While the situation in the northern region was developing, in the Eastern Empire, some of the strongest men on the continent were being updated regarding the situation in the Black Plain Empire.
"... After that, the Western Empire's mercenary groups paid by Abe Vogel have been having some difficulties in the northern region, particularly when they encounter Emperor Stuart on the battlefield."
"Minos Stuart is said to be a fighting prodigy, able to fight those up to 6 levels above his, but also a born leader. According to some reports, he managed to eliminate a level 74 Spiritual Saint by using his individual and leadership skills to command about 50 Spiritual Emperors against such an opponent."
"They suffered quite a bit in that fight, with four dying. But in the end, that subordinate of Abe Vogel perished at the hands of Emperor Stuart."
"Impressive!"
"That young man is not bad."
"Their Excellencies' plan is being great entertainment for us..." High-level Spiritual Sages in the surrounding area commented among themselves while their leaders continued without much emotion.
The three men sitting on thrones above the clouds listened silently to all this while drinking wine and playing a board game.
They all had hair that subtly shimmered in a golden hue as if it were a special tan. Yet, at the same time, their auras blurred with the heavens, and the laws chaotically distributed throughout space seemed to avoid them.
But this was not strange at all. These were infamous Spiritual Demigods, beings so mighty and close to godhood that they could extrapolate certain notions about laws of physics.
However, even though they were compelling, these beings had their fears and were acting to ensure their survival or even further advancement, which was so difficult to achieve in their current positions.
"What these children are doing doesn't matter. As long as they keep distracting the Church while we act, it will all be worth it." One of them commented while having his left fist closed, with his left cheek being supported by such a part of his body.
The strongest one there then commented. "We have to find that damn key before the Church does. If they manage to awaken that person, we will face too much trouble."
"Hmmm." The third of them shook his head in agreement. "It was a blessing that we could get a young man with as much will as this Abe to accept our investments and cause chaos."
"Then we must send more resources to him. Let's allow him to cause a little more chaos in that place while we look for what interests us."
"Preventing the resurgence of that peak Demigod is the most important thing for our organization!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!" The Spiritual Sages there said simultaneously.
...
Days later, on the border of the Black Plain Empire with Albano...
At this moment, Abe was finishing preparing for another attack, mercilessly using the mercenaries he had been hiring through the Western Empire.
After years since his escape from Vogel, this man had fortunately met a Spiritual Sage from the Eastern Empire, who had helped him and brought him into his organization.
Eventually, such a person found out about Abe's vengeful intentions and arranged for his daughter to marry this man to justify the investment in such revenge.
Two years after his marriage, Abe began to follow the plan to use the resources of this person to hire mercenaries in the enemy state of his new home.
He had not thrown away his years of preparation to become Vogel's heir, so it would not be at this critical moment in his life that he would shit where he was eating...
After hiring mercenaries from the enemy state of the Eastern Empire, this enemy of Minos began marching into these areas and doing terrorist actions.
He hated Minos with all the strength of his being and wanted to destroy his opponent no matter what. So he had not waited to take advantage of a cold and calm revenge and began to act while still boiling with rage.
Because of all this, he had gotten what was necessary to start disturbing Minos and was now in these areas, fighting almost daily against Black Plain allies and subordinates.
But Abe was not naive. He knew that someone was using him. However, that was life. There will always be someone superior to you, and some of them will always try to manipulate the weaker ones into doing things for the benefit of others.
Abe himself had done and was still doing things like that, so he would not be the one complaining or trying not to be used. No, as long as he got some benefit, it was worth accepting such a thing.
And hell, he had a significant benefit in this situation: enough crystals for him to hire armies of mercenaries to attack the northern region!
As such, even though he had already lost many of his own in the terrorist attacks so far, more and more Spiritual Saints and Spiritual Emperors were coming from the Western Empire to help him.
There were many mercenary guilds in that state, and when one of them realized this contractor was leading them to their deaths, nothing much happened. Abe would just order his contacts in the Western Empire to hire the service of new guilds and different mercenary groups.
Hence, he was sticking to his terrorist actions against Minos, going ahead with his plans as he prepared for a big act.
'Just wait, you bastard. I will attack your little city and destroy you as you did me!' He clenched his fists as he laughed maniacally, wishing he had Minos' blood on his hands.
But he was very spiteful and did not just have Emperor Stuart in his sights.
"Send a letter to the group near Vogel's capital." He commented to someone standing near him. "It won't take long for our main action to happen. Then tell them to get the elders out of their seclusion."
"Oh? Are we going to act already?"
"Hehe, it was time..."
"All right, I'll send the message to them immediately, boss."
Several individuals commented on the matter as their group walked toward the interior of the Black Plain.
Meanwhile, behind their group came a hundred or so Spiritual Emperors, some clearing the area they were about to leave.
There was a large fire with embers on the ground, where a large barbecue stick was propped up on two small hills, still with remains of the beast's carcass that had served as food for the group.
If one looked straight at this place, one would see a long body with atrophied bones here and there and a long tail.
It had a snake head that was as big as a human house. But the most important thing about this being that it had become food was its spiritual fluctuations, which clearly said it was at level 66 before it died in this place.
Meanwhile, several corpses of snakes and other beasts lay in that area where this group had been victorious this day!
Thus, a period of brutal attacks in those areas had begun, something that nobody knew when would end, but that would soon scare children all over the region!
