The Rise of the Black Plain

To enter the Pantheon Of Honor, one not only had to be an influential expert by their individual strengths. They had to have the ability to sustain a rapid information network spread over large areas, maintain the operation of at least medium-level grade-4 arrays, have resources relevant to Demigods, and more.

By entering the Pantheon Of Honor, they could have access to much more, but in the first place, they had to be at least relevant and have the potential for future growth.

Not just any Demigod with no prospects of one day being on top of the world could enter this select group!

For example, even if Queen Mcbride wanted to join this group, she couldn't since her limitations were many.

Most of the Spiritual World's Demigods fell into the same category as her. Therefore, the entrance procedure was much more complex than just the previous test.

That had been done to judge whether it was worth their while to make an exception for a level 80 Spiritual Sage. Yet, it had not been a test to accept him once and for all into this organization.

Minos still had to pass the Pantheon Of Honor criteria, promise not to engage in unwarranted wars against members of this select group, and pass a period of analysis.

The analysis period lasted 2 years, and during this time, the candidates for new members of this institution joined this group as external members, who had the same duties as de facto members but without rights.

If they could support the requirements of the Pantheon of Honor, then they were made members and could begin their journey within this group.

Minos heard this group's criteria and rules as he spent almost 3 hours going back and forth from one side of that temple to the other with the elder Julian.

Now he was about to sign a Soul Contract with the most powerful spiritual judge he had ever seen, a level 97 Demigod, when he asked. "Before I sign this, I would like to know how many members the Pantheon Of Honor has. By the way, is there anyone from the Central Continent in the group? Could I know their names?"

Julian answered Minos' question. "We don't consider subordinates of our members as part of our organization, although they contribute a lot to us. So we have only 48 members at the moment.

But we can easily reach tens of thousands of people around the Spiritual World because of our members' branching contacts."

"What about my continent?"

Julian then said. "We have two members of our group from the Central Continent. One is from the Mairin kingdom, and the other is from Lusmait. But I cannot give you their identities until your entry into our organization is approved."

'Lusmait and Mairin?' Minos wondered, figuring that the big states didn't get involved with this organization because they didn't have much to gain from them.

As states that sought supremacy and wanted to be on top alone, would it make sense for them to join a group that wanted to 'democratize' level 100?

But Lusmait and Mairin were two states weaker than the great empires on that continent.

As for others like the Flowers Kingdom, their situation could be explained by their inability to have enough to receive an invitation from that organization.

"I didn't expect that... Do you guys have more people from other continents? Are there beasts and beings of other races in the group?" Minos questioned.

"We do. We have 2 representatives from the Continent of Beasts, 1 from the Marine Empire, 1 from Elves Island, and 1 from the South Sea. Other than that, the rest are humans or human hybrids, mostly from our continent."

That was an impressive lineup! It was no wonder this group had contacts all over the Spiritual World and was still behind the Continental Tournament!

"Impressive," Minos said, concluding that he would have no problem signing this agreement with Julian's group.

So he confirmed his Soul Contract, assuring them that he would not try to hinder the members of Pantheon Of Honor without good reason and that he would keep in touch and help the group in its purpose.

For the time being, his rights and responsibilities would be small, even when he would be effective in this group. So little of his quiet life in the Black Plain Empire would be changed in the coming years.

But Minos was very interested in what would happen once he reached the end of the 9th stage.

It would be time for him to make his name within this organization and reach out to important contacts for the catastrophe that would surely hit this world!

He was pleased about this, happy that this group from the time of Henricus Longus not only still existed but was even stronger than it was then.

As he finished settling these primary matters regarding his entry into the Pantheon Of Honor, Julian told him. "That's all for today, Minos.

As far as the organization is concerned, everything is ready, and I will take care of what is necessary for you to be effective 2 years from now. However, as your supporter and the one who will give validity to several of your responsibilities in the short term, I need to introduce you to my faction.

So wait in this city. I will meet you and introduce you to the group in a maximum of a week. After that, you will be free to return to your empire in the Central Continent."

Upon hearing this, Minos saw no problem and immediately agreed to stay in this city for a few more days.

When Julian left him outside that temple, he immediately headed towards that city, interested in seeing the area and maybe shopping.

With nothing to do in this place, he could only focus his time on getting to know the first city in the Divine Continent that he had the opportunity to see with his own eyes!

...

As Minos explored that city where the headquarters of the Pantheon Of Honor was located, the war between Vico and Maximillian was already heating up, rapidly changing the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

Maximillian had not hesitated to start the conflict with Vico after the Supreme Pontiff had left for his seclusion. Now having faced the supposed strongest on the continent, he was aware of how difficult it would be to achieve his plans.

But he had his advantages to reckon with!

He looked at Vico's son and smiled that Minos had helped him get this young Demigod.

With Vico's heir in his hands, never could that emperor act freely against him and his group!

Maximillian clenched his fists as he looked at that blond fellow and thought, 'Vico, you really are powerful. Even with a Divine Weapon, I couldn't beat you.

However, that won't always be so! I will seriously injure you the next time we meet!'

This black-haired man then looked in the direction of the Church headquarters. 'After that, it will be time for me to become a God!'