Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 210 The Fleet's Southern Voyage: First Encounter with the Sea Clan
For the people of Cloud Mist Frost City, the fact that their princess had advanced to the fifth rank was like a dream.

Tier 5 is already the backbone of first-tier professionals and the core force of small territories. More importantly, their lord is still so young. If they can maintain this pace, they are likely to advance to the second tier!
Originally, everyone in the territory had gone to great lengths to prepare for this advancement, making various contacts, applications, and transactions.

As it turned out, good news came from heaven: their little lord was promoted after just taking a stroll around the vast sea!
Needless to say, the amount of time, energy, wealth, and money saved during this process is considerable. The key point is that this second-stage advancement channel, which is usually only available to large and medium-sized countries, has appeared in this inconspicuous vast ocean. What does this mean?
We have a lord with exceptional talent who cultivates diligently and progresses rapidly. After the fall of his country and the destruction of his family, he rises again on horseback. This is already the script for a hero of the continent.

Now, the lord has a supporter who is rich, has soldiers, has resources, and has a background. What does that mean?
Skyfrost City can certainly have some bigger expectations.

For example, the bureaucrats of Skyfrost City originally contacted the elves, thinking that with Chen Mo's support from within and the elves' help from without, they could reclaim the Crystal Plains, and since they also held onto the former territory of Cloud Mist Territory, they could also help the elves realize their long-cherished wish of returning to the plains.

But now, their mindset is changing.

Elves... well, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to handle such a fertile land as the plains!
Let's leave it all to the Cloud Mist... oh no, the Vast Ocean Territory.

Of course, in retrospect, the promotion was still quite risky.

If it weren't for Lord Chen Mo's powerful protective gear, those arrogant and fierce soldiers of the Vast Sea might have caused a ruckus and destroyed the Skyfrost City of the Cloud Mist Territory.

After her advancement, Liu Shuang needed time to consolidate her realm and readjust to the leap in power. She spent most of her time practicing diligently in her private training ground every day.

Chen Mo, aside from his three daily deep meditation sessions without fail, buried himself entirely in mountains of official documents.

"Due to environmental factors and human limitations, the current land reclamation in the territory has basically reached its limit. If we need to continue to expand the cultivated area, we must further dig irrigation canals and introduce heavy agricultural machinery."

"The government department suggested temporarily suspending further land reclamation to free up manpower and prioritize infrastructure construction and industrial development."

Herland's reports were always delivered at a steady pace and were clearly organized. Chen Mo quickly checked the documents and nodded in agreement.

The head of the territory's education department handed over a document: "The territory's vocational skills training center has already started its third phase. Slaves and citizens alike have been very enthusiastic, and those with both education and skills have made a great contribution to the development of the territory."

"Therefore, the old clerk of Tianshuang City suggested that we set up one or two vocational skills training centers in Tianshuang City at the same time, so as to make full use of the human resources in Tianshuang City. They promised to give us priority in selecting graduates."

Chen Mo stroked his chin; it seemed like a solution.

"Sure, but I suggest controlling the content taught. In addition to strengthening moral education, I suggest turning Tian Shuang into a preparatory course at our Han Hai Skills Training Institute. If you need in-depth learning, you still have to come to Han Hai!"

"Received, I'll arrange the course setup and training content immediately!"

There was also a report from the Science and Technology Department: "Master Anthony has applied for another research grant. The Science and Technology Department believes that the Master's research has recently shown a trend towards novel and peculiar angles, with very limited practical application value. Should we make adjustments?"

Chen Mo quickly reviewed Academician Anthony's research trajectory and shook his head.

"Don't interfere. Whether it's basic research or applied research, achieving results takes time. Master Anthony may not understand research directions, but do you? You're just making baseless assessments!"

"Where in our territory can we squeeze out some money to support technology? Just call me if you have any difficulties!"

Then there's the security department.

"My lord, Princess Liushuang's unicorn likes to rub against lampposts, and several streetlights in the territory have been damaged to varying degrees. Should we file a claim?"

"Forget it, forget it, I'll just use my own money. Let's not bother them anymore."

"But I should remind Liushuang that there are many electrical facilities in Hanhai, so be careful not to get electrocuted or anything... Never mind, I'll tell Liushuang myself."

"My lord, Green Pine has intensified its infiltration of the Skyfrost City area, with cavalry repeatedly crossing the border to conduct reconnaissance. Should we arrange for an encirclement and capture?"

