The Rise of the Black Plain

As flames engulfed various sectors of the capital city, the agonized cries of thousands of injured inhabitants mingled with the groans of wounded guards. Amidst this chaos, a flotilla of 16 ships made their way down the river connecting the kingdom's capital to the open sea.

The majority of these vessels had already left the urban sprawl behind, now gliding past verdant fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. More boats continued to pour out of the city, but those nearing the sea paid little heed to the exodus behind them. Their focus remained fixed on the journey ahead, with safety tantalizingly close, just minutes away.

The open waters before them represented escape from whatever horrors plagued the capital, be it the dreaded Macabre Horde or the royal forces themselves. Once they reached the sea, even the most powerful members of the royal family would struggle to intercept them quickly. This knowledge spurred the crews to push their ships to maximum speed, their singular goal to put as much distance between themselves and the chaos as possible.

On one particular vessel, Mylecent finally laid eyes on Minos, ending the uncertainty of whether she had successfully joined their group. Until this moment, Minos, and his women had remained hidden, even after Mylecent and Ysolt had boarded before departing the city.

Since one of Gloria's clone had ushered them onto the boat before returning to the fray in the city, Mylecent, Ysolt, and their three companions had been unsure when they would reunite with Minos. That changed three minutes ago when the ship's peculiar crew cleared the way for four individuals who had been concealed onboard.

As Minos and his women emerged, Mylecent felt a wave of relief wash over her. It had been decades since she had last seen them, and the reunion was bittersweet. However, her relief was quickly tempered by shock as she fully comprehended the group before her.

This group was simply too strong!

In the wake of their awkward reunion, peppered with comments unrelated to their latest joint escape, Mylecent felt her strength gradually returning with Ruth's help. As the group shared the details of their meticulously orchestrated escape plan, Mylecent's admiration grew.

Just as she had anticipated, the Macabre Horde had served as a masterful distraction. Meanwhile, strategically positioned groups of Hell Lifelings had effectively steered their enemies away from their true escape route. Now, on the brink of success, they were nearly beyond the reach of any genuine pursuit.

Minos' prophetic abilities drew enthusiastic praise from both Ysolt and Mylecent. However, the mood sobered as they settled down to discuss their next moves.

"Our priority now is to secure a safe haven for you," Minos stated, his tone tinged with concern. "During our departure, we uncovered crucial information about the one known as Eternal Death. She's far more formidable than we imagined and possesses a hellish crown."

This resonated deeply with the four Spiritual Humans who had journeyed to Hell and acquired hellish crowns of their own. They had sensed the truth of it during Eternal Death's earlier display of power.

While Ysolt and Mylecent still needed to be fully briefed on the group's hellish odyssey, they surprised their companions with their unexpected depth of knowledge on the subject.

"It's only natural," Mylecent said, her voice carrying the weight of hidden truths. "After all, she is a Devil."

"What?" Abby's eyes widened in surprise, her beautiful face a mask of confusion.

Mylecent took a deep breath, preparing to unveil a part of her family's history she had yet to share with Minos' group. "Eternal Death is not a person, but a title," she began. "The family's leaders are typically those who have attained the position of Devil in Hell and returned to rule Uzira. Our lineage was founded by a Celestial who achieved this status, and since then, we've maintained a system allowing family members to explore Hell and earn their titles."

She continued, her voice steady despite the gravity of her words, "To this end, we've kept the Awakening Peak and the Macabre Horde practical. These are crucial components for traveling to and from Hell."

The group listened in rapt attention as Mylecent delved deeper into her personal history. "The current Eternal Death is a woman of my generation—my rival. She betrayed me, preventing me from claiming the Devil's position. Her accusations of treason against me sparked my journey of rebellion."

Mylecent's eyes clouded with old pain as she concluded, "We've been locked in conflict ever since. She's pursued me relentlessly since acquiring the Devil's title. As for me, while I've never delved deeply into that dimension, I've explored enough to comprehend your situation."

A fleeting thought crossed Mylecent's mind—perhaps she should have joined them on their journey to the Peak of Awakening. But she quickly dismissed the idea, knowing she had no way of foreseeing their success. At the time of their departure, the notion that they would actually breach the barriers of Hell seemed inconceivable. Unlike her family, who possessed a privileged method of entering that dimension, others faced either the Devils' perverse games or accidental entry—both extremely perilous routes with a staggering mortality rate exceeding 90%.

"That certainly puts things into perspective," Abby mused, her understanding of the continent's complex dynamics deepening.

Minos nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it explains a great deal," he said, his brow furrowing with concern. "However, it also presents a significant problem. It won't be long before she comprehends what we possess and intensifies her pursuit."

Mylecent, grasping that Minos was referring to the crowns, instinctively clenched her fists. "If you entrust me with a crown and we venture into Hell…" she began suggestively, only to be cut short by Minos.

"Hell is not an option for us," he stated firmly. "A Devil of level 127, potentially ascending to 128 before long, would hunt us down the moment we set foot in that realm."

"What?" Ysolt, Mylecent, and their subordinates exclaimed in unison, their shock palpable.

Minos and his wives shared a bitter laugh, the weight of their predicament evident in their expressions.

"While Hell remains off-limits, Abby can bestow a crown upon you," Minos elaborated, his tone measured. "I cannot perform this act myself, as it would forge a connection between us, ultimately stripping you of your crown in the future… I sense that's not your desire."

Mylecent, now fully recovered, her white hair no longer a testament to her longevity but rather accentuating her dazzling beauty, nodded in understanding. Her gaze shifted expectantly to Abby.

"I harbor no illusions of matching that woman's prowess as a necromancer warrior. However, with a crown, I'll surpass my current strength and edge closer to advancing to the 13th stage," she said, trying to win Abby's interest.

Abby's lips curled into a smile as she materialized a black crown in her hands, her own crown manifesting simultaneously. "Very well," she agreed, her voice carrying a note of caution. "I must warn you, though—the process might prove… unsettling. Are you prepared to enter my domain?"

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