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

Chapter 148 Hera's Trap? The Deep Sea Church's Surprise Attack!
The seventh day was not only Heratia's ultimatum to her daughter, but also the day the second plan was officially implemented.

Agor's technical administrators and engineering teams worked day and night in the heart of Miliarum to build the energy device that would maximize the power of Chen Qi's "Golden Melody".

As Agor worked tirelessly, the fifth day had already passed.

There was also some encouraging good news from Agor's side.

The energy transmission device supplied to Chen Qi is now ready for official use!

"Hmm... just as calculated."

In the heart of Milyarum, the area that was once the "battleground" of Agor is now filled with almost all of the city's Agorians.

Not only Agor, but also Wei Yanwu, Jianhe, and the others from the mainland were sitting in the front row, staring intently at Chen Qi, who was standing in the center of the stage.

And around him, there was Clementa, who was intently monitoring the data fluctuations of the energy transmission device, as well as Grandia and others.

They are conducting the final test before the second plan is officially launched.

“Energy transmission is stable,” Clementsa said confidently after careful observation.

"The Originium Arts output data is stable," Kal'tsit reported calmly and confidently.

"The score for the Golden Melody is playing normally."

Viviana, who had been checking the sheet music, listened carefully to every note before nodding in confirmation.

"Very good, everything is normal, the plan is feasible."

After filling in all the data in the table, Goredia finally turned her attention to Chen Qi in the center.

"Qi, are you feeling any discomfort?"

"Don't worry, just tell me promptly. It's better to investigate the problem now than to have it happen at a critical moment."

After spending several days together, the relationship between Greta and Chen Qi was no longer as strained as it had been a few days ago.

Even Gretia, who had started calling him by his first name like Jian, revealed a subtle yet perfectly appropriate concern in her calm voice.

"—I felt no discomfort, and the formation of the spell was very smooth."

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Chen Qi, whose hand had already condensed a terrifyingly powerful spell filled with ominousness, destruction, and instability, showed not a trace of weariness in his tone.

He casually "exiled" the all-destroying magic orb in his hand into the outer realms, leaving it for the demons to enjoy. Then, under the watchful eyes of thousands, he calmly announced:
"There is nothing wrong with this energy transmission device."

“I promise in the name of the Emperor that this is absolutely enough to kill Hai Si.”

As expected, Chen Qi's words had barely left his lips when they caused a huge chain reaction, like a stone thrown into still water.

The scene erupted in cheers!

Any one of these scientists, who could easily be hailed as "a century ahead" if they went ashore, could no longer contain their emotions.

They all abandoned their usual philosophical and rational side, and like all people who should have emotions, they cheered and jumped for joy, even emotionally hugging and kissing those around them.

This scene is actually very easy to understand.

For the sake of eliminating the Sealings and for the continuation of their race, these Agor governors, along with engineers and scientists, have spent countless days and nights in the crumbling sea fortress of Milaliarum.

Aside from their far superior technology and weaponry compared to those on land, and exceptional cases like the Deepsea Hunters, the unmodified Agorians are actually not much stronger than the land-dwelling races.

They remain weak and helpless, especially under the threat of a terrifying horde like the Sea Si, capable of destroying the Agor civilization.

The relentless onslaught of the sea waves meant that even the most well-defended city in Agor could not escape its fate of destruction.

Countless of them witnessed firsthand the cities they once lived in being submerged by the sea monsters, their relatives and friends becoming food for the monsters and being assimilated by them...

But they suppressed their fear and restrained their instinct to die, and came to this fortress on the front line against the Sea Si.

I only hope that my efforts can give my people a chance to survive.

But when they arrived, none of them knew whether they would actually see the dawn of victory.

They all came to this city prepared for the possibility of destruction at any moment.

And now, they have finally seen hope for survival, hope for the future.

How could they not be excited? How could they not cheer?

"—Alright everyone, quiet down, please quiet down!"

However, Clementa, who was the top leader of Miliarum and had been involved in the entire process in terms of administration, supervision, and technology, also had an unprecedented joy on her face.

After the jubilant atmosphere at the scene had lasted for several minutes, Clementine, gradually calming down from the joy of victory, raised her hand and, barely suppressing a smile, announced:

"My friends, we have achieved this great feat today thanks to the support and hard work of every Agor who is fighting in Milyalium."

"You have created a miracle with your own hands, giving Agor's civilization at least ten years of respite!"

“Each of you is a hero to Agor!”

Clementine's chest heaved with excitement, her young face flushed red, but she still spoke loudly:

"But the moment of victory has not yet truly arrived, and we cannot let our guard down."

