Ark Simulator, Didn't I Not Have a Physical Form?

Thus, after closing her eyes, Black Snake's memories began unfolding in Talulah's mind from a third-person perspective. As an observer, she could still feel what Black Snake was thinking—or rather, it was as though Su Rui had annotated it for her.

In any case, after this quantum-speed display of memories, Talulah learned nearly everything about Undying Black Snake, including the fact that it had another spare body.

However, what caught Talulah's attention most was that, at the very end of Immortal Black Snake's memories, it entered Talulah's mind and saw a handsome young man lounging casually and arrogantly against a sofa as he greeted Black Snake:

"Hello, successor."

That was Su Rui's voice. Talulah recognized him almost instantly and could not help scrutinizing the Su Rui before her from head to toe. Her breathing stopped involuntarily.

Then, she witnessed Black Snake's death with her own eyes, as well as Su Rui casually complaining to the Upper System.

Su Rui bickering with the Upper System and acting spoiled really made him seem like a child...

She had never expected Su Rui, who usually seemed so reliable, to have such a side to him.

Talulah could not help laughing.

Then, at the end of Black Snake's memories, subtitles appeared before her—the Upper System's message:

[Black Snake was eliminated, and Su Rui actually cut out the memories after that. I was the one who showed them to you. Don't go blabbing about it after you leave.]

Talulah froze for a moment, then asked in confusion:

"Why did you do that?"

[Because he called me an old fart.]

"..." Talulah's expression turned strange before she quickly changed the subject. "I didn't expect Su Rui to have such a cute side."

She had not expected the Upper System to fall for Su Rui acting spoiled either. Still, even Talulah could not help envying the Upper System for being on the receiving end of it.

[Of course. Su Rui is usually quite casual and naturally adorable. He just doesn't show that side around you.]

"Why?" Talulah felt a little dissatisfied. Why did Su Rui not act cute around her? Had she done something wrong?

[Because you don't seem very reliable, so he has no choice but to act serious.]

The Upper System's words made Talulah feel somewhat embarrassed, and she muttered softly:

"I'll be more reliable from now on."

[All right, it's time for you to leave. If you stay too long, Su Rui will notice.]

With that, the Upper System pulled Talulah out of the space of memories and fell silent as well.

Su Rui looked somewhat puzzled. "Black Snake's memories didn't affect you, did they? By my estimate, you should have been awake for a while already."

"Mm, I'm fine. I was just thinking."

Talulah smiled. Remembering the Upper System's assessment, she puffed out her chest slightly, hoping that a resolute gaze would make her seem more reliable.

Then she heard Su Rui fail to hold back a laugh. Embarrassed, she immediately broke character. "Hey, what's so funny?!"

"What were you doing just now? You looked a little silly, but pretty cute."

Su Rui laughed as he asked Talulah that question, but her cheeks reddened after hearing it. She turned away and did not answer him.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Su Rui was still questioning Talulah, but her thoughts had already returned to the image of Su Rui she had seen.

Unlike the shadowy image created through system materialization, the Su Rui Talulah saw had no racial traits at all. He was simply a beautiful young man.

Yet that shadow produced by system materialization had been a Drak, just like her.

[That was to match your race. Don't ask, or you'll reveal that you saw that part of the memories.]

The Upper System reminded Talulah once more.

Talulah: I Am Immortal Black Snake

Soon, the cumbersome preparations were complete. In any case, Talulah did not need to do any of it herself. She only had to wait for the result alongside Su Rui.

At this gathering, held in Koschei's ducal residence—no, Talulah's ducal residence now—

Talulah would formally receive an investiture from the Ursus Emperor's envoy, become Duchess Talulah, and announce to everyone that she was Immortal Black Snake.

"Calling it an announcement is giving it too much credit. It's really just a hint. These conspiracy-loving bastards never like saying anything plainly. They're like brain-dead idiots. Actual brain-dead people are at least patients; as for these people, that's another matter."

