Promotion to a Level-Three Civilization, the Merrick Civilization Army Is Established!

The large, empty ship arrived at the Merrick Civilization via automatic navigation.

The appearance of such a large ship in this remote star system naturally attracted a lot of attention.

Against a host of civilizations below level four, large ships are the absolute top-tier combat force.

Not to mention that the most powerful civilization in this star system is only at level two.

Lister's unfamiliar warship, lacking both its Arcane Civilization Army designation and Arcane signal frequency, appeared here like a nuclear weapon from a backward era.

The combat and offensive capabilities of the peak Tier 18 civilization possess the greatest strategic deterrent power against these civilizations.

Even so, before even getting close to the ruling planet of the Merrick Civilization, Lister had already been intercepted by hundreds of joint escort ships from the Merrick and Yalan Civilizations.

"This is the Merrick Civilization. Please present your pass or information about your civilization!"

"Do not approach! Please show your pass, otherwise your ship will be considered an attack on the Merrick Civilization!"

Even though the large frigate had temporarily stopped, the rest of the frigates remained on high alert and dared not let their guard down.

Everyone knew that they couldn't stop the warship on their own.

It's hard to say whether the pause is a sign that the other side wants to communicate or is preparing for an attack.

All the power of discourse rests with the other side; all they can do is express their stance and make sacrifices for their respective civilized attitudes.

"Squeak! Zzz!"

Fortunately, the situation was not as bad as expected. After some unfamiliar signal frequency adjustments, the large ship finally connected with the communication bands of the escort ships.

"I am Reck, former captain of the 2nd Battalion of the Arcane Civilization Army's Landing Operations Department."

"The one on board is Lister Merrick!"

"Please clear the way!"

This warship is in an awkward position at this critical juncture, as most of its general functions have been restricted after it was separated from the Arcane Civilization Army.

They cannot use the Federation Military District's identity and dedicated signal frequency bands, nor can they use the temporary communication frequency bands of other large ships, or signals used for deterrence and strikes against the enemy.

This means that Reck's mechanical abilities allowed him to manipulate the signal network that temporarily infiltrated the frigate, ultimately completing the negotiations.

Only when Lister stepped off the large ship did all the escort ships truly relax, and then switch to escort mode.

They escorted this brand-new, large ship, which had been in service for less than a year, to its docking location on the outskirts of the Merrick Governing Planet.

As he stepped off the warship, he was greeted by a large group of councilors from Merrick Governing Planet, led by Quint.

Looking at Lister's expression as he walked in, he saw the same fervor and excitement, a sense of identification from the bottom of his heart that was even stronger than that of the soldiers of the Arcane Civilization Army.

Welcome back, Lord Lister!

Long live the Merrick Civilization!

Welcome, Lister...

It's unclear who started shouting, but in an instant, the shouts from the crowd were deafening.

The Merrick Civilization is now at least a Level 2 civilization, and its external exchanges are not completely closed off.

Lister's current reputation within the Galactic Federation is well-known.

The cheers, from the welcoming members of both houses of parliament to the ordinary citizens entering the capital, were comparable to those of a celebration commemorating the founding of civilization.

The cheers and welcomes gradually subsided only when they reached a towering, bottomless building that seemed to pierce the clouds.

This is the Parliament Building of the Merrick Civilization Center, currently the political and military center of the civilization.

The first and second floors house various Federation Government agencies and offices.

In the blink of an eye, the Merrick Civilization had been fully integrated into the Galactic Federation.

Does our civilization currently have enough talent?

"That's enough. Your reputation in the Galactic Federation during this time has attracted many talented people to join us."

"In some nearby star systems dominated by Level 3 civilizations, several individuals who have undergone three stages of evolution have also chosen to join, having already met the promotion criteria."

"Then let's not wander around here anymore, let's go take care of our business first."

Upon hearing this, Lister waved his hand and stopped, heading instead to the 609th floor, to the council chamber of the Merrick Government.

Inside a specially designated medium-sized chamber, a hundred Senate immediately took their seats and waited.

Only Tim served tea and fruit to Lister and Quinta, who were at the front.

Notification: Have you submitted an application for promotion to a higher level of civility?

"Yes!"

Notification: The review materials have been submitted. The advanced life form, Lister Merrick, has had his personal information confirmed and meets the standards of civilized spirit.

The Merrick Government has been established and meets Federation Government standards.

The number of citizens after three evolutions has met the requirements and is in compliance with...

Please await final approval from the Federation Government Senate.

Notification: Congratulations! Your application has been approved. The Merrick Civilization has advanced to a Level 3 Civilization!