"Reporting to the lord, the fishing team reports that there is an unusual gathering of fish in the nearshore waters, which is suspected to be related to changes in deep-sea water temperature. We have dispatched additional patrol boats to keep watch."

"The passage from Hailuokou to Xuanshui City was already fully open, but yesterday, a small force of the medium-sized tribe 'Fire Flame' invaded the middle section of the passage. The First Brigade of Xuanshui has requested instructions on whether to intervene militarily?"

"There is evidence that the Seven Luminaries Garland seems to have taken an interest in our project in the Mysterious Water Swamp. Intelligence suggests that they suspect we have discovered a nest deep within the swamp and are already secretly sending people to gather information..."

There are also various miscellaneous territorial tasks.

The resettlement of new immigrants in various territories, the establishment of literacy schools and the allocation of teachers, the further strengthening of control over the "Shadowclaw" cat tribe, tactical drills of troops in the winter environment of the White Deer Plain, the formation and training of engineering troops to pave roads and build bridges for tank units, and the replenishment of heating supplies for some outer outposts...

Across several territories and with countless affairs at hand, Chen Mo quickly issued replies, instructions, or guidance, assigning out the myriad tasks one by one.

The snow outside the window fell and stopped, fell and stopped again, turning Hanhai City into a dazzling silver-white. The entire system was like a huge and precise machine, rolling forward with the meshing and turning of every gear.

After concluding the territory's annual work planning meeting, Chen Mo turned his attention to the south.

Throw it into that legendary "Valley of Exile"!
For a long time, the Vast Ocean Territory has faced an awkward reality: the growth of the lord's own strength has not matched the growth of the territory's strength. To some extent, the lord himself has become a relatively weak link in this booming territory.

In the future, based on the tactical concept of undead combined with mechanization, whether it is to fight "bone tank coordination" or "skull sea", a well-organized undead army will be needed.

In short, the fact that the Vast Ocean Territory is heavily equipped with high-lethal firearms has led to skeleton warriors occupying a very important position in the Vast Ocean's tactical ecosystem. However, relying solely on the lord himself, or the few necromancers on the territory, is insufficient to effectively implement the overall tactical strategy.

Chen Mo had tried to cultivate the land himself, but it was too difficult.

The training of a mage is a very complex and rigorous system, with each link in the chain being interconnected. From magic textbooks and tutorials to various spellcasting materials, training spaces, and spell guidance, none of them can be said to be dispensable, but the absence of any one of them could lead to drastically different training outcomes.

Why can so many mages emerge in large countries? Because their magic training systems can guarantee a minimum standard. In contrast, in the central part of the continent, the lineage of necromancers is very weak. Places like "Black Raven Castle" have a somewhat unregulated, unregulated growth, and even the lords themselves are not entirely clear on the basics.

Moreover, graduating from primary school does not mean you can become a qualified primary school teacher.

Secondly, there's the issue of overall social connections. If children with a certain level of magical adaptability could choose freely, then the necromancer profession would definitely be the worst choice. There's no way around it; the pain that the ancient summoners brought to this continent has become an enduring memory.

The image of necromancers as "evil" is deeply ingrained in people's minds.

With no teachers and no students, the territory's necromancer training system has been working hard, but has only produced a handful of necromancers and has not achieved any significant results.

Now, the lord, who is destined to be a busy man, has decided to make another trip to the "Valley of Exile" at the southern end of the Silver Kingdom.

The highest-ranking necromancer in the territory, Doyle, learned his skills from an exiled mage in the Valley of Exile, so Chen Mo had been paying attention to this region for a long time.

The current living conditions of necromancers on the Starry Continent can be summarized in one sentence: marginalized.

The humid jungles of the south, the icy snowfields of the north, the dangerous swamps and poisonous miasma, the deadly lair ruins... the undead are, to some extent, treated as a cheap consumable to handle these relatively dangerous tasks.

The competition between necromancers and humans is often much cheaper. The more frequent the wars on the continent, the cheaper human life becomes, which further deprives necromancers in their early stages of development of any chance to survive.

This is similar to the reason why it is difficult to develop automated robots in places where labor is scarce.

The Valley of Exile is one of the more well-known of these remote and obscure places.

It was a place of exile and refuge for the disillusioned, the rejected, and those who sought forbidden knowledge. Like a smaller, alternative underworld, it was a gathering place for scattered necromancers and undead creatures who made a living by doing odd jobs for the Silver Duchy.

In the past, emerging powers like the Vast Ocean Territory had no connection or dealings with the Silver Duchy. Not to mention recruiting professionals from the Silver Duchy, even entering the Silver Duchy was extremely difficult.

