Chapter 23
Mist City...
Deep in the southern parts lies a city covered with mist throughout the year. The name the locals gave was Mist City. Whether that was the original name or not, it was what the world came to know as the name of the city after magic appeared in this world and that is now its name.
Back then, the city was said to be just a town but later it became important because of its strategic position.
This world is full of monsters but most would only see land monsters and flying monsters when go deep into the wilds but there are other monsters that are more numerous and powerful than these two categories.
They are the sea monsters.
Unlike land or flying monsters which share territories with humans, sea monsters don't. Moreover, the resources available are more abundant than that on the surface.
Unlike the land and flying monsters which are in danger from humans every day, that was not the case with sea monsters.
Humans can't go into the depths of the sea and kill young monsters or tame them if they like them. So, every sea monster that humans face would have some strength.
This makes sea monsters pretty powerful overall.
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If they are safe in the deep sea and have abundant resources, why would they invade the surface lands?
Of course, even if there are abundant resources in the sea, that doesn't mean infinite. The number of monsters that it can provide resources to is limited, more than land but limited to a number.
So, once every few years, there would be sea monster tides.
Unlike land monster tides, these couldn't be easily seen. So sea and coastal areas are considered as areas of danger but one can't let them go.
The monster tide from the sea would only happen after ten years or so.
During this time, what the travellers would face would be low-ranking sea monsters. They may not easily fall as they are in their domain, the sea but they would to powerful humans. These monsters can be eaten and that means a source of income for many people.
This is why, even though seas are dangerous, many would go out into the sea to find those monsters to hunt.
If a monster tide happens while they are at sea, then they will die miserably. This is why travelling into the sea is dangerous but the income also is very high. For the sake of settling down comfortably, many do venture out there.
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Mist City is covered with mist throughout the year. This mist not only covers the city and its surroundings on land but also extends into the sea.
Yeah, it covers the city's port too.
For some unknown reason, the monsters hate this mist and they would never enter the mist. Even during monster tides, those mindless sea monsters wouldn't enter the mist.
The mist that makes life difficult for the people is also a safety net for them from monsters. So, it became a strategic place for the alliance.
Moreover, over 10% of the sea products come from this place, making it one of the richest places in the human territories.
The monsters won't enter the mist and there are a lot of sea products that originate from here. So, the city is one of the safest areas and that makes it the costliest place to live.
Not anyone can buy land here. Most of the land was under the control of locals and to settle there, one had to pay a lot to them.
When it was discovered that the mist that used to give them headaches, would bar the entry of the monsters, the locals understood the true value of the mist.
When the sea monsters come, their port can give shelter to the ships from getting damaged. The lands that they lived in also became valuable. No one here is an idiot.
Instead of selling the land, they built houses and shops. They rented them to others, and by that earn a lot every month. It is a good source of stable income.
Many would come here either to settle for a peaceful life or in search of the sea products, while keeping the casualties to a minimum, unlike other sea cities. So, the city would always be full of people.
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In the grand hall of the mayor's office, a young boy can be seen seated along with six men and women.
This young boy's name is Aiden Cross, son of the mayor of Mist City, Jacob Cross. They both are here along with five recruiters who came from the top five academies to recruit Aiden.
Aiden ranked second in the academy exam, in the entire alliance. He stands next to Aaron. If one takes Mary into account, his position would be third right after Mary and Aaron in this batch.
"So, what are your offers for my boy", Jacob spoke in an arrogant manner.
Though that was the case, none spoke against him. As the mayor of one of the richest cities, he has the strength to be arrogant.
Before Jacob, his father was the mayor and after Jacob, Aiden would be the mayor. Even though the alliance doesn't hand out mayorship to descendants of the previous mayors in other cities, that is not the case with Mist City.
When they joined the alliance, it was stipulated that only descendants of the then-mayor could become the mayor of the city. As long as his line is alive, no one could be the mayor.
The then-mayor understood the power of being mayor of Mist City very much and he secured it for his descendants, making sure that his family would prosper.
There was nothing the higher-ups could do. The Mist City was very safe for people to settle and also the sea resources that they could supply were very high. So, at that time, they accepted and to this day, it continues.
Being from a family that held the power in Mist City, the Cross family is very powerful.
So, the recruiters can't say anything but one by one, they gave him the best offers that their academies could offer to the father and son duo.