The Rise of the Black Plain

When Gary resisted the local police officers' order, the three individuals prepared to jump on him and force him to the ground.

He had just committed two infractions by throwing the previous individual, and with his insubordination, there was no reason for these officers to give him the chance to follow them on foot to justice.

Seeing that they were going to act against him, Gary drew his weapon from his spatial ring, ready to fight for his freedom against these foolish people who thought he was someone ordinary.

"I want to see what you weaklings can do! I have a large family on my side to support me, but you are mere subordinates!" He laughed as he slashed with his sword toward the police officer holding a metallic-looking rope.

When the Dry City citizens on the outskirts of that area saw this, several began to shake their heads in disapproval, already imagining what would happen next.

In the recent past, not only in the last four years but even before the Black Plain's War of Independence, insubordination, petty crime, and local misdemeanors happened in Dry City.

Since the completion of the local prison, that place, most of the time, always had some citizens because of some people's transgressions.

Also, with the independence of this state and the arrival of tourists, now and then, someone like Gary, thinking he was in his home, would show up and then act against the local laws.

Because of this, many citizens of the capital of Minos had already witnessed the fate of people who disregarded the local laws.

They could be children of great noble houses, wealthy merchants, or even orphans without a place to call home. Everyone breaking the local rules would end up suffering punishments ranging from a few days in prison to even the death sentence!

And seeing this guy acting against members of the local forces, many there already knew what would happen to Gary.

'Ignorant idiot. You will bitterly regret this foolish decision.' A middle-aged lady watched Gary struggling with the three police officers as she remembered the local laws and punishments.

- 'Infraction: resisting detention and fighting government agents when they are performing their duties.

- Punishment: 3 years in prison, 100,000 low-grade crystals, work in farm fields for five years without payment, and renounce the right to compete for spots in local organizations.'

After a few moments of struggle amidst the crowd of people waiting for the music concert in that square, Gary saw two of the three police officers lying on the ground, with several cuts across their bodies.

"That's for you to learn where you belong!" He laughed as he saw those two groaning in pain while the third was kneeling, breathing hurriedly.

But as Gary was slowly moving away from those men to return to the line, a man dressed in army armor jumped down from a nearby roof and landed beside those people.

Seeing the emblem of Lieutenant on this person's left chest, the citizens finally began to murmur among themselves, waiting for the resolution of the conflict.

"Ah, the show is over..."

"I wonder where this idiot came from? Did he come to Dry City just to spend a few years in prison and pay tens of thousands of crystals to the government?" 

"That must be one of those arrogant idiots who depend on their family in everything they do..."

"Tsk!"

"People like that deserve to suffer!"

Hearing some comments from people in the surrounding area, Gary frowned and felt angry. But under the gaze of the Spiritual King approaching him, he decided not to pay so much attention to these people.

"You're pretty bold, huh? But so what? What are you going to do now?" The level 53 soldier approached that fellow calmly, circling the surroundings and smiling.

Seeing the name inscribed on that person's armor, Gary thought for a moment and said. "Senior Neal, these people tried to act against me, so I defended myself. What's wrong with that?"

"Oh? What's wrong with that? These are police officers from Dry City, from the most important order of the Black Plain Police. You committed a serious crime by raising your weapon against them." Brooke's ex-husband said, just before informing Gary of part of the punishment he was about to undergo.

"I hope you don't have a wife. Otherwise, it will be a long three years for her... That is if she has the patience to wait for you."

"What? Are you saying you're going to keep me here for three years? Do you know who I am?"

"No." Neal smiled. "Who are you?"

"I am the son of Winton Parham, one of the greatest array masters in the region!" Gary said proudly. "Then, forget what happened here since I won't be imprisoned in this place!"

"Oh? I don't know this person either... By any chance, is he more important than the regional kings?" Neal looked at the surroundings and smiled, seeing everyone there nodding no.

"A pity then, because even if a regional king committed your crimes, he would still be arrested and have to receive the full punishment." 

Neal snapped his fingers and started to approach Gary, causing that young man to break out into a cold sweat as he backed away.

"You can't do this to me! I am the only son of a high-level Spiritual King!"

"You don't know what can happen to you if something happens to me!" Gary bellowed in nervousness as he looked around for the people in his group. "Sibley, tell him what will happen to him if something happens to me!"

But his group mate just hid in the crowd, leaving this fellow talking to himself.

"You rely too much on other people's powers, huh?" Neal made a serious expression before deciding to act. "Then let me teach you something..."

Pow!

He punched that offender's belly hard enough to make Gary bawl in pain, but not to the point of putting his life at risk. "Your father is not here."

Pow!

"Your family is not here."

Pow!

"Even if your father were here, he would either see you get beaten, or he would get beaten along with you."

Pow!

...

Pow!

After beating the offender for more than 10 minutes and showing other tourists in that place what would happen if any of them raised their weapons to government agents, Neal finally finished his service.

He looked at the police officer, who seemed in a better condition of the three, and said. "Go report what happened here to your superior and then go to the hospital."

"Yes, Lieutenant!" He said before helping his companions.

After that, Neal picked up Gary's unconscious body from the ground and placed it on his back, intending to leave that area to send this fellow to prison.

"Lieutenant, may I ask you a question?" A female voice came from the crowd.

"Oh? What do you want?" Neal turned to one of the women in Gary's group.

"What's going to happen to him?"

"He resisted detention and acted against local police officers. In addition, he participated in a fight and destroyed public property... As a result, he'll get more than three years in jail, work a few more years in the local fields, and pay a big penalty."

He saw the concern on that woman's face and laughed. "Don't worry. If he doesn't have the resources, we will send someone to collect on his family."

"You don't have to worry about bearing the cost of your teammate."

After hearing that, the members of Gary's group watched Neal disappear into the crowd while the tourists in the surrounding area continued to open their mouths in amazement.

"It is like everyone says, the Black Plain has a blind justice that doesn't care where the offenders come from!"

"Hmmm."

"One can't be too careful in this place. We can't take chances just because of our pasts."

"The people here are challenging..."

Comments continued to pour in that area as young people who would compete in the Black Plain Tournament passed by and learned more about this place.

...