After hearing Minos' suggestion, Aarav was silent for a moment, thinking about the young man's current situation, what he could achieve alongside him, and what would be best for them in this situation.
'Minos can probably fight high-level Demigods these days... This means he'll probably have the fighting power of a level 99 Demigod when the aliens arrive. That's good. It will be a great help in the battle for the Spiritual World.' Aarav thought, and the thought of betraying Minos and stealing the Divine Medicine did not even cross his mind.
Aarav was very experienced and saw things differently than people who would consider betraying anyone, depending on the circumstances. This old man could see the bigger picture and easily understand the consequences of certain decisions.
Seeing that Minos had been able to create a quasi-Spatial Kingdom after only reaching level 90, it was obvious this young man's power level was not normal. As long as he had time, he could surpass all the experts in this world.
Considering the 32 enemy Gods, Aarav would never have thought of betraying Minos in this situation. On the contrary, he saw the young man's proposal in a very positive light.
He was an exclusive member of the Pantheon of Honor, but for the sake of one Divine Medicine and the survival of humanity, he was very willing to give up his exclusive membership to join the Black Plain Empire!
'Maybe this is my chance to reach level 100,' he thought. 'At my age and with my strength, I would never be able to compete with the level 99 experts of the Spiritual World for something like this. This could be my way out!'
He said to Minos, 'I'm willing. But what about the other people? They'll also conclude that you used Divine Medicine. What do we do with them?'
Minos said in Aarav's mind while talking to the others. 'We will do nothing. I had a single Divine Medicine in my Spactial Kingdom, and I used it to increase the grade of my physique. This may be frowned upon by the world's powers, but it was the act of a leader desperate to strengthen himself.
Considering my position and the technologies I'm developing, I'm sure we'll be able to handle the pressure that will come after this.'
'That's a good plan. But we need more.' Aarav said. 'At least we need more powerful people to back you up.'
Minos replied with a nod. 'I'll manage that. How about we bring Julian's whole faction into the empire? Besides, I intend to take a short trip now to test my new powers. I'll go to Sista on this trip and try to talk to Willow. I'll try to win her over to our side as well.'
'That's...' Aarav knew that would be good, but it would be a competition for him.
Minos smiled as he realized the problem. 'I actually have four Divine Medicines. I won't give them to just anyone who is level 99. I'll only give them to those committed to becoming protectors of the empire and make deals with me.'
'Okay.' Aarav immediately felt relieved. 'Willow will be a good addition. You want to keep one medicine for yourself, right? Who will be the third level 99 Demigod you intend to bring into our group?'
'Emperor Quinn. He recently reached level 99, but that's enough. A lot of people have misconceptions about Divine-grade medicines. Level 99 Demigods don't need to be at the peak of their level to absorb them. From the moment you reach level 99, you can take one Divine Medicine at any time. So, even if you've recently increased your level, you can still do it.'
'Oh? I didn't know that.' Aarav commented, not doubting Minos. 'Very well, let's make a deal. I agree to your terms and will act in the name of the Black Plain Empire until my last days in this world.
With that settled, Minos would make a deal with Aarav based on the powers of that level 99 Demigod, who had sworn an oath to the heavens promising to do what he said if Emperor Stuart kept his part of the promise.
With that done, Minos didn't waste much time celebrating locally. After speaking with the city's most important names, he would summon three level 89 Sages and set out in pursuit of his goals.
"Your Majesty, where are we going?" One of the three distant relatives of the Goddess of Life asked as he flew south alongside Minos.
By now, the outskirts of Dry City had calmed down from the fears of a few moments ago when the capital had disappeared.
By the time this group flew over the area, the people in the empire's core had already learned of Minos' advance and the changes he had made to the capital's defenses.
That's why the four didn't see the people on their way, who had become agitated earlier when Dry City disappeared.
Minos answered the question of the woman who was about to reach level 90, the strongest of the three: "First, I'm going to visit an old acquaintance on the border of the empire and Albano.
In any case, I intend to keep my promise to you on this trip. After I pass through this area and settle my affairs there, we'll go to Veora. We'll settle your affairs with the royal family of that state."
"What?" The three asked, not expecting that they would be doing this now.
But they didn't know that the moment Minos had advanced a level, he had perceived a new kind of energy, which was also one of the reasons why he was already so strong.
Minos sensed millions of people throughout the realm as he advanced in level, and he could easily hear and sense the intentions of some of his worshippers.
At that moment, he had experienced and felt the so-called power of faith for the first time, something he wanted to explore now that he had become a Demigod.
The relatives of the Goddess of Life had gotten into trouble with the Veora family over a sacred item of theirs that could collect the power of faith. So Minos wanted to combine the useful with the pleasant, help his subordinates take revenge, and collect something precious to him.
'If I can collect the power of faith that's available in the empire, I'll be able to grow faster during my journey in the 10th stage.' He thought to himself as he watched the three. They were not expecting to get their chance for revenge so soon.
"Get ready. In a day or two, we'll visit Veora to meet the royal family of that state. After that, we'll settle everything."
With these words, Minos manipulated space and took the three of them to the area that had been the home of the Ancients Folk's nemesis.
Minos wanted to revisit a certain curse that had hindered him decades ago!
