Byron spent most of the night centered around the mouth of the Candelaria River where it meets the sea, flying in spiral patterns that gradually extended outward, loop after loop. The more he surveyed the place, the more satisfied he became.

Violet's requirement one for building a shipyard and fortress city: possessing a deep-water river bay, gulf, or harbor, is fulfilled. This area boasts a long deep-water shoreline, capable of accommodating and building large vessels, not to mention wooden sailing ships with a draft of no more than ten meters. Even if future technological upgrades lead to the construction of iron-ribbed wooden-hull ships, Ironclad Warships, or even further to steel Warships, there would be no issue at all. Moreover, the natural barriers of the port could protect the shipyard from storms and other severe maritime weather conditions.

Requirement two: Proximity to a large river's mouth, fulfilled. There is the Candelaria River, which extends from the hinterland of the peninsula; it's one of the six major rivers on Yucatan Island. The abundant water resources can be fully utilized for water transportation and logistics, reducing costs and improving efficiency. The only concern is to be wary of the giant anacondas everywhere in the river.

Requirement three: Ample building materials. Nearby, there are extensive limestone, granite, and Obsidian, enough to build several fortresses. Obsidian is also known as dragon crystal and can naturally harm Evil Spirits and Nature Spirits alike, making it essential for overseas city construction. Requirement four: Proximity to cities with a significant demand for cargo transport. This location is sandwiched between Uxmal and Chichen Itza, with Tayapan upriver being the closest. Adjacent is the essential east-west shipping route; the location's advantage is exceptional. During the city's construction, labor can be recruited from nearby city-states, and those Bear Spirit Warriors capable of manipulating soil and stone would be quite ideal.

The two parties had already signed an exclusive operating contract. The Pioneer Navigation Colonization Company could establish branches or offices in all city-states rescued by Byron. They had the right to build fortresses on designated land to protect their own merchant enclaves and to appoint a Governor-General, recruit soldiers, and engage in further multifaceted cooperation with local rulers.

This area was originally an undeveloped wasteland of the Taya People, and Byron did not anticipate any issues in that regard. Moreover, it was precisely located in the middle section of the crescent-shaped Yucatan Island. Whether heading north to the already fractured Aztec Empire or south into the depths of the Taya Empire, the location was most convenient.

Through maritime transport, products such as ironware, Swords, guns, and more can be sold throughout the Yucatan region. This will serve as the center for expanding the Golden Law and the range of military force projection. Economic colonization begins from here!

The necessary mineral resources are also not an issue. How much is in reserve is not yet determined, but at least it can be confirmed that they indeed exist.

Byron spread his wings and landed outside a mine located in a valley. Mounds of red and yellow discarded materials were piled up there. He didn't need the Sailing Logbook's insight ability to recognize they were the Red Iron Mine and brass mine he was looking for. During his recent patrol, he had also discovered the "black stones that can burn," as described by the locals.

As for the exact reserves, that's not something I can determine with my naked eyes. It would require a joint evaluation by experts such as High Tower Sequence Naturalists, Prophets, Artisans, and Wilderness Sequence Treasure Hunters to produce a predictive report. Even if coal reserves fall short, there's a water-rich tropical river here, making it feasible to transport coal from other inland areas.

Location conditions, perfect; mineral conditions, slightly flawed. The only remaining key issue now... is to clear out these restricted areas!

Byron looked at the deep mine shaft in front of him, feeling the hairs on Falcon Alvin's body involuntarily stand on end. There's something inside the mine.

Without needing any tools, a slight flicker of the Golden Law allowed Byron to connect with his Gunnery Chief, Wynndort. This communication method conveyed not just sound but images as well.

The King's Right Hand: one King, one Queen, two War Chariots, two Bishops (or Prime Ministers), two Knights, and eight Guardians for a total of sixteen Ranks.

Within the core personnel of the Pioneer Navigation Colonization Company, the Mithril Dragon Catherine held the financial power as Regent King; Guardian Knight Bruh was a War Chariot; Blood-Red Whiskey Alfred was a Knight; Phantom Blade Gus, Honest Man Eight Fingers, Shipwright Little Hans, and Gunnery Chief Wynndort each occupied a Guardian's Rank.

