Ch.554″Let’s enjoy the peace now that the event is over.”

One week after refugees flooded into Daedalus.

Unfortunately, the Leviathan Squadron and Earth Federation Provisional Government officials couldn’t come here, likely because the base’s relocation function wasn’t available to them.

“It’s a shame the Leviathan Squadron and Provisional Government can’t come here.”

“Well, only the provisional government and home port can’t come. The squadron itself could come if needed.”

“But that would require using access permissions, right?”

“Thanks to that, users in the Tannhäuser sector won’t leave, so maybe it’s fortunate?”

“Hmm… when you put it that way, I guess so.”

Paradoxically, this helped secure stability in the Tannhäuser sector.

Jessica and I nodded in satisfaction, thinking this wasn’t so bad.

And simultaneously, we were finally proceeding with a very important task…

—————————————-

<Resource Storage Construction in progress…>

<Time remaining until completion: 10 minutes 11 seconds>

—————————————-

“Finally, the resource storage will be completed today.”

“A monumental first Level 10 construction.”

This was the first ‘auxiliary building’ construction after upgrading to a Level 10 base.

Of course, it would have been nice to react this way from the start of construction…

Unfortunately, when we began building the <Resource Storage>, we were busy with refugee relocation and existing user migration.

We also had to fend off tricksters trying to take advantage of the chaotic situation to sneak in some looting.

I was so busy that I only pressed the button without thinking and could only react belatedly now.

But what matters is that with this, my resource storage capacity will exceed 40 million.

“Now I can really field an army of 1 million at full capacity.”

“That’s right, though even at maximum capacity, it would last two days rather than three.”

“Still better than getting wiped out in a day.”

“True enough.”

I mentally shouted “Gimoring!” and decided to proceed with constructing another auxiliary building soon.

Anyway, after chatting like this for a while…

—————————————–

<<<Resource Storage Construction Complete!>>>

<Current maximum resource storage capacity: 39,500,000 ⇒ 41,000,000>

—————————————–

“Woooong gimoring.”

“Resource storage capacity has exceeded 40 million, Commander.”

When the message announcing the completion of the resource storage appeared, I nodded and immediately wanted to proceed with new construction.

But first, I checked our current resource status with Jessica.

“Jessica, Jessica, tell me our resource status.”

“Currently we have 5.5 million minerals and 950,000 rare resources.”

Knowing I could build anything except the “Outlaw Alliance Contact Office” that would drain our minerals, I took some time to consider carefully…

“Hmm, we should probably keep some resources in reserve for emergencies, right?”

“Yes, I think it’s good to have the means to mobilize dozens or hundreds of mercenary groups at once if needed.”

Rather than using all our resources to build one impressive building, we decided to save resources to respond to any potential disruptions in the future.

And naturally, the next auxiliary building to be constructed was…

—————————————-

<Additional Docking Facility Construction in progress…>

<Time remaining until completion: 10 days 18 hours 22 minutes 15 seconds>

—————————————-

‘This is the right choice.’

I decided on <Additional Docking Facility> as it would take relatively less time while providing a meaningful enhancement to my fleet’s power.

==========

After proceeding with these tasks.

Now that there were no urgent matters to handle, I felt my mind becoming melancholic and mellow.

Like melted butter, I felt myself rapidly relaxing.

But honestly, in the current situation, it would be difficult not to let my guard down.

“Jessi-Jessi-Jessica, how’s Daedalus’ defensive capability?”

“The fleet has recovered about 50%, and the self-defense facilities have recovered over 80%.”

“Very good.”

Who wouldn’t react similarly upon hearing that Daedalus’ defensive power, which serves as my protective wall, has recovered more than half?

And there was another major development.

“And we’re currently repairing the fortress cannons that weren’t completely destroyed.”

“Oh.”

After being pummeled by the Grand Cross’s main cannons, 2 of Daedalus’ 5 fortress cannons were completely destroyed.

Of the remaining 3, 2 were severely damaged and barely existed in name only.

The news was that they had begun restoring the fortress cannons using surplus resources.

‘Veeeery good.’

There were many other minor developments as well.

We had built new “forward bases” in the resource zones within Daedalus’ territory.

Additionally, with only 8 resource harvesting ships remaining, we had begun a resource gathering rush, significantly boosting our resource acquisition rate.

“Commander, the number of people docked at Daedalus has exceeded 4,000.”

“Already?”

“Yes, and this doesn’t even include those scheduled to dock or refugees.”

“Holy moly.”

Hearing that at least two-thirds of the users who had maintained settlements in the existing territory had completed their relocation to Daedalus.

Looking at these peaceful yet busy and vibrant snippets of daily life, I felt a peculiarly mixed emotion.

And during all this, the remaining one-third of existing users weren’t refusing to come either…

—————————————–

<Official Chat Room of the Most Noble, Great, Sacred, and Unique Icarus Republic>

<Notice: Existing users have priority for Daedalus relocation>

-[I can’t go right away because of base warp restrictions, what should I do?]

-[It’s only a month at most]

-[They say Daedalus has over 10,000 docking points, so they can wait patiently]

-[Oh good]

-[Over 10,000?]

-[Yep]

-[But they say that’s still small for a level 9 base]

-[Whoa]

-[It’s a research base after all. If you want more docking points, you should go for a fortress or supply base]

-[True enough]

—————————————–

The rest simply couldn’t move because of the “base” warp frequency limitation, which was restricted to once a month.

As Jessica had just mentioned, there were users who had already “reserved” spots, dreaming of relocating to Daedalus.

“Jessica, about the new refugees and people trying to get in here.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“Let’s charge them for docking point permissions, but make sure to leave enough space for existing users.”

“Yes, I’ll arrange it that way.”

We decided to prepare appropriately to ensure that new users wouldn’t occupy all of Daedalus’ docking points.

At this point, I started to feel like, “Is this what they call a territory management game or something?”

And it seemed other users felt the same way…

—————————————–

Title: The 3rd-ranked player is becoming increasingly peculiar

Author: Anonymous

Content: [Image of Daedalus interior, showing the landscape of over 4,000 bases.jpg]

Growing steadily by making other users into territory residents

Is this what they call a territory management game or whatever?

Comments:

-[How dare you call the President a lord! What nonsense!]

-˪[Then should we call him a plantation owner who legally exploits Black slaves? Even George Washington had thousands of slaves while president](Author)

-˪[Fighting with facts is cowardly]

-[LOLOLOLOL]

-[Home Alone: Territory Management]

—————————————–

Posts like these, oddly discussing and snickering about my situation, were appearing throughout the gallery.