While Vico was preparing for the chaotic future of the Central Continent and Maximillian was updating himself on the situation on his continent, a group of people was arriving on the Black Plain.
After weeks of traveling carefully, without using wormholes that could leave traces challenging to erase, they passed through Cromwell in their carriages.
If Minos were near them in that city they had just entered, he would readily identify the people related to the Goddess of Life he had met in Veora Kingdom.
After his words weeks ago, these people had decided to come to the Black Plain Empire to meet Minos and try to search for information about their ancestor's heritage.
Now in this state, they were learning a little about Emperor Stuart's domain, noticing a somewhat different reality than one might hear outside this area.
There were different rumors regarding Minos' figure and the empire he had built. Some said he was an abomination, others that he was just a talented cultivator among low-level people.
As for his state, this place was usually seen as poor and failing but less bad than it had been before this man's meteoric rise.
These were the rumors, and naturally, they continued many inaccuracies in themselves.
Having passed through Vogel and now in Cromwell, these people had seen and heard different things, more accurate news, but also rumors more favorable to Minos.
There was a cult of the emperor figure in this state, where people, as much as they believed in the Spiritual Church and the spirit of the seraphim, revered the figure of Minos much more.
To hundreds of millions of people in this empire, Minos was a legendary figure who had broken paradigms and would one day still achieve feats to etch his name in the history of the Central Continent.
He was an angel of death to some but a father figure to many others.
Many loved him without even knowing him. When his name was mentioned, passion could be seen in any city in the empire, whether in Vogel, a newly conquered area, or in the inner areas.
Having seen this and noted the quality above what they expected in the innermost area of the empire, those three young nobles could not help but admire this man's accomplishments.
They wanted to take from him what he had gotten from the Goddess of Life, but they couldn't help but understand that Minos hadn't gotten his inheritance from her by luck.
He was very good at what he did!
And so, as they moved along without trying to attract attention from the people in that city, they talked about the person they would soon meet...
"It seems that the empire is currently experiencing a difficult situation... Many Spiritual Sages of high-level powers allied with the Church are interfering in the local situation."
"Will Minos withstand the current pressures?"
"The population thinks so." The level 80 young man said to his lineage companions.
"But it's a surprise how they live under so much pressure... The people of this state are genuinely confident in their leader." The protector of this family, level 85, said as he saw the outskirts of the city they were passing through.
Even though their group was basically made up of high-level cultivators, several of them Spiritual Sages, the people in that city where the strongest were Saints did not show much fear towards them.
This was obviously not because the local powers could handle threats of this level but because of the constant passage of groups like this through cities in the empire in recent years.
Not only were the powers influenced by the major factions of the Church getting involved with the Black Plain Empire, but powers from all over the continent had also been allowing their organizations to send people to this place.
So the number of Spiritual Sages passing through the region without hiding had increased considerably, and the local population had, in a way, already adapted to the new circumstances of this state.
Noting this, that man couldn't help but point out this fact that demonstrated the local stability in the face of threats at their level.
'If the population and less relevant subordinates act calmly before us, those higher in the local hierarchy will definitely not fear us.' That man thought, feeling that his group would have to be careful.
'Edgar didn't lie. We have to be careful. We can't act violently in this place without incurring great risks!'
"Let's continue our journey to Dry City. But be careful in your words and attitudes. Let's try a peaceful approach with this emperor."
The three had seen and heard enough not to be surprised by this advice and immediately agreed with the words of this subordinate.
...
Meanwhile, on Stone Island...
To the northwest of that territory, Lorelei Stone, currently at level 69, was standing next to members of the Black Plain Army, welcoming someone powerful.
The level 84 shark sent by Minos had finished its journey between that city where it and Emperor Stuart had formed an agreement a few days ago and the beginning of the Black Plain Empire.
The people of this island had already been notified about this shark on Minos' account and were waiting for it on the northwest side of this territory to guide this creature.
Lorelei was no longer so strong, considering the level of the current Black Plain Empire. Still, as the strongest of the family that looked after this area for Minos, she was there to receive this creature.
The shark saw these subordinates of Minos for the first time and once again considered how weak this human's strengths were.
Luckily he had a Spatial Kingdom, so he could still fulfill his promises to this shark.
Because of this, this level 84 creature did not make it difficult and greeted everyone, Spiritual Saints and Spiritual Emperors waiting for it at that meeting point.
After the initial introductions, it asked. "Minos sent me here for me to take the first group that will explore the northeast of the Ancestral Sea. Which of you will come with me?"
Lorelei then said, standing not far from the pier where the ships they would use on this trip were, "All of us, senior. Not all of us will participate in the underwater exploration. Still, we will be with the group to provide support and maintain communication with forces on the mainland.
We also intend to build an underwater base for humans, so even Spiritual Emperors will participate in this journey."
"Very well, I will let you lead the way as I sail below your ships, escorting you."
With that said, it wouldn't be long before this group would depart, beginning the marine exploration of the Black Plain Empire!
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