After smiling for a few moments confidently, Oswald rose from his chair. He called his grandson to follow him toward the command center of the sect.
Minos followed such a man soon after, leaving his wives in that place with the rest of the women.
They then left that residence under Talia's watchful eyes, flying off to another part of the sect, not far from there.
As they were fast, they reached their destination after less than 3 minutes of flight. They landed in one of the side areas of the building where the strongest elders of the sect were already waiting for them.
Oswald had arranged a meeting with these people to introduce his grandson on this date. So no one would be late, and everyone was already in their seats in a large hall when they arrived.
When Minos entered there right after his grandfather, he found himself in a relatively small place where a dozen people were watching him from their seats.
Each of these people was either at level 77 or level 78, the highest cultivations within this sect, inferior only to Oswald, the strongest in this place.
Oswald then stopped in the center of that area, face to face with his old companions, and showed Minos to them using one of his hands to indicate his grandson.
"Elders, we are here. This lad is Minos Stuart, Maisie's son, my only grandson." He said in a humorous tone as the white-haired individuals in that place, eight men and four women, checked King Stuart from top to bottom.
Each had heard the stories of Minos from the northern region, the rumors of Vogel, and the recent news of his deeds within this sect. But even with so much information, they still needed to get to know him to reach a final opinion about this controversial person.
At first, Minos seemed very good to his side, which was a good sign, considering the sect master's interests. But he was also constantly involved in problems that affected those close to him.
There were benefits to being on King Stuart's side, but was it worth it? That was what they wanted to decide by talking to this person.
Of course, that was if he wanted to accept Oswald's plans, something he was under no obligation to do, and many in that sect would defend his right to refuse.
Oswald looked at Minos and said. "Come on, boy. Introduce yourself to your elders!"
Minos closed his eyes momentarily and stepped forward from standing a few centimeters behind Oswald to stand beside this individual. "I am the King of the Black Plain. Pleased to meet you, elders." He said without much animation.
Oswald then introduced each of those 12 people to him, indicating where they were from to his grandson.
Of these individuals, 9 were members of the three still existing founding families of this sect. As for the others, these three people were members of other noble families of this organization, only less prestigious than Houses Moss, Terry, and Coleman.
Minos heard each of the names of these people, and after waving in greeting to everyone there, he saw a man getting up from his seat to say something.
That person said. "Minos Stuart, I heard from one of my family members that if you want to lead the sect, you won't need the approval of us elders and will do it by your strength... What do you intend with such lines? Do you have authoritarian interests against our organization?"
The people there paid attention to Minos while this young man's grandfather looked at him as if wondering if he was so foolish as to say such words.
'You have to speak that you didn't mean that...'
"I told a fool named Lance what I should," Minos said aloud as his grandfather almost went off balance on his left side. "I never intended to lead this sect, and I haven't decided whether I will accept this offer. But if one day I want that, I definitely won't need to follow the same standards as people like him."
"Arrogance!"
"You're truly bold, kid!"
"I admit you are fearless! You have to have a lot of willpower to say that in front of us..."
They commented among themselves while Oswald closed his eyes in shame.
None of the elders there was harder on Minos since each of them saw the sect master turning red and could start educating his grandson at any moment.
That would already be a reasonable punishment!
Minos smiled and opened his arms. "You've got me all wrong, elders. It's not that I consider myself stronger than you or that I can take this place whenever I want..."
"Although I don't think it's impossible..."
"Cough! Cough!"
"It's just that there is a huge difference between me and this fool named Lance Terry." Minos said, making the patriarch of the Terry family turn green with anger at his descendant being repeatedly called a fool.
Minos continued. "What does this Lance have to offer the sect? The support of a family that is already part of your organization?" He laughed, finding this ridiculous. "I have the Black Plain, the northern region, soon, Vogel, and I'm still friends with Rosser, Blackrock, and Albano."
"You want more?"
The people commenting on his boldness finally stopped as they opened their mouths without knowing what to say.
Even Oswald opened his eyes and felt his disappointment diminish a little.
What Minos was saying was the truth. Lance did not represent anything new. In fact, no one within this sect represented anything new. Maisie, Lance, Ivory, it did not matter. They all were members of families part of the organization who could not contribute to increased power via external 'injection.'
On the other hand, even though his Vogel leadership was questionable, he could genuinely introduce new things to this group. That alone surpassed any elder support that those individuals could get.
Besides, as he had asked, everyone there knew he had more than he bargained for!
After all, Minos was married to an Archbishop of the Spiritual Church. Someone who was pregnant and could immediately become a Matriarch after giving birth!
That was no small thing!
Even if he had no power in the Church, his level of influence because of Gloria would be enough for organizations in the Empire itself to value any conversations with him!
He then finished his presentation. "Finally, as small as my strength is now, that will change significantly in a short time. While most of you will still be at the level you are at now in 20 years; I will reach your stage."
Oswald completely lost his angry expression of a few moments ago and was beginning to smile until suddenly Minos said something absurd.
"By that time, I'll be stronger than this old man next to me!"
"What did you say, lad?" Oswald exclaimed as he turned to his bold grandson.
...
