Ark Simulator, Don't I Have No Physical Form?

"You used the mango item 17 times while playing the game yesterday," Su Rui announced. "By the way, Andoain will be here in three minutes. I suggest you turn on 'Serious Mode' first."

When the study door opened precisely on time, Lemuen was already sitting upright, while Su Rui stood respectfully to the side handing over documents. Only the faint scent of mango in the air hinted at the secrets of the morning.

During lunch break, Su Rui locked the study door and mysteriously took out a new device. "Try this, the <Dessert-Making Simulator>."

Lemuen's aura gleamed with curiosity. "Did you buy this from ' Sweet Firepower ' too?"

"A customized version." Su Rui helped her put on the hand sensor. "It can realistically simulate dessert making, so there won't be any waste of ingredients if you mess it up."

A beautifully designed kitchen interface appeared on the screen, Lemuen couldn't help but chuckle, "If Andoain knew we were using the Cardinal's sensors to make virtual macarons..."

"He already knows." Su Rui pulled up a document. "Look, this is the 'dessert research funding' he just approved."

Lemuen stared at the application document stamped with Andoain's seal, her aura flashing in surprise. "How did you..."

"I applied for it casually while playing games yesterday," Su Rui said, starting to operate the sensor. "I said I wanted to study the effect of desserts on the halo's energy, and he approved it."

As evening fell, Lemuen was experimenting with her seventh macaron recipe in the virtual kitchen when the study door was suddenly pushed open.

"Lemuen, about tomorrow..." Andoain's words caught in his throat as he stared in shock at the cardinal making virtual desserts while wearing sensors.

Su Rui casually handed over a document. "We're researching the effects of desserts on halo energy; this is a preliminary report."

Andoain took the report blankly, looking at the meticulous data analysis on it. "So these devices..."

"Necessary research tools." Su Rui remained expressionless. "Do you need sample verification?" He handed over a box of real macarons. "Just made."

As Andoain left with the macarons and the report, Lemuen finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, "You're a genius."

Su Rui put the sensors back on. "Want to try the eighth recipe? It's said to give +15 points to governance ability."

Night fell, the gaming equipment was packed away, but a permanent relaxation corner had appeared in the study. Lemuen looked at tomorrow's schedule and suddenly noticed something. "You've officially added the 'dessert tasting' to the agenda?"

"Necessary diplomatic activities," Su Rui said earnestly. "Andoain has already agreed, saying it's to promote friendly exchanges among the city-states."

He brought up the screen. "Look, even the Pope replied that he will send someone to participate."

Lemuen's aura glowed with a warm gold. "You know what? This is the first time since I became a cardinal that I've looked forward to tomorrow's meeting."

Su Rui handed her the last piece of game-themed dessert. "It's a save point dessert. Eating this will make tomorrow's gameplay smoother."

As the clock struck goodnight, the gaming equipment in the study flickered silently. Lemuen watched the silver-haired boy tidying up the equipment and suddenly whispered, "Thank you."

Su Rui turned to look at her, his silver eyes appearing exceptionally clear under the light. "Of course." He handed her a game controller. "Want to try the online mode tomorrow? I heard the Pope's character is very strong."

Lemuen took the controller, its halo gleaming softly in the night. "Okay."

Andoain's aura seemed particularly heavy in the Cardinal's study. He hesitated several times, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of his teacup, before finally turning his gaze to the silver-haired boy standing quietly by the window.

"Mr. Su Rui," his voice held an unusual hesitation, "I know this request may be somewhat presumptuous, but..."

Lemuen's aura flickered slightly as she gently put down her Quill: "Andoain, if you're referring to Iberia..."

"Indeed." Andoain took a deep breath. "We've received the latest news: the Seaborn's encroachment has crossed the coastline. Iberia's distress call... is practically a plea for help."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed gently in the sunlight as he turned to Andoain: "What do you need?"

"A plan." Andoain's aura gleamed with anxiety. "A plan that can get my followers moving immediately, without needing parliamentary approval, and that can truly change the status quo in Iberia. We're ready to go, but we lack a viable plan."

A brief silence fell over the study. Su Rui walked to the desk, a sharp glint in her silver eyes. "Give me three hours."

Andoain paused, then said, "Three hours? But this plan requires..."

"Three hours," Su Rui repeated, already activating the screen and beginning operations. "Lemuen, please retrieve all unofficial reports from the past five years regarding Iberia and Seaborn."

Lemuen's aura lit up, immediately connecting to her private database. "Transferring. Need my help?"

"Just make some tea." Without looking up, Su Rui's fingers flew across the screen. "Andoain, sit down and wait."

In the first hour, Su Rui quickly scanned all the reports, data streams flashing constantly in his silver eyes. He would occasionally mutter to himself, "Coastline erosion rate... population migration patterns... Originium Arts adaptability..."