"At this final juncture, please maintain a rigorous and conscientious attitude and remain steadfast in your respective posts."

"Two days from now, a fleet from this region will come to pick you all up and take you home!"

"Please bear with me for the last two days. In the name of the Governor, I promise you all that you will return home safely!"

"For Agor!"

"For Agor!" XN
Inspired by Clementa's speech, all the Agors present, regardless of their duties, answered her with the same force as their beliefs.

After the crowd gradually dispersed, a group of land dwellers, led by the Doctor, gathered around Chen Qi from the audience.

Of course, two of Gloria's fellow Deepsea Hunters also came to celebrate this moment.

"Looks like we can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

The doctor, who had once again concealed his face under his hood, spoke in a much more relaxed tone:
"During this time, I've been traveling around Argor with Kal'tsit, and the amount of information and books I've been looking at every day is starting to give me a headache."

"The dampness in Agor also made me uncomfortable... but thankfully, we're finally back on land."

The doctor's words expressed the sentiments of almost everyone present, drawing nods of agreement from the crowd.

"Yes, although Agor's city is very developed, I've already started to miss the towers of Letania."

Viviana smiled and nodded. Ever since she stepped into the deep sea, the Queen of Letania had been enveloped by a strange sense of oppression.

Although Agor's "dome" had been covering the city for a long time, and Viviana had traveled back and forth to the edge of Miliaruum more than once during this period, she had never found any damage.

Once any sea creatures approach, Agor's coast guard will immediately launch an attack to defeat all sea creatures attempting to breach the "Dome".

Even so, whenever Viviana looked up and gazed at the sunless, perpetually dark sea, and the sea creatures slaughtered by the coast guard, she was filled with a sense of wonder.

A strong sense of unease would still rise in her heart.

The feeling of being constantly in danger, with all crises depending on a "dome"... is absolutely unpleasant.

The same unease lingered in the hearts of Wei Yanwu, the doctor, and every elite from the mainland.

"—To those from the mainland, thank you for your trust and perseverance."

Upon seeing the doctor and his group, Clementine showed a much warmer smile than before, and politely and elegantly greeted Chen Qi and his companions:

"Just now, I was so emotional that I forgot to praise your efforts and help in front of the Agorians."

"Please accept my apologies as the governor, friends from the land."

"Without your trust and help, we could never have accomplished this feat."

After giving Chen Qi and his group a deep 90-degree bow, Clementine, still unable to hide her joy, said:

"Tonight, everyone except the Emperor, who will be responsible for casting the spell, will return to land under the escort of our fleet."

"At that time, we and all of Miliarum will be buried together with the remains of Haizi."

"Please pack your belongings and prepare for evacuation." Clementa's tone was relaxed and cheerful, as if she herself was not the one who would perish along with the city in two days.

The second option was already common knowledge among the Agor community in Milyarum.

Everyone already knew their fate: whether they would return to their hometown or perish with this city.

But all the Agors chose to accept it calmly and cheer for the dawn of victory.

"...Agor sacrificed his own life for the survival of civilization, even taking it for granted."

Kal'tsit, standing nearby, couldn't help but sigh when she heard Clementine speak so casually, seemingly disregarding her own life and death:

"With such awareness, I believe that Agor's civilization will never decline."

"...However, there is one thing that I am very concerned about, and I would like to ask Governor Clementsa for an answer."

"Please speak freely." Upon hearing this, Clementine patiently gestured for Kal'tsit to continue.

"...Why is Consul Heratia absent from such an important occasion today?"

As Kal'tsit spoke, she glanced around again, but still couldn't find the elegant and dignified blond governor.

Logically, as the city's highest ruler, Heratia should have personally inspected this achievement to ensure the smooth progress of this first collaboration between the sea and the land.

But it was indeed unusual that Heratia did not appear all day.

"This……"

However, even Clementa herself seemed somewhat bewildered by Heratia's absence.

"Indeed, when I tried to contact Governor Heratia today, she refused my visit."

"Her 'little helper' left only one message, telling me to fulfill my duty and protect the city."

"Apart from that, there is no further news about Governor Heratia... She cannot be found even in meditation."

As she spoke, Clementa was also deep in thought, completely unaware of where Heratia had gone.

At that moment, after hearing Clementa's statement, the Doctor, who had found the answer, blurted out:
"—Could she have already run away?"

The next second, the Doctor received an emotionless stare from Clementa and her group of Agorians, as well as a speechless look from Kal'tsit.

When the doctor received everyone's gaze, she belatedly realized that she had said the wrong thing, and stuck out her tongue slightly inside her hood.

