Although the Astra Militarum had researched a potent weapon, like missiles, and observed excellent results when used to deal with supernatural creatures, some scientists became worried. If the supernatural races also possessed similar powers, how could they counter them?
As we all know, the soldiers of the Astra Militarum are just ordinary people. Once the enemy employs such means to launch an attack, it's akin to missiles against missiles. They wouldn't be able to defend effectively, leaving them very passive.
On Earth, it was the deterrence between several powers that maintained peace; no one dared to make the first move. But here, the Astra Militarum had to face the supernatural. To address this, a group called the "Missile Defense Group" was formed. Its purpose was to develop weapons capable of targeting and attacking like missiles.
"I said missiles will become obsolete, but there's no way to do it now, and someone will replace them," declared a very arrogant scientist from before, speaking up again.
He had always looked down on machine guns and missiles. This time, he didn't just talk, he proposed an idea. Other scientists have also proposed several concepts. The common denominator was clear: anti-missile weapons must be faster than the missiles they aim to intercept.
"Lasers could be a direction," suggested one scientist. "But right now, lasers are primarily used for civilian purposes. A combat-ready laser is still a long way off."
It was good to have ideas, and the members of the High Council of Terra approved this laser research project, listing it as a priority program.
As time passed, the advanced technology developed within the Astra Militarum gradually reached the civilian population. Transportation saw significant improvements, trains surpassing two hundred kilometers per hour began construction, facilitating travel.
Research groups and companies also advanced VR technology.
Artificial intelligence was developing rapidly. The first driverless car was publicly tested under the watchful eyes of top government officials. Various robots were produced by numerous research teams, but their intelligence was still limited, capable only of basic actions.
All sectors advanced quickly; however, the cultural and artistic fields lagged, progress was minimal, and it could be described as a cultural desert. Did anyone care about these things in the presence of supernatural threats?
Despite the slow pace, internet novels gained popularity. On every website, the most popular genre was no surprise: fantasy. There were two main themes:
One depicted a protagonist joining the Astra Militarum, progressing from a simple Guardsman through battles against Xenos, earning impressive feats, and eventually marrying their partner. The details varied, but the general outline was consistent. This was the most common and popular story, attracting the largest readership.
The other involved a protagonist stumbling upon a planet gate and being transported to another world, discovering they could grow into a supernatural being. Experiencing thrilling adventures, transforming from an ordinary person into a powerful supernatural being, often accompanied by beautiful women. While less uniform, this genre also enjoyed widespread popularity.
Overall, when comparing the Imperium to Earth in terms of culture, it was markedly lacking. Other fields advanced faster, yet no groundbreaking inventions or era-defining geniuses emerged.
Sebastian accelerated the passage of time. In the blink of an eye, another decade passed. The most noticeable change was that the population, though still smaller than Earth's, continued to grow explosively.
The High Council monitored this growth. After weighing the pros and cons, they subtly guided it without direct interference.
Sebastian's comfort was that real estate prices within the Imperium were affordable, much cheaper than on Earth. Before his journey, he couldn't even afford a bathroom in his city with a year's salary, thanks to policies in place.
Most of the land in the Imperium consisted of fertile plains, with few high mountains, forests, deserts, hills, or basins, mostly located on the fringes. The entire country was highly livable.
The government was also decentralizing industries. They moved beyond the central areas of the Royal Tomb Mountains and the capital city. To the west of the First Land Continent lay Red River, where increasing runoff enabled rapid river transportation, attracting many settlers.
With the river and surrounding biodiversity, this area developed swiftly, and many companies established operations along both sides of the Red River. It's now the largest tropical rainforest in Terra, home to nearly a thousand species.
Compared to trains, airplanes became even more popular. Civil aircraft technology here was more advanced than on Earth, with fewer restrictions. Even helicopters became the main mode of transport for many wealthy individuals.
New energy sources saw limited development, as most believed nuclear fusion could succeed within a few decades. By then, what else was needed in energy? Over the decade, nuclear fusion projects advanced steadily, reaching critical stages.
Other innovations, like 3D printing, surpassed previous generations. Architects experimented with building 3D-printed houses; one machine could produce twenty in a day at reasonable costs.
For the people of the Imperium, the most significant change was the shift in the members of the High Council of Terra. Margaret Thatcher, Yuuki, Yamamoto, and others retired years ago, handing power to a new generation.
