"The empire is doing well, as far as it can..." Minos said. "The Edwardstone family lost some members in the silent confrontation against Mortimer. But not only that, some powers preferred a fate away from the empire after their treasonous actions.
So naturally, the imperial family lost some of its vassals." He said suggestively. "There's also the situation with the Saints Killing Sect and the departure of members of the Gray Clouds Sect to my state...
There are fewer organizations and cultivators above the 7th stage in the current Flaming Empire than in your time."
Hearing all this, Harold felt the time change, clenching his fists in disappointment with himself. He didn't blame Minos; this man had never forced him into anything. Instead, he had bet on Emperor Stuart and unfortunately ended up in this situation.
So Harold was disappointed in himself, unhappy that he couldn't protect his domain from the malicious parasites that had caused all this chaos.
Minos continued. "But the empire is recovering. The imperial family has been regaining control over the state, and Isabella is skillfully leading it...
The old supreme elder is slowly putting aside his position as regent to spend his days cursing me... Good for Isabella, I'd say."
Harold listened to this interestedly, figuring that old fellow wouldn't live much longer.
'He must be preparing for his departure...' Harold did not judge the supreme elder for being so pessimistic about the world, especially Minos.
'Isabella is currently at level 73, close to advancing. She is doing well by her mother and stepmothers' side, but honestly, I wouldn't say she is happy with your responsibilities."
Harold looked into Minos' eyes and asked. "I heard a rumor about you and her... Maybe that's why she's not so happy running the empire."
"Probably." Minos smiled bitterly. "Anyway, because of me, the Gray Clouds Sect is getting much stronger, and even with fewer members in the Flaming Empire, this force has never been stronger within your state.
In a short time, we will be able to regain all the power recently lost in that state through my sect."
"Is that so?" Harold bowed his head, looking at the dark part of his cell. "That sounds promising for the Black Plain Empire... What will be your next move, Minos?"
"To go away from this kingdom of women and see the birth of my son," Minos answered sincerely.
Harold heard this and became a little less tense. "Son? Who is pregnant?"
"Abby, my empress."
"Good!"
Silence spread through the surroundings until Harold spoke again. "So, no plan for the short term? What is the status of the four states you promised me part of your territories?"
"Things have changed. I did my best to make it happen, but with Mortimer's rise, his forces and other states in that area have been forced to retreat.
Because of this, there is no longer any threat in that area to frighten the side of the four territories.
On the other hand, my state has strengthened recently, so our old plans would no longer be possible to realize."
Minos intended to follow his plans when he made deals with Harold and Isabella. But times have changed, and many setbacks have arisen to alter the course they were following.
Now, with everything having already happened, Minos did not feel he could accomplish what he had promised Harold, even if he tried with all his being.
Minos had never promised to do everything himself. Harold and his forces needed to act to provoke the leaders of the enemy states of the Flaming Empire to wish to flee to the Black Plain. The time for that had passed, and now the people of those states feared Emperor Stuart's territory far more than this other man's!
Even the heavens recognized that Minos had no control over this, and the lightning punishment had not and would not fall on him over this matter.
Harold knew that the heavens were impartial and punished those who broke their promises because of bad intentions.
Minos even had bad intentions, but not regarding his promises with the heavens as his witnesses.
Therefore, this Spiritual Sage could only regret the failure of his agreement with Minos.
"Anyway, that doesn't matter anymore." That exhausted fellow said, sighing. "Do you even have any hope of getting me out of here? I heard from a eunuch the local sovereign's plans for you. Will you be able to defeat her daughters?"
"Defeat? That I am not capable of." Minos was honest. "If what I heard is true, they are strong enough to defeat me in a fair fight.
"Then what are you doing here?" Harold asked in an altered tone, stepping forward and grabbing hard at the bars of the cell.
"I am here to win by forfeit," Minos said. "None of the princesses will stand up to my worst, and they will either have to die or give up the fight.
Either way, I will get what I want and eventually return home."
Harold's eyes opened considerably, seeing how far Minos was willing to risk himself to save his life and Oswald's.
He had already heard about Oswald's plight from a eunuch who was torturing him with the idea of becoming one of them. Because of this, he was very grateful to that man, who had risked coming to this state and falling into the queen's trap.
But not only that, when he found out about it, he was relieved that that man had taken such a risk and come to this place, ensuring that Minos would come to the Flowers Kingdom.
Anyway, that had been in the past, and now Harold was impressed with Minos' commitment and said. "Good luck. Otherwise, we may all end up the same way very soon."
With Harold's laughter, Minos nodded to this man and looked at the level 89 woman waiting for him, who had heard everything.
But Minos didn't care what she had heard. Knowing what he had in mind and a little about the local situation in the Flaming Empire would not help the princesses against him at all.
"So you're supposed to be able to kill the princess?" That woman asked before opening the wormhole to the royal palace of this state.
"It's not impossible. It's up to her." Minos said. "I can't defeat her, but she won't be able to defeat me either. In this situation, she either forces her way to face me or gives up.
I just don't know the exact outcome of that fight." Minos' eyes narrowed. "If one of them takes too long, a new alternative may arise, and I may become too strong for them to hold off the challenger."
That woman's eyes narrowed, and she looked at Minos, trying to read his words, which she couldn't understand since she didn't believe he was being literal.
In any case, it was not her job to do anything against him at the moment. All she had to do was to get him back to the palace for the start of the challenge!
"For I want to see what you are capable of, Minos Stuart." She commented.
...
