The Rise of the Black Plain

While Minos negotiated with Julian, agreeing on the points that needed to be met in order for their faction to have rights to the Black Plain Empire's food reserves, Niamh was with the group of Marine Empire representatives.

In another part of the huge tent, the level 92 woman who had been traveling with Minos for years was standing in front of a level 98 Marine Empire emissary.

Next to the high-ranking Demigod was a high-ranking member of the Sanctuary of Visions, level 96, who was watching the woman with a curious look.

"Niamh, what do you want from us?" This level 96 man asked. "I hear you're on a journey to accompany Minos Stuart to the North Sea. What are you doing on the central continent?"

"To answer the elder, we are preparing for the journey to the North Sea." She said as she prostrated herself before her superiors. "The North Sea is dangerous even for beings stronger than us, so from the beginning of our journey, Minos planned to travel the seas, the Continent of Beasts, and the Divine Continent to gather crewmates and strengthen ourselves.

His goal is to actually go to the North Sea in another four to six years. Nothing less.

The man from Sanctuary Of Visions was already aware of this, as there was a notice in his organization about Minos' visit, what he had promised, and about the group of members from his organization who were accompanying this human.

Minos had done what he had promised so far, so this man had no suspicions about Emperor Stuart and the possibility that he was using his organization to strengthen himself.

In any case, Minos was not expected to attend this event, so not only he but also the members of the imperial lineage who were there to represent the Marine Empire were naturally curious about the situation of the young Emperor Stuart's group.

In particular, they wanted to know what this woman, or perhaps Minos, wanted with them.

"And why are you here?" The level 98 Demigod asked. "Is Minos Stuart trying to contact us in some way?"

"No. I came here on my own." Niamh replied, getting right to the point. "Minos Stuart is more powerful than anyone can imagine. I don't just mean in spiritual power but in influence.

He's just made a deal with the Crora Empire for 3 billion tons of food, and I have a feeling he'll be making many more deals like that soon."

"Oh?" The Sea Folk men were surprised by this information, not expecting Minos to actually have that much food to trade.

'Is that why he came to this meeting?' The level 98 Demigod thought to himself. 'It makes sense. With so many resources, he could even get support from some of the strongest groups in our world.'

'So he doesn't know that you've come here? Would he make a deal with us? If he's already promised so much food to the Crora Empire, he might not be able to meet our demand." The level 97 Demigod said. 

"I believe he can supply our needs as well. As far as I know, the Black Plain Empire is a major producer of common food, elder." She said with a smile. "But he certainly won't be able to do business with many organizations. I believe he will make 4, 5, or 6 deals at most and not promise food to anyone else.

So, I'm here to suggest that the elders go to Minos for such a deal. He certainly needs a lot of what we have."

During the ice age, the creatures on land suffered the most in terms of food. 

Water's ability to retain heat far exceeded the atmosphere's, so the ocean floor could remain relatively warm during such eras, meaning that some marine food production would not decline during such a crisis.

However, a significant portion of the food of underwater origin came from a region where the light from the surface reached a strip of water that would be immensely affected during the ice age.

Marine food production would definitely decrease during the ice age, although the decrease would be less than on land.

So, even beings who could live on the surface or underwater might need food deals like the one Minos had made earlier with Emperor Crora.

"You have done well, Niamh. Please arrange a meeting between us and Emperor Minos Stuart's group." The level 98 Demigod said, seeing no problem in further strengthening the relationship between his empire and this young human.

...

An hour and a half later, Minos had already made two or three new agreements about food and had made reservations for the dragons, the Sea Folk, and Julian's faction.

With the food promised to Zac, Minos now had to gather the equivalent of 13 billion tons of food over the next few decades to meet the demands of these treaties.

That was small compared to his productive capacity. Still, his empire and its alliances before this day consumed most of what was produced annually. Moreover, his state would need a significant portion of its reserves during the ice age!

With this in mind, Minos didn't plan to make many more treaties than these four.

But with just these four treaties, he had managed to secure the future of the Black Plain Empire!

Over the next 20 years, these four powers would pay him about 15% of the promised food, enough for him to invest in the agriculture of his entire territory to protect himself from any future crisis.

At the same time, Julian, the dragons, and the Sea Folk would send 3 mid-level Demigods to the Black Plain Empire over the next 10 years, 1 every 3 years, starting at the end of next year.

In addition, when the ice age actually began and began to significantly affect the entire world, these three powers would take turns protecting that area with at least one high-ranking Demigod.

With that decided, Minos was one of the biggest beneficiaries of this first day of the world leaders' meeting, quickly attracting the attention of those attending the event.

Few knew what he had discussed with his new or old allies. But everyone at the event could easily see that Minos was the one who had met the most with the forces represented at the event!

It wouldn't be long before the elves turned their attention to him again.

'Minos Stuart... It seems that your influence is greater than I had imagined.' Thought one of the strongest elves in charge of the gathering, curious to see what this young man had to offer.