Days later...
While the entire region was discussing the formation of the Black Plain Empire and preparing for the changes it would bring, the Stuart family worked to make that plan happen.
Abby and Ruth were leading the efforts to turn those two states into parts of the Black Plain, while Gloria was handling Church matters, working to form the Empire of Minos.
Since Vogel was also part of Minos' territory and the Cromwell Kingdom bordered that state, the Black Plain would soon border the Flaming Empire and the western region directly.
That would facilitate the transport of items between the different parts associated with the Black Plain. But it would also make it possible to create teleportation 'corridors' that would 'shorten' the distances to Minos.
If he were to travel to Vogel with the fastest flying beast on the Black Plain today, it would take him months to get from Dry City to that state's capital. But with such a possibility, he could soon travel from one place to another in less than a day!
That would be a great advantage for a leader like him, who had to worry about the security of his state and not waste time on unnecessary things.
Previously he had traveled calmly, but that was one of the purposes of his trip. In a situation where he had to 'rescue' Vogel, this would not be the case. Thus, he needed to have alternatives like this.
But that was not the only point! Just as he had talked with Harold earlier, Minos needed to have a large empire to 'surround' the four enemy states of the Flaming Empire.
Only then could he simulate the situation he had promised Harold and get the best possible results from his plans for those four kingdoms and the Flaming Empire.
So Gloria was working towards creating this empire that would be born, making the most extensive border with Rosser and Albano, which previously only the Flaming Empire came close to...
...
Lulu had left the capital of Albano days ago after her mother sent her to speak with Minos regarding the rumors that had reached their state.
Since she had her means of getting to the Black Plain quickly, this woman was already in the vicinity of Dry City, going to meet Minos.
But halfway to the local royal palace, this woman could not help but observe one of the giant turtles that her state had 'borrowed' to the Black Plain flying in the vicinity.
'Oh? It's already at the 7th stage?' She noticed that such a being was already at level 60, remembering that previously all the 'borrowed' turtles were only Spiritual Kings.
'This place develops fast! No wonder Minos wants to create an empire.' She connected the dots, not taking long to take her focus off that creature and turn her attention to the road to the royal palace.
She paid close attention to this place she had not visited in months, noticing how much more intense the circulation of Spiritual Emperors seemed there than before.
However, it would not take her long to open her mouth in shock right after entering the central area of Dry City, where the local dome protected the state government's core.
"Seven Spiritual Saints?" She wondered aloud as she realized the number of experts out there.
This woman knew Minos and Gloria had powerful relatives who occasionally visited this city. But seven such people coming to this place at once was a bit much, and she felt impressed.
Lulu still did not know that Gloria had advanced nor that Gavin had reached level 70 right after her last passage through this city. So this young princess of Albano was quite confused upon sensing the auras of Maisie, Margot, Isabella, Ivy, and an envoy from the Assembly of Vogel.
"Princess Lulu, what do we owe Your Highness' visit?" A Spiritual Emperor from the local royal guard asked her just after that woman stopped before the palace entrance.
Lulu saw that level 61 man and did not take the time to answer. "I am here as a messenger from my mother. I want to meet with His Majesty Minos Stuart."
...
"You are a scoundrel, Minos Stuart! You made me miss the birth of my granddaughter!" Margot said in an unjustified tone while holding little Sarah in her arms.
At the same time, Ivy and Isabella were standing next to this Matriarch of the Spiritual Church, looking at the little face of Minos' first daughter.
Minos said nothing to his mother-in-law as he managed to free himself from the embrace of his aunt Angelica, who had also come from the Flaming Empire to meet Sarah.
As for Sarah's great-grandparents and grandfathers, none of them had come on this occasion, all of them having problems in the Empire that prevented them from coming to meet Minos' daughter.
But they had sent gifts to Sarah through these women who had traveled from the Empire to Dry City, things for her future when she was to become a cultivator.
Of course, among those gifts were several valuable defensive items for little Sarah, which Gloria had already thanked those women for.
While these women enjoyed getting to know little Sarah, with Margot a little angry with Minos, Vogel's envoy was silent, waiting for his moment to speak with the local sovereign.
He had arrived a little before these women, but since they were much stronger than him and he had barely had a chance to start talking to Minos before they arrived, he was waiting for his chance.
Minos was officially the King of Vogel, while from time to time, envoys from that kingdom had to come to the Black Plain to collect approvals, deliver some resources, talk about important matters, etc.
That's what this person was there to do: talk about the recent news of the formation of the Black Plain Empire, something that could directly affect Vogel.
The Assembly of Vogel was worried about Minos wanting to add Vogel to his empire since they were only being 'ruled' by him temporarily...
So to avoid misunderstandings, they wanted to clear up some of their doubts with this envoy who was standing there in the royal throne hall, waiting his turn to speak while watching Minos' daughter.
'Why did these women have to show up just now?' He wondered as he sighed since he was only a level 70 Spiritual Saint and could do nothing in this situation.
As they stood there, a royal guard announced Lulu's arrival, allowing her to enter there since this woman had a pass to speak with Minos without having to wait in line.
After Minos' signal to allow that princess in there, Lulu ran into that group of women, shocked to see the little being in Margot's arms and Gloria already at level 70.
"What?" She asked aloud, ignoring her enemy from the Flaming Empire, Isabella, to focus her attention on mother and daughter and then on Minos.
"Has your daughter been born? Congratulations, Your Majesties!" She said as she made a polite gesture before approaching Minos and his wives.
...