“I think the Doctor did not mean to question Governor Agor.”

However, just as the doctor was about to lose face, Chen Qi, who had overheard the entire conversation and instinctively sensed that something was wrong, joined the conversation.

Chen Qi, with his tall figure, shielded the 1.6-meter-tall doctor behind him, looking down at Clementine with a solemn expression, and said:

"However, the absence of Governor Heratia does indeed concern me."

"Consul Clementa, please contact Consul Helatia again. I need to know where she is so that we can cooperate better."

"...if you insist."

Faced with Chen Qi's sudden assertiveness, Clementsa hesitated for a moment before choosing to obey.

However, before Clementine could summon her "little helper," the doctor, hiding behind Chen Qi, quietly expressed his gratitude.

A figure in a white coat, Agor, slowly walking towards them from the stands, quickly drew everyone's attention.

"—Everyone, if you are looking for Governor Heratia, then I can tell you the answer."

"At 10 a.m. this morning, Governor Heratia left Miliarum by fleet under the pretext of 'participating in an important meeting in this territory'."

"You are... Brandos?"

Goredia narrowed her eyes slightly, recognizing the refined-looking doctor walking towards them.

Skadi and Laurentina couldn't possibly fail to recognize this man, one of the original design consultants for the Deepsea Hunter program, who was also the doctor responsible for the examinations and medical checkups of every returning Deepsea Hunter.

But why is he here?
Moreover, why would someone of his level know about Heratia's whereabouts, something even Clementa didn't know?

Suddenly, an extremely bad premonition arose in the hearts of everyone present.

"This person... I think I remember him."

Upon hearing the name Brandos, Chen Qi felt a sense of familiarity and vaguely recalled the man's identity.

And so, he secretly began to circulate magic within his body, instinctively becoming alert to everything around him.

"This is impossible!"

On the other side, Clementine was the first to step forward, coldly responding to the composed Brandos:
"I am the First Consul of Miliaruum, and all records of departures and returns must be reported to me immediately."

"If Governor Heratia left beforehand, why would I be completely unaware?"

"...It's normal that you don't understand, Consul Clementsa."

However, when faced with Clementa's questioning, Brandos remained remarkably calm, replying with a slight smile:

"Because from beginning to end, you never truly had control over this city."

"You also have no idea who actually controls this city."

"……What's the meaning?"

Realizing something was wrong, Clementa stared intently at Brandos in front of her while quietly pressing the alarm she was carrying.

However, the moment Clementa pressed the alarm button, the piercing sound of the alarm echoed clearly throughout Milyaurium.

All coast guard teams and fleets assembled immediately and headed towards the central location where Clementsa and her group were located to provide support.

All of this was observed by Brandos.

But he did not stop it, and was even indifferent to it.

“Governor Clementsa, your actions are pointless and will only hasten the fall of this city.”

A glint of pity flashed in Brandos's eyes as he scanned each person before him, as if trying to memorize them all, and calmly began to speak:

"From the very beginning, this city has been subjugated by the tide of Haisi."

"--Um?"

However, as soon as Brandos finished speaking, before Clementa and the others could ask again, Chen Qi shuddered as if he had been electrocuted and put his fingers to his temples.

"What's wrong, Qi?" Realizing that Chen Qi's reaction was a bit off, the doctor who was closest to him quickly asked.

The next second, Chen Qi, whose perception network had been expanded, suddenly became serious and solemnly uttered information that made everyone present feel a chill.

“I can sense it; a large number of sea creatures are surging in.”

"The quantity...is endless!"

"The signal device that attracts Hai Si has been activated!"

As soon as Chen Qi finished speaking, the entire city of Milyarum began to shake as if an earthquake had struck.

Everyone then realized that this was definitely not an underwater earthquake.

It's Hai Si!
It was the shockwave caused by a massive influx of sea creatures impacting the "dome"!
"Brandus, you—?!"

Meanwhile, Gladys, Clementa, and the others looked at Brandus, who still stood calmly in front of them, seemingly oblivious to Hai Si.

Having dealt with Haisi and his associates for so many years, if Goredia and her group still couldn't determine Brandus's identity by now, they would be unworthy of their Agorian heritage.

But it is precisely because they know this answer that they find it hard to accept.

They found it hard to accept that Brandos, who was involved in the creation of the Deepsea Hunters and could be considered the doctor of all the Deepsea Hunters, was actually a traitor!
"Brandus!"

Goredia asked in a cold voice, almost through gritted teeth:

"You're actually a member of the Deep Sea Church?!"

(End of this chapter)