Andoain uneasily swirled his teacup. "We've analyzed all this data, but..."

"But you've overlooked the time variable," Su Rui interrupted him. "Seaborn's erosion is periodic, related to lunar phases and tides."

He pulled up a complex timeline. "Look here, it's a 49-day cycle. The next low point is... in 14 days. This is your best window of opportunity."

Volume 17, 959: A Better Strategy

In the second hour, Su Rui began building the model. A holographic projection of the Iberia coastline appeared on the screen, with red representing areas eroded by the Seaborn and blue representing safe zones.

"Traditional defensive methods have failed here." Su Rui pointed to several key points, "It's not a lack of troops, but a flawed strategy."

Andoain's aura suddenly shone brightly. "But we tried..."

"We've tried the Knights Templar phalanx tactics, Aegir's deep-sea barrier, and even the walls of Yan." Su Rui quickly pulled up the failed examples. "They were all wrong."

He zoomed in on the coastline topography. "Seaborn are not an army, they are an ecological disaster. What's needed is an ecological-level response."

In the third hour, the plan gradually took shape. Su Rui divided the plan into three levels: short-term defense, medium-term stabilization, and long-term reconstruction.

"In the short term, we need mobile barriers, based on a combination of Originium Arts and modern engineering." He showed the design drawings. "In the medium term, we need to establish ecological isolation zones, using Originium sound waves of a specific frequency to drive away the Seaborn. In the long term..."

Andoain couldn't help but stand up. "What about in the long term?"

Su Rui pulled out the last part. "The long-term need is to change the way the Iberia live. Not to fight the sea, but to learn to coexist with the new sea."

When the clock struck three hours, Su Rui transmitted the complete plan to Andoain's Halo Terminal.

"This..." Andoain skimmed through the contents, his aura flashing intensely, "This scale... this detail..."

"It's highly feasible," Su Rui said calmly. "No parliamentary approval is needed, and all materials can be obtained through unofficial channels. Your followers can begin operations within three days."

Andoain's aura suddenly dimmed. "But resources..."

"Resources are not a problem." Su Rui pointed to the resource list in the plan. "Look here, the abandoned churches in Iberia contain a large amount of usable Originium materials. Moreover..." He pulled up a map, "Beneath these Seaborn- eroded areas are rich mineral resources, enough to support the entire plan."

Lemuen's aura shone with a warm light. "Andoain, you can go now without worry."

Andoain bowed deeply, his halo brighter than ever before. "The Iberia people will never forget this kindness."

After he left, Lemuen asked softly, "Can you really come up with such a plan in three hours?"

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly. "In the consciousness space, I've simulated the Iberia rescue plan many times." He looked out the window, "But I never expected there would actually be an opportunity to implement it."

As night fell, Andoain sent an encrypted message: the first team has set off, and the plan is proceeding smoothly.

Su Rui stood by the window, gazing at the Laterano starry sky. Lemuen pushed her wheelchair to his side. "You've changed the lives of countless people."

"I just did what I was supposed to do," Su Rui said softly, "Just like how you took me in."

The two figures were frozen in time by the window; in the distance, on the Iberia coastline, hope was rising.

(The following is an expanded version)

In the study late at night, Su Rui was still busy in front of the screen. Lemuen pushed her wheelchair closer, her aura gleaming with concern. "Still finalizing the plan?"

"Andoain's forces need real-time support." Su Rui pulled up over a dozen split screens displaying real-time data from the Iberia coastline. "The Seaborn's activity pattern has changed slightly; some parameters need adjustment."

His fingers flew across the screen, his silver hair gleaming coolly in the light. "Look here, the tide is earlier than predicted. We must notify them immediately to adjust our deployment schedule."

Lemuen's aura flickered slightly. "How do you obtain such real-time data?"

"Some... special channels." Su Rui spoke vaguely, quickly sending a encrypted message, "Andoain's team needs someone who understands these things."

The following morning, Andoain rushed over, his aura trembling with anxiety. "An unexpected situation has occurred on the northern coast; the Seaborn have suddenly changed their migration route..."

Su Rui had already pulled up the map of the area. "As expected. Have your team activate the backup plan, using sound waves of a specific frequency to drive them away, being careful to avoid the underground Originium Vein."

He sent detailed coordinates. "There's a natural cave here that can temporarily house refugees. There's fresh water and edible plants deep inside."

Andoain's aura flashed intensely. "Even the natives of Iberia don't know this information..."

"I've analyzed the geological reports and tidal records," Su Rui said casually. "Now is not the time for questions; your team needs to move out immediately."

Three days later, the first batch of success stories arrived. Andoain burst into the study, his face beaming with excitement. "The barrier worked! We saved several villages!"

