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

Talulah asked with an amused smile, "Su Rui, aren't you borrowing my body to eat today?"

"No. Hurry up and finish eating, then we'll set out."

By now, his competitive spirit had overwhelmed Su Rui's craving for food. He was eager to prove what he could do.

He was so easy to read. Talulah could not help smiling before nodding.

After quickly finishing breakfast, she looked at Alina, who was seated across from her.

"Su Rui and I have something to do. Alina, would you like to come with us?"

"Can I? I want to come."

Alina's eyes lit up, and she rose from her chair.

Then, at Su Rui's request and under his guidance, Talulah and Alina arrived at the edge of Talulah's ducal territory, outside the Mobile City.

The towering, majestic Mobile City was, in truth, an entire stretch of land modified by machinery to become mobile.

So even Su Rui could not help marveling at the incredible view as he stood at the city's edge, looking down at the metal structures and cliffs below.

Still, Su Rui also needed to prove that he could stop Ursus forces from entering the city.

"Talulah, watch closely. Right in your field of vision, I'll simulate how those troops might try to enter the Mobile City and show you how to deal with them."

As Su Rui spoke, Talulah saw Ursus troops appearing from every direction, attempting to enter the massive Mobile City.

Then Su Rui demonstrated his countermeasures one by one.

"First, the regular entry ports and large elevators."

As he spoke, Su Rui used his ability to shut the entry port gates and elevators, locking the elevators high in the air.

Then, Talulah heard the voices of people entering and leaving the Mobile City, whom Su Rui had conveniently let her see being affected by his actions.

"What's going on? Why did the port close by itself? Hurry up and open it again!"

"It's no use, sir. Our controls aren't working. No matter what we press, there's no response. It's like we've been locked out by a hacker, but I can't find any command from the other side. It's like... the machines are making their own decisions."

"Quit spouting that nonsense. Aren't there physical switches? Go operate the levers manually! If you disrupt the city's transportation, be careful Duke Talulah doesn't hang you up for public display!"

"Isn't Duke Talulah very kind? She even gives aid to the Infected. Since Duke Talulah took office, life has gotten a lot easier for workers like us." he whispered.

"Quit talking nonsense! Even if Duke Talulah won't punish you, do you think I won't? Get back to work!"

After a bout of frantic scrambling, the voices came through the radios again. "No good! Manual operation doesn't work either."

"Damn it, what the hell is going on?!"

Along with the chaos at the port, Su Rui promptly lifted his lock on it.

"Alright, if this goes on, the confusion will get too bad. I'll also help redirect the backed-up traffic while I'm at it."

As Su Rui spoke, the port reopened automatically. The machines flashed lights to guide vehicles and people entering the city, while the elevators started up swiftly and ran even more efficiently than usual.

"Oh, right. I can send them a message in your name and tell them not to panic. Or you can speak directly."

As Su Rui spoke, he opened a communication channel and displayed several suggested messages in Talulah's vision.

Talulah nodded and cleared her throat.

"Do not panic. This was merely a small test. I apologize for disturbing your hard work. You may now continue."

As Talulah spoke, the tense workers and supervisors relaxed and returned to their duties.

However, one worker's words made everyone tense again. "Do you think Duke Talulah has technology this efficient because she plans to replace us?"

The workers immediately fell silent. Then the supervisor smacked the worker hard.

"What are you running your mouth for? Duke Talulah won't let you starve!"

Su Rui's voice rang out beside Talulah's ear. "Actually, machines cost more than human labor. Rather than using machines, it's cheaper to hire people. You're worrying for nothing."

Volume Two: They're Very Well-Behaved, They'll Die on Their Own

Talulah nodded, believing Su Rui's explanation. At least on Terra, labor costs were far lower than machinery costs.

She wanted to ask more, but Su Rui interrupted her.

"Alright, stop talking about these boring, frustrating topics. Look, aside from entering the Mobile City normally, they can also climb in or use the sewers."

As Su Rui spoke, the troops he had simulated in Talulah's vision began moving again.

Yet Su Rui seemed to have no way of dealing with the people climbing the city's enormous outer walls. Only those attempting to enter through the sewers were occasionally blasted out from inside the city by Su Rui's control over the sewer system, falling from high above toward the distant ground.

It seems you have no way of dealing with those climbing troops?

A smile curled onto Talulah's lips. Although Su Rui's ability had indeed stunned her, seeing that there were things even he could not do made her strangely pleased.

At least imperfections were more reassuring.

With that thought, Talulah's smile became more pronounced. Su Rui could not directly interfere with reality, but he could achieve things through her. In other words, he had no choice but to rely on her.

That thought made Talulah very happy, though Su Rui instead felt that her smile was gloating.

"What's so funny? Do you really expect me to fight these troops alone?"

Su Rui rolled his eyes impatiently and said,

"I'll naturally arrange for teams to block them when the time comes. I can send the Inner Guard or Snake Scales, or have those small Reunion Movement squads do it. Fighting from high ground against low ground, beating up idiots—it's not hard."

Mm, I understand.

Talulah reined in her smile. Rather than continuing to provoke Su Rui, she turned to look at Alina.

After noticing Talulah's gaze, the little deer stared directly at her with sparkling eyes.

"Did Mr. Su Rui do all that just now? That was amazing!"

"Of course! As long as it's electronically operated, it's my toy!"

Su Rui's proud voice rang out. Alina merely smiled and applauded, but Talulah understood the implications far more clearly than she did.

Nearly all—no, all—large-scale equipment required electronic components to operate. Therefore, on Terra, Su Rui was practically, in a sense...

Talulah said nothing further. She merely looked at the wilderness beyond the Mobile City and sank into thought.

