The Rise of the Black Plain

As they finished climbing the stairs to the platform, the three journalists came to a corridor leading to the structure's side area, where they could access the VIP balcony.

This place was made especially for these journalists and the many allies of Minos who were in this city at the time, who would not miss this event.

Many of Minos' soldiers and subordinates were not in Dry City at the moment but around the Black Plain, acting for the good of the war. But obviously, several of them needed to stay at headquarters in case things got out of hand here.

It was unlikely, but there was no way for Minos' group to know if or when an enemy powerful enough to destroy the local barriers would reach this city.

Consequently, the headquarters would always need to have the most powerful forces. That's why there were many Spiritual Kings in this city, even during the war.

And part of them was there on that platform, ready to witness the show that Minos would put on for his people and those three journalists.

As an example of who was there were the elders of the Miller family in that city, including Abby's parents.

But obviously, they were all with their identities adequately protected so that disturbing things would not happen after those journalists left this city.

Anyway, when they arrived in that area, the three journalists promptly saw several faces unknown to them, but that they thought were essential people in this place.

However, none of these people were famous in this region or from large regional organizations. After all, even if these three did not know all the regional organization members, they would know how to recognize people relevant to such families.

As in the example of Abby, Celeste, Mirya, all of whom, like the Miller family members, had their identities covered.

However, some Elite Squad soldiers were there, individuals who did not have their identities covered. Among them were Barbara and Pyke.

But a brown-haired young man, who seemed to have great vitality, high-level appearance, caught the attention of those three journalists as he walked towards them.

"So, you are the journalists sent by the Night News, huh?" Minos asked those three men in front of him, who were wearing very similar clothes.

"Yes, but..."

"Who are you?" One of them asked in doubt.

"Oh, my pardons, hehe. I should formally introduce myself..." Minos laughed as he realized his lack of manners before introducing himself. "My name is Minos Stuart. I am the ruler of the Black Plain."

'So, that's him!'

'That's the person behind this city?'

'He's truly young... In fact, he looks pretty good for his age.' One of them pondered this as he noticed Minos' good looks.

Not that he was admiring young Stuart's attractiveness, he wasn't. After all, people could be more or less stunning depending on the genes passed down from their parents.

But Minos' handsomeness didn't seem like something that came from the luck of being well-born. On the contrary, it looked like something that was achieved through cultivation!

And considering that the leader of those three, despite his low level, was someone experienced, he could not help but notice this characteristic of Minos.

'This young man is not weak...' He pondered carefully.

After thinking about it quickly, the leader of those journalists was quick to greet young Stuart and introduce his group to him.

"Well, it is a pleasure to welcome you to my city..." Minos politely said while smiling apologetically. "It's just a shame we couldn't welcome you properly, haha."

"But I'm sure you guys understand us, right? We are at war, after all..."

"Oh?"

"Of course, we do, Mr. Stuart. We're more than fine with the treatment we've received." The leader of the three commented as he observed Minos' actions and words. 'It's good that he has assumed to be at war...'

"By the way, can we have an interview before the trial?"

"It would be nice if we had the opportunity to publish your visions for this place in the story we will be publishing..."

Minos then interrupted him and answered thoughtfully. "No, thanks for the offer, but no."

"Everything you will have to publish will be presented during Otis Silva's trial." He looked coldly in the direction of where this person was standing and then turned to the journalist who asked that question, making a threatening expression. "In fact, I recommend that you and your organization be very careful about what you do with this opportunity."

"I know that you three probably don't have the power to decide important things in the Night News, but don't take any unnecessary risks..."

Hearing this, those three people frowned as they understood that Minos was threatening them. 

"What do you mean, Mr. Stuart?" The leader of the three asked soberly.

Minos then smiled, watching them intently. 

"I will read the story you publish. Then I will keep an eye on the fulfillment of our agreement..." 

"I hope you will do as promised, report what you see here, impartially. Otherwise..."

'Otherwise?'

Gulp!

"Well, let's not talk about that now. The show is about to start..." He smiled again, finally waving those three in the direction of where they could watch the event.

Minos didn't want those people to try to use his plans against himself.

If the organization behind Night News decided to cut the facts and report this event from a favorable viewpoint to House Brown, he would end up losing more than gaining from it all!

And considering that similar situations had already happened in this part of the Central Continent, young Stuart could not help but remind them of the details promised by that organization.

Abby had communicated to them through letters about the possibility that awaited them in this city. And that organization had promised fair conditions so that Minos would not choose to talk to its rivals.

With that, Minos' threat was grounded in the very promise made by that organization, and he was willing to show these individuals that he would keep an eye on them.

They might be members of an organization that secretly operated the Night News. But did that truly protect them?

Minos was fighting against all the noble families of the Brown Kingdom and might have to face the Counter-Revolutionary Statute soon.

Would it be so hard for him to take revenge on a single noble family that turned against him?

It was very likely that he would die soon, but none of those three people liked the idea of being in the crosshairs of a crazy person.

Maybe he would find a way to carry out his threats before his downfall!

'Damn it, this rascal is threatening us!'

'No wonder he allowed us to come to his city!'

"Cough! Cough!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Stuart, we are impartial in every matter we get involved in!"

"The Night News will not reach the top if we rely on strategies like that!"

"Hehe, I hope so..."

After that, Minos said goodbye to those journalists and walked toward the throne on one side of that execution platform.

Regional tradition said that a member of the Spiritual Church should read the indictment and give his advice on what the culprit's punishment should be. Then it was up to the sovereign to decide on his own whether to follow the church's recommendation or give such person a different punishment.

If the execution were indicated as the punishment, executioners would do the dirty work and execute the law, on behalf of the sovereign, under the blessing of the Spiritual Church.

However, this was the Black Plain, a place without the presence of the Spiritual Church, a place that at the moment had laws against the presence of such an organization.

As such, Otis Silva's judgment had to be different!

Dry City had its own legislation that defined how cases like this should happen. Today, the hundreds of thousands of local inhabitants and those journalists would witness some of this.

Obviously, there were some changes for this particular case. Still, the local written laws' guaranteed rules were almost all being followed.

Before this trial, the soldiers of Minos had gathered evidence and proven Otis Silva's guilt in the various crimes committed against the Black Plain. 

With this, the population would now have the opportunity to hear the charges and evidence of Otis' crimes and then participate in determining the fate of such a person.

The only difference from that provided by the local laws was that Minos would participate in all trial stages.

Today he would serve as the voice for that event, accusing Otis Silva, judging that person, and eventually, if decided, executing such a person!