The Rise of the Black Plain

"I will be the one to lead the attack. Even if low-level Demigods are in the opposing group, I will fight at the front to support my group." Minos said, serious in his words and positioning.

"Oh? You will lead?" That man smiled upon hearing Minos' words. "So before any of us, you will face the dangers in our path? That's really very good. It is not easy to follow someone who is not intimately involved in combat."

"But of course." Minos could see that this man was not taking his words seriously, but that was to be expected. After all, his level still needed to improve a lot to generate that kind of confidence.

"The men who accompany me will understand. As I said, anyone who wants to quit can do so before the attack. But I believe that by then, everyone will be committed to participating in this mission.

I will pay 10,000 high-grade crystals for each man accompanying me during those days ahead."

"10,000?" That level 89 man grew more serious at this proposal.

Usually, Spiritual Sages earn between 200 and 1000 high-grade crystals per month of work. Only those leaders and elders of clans, sects, and other organizations could earn more than that.

In this way, 10,000 high-grade crystals were by no means low for mercenaries who would only work for a few days, maybe weeks.

However, they would still be risking their lives on this mission, so even this amount had to be considered for a moment to see if it was worth it.

But before that man could make his calculations, Minos increased his offer. "That's right. But I will also pay a bonus of 500,000 high-grade crystals if the group defeats the Demigods.

That bonus will be divided equally among the survivors of the mercenary group."

That muscular man narrowed his eyes and looked intensely at Minos. "Are you serious? That would cost you over 600,000 crystals for a few days' mission."

"I am. I will pay 5,000 high-grade crystals up front for each mercenary who follows me and the rest after the mission ends."

The man clenched his fists, tempted to simply accept this deal.

But he alone could not do that, even though he was the leader of this mercenary group.

"As far as it's up to me, I'm willing to go along with what was agreed upon, as long as it's as you said." This old man said while Fermo looked at Minos strangely, not expecting that Henricus Longus' chosen one was so extravagant in spending his crystals.

'Your Majesty, this is too much! They are just Spiritual Sages. It's not worth the cost!'

Minos heard the mental transmission from that hybrid, but he did not change his expression nor look at this red-winged fellow beside him.

'Fermo, my state produces ten times that amount per year currently. That is a cost worth paying to remove the danger of destruction upon it.' Minos said in that fellow's mind, considering it a defensive measure for his state.

'Ten times? I didn't think the Black Plain Empire was so rich...' That fellow thought to himself, giving up on convincing Minos otherwise.

Meanwhile, the old mercenary quickly summoned his companions in the surrounding area, bringing 6 level 89 mercenaries to where they were in the blink of an eye.

He quickly explained Minos' proposal to his people, drawing the interest of all his stronger partners in that group.

"So you're paying this for us to fight low-level Demigods?" One of the strongest there, already not far from level 90, asked as he looked into Minos' brown eyes.

Minos looked at the tall, strong, black-haired man dressed in black armor and replied. "That's right. You don't even have to directly kill the Demigods we're going up against. As long as you stop them from getting to me, I will handle the situation myself, and you will still get the rewards I offered."

"Oh? And how are you going to do that?" A woman, the only one in the group, asked as her eyebrows drew together.

What Minos had just said seemed absurd.

He said. "Before the attack, we will train once. You understood what I am talking about at that time."

Those seven people looked at each other, each nodding to the other, indicating that they were willing to take a chance on this mission.

The old man looked at Minos and said. "Very well, we will join your group. But we are only 7. How do you intend to complete this group? Will you accept our level 88 colleagues, or will you go in search of other mercenary groups?"

"I think everyone here wants the prize of 500,000 crystals, right? Let's not take any chances trying to complete the group with level 88 cultivators." Minos smiled. "I'll take recommendations on the other level 89 mercenaries, so you can choose them according to your preferences."

Those people agreed with him. They would risk their lives by facing Demigods, so they couldn't think of benefiting their weaker colleagues by insisting on putting them in this group.

"We can go to Skyward Castle. Zane's group has five level 89 Sages." The woman there said, suggesting a group she trusted.

"Hmm, that is a possibility. We can try at The Crimson Fortress. There are 7 peak Sages there, so if they all agree to join us, we will have 19 people in our group.

That should be enough, right?" A blond man in silver armor asked Minos.

"Hmm, 19 will be enough." He agreed.

With that said, in less than 20 minutes, the group would leave Minos and Fermo to prepare their headquarters for the weeks of the absence of their leading men.

After some time, they left that farmhouse alongside Minos and Fermo, joining Starclaw's group outside that place.

With that, Minos soon told those peak Sages to direct them to the next stop, and they all started moving again, this time heading south, towards Skyward Castle.

But as Spiritual Sages, they were all swift, and the trip would not even take 3 days.

Upon arriving in Skyward Castle, they would immediately attract the attention of the leaders of the group behind that place. Unfortunately, only 3 of their 5 high-level Sages could join Minos' group.

When they set off towards The Crimson Fortress, their group would go in search of 10 more level 89 Sages!