The Game of Global Mining

Silver Sea, Silver Gem luxury cruise ship.

Sariel is hanging a few luxurious fishing rods over the ship's rail, fishing.

Even for the world's top players, fishing remains an indispensable leisure activity that transcends social classes—because the instinct for fishing and hunting is eternally etched in the genes of men.

It's not just about fishing, but also catching the attention of women. Even the typically aloof Silver Flower is dressed in a swimsuit, fishing alongside him.

Although the overall vibe is pleasant, Sariel is continuously monitoring the situation on the Siren's side, unable to shake off a sense of unease.

He took a glance at the Mermaid watching dramas in the deck's hot tub and couldn't help asking again, "Any news from the Whale?"

Helen replied impatiently, "Soon, soon—hey, this side character is so annoying, why is he still talking so much and not dead yet?"

Sariel immediately dared not say another word.

Remia chuckled, "Got it, I'll have the theater change it, let her die in the next episode."

Helen then complained, "Don't change it! Knowing she's going to die makes it boring…"

...

Just as the Silver Queen ahead sounded the whistle signaling an SSS-level Sea Monster alert!

A long echo came from the Whale afar!

It's back! And it's evolved to SSS-level?

Sariel craned his neck with anticipation, witnessing the Whale breaking through the waves with astounding Tidal Power, emanating faint lightning.

Is this evolution?

The Whale approached, letting out a series of low, resonant sounds!

Sariel immediately had the development team translate: "I was obstructed by a Sea Monster, defeated and devoured it, but the Siren escaped…"

At this moment, the Mermaid lazily crawled out of the hot tub and slid to the ship's rail: "My most loyal servant, you have worked hard—"

She also began to translate to Sariel: "It says it was blocked by a Sea Monster…"

The translation matched the team's content! Sariel was suddenly relieved, yet after learning about the incident, he grew more worried: "So, does this mean the Siren also commands a vast Sea Monster force?"

The Mermaid huffed, "Since I'm not around, of course she would take over my former servants. After this failure, she will definitely continue to amass power—So, fighting the Siren is not going to be that easy."

Sariel actually welcomed this; the longer the conflict dragged on, the more money he could extract from the Silver Chamber of Commerce, continuously gaining prestige and merits for protecting the ore ships—these are SSS-level Sea Monster merits, worth numerous days of standard leveling.

"It's alright, we can fight while enjoying ourselves, it's quite pleasant really."

The Mermaid gave a cold snort, "Is that so, fine then…"

And listlessly slid back into the hot tub.

Sariel knew the Mermaid's concerns, and looking at the Whale, which had grown stronger so quickly, he had a vague plan in mind.

But, it was better to ask in the chat group first.

Sariel: "Everyone, my Mermaid has achieved remarkable results, the Whale can now single-handedly defeat Sea Monsters becoming SSS-level, but the Mermaid wants to become the Sea God and seeks tributes, how should this be resolved?"

Uriel said sullenly, "Isn't this simple? My chamber of commerce has three Fallen Angel Guardians who were demoted due to inadequate protection. Just replace Silver City's Guardian God with her, and let her become the Guardian God; it would fall under the Sea God Department under the Bright God. Logically, it won't affect anything."

The senior figures were in an uproar: "Can this work? Is it really that simple?"

Sariel was even more stunned, his heart pounding: "Uriel? Why aren't you asleep yet? Your head must be muddled to come up with such a crazy idea?"

Uriel sighed, "Sorry, I must be sleep-talking, I'm going to rest."

Truthfully, this was what Sariel secretly thought, but he never dared to say it.

Yet considering the feasibility, it wasn't entirely impossible?

Firstly, during the plague, Silver City had been shut down for three days, players across the city were in uproar, and various chambers of commerce had complaints, yet the Guardian God could do nothing about the plague. When faced with the Siren's raids, the Guardian God was equally helpless.

So as long as a voting campaign could be initiated upon returning, it would surely ignite public sentiment, and under pressure from the Church, the Guardian God could conceivably be replaced!

If the Guardian God is removed, Uriel could possibly recruit him too, which would also benefit Uriel, he should support this…

And for genuine execution, an inside helper in the Church was essential, and this insider could only be the daughter of the City Lord, Church Bishop, Silver Flower, Remia! No one else could be negotiated with!

Resolved, this step must be taken.

"Miss Remia! As Miss Helen mentioned, the Siren will inevitably gather Sea Monsters and gain strength if she returns, becoming increasingly powerful, what's your view?"

Remia furrowed her brows: "Perhaps when the time comes that even Miss Helen is too exhausted to cope, we can only ask the Golden Empire to form a united fleet for siege."

Sariel sighed, "But you know, a single day of the great fleet's operation costs a huge amount. The Empire has never been able to eliminate the Pirates, precisely because they can resort to guerrilla tactics, stall for time, and even have spies within the Empire; they merely need to drag out until the Empire's funds are depleted beyond support, and at that point, with opposition from the major sponsor chambers, the siege will fail. Therefore, the Empire's strategy has always been to support a Pirate King to suppress the ordinary Pirates, forming a balance of interests that everyone can accept…"

Remia glanced at the Mermaid understandingly: "Even Pirates are hard to deal with, let alone Sea Monsters?"

Sariel said solemnly, "We must have the Sea God to suppress Sea Monsters, this is the lowest-cost and most effective strategy! But the Sea God is impossible; the Guardian God of Silver City is doable!"

Remia was startled: "You dare replace the Guardian God?!"

Sariel's scalp tingled; her reaction was as expected! Failing would unpredictably damage his reputation.

The Mermaid, interested, chimed in disdainfully: "What's all this 'dare not' talk? Back in the pioneering era, that Guardian God was very weak! If he can't get things done, it's better to let me do it!"

Remia quivered with shock: "Miss Helen…"

The Mermaid sighed: "Forget it, since we're friends, I won't make it difficult for you, let's just pretend I didn't say anything, and return to watching the drama."

Remia stayed silent on the spot!

Sariel keenly sensed her emotional shift, success was possible! After all, friends shouldn't make each other's lives difficult; if the Mermaid won't burden you, why burden the Mermaid? The Paladin's moral precepts, moral coercion… come on, baby! It's your moment to embrace responsibility and sacrifice!

Finally, Remia spoke in a trembling voice: "If I propose this idea when I return—"

Sariel was overjoyed: "All the city's citizens, all the chambers of commerce will support you! Even the City Lord has it in his heart to support you…"

The Mermaid threw away the tablet: "Then I will definitely be a good Sea God, show this Siren some ferocity! And then bless the fishermen so they can catch more fish than usual…"

Remia took a deep breath: "Let's return, I'll go and say it!"