The Rise of the Black Plain

Upon hearing that information, Minos and Gloria looked at each other, understanding what was happening.

"So, that finally happened, huh?" Gloria muttered in a low voice, thinking about how correctly the church seer had predicted this event.

"I see..." Minos said to that coachman while feeling pleased that he had arrived in this part of the Kingdom of the Waves just at this moment.

'That will make things easier!' He celebrated internally.

The now-deceased King Walker was not a danger to the Black Plain, as such an individual had been living as a dying man for some time. But even in his final moments, he was still a cultivator. And as such, he could definitely sacrifice himself if he wished.

That's why Minos was glad that this person had already died before he started taking action. 

If that person was still alive during Minos' action, things could get out of hand, and such an individual with little to lose could end up doing a great deal of damage!

Consequently, this news had come at a good time for Minos!

'Now there is only one level 59 Spiritual King standing in my way...' He then looked at the beautiful Gloria with a thoughtful expression under his mask. 'As long as she doesn't act, or I manage to do it when she's not around, my mission here won't be difficult!'

He then said. "It is truly a shame that such a person died!"

"He was a great figure!"

"Sigh..."

"You are right, sir..." The coachman commented in sadness, sensing that a great storm was approaching the kingdom. "Now we will be left unprotected, just in this period when the Black Plain has proved so bold..."

"How unfortunate!"

"I just hope we don't get invaded and have our homes stolen." He lamented as he talked about the worst fear of many inhabitants of this state.

They already knew how dangerous Minos could be. And with one less specialist, they were more vulnerable than ever!

That was why this man felt so bad, even considering that he did not know William Walker, nor did he even have the best impressions of this late monarch.

After all, the known evil was better than the unknown...

Upon hearing that man's opinion, Minos was not annoyed at all, as he knew that such a thought was indeed a valid concern for these ordinary people of this state.

Not because he intended to invade this place. But because, besides the fact that they could not be sure about that, there were still other organizations in the region that would not miss opportunities like this!

Not all local organizations were into war, much less respected the families that were 'sacrificing' themselves for regional peace.

On the opposite, many small and medium-sized powers were waiting for the opportunities while watching their targets.

Once some states and certain territories of families involved in the war showed more fragility, many would make their decisions and would act to obtain more territories, population, in short, wealth.

That was not only going to happen in the future but was already happening in some parts of this region!

It was nothing very significant at this point, but it was already a matter that was beginning to gain volume!

So, Minos understood very well where this individual's concerns came from. 

"I expect the same thing..." Minos commented to that old man. "But I don't think this whole confrontation will last long. In a year or two at most, everything should be settled."

"Hmm, I think so too." Gloria complemented. "Besides the fact that the two sides in the war can't afford to keep fighting much longer than that, in a little over three years, we'll have a new Spiritual Tournament."

"With this competition, I believe that the sects of the Flaming Empire will try in a short time to pacify this region."

"Oh?" Both that coachman and Minos sounded surprised after that was said.

Noticing 'Albert's' surprise, Gloria promptly explained. "The empire sects still value the disciples they get in this region."

"After all, even if they are generally not that impressive, most of the time, the finalists are talented even by the standards of those sects."

"As in the case of the last finalist, Troy Newman, who is a promising young man who will probably become a Spiritual Emperor in a decade."

"And maybe he can go further in the future..."

"That, yes, makes a difference to the sects in the Flaming Empire. So, they value peace in this region and will probably try to achieve this when the next Spiritual Tournament is about to occur."

Hearing such things, that coachman was impressed by that young redhead's words, having noticed that these customers of his were not ordinary. 'These people must not be from this region!'

On the other hand, Minos looked at Gloria, curious about this. But before he asked his question, he thought of the answer to that himself. 'So, basically what she is saying is that it doesn't make much difference for the Spiritual Church to stop the war, but it does for the empire's sects...'

'Hmmm...'

'The sects of the Flaming Empire are powerful, but compared to the Spiritual Church, they are no different from small organizations in this region when compared to such sects!'

And that indeed was the problem. The church had to worry about problems all over the Spiritual World, and most of its most powerful members came from regions far away from this place.

As for the sects of that empire, they had only their state and the northern region to get disciples. Not only that, as much as they were the only ones who could host competitions in this region, constantly other states were 'stealing' talent from this area.

Considering that, even if this place was impoverished, it was still good enough for those sects to send negotiators seeking peace so that war would not impair them.

"Interesting..." He said to her. "From the way you talk, it sounds like the church doesn't intend to get involved..." 

Gloria then smiled and said. "Who knows, haha." 

"Tsk!"

'This woman...' Minos thought about it as he looked at her until he turned and observed that city's not very busy streets.

'Well, just in case, I'll threaten the two princes left in this kingdom and kill that level 59 cultivator left in the Walker family!'

'That should help me scare Kara's family into accepting that deal proposed earlier.'

'I'll do the same in the Snow Kingdom when I passed there to get the information from the damned Scourges of the Devil!'

...

As Minos and Gloria settled into that city before leaving for the capital of the kingdom, news of King Walker's death had already spread throughout the region.

Many regional experts already expected this since most of them knew that William's situation was not the best.

And so, when the information became public, none of them was taken by surprise.

However, even though it was not something surprising, it had put a lot more pressure on the warring organizations on the Black Plain. After all, another king had succumbed during this period, and regional power was eroding in the face of the steady growth of the Dry City forces.

On the other hand, even though William was no longer in power in the Kingdom of the Waves for some time, this state had been ruled by a regent, who a new king would soon replace. And a change of command in this crucial state in the region could very well be a problem for the war on the Black Plain!

After all, an inexperienced leader, who had perhaps not had the time to prepare for power, would soon take control of this most powerful state in the region.

What would he do? Would he continue the regent's war policies? Or would he take a more active approach to the war? Perhaps he would reduce his troops on the Black Plain?

It was hard to say, even considering that many powers already knew who Charles Walker was. After all, saying things while a prince, protected by all, was much easier than acting like a king of a state that could start losing the war in no time.

Would he fight to the end?

That was the main question, something the regional leaders knew that a figure like the regent would definitely choose. But what about Charles?

Maybe his courage would not go so far when Minos was slaughtering thousands of his subordinates!

Therefore, the regional powers were worried about this change the Kingdom of the Waves was about to undergo!