The Rise of the Black Plain

After some time, Minos' group arrived at the royal palace, where the Vogel family was preparing to receive their guests for this great day.

The festival occasions of Independence Day ranged from early in the day to late at night, moving between public and more private events to which only the local high state hierarchy had access.

There were many public events around the city, but most were just for the population to enjoy and relax.

The only public event in which the royalty and the leading local powers participated was the opening of the parade of the royal forces and state army.

Such a thing was to begin in a few more hours, even before noon in this region of the Central Continent, after the royalty's breakfast with their top vassals and allies.

Events like Independence Day for states worldwide were not just about the past or popular celebrations. No, such days brought local powers together, creating many opportunities for conversation between people who rarely saw each other.

Because of this, many negotiations took place around the capital on such days, sometimes resulting in conflict resolutions, alliances, and even marriages.

So, as they made their way with the Spiritual Church group to the royal palace, Minos and his wives knew that the royal breakfast was not insignificant!

Important people would undoubtedly be there, which meant that the chance of their enemy being there would not be slight either!

With that, they were prepared for a long day ahead, but with sensitive eyes for the direction, they were looking for.

"Your Excellencies, we will enter the royal palace now, so try not to get involved with people above the 7th stage or who wear that brooch..." One of the Church members in that group guided Minos and his wives while showing the symbol on the armor of a royal guard.

"So we can't even talk to the guards?" Abby asked in surprise.

The man laughed at his mistake and explained. "You can. You can talk to people with that symbol on their clothes or items. But those who wear a gold brooch with that same symbol, no. Only people of utmost importance in the royal family have things like that."

"Oh? I see..."

"In any case, these people will not try to cause any trouble for members of the Church, but it is better not to get involved with them. Some are close to local Matriarchs or Patriarchs, which could cause problems to you..."

Gloria then said. "Don't worry about that. We won't talk to any of them unless one of them talks to us first."

"Hmm, our primary goal today is to observe those who might have the information we seek..." Minos said. "By the way, any news about what you promised us earlier?"

This Church member they were talking to was the same person who had told them that there was this possibility of them attending this event. On that previous occasion, Minos had told this person about what they 'wanted,' and this person had promised him that the local branch of the Church would investigate suspicious signs of the Vogel family.

"The people responsible for that are still working. So, it might take a few more days before we get a result." He replied.

"OK."

After this brief dialogue, their group passed through a post of the Vogel family's royal guard, where they entered the palace's interior without difficulty.

Then, they soon made their way through the long corridors of that high-standard place, making their way to the area where breakfast was being hosted.

Two Spiritual Saints were leading this group, so it was obvious they would have access to the most important people at the start of today's events!

Then, as they stood silently observing their surroundings, their group quickly approached a place where several voices were mingling, and a delicious smell of food emanated.

"Your Highness is promising! Only 200 years old and already advanced to the 8th stage!"

"It is truly a blessing for the kingdom!"

"At this rate, it won't be impossible for us to counter the bloody Flaming Empire in a few centuries!"

Several congratulatory voices sounded from around a large hall, where tables were connected to form something similar to a 'U,' with the prominent individuals there near the end where there were tables.

There, Minos and his group saw several people with brooches similar to the one the previous man had told them to pay attention to and not to get involved with such individuals.

Among those people sitting around one side of the most critical tables, there was a white-haired man who emitted a noble, level 77 aura. To his right was a woman who should be of the same generation as him, probably his wife. Finally, to his left side was a smiling young man, who was nodding at the kind comments about him.

"You people flatter me. I'm not that talented, but I hope I can cultivate fast enough to at least help my royal father and the kingdom!" Abe, level 70, said for everyone there to hear.

In that instant, Minos and his wives came across those people, while the two leaders of their group drew the attention of the many people in the surrounding area.

That place was packed. Not only were almost all the seats around the tables there occupied, but many underlings of the local leaders who were there were waiting at the sides of this area.

So, when those two Patriarchs of the Spiritual Church appeared at the entrance of that hall, several heads turned in the direction of Minos' group.

"Patriarchs, it is our happiness to welcome you to my humble abode for another year!" King Vogel commented with a smile on his face as he raised a cup in the direction of those two.

The Church always sent people to participate in events like these, but usually, these individuals took turns. So, when the king saw those two faces he had not seen in decades, he could not help but welcome them warmly.

It was important to have good connections with each of these individuals!

Some might have the opportunity to go further than they could in this state, which he himself, the king, could not do given his limitations.

Thus, being friendly with these people was something he always tried, especially with people he had less contact with!

The two Patriarchs appreciated the warm welcome from King Vogel and soon greeted several of the experts in the surrounding area after exchanging a few words with the local sovereign.

They also congratulated the crown prince on his advancement to the 8th stage, an essential step for this local crown successor.

As they did so, Minos and his wives paid attention to each of the members of the royalty since if anyone had sent a Spiritual Saint to their state, it had most likely been one of these people!

On the other hand, Abe, who had been fretting over the actions of the Spiritual Church like a cornered animal, looked at the four people wearing masks, dressed somewhat differently, and looked strange.

'Who are these people? Why are people from outside the Church accompanying this group? And why are they wearing masks?' He wondered since Minos, Abby, and Ruth were not wearing the Church uniform, besides being disrespectful to wear masks in front of royalty.

'Are those the people from Iron Hearts?' He thought about what he had recently heard...