The Federation Government acted much faster than Lister had anticipated.

The submission of materials, including the notary public's opinion, and the final Senate approval, were all completed in just a few minutes.

Compared to the last promotion to Level Two Civilization, the speed and benefits are incomparable.

Then, a series of notifications regarding the advancement of civilization finally arrived.

"Notification: The Galactic Federation Government issues a statement to the CX Star Region, CV Star Region, and DT Star Regions...: Due to the Merrick Civilization's advancement to a Type III civilization, the CX Star Region and CV Star Regions (as marked on the Federation's standard star region map) are now under the jurisdiction of the Merrick Civilization."

"Joint Notice from the Galactic Federation Government: The civilization affiliation of Yalan Civilization, Binxi Civilization, Qiewa Civilization... has changed. The superior civilization affiliation is now the Merrick Civilization."

The difference between a third-level civilization and a second-level civilization truly begins to emerge here.

The area of the star field directly under its jurisdiction is thousands of times larger, and when the area of the subordinate civilized star fields indirectly under its jurisdiction is included, it almost occupies the entire CX Star Region.

Because it is a remote and underdeveloped region of the Galactic Federation, its actual star field size is two to three times larger than that of other civilizations.

Of course, there are also drawbacks.

At least for now, it governs only seven secondary civilizations.

There are simply no more Level 2 civilizations in the nearby star system, not even the Level 1 and Level 0 civilizations below that.

The Merrick Civilization currently governs only 67 officially recognized civilizations.

This star field is far too barren; the number of civilizations it governs is more than half that of other level-three civilizations.

Inside the meeting room, the members of parliament were all excited, and many of them had flushed red.

While the announcement regarding the civilization's advancement won't be sent to the entire Galactic Federation, it will still be publicly announced in nearby star systems.

Especially for citizens who have formally joined a civilization, they naturally have a share as well.

The thought of the status of a Level 3 civilization within the Galactic Federation, and the strength of their own civilization's leader, Lister, filled them with awe.

There is still a chance to become a Level 4 civilization, a true Galactic Noble.

In an instant, everyone's minds began to wander.

Lister, meanwhile, continued his work on the final formation of the Civilization Army.

One week later, inside Merrick Castle.

Lister was giving Zahn special training.

Today, Merrick Castle looks much the same as it did in the past; it's just an ordinary castle.

However, the interior is actually densely covered with inscriptions and arrays, and all the functions of various advanced civilizations of the Galactic Federation have already been arranged.

This public training ground is the same, featuring advanced energy absorption, spatial expansion, and partial environmental simulation.

It's no longer just an empty plot of land; otherwise, it wouldn't be able to accommodate the promotion of officers like Zahn.

Notification: The Merrick Civilization Army Group has received approval from the Federation Military District.

"The current top leader of the Civilization Army: Lister Merrick."

Notification: You have obtained the authority to grant military ranks in the Merrick Civilization Army.

"Federation Military District Notification: Please complete the construction of the recruit camp and the recruitment of new recruits within six months. (Note: The number of new recruits should not be less than 20,000.)"

While training was underway, the notification of approval from the Merrick Civilization Army was finally issued.

Zahn's training in the Federation Shunpo has also stopped.

He stepped forward at Lister's invitation.

"The approval for the Civilization Army has been granted; I'll try to help you with the conferment of your rank."

"Notification: Captain Zahn and Captain Reck's assigned military districts have been transferred."

These were the only two officers actually brought by the Arcane Civilization Army.

Ultimately, it was out of gratitude to Rear Major General York that they were given a large warship, so they didn't have the heart to poach officers from the Arcane Civilization Army.

On the contrary, it was easier for non-commissioned officers; nearly a thousand were selected from the Landing Operations Department who were willing to come.

Notice: The conferment of the rank of colonel-level officer requires approval from the Federation Military District.

I never imagined that awarding ranks within the Civilization Army was so difficult.

The sergeant rank must be granted through the procedures of the recruit training camp.

At the officer level, junior officers can be directly promoted as long as they meet the hard standards, but they need to file a record with the Federation Military District afterward and are subject to review at any time.

As for officers of the rank of colonel and above, promotions can only be initiated by submitting information and materials to higher authorities; the final decision rests with the Federation Military District.

Of course, the Federation Military District doesn't usually block internal promotions for most of these Civilization Armies.

As expected, the approval process was very efficient.

The surprise on Zahn's face indicated that the notification had been delivered.

"Federation Military District Notification: Your rank has been reduced to Major."

"Merrick Civilization Army Notification: You have become the Landing Operations Department of Warship A01."

A01 was the warship designation given to this large ship by Lister.