In other words, Su Rui really could help the Reunion Movement take over an entire large Mobile City. So what exactly was he planning to do?

What do you intend to do with the city's population?

"Deal with them coldly, I guess. I'm not going to wipe out everyone in an entire Mobile City and replace them with Reunion Movement Infected."

Su Rui spoke casually as he showed Talulah the framework of his plan.

"Simply put, the upper management will become those people from the Reunion Movement. A city managed by the Infected will naturally be friendlier to the Infected, and over time, it'll become a Mobile City for the Infected."

Those capable of fleeing would naturally find ways to leave the city, while the Infected would gather there as though they had found hope.

As for ordinary people, their circumstances were not much better than those of the Infected. When the time came, they would realize for themselves which side treated them better.

As Su Rui displayed his plans, Talulah noticed that there seemed to be no place for nobles in them.

Su Rui had at least laid out policies to attract wealth and encourage it to remain and develop within the city, but there did not seem to be a single place reserved for nobles.

So Talulah asked curiously, What do you plan to do with those nobles?

"Nobles?"

Hearing Su Rui's puzzled voice, Talulah knew things were going badly. Then, as Su Rui continued, she could only think, Just as expected.

"Those nobles naturally have no place in a city of the Infected."

Then how do you plan to deal with them?

"Don't worry. Nobles are very well-behaved. They'll die on their own."

I don't think they will. Talulah could not help giving him a helpless look as she urged, At least openly, the Reunion Movement cannot offend those nobles too severely, can it?

"Once the Reunion Movement takes over an entire city, it'll naturally offend every noble outright. What do you mean, they can't be offended too severely?"

Su Rui did not care much for Talulah's argument, but Talulah still felt it was inappropriate.

Besides, not every noble is utterly evil.

"If you insist on putting it that way... fine. I'll use them as bargaining chips. You can come forward and negotiate with the Reunion Movement. They can use the nobles' safety as leverage to exchange for the city."

That way, Talulah could display her courage while the Reunion Movement could also show how "reasonable" it was.

As for those restless people plotting in secret, there would naturally be people hidden in the shadows to deal with them.

Su Rui made slight changes to his plan. Originally, he had wanted all those people to disappear without a sound.

After all, driving Patriot to conquer one noble estate after another sounded quite entertaining. A towering war machine carrying a shield and halberd, smashing seemingly sturdy walls to pieces with a single charge and crushing everything in its path.

Although Su Rui could not actually control Patriot, who was a living being, watching from Patriot's perspective was still incredibly cool.

Now it seemed he would have to arrange new opponents for Patriot. Did the city have anyone capable of putting up a real fight against Patriot?

Su Rui fell into a brief dilemma. Patriot was too powerful, and Su Rui had even treated him somewhat. Part of those Originium Inhibitors were something Su Rui had demanded Patriot use.

At least to some degree, Patriot could live longer and remain more vigorous.

Talulah noticed Su Rui's silence and asked in confusion.

What are you thinking about?

"Nothing. Say, do you want to visit Chernobog soon? It'd be a good chance to inspect the place."

Wouldn't it be too obvious if something happened to Chernobog after I visited?

"This is an open scheme to begin with. Anyone with half a brain will realize it's the plan of you, the Undying Black Snake. What's there to be embarrassed about?"

Volume Two: Clearly, Someone Else Already Sneaked Some Food

So Talulah still followed Su Rui's request and went to visit Chernobog. She brought Alina along as an attendant and, during the journey, also contacted the Reunion Movement.

With Su Rui acting as the bridge, Talulah even exchanged a few barbs with FrostNova.

At that moment, within the Reunion Movement, FrostNova looked at the full panoramic scan of Chernobog displayed by Su Rui, then turned toward Patriot beside her in confusion.

"Are we really going to attack Chernobog?"

"...Yes."

A red gleam flashed through Patriot's eyes. In truth, he recalled the information Su Rui had shown on his tactical mask.

Although he still had some doubts about such a seemingly fanciful idea, Su Rui had provided more than enough evidence and feasibility analysis.

Moreover, Su Rui had offered considerable support. With that in mind, Patriot nodded in agreement.

In fact, when Patriot heard Su Rui complaining in his ear that Chernobog had no individuals capable of serving as Patriot's opponents, no one who could let Patriot truly display his strength—

This man, who was only middle-aged for a Wendigo but had already been a father twice, could not help smiling.

It felt like taking care of one's own willful child.

Behind his mask, Patriot's gaze subtly shifted toward his adopted daughter, FrostNova, and he could not help sighing inwardly.

His adopted daughter had grown up. She had reached her rebellious phase and would only call him old man, refusing to call him father.

Though separated by his mask, FrostNova had actually noticed Patriot's gaze. She looked at him in confusion.

"What is it?"

"Nothing." Patriot shook his head.

"Mm, Su Rui, are you there? Tell us about your plan."

FrostNova nodded, then took her radio from her pocket and asked whether Su Rui was present.

"I hear you, I hear you. I'm heading to Chernobog to take a look soon, so we're very close. There's no need to rely on the network—my scan range directly covers your entire area of activity."

Su Rui spoke, then bragged proudly, "That means we don't have to worry about network lag while we're talking now!"

"Mm, then how will we act when the time comes?"

"Didn't I already send Snake Scales to deliver a batch of radios to you? When the time comes, I'll give the orders. You just need to act according to them."

As Su Rui spoke, he still felt he should offer a warning.

"Actually, I think you should strengthen the organization within your teams. Don't let anyone refuse orders."

After all, reality was not one of Su Rui's real-time strategy games. The troops under his command had morale and fear, and it was not as though they would definitely obey just because he ordered them to die.