The submarine began to drain its ballast, and the entire vessel slowly ascended. Xiao Xun was very satisfied with the submarine.
He complimented the mechanic a few times, and the mechanic was immensely proud.
Floating on the surface of the sea, Xiao Xun looked into the distance through the periscope and asked the mechanic beside him, "How does that submarine contact headquarters and other submarines nearby?"
The mechanic looked embarrassed. "We haven't considered that."
Xiao Xun became a little displeased. "Then what do you rely on for communication normally? Shouting?"
The mechanic quickly replied, "There's a type of magical beast that's born a twin. If you speak to one, the other will repeat the message, no matter how far away it is."
Xiao Xun frowned. "Two questions. First, it's too inconvenient. According to you, it can only be one-to-one communication. If I want to achieve multi-party calls, I'll need to prepare several more magical beasts? Second, these magical beasts aren't found everywhere! And they're alive; if one dies by accident, wouldn't the connection be broken?"
The mechanic nodded. The two problems Xiao Xun raised were indeed the most obvious issues, and there were no particularly good solutions.
"Doesn't your world have radio communication technology?"
The mechanic looked bewildered, not understanding what Xiao Xun was talking about.
Actually, Xiao Xun himself didn't know, as it wasn't his specialty. "It's a technology that transmits your words to another person through electromagnetic waves."
The mechanic shook his head. He truly didn't understand.
This matter was temporarily set aside. After all, in an era of magic, many things could be achieved through magical means. Apart from those who couldn't use magic or those who enjoyed research, who would expend great effort to consider using tools to accomplish their goals?
"You all should research this more and try to come up with a simpler method. Communication is too important."
All the mechanics exchanged glances, and finally, they all nodded at Xiao Xun.
After finishing the business on the submarine, Xiao Xun asked Delvana how many mines had been placed in the waters before them.
Delvana produced a defense map and drew an oval red circle on it. "This entire area is filled with mines. The distance between each mine is less than a meter."
Xiao Xun nodded. "Good, I can rest assured with your work."
Back at the castle, the mermaid was standing in the hall, seemingly waiting for Xiao Xun to return. "Your Highness, you're back?"
"Look, beautiful, can you stop calling me Your Highness? I don't like it. Besides, you're not a subject of my Santi Roman."
"Then what should I call you?"
"What should you call me?" the mermaid asked.
"Call me Swain. It's more casual."
"Oh, I dare not. That's too disrespectful!"
"It's fine, just call me that. Moreover, I have a cousin back home about your age. We should be peers. When you call me Your Highness, it feels strange."
The mermaid smiled. "Then I'll call you Swain. Don't be angry, Swain."
"Ah, right, what's your name..."
"My name is Posy, so you can just call me Posy."
"Okay, Posy..."
"This is so fun, Swain. I think you're quite interesting. You're a Duke, yet you have no airs at all. Unlike some royalty and nobles who look terrifyingly stern when they see commoners, as if they're more formidable than the Empress."
"That's like a pig with a green onion in its nose – trying to look important."
"Swain, we met through conflict, but let's be good friends. Do you agree?"
"No problem. Forget being friends, we can even become sworn siblings."
"Swain, good friends should speak their minds. I'll tell you, I'm really troubled. I'm only telling you this. My beautiful face carries a hint of melancholy."
"Don't worry, tell me what's wrong. Don't you believe the sky won't fall?" Xiao Xun appeared carefree.
"My people are forcing me to settle my personal life. They've come to me so many times. How old am I? Why are they forcing me to marry!"
"Preposterous! This is coercion? Isn't this bullying? Ignore them. Even if the Mermaid Queen herself came, I, Swain, would dare to argue with her. Anyone who bullies others, no matter how powerful they are, I'm not afraid of them." Xiao Xun slammed the table, genuinely angered.
"Swain, you're so good. It's been great making friends with you. Actually, our Queen isn't a bad person, and it might not even be the Queen's idea. We've agreed, when you're done with your business, you must stand up for me!"
Xiao Xun patted his chest. "No problem. You can stay here with peace of mind."
Posy had always lived in the deep sea. Her understanding of humans came only from the elders' words, and they were all negative. The elders told her: 'Humans are selfish, greedy, and insatiable. If you encounter them, you must distance yourself and be cautious.'
But after meeting men like Xiao Xun, especially being stunned by the Trident of the Sea God, she immediately developed immense curiosity and attraction. Her mind was quite innocent, and she didn't consider why Xiao Xun, a future prince of Santi Roman commanding tens of thousands of troops, would condescend to befriend an alien like her. She even called Xiao Xun "Swain" directly.
Xiao Xun didn't mind, but Saphira became very jealous and asked if Xiao Xun was interested in that mermaid.
"As you said, she's a fish. Although she looks human, she's not one of our kind. How could I like her?"
Saphira, though she suspected Xiao Xun might be lying, was clear about her own status. To have asked this question and not receive a reprimand from Xiao Xun was already a heavenly grace. She absolutely could not act presumptuously, as there were too many tragic examples of those who did.
Every day, Xiao Xun would patrol the coastal defense line with Borgard. Although a large number of submarines had been deployed, Xiao Xun had not witnessed the combat effectiveness of the deep-sea legions, so he dared not launch a rash attack.
For now, the focus was on defense. Xiao Xun hated defense the most, but he was truly not adept at naval warfare. Even when playing games, he deliberately avoided naval battles.
In games, he would equip himself with several times the enemy's combat units and powerful firepower to appease his inner fear.
The sea wind was often so strong it made it impossible to open his eyes. He felt as if he could be blown away by a simple jump.
When it got stronger, it became a typhoon. Xiao Xun's coastal defense fortifications could not withstand it. With a towering tsunami, this entire area would be submerged.
This was why Xiao Xun was vigorously building submarines. He believed that by hiding in the sea, he would be unaffected by giant waves and typhoons.
Besides constructing submarines, Xiao Xun also built a unit that should have existed but had never been built: a train station.
It was a train station directly connected to the capital of Santi Roman. Xiao Xun had heard since childhood that to get rich, one must build roads first; with convenient transportation, everything else would be fine.
However, no one would build a train station for you for free. Wooden sleepers and rails all cost money.
Xiao Xun also lacked financial authority, and he didn't even own his own territory. The startup capital was obtained by selling Posy's pure gold boat.
Of course, Posy was unaware of this.
Late at night, the vanguard of the deep-sea legions landed amidst a massive typhoon. None of them triggered the warning mines.
However, the vigilant soldiers of the Phoenix Army still discovered them, and the battle immediately entered a white-hot stage.
The atmosphere in the command center was terrifyingly tense. The operations staff stared intently at the map, their faces ashen.
Delvana turned to a messenger and said, "Quickly go fetch Prince Swain."