dark will help us help His Majesty protect Syracuse."

"But if Your Majesty insists on carrying out such an order, then we can only protest by not cooperating."

[Of course, this is by no means the true intention of the two family heads. ]

[Mrs. Sicily has already explained to you before we set out that the more powerful the family, the less likely they are to agree with your proposal.]

[Once all family businesses are unified, the powerful families will no longer be able to reasonably suppress and annex the weaker families.]

[The family's expansion will be stopped, and everyone will stay where they are - this is definitely not the situation that a powerful family wants to see.]

[After all, no matter who the twelve families are, they all have the ambition to defeat the other families and unify the underground world of Syracuse. ]

[Weak families may wish to receive your protection.]

[But the powerful families only hope that the law of the dark forest where the strong prey on the weak will continue to exist. ]

[And you, looking at the two family heads who are getting up to leave, what is your choice? ]

“——Two.”

Without waiting for the options to appear, Chen Qi's voice, which was cold enough to make everyone present feel their bodies stiffen, fell very clearly.

But Chen Qi ignored other people's reactions.

He just acted like an absolutely rational machine, speaking to the two family heads without a trace of emotion:

"Syracuse is now the territory of Leitania."

"I am also your emperor."

"Can I understand your behavior as - disobeying the emperor's order?"

For a moment, everyone could sense the deep murderous intent in Chen Qi's icy tone.

The two family heads also stopped unconsciously.

But, perhaps because of the kindness Chen Qi had shown before, they felt that Chen Qi's current toughness was just a bluff.

Or perhaps, they felt that with their family's influence in Syracuse, Chen Qi would never dare to do anything against them.

In the end, the two fearless family heads made the worst choice of their lives.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, my family simply cannot accept such a condition."

"If we accept it, the family members may regard us as a disgrace."

"So, please forgive us for not wanting to join."

After saying that, the two family heads took another step forward at the same time.

It was this step that completely exhausted Chen Qi's last bit of patience.

The Sicilian lady, who was holding the sleepy Texas, keenly noticed Chen Qi's action of slowly closing his eyes...

"...Hildegard."

"I'm listening."

"...According to the laws of Leitania, those who disobey the order will be punished."

"Replying to your Majesty."

Hildegard, who had already clenched her fists and could no longer hold back, responded to Chen Qi word by word for the first time.

"According to the laws of Leitania, those who disobey the order are disrespected."

"Kill, no, pardon!"

"——Then what are you waiting for?"

Chen Qi suddenly opened his eyes, stared coldly at the two family heads who had sensed danger ahead, and immediately ordered:

"Capture the rude person who insulted Leitania!"

"Order!"

As soon as Chen Qi finished speaking, Hildegard felt a familiar force returning to her body!

Although, the power of return is not that much.

But, enough is enough!

"boom!"

"what?!"

Suddenly, a mysterious force slammed the door of the Gray Hall shut, and the two family heads who had not yet had the chance to escape from the Gray Hall were left inside.

The next second, an extremely strong suction force made the two people's bodies completely out of control and pulled them violently towards the round table in the gray hall!

It was as if a pair of invisible hands grabbed their bodies!

"boom!"

With two dull thuds, the bodies of the two family heads fell heavily onto the round table in the gray hall!

The sudden impact made the two family heads feel dizzy, and the broken ribs and damaged internal organs caused by the collision made their mouths full of blood.

But Hildegard would not give them time to react.

The other family heads present only felt a gust of wind and a vague black figure flashed past them.

By the time everyone's eyes reacted, Hildegard was already standing on the round table.

Her high-heeled feet stepped hard on the back of the struggling head of the Moretti family.

The purple flame in her hand turned into a sharp sword and was placed on the neck of the head of the Moretti family.

"You, you dare to kill me?!"

It was only then that Patriarch Moretti gradually regained consciousness. Looking at the sharp sword so close at hand, he spoke in an incredulous voice again:

"If I die, my family will never let you go!"

"My cadres and my descendants will avenge me from generation to generation! You will never be able to rule Syracuse in peace!"

"——Don't worry about this, Master Moretti."

However, Chen Qi, who was just staring at this scene with a cold-blooded smile, replied in a very relaxed tone under the panicked and unbelievable eyes of everyone:

"I understand very well that if a family as united as yours is left with even a little spark, it could become a threat in the future."

"Therefore, I will ask all the members of your family to go down with you."

After that, before the head of the Moretti family could react, Chen Qi calmly ordered Hildegard:

"Beheaded."

"Ah."

Hildegard, with no emotion on her face, swung the sword in her hand without hesitation after receiving Chen Qi's order.

The expressions of Moretti and Conte will forever remain at the moment before their death.

"puff!"

Blood gushed out from the broken neck like a fountain, splashing onto the ground around it and staining the gray hall's floor tiles red.

The air was filled with a strong smell of rust, and warm blood flowed along the ground, forming dark red streams.

Everything around seemed to be dyed with the color of death in an instant, and even the air seemed to be stagnant.