[Honored Administrator, when you read this message, our Bull and Horse Cargo Airship will have already arrived above the Baiyue Strait, where we’ve established our first base on the northern shore of the outlet leading to the Southern Sea.]

[To be honest, the situation here is far more complicated than we expected. The traces of civilization have been nearly erased by centuries of tides. The nearest survivor settlement lies more than 100 nautical miles away on an island, meaning we can’t rely on local experience. Everything must be done on our own.]

[Worse still, the tropical climate has caused the local mutant life to evolve at an unbelievable rate. The rainforest teems with creatures none of us have ever seen before. On our very first day here, we encountered lizards larger than crocodiles, crocodiles the size of dinosaurs, pythons capable of swallowing two-headed cattle, batlike creatures the size of infants, scorpions and rats waist-high to a man... and even man-eating plants!]

[But the most incredible discovery of all, wild Na Fruit. If our judgment is correct, this may be the original strain! What’s strange, though, is that our enemies never transplanted the modified Na Fruit here to cultivate mycelial colonies. We suspect there’s a deeper reason, perhaps even a secret being hidden. Regardless, we’ve collected samples, which will be shipped back to Dawn City on the next returning flight.]

[Now, to the main report. The series of hazards here has cost our jungle exploration squad 22 lives while searching for water. Fortunately, we’ve fully mapped a 10 kilometer radius around the landing site and cleared a relatively safe area along the shore.]

[Our next step is to wall off the camp, gradually cutting back the surrounding rainforest and replacing tents with proper buildings. For this, we’ll need huge amounts of construction materials, more transport airships, and the support of the Jungle Corps. If you could spare resources for what will one day be the New Alliance’s southern port, we’d be deeply grateful. On our own, it will take a very long time.]

[Following your teachings, we’ve also established peaceful contact with nearby survivor settlements, avoiding direct military conflict wherever possible. Thanks to the help of the Order of the White Bear, the governor of Ring Island has agreed to trade with us, and even offered to produce tools we need if we can solve their freshwater problem. I see this as a major breakthrough. If we can prove our methods more effective than the Torch Church’s, we might win over some of these island settlements, weakening their influence across the Southern Sea, and perhaps rallying all local survivors to our cause, encircling the Torch Church from the south!]

[Our confrontation with the Torch Church is inevitable, and I can sense that the final battle isn’t far away. I believe you feel the same, and are already preparing for that day. The outcome of that battle will determine not just our future, but the future of civilization itself.]

[For that reason, we humbly request further support. In addition to supplies and manpower, we urgently need qualified biologists to help address the biological challenges of this region. Please believe us, this investment will not disappoint you!]

[Your most loyal subordinate, Ample Time.]

...

“Not bad,” Chu Guang murmured with a faint smile as he read the message, or rather, the pitch, on his holographic display.

Usually, he was the one painting grand visions for his players under his doggy developver Light persona. Now, it seemed his little players had learned the skill well, and were pitching grand dreams to him, the administrator of the New Alliance.

The letter had been sent by Ample Time after logging off, via Wasteland Online’s in-game mission mail system. To be fair, it was a compelling pitch.

If his players really could unite the survivors of the Southern Sea and purge the Torch Church’s influence there, the New Alliance would be able to encircle the Torch Church from both the north and south, cutting off every escape route for that cockroach.

At the very least, it would prevent them from slipping south to cause trouble elsewhere in the wasteland.

Reading the message twice more, Chu Guang tapped his finger thoughtfully against the desk, then spoke. “Little Seven.”

“Hmm, hmm, I’m here, Master!” Perched on the pen holder, the little figurine raised its right hand energetically, eyes shining with anticipation.

Seeing that eager expression, Chu Guang chuckled and gently rubbed its head with one finger. “Help me draft a reply. I’ll dictate, you write.”

Leaning back on the sofa, he gazed at the ceiling and began.

...

“I’m proud to see your growth. You’ve learned how to expand our strength on your own, and how to spread the light of order to distant lands... even earlier than I expected. You’ve given me hope that we may yet see our ideals realized within this lifetime.”

“You will receive all necessary support. The Jungle Corps will be redeployed immediately via airship to the Baiyue Province. In addition, a team of biological research specialists will be dispatched to your settlement when conditions allow.”

“Ensure the local area has stable power, freshwater, food, and essential supplies, and that your operations achieve self-sufficiency. Beyond that, help the survivors establish order, teach them to participate willingly in our cause, not to wait passively for charity or handouts.”

“This won’t be easy. But with so much experience to draw upon, I’m confident you’ll accomplish this difficult and noble task.”

“Lastly, choose a name for this future Pearl of the Sea. It will accompany us into the new era, so take your time and choose well.”

...

As Chu Guang finished dictating, Little Seven completed the polished draft automatically.

“Do I send it now?” Little Seven asked.

Chu Guang thought for a moment before replying. “Yes, send it now. And afterward, create a new mission for the Jungle Corps and the Burning Corps, deploy them to the Baiyue Strait.”

“We’ll need to construct a military base there with an airfield, support the local survivor settlement, and if necessary, ensure its protection. Once the base is complete, transfer a few reliable officers to act as NPC quest givers. For Corps-scale missions, it’s better they come from our end.”

Little Seven nodded seriously. “Got it!”

...