Su Rui calmly pulled up the data. "The barrier's energy is being consumed faster than expected; the Originium ratio needs adjustment." He sent a new formula, "Have the technicians refill the energy core according to this ratio."

Lemuen couldn't help but ask, "How come you even know such details..."

"We've simulated all possibilities in the consciousness space," Su Rui continued analyzing the data. "The next period is critical; Seaborn will attempt to break through the barrier. We need to increase the number of mobile patrols."

He pulled up the personnel allocation plan. "Have your followers split into three shifts, focusing on defending these coordinate points."

A week later, late at night, Su Rui suddenly woke up from his sleep. He rushed to the screen, his silver hair moving without wind. "Something's not right..."

Lemuen rushed over in a wheelchair. "What's wrong?"

"The moon's gravity is abnormal." Su Rui pulled up the astronomical data. "The tides will be higher than predicted, and the barrier height needs to be adjusted immediately."

He immediately contacted Andoain: "Have your men raise all barriers immediately, quick!"

An hour later, a massive tide swept across the coastline, but all the barriers remained intact. Andoain sent a message of gratitude. "You saved thousands of lives."

Su Rui simply replied, "Continue monitoring energy consumption; the next step is crucial."

A month later, a preliminary defense system had been established along the Iberia coastline. Andoain entered the study with photographs from the scene, his aura radiating hope. "The refugees are beginning to return home."

Su Rui carefully examined the photos. "Pay attention to the soil conditions in these areas. I recommend planting salt-tolerant crops; I've already sent you the list."

He outlined the long-term plan. "The next phase is crucial for reconstruction. Focus your teams on training locals to help themselves, rather than constantly relying on outside aid."

Lemuen added softly, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

"Exactly." Su Rui nodded. "Ultimately, it depends on them."

As Andoain departed with his new group of volunteers, Su Rui stood by the window watching them go. Lemuen came to his side. "You've created a miracle."

"I just did what I was supposed to do." Su Rui gazed into the distance. "Hopefully, this time it will truly change something."

As the sun sets, their shadows lengthen before the window. On the screen in the study, the Iberia coastline gradually changes from red to a hopeful green.

What happened to page 960 of volume 17?

The study was unusually quiet after Andoain left. Su Rui stood by the window, her silver eyes gazing into the distance, her fingers unconsciously stroking the window frame. Lemuen's halo glowed softly in the twilight as she gently pushed her wheelchair to his side.

"What's wrong?" her voice was very soft. "You haven't said a word since just now."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly in the evening breeze, and his voice carried an unusual chill. "I remembered something."

Lemuen's aura flickered slightly. "About Andoain?"

"About the day you were injured," Su Rui turned, a sharp glint in his silver eyes, "He didn't consider the consequences at all when he acted."

The atmosphere in the study suddenly became heavy. Lemuen sighed softly, "That's all in the past."

"The past?" Su Rui's voice rose slightly, "Your legs..." His gaze fell on her wheelchair, "If it weren't for him..."

"Su Rui," Lemuen interrupted him softly, "It was an accident."

"An accident?" Su Rui's silver hair moved without wind. "He clearly knew your physical condition, clearly knew that attack might..."

He stopped abruptly, his fingers gripping the window frame tightly. The silver dust rippled slightly in the air, revealing his unstable emotions.

Lemuen pushed her wheelchair closer to him and gently took his hand. "Look at me."

Su Rui lowered her silver eyelashes, avoiding her gaze.

"That choice was my own." Her voice was gentle. "Andoain had his reasons, and I had my choice."

"You chose to get hurt?" Su Rui's voice was filled with suppressed anger. "If I hadn't acted in time..."

"But you're here now." Lemuen's aura shone with a warm light. "This is the best outcome."

Night had completely fallen, and only the faint light from the instruments filled the study. Su Rui remained standing by the window, her back looking particularly stiff.

"You know what?" Lemuen whispered, "If those things hadn't happened that day, we might never have met."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly. "I would rather have met you in some other way."

"But this is fate." She pushed her wheelchair to him. "Just like how you helped Andoain today, it was all meant to happen."

Su Rui suddenly crouched down, her silver eyes meeting hers. "If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn't have helped him with that plan."

Lemuen's aura flickered gently as she reached out and stroked his silver hair. "Don't say things in anger."

"I'm not just saying this out of anger," Su Rui's voice was serious. "Your safety is more important than anything else."

"But I'm safe," she said, her fingertips lightly touching his cheek, "And happy. With you by my side, everything is alright."

She suddenly chuckled, "Besides, didn't you secretly add so many protective measures to my wheelchair? The kind that even Andoain couldn't break through."

Su Rui's silver dust fluctuated slightly: [Protection level 97.3%] "Not enough."