The Rise of the Black Plain

After a few hours since those members of the Gill family had been subdued by the previous action of Minos' group, each of those people had already made their registrations locally.

That was not a time-consuming procedure. On the contrary, it was rapid since it consisted of only collecting basic information. After all, this was only for the local sovereign to know the numbers of inhabitants, percentages of the local population with specific characteristics, in short, helpful information in managing the city.

On the other hand, after they had done this registration, each of these people received their respective identification IDs and the opportunity to read the law book of Dry City!

Since they had subordinated themselves to the Black Plain Army, it was of fundamental importance that each of those Gill family members understood the rules of Dry City. Otherwise, it could result in unnecessary trouble for both sides.

And upon finding out about some of the local rules, those people had been somewhat shocked by some of the punishments there. As an example, the case of the law regarding treason, that even the relatives of the traitor would have to suffer from the consequences.

Such a punishment might not seem so impressive when one looks at it in isolated situations since it would not go so far as to eliminate the relatives of the traitor. But when you look at it closely, this type of punishment demonstrated the local government profile.

This punishment showed that the local government was not cruel enough to eliminate entire families because of one person's mistake. But, at the same time, it showed that there was no forgiveness of severe errors.

Once someone made a mistake, that person could destroy himself and his own family's future!

So, just by analyzing this, someone more attentive could already understand that the government behind the Black Plain was not cruel, but it was not merciful either.

Consequently, it might be more complicated to associate with such an organization than with other local powers.

On the one hand, just because the government of the Black Plain wasn't cruel, that didn't mean that it would be easy to get away with crimes.

A person or power could not depend on things like inaction or negligence.

On the other hand, just because the government wasn't benevolent, that did not mean that it would be easy to frame or get away with crimes.

In other words, it would not be so easy to bribe official agents.

At least these alternative 'options' that would always exist in any organization would not be as accessible as they were in high-level regional powers. So, relying on bribery or negligence would be a more difficult path to take in a relationship with the Black Plain Army.

And it would mean that each of these people would have to be more careful not to break local laws, or they might not get a less damaging 'alternative'...

Anyway, several of the more experienced people in that group of Gill family members had understood these points and had already advised caution to the other people there. And with this in mind, it didn't take long before the group was directed to Dry City, where they would live from now on.

Since the arrival of these people was already expected by Minos' army, all the necessary preparations had already been made. Therefore, the almost 30,000 people from this noble house would only need to come here to be 'welcomed.'

As part of the local welcome, some of the Gill family members who had been in Dry City before had been assigned to show these newcomers around.

That was an excellent opportunity for these people to understand what had happened to those sent here previously and learn a little more about life locally.

After all, no matter how much they had learned about the local laws, knowing how things worked in practice was always going to be different than in theory!

Hence, Beatrice, Russ, Lionel, Winston, and a few others, were there to direct these hundreds of people to where they should stay in this city and also talk to their fellow family members.

These people from the Gill family were not going to stay in the local prison since that place could not house so many people. There was room for this group, but not for the nearly 30,000 members of the Gill family who were to arrive in Dry City in the coming weeks.

Therefore, it made no sense that the government of Minos would put these people in jail and then release them after a few days... That would have no practical effect and would only make the officers' jobs who looked after the local prison more difficult.

But they wouldn't be free locally either. After all, they had just arrived in this city and had been subjugated by Minos. So, undoubtedly, there was some resentment, and the noble arrogance of some of these people could cause problems when they went to try to live normally in this city.

Considering this, the alternative that the local government had found had been to 'house' these Gill family members in the same neighborhood, where there were many empty new buildings.

There were many such places in the current Dry City since this place had been preparing to absorb Maritime City for quite some time now... So, it was not difficult to get such a thing.

In any case, a place that the army could watch the surroundings and act more easily against these people, if they had to, of course.

On the other hand, these people would be inserted calmly into the local society, undergoing a cultural 'treatment,' to adapt to the reality of Dry City.

It was not easy to arrive in a new place with a culture completely different from one's own and still suffer from a measure that could segregate them. As such, they could not simply be 'thrown' into Dry City since they would not behave like ordinary citizens of this place overnight.

There was a big difference between them and the other immigrants who came here. The ordinary immigrants came here for the opportunities, but they were here against their will.

Hence the need for all this.

Anyway, it was not easy or quick to deal with this kind of thing. Still, these had been the measures that the local government had decided to use to control the Gill family and slowly absorb them.

...

"Beatrice, I'm glad you're okay... I thought you were being tortured or something." One of those Spiritual Kings from the Gill family group said as he walked behind this noblewoman who had fallen into Minos' hands before.

They were already heading towards where the Gill family would be accommodated in Dry City. On the way, Beatrice and other former prisoners who were members of that family followed them and talked.

"Hmm, after I found out the truth about this place after recovering from that monster's attack, I thought you were pretty bad..." Another person commented.

"By the way, what are you guys doing here? Have things been too hard for you?"

Beatrice then shook her head in denial and began to explain. "Well, considering that we were enemies, the treatment wasn't that bad..."

"Our wounded guards received medical treatment; we had to work to pay for the costs of the local prison, and we lived in that place until yesterday."

"Other than that, we were not tortured, although we were forced to write those letters..." She said honestly.

"Oh? Are you still living in such a prison? And why is it different for us?" Someone asked.

"It was like that until yesterday. But since your group arrived today, from now on, we will live in the same place, on the place controlled by the local forces." Winston said promptly.

It didn't make sense to keep some of them in prison and others free in Dry City. It was easier to keep an eye on them in one area and lessen the burden on the officers who controlled that prison!

"I see..."

"But this place is a surprise! I didn't expect to find 12 Spiritual Kings around here!"

"Hmm, true. And that monster is already stronger than the patriarch. Imagine if those others are like that too..."

...

While the Gill family group understood the reality of those already living in Dry City, Minos had already arrived at his mansion, where he wanted to settle a particular matter!

'It is time for us to get everything ready regarding those investigators from the royal family....'