The Rise of the Black Plain

The next day...

After the previous day, it did not take long for the news about Gloria and Minos' pregnancy to spread among soldiers, vassals, and even allies of Minos.

The revelation of such a thing had happened in a public place, where those most injured in the previous operation were passing or receiving medical attention. Because of this, the people present on that occasion soon spread the news to their closest family members and colleagues.

As there were allies and Minos' vassals among those people, the news also reached the more prominent families of the Black Plain and Stone Island. Because of this, even though many of the local leaders were exhausted from yesterday's attacks, they had rushed to Dry City with gifts for the future heir to the Black Plain.

Gloria had not even married the King yet, but since no one knew if or when his wives would get pregnant, everyone already considered the coming baby of Minos and Archbishop Frost, the local heir.

In any case, besides having eliminated more than 60,000 Spiritual Kings, with this big news coming from the capital, the most influential people in the region did not fail to travel through the early morning hours to arrive in time for breakfast in Dry City.

That was an opportunity for them to celebrate yesterday's victory, celebrate the many gains promoted by such an action, and improve their ties with the royal family.

So, they all made their journeys with smiles, even though they barely got any rest.

...

Upon waking up in the morning, Gloria felt her body rested as never before, followed the shower's sound, and joined her family in a hot bath.

After doing so, Gloria felt a hunger beyond the ordinary and was the first to depart from their love nest, following the delicious smell of breakfast.

Halfway there, each servant of the King's residence greeted her with sparkles in their eyes, congratulating Gloria on her pregnancy.

And she did not think this was bad, having felt even happier as she continued until she reached the place from where the delicious smell of breakfast originated.

When she arrived, several people who usually did not come to Minos' residence were with Dillian, Eda, and Abby's parents.

"Your Grace!" They rose from their chairs, looking at Gloria even more respectfully than they would do to an Archbishop of the Spiritual Church.

Gloria's power or influence in the Church was not much to those who knew what Minos had done yesterday. But by becoming pregnant, she could be carrying the heir to Minos' incredible powers in her belly!

Thus, their respect for her had considerably increased!

Seeing that, Gloria was surprised for a moment, but that did not stop her from grabbing something to eat, still standing up. 'Ah, how delicious...' She closed her eyes momentarily, ignoring the people in her surroundings.

Abby's mother then approached Gloria and said. "Congratulations on your pregnancy, Gloria. I'm sure you are all thrilled."

After being hugged by Nicole and then Eda, Gloria turned her attention to Elen, Elena, the supreme elder Miller, Mendy, Viola, and her mother. They were there to congratulate her and Minos.

Others were waiting in the royal throne hall, but since these people had access to Minos' house, they had directly come to this place.

"You..." She was about to say, as Minos and his wives arrived at that place, quickly receiving the kind words of those people as they settled down to eat.

After sitting down, Minos brought Gloria onto his lap, with this beautiful red-haired woman with a plate in her hand, eating with desire in her eyes.

But not only was she eating, as Minos gently held her waist, she was feeding her man in a way that the women there could not help but blush.

"Minos, I had no idea you would become a father so quickly..." Elena commented as she remembered his first time with her, about 15 years ago. "But I am happy for you. I know how hard you must have tried..."

"Hmm, I can't wait to see how your..." Mendy was commenting when suddenly, everyone there felt a terrifying spiritual fluctuation coming through the door of that place.

'Spiritual Saint? Who could it be?' These people froze as they felt an even more substantial fluctuation than those who had attacked the Black Plain several times in the recent past.

Everyone then turned their faces toward this person, a brown-haired woman that most there knew very well.

"Master!" Ruth said as she saw Maisie's beautiful face.

"This woman..." Minos continued with Gloria on his lap as she ate a piece of cake and watched for her mother-in-law.

Seeing that place full of people, who seemed in a festive mood, Maisie found it strange to see Gloria sitting on her son's lap. Even more so when, after noticing her, that redhead relaxed in his arms and fed him like a good wife in love.

"What's going on?" She looked at Dillian and then at Ruth.

Ruth felt a little bad for not being in that redhead's place, but she did not fail her duty to inform Maisie about the situation. "Congratulations, master, you will become a grandmother soon! Gloria is pregnant!"

"What?" Maisie's jaw almost dropped to the floor after she heard that, not believing that an Archbishop of the Spiritual Church had gotten pregnant out of wedlock.

Besides, she did not expect to become a grandmother so soon. After all, Minos was only about 30, and it was not easy for someone at his level to make a child.

Gloria remembered her problems with Maisie earlier and winked at her as she smiled provocatively. "Mother-in-law, what is it? Cat got your tongue?"

Maisie ignored that annoying girl and looked at Dillian.

That butler closed his eyes and nodded, confirming that Gloria was indeed pregnant.

Gulp!

She then made a single movement, reached over to Minos and Gloria's side, and touched her belly.

"You... You really..." She felt a tiny being growing in Gloria's belly, a being that had given her a very familiar feeling. 'It truly Minos' child!' She felt her connection to that little being.

A Spiritual Saint like her could easily feel the part of her own genes in the little being growing in Gloria's belly. And feeling her connection to her descendant, Maisie could not help but get emotional.

As Gloria smiled as she looked down, Maisie finally said. "Congratulations, my son, Gloria. I hope this child is healthy and strong." She felt her eyes water as she remembered how happy she had been during Minos' pregnancy.

Minos tried to ignore the part of the negative feeling in his being and closed his eyes to speak to her. "Thank you."

After that, Maisie felt a weakness in her body and sat there, forgetting what she had come to do in this place. 'She's pregnant... How did this happen? How long have they been together?'

After a while in silence, watching Minos' women helping him eat while the people there chatted, Maisie finally touched on the problem of it all. "I'm glad I'm going to become a grandmother, but do you know what you've done?"

She looked at Gloria with a disappointed look. "You already knew that the Church doesn't accept relationships like yours, but you still got pregnant... Do you intend to force him to join your Church, Gloria? Did you do that on purpose?"

Everyone was silent after Maisie asked these questions in an accusatory tone.

Gloria did not like this and replied in an irritated manner. "On purpose? I wanted to stand by Minos and have his children. I didn't do it for the Church, but for myself!"

"Is there a difference?" Maisie laughed. "The Church will not accept one of its own, especially a talented Archbishop like you, staying with a man from outside the organization."

"The Church doesn't need to know anything. I can handle..." She was saying, looking at Minos to assure him that she had not tried this to force him to join her organization. But then an irritated female voice came up.

"You can bet he's going to join the Spiritual Church!"

...