While various powers were moving around the southern Central Continent, further north to the northeast of the Ancestral Sea, the Black Plain Empire's marine expansion was running wild without hindrance.
More than 100,000 people from the empire were in that area, actively living in the city built below sea level, where there were already all kinds of services and recreation for the workers in the area.
The empire had started the project of this expansion by sending only workers and people to protect the group. But after the foundations of that underwater city for humans had been laid, civilian opportunities emerged in the empire.
To encourage people of all kinds to migrate to his marine empire, Minos gave income tax exemptions to people who moved into this area and continued their economic activities there.
Because of this, all over the empire, professionals from every single specialization were already signing up to migrate to this area, along with their families, stores, etc.
So in recent months, this large underwater city of Minos has gained civilians and people to generate all the essential services in a city.
As such, if one accidentally arrived at that place at that moment, one would see a city functioning as if it had long been there.
Children were living in the surrounding area, going to the local spiritual academy, people working in the local expansions, individuals going out with their spouses for walks, and much more.
Amid this, there was a strong presence of forces allied or subordinate to Minos and many workers who were there to mine precious metals at the bottom of the sea.
Due to the group's objective, submarines could constantly be seen going down to the ocean floor where the work was being done.
Meanwhile, this place was connected to at least a dozen posts around up to 200 kilometers away from there, where the Black Plain Army already had observation points.
One of Minos' goals in this place was to observe the North Sea and predict possible movements from that area, so the forces in the vicinity were slowly extending their network of observation posts.
They were doing this in all directions at the moment, as they needed to watch for danger from all sides. But the focus was undeniably on the north, the most mysterious place for Minos.
Anyway, in this place, the shark that had fallen into Minos' hands was doing its surveillance work, feeling less fearful than months ago.
...
'Minos recently reached level 79...'
That shark, who had advanced in recent months to level 85, thought to itself as it looked at the growing city not far from where it was.
Thinking how strong that guy already was at level 77, this beast couldn't help but sigh, thinking it would never escape its agreement with him.
But thinking, on the other hand, it at least could become stronger under the command of someone powerful and with many resources at his disposal.
'If he wasn't crazy, I might be better off.' This beast thought as it looked toward the north side, wondering what they would face following the current plans.
At the current speed things were developing, it would take more than a decade for them to get an observation post inside the North Sea.
But it would eventually happen and could bring unimaginable problems to this place!
This shark was aware of this and could not go even a day without thinking about it.
'I at least won't die alone.' He looked in the direction of the level 84 soldier sent by Ruth months ago, who had been helping it keep this human city and the surrounding mineral exploration safe.
As it was doing this, one of the mining submarines of the Black Plain Army appeared from the zone of darkness.
He saw that and noticed that, once again, a group of miners was returning with tons of precious resources.
Inside that little submarine, the entire crew was celebrating because, with the piece of rock they were bringing back to their city, the empire could produce thousands of high-level grade-3 artifacts!
With such resources, Spiritual Saints from the army or even from allied and subordinate organizations could get weaponry, arrays, and even pills!
This would help the entire empire become stronger!
...
Meanwhile, in the seat of government of that underwater city...
Lorelei was standing next to Elena Neel, level 73, and Davy Hayes, level 71, both members of the Black Plain Army, in that city to help the local administration.
Also, there was Brooke, level 70, and her father, David, level 69. Both were part of the Black Plain's government and were also part of this group that had been leading things locally.
"Soon, the army will send a new Spiritual Sage to our city," Elena said, relaying the information she had received from army headquarters this morning. "Along with him, 10,000 more 6th stage soldiers will be joining us."
Low-level soldiers were relevant. After all, these men kept the documentation of posts up to date, the maintenance of arrays, the cleaning and repair of equipment, and many other less relevant functions on time.
All these things were necessary, but high-ranking soldiers couldn't afford to waste their time on them.
So lower-ranking soldiers were needed even in advanced and relevant posts like this.
"That's good to hear," Lorelei said, imagining that with this, they could advance the local development.
Brooke then commented. "That will help establish more observation posts. As such, we will be able to build more areas for humans to live in this city."
Her father nodded and said. "If there is no delay in the arrival of these men, in no more than a year, we will be able to welcome 50,000 more people."
"That will help us get ahead of our work in the surrounding area," Lorelei said. "If we increase our local exploration by 50%, we can supply enough minerals to provide the entire army's demand in no more than three years.
After that, we can give the empire government those resources for them to trade with subordinates and allies."
She was excited about that. From the moment the army's demand was met, minerals would be left over for other organizations, such as her Stone family.
From then on, the entire northern region of the Central Continent could be strengthened with essential resources!
Thus, even with areas that were still poor, families like hers could move up a level in a few decades!
