MMORPG: Divine Mech Hunter

Chapter 833: Chapter 833 Two Choices

Li Yao forced a smile as he stepped into the Teleportation Array. He had been through it several times already, and frequent use of the Teleportation Array was not a comfortable experience.

This time, he arrived directly in the Royal District. The Undead had won this battle, and there was no need for the queen to deal with the mopping-up.

However, Li Yao still felt the emptiness of Undercity as he made his way without encountering many NPCs, even the palace guards who stood watch over the queen’s residence were sparse.

Following the queen, Li Yao entered a side hall and immediately saw the huge maps of the various regions.

What they called a map was actually a Magic Sandbox.

“Your performance this time was beyond my expectations. If not for you, this battle would not have been so easily won,” the queen said.

Li Yao shook his head seriously, “Professor, don’t joke. Even without me, this battle would have successfully met your intentions.”

The queen smiled and did not continue the topic, obviously agreeing. Pointing at the sandbox, she said, “This dark-colored area is under Undercity’s jurisdiction.”

Li Yao looked over and saw that apart from the maps surrounding the woodland, the other regions were all contestable.

Areas like sandbars had both Dark Camp and Light Faction present. In reality, even fully controlled areas simply lacked the presence of the Light Faction’s influence.

In fact, even the map where Undercity was located had many Monster Nests and was even occupied by enemies common to both the Dark and Light Factions.

“You can choose one of these regions as your fiefdom,” said the queen, noticing Li Yao’s indecision. “Of course, there is another more flexible approach.”

The grant of land was for the guild and did not belong to Li Yao personally.

Li Yao pondered, to be honest. With Starfire’s limited strength, a small village or town granted by the queen meant little to him.

His plan was to develop the guild’s base into a vast main city. Inland’s small villages or towns, though they had many NPCs, held no desire for him to take over.

Of course, whether it be a village or a small town, the tax could represent a significant income, but Li Yao did not lack such resources. That’s why he hesitated, and he also wanted to find a region with strategic value.

Upon hearing the queen mention another flexible option, he immediately grew interested.

The queen smiled and said, “Actually, I don’t wish for you to choose these relatively comfortable places, as they hold no real significance for you. Therefore, I have prepared a second plan for you.”

As she spoke, the queen pointed with a finger, and the sandbox underwent a change, transforming from the East Continent to the West Continent.

The queen pointed to a spot on the map by the sea and said, “Look, this area used to belong to the centaurs. Now it’s been taken over by us, with the three factions dividing the land. Everything else has been negotiated, but there’s a deadlock over the Southeast Wilderness. No one wants to give it up. Do you know why?”

Li Yao took a moment to study the area before replying, “Is it because it’s by the sea?”

“You have a good strategic eye, continue,” the queen said, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.

Li Yao organized his thoughts before saying, “The Light Faction in the West Continent only has the Ancient Elves, and they are in the northern region of the West Continent. South of the central region, the Light Faction has no influence. The centaur war has given the Light Faction territory inland, but this has led to a problem. Support and supplies are difficult to arrange. The Ancient Elves are too far away, and the land route is too slow. Southern pirates of the West Continent run rampant, and with Goblins wreaking havoc, the Light Faction can’t rely on them either. As a result, getting supplies or reinforcements is troublesome for them.”

The queen nodded approvingly, “Indeed, the Light Faction wants to break through in the West Continent through this war. But now, both major factions are unprecedentedly weak, neither can afford a full-scale war. Therefore, the Light Faction can only expand in this manner, but the issue is that even though Princess Jaina is human, she is ultimately neutral, plus being too close to the Orc capital, she can’t favor the Light Faction too much. Meanwhile, the Goblins in the barren land also have a quality port city, but the Goblins are too profit-driven to be reliable. That’s why the Light Faction urgently needs a port.”

Li Yao’s spirit perked up as he looked at the map. In his previous life, this place never had a port—could it be that both factions wanted it, resulting in a stalemate?

“Therefore, both sides have decided to resolve this through competition, though the details have not been sorted out yet. My proposal for you is to get Starfire involved in this struggle. If you can win, I’ll grant this area to you to establish a port. Of course, if you don’t succeed, the reward is void. However, I can give you a document guaranteeing that your guild’s base won’t be reclaimed by the faction. It’s effectively your territory, just without a title,” the queen continued. “Consider it.”

Li Yao knew that if he hadn’t been her disciple and hadn’t pleased the queen, she would never go to such lengths for him.

Truth be told, Li Yao was tempted. Occupying this place had many benefits. As Starfire grew, they would inevitably reach out to maritime trade.

But at the moment, most maritime trade was controlled by the Goblins. Even if Starfire had a sufficient fleet, they would have to pay high tariffs to dock at Goblin ports—there was no choice, since only they had the ports.

This was not what Li Yao wanted to see. Trade between the two continents was a booming industry, and Starfire also needed subsidiary cities. Although this area was rather desolate, its resources were quite abundant.

Most importantly, following the policy in reality is how big money is made. In time, this place would become a transit hub for the lower-central part of the Dark Camp—it would be hard for this port city not to thrive.

It’s known that the Dark Camp has many strongholds in the south of the West Continent. These supplies have to travel by land, which is costly. Having a port would save time, effort, and ensure safety and reliability.

Of course, there are also considerable risks, starting with the fight for control of this area, and then, once it becomes your territory, the local monsters are not so easy to deal with.

An even more critical issue is the rampant pirates. Without solving the pirate problem, the port won’t develop. Particularly with the pirate issue, other players or the powers of the ancient gods may not be aware.

But Li Yao was keenly aware that a faction of Goblins controlled the world’s most powerful pirate group, with a number of pirates beyond estimation.

“Risks and opportunities coexist. If you want a steady income, then choose the first option of a small internal town,” the queen suggested, seeing Li Yao’s conflicting expressions.

Li Yao snapped back to attention and said, “I’ve decided. I want the second option. The geographic location of this area is extremely advantageous. It would be a waste not to take it, and of course, the main reason is to ease my mentor’s worries—not letting the Light Faction get it.”…

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