Su Rui complained in Talulah's mind. Seeing her dressed in a military uniform, he could not help whistling, though no sound came out.

"Very handsome outfit. Honestly, it feels like it could use more decorations—shoulder armor, for example."

Hearing Su Rui's praise, the corner of Talulah's lips curled into a faint smile. Although she had just reviewed all of Black Snake's memories, as long as she acted reliable, Su Rui would relax... and she could definitely do that.

With that thought in mind, Talulah gave herself one final inspection in the mirror. After confirming there were no problems, she nodded.

"Let's go meet the Emperor's envoy."

"Let that poor man who runs around everywhere rest for a while. Immortal Black Snake won't be interested in him anyway. He only needs to be there for the investiture."

Su Rui spoke carelessly and displayed the envoy's information.

[Witte, the current Ursus Emperor's most trusted envoy.]

"In reality, there are only a few people who genuinely listen to the Emperor, so he can only squeeze every last drop out of this one guy. That's why Witte has to run around everywhere every day. If you don't go looking for him, he might even get a little break."

"Then what should we do?"

Talulah's gaze swept across the information Su Rui had displayed. She gained a general understanding of Witte and planned to exchange a few words with him during the investiture, reveal some of her own inclinations, and secretly cooperate with that Emperor.

After all, Immortal Black Snake was more influential than the Emperor himself. Open cooperation would not suit her identity as half a rebel.

Black Snake only cared about the Ursus Empire. It did not matter who ruled the Empire.

"I happen to have a new toy. Let's go straight to the Banquet Hall downstairs. Before you officially show yourself, we can listen to what those nobles are talking about."

Su Rui's tone grew excited. It seemed that eavesdropping truly interested him, with the childlike enthusiasm of a child.

Talulah, who had been quite lost before, smiled at that moment, judging Su Rui in her heart.

Although she had only observed Black Snake's memories, Talulah was still affected by them. After all, reading any biased text or information could influence an individual's personality and thoughts, much less witnessing Immortal Black Snake's long memories.

Although Su Rui had used an observer's perspective to lessen the effect on Talulah, some emotional and cognitive changes still occurred.

She was still the same somewhat dim Talulah, but after acquiring enough knowledge, her mindset had changed.

For example, her attitude and personality had become more aggressive.

Su Rui liked new toys? Then would he like other things as well?

Looking at the System Materialization Progress, which had barely changed after reaching negative fifty percent, Talulah's gaze darkened slightly. Though she did not know who the previous host had been, that person was truly an obstacle.

When could she meet Su Rui sooner, and how could she rapidly increase the System Materialization Progress?

Talulah asked the Upper System in her heart, but the Upper System ignored her completely.

It seemed she would have to figure it out herself. Talulah did not show it, merely smiling as she listened to Su Rui introduce his new toy.

"High-Speed Holographic Camouflage. In other words, holographic camouflage that leaves no flaws even while moving at high speed. But you'll have to suppress your own footsteps, since camouflage can't mute sound."

It's fine. Even if it can't silence me, this function is still extremely useful. Besides, the Banquet Hall is quite noisy right now.

Talulah's lips curved into a smile. Then, at Su Rui's request, she headed downstairs.

With High-Speed Holographic Camouflage activated, Talulah went completely unnoticed. As she descended the stairs, she listened to Su Rui's quiet complaints.

"I wasn't talking about the Banquet Hall. The most important use of this function is assassination and combat."

Of course. My combat ability isn't weak either. Even if an opponent can hear me, they still won't be able to defeat me.

Talulah was very confident. With a Drak body and Black Snake's arts and schemes, she was already incomparably powerful.

At least, that was what Talulah herself believed. Black Snake's memories told her so as well.

Still, she should divert Su Rui's attention first. Didn't you want to hear what these nobles were saying?

"Of course. Let's hear how they evaluate you, the new Duchess Talulah~"

Su Rui was delighted, intending to take Talulah around to listen to gossip.

Talulah herself did not care much. She did not need these nobles' approval; she only cared about Su Rui's request.

