While enemies from different noble families of the Brown Kingdom spread across the Black Plain, Dry City was still peaceful. At the same time, the temperature was 9 degrees Celsius in this town, enough to make the people in this region put on coats.
Amidst the cold weather, by now, night had arrived in this place, and the movement on the streets had already diminished significantly, something common to happen after 9 pm.
After all, today was a weekday, and many people in this city had to rest or cultivate during this part of the day. At the same time, another small portion of the local community took care of the night services.
But in general, there wasn't much bustle in the city streets from that time on weekdays, even though services like the Cultivation Tower, Fighting Arena, and the Public Library operated 24 hours a day.
Anyway, while the Dry City janitors washed the city streets and police officers patrolled the ways, at Minos' residence, at this moment, a dinner was taking place.
In the dining room of this young sovereign's residence, several people were sitting around a large table while dishes of the most varied kinds were being served.
Fish, seafood, roasted vegetables, vegetables, some pasta, and various salads were all prepared by low-level grade-2 cooks, were being served there. But although the mastery level of these cooks was not high enough to impress the Spiritual Kings around that table, they were all satisfied with the quality of the food.
After all, food with high energy concentration could significantly improve the quality of a dish!
That is, such food would not only be richer in spiritual energy, it would also be tastier. Consequently, even cooks of lower levels could produce dishes beyond their classifications!
But while they were eating and talking, the people around that table had somewhat different expressions...
There were Abby's parents, who had broad smiles on their faces and were actively talking to the other three elders of the Miller family who had come to Dry City.
Minos had invited them to this dinner, which was being held in Dillian honor, a person who had just increased his spiritual cultivation, having reached level 53!
Previously this young man had already known that his butler would rise in level, so he had already made all the preparations for this dinner to take place. As such, he had invited the Spiritual Kings of the Miller family for this occasion.
They were allies, and it would be highly favorable for Minos if he used this year ahead to increase these people's connection to Dry City as much as possible.
And for that, occasions like these were necessary!
On the other hand, showing his subordinates increasing their level was an excellent way to impress these allies. After all, they certainly needed to understand how important it was for them to be on the good side of the Black Plain.
For now, they were only here for the techniques, but slowly Minos wanted to make them change their intentions...
But while the five Spiritual Kings were talking and laughing with Dillian, Minos and his two girlfriends were also there, talking and enjoying the occasion.
But this young man was not just interacting with his two beautiful girlfriends. After all, it would never be good on occasions like this if the group was fragmented into smaller parts.
As such, he and his girlfriends were participating in the conversations of the more experienced people there and entertaining the two women who did not seem so happy... But those women actively participated in the talks in that dining room while trying their best to hide their dissatisfaction.
Regina and Angela had been invited to this occasion by Minos, who had promised to introduce them to 'interesting' people.
At first, the two had somewhat expected that this young man would make some move against them, perhaps even introducing them to one of Regina's old enemies. However, what they had seen in this place had been much worse!
That is because two of those people had higher levels than Angela and could eliminate them with some ease. And upon hearing from Minos and those Spiritual Kings that they were in a military alliance, Regina had almost spit up a mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot.
If this was for real, then any chance she thought she had in this place had been completely obliterated. That is, it would be impossible for her to escape from such strong people in an area surrounded by a medium-level grade-2 defensive array!
Hence, although the conversation and the food were quite pleasant, Regina and Angela couldn't help but feel bitterness in the depths of their beings.
It was as if they had had a big scare or had stopped falling from a deadly fall at the last second and realized how futile their hopes were.
Particularly for Regina, who was still more willing to take certain risks here.
On the other hand, although Angela understood that it was crazy to do what her boss wanted, she had not been frightened by this city to the point of fearing for her life. She somehow understood that there were chances that if Regina did as planned earlier, they could still survive.
But seeing these people here in the dining room of Minos' residence, those thoughts had disappeared from her mind. As a consequence of realizing how close to death she and Regina had come, this white-haired woman was as shocked as her boss!
Anyway, the two were trying their best not to show their displeasure while attempting to participate in the conversations that were going on there.
In doing so, from time to time, Regina would look at Minos and press her teeth silently as she remembered the way he had played with her earlier. 'This brat!'
'Did he plan this from the beginning?' She wondered in her mind as she smiled at one of the Miller family Spiritual Kings in that place and took a fast glance in young Stuart's direction. 'Or maybe that was just my bad luck?'
'No matter... Now I have to decide between giving up my freedom or leaving and never getting the chance to learn those techniques...'
And while she was thinking about that, Abby's father finally asked something to the two women coming from Allamanda. "So, Regina, Angela, are you in Dry City to do business? Or are you young Minos' allies?"
Upon hearing this, Angela was the first to speak, seeing that her boss seemed not to have listened to the question. "Uh, we came to help with the treatment of one of the female soldiers of the local army."
Minos then laughed and said. "Don't be so elusive, Angela. You don't have to hide from them that I invited you two into my army."
"Huh?" One of the Spiritual Kings of the Miller family made a sound of surprise.
"Hehe, that's the second possibility to get advantages similar to the ones I gave the Miller family. As long as someone is willing to serve my army, I won't mistreat any of my soldiers." Minos made his advertising as he picked up a glass of wine that was in front of him at that table.
He then looked at those people in that place and smiled before his gaze fell on the beautiful figure of Regina.
Regina had an angelic appearance despite her devilish personality, which would make anyone think that she was a pure young woman, idealized by many. But, on the other hand, her purple hair and eyes made her somewhat provocative, forming this contrasting figure that was so attractive.
'Hehe, that's the look I've been waiting for...' Minos thought for a moment before finally waving his glass of wine to Regina.
...
Finally, some time passed and slowly all the visitors had tasted the dishes served earlier. And in a specific instant, Regina and her bodyguard were the first to decide to leave that place.
"Let me accompany you..." Minos said in a low voice as he left the rest of that group in his residence and followed behind those two women.
After doing so, they followed in silence for almost the entire way to the exit door. But eventually, after they passed through that door, Minos said the following. "Angela, can you wait for Regina downstairs? I want to talk something with her."
"All right, Angela, you go ahead..." Regina said in a deep tone as she gently squeezed her own hands.
"OK."
After that white-haired woman left that place, Regina turned to Minos and stared at him. "Congratulations on your alliance with the Miller family. That is a great advance for any regional force." She said coldly.
"Hehe, it is a big deal. Don't you like it? Now I have one more support to make this place even more stable. Won't that be better for you to join my army?" He approached her as he said this with a smile on his face.
Regina then bit her lips for a moment and said. "I don't have to like it or not. That is good for you and not..." However, she felt Minos' arms wrap around her waist as she was about to say that.
"Huh?"
Minos then placed her against the door of his residence and brought his face closer to hers, standing only about three centimeters away from her.
"Didn't you want this? That is your chance..." He softly said as he felt Regina's breathing rise.
'Miserable!' She glared at him as she felt that young Stuart was finally showing signs that he was attracted to her. 'Ahh, forget it. Since I can't go against you, I will just make the most of it!'
"Mmmm~"
