The Rise of the Black Plain

Chapter 5: Passing the Command

When Minos got out of the carriage, he saw some guards lined up beside the mansion's entrance gate. This place wasn't as big as his previous mansion in the kingdom's capital, but it was a good size.

It had two floors beyond the first floor. It was white, which meant that the place didn't attract much attention in this region, other than that it was like the city, very simple and very dry, there wasn't a single plant to decorate the place, just an empty lot in front of the building, along with a big fence and a gate.

Then, a slightly overweight middle-aged man with some white hair on his head, unshaven and dressed in a white robe, started walking towards the gate, where the ranks of guards were watching the situation in question.

In fact, in the past two days, most of the officers on duty in the Dry City were already preparing for today. After all, after six years, they would finally meet their sovereign!

As for what they expected... It didn't truly matter who was in charge here. With all the problems in this region, there wasn't much to do, and therefore, many of them didn't care much about it.

It was just a person with a different name giving them orders.

However, there were a few who were concerned. After all, even if they can't improve, these people, at least, wanted to maintain their current status. But regress... That was the worst. So, a few were concerned whether this sovereign could deal with local affairs or not since he apparently had no experience.

And to make matters worse, as far as they knew, he hadn't even started cultivating yet. As far as they knew, he might as well be good for nothing!

Anyway, the man who was slightly overweight introduced himself. "Welcome to Dry City, my name is Nelson Skinner, and I've been taking care of the Black Plain region for the past six years, by the orders from King Brown. I was ordered to wait for the arrival of the sovereign and then pass on the commander of the region to him."

"Please accompany me to my old office. I will show you the most important things for you." After hearing this, Minos and Dillian followed Regent Skinner into the mansion.

"Young master Stuart, after I received the news of your recovery, I made all the arrangements to facilitate the change of command. I have already made sure that all-important information is passed on to you today."

...

After a few hours of conversation, Nelson Skinner finally left the mansion with a wide smile on his face.

He could finally get out of this hole!

He couldn't even wait another minute to leave. In fact, since dawn, all his belongings were already properly stored, and his carriage was already on edge to go at any time. As soon as he left the mansion, he left without looking back, hoping he would never have to return to this place.

...

Inside the mansion, Minos was meeting the secretary who worked for the regent during the previous period and the leader of the Dry City guard.

The secretary was called Mia, she was 27 years old, level 23, Blue talent. She had a beauty that can be considered common, but even so, she pleased the eyes, especially with her well-pronounced curves.

The commander of the guard was called Pyke, he was 53 years old, level 35, Blue talent. He was tall, over 1.9 meters, and had sharp eyes. There was also a medium scar on the right side of his face.

Both were born and raised in the Black Plain region. Mia started working for the local government five years ago, while Pyke had already worked in the guard under three regents sent by the king in the past 25 years.

He was definitely the person who knew this region the most, being someone who could surely help the young Stuart a lot.

After meeting them and other members of the local administration, Minos stayed in his new office, with only the butler Dillian to discuss some of the information they had received.

In that time, they obtained some relevant data regarding the reality in which the region of the Black Plain was.

For example, the current Dry City had about 30,000 inhabitants and, with an annual tax of 1 low-level spiritual crystal, there was an income of about 30,000 crystals per year.

In addition, the crystal mines in this region produced an amount of about 24,000 low-grade crystals, but the government was left with only 25% of the total since workers and other costs demanded the rest of the amount. Thus, the region yielded about 36,000 low-grade crystals per year.

But it also cost 12,000 crystals a year, relative to the 30 guards and city management officials, generating a profit of just 24,000 crystals.

However, in the current city's safe box, there were only 1,000 crystals!

Undoubtedly, the former regent had taken everything else, as the tax collection had taken place a few days ago, and therefore the safe box should be full. With that amount, the government could only function for one month!

Minos also discovered that the region of the Black Plain had about 200,000 km2 of area, which was of no use, despite being a plain that could be almost completely prepared for planting. However, it was completely sterile and wasn't suitable for agriculture.

There was also a lake at the eastern end of the territory, which supplied the region. There were some rivers, too, but they didn't draw much attention until then. They were only used together with the coast to obtain seafood, which was traded within the Dry City, but this didn't have a large volume of business. It was an activity done only to ensure the survival of the fishermen's families.

There was mining in the territory, but it was a very low amount of crystals involved, which wasn't worth worrying about.

Finally, Minos asked the butler Dillian a question with a serious face. "Grandpa Dillian, how many crystals do we have left of what the father had left behind?"

"Young master, after spending the past 6 years and the recent move, there are about 30,000 low-grade and 500 medium-grade crystals left."

The young man sighed and then said. "Well, although it's not much, it's enough to get started. Then I want to take a look at the land around the city, and I want to create a group to help me with agriculture. I think I have a way to improve the soil. I just need to confirm this before I'm sure."

"I also want them to collect information about array masters. I want to buy a large array to put around the city to increase the concentration of spiritual energy. But for now, I just want information about that since we won't be able to pay for such a service for now."

"As well as information about spiritual blacksmiths. I want to know exactly who and where to look when we have enough crystals."

The arrays in question were formations that could convert spiritual energy into other forms of energy, concentrate spiritual energy in certain areas, create protected regions, etc.

Although this world didn't develop technologies, people could still have a comfortable lifestyle if they had enough crystals. For example, there were simpler arrays that emitted light. Others were used to release heat and many other forms that could facilitate daily life in this place.

As for the array masters, these were individuals who focused on cultivating specific techniques related to the arrays.

Generally, they weren't warriors, as they don't cultivate attack, defense, and moving techniques, focusing most of their maximum 10 techniques on the support of the arrays. However, they were very influential throughout the Spiritual World.

As blacksmiths, they were almost the same as array masters, with the difference that they specialize in techniques that aid in the production of spiritual equipment.

So, the butler Dillian was extremely shocked by what he had just heard. "Way to improve? Young master, I want to trust you, but I don't think this land could be improved."

"In fact, there is a reason why this place is called the Black Plain. This is related to the fact that in this environment, for a long time, any plant planted will slowly die and turn completely black before finally turning to dust."

"Many experts have tried to solve this problem, but they all ended up failing." Dillian said with a pity face.

Minos then decided it was time to tell Dillian about his inheritance. "Grandpa Dillian, there is actually a reason for me to say that."

"Six years ago, I lost my father and almost died, but I was also given a great opportunity. I was recognized by the God Henricus Longus and received his inheritance."

"With that, I got a lot of knowledge and also a special place left by him with many items that can help us now and in the future. In fact, when I was unconscious, I was also related to receiving this inheritance." After saying this with a straight face, Minos threw a scroll of gold paper in Dillian's direction.

The butler then looked at that when he suddenly thought. "This is... Hmm... It can't be!!!"