As they wandered through the Banquet Hall and stopped from time to time, Talulah heard a few comments:

"I heard the new Duchess Talulah assassinated her own father? Someone like that can inherit a title?"

"...This is the Banquet Hall. Watch your tongue."

Hearing that, Talulah could not help showing a subtle expression. After all, she had never considered Koschei her father.

"No matter their status, there are always idiots who don't understand the situation."

Su Rui sounded somewhat helpless, but he was more interested in the woman across from that noble. "Still, the one opposite him probably knows that you're Immortal Black Snake."

Mm, you don't seem very angry? Talulah had thought Su Rui might get angry because that person had spoken rudely about her.

"I'm very patient with fools, but not with assholes. Fools are merely foolish."

Su Rui did not care about it and instead asked Talulah, "He was talking about you. Want to teach him a lesson? Secretly punch him in the face, then move somewhere else and watch him embarrass himself."

In a situation like this, it's better not to cause trouble. Do you like this kind of chaos? Talulah began subtly probing Su Rui's preferences, though he had already shown them.

"It's all right. I just like seeing nasty people suffer." Su Rui still had a bit of a conscience, after all. He would not bully innocent people.

In short, I'm a good person

He liked solving problems directly with his fists like a child. Talulah thought this to herself, but did not say it to Su Rui.

He would definitely be unhappy, right? After all, when Su Rui had argued with the Upper System, he had not avoided her except when he was acting spoiled.

After walking around the Banquet Hall, neither Talulah nor Su Rui heard anyone discussing Immortal Black Snake.

Even in the most secluded corners, people only talked about gossip that was not convenient to say openly, rather than Talulah's identity as Immortal Black Snake.

"Looks like the people who know are all pretty cautious. Boring."

Su Rui complained unhappily, then carelessly urged Talulah onward.

"Seems like there's nothing fun left. Let's go back. The banquet is about to begin anyway."

"Of course." Talulah picked up a glass of wine and asked Su Rui, "Want to try some?"

"No drinking! Minors aren't allowed to drink! You still have a year before you come of age!"

Su Rui sternly rejected Talulah's suggestion, then marked the fruit juice on the banquet table.

"You can drink that."

"I'll be an adult next year. It's only a few months away."

Talulah complained quietly. She had noticed that Su Rui's attitude partly treated her like a child who needed looking after. Was it because of her confusion and tears when she first met him? Or because of her age?

Thinking of how she had cried tearfully in front of Su Rui and her mother back then, even the current Talulah could not help blushing.

Soon, after returning to the second floor of the Banquet Hall, Su Rui removed the High-Speed Holographic Camouflage from Talulah.

Then, the investiture ceremony began before Duchess Talulah's speech.

Witte, the Emperor's envoy, placed the sword in his hand upon Talulah's shoulder and made his proclamation:

"From this moment on, you are a duchess of the Ursus Empire, invested by His Majesty the Emperor."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Talulah returned the proper courtesy while observing Witte before her. Though he appeared perfectly normal, the exhaustion in his eyes and brows was obvious.

"Congratulations, Duchess Talulah~"

Su Rui teased her in her mind. Talulah could not help smiling before looking at Witte.

"Please wait a moment after the speech. I would like to speak with Your Excellency the envoy."

Witte gave Talulah a surprised look. He had not expected Immortal Black Snake to be interested in the Emperor's faction, but he still subtly expressed his agreement.

"I will wait for you, Duchess Talulah."

Afterward, Witte moved to a place below where the nobles could not see him, while Talulah, dressed in a dashing and gleaming military uniform, turned to face the nobles below.

"Greetings, everyone~"

The moment she spoke, Talulah, armed with ample memories and skills, displayed an oppressive presence. Her gray-gold eyes swept over the nobles below, and the atmosphere that had been about to grow lively immediately cooled again.

However, Talulah did not say much. She only wanted to prove her identity to those intelligent enough to know the relevant information.