Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 1296: Development In The Origin Battlefield [3]

Sending large numbers of them into the First Layer now would defeat the entire purpose of establishing a safe progression system.

Michael continued.

"Most of them aren’t ready for the First Layer yet, so there isn’t much point in trying to develop both territories equally."

"That’s fine."

Arianne showed no disappointment.

Michael nodded.

"It shouldn’t remain that way for long anyway. Once they start leveling and the first group advances to Rank One, your territory should begin developing much faster."

That was something Michael could already foresee. Lily’s territory would naturally receive the first and largest influx of people, because every newly awakened native would begin as unranked.

However, they would not remain unranked forever. Some would advance quickly. Others would take longer.

But as the number of native Awakeners continued increasing throughout the empire, there would eventually be a steady flow of people advancing from the Zeroth Layer into the First Layer. At that point, Arianne’s territory would naturally become their next destination, if they didn’t want to keep appearing randomly in the First Layer.

When this happened, the development speed might even surpass Lily’s.

Arianne smiled.

"I don’t mind. As long as it helps you, I’ll help as much as I can."

Michael paused before a smile appeared on his face as well.

"Thank you."

Arianne’s smile widened slightly. Their gazes remained on each other for several moments.

Neither seemed particularly bothered by the thousands of people standing nearby.

Lily, unfortunately, was.

Her expression gradually became strange. She had only just been handed responsibility for a territory that would soon contain more than two thousand people, while these two were suddenly looking at each other as though everyone else had disappeared.

Lily felt as though she had been forcefully fed something sweet despite never asking for it.

"Ahem!"

Her deliberately exaggerated cough broke the moment at once.

Michael turned toward her.

Lily innocently looked elsewhere, as though the sound had come from someone completely unrelated to her.

Michael stared at her briefly before deciding not to entertain her.

Arianne, on the other hand, seemed amused, with a tinge of embarrassment.

Michael returned his attention to the gathered native Awakeners, but before continuing, he glanced at Arianne again.

"Since there won’t be much happening in your territory for now, you can stay on Lily’s side and help her."

Arianne nodded at once.

"Even if you didn’t tell me, that’s what I was planning to do."

Lily’s expression brightened slightly at that. Having Arianne around was considerably better than being left to deal with everything herself, even if Michael had already promised that others would handle most of the actual administration.

Michael was not surprised by Arianne’s decision either. In truth, there was currently little reason for her to remain in the First Layer for extended periods.

Arianne had already reached Level Ten, the maximum Level of her current Rank. Until she completed her advancement task and entered Rank One, ordinary monster hunting had largely lost its purpose. Any Experience Points she obtained now would not accumulate for later use. Killing hundreds or even thousands of monsters would not suddenly allow her to gain several Levels after advancing. The experience would simply be wasted.

There were still valuable opportunities available to her in the First Layer, like natural treasures capable of permanently increasing her Attributes. Dungeons were even more valuable. Depending on her performance and the dungeon itself, their rewards could include equipment, treasures, Class Scrolls, and even free Attribute Points. All these were things Arianne and Lily had revealed to him about dungeons.

Those were benefits she could obtain regardless of being at her current maximum Level. But outside opportunities like those, blindly hunting monsters accomplished little.

There was also another problem: her lack of Rank.

Arianne was extremely strong for an unranked Awakener. But that did not mean the First Layer was harmless to her, since she was still unranked. There were many things within the First Layer that could threaten her if she became careless.

Her strength allowed her to operate there, but it did not make her invincible. Until she advanced, there was little benefit in constantly exposing herself to those dangers when most ordinary kills could no longer contribute to her growth.

The Zeroth Layer was different. Through Michael’s connected territories, Arianne could enter Lily’s territory while only experiencing an almost negligible degree of suppression. She could therefore remain there comfortably and help Lily develop the territory.

Arianne smiled at Lily.

"Besides, staying with Lily sounds more fun than sitting alone in an empty territory."

Lily nodded at once.

"Exactly."

Her earlier apprehension had reduced considerably.

Michael smiled at the two.

"Then that’s settled."

Lily nodded, but after a few seconds, another concern appeared on her face. She looked toward the thousands of native Awakeners before turning back to Michael.

"But will they actually listen to me?"

Michael smiled.

"They’ll listen."

Lily looked unconvinced.

Michael’s smile deepened slightly.

"More accurately, they wouldn’t dare not to."

Lily blinked in confusion.

Considering who had personally brought all these people here and who was assigning them to her territory, Michael doubted many would openly refuse Lily’s instructions. They were citizens of his empire to begin with. Even if they did not know the exact relationship between Michael and Lily, his attitude toward her already made it obvious that she was someone they should not casually offend.

However, Michael also understood what Lily was really worried about. Fear and authority could force people to obey, but it wasn’t a long-term solution.

"But you’re right to worry about it." Michael said to Lily, adding, "If we want them to listen to you wholeheartedly, there should be benefits for them as well."

Hearing the word benefits, Lily immediately spread both hands helplessly.

"I’m poor."

Lily maintained a completely serious expression.

"I have some treasures, but look at how many people there are."

She gestured toward the massive gathering.

"Even if I sold everything I have, I don’t think it’s enough to fill the gaps between their teeth."

Michael couldn’t help laughing. He reached out and flicked her forehead.