Their concept was straightforward.
Since teleportation formations don't cover enough distance between these planets, let's build space cities at the limit of teleportation formations.
Then we'd also have teleportation formations on these space cities and from them, we'll reach the target planets.
Having one single city was risky, so there was a cluster of cities around the same distance from the host planet.
Uranus had twenty such space cities that held the teleportation formation.
They weren't used normally, but when they were activated, they saved lives.
Valos was one such city.
Given their strategic importance, each of the space cities would be strictly protected by their host planet.
But Valos got the title of 'City of Depravity'.
"Out of the two cluster cities, Saturn cluster is greatly maintained. Some space cities in those clusters rival even the planets in terms of training conditions." Sarah explained. "Remember that battle maniac Maissa?"
Varian nodded.
That girl looked elegant and dignified, but the first thing that came out of her mouth was 'Let's duel!'.
"She is from the Saturn cluster. Even though they have resources, they are after all not the same as us planet residents. Not enough dungeons, not enough people, not enough natural resources.
They have a very fierce contest over the resource. Maissa grew up fighting for her training resources and eventually came to be one of the top 10 of our generation." Sarah paused and allowed those words to sink in.
Varian realized something instantly.
Despite equal footing, there was not a single significant figure from the Uranus cluster in the banquet.
In fact, even in the level 5s he challenged, he didn't remember a single person from the Uranus cluster.
Sarah looked at his frowning expression and held his hand. Patting him lightly, she continued.
"Uranus cluster is in a pretty…bad state."
"Why?" Varian didn't understand. They had the resources, they had the population, they even had the competition, so what's stopping them from prospering?
Instead of answering, Sarah said. "The ruling party of Uranus is responsible for taking care of their cluster cities.
And the ruling party of Uranus is…?"
Varian's eyes widened and he patted his forehead. "Nial Family. Fuck!"
It all made sense now.
A few years ago, Pluto was quickly taken down. The then Uranus had to fight a two-front war with Pluto and Thunder Abyss.
It was on the verge of defeat. Until Nial family intervened.
As the ruling party of Uranus, they were right next to Neptune.
The Nial family sent their powerhouse to assist the Neptune without much delay.
That was a time when despite having cluster cities, the army didn't have the readiness to send reinforcements in time.
Despite their strength, Neptune's morale was at an all-time low after Pluto's bloodbath.
If not for the Nial family powerhouses holding back the precious time until the reinforcements arrived, Neptune would've been lost.
The cost?
30% of all their higher awakeners were wiped out.
Despite killing so many, the Abyssals' anger was far from over. They threw away wealth as they bribed, lured, and threatened people and assassinated the leading geniuses of the Nial Family.
From that day, Nial Family was in an irreversible decline.
"Nial family doesn't have sufficient strength to maintain the law and order of its cluster cities," Sarah said.
"Then why not have someone else do it?" Varian frowned.
"The human armed forces are pretty much stretched at this point. Even the army cannot bear the cost." Sarah rubbed her forehead.
"Besides," she looked at the hologram and once again zoomed in. "These cluster cities can't be cleaned up easily. They are the hub of 70% illegal activities."
"!" Varian wanted to ask 'Why not!' but Sarah didn't give him the chance.
"They aren't as bad as you think. These cities have law and order. But…they have many dark organizations. Gangs. Training Halls. Black Market."
Sarah's expression darkened. "Even a Shadow Order branch dedicated to this cluster."
Varian's expression sank hearing Shadow Order.
They tried to assassinate him and Sarah. He used those assassins as punching bags, and they confessed that they were told it was the order of an Abyss Prince. Abrak or something.
Varian didn't know why he was targeted, but now that he was 'dead' officially, he decided to avenge himself later.
After all, an Abyss Prince would be a level 7 at least. Not what he could contend now.
But Shadow Order…he hated them to the bones.
In his opinion, they were the chains holding back humanity's progress. If they didn't exist, perhaps humans would've had their ninth Sovereign already.
Who knew? Among the countless geniuses these bitches killed, someone might have done it.
"Shadow Order, huh," Varian muttered with a glint in his eyes.
"In short, it's complicated." Sarah shrugged. Looking at his tense expression, she lightly pulled his lips into a smiling position and nodded. "Umu."
"…" Varian rolled his eyes. But he did get her message.
"Alright. You know what I did a few days ago with Earth's Shadow Order. Boo can find their secret realm because they're based on earth, but searching for them in space…not going to happen.
So I won't get into conflict with them. I just have one small mission. I probably got it because of how easy it is." Varian said, mostly to relax Sarah.
Even though she tried to conceal her anxiety well, her clenched fists were giving it away.
"Fuuu~ That's good then." Sarah patted her chest and saw Varian smirking at her with an expression. 'Why don't you just admit you're worried?'
She punched him lightly and said. "There's a deep underground network in the Cluster cities.
Shadow Order has many subordinate organizations there. And Black Market…it's best to stay out of it.
The treasures they sell might be enticing, but all of them come with a price. Given your talent…"
Varian simply stared at Sarah who went on and on. If it was others, he would've asked them to stop.
But not her.
In what seemed like nagging, he heard many other things.
Her worries. Her not-so-hidden affection for him, the girl's fear of losing him—for real this time, and a trust in him to return safely, but most of all—the commitment to even dive into the Abyss to help him should the need arise.
Finally, Varian nodded and gave her a light hug. "I'll see you soon. Take care."
** ** ***
(A/N: In chapter 338, I said "two chaps in a few minutes". It was meant for the day when 338 was the latest chap. But due to priv, many readers have seen it later on.
I apologize for the misunderstanding caused and I'll try to ensure it doesn't repeat.)