Minos' wives continued to stare at those people while the emperor's children stared at him.
Minos kept his expression neutral, thinking before he spoke.
After a few seconds of silence, he said. "That is indeed true. Some time ago, I found the map connected to the Seraphim Ancient Sarcophagus. At the time, I didn't know what it was about. But with the emergence of various pressures on me because of such a map, I eventually found out what it was about."
He continued as he gestured. "Your Highness, can you understand the pressure on the shoulders of a person who has something valuable to both the Eastern Empire and the Evergreen Empire?
If I handed over that map to the Blood Triangle Pirates, not only could that turn against me in the future, but the Eastern Empire would turn against me and brand me as an enemy.
If I were to hand over such a thing to the Eastern Empire, I would end up in a horrible situation of making an ally with an enemy power of the one present in my territory...
That way, I would become an enemy of the Spiritual Church and the Evergreen family."
The three men from Sista understood Minos' situation and continued listening to him.
"So I decided not to hand over such a thing to either side.
I decided to take a risk and go after what such a thing carried to find out the value of it." He said sincerely. "I just didn't expect that going after such a thing would make the Travisani family so angry...
Did you know that some of that family members were in my city to arrest me just because I did that?"
Those three people nodded, for they already knew what had happened in Dry City when Minos returned alongside Maximillian and Darren.
Many people had seen that incident, so Minos made no effort to hide such a thing either.
'This is natural... Such a thing will lead us to disaster.' Those two guards thought the same thing, while the prince saw that Minos seemed to know nothing of the danger that could reach the entire continent.
"Your Majesty, did you know what you would find by following such a map? Did you have control over what happened when you found that ancient site?" The prince asked before moving on with the matter.
"I didn't know. I can say that I was shocked to find out what the map led to. And no, I had little control over what was about to happen. The only thing I did was pull a lever. The rest happened beyond my capabilities.
By following the map, anyone capable of getting where I got to would end up generating the same situation as I did."
"I see..." George said before revealing the truth to Minos. "Your Majesty acted out of ignorance. The truth is that Vico Travisani heard a prophecy that said that such a map was associated with the release of a great evil upon the continent and the beginning of a catastrophe.
Because you used such a map, Emperor Travisani, who always wanted to destroy such a thing, was furious and decided to capture and punish you for putting the entire continent at risk."
"Oh?" Minos was surprised to hear that, not expecting that there was actually such a prophecy.
The same was true for Abby and Ruth, who immediately thought such evil upon the continent must be Maximillian!
They immediately looked at Minos with concern from what they knew of this man's plans and the divine weapon he had in hand.
Only Kendrick, who didn't fully understand what was happening, was confused, watching the expressions in the surroundings.
"I didn't know that..." Minos commented. "Anyway, what's done is done and can't be changed. I didn't mean any harm. I was just trying to protect my state.
I also heard a prophecy about a threat to the entire Spiritual World, and since I started developing Dry City, I've been trying to build a force capable of counteracting that.
I thought using this map would be the best way to ensure the development of my forces, and I don't regret my decision. The information I had at the time said that was the best decision of all."
"Have you also heard a prophecy?" One of the two guards frowned, not expecting to hear this.
But neither he nor his two fellow travelers doubted Minos, for his accomplishments were too impressive for him to have had no help on the way here.
Minos stated. "The continent and the entire Spiritual World will face a great threat in the future. That I suspect will come from the North Sea."
"North Sea?"
"From that place?"
Those three looked at each other, finding this information new and not immediately dismissing it.
But they would not dwell too long on this subject, saving it in their minds for another time.
What mattered now was that Minos had made that risky decision for sensible reasons and not because he wanted to throw the continent into chaos to take advantage of the situation.
He seemed as concerned as they were about the future, so none of the three could consider him an enemy just for his inconsequential actions.
They would no longer act against Minos, given the protection the Black Plain Empire had received from Maximillian. But there was a possibility that they would now end the previous agreement between their states.
But seeing Minos' seriousness and sincerity, they could not decide on their own.
If Queen Sista decided to terminate their agreement after hearing this, then that would be the future. But they, on their own, didn't think they were ready to do that.
"I understand. Your Majesty had his reasons..." George Sista commented before asking. "So you are still interested in continuing with our previous agreement?
I can't explain it, but I feel that soon our allies and yours may become enemies."
"Senior Maximillian is our friend, but I see no problem continuing our old agreement. I am sure he will not try to stop me... Everything will depend on your side." Minos said, willing to remain allied with Sista.
Even if a war of conquest started in the next few months, if Maximillian maintained his promises, there would be no interference in the Black Plain, and the conflict would take place far away from that area. With that, Minos would not have to worry about Sista being at war with that man and was willing to do business with that kingdom.
For anyone who wanted to be on his side, he had his arms open to welcome them, even if it meant he would have Maximillian enemies on his side!
...