Only core members confirmed to have the capability and absolute loyalty could be absorbed into The King's Right Hand. Adhering to the principle of quality over quantity, there were only seven people in total.

However, the Golden Law was still too weak at this point, so the benefits they gained from their Ranks weren't significant. The most commonly used feature was instant messaging, which was much stronger than the distant communication provided by Echo Conchs or the close-range communication of Parrot Conchs.

"Wynndort, the place you mentioned before... this should be it, right? The Chǐ God Mine?"

Byron's eyes reflected the image of the indigenous youth, who nodded solemnly.

"Yes, Captain. When a small tribe dug up Gold here, our three great city-states fought over this place. But one day, the slaves responsible for mining broke through the limestone layer below into a vast labyrinth of caverns and released a terrifying monster—the Chǐ God!"

"The Chǐ God, by nature, should be a Nature Spirit that has Fallen into Beastliness and turned into a Bizarre entity. It has no true physical form; the leeches, cockroaches, fleas, head lice, locusts, earthworms, rats, mosquitoes, flies... all the filthy vermin in the vicinity are part of It. As long as you enter that hot and humid mine, every single insect and pest you encounter could potentially be the Chǐ God. It's very dangerous. The most critical issue is that the mine's interior is so interconnected, we cannot be sure that mining elsewhere would prevent us from encountering It."

At this point, Wynndort paused. "Captain, do you need me to call for reinforcements from Chichen Itza to help?"

Byron declined his offer with a mysterious smile. "No need. I have my ways to deal with it."

He had been busy inspecting sites all night long, and it was already dawn. His physical body had already gathered the crew, and they were ready to depart.

The water in the nearby bay suddenly churned violently, separating into layers. Then, the Golden Deer surged out from the waves, having activated a Deep Sea Leap.

"Land, set up camp! Build a forward base and a simple dock!"

"Yes, Captain!"

A group of fierce Pirates, armed with boarding axes, rushed onto the shore with roaring cries. All of them were his most core members.

Given the recent incident with the traitor, loyalty can only serve as a supervisory method; it cannot fundamentally prevent crew Betrayal.

The matter of him obtaining a Barnacle Crab was not yet suitable to be widely known, to avoid drawing the attention and firepower of the Barbary Pirates.

Hence, the core members of the Golden Deer, in addition to the Pirate's Ten Commandments, had all signed an additional vassal contract backed by the Golden Law. Blood-Red Whiskey Alfred had signed one previously.

It was a contract document authenticated by the Fifth-order Legendary Law Mage, Mad King Henry VI, who was lucid when he communicated with the Royal Iron Law to notarize it. Once signed, any breach would result in direct retribution from the Power of Law. Even those of the Middle Sequence would likely suffer severe damage, while those of a Low Sequence would perish on the spot, one hundred percent.

The content was more or less similar to the one Bill signed with the York Family and Byron Tudor with the Newman Family. Nobility with significant property wouldn't sign such a thing, but it was essential for securing a batch of "trusted" subordinates.

These elite members, handpicked from the entire Privateer Fleet, would also be Byron's first choice for building his Guardsmen, enjoying the most substantial resource allocation. Loyalty for resources—a fair exchange.

The Pirates' first step ashore was not to rush eagerly into the mine shaft to clear the restricted areas. Instead, they set up camp and built several layers of defensive fortifications, designed to counter large creatures, humanoid beings, and small creatures alike.

Only then did Byron leisurely take out a Parrot Conch for close-range communication and contact that... Grand Wizard of the Bloodthirsty Cult's "Book of Giant Insects" sect, Swarm.

"Teacher, I was wondering if you might be interested in some... cherished vermin? During my explorations, I've discovered a highly unique Bizarre entity. Should I secure the location and wait for you? Yes, yes, of course! Rest assured, I will definitely protect the scene for you. No need to thank me. Why be so formal? It's the least I can do as your disciple."