The Rise of the Black Plain

The North Sea of the Central Continent was a historical site known for its unstable weather and high-level beasts.

There were icy regions, to the point that vast blocks of ice formed in the sky, creating unimaginable rains that could sink large ships. At the same time, in areas not so far away, one could come across hot places where the sea boiled!

The entire climate in that region was utterly abnormal, with the presence of storms that could change ships' routes by thousands of kilometers in a matter of minutes!

And although there are hardly any islands in that region, most of the few that did exist were flying islands, which constantly changed location and altitude.

In addition to these unstable climatic and geographic factors of the North Sea, there was still the presence of powerful sea beasts in that region. After all, there was a region of high spiritual concentration, ideal for great potential spiritual beasts to develop.

Finally, because of all that, the North Sea had become known as a strange place, already in the time of Henricus Longus.

However, in the last hundreds of thousands of years, that place had gained even more terrifying fame in the Spiritual World.

The North Sea had become known as the maritime cemetery of Saints!

Minos didn't know exactly when things changed, but in the more recent history of the north of the Central Continent, incidents in that region had grown steadily.

Cases like the Blood Triangle Pirates vessel, which Emlyn was previously on, had become very common to happen. In many cases, people from other regions of the Spiritual World were directed to that place by storms while traveling in the vicinities.

After entering the North Sea, few people survived that place, and in many cases, only the remains of ships were found.

And that's how this region gained its fame as the cemetery of Saints. Many corpses of cultivators from this stage of cultivation had been found among the wrecked ships, along with their respective crews!

It was not difficult to recognize a person's level by their corpse as part of the spiritual energy was allocated to the physical body. When a cultivator dies, his soul, the portion of him that contained most of his cultivation, dissipates, leaving only his body, which can store up to 10% of the cultivator's power.

Thus, when people found corpses as resistant and rich in spiritual energy as Spiritual Kings, it was easy to know the person's level before he died!

And so, the population of this region of the Central Continent had become accustomed to reading and listening to stories involving the death of powerful cultivators.

'This can't be a natural change, can it?' Minos wondered as he thought about the subject of the North Sea. He indeed found this all change strange, especially given the fact that not only humans were suffering in that region.

Even elven ships faced the same situation!

Such a thing was bizarre. After all, the elves were not only the most proficient in cultivation. They were also the ones who had the best relations with the sea beasts!

Because of this, it was difficult for Minos to believe that sea beasts would turn against the elves or that the North Sea climate could frighten them.

As the most intelligent species compatible with spiritual energy, even those members of the race who were less talented, could still become Spiritual Saints!

Also, elves could live about six times longer than humans. Such a thing gave them much more time to get to know nature and the world around them, making them perfect for exploring the vast Spiritual World.

Anyway, for all that, Minos found this change in the North Sea uncommon and thought that there was something more to this story.

'When I go to the Kingdom of the End in the future, I'll try to find some of these shipwrecks. Maybe there will be some clue as to what's going on in that region...' He kept a mental note on that subject before finally turning his attention to the report in his hands.

"You can continue."

After that, the Sergeant presenting the report to Minos spoke again shortly after hearing the young Stuart's order. "Yes, young master. Eh, there was some data about a town called Farmland in a document from that Chambers family's base."

"Oh?"

"Based on the data found, Farmland has been facing a small drop in food exports to Stone Island." He said this with a few hand gestures and a discreet smile on his face. "Due to the coincidence of the time when they had this retraction and the beginning of the Black Plain's business with the Nash family, we concluded that we are the main responsible for this."

"Hmm, in fact, that must be the reason." Minos nodded in a low voice as he read the information in that pile of papers. He wasn't surprised at all. After all, this was something to be expected to happen, as Farmland was one of Stone Island's most significant food suppliers.

'With the steady increase in the amount of food sent from here to Stone Island, it would be weird if no effect appeared...'

The young Stuart then made a serious expression and said to the soldier in front of him. "We will leave a warning for anyone coming from the Cromwell Kingdom, except for those we are coming from the City of Waters."

"It shouldn't be long before Farmland starts investigating those responsible for this slight change on Stone Island."

"All right, young master."

After that, that soldier explained a few more things to Minos, and after a few minutes, they finished talking.

There wasn't much more information on that Chambers family's base, as that was just a stopping place.

In fact, if not for Jamie's presence there, perhaps none of this would have come into the hands of the young Stuart's organization.

Anyway, after the soldier left him alone in his office, Minos was sitting in an armchair there, looking ahead in a distracting way.

He was thinking about the information he had just discovered, trying to figure out the path that was taking form in front of him.

'I imagine that several of the Stone Island's powers must already be investigating Elen's business… I'll probably have to talk to her soon.' He thought about it at the same time as he casually snapped his fingers.

Stone Island was the place where there were more clues about Minos' location, as regular routes were being taken by the ships of the Nash family. Because of that, if anyone wanted to find out about the Black Plain, in his opinion, the best place to start would be that island.

Although he passed through the Cromwell Kingdom, in many places, by the way, most of the time, he left no significant traces.

He had not left his full name behind with the Spiritual Tournament, and people thought he had gone to the Flaming Empire.

In the cities he had passed, except for Hadia, City of Waters, and the City of Flowers, he had done nothing of significance anywhere else.

In the City of Flowers, he had only purchased the Warrior-grade medicine's information. So, no trace could bring enemies to the Black Plain.

In Hadia, he had utterly hidden, and even if someone managed to follow his trail, that would only lead to the Chambers's base. After that, it would be impossible to find out where Minos' group had gone, given the many possibilities for an escape.

And lastly, in the City of Waters, he had done business with the regent Mirya, and many citizens of that place were already finding out about the territory of Minos.

That was the most vulnerable place for the Black Plain, but it was also the only place where Minos had not caused problems but benefited.

Because of all this, there weren't many traits that could threaten the Black Plains in the Cromwell Kingdom.

'The Dry City will likely have to slow down its development in the short term. I can no longer risk trying to attract more inhabitants here…' He concluded.

After the end of the migration of the unemployed from the City of Waters, there would be no more towns left within the adjacent region of the Black Plain. Places partially left aside. Of course, there was the Maritime City, but it would be stupid to try to do something there...

And apart from that, there weren't many alternatives for Minois to get more workers into his territory!

'Well, my inhabitants are getting stronger, and this will increase their efficiency... Therefore, I think that at least in the short term, in a maximum of 1 year, we can still grow at the current rate...'