Meanwhile, in the capital of the Cromwell Kingdom...
The local nobles had just met with the group sent by Abby to this state to hear what Minos had to say about the local situation.
Eda, level 63, was leading her group and was speaking with these local nobles at this very moment.
"Starting today, we will allow this state to join the Black Plain and keep part of its autonomy." She said as her eyes narrowed. "Whether that will last or not will depend on you."
"Join the Black Plain? I thought we were already subordinates of the Stuart family." Someone in that place commented, trying to understand what would change from now on.
When Minos had dominated the Cromwell Kingdom and the Brown Kingdom, he had done so under several conditions to not completely take over those states. Among them was that the royal families of those states were his subordinates.
But Minos had always given plenty of liberties to these subordinate states of his and only interfered or ordered actions on their part in delicate situations. So, apart from these moments, it was almost as if these kingdoms were still independent.
Viola, level 61, who was also in that group, then said. "You are currently not part of the Black Plain. Thus, this move will give you some benefits since we will invest locally."
"Oh?" The people in the surrounding area opened their eyes in interest since they knew the size of the Black Plain's current economic power.
'If we are part of the Black Plain, our state will develop greatly in a short time...' A patriarch there considered this in silence.
The northern region currently had 300,000 Spiritual Kings. But of that number, more than 240,000 were residents of the Black Plain!
So despite the regional development, much of the positive data in this region came from the Black Plain, and the other kingdoms were far behind the state of Minos.
With that said, the chance to join the Black Plain was the best thing that could happen for those states, even if they were to lose some of the autonomy they currently enjoyed.
"But even so, will we still retain our independence? How is that?" One of the more intelligent individuals there asked.
Eda then spoke again. "We will form a local assembly that will decide some of the most important decisions locally and will be able to contest the governance of the royal family. But, of course, there will still be a king who will be below His Grace. But he will have to answer that assembly and may have his actions overturned."
"So we will oversee the royal family?" A woman asked.
"Yes, they will do the normal work they already do, but you will be able to question, change those actions and decide together the future of the state."
"So we will be the highest power locally?"
Viola replied. "No, you will be below His Grace. This place will be part of the Black Plain Empire, while His Grace's wills are going to be above your local assembly's."
Those people understood what the future would be like but did not complain. That was the for the cultivation world, and it was only natural that a person much stronger than them could decide their future.
They knew that Minos was already at level 65 and probably would not stop getting stronger any time soon. So, having him above their assembly was not unfair!
The most important thing for them was that they could question the actions of the local royal family, which was not strong enough to challenge them if they rebelled.
They had not rebelled so far only because they feared the Black Plain acting against them!
They felt highly wronged to have to obey orders from people and an organization that was not so different from them or their forces. So, upon hearing that they could begin to protect their interests contrary to the wishes of royalty, they could not help but be pleased.
"Well, it's fine for me that way..."
"I also agree with His Grace's wishes. The current situation in the state isn't good, and changes are needed."
"Yes, the assembly idea is excellent. As expected from His Grace!"
Several people began to speak well of this action ordered by Minos, not only to get along well with these soldiers but also because it was the best for them.
"But how will this happen? How many representatives will our families be able to send?" Someone asked after some time of humorous comments regarding how brainiac Minos was.
Eda then explained. "For now, you will be able to have one representative for every 50 Spiritual Kings you have in your forces. But in the future, it will be one representative for each Spiritual Emperor... But, that might change too if many experts emerge in the future."
The people there understood and liked this guidance, as stronger families could keep their decision 'power' in the future as long as they remained influential. On the other hand, smaller organizations could increase their positions by investing to increase their numbers, so this was not unfair to them.
...
While the nobles were celebrating and had their questions answered by Eda's group, the core of the royal family was gathered in the royal palace, lamenting the situation.
They had heard the message from Eda's group earlier. Then they left, feeling betrayed that Minos was taking power away from them at this time.
The local royal family faithfully believed that Minos would not get involved in this problematic situation in this way since he had never vigorously interfered in this state in the past.
Unfortunately for them, the experience in Vogel had been quite fruitful for the Stuart family, making Minos wish to try the same in the northern region.
Obviously, he would not get the same results in this region, and they would not be immediate. But with investment, these states could become major dividend payers for the Black Plain in the future, even when Minos' government no longer had to strive for such places.
Hence, Minos now wanted to make better use of the potential of these states, having begun his plans that went against the interests of the local king, Cade Cromwell, level 61.
"What shall we do now, Your Majesty?" One of Cade's chief advisors asked, knowing how difficult the situation would be for this family to develop with the eventual realization of Minos' plans.
This family could develop considerably as long as it had the sovereignty of this state. After all, the growth of the Black Plain was driving the entire region.
What was the result of this? The royal family's revenues were going up!
So losing some of their power over resource allocation and local measures would be like losing control of a gold mine! That would distance them from their goal of becoming a great family again!
None of the people in this family wished to reach the Black Plain or take revenge on Minos. That would be pretty impossible for them since the state of King Stuart kept developing.
But they wanted to become much stronger again than their vassals and at least have control over things within their state.
Unfortunately, Minos' action went against all that and would ultimately equal them with these local organizations!
"What can we do? Minos will come here and kill us all if we refuse something!" Cade said in a stressed manner, remembering the sacrifices of years ago.
