When he heard Argy's 'proposal,' something he couldn't refuse or he would surely be devoured on the spot, Minos understood almost immediately what the dragon leader of this tribe had in mind.
'Even if there is no threat to our world, if I reach the end of the 10th stage, your tribe would have an ally with some sensitive obligations towards you...' He thought for a second.
But Minos knew that he wouldn't be a mere ally. The agreement these dragons would have with him would certainly be one where he would almost be an external subordinate of the tribe.
He would certainly have many freedoms to make it look like he was just an ally. But he would have obligations to the dragons on a level that only subordinates would have, which would force him to defend the tribe or even support it if asked.
Even without listening to Argy's conditions, Minos was sure that what she wanted was to give him some superficial support in the short term so that he could more easily achieve his goals. Then, when he matured, the tribe would reap the benefits of having a powerful and influential 'member.'
This would be an excellent deal for the dragons as it would cost them very little. For Minos, on the other hand, it was a deal that would give him a lot of responsibility for little benefit in the short term.
'It's better to have this disadvantageous deal than to be killed by those dragons.' Minos bitterly laughed at his situation but was aware that it wouldn't be all bad to make this deal.
"It would be an honor for me to become an outsider member of the tribe." He said, pleasing the elders, while Umuss sighed in relief next to Minos.
As much as Minos was a stranger, he had many peculiarities that Umuss wanted to see developed a bit more.
With that answer, Emperor Stuart was one step closer to reaching the 10th stage and surviving to show beings like Umuss what he would be like once he became a Demigod.
The three high-level 10th-stage dragons smiled at each other as they transformed into their humanoid versions to greet the young Emperor Stuart.
"Haha, with this alliance, Minos, you'll easily become a Demigod!" The level 98 dragon commented.
Minos seemed to have almost everything he needed to reach the 10th stage. All he needed was the support of a powerful group to protect him until he reached that stage.
The organization he belonged to on the Divine Continent still didn't consider him essential because of his low cultivation level and also because they historically didn't send their men to protect their members.
But the dragons were different. If Minos made a deal with them, they would send someone of high rank to travel with him and make his journey smoother until he became a Demigod!
That was the final support Minos needed on his journey!
Hell, these dragons were even willing to help him deal with Vico and Maximillian if either of them became hostile to the Black Plain Empire in the future!
Argy said with a beautiful smile on her human face. "Very good, Minos. You won't regret it. Being an outside member of my tribe means that you will have responsibilities with us in the future, but also opportunities.
When you reach level 99, we can let you meditate in the area where our ancestor god is." She said, knowing that Minos would be compatible with that but also that it would be a good incentive for him to work for the good of the tribe.
The two elders beside her thought the same and saw no problem with their leader's words.
Minos narrowed his eyes when he heard it, unable to hide his smile. 'That is better. It is better for me to reach such a place without getting into trouble with this tribe. Even if they aren't the strongest in the world, they are not to be underestimated.'
"Thanks for the opportunity, senior. I'll do my best from now on!" He said with his head down, knowing there would be other benefits.
All the responsibility he would have in the future would not come without opportunity for him and his people!
'Maybe this will help me out of trouble on the Central Continent when Vico and Maximilian's war is over.' He thought as these old dragons approached him to shake his hand and greet him as a new outside member of the tribe.
Given the level of these creatures, they didn't need a spiritual judge to confirm an agreement with Minos. Emperor Stuart's oath and their will were enough to guarantee an agreement that could not be violated unless one of them became a God.
Soul contracts were also limited to level 99, so this weakness in their agreement with Minos would exist even if they used a high-level grade-4 spiritual judge, something that didn't even exist in this world.
When the agreement between them was finalized, Argy asked. "So, Minos, what are your short-term goals? What are you going to do until you become a Demigod?"
The biggest concern for the three of them would be Minos' journey until he reached level 90, his moment of vulnerability. After that, they could already see that everything about this human would change, and their worries would be greatly diminished.
So the three of them listened while Minos answered.
"I have a few things on my mind. I intend to continue my journey through the Continent of Beasts until I reach the northern coast. Of course, I'm injured now, so I'll have to delay my journey for a month or two.
But after that, I'll take my crew to the Divine Continent when I reach the north coast. In about three years, there will be a meeting of the members of the Pantheon of Honor. I must attend this event, so we'll make this trip to those lands as soon as possible.
After that, I'll return to the mainland to prepare for my trip to the North Sea. I intend to travel when I'm close to level 87."
They didn't see a problem with most of Minos' journey, but this last part was especially dangerous.
"Why don't you wait until you reach level 90? It won't take more than a few years." The green-eyed dragon asked, still as threatening as before, even in his humanoid form.
"The war on the Central Continent has been going on for several years, and as far as I know, the leaders of both sides are trying to make final breakthroughs before deciding the conflict. This means that the war could end at any moment with the success or failure of one of them." Minos said seriously. "But it wouldn't be good for me if the war ended before I could prove my theories.
If I do that, I'll have a problem for the winner of the war to worry about, in addition to the catastrophe approaching us. This will remove the danger from my state, and I'll be able to develop my plans better.
I'll also have more support, which will be good for me and my allies."
These three heard that and understood Emperor Stuart's haste.
...
