The Rise of the Black Plain

While Minos was following that imperial guard, the master of the Holy Sect, who was on the outskirts of the imperial palace, saw him and approached him.

"Sect master Stuart, yesterday you greatly contributed to the entire empire. I thank you again for that and hope our organizations can work together in the future." This man said, happy that he had made the right choice.

"Certainly, sect master Schultz. Your organization and my state share much in common and can help each other." Minos said, thinking about how advantageous it would be to have alliances with this leader who ruled the area between the Flaming Empire and part of the Vogel and Rosser border.

That man then asked. "What does the sect master Stuart intend to do from now on? Are you going to pursue Mortimer?"

"No, I intend to settle some matters locally and stick around for the next few weeks. After that, if there are no problems, I will return to the Black Plain to prepare for my trip to the Flowers Kingdom.

I won't be going after Mortimer in the short term..."

"Oh? So you intend to go and rescue His Majesty..." Kevin Schultz muttered, not expecting that Minos would actually follow through on his words.

After all, after such an exposition of strength, wouldn't it be expected that he would rather let Isabella take over the local throne? He could still keep his promise to rescue Harold in the future when he was already married to the princess, or rather a queen.

But from Minos' words, it seemed that this emperor was not coveting this state.

"I told the supreme elder Edwardstone a few months ago that I would fulfill my promise in 2 years. I intend to complete what I told him." Minos said while the imperial guard guiding him sighed in relief.

That guard did not feel as frightened of Minos as he did of Mortimer. After all, Emperor Stuart had a legitimate relationship with the princess and stood by them in this difficult time.

Kavin also felt relieved, thinking it would be better for this state to gain a new leader through marriage and with Harold's presence than otherwise.

"I understand... Well, then, I wish you good luck. I know that the next few days of the sect master will be busy, so I bid you farewell." Kevin said after a few seconds. "When you want, send your men to my sect headquarters, and we'll make some arrangements."

"Certainly."

So Minos arrived in front of where the supreme elder Edwardstone was waiting for him.

He soon passed through the front door of that old fellow's house, without delay finding him drinking and smoking in a leather armchair, still wearing the armor he had worn the day before.

"Supreme elder..." Minos said in a low voice as he stood next to this fellow, who had a lost look on his face at the moment.

"Congratulations on the level you have reached, sect master Stuart. I'm sure your grandfather is proud of what you have accomplished..." That man said without changing the expression on his face.

Minos remained silent, watching this man who had a cigar in one hand and a glass of drink in the other.

"Now the Black Plain Empire will be able to achieve everything it desires. Finish dominating the northern region and, in a few years, absorb the rest of those four territories...

Then it will be us?" He asked Minos as he looked at a painting in his living room depicting a bloody war.

Minos closed his eyes and sighed, "What are you talking about?

My goodness, the way you talk, you even sound like you'd rather I had let Mortimer kill you all and take over the state."

"No, I wouldn't want that.

But you hid a power of that level... At the same time, even if His Majesty returns, what difference will it make? You can already beat Mortimer, so in a few years, no one will be able to stop you." He said in a depressed manner as if he was giving away the game.

"Supreme elder, someone is always above you in the cultivation world. But that's not why weaker states cease to exist, or weaker leaders kill themselves just for the sake of it.

The Flaming Empire is weak compared to the empires of the Divine Continent... So you will lament this too? Have the hundreds of thousands of people on that continent who personally can destroy this entire state ever worried you?" Minos asked.

"That's different!

You've seduced the princess, you're getting involved in the affairs of the imperial family, and now, in addition to having more power than us, you'll have more influence.

How could I not be concerned?" That elder looked Minos in the eye and asked firmly.

"Then there's nothing to do. There's no point in us talking anymore." Minos turned and walked toward the exit. "If you can't stand the pressure, give up the position of regent.

In any case, don't call me here anymore if you will talk such nonsense. I don't have time to waste."

"Tsk!

Minos, until you rebel, you will still be a vassal of the imperial family.

Don't forget that!" The old supreme elder stood up from where he was standing and shouted.

But Minos would not even turn to look at him. He knew there was no point in dealing with a decadent old man who was not so confident in himself anymore because someone with a bigger 'dick' had appeared in the area.

The imperial guard who had led him there heard everything and sweated in nervousness.

Gulp!

"Sect master Stuart, don't take the regent's words seriously. He is the oldest person in the family and, at the end of his life, sees our house in such a weak state, with no way to protect itself..." He said this in a low voice just for Minos to hear.

That was indeed not a lie. The supreme elder of the Edwardstone family was even older than Harold, currently over 6.4 thousand years old!

He had only a few decades to advance a stage or die of old age. As such, at this time, when he did not know what fate his family would meet, this man was very depressed about the possible decay that would come after his death.

Minos heard that warning and sighed. "Just because he is dying doesn't give him the right to irritate others.

From now on, I will only deal with Isabella. If that old man calls me, don't waste your time going after me."

Thus, Minos left that imperial guard behind, heading toward one of his subordinates from the Gray Clouds Sect, who was already waiting to take him to meet with the empire's leaders.

Minos could already sense many powerful auras in that palace that were not there the day before. So he already knew who these individuals were and why they were there.

"Sect master, the patriarchs and sect masters are here to see you." A level 77 man from the Coleman family said this to him.

Minos nodded and asked. "Is anyone from the major organizations missing?"

"Of the eight major sects and the 50 most powerful families, disregarding the Saints Killing Sect and their families, only one sect and their respective families did not send representatives."

"Is that so? It looks like someone decided to run away and take their entire organization away..." Minos muttered before asking. "Which sect chose that fate?"

...