Arknights: Chapter 1: I, the Third Prince of Great Yan,

"Welcome, Doctor Kal'tsit. How can I assist you today?"

"...Help me retrieve all files on Doctor Chen Qi. Thank you."

In the archive room of Rhodes Island, Kal'tsit, head of the medical department and one of its highest authorities, frowned as she reviewed the file of a suspicious individual.

[Name: Chen Qi
Gender: Male
Origin: Yan
Age: 26 (unconfirmed)
Race: Lung
Infection Level: Untested due to force majeure
Position: Rhodes Island Medical Department (Six Stars)]

[Profile: Former physician in Yan. Place of birth unknown. Active in Great Yan approximately ten years ago.]

[Traveled through Yumen, Dahuang, Jiangqi, Shangshu, Gouwu, Lungmen, and other regions. Operated free clinics during his practice and gained notable influence among both civil and military populations.]

[Recommended by Wei Yenwu, Governor of Lungmen, via personal letter during Rhodes Island's negotiations with Lungmen. Admitted into the Medical Department without examination.]

At first glance, there was nothing particularly unusual about the file of this newly joined medical staff member.

It described a reputable physician known for altruism, who earned Wei Yenwu's favor and recommendation, thus gaining entry into Rhodes Island.

However, Kal'tsit felt a vague discomfort from just a few brief lines.

Ordinarily, personnel files began with one's birth and background. Yet, the earliest trace of Chen Qi was from ten years ago, as a doctor treating soldiers in Yumen.

His birthplace remained unknown. His true identity unconfirmed. But his race—Lung—was unmistakably associated with royal bloodlines in Great Yan.

All signs pointed to "Chen Qi" being an alias.

From the clues at hand, Kal'tsit could infer that he was likely of noble origin, similar to Wei Yenwu himself.

That alone was not cause for concern.

Rhodes Island maintained neutrality, and as one of the few institutions capable of treating Oripathy, it often received displaced nobles, minor lords, or royalty in need of refuge or care.

What unsettled Kal'tsit was the unexpected resistance she encountered when attempting to verify Chen Qi's background.

Wei Yenwu himself had dispatched his private force, the Black Raincoats, to deliver a letter directly to Kal'tsit.

In summary, he made it clear that he knew of her investigation and suggested, more like warned that she should drop the matter to avoid undesirable consequences.

Even that wasn't the end of it.

The very next day, Rhodes Island received another individual from Yan, also backed by Wei Yenwu's recommendation.

The young man, "Zuo Le," spoke to Kal'tsit upon first meeting her.

"...I hope you won't pursue certain curiosities too deeply. It's best that no unnecessary conflict arises between Great Yan and Rhodes Island."

"Unless you're prepared to trigger heightened alert... or war."

War. War. War.

The moment Zuo Le uttered that word, Kal'tsit finally understood, Chen Qi's identity was far more complicated than she had imagined.

Was he a general's son? A royal cousin?

Or perhaps... an illegitimate heir of the imperial line?

"...Amiya."

"Hm? Doctor Kal'tsit, is something the matter?"

In the archives, Kal'tsit reached out to Amiya, Rhodes Island's official leader, through comms.

"What is Doctor Chen Qi doing right now?"

Amiya: "Doctor Chen Qi? I believe he's conducting the physical exam for Zuo Le, our new staff member. He should be with him in the medical office."

"Would you like me to call him over?"

"...No. There's no need."

Having received two explicit warnings, Kal'tsit decided not to press further.

Instigating conflict with Great Yan over one man's identity would bring Rhodes Island nothing but peril.

If Great Yan allowed Chen Qi to reside at Rhodes Island, then he was likely not a threat to them. Zuo Le's arrival seemed more like a gesture from Great Yan's ruling class, they needed him stationed here.

Could it be that Chen Qi himself had demanded to join Rhodes Island... and no one in Yan dared object?

That was too far-fetched.

"...Be cautious."

Still, Kal'tsit couldn't shake the unease. She sensed that this enigmatic doctor might one day draw trouble to Rhodes Island.

...

"So, you were sent by Old Wei to protect me too?"

Inside a private office, Chen Qi, clad in a white coat from which golden dragon horns and a crimson tail extended, regarded Zuo Le—kneeling before him like a sworn general—with a look of surprise.

"If I recall, you're General Zuo's son. And recently appointed as a Candleholder. Shouldn't you be in Simisuitai?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. I was sent here by His Majesty himself to protect you."

Though Chen Qi's tone was mild, Zuo Le—young yet already a Candleholder, and a general's heir—showed no hint of arrogance. Only respectful deference.

"Thanks to Your Excellency's travels and service on behalf of the emperor across Great Yan, many among the Sui now serve loyally. Their guidance has eased our burdens significantly."

"After learning that Your Excellency joined Rhodes Island instead of returning to Baike, His Majesty immediately ordered that elite personnel be dispatched to ensure your safety."

"Protection, huh?"

Chen Qi raised a brow and chuckled lightly.

"His Majesty didn't send you to protect me. He's just afraid I'll follow Old Wei's example and vanish from court for good. He sent you to drag me back, didn't he?"