Now, with an introduction from the dwarf master Norton Ironbrow and a letter from the Northern Society of the Magic Academy, Chen Mo can give this a try.

In February of the year 1429, Chen Mo once again quietly left the Vast Ocean.

Led by the veteran armed transport ship "Qiming", the fleet, accompanied by another armed merchant ship of the same class, "Shuguang", and four medium-sized transport ships, quietly left the dock under the cover of night and headed south along the coastline, cutting through the waves all the way.

Life at sea was calm, monotonous, and boring. The crew quickly lost the novelty of their first voyage. Some stayed in their cabins to cultivate, while others rested. Only Princess Liushuang continued to try to adapt to the turbulent sea as quickly as possible.

Last time, Liu Shuang missed the trip to Bailu Plain because of severe seasickness. She was upset for a long time afterward. This time, she insisted on going with them.

Meanwhile, the bureaucrats and old officials of Tianshuang City were adding fuel to the fire. At present, it didn't matter whether their lord was in Tianshuang City or not. What mattered most was to get their lord to strengthen the connection with the Lord of Hanhai.

After returning last time, they consciously practiced boating with Liushuang. During this process, they discovered that Liushuang's seasickness seemed to be psychological rather than physiological.

She wasn't seasick from the rocking and swaying of the boat, but rather from the severe discomfort she experienced upon seeing the ocean. This condition usually only occurs in people who have previously drowned, and is a form of overreaction.

Now that we've found the root cause of the problem, how do we solve it?
It's simple, just don't let her see it.

As a result, the people on the "Qiming" ship would often witness such a heartwarming scene.

The young princess of Cloud Mist Territory, with a black velvet blindfold embroidered on it, carefully tugged at the hem of her lord Chen Mo's robe, walking slowly on the deck like a toddler learning to walk.

In fact, with the super strong perception and self-control of a fifth-tier greatswordsman, Liu Shuang should be able to walk on the ship as if it were flat ground even without anyone guiding her. However, since Chen Mo was there, the little princess naturally became a true "blind person".

Taking care of others and being taken care of by others are both very enjoyable!
The azure sky and the boundless sea merge at the horizon, the sea breeze carrying a salty smell blows against the sails and occasionally makes a whistling sound, and young boys and girls stand at the bow of the boat, feeling the unrestrained and wild atmosphere of nature.

Suddenly, Liu Shuang turned her head, her gaze, though covered, remained firmly fixed on the direction of the open sea.

"There's something there, it's getting closer!"

Before Chen Mo could figure out what was going on, a figure leaped out of the cabin. It was Loma Wind Chaser, an elven guard. This sixth-tier archer leaned against the ship's railing, first letting out a long warning, and then nocking his longbow towards the distant sea.

After a brief commotion in the fleet, the transport ships began to swerve to the inside, two armed merchant ships lined up in a row, their cannons removed, and guards surged onto the deck, adopting a posture of being on high alert.

Chen Mo stared for a long time but couldn't figure out where the enemy was. It wasn't until he followed the direction of Loma's slowly lowered aim that he could barely make out the dark shadows beneath the sea.

"It's sea creatures! You can smell their fishy stench from anywhere in the world!"

Another elven bodyguard, Ranger Seril Morningwind, approached the two lords, gripping her sword hilt tightly, and whispered to Chen Mo, "According to the agreement during the 'Five Races Union' period, the area within 30 kilometers of the continent's coastline is the area where humans can move and fish. Beyond 30 kilometers is the exclusive territory of the sea races."

“We have always been very careful during our voyages, keeping a distance of about 20 kilometers from the shore and never getting close to the outer sea boundary. We don’t know what these sea creatures are up to.”

The veteran mercenary Doyle, who was accompanying them, also came to the bow of the ship and seized the opportunity to say, "Lord, Lord Liushuang, please rest assured, the sea creatures can't cause any trouble in the near seas!"

Chen Mo reached for a pair of binoculars and saw that beneath the surface of the sea, countless dark shadows darted about like arrows. Occasionally, a short fin would peek out from the water, cutting through a short wave before being quickly swallowed by the sea.

As the sea creature drew closer, the reflection of its scales became faintly visible, and Loma Wind Chaser's warning grew louder and louder.

call out--!
A dazzling magical arrow, emitting a loud, crisp sound, crossed the sea surface in an instant like a falling meteor, and accurately struck the waters in front of the group of dark figures!
A huge wave burst open on the sea.

(End of this chapter)