The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 278 - 19: Merger (2)

Chapter 278: Chapter 19: Merger (2)

Komer’s expression darkened. In recent times, the Homer Navy Fleet had been particularly active, continuously intercepting merchant ships in the central region of the Nether Sea to inspect fleets coming in and out of Mattdam, strictly enforcing a so-called ban to prevent strategic resources from flowing into the territories of Leon and the Barbarians. Everyone was well aware of the actual targets. Even if the ships had complete paperwork and had paid their taxes adequately, they were still brought back to Odessa and delayed for a few days before being released. This caused resentment among the crews traveling to and from Mattdam. Fortunately, the Homer Navy had not yet crossed the traditional boundary line controlled by the Gray Skull; merchant ships coming from the colonies on the Blue Continent and those from the south of the Blue Continent had not been greatly affected. However, much of Caucasus’s food supply came from the north, and now the plan to maintain necessary food reserves by hoping for local bumper harvests and then importing large quantities of food had been put on hold. The current food imports were no longer meeting the needs, which had become Komer’s most daunting challenge.

Komer also knew that it was no longer meaningful to negotiate with those folks from Gote. The Gray Skull’s attention had turned entirely towards the Mediterranean to the south. The rapidly expanding influence of the Red-haired Witch Katerina’s pirate fleet had seriously threatened the survival of the Gray Skull, and after acquiring the Mirror of Thousand Miles, the Gray Skull had come to believe in their strength to reclaim the rights that were originally theirs. The conflict between them had moved from small-scale clashes towards war. Therefore, the Gray Skull paid no attention to the Homer Navy’s continuously southern extending patrol range. As long as it did not threaten their foundation, looking at the situation, it was unlikely they would easily enter into conflict with the Homer Navy over the life and death of Caucasus.

To solve this problem now, Komer had to rely on himself. His gaze stealthily drifted westward, where the vast Great Swamp lay. The Great Swamp Area was created largely due to the abundant water supplied by the Catania River and its massive tributary system, combined with frequent flooding. It was also the biggest habitat of the Jellyfish People.

The Jellyfish People might be one of the most fascinating species on the Continent. They were unlike species that lived entirely on land, nor were they like the Shark people who spent the majority of their time in water. Their favorite habitat was the swamps and wetlands that were widely distributed across the Continent - an environment that most other species found intolerable. For them, it was a paradise. Their unique way of living, shaped by their special environment, involved constructing wooden houses on the harder ground of the wetlands or swamps. They had a type of fin on their body that could transform at will, which allowed them to move with ease through swamps and wetlands. Of course, they could also live freely in rivers, lakes, and on land. However, being away from water for too long or living in water for extended periods would harm their health. Therefore, they chose to live in swamps and wetlands, subsisting on fishing, hunting, and cultivating some edible plants that thrived in such environments.

Their particular lifestyle and self-imposed isolation rendered them barely communicative with the outside world. Whether it was the Mortals spread across the Continent or the Shark people, whose customs were quite similar, they had little contact with either. They seemed quite satisfied with this way of life. Perhaps the only way the outside world could interact with them was due to their unique living environment, which made them prone to certain diseases. This necessitated trade with specially allowed merchants, from whom they bought medicinal herbs while selling local specialties as a form of exchange. This was probably the only channel of communication they had with the outside world.

A considerable stretch of the Catania River ran through the Great Swamp Area, marked on maps as the Java Swamp. Whether it was the Barbarians and other nations and forces to the south of the swamp or the kingdoms to the north and the countries including the Duchy of Rosenbourg to the east, no one dared to venture easily into these magical waters. The exclusionary Jellyfish People detested any disturbance to their peaceful existence. They had been living in this region, including the Swamp Area, for several hundred years. Decades ago, both the kingdom to the east, the Rosenborg Kingdom, and the Luval City-State on the southern bank of the Catania River had hoped to open up this important waterway for the landlocked countries. However, their attempts to navigate through this stretch of water were thwarted by the Jellyfish People. After several conflicts, this asymmetrical war ended with the failure of the Rosenborg Kingdom and the Luval City-State. Dozens of warships and merchant vessels sank in the Catania River. The Jellyfish People, who did not entertain negotiations, had completely closed off any attempts to open this waterway. Henceforth, apart from the upper reaches, the middle and lower reaches of the Catania River became an abandoned and desolate waterway.

