The Rise of the Black Plain

"What is it?" Minos asked, interested.

That sect master then said, pleased to see the interest in the eyes of that man before him. "My sect is related to the Immemorial Graves Sect. Because of that, we have some ancient books, scrolls, techniques, and one of those prehistoric creatures in our area."

"Oh? You are descendants of those people who escaped?" Minos felt surprised by this information, not expecting so casually to find such people so close to him.

"Not exactly." That man answered sincerely. "In the remote past, my ancestors did some kind of business with a merchant family and got those books and techniques.

But I don't know whether those merchants were people related to Immemorial Graves Sect or not.

As for the bones, we only understood what they were after we got those books. But they have always been in the territory that belongs to us today."

Minos understood the situation and didn't think it was bad. "So that's it... Anyway, descendants or not, those bones and books in your domain interest me."

"I figured they would interest..." That man said, pleased to have something of value to Minos.

Those things were exciting, beautiful even, and had extreme power. But their usefulness was zero to that man's organization since they didn't know how to use the energy from those bones and wouldn't dare trade with higher-level powers.

That was not only because the books they had talked about the danger of letting those bones fall into the wrong hands but because trading with people much stronger than themselves was dangerous.

What guarantee was there that they would get anything? What would prevent someone interested in those bones or the books from simply taking them and killing this man's entire sect?

The Spiritual World was dangerous, so experienced men like this sect master and his predecessors would not take unnecessary risks for something they didn't even understand the value of.

But upon finding out what Minos had recently done and using the information he already had about Emperor Stuart having dominated the Immemorial Graves Sect, this sect master wanted to use that to his advantage.

Minos was not so strong that this man feared the same as if he were to try to negotiate with a high-level empire. At the same time, Emperor Stuart had a good history of someone fair in negotiations.

Minos had already said he would not offensively punish those who remained neutral in the previous conflict, so the chances of this man getting a good deal out of this were not low.

That's why he was willing to reveal such information!

"What does the sect master want to give me those things?" Minos got straight to the point, while some people in the vicinity paid attention to what they discussed.

Most of these people had no idea what these skeletons or the Immemorial Graves Sect were. But upon noticing Minos' attraction, those interested in approaching him started paying attention to what they were talking about.

That man then said. "We can talk about it... But for now, I only hope that sect master Stuart can take my sect off his 'blacklist.'

The rest we can talk about once the sect master visits the sect and understands what I have to offer."

Minos did not find this man's attempt to get along with this inappropriate.

Naturally, anyone with good belongings had an extra chance of being forgiven for a crime!

Minos could try to take these things by force from this person, but that would not only be bad for his image but also cause him to lose people, maybe even an entire organization, for something that could be negotiated.

Emperor Stuart was someone who was almost always willing to do business, so he would not be against at least trying something like that with that man.

If this sect master were greedy and asked for too much, things would get complicated. But Minos would agree to pay even high amounts to have the items discussed without fighting.

"Hmm, very well. When I return to the Black Plain, I will pass at your sect to learn about these items." He said after thinking for a few moments, more or less knowing what skeletons might be in that sect's area due to Henricus Longus' memories.

With that settled, that sect master bid Minos a relieved farewell, staying in that place to talk to the supreme elder Edwardstone and the princess later.

After Minos talked with everyone there, those two would briefly talk with those individuals, then isolate themselves and decide on the appropriate punishments and compensations.

Then Minos would finish speaking with each of the individuals who had made their organizations neutral in this conflict until he continued his conversations with those who had sided with Mortimer.

He would have the elders of the Gray Clouds Sect apprehend the individuals who had acted against sect members for them to be subsequently punished. As for the others, they would not get any deal to alleviate their punishments, and later that day, they would have to hand over large sums of resources to Minos' men.

The imperial family would still punish them, so like the other individuals in that place, they would stay there, even though they might regret their wrong choices.

...

Hours later...

Minos was at the moment relaxing in a room of the imperial palace of the Edwardstone family next to Ruth and Gloria.

He had finished attending to all the visitors who wanted to talk to him, ask forgiveness for their actions or choices, and even give him gifts.

Many expected Minos to become the new emperor of this state, so he was treated as the imperial successor, not just the savior of the empire.

Amidst this, his men were already collecting the compensation payments he had demanded from his enemies.

The amounts and the items were not insignificant. With such amounts, to get an idea, one could finance the development from scratch of a high-level sect of this state!

With the fine that Minos had demanded, he could buy land in the Flaming Empire as large as the area of Brown, build all the necessary infrastructure for a headquarters, and even hire all the required experts.

At the same time, with the items his men were already receiving, Minos could not only pay for the men needed in an organization of this size, but he could also arm them!

His earnings would be truly majestic in this state, something that would significantly benefit his empire, which was beginning to develop the areas of the ancient Wave, End, and Snow kingdoms, as well as Stone Island.

The Spiritual Saints of the Gray Clouds Sect needed many resources when they were not in the Spatial Kingdom, and the Spiritual Emperors also needed opportunities.

Minos had secured a few years of these opportunities for his force, even while ignoring the wealth-creation potential of his state.

With that, he had taken a few hours to relax and prepare to do the pursuit he had in mind.

His men were already investigating those trying to escape, and he was just waiting to go out and start a hunt!

But this would not take long!

...