Zuo Le: "...I do not presume to speak for His Majesty's will. Please forgive me."

Seeing the sweat on the young man's forehead, Chen Qi shook his head with a sigh.

He couldn't blame Zuo Le. He was just following orders—what else could he do?

More than that, Chen Qi understood the emperor's predicament.

The throne of Great Yan was far from enviable.

It wasn't quite the golden toilet that certain foreign leaders enjoyed, but it did have a ticking time bomb underneath—one called "Sui." In a land as plagued as Terra, such a burden could crush anyone.

A prince in Great Yan needed strength in every possible domain. Lineage alone meant little. Only those with unmatched ability could ascend the throne.

Thus, history was filled with plotting and bloody struggles between princes.

But they didn't vie for the throne.

They tried to avoid it.

After all, when everyone was "moist," the one left dry would be deemed the most qualified. Right?

Chen Qi knew all too well—his second brother, now emperor, had not taken the throne willingly.

Had Duke Wei—the former crown prince—never fled after being suspected of plotting regicide, the throne would never have passed to the second prince.

Chen Qi himself, had he not willingly exposed himself to the Sui fragments to support the emperor's rise, would never have been allowed to leave the palace.

Yes, even emperors sometimes wished to flee.

Only a sliver of conscience toward the nation and its people kept him from doing so.

In that sense, Chen Qi considered his second brother quite responsible—unlike certain historical emperors who pretended to be generals and rode into battle.

"Enough. I won't make things difficult for you."

Chen Qi turned back to the confidential report Zuo Le had delivered.

"Tell His Majesty there's nothing to worry about. He governs from within, I work from without. So long as we make the best use of each other, Great Yan will prosper."

"Also, I've already contacted Mr. Zhongyue of Yumen and Miss Shu of Tianshi, who now lives in seclusion. They've made it clear they have no interest in returning to 'that year'."

"Once people taste a life of peace and purpose, who would want to give that up? I can vouch for them. Even that stubborn old chess piece."

"Let him sit on that golden toilet in peace. The more pressure we place on the Sui, the more they resist."

Zuo Le: "...Understood, Your Excellency."

Hearing Chen Qi speak so casually—even irreverently—of the emperor and the throne, Zuo Le could only twitch his mouth. He dared not protest.

After all, in all of Great Yan, perhaps only this man could speak that way.

"And stop calling me 'Your Excellency' here. Got it?"

Chen Qi, who hadn't heard that title in nearly a decade, found it slightly grating.

"Just say you're here to assist me. If people at Rhodes Island learn who I really am, they'll be upset."

"You're what—six or seven years younger than me? Just call me Doctor Chen or Chen when we're among the others."

"...Sir?!"

Zuo Le flinched. He was about to object, but one glance at Chen Qi's faintly serious expression made him swallow his words.

"...Understood, Chen Qi."

"Good. Much better."

Chen Qi smiled again, his earlier sternness vanishing like mist.

"Go on. No need to check in so often. I'll let you know when I need something."

"Yes."

Zuo Le walked out in a daze, only regaining his senses once outside the office.

He never imagined he'd be allowed such closeness with someone of that status.

If word of this reached the palace, wouldn't he be charged with overstepping his station?

"His Excellency is too kind... No wonder Father once said the court whispered rumors that His Majesty intended to pass the throne to—"

He stopped midsentence, cold sweat running down his back. Quickly looking around, he sighed in relief when he confirmed no one had heard.

Inside the office, Chen Qi lounged back in his chair and muttered to the air around him.

"System, show me my interface and upgrade progress."

[Acknowledged. Pulling up host's simulation interface and system upgrade progress.]

A lively female voice echoed in his mind. Moments later, a virtual screen appeared before him.

[Name: Chen Qi
Simulation Location: Yan
Simulated Identity: Son of the True Dragon
Innate Trait – Saint's Medical Constitution (5 stars): Whether inherited from past life or born of peerless talent, your medical prowess is destined to shape this era.
Innate Trait – Affinity (4 stars): Regardless of status or background, others are naturally inclined to trust and open up to you.]

[Congratulations. First simulation complete. Prerequisite for system upgrade fulfilled. Upgrade complete. New functions unlocked. Host may initiate next simulation at any time.]

Son of the True Dragon.

More precisely, the third legitimate son.

The former crown prince, now Governor of Lungmen—Wei Yenwu—was his eldest brother.

The current emperor of Great Yan was his second brother.

This was the identity of Chen Qi, who had once studied medicine for nine years and interned for three more before reincarnating into the world of Terra.

"My second brother still insists on making me emperor... I've told him, I'm not suited for it. Besides, how can an emperor abdicate to his younger brother?"

Chen Qi sighed, thinking of how his two brothers—both legally eligible for the throne—kept trying to hand it to him as if it were a hot potato.

He didn't want it.

If not for being the youngest and most obviously unsuited in the eyes of court politics, they might have actually succeeded.

"...Well then."

Chen Qi shook his head, resolute.

"If my second brother wants to sit comfortably on his throne, I'll have to prove that my presence outside the palace is better for both him and the nation."

"—System. Begin the second simulation."

[Acknowledged. Commencing data generation for host's second simulation.]

(To be continued.)