The Rise of the Black Plain

"What is it? What's wrong if I get stronger than you? Wouldn't it be good for you if I followed your plans and were stronger than you?" Minos asked Oswald, not understanding this fellow's complaint.

Oswald closed his eyes and bitterly smiled. "That's not what I'm talking about..."

'How can he call his grandfather an old man?" He wondered since no one dared to say things like that in front of him, and he could not help but feel a little shocked after Minos' words.

But Minos was unaware of his grandfather's thoughts and just stood there in silence, noticing the elders in the surrounding area arguing among themselves.

"His words are exaggerated, but he doesn't lie in everything..."

"Though little, King Stuart does have new things that our youths don't have the chance to offer the sect."

"Our youths are just more of the same that we've always had here." One of the women there, part of a less prestigious noble family in this sect, commented on what was somewhat difficult for the representatives of House Terry to accept.

They had the 'favorite' in the dispute against Minos, so they had bitter expressions when they heard the advantage such a young man had against their candidate.

Since they had no way to contest this, they could only remain silent for the time being.

Then someone there asked. "But Minos said he's not interested in the sect... Hence, what's the point of this discussion? Besides, even if he can give something to the sect, it doesn't mean he would!"

"Yes, not to mention that he doesn't respect us elders and acts in an arrogant manner."

The people there looked back at Minos as Oswald put aside his frustration at being just an old man in the eyes of his grandson.

He left it to the future to show Minos how amazing he was, then turned to those people. "Elders, don't take his words so seriously. This young man is just a child in our eyes. Can't we forgive one mistake of his? He has lived so long in the northern region that he doesn't know about the dangers of the Empire."

The women there nodded, feeling that these words were valid, even if Minos was even a bit annoying with his beyond-average confidence.

The elders of the Coleman family also readily agreed since they would not go against one of their own.

A woman there then asked. "But then, young man, are you going to seek this position or not? Your previous words hint that you are undecided."

Minos then said. "I haven't made up my mind yet. After all, I've only had two days to think about it. So how about you give me more time? A year will work for me."

The people there looked at him with open mouths, impressed at how he made demands just to think about whether or not he would accept this opportunity...

'The way he talks, it even sounds like we are a big weight about to fall on his shoulders...' Someone over there shook his head, feeling a little embarrassed.

'If he keeps this up, it won't be long before he tries to pull the emperor's 'beard' and cause a serious amount of embarrassment for the sect!'

'We're not asking you for a favor here...'

Some of them thought of similar things, but others voiced their thoughts.

"Tsk!"

"What's there to think about? Either you accept, or you don't. So why do you make it so difficult?"

"He wants to enhance his position to get more benefits... Tsk, though young, he's already a cunning little fox!"

"Minos, don't act as if we are burdens that need to be carried!" A member of the Terry family commented, trying to show the elders there that this young man disrespected them and the sect all the time.

Minos then said, while being watched by everyone there, "You people talk as if I am a bum without nothing to do... How can I accept that when I don't even know what consequences this will bring to my current plans and responsibilities?"

Minos had many plans and projects in development or waiting for the opportunity to be started. Thus, when considering his position as master of the Gray Clouds Sect, he had to study how this would affect his plans.

The problem was that doing this demanded time, and only two days was not enough, even considering how fast the mind of a level 62 cultivator could work.

Minos would only answer when he was sure of how the Gray Clouds Sect would affect his coalition, jeopardizing or not his present alliances.

Doing something like this without considering the possible consequences would be irresponsible!

At the same time, his becoming the master of this sect would bring new possibilities. That would need to be fitted with the current and future situation of the Black Plain for the best outcome for him.

But for this, he needed at least a few months to think this possibility through!

He then said. "I know some beings can die through their mouths after devouring more than their stomachs can handle. So I will not simply go for a new conquest when I already have too much to absorb in the short term."

Upon hearing that, Oswald was one of the first to understand what Minos had in mind. 'You intend to focus on Vogel, so in the short term, you would be overwhelmed with just that... Besides, becoming my heir would bring problems with those four states.'

A woman from the Moss family then said. "I understand your point. You are the King of the Black Plain and future sovereign of Vogel, so you have several commitments that may be affected by this answer, and you need time. But isn't a year a long time?"

"Next year, I will travel between this state and the Black Plain. So I won't make up my mind on the matter until I get to my territory and talk to my people."

"Traveling for a year?" The people there found Minos' words unbelievable.

Even the longest routes from this area where they were to the Black Plain took no more than three months to complete. So Minos saying that he would travel for a whole year seemed like a great excuse.

He then said. "Yes, I have some matters to settle in Albano, and I don't know how long it will take. But, on the other hand, I'm using these trips to train, then I won't be using teleportation ports."

The people there finally understood him. It was reasonable for youths to want to train while traveling since there were all kinds of opportunities for battle and even finding resources in similar situations.

Most people there understood his point and no longer questioned him about it, even though some were not satisfied.

Oswald then opened his hands and smiled, feeling that a year was not much and that this meeting should end now. "Well, none of us will feel bored in just one year. It will fly by, so let's not make things difficult for him..."

"Does everyone here agree to listen to Minos in one year?"

"Yes..."

"It won't make much difference anyway."

"When the time comes, one of you let me know..."

They commented among themselves, agreeing to such a thing until one of the Terry family members asked. "And what do we do about the competition for that position?"

"The youths will not simply accept Minos if he decides yes and does not demonstrate his abilities. But, at the same time, what do we tell the sect for next year? That we postpone that decision?"

...