The Rise of the Black Plain

"Are you sure?" Mirya asked as she swallowed her saliva and eagerly awaited her daughter's response.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Hearing such confirmation, Mirya turned on her side and then brought one of her hands to her face as if she was trying to understand all this information.

'This is very strange, is the organization behind Minos really in that town? Or is it something else?'

'Is their financial power that great? But why invest in the Black Plain? Are there any special reasons?' She asked herself several questions, trying to understand the situation, but she couldn't think of such answers.

She then muttered something. "Who is the current sovereign of the Black Plain? Are there any sovereigns there? Or is it just a regent?"

Viola then shook her head in denial, hearing her mother's voice but not responding to it. Despite both being members of noble power, they didn't know about these details from another state and a region famous for its poverty!

She could even know more important things, such as the Silva family's inherited the Red Valley, as this was regionally relevant information. But when it came to specific news, not only they, but any member of powers outside the Black Plain, would fail to know that kind of intelligence in advance..

At least none of them would bother to seek that kind of information before something had happened, as in the case of Mirya and Viola.

"How should we act? Maybe inform the family and ask for information from the Black Plain?" Viola broke the silence with this question, still watching her mother standing beside that big sofa.

Mirya then actively denied such a thing by saying her opinion on it. "No! Are you trying to throw this opportunity away? That place you went to is most likely the foundation of the power behind Minos!"

"What? Why do you say that? Why would he have relations with that city?" The young woman asked doubtfully, not understanding how her mother had made such a link.

"At that time when Minos had come to me to negotiate, he wanted to pay me to close my eyes while he took unemployed people from this town to his territory. That's where the many crystals that have nurtured you in recent months came from and also what enabled me to reach my current level!"

"This... So, my students' families are going to his territory all this time?"

"Probably."

"You knew all this and didn't tell me anything?" Viola asked this, already with a slightly irritated expression.

"Haha, I didn't know where they were going, so what difference does it make? Not to mention that my agreement with him had already ended when these families started to move. So, I really couldn't be sure about that, as my subordinates never managed to follow those families successfully."

"What? I didn't find any difficulties. Are you sure they didn't?" The daughter asked her mother, trying to understand better why it had been different with her.

"I don't know, maybe they let us figure it out, or it was a mistake on their part. But, anyway, considering what you told me and the other information I have, I believe there is more than 80% chance of Minos having a connection with this place."

Viola then understood better what was going on and asked. "So, do you think we should go to the Dry City? Why do you think we will have opportunities with Minos? That is, if he's truly related to that place..."

"Yes, I believe that going to that city is a good alternative. Because I don't think there is any threat in that place, as they wouldn't hide under a defensive barrier if they were strong enough."

"Furthermore, even if Minos has nothing to do with that place, this town is certainly recruiting outsiders, as the Black Plain has never had a large population. That way, they won't attack people who go to that place in peace, as that would be bad for business!"

"As for the opportunities we can find in that place, haha, Viola, it seems you didn't learn everything you could from this old mother of yours..."

"We can offer all sorts of services secretly to that place, and then we'll get even more voluminous resources than what I've gotten before!" Mirya explained this with a sparkle in her eyes.

She knew that if this place were recruiting, then it would certainly be a constantly growing place. And as such, there would be needs related to professionals, materials, food, etc. The possibilities were endless, and this experienced woman could provide it all!

Because, although she was not a trader, due to the main feature of the City of Waters, a port city, she could import resources with some ease. And even if Minos wanted more ordinary people like those in the previous agreement, this woman still had her means!

She couldn't get more people out of the City of Waters, which could result in enormous problems for her in the future. Still, she had a lot of 'contacts' throughout the Cromwell Kingdom...

People in positions similar to hers would undoubtedly agree to get a few hundred thousand crystals without having to do much...

So, she was sure she would have plenty of opportunities in the Dry City!

Viola then felt excited about this and appreciatively  commented as she approached Mirya and hugged her. "This is amazing, Mom!"

After that, she then asked. "But when will we travel? Do we have to make any preparations?"

"We will travel today! We can't waste time if that place let us figure it out, or it was just a mistake, so in both cases, it shouldn't be long before more people get there. That's why we'll travel there as soon as possible, to enjoy the benefits for longer!"

"I just have to make some arrangements, and then we'll leave."

Hearing this, Viola understood what should be done and was ready to leave that place and go sort out some of her affairs, when suddenly she remembered something and said in a worried tone. "But mom, won't this deal you made with Minos earlier harm us?"

"Of course not. What proof does anyone have that I did something? Even if there are doubts in the future, it won't matter. Everyone knows that subordinates sent to manage distant territories always take advantage of these opportunities to gain some earnings."

"And there was no harm done to the Stokes family..."

After that, the two talked a little more about it until, eventually, they each went their own way, settling their matters before they left for young Stuart's territory.

...

Meanwhile, in the Stone Island capital...

It was another summer day in this great metropolis. At this moment, the beautiful Elen was enjoying the excellent weather inside the Nash family property, in the large garden of this place.

She was walking in that place while resting from her train until finally, the figure of an elderly man approached her with a grave expression on his face.

"It appears the Allen family has partnered with the Farmland region powers to surcharge all products coming from our alliance organizations, Miss Elen."

"And there seems to be much more on their agreement…" The man began to advise Elen about the latest events relating to the trade war that was in effect on Stone Island between the powers that were against the business of Elen and in favor of it.

The escalation of tensions has been constant in this region lately. There were continuous conflicts involving Spiritual Kings on both sides, sometimes even resulting in some deaths.

And despite the calm weather in this big city, the truth was that everything else in this city was in tension, with all sides, even the ordinary people, preparing for the worst...

Whenever people from different sides found themselves on the streets, conflicts could happen for the smallest disagreements. With this, many ordinary people already feared being involved in such a thing.

As for the local royal family, this organization seemed interested in just watching the show, having acted only in situations that directly offended them...

"Okay, let's make a conference with our allies to give our reply!"