The Rise of the Black Plain

 A few weeks after Aurae's level-up...

Minos was back in Dry City this morning after several months in the Spatial Kingdom.

Earlier today, he had completed his final breakthrough within the 9th stage, reaching the last level of this stage, level 89!

After stabilizing his cultivation, he decided to return to his city and take a few days off to spend more time with his wives and children.

That was an important time for the world to prepare against the aliens. Still, Minos felt that a temporary break from his interests could give him new perspectives when he was too stressed.

Working with alien technology was very stressful. As much as he and his group were constantly learning new things, it was a lot of work to make improvements. Moreover, they were still far from understanding the core technologies of the people of The Adamant Land.

After leaving this morning, he left his Spatial Kingdom to take a breather and hear from his men how things were going on this side.

Leaving the imperial palace, he managed to reach the central part of his city before any of his men could reach him.

Looking around this place, well-lit by the area's lighting arrays, he saw many members of the government and army walking from one side to the other while some people were wearing or carrying things he had never seen before.

'New technology?' He realized what it was and how it had come about without needing anyone to explain it to him.

But in less than five minutes of watching the movement of his city, several soldiers caught up with him, and one of them brought him important news. 

"Your Majesty, it's good to have you back in the city. And congratulations on reaching level 89." A 10th-stage soldier said as he made a military greeting to a superior.

"Your Majesty, I don't want to interrupt your observation, but we have some urgent matters that need your opinion."

"What is it?" Minos asked as he looked at his citizens, noting the changes in his city, this place that had once been a barren, undeveloped end of the world.

"First, we have good news for the world. The strongest of the elves, Aurae Aegolor, has succeeded in her attempt to reach level 100 and is now the third to become a God."

"Oh? Is that true?"

"Yes, she's currently in the North Sea, catching up on what happened during her seclusion. We still don't know what she will do, but she may come to Dry City." The soldier said.

"Why?" Minos looked at him.

"Our state has received some advantages that only the strongest powers in the world received after the discovery of what's in the North Sea. She's a God, so it's possible that she wants to question us or change something that the Gods Maximillian and Vico have already decided.

She's supposed to be stronger than them."

"I see. And what else has happened in my absence?"

The Demigod replied. "Many things. As Your Majesty can see, the continent is being transformed by alien technology.

Many new things appear on the market almost weekly. These adaptations of alien technologies are already beginning to influence our world, giving more power to individuals at all levels but also facilitating cultivation, communication, transportation, and so on.

There is a positive side to all of this, but there is also a significant negative that has concerned leaders around the world in recent months.

With technological advances, more and more people are suspicious about the status of the North Sea and the sudden peace of the high powers of our world..."

Minos frowned. "Speak directly, General."

"Yes, Your Majesty. At the moment, groups of people who believe in waging war against the aliens are already gaining notoriety on the Divine and Central Continents.

There are even radical groups fighting against the technological advancement of the Spiritual World and calling for surrender." The General said as the soldiers around Minos felt anger at these cowardly people.

Minos didn't express his thoughts when he heard this, but he was really disappointed.

How could anyone prefer slavery or even death to fighting for freedom?

The fight for freedom would have its dangers, and many would die. But wouldn't it be better to die fighting for the chance to live the way they wanted to than to be humiliated, possibly beaten, tortured, and then killed by a ruthless enemy?

That's what most of the strongest people in the world thought, and that's why they didn't talk about surrendering. They wanted to strengthen themselves as much as possible and try to fight their enemies at least once before giving up and surrendering.

Many would prefer to die, while others were willing to humiliate themselves if it meant living a minimally acceptable life. But even those who thought of the latter alternative saw the rebel movement to fight the war in defense of the world as absurd!

"This... Are you serious?" Minos asked after a moment's thought. "Be honest with me. Is there such a group in my state?"

The General of the Black Plain Army lowered his head and sighed. 

"I am serious, Your Majesty. And yes, there is such a group in our state. After all, we are the largest state in terms of area and population on the Central Continent, and practically every state on our continent suffers from these rebel groups these days."

Minos clenched his fists in anger. "Wretches! Since these cowards prefer certain death, let's help them reach their destiny!"

"What do you mean?"

Minos walked over to the army headquarters and said. "We will start a program to surrender groups to the aliens and offer them to the rebels."

"What?"

"All those who decide to surrender will be marked for death. We'll kill all the fools who choose to serve the aliens! That is the punishment for treason against our state!"

All the soldiers heard this and looked at each other, remembering that there were not one or two people in the rebel groups but millions of people!

The Black Plain Empire currently had nearly 4 billion inhabitants. The number of rebels already identified by the army was over 5 million, a significant number of people for the state to eliminate with a single order.

"Your Majesty... We're talking about millions of people. It's not a small group. These cowards have a very attractive speech."

"How many are we talking about?" Minos asked as he walked alongside his men.

"About five million."

"Hmm, so if we count their families, it must be between 10 and 30 million. All right, do as I say. Start a program to make it easier to identify the rebels. Let's kill them all and expel their families from the empire!"