After the meeting with leaders of Spiritual Church posts around Minos' territory of influence, his staff dispersed to get on with their business.
Keeping communication arrays like the ones they had used running wasn't cheap, and the most important thing to talk about had already been taken care of.
So, in the blink of an eye, only Minos and some of the staff of that Dry City outpost were left behind in the upper-echelon meeting room of this temple.
Minos and Gloria were still sitting in their seats when he looked at the only two remaining people there along with them. "I want you to help me figure out how to get information about the North Sea with the Church.
I heard from a woman in the Flowers Kingdom that the Spiritual Church has crucial information about this chaotic area. I am very interested in getting my hands on it."
"North Sea?" The Matriarch and the Patriarch there looked at each other, feeling that this was somewhat unexpected.
Unlike Minos' subordinates, who knew about his intentions regarding the North Sea, these factional allies within the Spiritual Church knew nothing. After all, they were not exactly on the same side as Emperor Stuart. They were just people with affinities within the ranks of the Spiritual Church. But there was no great compromise between them outside that organization.
At the same time, their positions could change, and their relationship was by no means guaranteed for the long term.
Consequently, the two were surprised to hear that.
"What does Your Majesty want to know about the North Sea?" The leading Patriarch of Albano's post asked.
Minos said. "I have several questions about that area, but I don't think you have any useful information for me."
Minos had already questioned Joseph about it on his passage through the Flaming Empire before his return to Dry City. So if even that level 79 man, a member of a powerful faction of the Church, didn't know about it, it wouldn't be these two level 77 individuals and members of Gloria's faction who would.
He said. "I want you to assist me in finding out how to reach people with information about this place."
Those two only knew common information about the North Sea, which Gloria should also know.
If even she couldn't help with what Minos wanted, then it meant that they wouldn't have the information. The two understood this readily and did not insist on trying to tell him what little they knew.
"If it is top secret information, I believe that only cultivators of the highest level know anything..." The woman said, looking at her companion, who, unlike Gloria, had been in his position for many centuries, so he had more experience.
He agreed. "Yes, even high-level Spiritual Sages may not know for sure about what Your Majesty wishes, so we may have to have some influence with Spirit Demigods to achieve that."
Having influence with someone like that did not demand Minos and his staff that at least one of them be at that stage. As long as they could get the attention of one of them and something to trade, achieving that information should not be impossible.
Gloria commented. "If only through a Spiritual Demigod can we receive that information, then I think it will take time for us to have it in hand..."
"That will depend on the size of our faction. The bigger and more powerful it is, the easier it will be to reach someone of that level." Minos said.
It was obvious that if they got stronger, easier it would be to get what they wanted. But when a faction grew, it didn't just grow in one direction but in all possible directions. Because of this, a collective was always more powerful than an individual, and this could make things easier for both of them.
They weren't influential enough at the moment, but it wouldn't take either of them to reach the 10th stage for them to influence with Demigods.
Not all Demigods were the same. Some of them would lead their organizations and be known throughout the world. But others would serve those more powerful, which made some more accessible than others.
Through this, Minos could reach the answers he sought!
He had the map of the Seraphim Ancient Sarcophagus in his hands, but he didn't know if it would be worth it to him to exchange such a thing for the information from the North Sea.
He felt that the North Sea was of a high level and the information he wanted would be expensive. But perhaps the map in the Spatial Kingdom was too valuable even for that.
So, for now, Minos wanted to keep it with him without considering it a possible trade item.
Anyway, the four of them finished their conversation with those two level 77 cultivators promising to go after what Minos wanted, to identify people capable of giving him this information and also ways for him to convince such individuals.
Gloria would continue at the Dry City Church temple to continue her local duties. At the same time, Minos would return to the imperial palace, where he had other matters to deal with.
...
Three months later...
After Minos' return to the Black Plain, this state continued its operations as usual, with no major problems during this period.
The only interesting thing in these weeks was the end of Abby's recovery and her return to cultivation. Because of this, as she was already at the limit of level 72 previously, she was able to advance to level 73 in the days that passed.
News of little Kendrick's birth also spread throughout the empire during this period, with various subordinates, vassals, and allies of Minos sending gifts to Dry City.
Unlike Sarah, Kendrick was the heir to the Black Plain Empire and, with the position of Crown Prince, would have great powers in the future. So it was only natural that many would already begin to show their interest in being by the side of Minos' son by sending gifts to a newborn.
Anyway, while little Kendrick enjoyed his days suckling more breasts than some grown men, some people from afar arrived near Dry City.
A woman and a man, mounted on a winged beast that looked like a chicken, appeared in the Dry City sky, watching the area ahead with interest.
From there, they could see several floating islands, giant flying turtles in the sky, and more, an impenetrable barrier even for them, Spiritual Sages.
Even the strongest of the two, level 85, couldn't help but frown as he realized he could not cross the space in front of him.
"It seems that Emperor Stuart's wealth is great... No wonder his estate is growing so fast." This man said as the level 84 woman beside him watched that beautiful city with interest.
"He's not bad. He doesn't even know us, and even though he is a mere Spiritual Saint, he will force us to follow his rules to enter this city." The woman said in a humorous tone, knowing that to fulfill their mission, they would have to enter that area, where only by accepting the local impositions would they have their entry allowed.
'Let's see what their group will decide, Master Calvert...'
