The Rise of the Black Plain

"Uh... Th... That..." 

The people in that tunnel trembled with fear as they felt the coldness of what that brown-haired young man had just said.

They could not believe that Minos had said so casually that he would kill the leadership of the Walker family, one of the most vital organizations in the region.

Not that they doubted his ability to do that. They did not doubt it. But it was truly unimaginable to think that they would be threatened in such a way one day.

More than that, as much as they were 'fighting' Charles to secure Blake's position as local heir, they did not want to see their family destroyed because of it. After all, there was no point in taking power from a decadent organization!

So, upon discovering Minos' malicious intentions, they felt as if the world had played a trick on them, having made them fight so hard merely to get to this terrible point.

But that was the cruel reality of life, and they had no choice but to experience it.

"Uh... What did you say?" Blake asked that only to confirm that he had not imagined such absurdity. 

He wanted his younger brother to die so that he could enjoy the position of king of the strongest state in the region. But he did not want his family to be harmed, nor did he want the Walker ancestor to be killed for that to happen.

Consequently, he felt as if he had woken up from a dream in a terrible nightmare.

Minos then said. "Do you want me to repeat myself?"

"Well, let me put it more simply... Maybe you'll cooperate after this."

"Listen, I am giving you and also your older brother the option of saving your Walker family by guaranteeing its existence in the region after my ascension."

"If you do not take advantage of the offer, I will kill every single person in your family!"

"However, if you make the wise decision, not only will one of you become king. That person will also be able to rule this state with nearly total autonomy, even under my wings."

"If you accept the deal, there will be a few more limitations, but they will be small compared to the rest. So, I won't go into detail."

"In any case, I will let you choose your future after the thousand-year period."

"Isn't that great for you?"

"I still assure you that all of this will be validated by a Soul Contract, so there is no reason for you to doubt my proposition." Minos said as he opened his arms and smiled as if he had just presented the best of deals to Blake and those men.

Hearing such a thing, the expression of those people did not improve at all, and some of them even looked as if they were going to start crying at any moment.

"Can't we make a deal to avoid more deaths?" One of them asked in a weakened tone, feeling vulnerable.

Minos then shook his head in denial. "No."

"Some people need to die to set an example."

"On the other hand, I find it hard to believe that some individuals will accept a deal with me..."

"Then, to facilitate peace between our territories, I'm afraid some need to be eliminated!"

"I know this may be difficult for you, but some individuals who do not accept changes will only bring trouble in this life and death situation."

"And unfortunately, I'm not a patient person..."

Gulp!

"Who do you intend to kill?" Blake asked in concern, thinking of his old mother.

And looking at that young man, it was not hard for Minos to understand what Blake was talking about. "I don't know the names of most of the people I will act against. But they are the strongest in your family."

"However, I am not so cold as to ask you to agree to sacrifice your mother or wife. Then I can think of making that one concession for you and your brother." He said in a softer tone.

Blake's eyes then brightened. "Then..."

But Minos gave that prince no room to speak. "In the meantime, anyone above level 57 will come with me to the Black Plain."

"I will not allow such people to return until Soul Contracts are signed between me, the king, and the upper echelon of this state." 

Gulp!

'How terrible!'

'The family is lost!'

'On the one hand, we can be exterminated. On the other, we can be completely dominated!'

'Ahh, how pitiful!'

'What a great misfortune!'

Those individuals thought these things while the silence in that place made them feel frightening chills.

"Then?" Minos asked that after a few seconds in silence. "Blake Walker, do you choose peace or death?"

"I particularly prefer peace, but I don't mind causing a bloodbath in this city." He said as a red-bladed sword appeared in his right hand.

When they realized this, none of them were surprised to see that Minos had a weapon of such quality.

They only confirmed their worst fears!

"Tsk!" Blake made a tongue-lashing sound as he turned his face contritely, feeling terrible for making that decision.

He then tried to swallow his anger and resolve this matter in the only way that could ensure his and his family's survival. "All right, I assure you I will try to follow your lead." 

"Hehehehe, it seems you are not so bad..."

"Well, then, for now, that's what I had to talk to you about..." Minos said as his eyes slowly began to shine. "Is there anything else you guys want to know?"

"I'm afraid I'll have to make sure that none of you do anything for the next few hours..."

Blake then clenched his fists and said. "Minos, I have a question."

"Oh? What do you want to know?"

"Earlier, it was said in a regional newspaper that you wanted peace. You just wanted to stay in your territory. But now you are making all these demands..."

"It was all lies? What do you want?"

"What a stupid question..."

"I thought you wanted to know something more important..." Minos shook his head in a disappointed manner.

But he did not fail to answer such a person. "Well, what I said were my visions before I was attacked from all sides. But what did you expect after all that happened? That I would continue with the same intentions?"

"Don't be foolish, Blake. When you attack, plot, act behind someone's back, you must be prepared for all kinds of consequences."

"Now, you will all face the vengeance of the Black Plain!"

"As for peace, I still want it. But it will be with me commanding it while you all obey me!"

Gulp!

Infinite Dream!

"Now, go to sleep!" He said in a chilling tone, as finally streams of spiritual energy shot out of his eyes, quickly going at those five people.

And as those people continued with fearful expressions on their faces, Minos' invisible attacks hit them, knocking them out in a split second.

Puff!

Finally, their bodies fell to the ground, already passed out.

"Sigh..."

After that, Minos sighed as he watched them for a moment, satisfied that everything had occurred as he wanted.

'Well, now I'll take these people with me so there won't be any trouble...' He thought about this as he placed arrays around the necks of those individuals.

He did not want to leave them here because there was a risk that people from Charles' side would find and kill them. But since Minos had already reached an agreement with Blake, he did not want to risk losing this future subordinate.

There was a possibility that Wilfred would refuse his good intentions. In this way, keeping Blake alive was essential for Minos, as the remaining option might not have a very long life...

So, he put those arrays around their necks to ensure that if they woke up, they would not do disturbing things to him.

Minos was not a fool to think that just because Blake had agreed to his proposals earlier, such an individual would not be able to go back on his words. After all, it was effortless to accept anything when you 'had a knife at your neck' threatening you.

Therefore, to avoid possible problems caused by the courage that came after the danger passed, Minos sealed their cultivation.

'Well, time to go!' He thought about it in animation, feeling that tonight would be an excellent night for killing.

'I will check Gloria's position, and as soon as I confirm that she is not in the royal palace, I will act!'

After that, he quickly carried those people to the Spatial Kingdom, where they could be safe. But, at the same time, because of both the mental attack and the arrays around their necks, none of them would be able to feel anything in that place.

Then, Minos headed back to his rented carriage, peacefully thinking about what he would do tonight!