"You weren't expecting me, were you? I've been at level 97 for ages... Conversely, you haven't even been at level 90 for a decade, Minos." Julian said with a smile, looking back at the young man he had discovered on the Divine Continent decades ago.
As he greeted Minos, he asked. "How are you? How does it feel to have all this power at your disposal?"
Minos smiled as he greeted his old acquaintance who had helped him along the way. "Well, I'd say. It doesn't feel better because I don't know if I'll still be here in 20 years." He laughed bitterly.
Julian sighed when he heard that because he felt the same way about his promotion. "If you think that, imagine how I feel... After getting so close to level 100, I feel it is getting further and further away."
"But maybe we'll beat the aliens and have a chance to advance," Minos said, trying to improve the mood of their conversation. "That's why you're here today, isn't it? To talk about how to improve our chances of success?"
"In a way, yes." Julian smiled as he looked out from where they stood on the outskirts of Dry City. "I'm here because of the Continental Tournament. Even though this competition won't be as important as it was before we found out about the alien invasion, there will still be great prizes for the bettors and participants. I can't bet since I'm part of the event organization. But I want to be on your side. I'll help you in any way I can to be the event's big winner.
Maybe we'll find some wild Divine-grade medicine if we succeed."
Minos saw Julian's narrowed eyes and understood that this man wanted to get his hands on such a medicine.
Most of the time, the organizers of the Continental Tournament didn't have the main prize. The main item of the competition was given to the winning bettor by the combined work of the seers of the Elves Tribe.
In other words, not even the elves knew where the prize was! Usually, the most the event organizers knew was the value that would be given to the tournament winner, which usually generated very important prizes for its winners.
That's why Julian wanted to join Minos for the upcoming tournament on Elves Island.
Minos asked. "Julian, let's say our alliance wins... What would you do with the Divine Medicine? I don't want to be pessimistic, but you can't reach level 99 before the aliens arrive."
"I know." Julian didn't take Minos' words to his heart. "If the prize is a Divine Medicine, as the rumors say, I have someone I trust who can use this medicine."
"Who?"
"You don't know her. She's not part of the Pantheon of Honor but an old friend of mine from the Divine Continent. She has powers based on the laws of ice, so you can imagine her value to the Spiritual World now."
Minos' eyes opened wider, for this was critical information.
Powers based on the laws of ice would be stronger during the Ice Age, given the current circumstances of the Spiritual World. A God capable of using ice could become very important on the battlefield to defeat the aliens coming to this world!
"I see... That sounds interesting." Minos muttered as he thought about it. "Very well, I'd like to meet her. If all goes well, I wouldn't mind giving her the information about such medicine if we win the dispute, of course."
"We can arrange to meet on Elves Island. There isn't much time left until the tournament, and she will join the bettors." Julian said. "That's fine then."
The two shook hands and agreed to go that way for the tournament that was about to take place on Elves Island.
"Anyway, where's Aarav? I'd like to talk to the old man." Julian asked. "The old man is arranging a mission for me. I'm afraid you won't be able to see him for a while." Minos hid the truth without lying.
"Is that so? Is he going to the Continental Tournament?"
"It is unlikely. But in about five years, he should be free. I'll tell him you're looking for him when he returns." Minos said and prepared to say goodbye to Julian and go on to other things.
Julian saw that he wouldn't be able to see his old ally today. Still, he didn't insist and soon said goodbye to Minos to return to the Divine Continent, having already taken care of official business there and ready to settle what he had just talked about with Emperor Stuart.
"See you at the Continental Tournament, Minos. Good luck with your group."
"Hmm, you too."
The two separated, with Minos quickly arriving at the seat of his government, where he would stay for the next few days to attend to the affairs of his empire.
The Ice Age worsened as time went on. Problems related to climatic phenomena were occurring worldwide, which naturally led to losses and opportunities for the Black Plain Empire.
Minos wasn't in charge of the empire during this difficult time, but he tried to learn about local affairs and help out whenever he could.
His focus was on developing new technologies and opportunities for his group's future in the war of the worlds. But dealing with his state had its importance.
But there wasn't much for him to get involved with. Dillian managed the empire very well. He was well aware of his sovereign's preferences and had decades of experience running the state and the army in the emperor's absence.
Currently at level 84 and having gone through the Minos-led talent evolution, Dillian worked well with the Demigods and Sages of this rich state.
So, after a few short days in Dry City, Minos returned to the Spatial Kingdom with a group of soldiers to undergo the next round of talent evolution.
Meanwhile, he was finally ready to test the chaotic energy cultivation methods his men had been preparing for the past few years.
With Voyager serving as the first guinea pig, it was time for Minos himself to experience the sensation of cultivating the energy from the bones of giant skeletons!
...
Arriving in his Spatial Kingdom, Minos quickly joined the group working with Voyager, leaving aside the soldiers he had brought with him.
"Let's continue with the mnemonics of the ancestral cultivation technique," Minos said as he arrived next to his scholars and Voyager. "Time for me to cultivate the energy in my being for myself."