The entire Civilization Army is currently under his sole command, so the simpler the numbering system, the better.

"Sir, do you have any information you need me to convey?"

At that moment, Tim had already trotted up to him from inside the castle.

Over the years, the Merrick Civilization has experienced explosive growth, attracting a convergence of various resources.

As Lister's former butler, Tim naturally had no shortage of these things.

Unfortunately, he lacks Class Holder talent and is only at level 5 so far.

He already looked like a middle-aged man.

If you fail to advance to the second job advancement, your lifespan Class Holder doesn't increase much; it's only about a hundred years.

On the contrary, it seems that all the shackles on Quint have been removed. Over the years, his strength has increased rapidly, and he has already completed three evolutions, reaching the 13th rank.

Its overall combat strength is not strong, only at the C level.

"I'm entrusting the construction of the Merrick Civilization Army's new recruit camp to you."

"In terms of time, we aim to complete it within five months."

"I'll send you the specific standards later."

"Sir! No problem!"

"However, the specific location is arranged as...?"

Let's schedule it on the fourth planet.

"While you're at it, inform Quint that he can start recruiting new soldiers for the Civilization Army. Make sure to inform lower-level civilizations and civilizations in nearby star systems as well."

Within a galaxy, half a year is but a fleeting moment.

But for the Merrick Civilization, it was another major change.

With the advancement from a Level 2 civilization to a Level 3 civilization, a large number of restrictions and blockades on advanced technologies were lifted.

In contrast, a new wave of infrastructure development is taking off.

Type II civilizations typically have technological advancements confined to one or two star systems.

Whether it's transportation vehicles, mining tools, or basic or specialized personal chips, they are all only applicable within a certain star system.

The planet's infrastructure is fragmented, resembling the application of a emasculated version of technology.

But once they reached Level 3 civilization, all the restrictions and shackles seemed to be lifted.

Transportation and mining technologies will immediately enable high-speed travel within the vast star system, utilizing technologies such as warp drive and high-energy propulsion.

Even the price of universal teleportation arrays has been further reduced, making them affordable for ordinary citizens of the Merrick Civilization, provided they have a stable job and can save up enough money.

Of course, these are just the visible benefits.

From the perspective of Lister and other rulers of the Merrick Civilization, such as Quint.

In reality, the Merrick Civilization was under considerable pressure.

Only by truly establishing a civilization and seizing power can one understand how ruthless the exploitation by the Galactic Federation is.

Originally, the Merrick Civilization might have been only a level two civilization, and was still within a century of preferential treatment, without any higher-level civilization.

However, now that the civilization has advanced to level three, the preferential treatment period has automatically ended.

The pressure from the Galactic Federation instantly weighed on the Merrick Civilization.

To enjoy the public facilities of the Galactic Federation, such as channels, teleportation platforms, and star system coordinates, one naturally needs to pay the Galactic Federation resources and taxes regularly.

This resource will be determined based on a comprehensive assessment of resources within the Merrick Civilization domain, as well as resources from its subordinate civilizations.

It is definitely not a resource standard that would allow the Merrick Civilization to collapse; on the contrary, it requires the entire civilization and all subordinate civilizations to work desperately to mine it.

A sense of exploitation was incredibly strong during those six months.

No wonder that in the Arcane Civilization, even on the most advanced ruling planet, there were basic recruitment notices scattered across towers throughout the entire planet.

The only way to directly alleviate the pressure of exploitation is to become a member of the Galactic Federation House of Representatives.

This is the political ceiling for citizens of civilizations other than Level 4 civilizations.

Once a planet has a seat in the House of Representatives, it will automatically receive a certain percentage of resource and tax breaks.

For a Type III civilization, this reduction would be an astronomical sum.

Not to mention, in the formulation of some public policies, they can openly favor their own civilization.

It's no wonder that every civilization wants a seat in the House of Representatives.

The Arcane Civilization and Yalan Civilizations hope to establish an alliance with the Merrick Civilization, and their influence in the Federal House of Representatives is also a crucial factor.

Civilization possesses seats in federal parliaments, which merely means it is less exploited.

To some extent, all Type III civilizations are objects of exploitation by Type IV civilizations.

This further strengthened Lister's idea of overthrowing the Galactic Federation's government.

Of course, his primary concern at the moment is not the Galactic Federation's exploitation of the Merrick Civilization.

Instead, it reflects the players' expectations and their imagination of the opening and conclusion of the seventh act of the game.

Although he's only a few levels away from level 180, he still needs the help of other players to reach those few levels and gain experience to upgrade his skills.

It could take him decades to recover on his own.