The Rise of the Black Plain

Looking at Minos, Isabella immediately realized that this was the fellow she should tease for a fight since he was the only man there she did not know.

At the same time, she could not help but assess his figure, considering that Gloria had given herself to him, even considering her excellence and beauty of a very high standard.

'He is handsome, but not as handsome as I thought Gloria's partner would be...' She noted that Minos had a splendid form and checked his cultivation level.

'It's awe-inspiring that he has reached this level being so young. How old is he? 31? 32? That's less than half of what it took me to reach the same level...' She put his appearance aside to realize that his talent was exceptional.

And while using her soul sense, she noticed some of Minos' aura in those three women's bodies and promptly felt her cheeks warm up. 'What is this? What has Gloria gotten herself into? Even those two women have marks of her aura!'

Isabella was a virgin, so the kind of thing the group in front of her did was not normal for her. So, she could not help but be embarrassed to realize this when she was just analyzing Minos.

Meanwhile, Minos blinked at her, smiling as if he understood everything that was on her mind at the moment.

But, of course, that was just the impression she got since he was only interested in this beautiful woman.

"So you are Princess Isabella?" Minos asked after Gloria greeted that woman and introduced him, Abby and Ruth to her.

"Hmm, that's me..." She said, struggling to look him in the eyes.

"My wife was right about you, haha. You are gorgeous. No wonder she was so jealous on account of today..." Minos teased Gloria while massaging Ruth and Abby's backs.

As this pregnant woman squeezed her hands, Isabella then looked at Gloria, not knowing what to say to him. "Don't listen to that man, Bella. He's too bold, so just ignore him."

"Anyway, look at how I look. Can you believe he has the nerve to tease me when I look like this?" She ran her right hand over her belly while Isabella looked at it.

At this moment, Joseph and Margot had already proceeded into the interior of that residence, leaving only those young people at the entrance.

Isabella finally lost the blush on her face and approached Gloria, looking at her belly. "Gloria, your belly is already showing! I didn't expect that!"

"Hmm, probably in another two years, I will be able to deliver..." Gloria said as she looked at her belly, already with a smile on her face.

While those two were talking about Minos' baby, Ruth and Abby looked at him with unfriendly expressions.

"Don't be like that. I just made a joke..."

"Humph!"

"You're thinking of more than just a joke." Abby's eyes narrowed.

Minos looked at Abby and then at Ruth. "How? She seems so shy to me. You are exaggerating..."

He then walked closer to Gloria and asked. "Princess Isabella, I have heard you are the Emperor's only child. Is that true?"

"Hmm, it is..." She said, still looking at Gloria's belly with a curious expression.

"So you will succeed your father in the future... I look forward to working side by side with you for the best of my state and the Flaming Empire." He said, catching Isabella's look.

"I don't know about that, huh... My father still has plenty of time to lead the Empire." She finally managed to look at Minos without blushing. "Why do you say that? Are you thinking of a deal with my father?"

"Sort of..." He smiled. "The Black Plain will be a big state in the future, so it's important that we have a good relationship, right? Even if your father has a long way to go, considering your level, it won't be long before he gives you more responsibilities."

"Then you can look me up. I guarantee I'll be a good ally to grow with you."

She looked more seriously at Minos, impressed that he spoke these things as if he were an equal of her or her father. 'Impressive! He truly is courageous. And there is not an iota of doubt in his voice...'

'But if he can have Vogel on his side, he will become relevant.' She reminded herself of that point, remembering that each of those kingdoms was more relevant than the great sects of the Empire.

The great sects of the Flaming Empire had even more powerful cultivators than those four kingdoms to the north. But the number of the 8th stage cultivators in those states was more significant than in the eight great sects.

So, naturally, one of these organizations would not have an easy time fighting against, for example, Vogel. Knowing this, Isabella was not unaware of Minos' potential and gave him credit for having achieved all this without his family's help.

She then agreed with him. "It will be good to have a good relationship with you. But I wonder, is the King of the Black Plain as strong as the rumors say? Or is that just to scare people?"

Minos did not fall into Isabella's trap. "I am not as bad as they say. Just look at my wives. They all have sweet hearts and are even treated like kind angels in my region. Do you think someone so troubled would be able to win them over?"

"Still, you can be different on the battlefield..." She commented.

"Indeed, but since we are not enemies, I think you will see me more as my wives see than as enemies..." Minos winked at her once again while his three wives ignored him.

Isabella did not quite understand what he meant and said. "I prefer it that way. Your family is already part of the Empire, so it's only natural that we have a good relationship."

"It can be a great relationship... It just depends on you." Their group started to follow in her footsteps right after Minos said that, making Isabella feel a little uncomfortable with his way of speaking.

Minos was not careful to treat her like a princess, talking to her as if she were just another ordinary woman. Since he also constantly showed his confidence and no fear of the Edwardstone family, she was curious about him, with many questions to ask Gloria later.

In this way, it was not long before the group arrived at the dining hall of the Emperor's estate, where the servants were already starting to bring in the dishes for their lunch.

Joseph and Margot were not around, as both had gone directly to speak with Harold, but Isabelle's mother soon arrived to welcome Minos and his family.

"Young Minos, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our home..." That red-haired woman said this with a smile on her face, looking into the eyes of this brown-haired young man, who reminded her a bit of Oswald.

...