Chapter 233: Chapter 161: Opportunity for Development (Part 2)

Lumi had already set his sights on a delicate house with a balcony facing the sea.

Inside, it was spotless, as clean as could be, and the bed was as soft as clouds in the sky. Once settled, he would only need a short walk each day to reach his work post.

The future seemed utterly enchanting.

Thinking about this, Lumi felt filled with motivation, and his energy surged once more.

He was willing to work for Lord Lin Lan for a lifetime!

"Mr. Lumi."

At that moment, a flattering voice reached Lumi’s ears. He turned his head and found a foreign captain with golden hair and blue eyes, wearing a gentleman’s hat and dressed neatly, earnestly looking at him.

"You... you should have an impression of me."

The man bent down, smiling warmly, "I once transported goods for Ark Kingdom..."

Lumi slightly restrained his smile.

He remembered now, the other was a Silver Level navigator, code-named ’Tin Compass.’

When news spread from the Alliance Chamber of Commerce, this guy ran faster than anyone. Before leaving, he tripled the prices of the grains he brought, seizing the opportunity to ruthlessly exploit the troubled Ark Kingdom.

"I’ve heard that many people have already obtained the qualification to explore new routes; the benevolent Ark Leader Lin Lan even offered navigators extremely generous contracts..."

The man rubbed his hands, eyes full of greedy light, "May I ask when I can have such an opportunity?"

His eyes darted back and forth, carefully observing the scene at the dock.

Three captured Alliance battleships were moored beside the dock, guarded by several Sun Warriors, while the scholar Feis from the Ark scurried up and down the ships wagging their tails.

Tin Compass’s inner shock was beyond suppression.

These hillbillies really won!

Apart from Tin Compass, some navigators hiding in Fog Strait also came closer to the shore. Due to the need for sea clearance, Roman Judge prohibited large ships from staying on the sea, so many captains rowed small boats over.

Looking at that greedy face, Lumi’s good mood in the morning was completely ruined.

’Benevolent’ Ark Leader Lin Lan?

This guy sure had the gall to say it!

"Unfortunately, since the moment Ark Legion sank the Alliance’s main ship, further qualifications for exploring new routes have been suspended."

Lumi put on a businesslike face, "Later navigators can wait for the next batch of exploration qualifications, but the contract terms will be adjusted accordingly."

"And Mr. Tin Compass, I must remind you one thing."

Lumi stared into the man’s eyes, "Due to your despicable act of temporarily raising the grain prices before the war, Seagull Port has already blacklisted you as a discredited person."

He enunciated clearly, "For the next ten years, don’t even think about stepping onto Ark’s routes."

Tin Compass’s smile froze on his face immediately.

"Wait a minute, it was all a misunderstanding before, I didn’t know... listen, I can completely pay back that money! I can even sell all the goods to you at low prices."

The man spoke hurriedly, "You know the difference between Silver Navigators and Bronze Navigators, right? I’m far better than those Bronze paupers with their broken ships!"

"At least they were willing to stand with Ark Kingdom in crucial moments, which is the prerequisite for the leader to offer them generous contracts."

Lumi shook his head, interrupting the man’s words in a composed manner, "Please leave, Mr. Tin Compass."

"You! You’re just a lowly servant, what’s there to be proud about!" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The man’s face turned green. He was a Silver Level Navigator, and the mortal in front of him had to show him great respect! But the next moment, several cold gazes locked onto him, making Tin Compass feel frigid all over.

He snorted a couple of times but dared not truly act out, so he could only gnash his teeth, slumping onto the small returning boat.

Damn it! Those guys staying in Seagull City were sure to make a fortune!

Like Tin Compass, many navigators were already filled with regret.

·

The topmost office in the main administrative building.

Lin Lan leaned back in his chair, patiently listening to Charles’s summary of the aftermath of the war.

After a moment, Lin Lan looked at the application Charles handed over, raising an eyebrow.

"You plan to organize a festival in Seagull City to celebrate Ark Kingdom’s victory?"

Lin Lan pondered, "Holding a festival after defeating just two Alliance Legions, isn’t it a bit overdoing it?"

"To be precise, Ark Kingdom needs a victory celebration, Lord Lin Lan."

Charles responded earnestly, "After enduring the Blood Plague, Celestial Calamity, and oppression from the Alliance Chamber of Commerce, I think the populace needs a festival to restore their yearning for a better life."

The Minister of the Ark said solemnly, "Moreover, we can use this opportunity to formally announce Ark Kingdom’s entry into this Age of Exploration."

——It’s high time the world’s navigators noticed that quality Sun resources no longer belong solely to Angsak Kingdom.

"Will our food supplies hold up?" Lin Lan inquired.

"Due to the arrogant Commander Horn making faulty decisions, causing the battle to break out prematurely, resulting in our stockpiled food not even being half consumed."

Charles smiled, "Rest assured, Lord Lin Lan, in the coming period, we can completely rely on trade to quickly fill the food gap."

He showed a face full of confidence.

Ark Kingdom had genuinely defeated the Alliance’s legion head-on. If this precious opportunity to make a name at sea and establish trade channels couldn’t be seized, he wouldn’t need to remain as the founding minister—might as well pack up and leave.

At Charles’s request, editor-in-chief Sean had nearly created sparks on the paper with his pen...

"In addition, from my perspective, you should take this opportunity to relax your body and mind."

Charles observed the young man’s faint dark circles under his eyes, then glanced at the pile of heavy reports on the desk, expressing a heartfelt sentiment, "You’ve been too tense."

He had personally witnessed this young man rising from a minor noble in a borderland, leading the people through thorns and thistles, becoming an Ark Leader who didn’t yield an inch even against the Alliance Legion.

Lord Lin Lan had never once relaxed throughout the entire process.

"Then let’s do as you say." Lin Lan nodded with a smile.

Although he preferred hoarding resources whenever possible, the stealthy development phase had already passed smoothly, and Charles’s argument made sense—it was indeed time for Ark Kingdom to propagate the value of Ash Soil currency.

Lin Lan habitually sank into thought.

Ark Kingdom wasn’t actually short on money.

For a small island nation covering only thirty thousand square kilometers, the Sun Ore within the Divine Kingdom was practically inexhaustible.

This was Ark Kingdom’s strength, but also its gravest weakness.

Compared to the colossi of the Alliance and the Empire, Ark Kingdom was just too small. No matter how rich a small island nation might be, it was hard to truly develop in this environment...

It’s time to expedite the steps to explore new continents along the routes...

·

Charles did not disturb the Ark Leader’s train of thought, leaving Lin Lan’s office, and Old Dean waiting outside immediately grabbed his old friend’s arm.

He looked concerned, "Did Lord Lin Lan agree to hold the celebration?"

"Yes." Charles patted Old Dean on the shoulder, "We have a lot of work ahead of us."

"Old friend, do you think the Commercial Association might launch comprehensive retaliation against us?" Old Dean appeared slightly worried.

"I don’t think so."

Charles shook his head, "Although it’s a ceasefire period between the Alliance and the Empire, both sides agreed not to engage in large-scale conflict, yet the Imperial people aren’t fools either."

"The Alliance has the elusive Grey-clothed Secret Guard, and the Empire has its means of transmitting information through human lives. If the Alliance dares to mobilize troops on a large scale, the Imperial people won’t miss the chance to heavily damage the Alliance."

"This is Ark Kingdom’s opportunity for development."

Charles decisively said, "We must seize the most precious development opportunity!"