Catherine succeeded Margaret Thatcher. On the military side, Coleman Kendall and Lando Seward replaced Yuuki and Yamamoto. Both were under forty and drew considerable attention.
Lando was less interested in fighter jets or missiles. Soon after taking office, he visited the Second Continent. With his support, the main research team for melee weapons was based there, particularly because of the giant beasts present. Once successful, these creatures would serve as ideal test subjects.
Initially, the melee weapon project faced many setbacks, taking detours. But after someone proposed specialization, the team made new attempts. They developed new prototypes, though still far from final requirements, they were on the right track.
Sebastian observed curiously, impressed by the ingenuity. These prototypes were oddly shaped but highly practical.
"I guess in a few years, I'll see the real finished products," Sebastian thought quietly.
He also checked the planet panel. It had undergone significant changes.
[Planet Name: Terra]
[Planet Level: 2]
[Planet Diameter: 3,820 km]
[Species Count: 2,217]
[Planet Talent: Eternal Level]
[Extrapolation Route: None]
His first thought was, "It finally surpassed the moon." The moon's diameter is 3,476 km. Thanks to population growth and new species emergence, Terra's area was expanding rapidly.
The number of giant beasts on the Second Continent had also surged. After King Ghidorah's death, no new overlord emerged, and the land was in a state of constant competition among the beasts.
However, Kong no longer sought domination, and the same applied to Godzilla. The most powerful remained at the Astra Militarum base. It had even had offspring, half of whom had internal reactors.
That month, many visitors came to Sebastian. Invitations to banquets and dinners poured in, but he declined; others knew his character and didn't bother him. Romy, Bailey, and others arrived again at his door.
"You guys succeeded in promotion!?" Sebastian guessed the result from their expressions.
This month's highlight was the promotion of the second batch of students. The first batch included only Sebastian and Clifford, about fifty students, while the second batch was much larger, with nearly tens of thousands of freshmen participating.
"Yes, I passed the King Level advancement," Romy said happily. "Bailey also advanced to Legendary Level. Everyone was surprised. Bailey is now the fifth in our class. The others are you, Yeattine, Terrell, and Neville."
"But some students from Dongyang Province didn't make it," Romy added, looking slightly gloomy.
Sebastian was unsurprised. Fewer students succeeded this time. Failure was final, no solutions available. After chatting and seeing them off, Sebastian returned to focus on evolving the Greater Terra.
Time flowed onward.
Though Hope's Peak Academy was on a Level 6 planet, life remained comfortable, season after season. But outside, it was the coldest winter of the year.
"It's cold," a couple walking along the campus path shivered, and there was hardly any shadow.
Suddenly, the sky lit up. The couple stopped in their tracks, raising their heads in surprise. Above, a formation of stars moved subtly. One star shone brightly, like neon lights, forming a huge character in the vast starry sky. These characters combined into a massive message!
"Is this...?" The couple stared wide-eyed at the sight.
This astonishing display immediately attracted countless spectators and even startled powerful beings. In the endless starfield, similar scenes appeared elsewhere.
"This is... someone has achieved an Eternal Level advancement!?" a Level 6 Planetary Lord gazed in horror.
The previous breathtaking scene of shining stars was deeply imprinted in his mind. But he quickly realized, although the stars still shone, this was not identical to the previous event, nor was it the time for planetary promotion.
"So that's how it is," the relatively young Level 6 Planetary Lord deduced after a moment's thought. A smile appeared as he murmured, "The once-in-10,000-years event is on schedule. I wasn't born when the last one happened. I relied on treasure to become a Level 6 Planetary Lord by luck. This time, it might trigger the madness of countless geniuses once again!"
"Interesting. I need to rush back and see, it might be the only chance," he said, changing direction swiftly toward a region in the Endless Star Domain.
Meanwhile, in the Federation, the Empire, and other vast regions, Level 6 Planetary Lords also looked up at the sky and the list.
"It's finally arriving!"
"The 10,000-year event is here."
"We've worked for years to cultivate a single genius; this moment makes it all worthwhile."
"Most Level 6 Planetary Lords will see such a grand event only once in their lifetime. I must witness it."
Powerful entities discussed excitedly. It wasn't just the main world. These characters also appeared in various academies, illuminating entire campuses. Teachers and students alike were stunned. Many, upon seeing the list, showed expressions of anticipation; this was the long-awaited once-in-a-million-year event.