The Rise of the Black Plain



"When he departed this world, Henricus Longus washed his hands and wished us good luck," Minos said, making Starclaw and Nino understand that the mind of a God was not simple.

"That makes sense..." She thought.

Nino was impressed to hear a bit from his ancestor, even though he had practically abandoned them to their own luck after leaving them with that mission.

Even knowing this, he still saw Henricus Longus as a legendary figure whom he deeply respected.

It was not his position to judge the thoughts of a God!

"In any case, the ancestor has done much for us. It is we who have failed him." He said in an embarrassed manner, knowing that Minos had memories of this man. "I am sorry. This whole situation shouldn't happen. We should be on the same side."

"Hmm." Minos nodded.

"Do you think the threat warned of by the ancestor is too close to us? He left a message before he left saying that things would shortly happen after you found us." Nino said, looking at Minos. "Unfortunately, we don't know what a short time means to the ancestor. He was in the Spiritual World for over 50,000 years..."

Minos heard that and bitterly smiled. "It's not as long as you imagine... It must be decades to centuries, no more than that."

"But that's horrible! We're not prepared for that, Your Majesty!" He said in alarm, feeling that this was all very sudden.

"It's out of our control. We can only deal with whatever comes against us." Minos agreed that they were not prepared. "But if we are lucky, we will have some help.

A sovereign family from the Central Continent is already committed to helping us. Besides it, I believe I can reach another organization before we face the invaders."

"Will that be enough?"

"I don't know. All Henricus Longus foresaw was the arrival of an extraterritorial threat capable of endangering the entire Spiritual World. But I have no idea how strong they will be." 

Starclaw didn't like that. "Then how will we prepare?"

Minos answered sincerely. "Just think that our enemies will be Gods and prepare as if your lives depended on it. When the time comes, we will find out the truth."

Gulp!

The two felt a little afraid but soon had their thoughts pushed aside when Minos asked. "Changing the subject, what has your group planned, Nino? From what you said, you guys aren't strong enough to go against the patriarch's group."

Nino was silent for a moment and then said. "My leader has some plans.

First, he wanted to bring you over to our side. Not everyone in the Longus family is against you, so we do not wish you to see all of us as enemies.

We don't want the family to end up in a confrontation between your group and the patriarch's.

Second, he has already been contacting some allies to support us. We want to form a group strong enough for the patriarch to think twice before starting a fight against you.

We are seeking influence to move the hearts of the family leaders."

"Oh? So you want to dialogue?" Minos asked.

Logically speaking, this plan was not bad, just from its risks. The persuasion power was critical and could move interests.

However, he, Minos, was not a person who liked to talk to people who threatened him!

"We have no choice. If we don't dialogue, we will only weaken ourselves further, and the threat on us will be greater." Nino said with sincerity. "Many of us would die for our ancestors, but many others are afraid to die, Your Majesty.

I myself fear for my family, even though I am willing to fight against the invaders."

Starclaw looked at Minos, knowing that this person was not so pious.

Minos closed his eyes, and as he opened them, several spiritual swords appeared in the surroundings, falling on troves of trees heading in his direction.

Swooish!

"I have no interest in spilling the innocent blood, but those who threatened me are lost! Their punishment will be death!"

Minos said decisively, as the sentient organisms in the surroundings trembled in fear and pain from his decisive move.

Nino saw that and noticed how advanced Minos' Spatial Sword was.

Amidst this, he could say nothing to Emperor Stuart regarding his desire for revenge against the patriarch's group.

He sincerely believed it would be better to settle everything in dialogue and give the group of the strongest family elders a chance. After all, they were the only Demigods in the family.

Was it worth losing them?

But he would not question Minos. Besides being weaker, he really was loyal to Henricus Longus and that God's chosen one.

As long as Minos did not target the innocent, he would not object to this person's decisions!

"I see... But how will we do that?" Nino asked as they walked past the plant organisms that were approaching them moments ago.

"I will follow your leader's plan, but a little differently," Minos said. "We'll get some good mercenaries and improve our influence. We'll fight after we separate the chaff from the wheat."

Nino knew that Minos must have abundant resources to hire mercenaries, something his faction colleagues could not afford. As such, he said. "If that is the case, I have a few places for you to hire these people." 

Minos nodded affirmatively, indicating this fellow to guide them to mercenary groups.

Nino said. "There are groups in cities, but there are those that live more isolated and receive contractors at their posts outside the cities.

I know of two such groups where we can get high-level mercenaries. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes. Do they have level 89 mercenaries? I intend to hire only men at that level." Minos said.

"Level 89?" Nino was surprised at this because that was the maximum level of mercenaries in the Divine Continent.

Few men at that level would sell their services, so finding them would not be easy, much less cheap!

"I know of some, but hiring them won't be cheap or easy." He said, looking seriously at Minos.

"I know. Let's go to them." Minos smiled. "It would be nice if we could influence some Spiritual Demigods, but I think that will be hard to do."

So their group continued moving into that forest, with Nino putting the idea of having Demigods on his group's side aside since there was no news of such people selling their services.

For the moment, his focus was on the high-level Spiritual Sages, so he quickly changed his course toward a group that was a few days away from them.

Halfway there, he received permission from Minos to communicate to his people that he was already on the side of the chosen one. That way, soon, several of their faction members would move in the same direction they were going!