Two days later...
On a battlefield 40 kilometers north of Dry City, more than 100 Spiritual Kings were on the outskirts. But instead of preparing for something, they had just finished what they were doing.
Some of them were slumped in ravines, others on their knees in the scorched ground of the area, or even standing, but with their tongues out due to the great exhaustion in their bodies.
At the same time, many bloodstains could be seen near those people, most of them with their clothes torn and superficial cuts all over their bodies.
Among these people were Peter, Grace, Mirya, and Eduard, all the high-level soldiers of the Black Plain Army.
On the other hand, King Stuart was in the middle of that semi-destroyed area, where pieces of rock from the local underground could be seen.
He also had his clothes in tatters, an exhausted look on his face, and some bruises all over his body. But unlike his soldiers, he still had enough energy left to say a few words. "We had a unique experience here today, with several of you having experienced the first test against me and others once again having faced me."
"I hope you remember that feeling well since it will be something similar or worse when you fight against Spiritual Emperors in the future." He said, looking at the people new to military exercises with him.
Among them was Neal, Brooke's ex-husband, and this woman, who had already overcome her previous sorrows alongside her good friend...
Minos then continued. "Due to the current circumstances in which we cannot yet fight with all the high-level members of the army, you were at a disadvantage today, and the result was this draw."
"But don't get down on yourselves. Your joint formation is already at an enviable level, capable of dominating any organization outside the Black Plain in this northern region!"
"With that, use today's experiences in your cultivation and training."
"We will have more opportunities to face each other again in the future!" He finished his words when Abby and Ruth stopped beside him, coming to support him.
"Good thing I didn't allow you two to participate in this exercise, or I would need medical treatment..." Minos joked with the two.
Ruth had already joined the Black Plain Army, having begun learning about this organization and its functionality. For the moment, she did not have much power yet, but as Minos' woman, she was bound to become number three in this force.
In any case, Minos knew that both Ruth and Abby had a Golden-grade combat technique and could significantly hinder the soldiers' training on this occasion. That is why he had not allowed them to participate in such a thing.
"You say that now, but it is you who bullies us almost every day..." Ruth pouted at him, remembering how he used to push the two during their training together.
Abby had a Golden-grade defensive technique and Ruth an attacking one. But even considering their combined strengths, they still had difficulty fighting Minos.
With that, Ruth, who had once been the one pushing that guy, could not help but complain about it.
After Abby laughed at those two, they headed back to Dry City for their man to rest, passing through the many soldiers in the surrounding area.
Seeing a fight like the previous one was a privilege for anyone in this region, as this had been a battle of a level higher than that of the region. So, thousands of lower-level soldiers had watched the military exercise that had just ended. That was also true for some high-level Spiritual Kings who were most interested in the gains of seeing such a confrontation.
Among them were the peak Spiritual Kings, those most eager to advance their cultivations.
"That kind of event is fascinating, sister." Lorelei Stone's younger brother said this as he watched the people slowly leaving that area.
"Hmm, maybe we should replicate that kind of event in our state. Besides helping those involved to improve their understandings of their respective techniques, it might also help viewers." She agreed as she nodded in the direction of supreme elder Miller and other peak cultivators in that area.
"Well, let's return to our positions. When we are liberated, we will pay a visit to Minos before returning to Stone Island."
"Let's see if we can arrange joint training of our forces to stimulate the competitive side of both parties."
"Oh? That will be interesting..."
...
A month passed in the blink of an eye...
After the previous event, several Black Plain allies and subordinates had learned a little more about why this state of Minos was so strong, even with its low numbers.
While they had returned to their organizations with that learning, Minos had agreed with some regional powers representatives to create training between local and outside teams every few years.
Not only had Lorelei thought of this. But others present during the previous military exercise had realized that only by fighting people from this place could their organization members get the best results.
Since Minos considered the whole region with the potential to help him in the future, he had no reason to refuse such a suggestion. So, he had already left it up to Ruth and the leaders of those organizations to arrange such an event.
In any case, time had not stopped, and while the Black Plain continued to develop, the royal wedding date was getting closer!
The entire Dry City was already preparing for this event, with the local population more excited than ever, already celebrating this extraordinary event.
At the same time, regional families were working frantically to at least send their gifts, anxious that their items would be sufficient not to offend the tyrant.
On the other hand, Minos and his woman were more relaxed than ever in this period, working on their duties and cultivating inside the Spatial Kingdom.
This event would be exceptional for all of them. Still, given their personalities and how they already lived, they were not nervous but delighted that this moment was coming.
And with only a week to go, Abby and Ruth had already left their local functions to entirely focus on this while Minos was still dealing with his local affairs.
...
In the Spatial Kingdom, the group of soldiers from the Elite Squad was still there as usual, alongside some Lieutenants, those army instructors.
Kyla was cultivating in the middle of one of the forested areas there, while Virtus focused on his step advance in the most deserted part of that area.
Thus, not many people were near the lake house, where Abby and Emlyn were sitting at the entrance, chatting quietly while feeling the sun's rays warming them.
"Emlyn, you rarely talk about your homeland..." Abby commented without looking at that fox while holding a cup with a drink in her right hand. "Why don't you tell me about that place? I've always been curious about the fantastic Continent of the Beasts."
"Well, since we've known each other, we've always been busy with Minos' wars and plans..." Emlyn said with an expression on her face that indicated she was laughing. "So, I rarely talk about things that don't have much bearing on our present problems."
"But I have no problem talking about my homeland."
"So? What special thing can you tell me about that continent?" Abby asked in an interested tone.
"Well, even I can't talk about everything about there since I haven't had the chance to explore the whole continent. I was weak when I was still living on the continent, and that place is definitely more dangerous than, for example, the Flaming Empire."
"But anyway, if you ask me, the continent is beautiful, with magical forests that seem alive. There are many floating islands, some submerged cities, and cities like these of humans in this area."
"There are high-level beasts capable of transforming into their humanoid forms. So, many of them use the practical methods of humans to live and do business in cities, not so different from Dry City."
"I think the big difference is that while you humans are always plotting against each other, that's rarer among us."
"Oh? Aren't there beast groups trying to ascend on the Continent of the Beasts?" Abby asked.
"There are, but the dragons rule the continent with an iron fist, and the hierarchy there has been virtually immovable for millions of years. So, plots like those of humans are rarer to happen, and apart from the problems between tribes, a war like the one we fought recently hardly ever happens there."
"Dragons, huh? What does a dragon look like, Emlyn? Are they as powerful as the legends say?"
...
