As they finished climbing the stairs to the platform, the three journalists came to a corridor leading to the structure's side area, where they could access the VIP balcony.
This place was made especially for these journalists and the many allies of Minos who were in this city at the time, who would not miss this event.
Many of Minos' soldiers and subordinates were not in Dry City at the moment but around the Black Plain, acting for the good of the war. But obviously, several of them needed to stay at headquarters in case things got out of hand here.
It was unlikely, but there was no way for Minos' group to know if or when an enemy powerful enough to destroy the local barriers would reach this city.
Consequently, the headquarters would always need to have the most powerful forces. That's why there were many Spiritual Kings in this city, even during the war.