The Rise of the Black Plain

After hearing Minos' question, the two looked at each other for a moment until Elena decided to speak first. "I'm not sure about my family, but I believe we won't get involved."

Despite being a prominent noble power of Stone Island, the Neel family was just a blacksmith organization at the end of the day. Because of this, they generally didn't get involved in situations like these since they were already specialized in an area with a lot of demand.

Most of the items needed to produce spiritual artifacts created by blacksmiths were present on Stone Island, so there wasn't much need for the blacksmith organizations to import resources. Consequently, a power with such an advantage would hardly get into trouble, gambling on a future king...

"I understand. That's good. What about the Nash family?" Minos asked as he turned to Elen.

She then replied. "I'm not sure, as I leave to make this trip right after this news reaches Stone Island. Previously, we had not approached any of the princes since there were still many years for such a situation to happen."

Of course, even talented and promising people could fail and die, like the two young geniuses of the Chambers family killed by Minos, Leroy and Kevin.

Because of this, due to the possibility that one of these competitors in the position of heir could die before the 'competition' began, many powers preferred to remain neutral.

Even seers had their difficulties in predicting fate, and no great power would make bets too soon. These organizations had risen after much time and effort, so their leaders were naturally more cautious with such essential actions.

Suffering the revenge of a king, or losing space within a kingdom due to antagonism of the king, was not something simple. And merchant powers like the Nash and Miller families couldn't take such risks.

And even if regional organizations like these families didn't depend on just one state, that in itself would be a critical blow. After all, in a situation where one power loses a market, another, perhaps a competitor, can use that loss to unbalance potential competition.

And in a few centuries, one side could surpass the other!

"But considering the current context, betting on the youngest prince, eh, Charles Walker, seems like the most likely. He is the most talented of the three princes, and he already has great relationships with noble families in the Kingdom of the Waves."

"Not to mention that most of the elders of the royal family approve him." Elen commented as she saw Minos' expressionless face.

The young Stuart then said. "I see, your thought makes sense. But before we go any further, I would like to know how my influence is within your family."

"Your influence?" Elen questioned in surprise. She didn't understand the sudden change of subject. "Your influence is outstanding. Why?"

"Hmm, that's good. The point is, it would be better for the Black Plain if Charles Walker did not become king of the Kingdom of the Waves." He responded seriously.

Minos knew of the rivalry Charles Walker had with Peter and of the prince's personality type. Because of that, it was only natural that this person would try to cause trouble for the Black Plain in the future if he found out Peter was here.

Some people could lose all reason when the subject involved women, and this was the case of Charles...

But Minos had no intention of antagonizing the third prince of the Kingdom of the Waves. What he just wanted was for his allies, not to support a potential enemy!

As to why he was willing to stand against a possible king for Peter, well, it had to do with the importance the Black Plain's ruler placed on his subordinates.

The army could not attract many cultivators with the Black talent given the situation of the Black Plain. Because of this, each soldier with such talent was considered extremely important, to the point that even rescue missions were carried out...

But not only that, to make their enemies tremble with a vengeful reputation, it would make no sense for Minos' army not to protect its soldiers. Moreover, this young man had already accepted Peter into his organization and knew about this soldier's past.

In this case, there was no reason for a future rebel like Minos to be unwilling to protect his own, even if it meant going up against a possible king!

"Do you have something against the third prince?" Elena asked surprisingly. Of course, she didn't expect Minos to want to get involved in this.

"Not exactly, but we won't be compatible. In this case, it would be better for everyone if the Nash family didn't support him." Minos said as he looked at Elen, waiting for her answer.

"I understand. I will report this to my father and see what will be done. But I don't think there will be any problems." She promptly responded.

Even if Minos and the Dry City still couldn't be considered the Nash family's primary business partners, it certainly had the potential to do so. With such a large area available for planting and items in great demand, the Black Plain could become the turning point of this region.

What's more, as long as the Nash family didn't support anyone, even if Charles got the throne, the power behind Elen still wouldn't have been considered a 'disaffected'!

In Elen's opinion, as long as they weren't required to support someone specific, their family leaders would most likely accept Minos' suggestion.

Finally, after talking about the Kingdom of the Waves for a while longer, the group finished their breakfast.

With that, Abby and Eda headed to headquarters, where they had to begin their daily activities as soldiers of the local army. On the other hand, Dillian left to sort out some matters related to the city government, his morning job.

As for Minos and the two young women from Stone Island, the three went to his office in the official part of the local government mansion.

The young ruler wanted to talk to both of them about the situation on Stone Island, and after that, he still had to do his daily job as leader of the town.

So, there was no reason for the three of them to talk in his residence, a somewhat informal place.

...

After arriving at the young Stuart's office and greeting the secretary Mia quickly, the three were already comfortably in that place.

The two young blondes were seated in two chairs that faced Minos' desk, where they could see part of the street through the glass wall behind him.

And after sitting in his armchair, Minos finally started talking about his business affairs in Elen's homeland. "And then? I imagine you must be facing certain pressure from other powers on Stone Island, right?" He asked with a smile on his face.

Minos had already guessed why Elen had come to the Dry City when he saw her sitting in his dining room.

He already knew of his business potential and that probably other Stone Island powers would discover it in no time.

And no wonder he had chosen that state to start selling his items. After all, even if they found out about these mysterious items at a time when this young man was still weakened, what could they do?

It would probably take them a few years to discover the exact origin of the items. After all, they would never suspect the impoverished Black Plain producing such resources!

They would likely discover the army's naval base. However, that location would, at best, be considered a transitional post. And such a thing was widespread, as an example, the Maritime City itself was something like that...

Finally, even if they found out about the Black Plain and Minos, it would still be done by an island that had the slightest interest in invading this young man's territory.

After all, what justification would they have for occupying the Black Plain? Would an island, which had no land on the mainland attempt to colonize a territory officially under the sovereignty of an independent state?

No way!

That would be like wanting to be attacked by everyone...

And to make matters worse, there was nowhere for them to defend themselves!

States such as the Kingdom of the Waves, the Cromwell Kingdom, and the sovereign over the Black Plain, the Brown Kingdom, had territory to settle on the continent. But what about Stone Island?

At most, they would make a makeshift camp inside enemy territory. As a result, any invasion by Stone Island's powers was extremely unlikely.

And precisely because of that, that place was the most 'attractive' for Minos to do business. As long as he related well to some of these powers, he could buy himself time...