The Rise of the Black Plain

While 60 years had passed for those in Zocarro since Minos' departure from Armhands' headquarters, just over a year had passed since Minos' departure from the Spiritual World.

Even though he and his group had been traveling for almost two years, they had entered a part of the universe where time worked a little differently. In particular, the zone they were passing through had several locations with opposite extremes, from galaxies where time passed more quickly to other galaxies where time passed more slowly.

Meanwhile, the native civilization of the Spiritual World had been hard at work rebuilding their planet since the departure of Minos, but also colonizing The Adamant Land.

Sarah and George had left the Spiritual World to govern the people colonizing The Adamant Land, taking the Spiritual Church to that planet with them.

Rowan had already been crowned the new emperor of the Black Plain Empire and had stayed in the Dry City to rule over his people. He was joined by Maisie, his maternal grandparents, and Dillian, who would stay by his side to support him as he grew up. Rowan was still at the same level as when his father had left, far from any close progress for at least another year or two.

Until he became a Demigod, his relatives would support him as much as possible, when it would be about time for him to walk this journey of his own.

He had begun his search for the ideal empress for his state, looking among his previous mistresses, but also among the new suitors.

Apart from Kyla, with whom he had had secret relations since the War of the Worlds, he had found no one worthy enough to help him continue his family lineage. Most of the women approached him out of sheer interest in the opportunities and power of the Stuart family, and not just because they loved him.

But he still hadn't decided and continued to meet not only Kyla but also other women, be they human or high-level beasts.

His planet had reached 45% recovery since the end of the War of the Worlds, with some of his father's plans coming to fruition.

Amid this, he had to govern his grand and powerful state!

...

In the imperial throne hall in Dry City, Rowan had the emperor's crown on his head, while several 10th stage robots were lined up around.

Half of the 20 robots that Minos had left behind were now members of the royal guard, defenders of His Majesty Rowan Stuart.

As the son of Minos, Rowan could command those machines above anyone else in the entire Spiritual World.

Considering that, among the forces in The Adamant Land and the Spiritual World, robots were among the strongest cultivators, even though young Rowan was only a Spiritual Saint, he could be one of the strongest in the civilization!

Even so, he wasn't arrogant and behaved like a sovereign in apprenticeship.

"Your Majesty, we recommend that the state refuses the proposal of the forces of the Divine Continent to become part of the empire. The state is already too big. If we increase our size too much and become sovereign of the entire planet, we could lose control of things that are important to us," Dillian advised, while Kyla stood behind Rowan.

Then Patience advised her great-grandson. "Your Majesty, I advise you to handle this matter differently than that suggested by the forces of the Divine Continent. Instead of becoming sovereign on that continent, we could be a supervisor, a moderating force capable of judging issues and determining laws to be followed. We wouldn't need to invest in local forces, but we could help them by giving them the stability of a continent watched over by the empire."

Rowan continued to listen to the opinions of his subjects and high-level advisors.

...

Meanwhile, in the Hall of the Gods, near The Adamant Land...

The place had been completely redesigned and transformed into the new headquarters of the Spiritual Church, with a colossal statue of Minos having been erected above that golden building.

There, a large level 92 one-tailed fox could be seen lying down, monitoring her surroundings, this being her new workstation.

After centuries of looking after the Spatial Kingdom of Minos, Emlyn had come to this place to help Sarah and look after the religion that would preach the name of Minos.

She couldn't join the group that left for Zocarro with Minos, but she wasn't disappointed or sad. Aware that in a century or so, Vico and Callie could return with new opportunities to leave for that planet, she and several others were calm about the future.

Emlyn only hoped that Minos and his people would grow up well in the coming decades. As long as they could withstand the challenges ahead, sooner or later, they would meet again.

While she was keeping an eye on the surroundings of the Hall of the Gods, Sarah and George were waking up at that moment in a luxurious room.

They both had extremely happy looks on their faces, the looks of people who had achieved their big short-term goal.

Three nights ago, Sarah had fallen ill and needed the help of 4th-grade doctors, who quickly associated her symptoms and physical conditions with her current condition.

After years of trying, Sarah's dream of becoming a mother had finally come true with the news of her pregnancy with George!

Minos' future first grandchild was gradually growing inside his eldest daughter's belly at that moment!

As such, the couple were more than happy, with George eager to teach his first child and pass on some customs of his Sista family.

But he wouldn't be keen to pass on his name to his first child. As agreed with Sarah earlier, their first child would have the surname Stuart, while the next would be a Sista, to honor the family of the elite warrior, Willow Sista!

Anyway, as soon as they woke up the two of them ate together before splitting up, she staying behind to look after church affairs; he leaving for The Adamant Land to look after the affairs of the empire.