The Rise of the Black Plain

Upon hearing Abby's question, that man could not contain himself and said what he thought or knew under the effects of her innate ability. "I don't know His Highness to say if yes or no, but he can probably be considered an ambitious person."

"He seems very focused in his activities and does not tolerate mistakes."

"Would he violate the rules of the Church to get a higher position?" Abby rephrased her question.

"I don't know..." That Spiritual Emperor answered sincerely, while his body trembled from trying to reject the manipulation caused by Abby's powers.

Meanwhile, the three opponents of Minos' group were already in the surroundings, silently observing that area with several pilasters and low light.

Only a small side window on top of one of the basement walls allowed light to pass into that space.

'They are talking about His Highness!' The Spiritual Saint's eyes widened as his heart beat faster and faster at the possibility of what would happen there.

He heard Abby's voice. "You don't know anything compromising?"

"No."

"And who would know? I bet there are Spiritual Emperors who are closer to him, no?"

He continued to tremble as he said with difficulty. "That would be his secretary. But that person took her post just recently, so even she won't know much..."

"Only those above level 69 would have sensitive information." He commented, startling the Spiritual Saint and the other two men by his frankness in telling the truth so quickly.

'Is he on drugs? Are they forcing the truth out of him?' The Spiritual Saint noticed the bluish fog in the surroundings of that subordinate of the royal family.

'Damn it!'

'Those bastards of the Spiritual Church even have someone with such a good ability!'

'With that, they only lack the strength to be able to remove the truth from someone who knows something!' He clenched his fists and began to breathe faster.

"Boss..."

As his companions tried to warn him that he was making too much noise, Minos and his wives turned toward them, already in fighting positions.

"Who's there?" Minos asked, but he already knew who these people were.

He had no idea of their identities, but he was aware that these people were the ones who had been watching them for the past few days.

Abby then used some of her strength to end that hostage from them and positioned herself next to her team.

At this decisive moment, the two Spiritual Emperors were in doubt about what to do, but soon their leader stepped forward out of the shadows.

"What is the meaning of this? What is the Church doing kidnapping a subordinate of the royal family?" He asked, pretending he had not heard their questioning.

Minos and his wives stood almost face to face with those three men, none of those three hiding their faces, despite the camouflage clothes they wore.

The leader of the Black Plains then said in a grave tone, trying to compel these people to act. "I suspect that your family has committed a heinous crime. So, naturally, we are investigating the matter. Why? Are you here to talk?"

"Heinous crime?" The two Spiritual Emperors looked at each other, not understanding what this was all about but certain that there was more there than meets the eye.

The Spiritual Saint sensed that Minos was looking for the crime committed by Abe's group, which could end their entire organization. "You are making unfounded accusations! What proof do you have? How can you act against one of our own without any evidence or witnesses?" He asked in a more agitated tone.

But he did not give Minos a chance to answer.

"I think you're trying to harm us on purpose!" He said before looking at his two companions. "Did you see what this woman did? She was manipulating our subordinate!"

He looked at Minos' group again, pointing one of his fingers as if he was showing those two the world's most remarkable criminals. "I bet they're up to something nefarious! They were probably going to manipulate our subordinate into confessing to lies!"

"What?"

"It can't be! Why?" The two exclaimed, realizing that Abby's powers seemed sinister and this group was trying to sabotage the Vogel family.

A spear appeared in one of that Spiritual Saint's hands, and he said. "I feel you are enemies of House Vogel and traitors to the Spiritual Church. Surrender now peacefully, or we will have to act in self-defense!"

"Oh?" Minos opened his mouth, pleased that such a person had decided to act.

It would have been much harder for him to prove the Vogel family guilty if they had ignored him. But with this Spiritual Saint willing to act, that showed all the guilt of this organization, enough for the Church to consider action against them!

That was why he had said the previous words and was happy with the enemy's stance.

As for the power difference between their groups, he did not think he was at such a disadvantage there.

Minos then smiled and said. "I'll give you the same chance. Surrender now, and you may be able to save yourselves. Otherwise, prepare to face extermination!"

"You have sent Spiritual Saints to Black Plain, a far more heinous crime than the one committed by Furious Shadows!"

As the two Spiritual Emperors frowned, the Spiritual Saint's face became darker, with him realizing that the opposing side had already figured it all out.

"Fallacy! You're crazy!" He shouted as he circulated his energies, already preparing to act. 'First, I'm going to kill this wretch just to make sure that bigger problems don't happen!'

"Men, these people don't listen to the voice of reason. So use lethal force. There's no need to spare any of these people!" He said as Minos' group also prepared to act.

Minos looked at Abby and Ruth and then said without delay. "Do as I instructed earlier. But don't hesitate. This battle will be over in a heartbeat!"

"All right!" The two replied while Gloria was in anticipation to see what difference Always Up would make to these three at this point.

The effects of that herb on her body had already passed, and only Abby, Minos, and Ruth could still experience such a thing.

But since the difference between her and that Spiritual Saint was only one level, and she probably had better techniques than his, she knew that the battle was not so unfavorable to her group.

That even considering that there were two other opponents there who, in typical situations, would be strong enough to cause danger to them.

Hence, despite being pregnant and at a disadvantage in terms of level to her group, Gloria was somewhat excited and curious if they could achieve Minos' ambitious plan.

Minos saw that the enemies were about to attack and commented provocatively to that Spiritual Saint. "If you will not surrender now, prepare for the ultimate consequences. We will kill these two and force you to talk!"

"Tsk!"

Without another word, the three flew towards Minos' group as black rings began to appear from the bodies of those two Spiritual Emperors.

Devouring Art!

...