Afterwards, numerous Adventurers tried to drift down the Catania River, but without exception, none returned. It was unknown whether they encountered dangers on the water or had fallen into the hands of the area’s masters – the Jellyfish People. The entire Great Swamp Area was shrouded in a dense mist, and no one knew exactly what lay inside. Even the few traders who had long-term contact with the Jellyfish People could only enter the outermost outposts of the Swamp Area and no further. All trade had to take place within a handful of these outposts. The Jellyfish People’s completely self-sufficient economy meant they could sustain themselves without much contact with the outside world. This made the attempts by various parties to find the Jellyfish People’s weakness and open up this crucial waterway through the Great Swamp Area futile after various trials.

Seeing Komer’s gaze fixed on the misty expanse of river in the west, Puber, of course, understood what his old comrade was thinking. But until now, not a single Jellyfish Person had appeared in the Caucasus Region; even the occasional figure of the Shark people could sometimes be found, but the Jellyfish People were nowhere seen. The Jellyfish People had a very distinctive appearance. They wore a kind of coarse fabric, which was made from the stems and leaves of reeds commonly found in the Swamp Area. The fibers were separated through a special method of tanning, then processed through several stages before being spun into a slightly coarse fabric that was breathable and could wick away moisture, making it highly suitable for life in the Swamp Area.

"Boss, could it be that you’re planning to target the Jellyfish People? Sigh, the Jellyfish People are not like Half-Beastmen and Barbarians; they are completely self-contained, self-sufficient, and don’t need anything from the outside world at all. If we want to communicate with these old-fashioned and conservative Jellyfish People, I’m afraid we’ll have some difficulties. To start with, we don’t even have a way to contact them."

Shaking his head, Puber let out a small sigh. He had attempted before, but the area where Bahomon borders the Great Swamp Area is uninhabited, rarely seen by Mortals or Barbarians, let alone the Jellyfish People. What’s more, going forward, the ground becomes soft and damp as you gradually enter the wetland and eventually the Swamp Area. Ordinary people dare not step into such a place, where the reeds and various aquatic plants spread across the river banks, completely covering them. How can you make contact in such a situation?

"There will always be a way. The Jellyfish People are probably not as unearthly as you imagine. They have many troubles just like anyone else. If we carefully explore, we will always find their weaknesses. As long as they are people, they will have various desires and concerns. They settle in the Great Swamp Area not just because of their living habits; it’s not that simple. Just like the Barbarians are trapped on the Cordillera Wasteland, it’s not that they don’t want to leave, but they are limited by various constraining factors. As far as I know, the Jellyfish People used to exist not only in this Great Swamp Area. And this Great Swamp Area surely didn’t only have these tens of thousands of people, did it?"

The number of Jellyfish People is also a mystery. Some estimate more than 100,000, some say merely 30,000 to 50,000. But Komer, based on his own understanding and info gathered from people like Rebry, judged that the number of Jellyfish People should be under 100,000. According to the History Books commonly accepted on the Continent, there were at least 500,000 Jellyfish People at their peak, and they were spread across every swamp and wetland area of the Continent. But now, aside from this Swamp Area that can still be called a settlement, other swamps and wetlands have seen the Jellyfish People become rare, if they exist at all, they do so in very small populations.

Raising his brow, Puber realized his leader probably had some ideas; otherwise, he wouldn’t display such firm conviction. However, Puber was more concerned about time. Based on the current aggressive advance of the Homer Navy Fleet, it might not be long before the Homer Navy ships appear off the coast of Mattdam. If that situation arises, the entire Caucasus will be severely affected, and opening the navigable channel of the Catania River doesn’t seem like an easy task. Could his boss really accomplish it?

"Lord, why would you choose to take me on such an adventure with you? Although I like adventuring, I never rashly take on a futile risk. What treasured possessions could there be in the Great Swamp Area that are worth the journey? Besides, the Jellyfish People are famously hostile towards other species. If we go there rashly, aren’t we just going to our deaths? You don’t think that you and I, along with a Dark Knight, could stand against tens of thousands of Jellyfish People, do you? If it were land, maybe we could run and survive, but there, everywhere is a quagmire. I’m afraid we would never return!"

Puber looked interestedly at the calm-faced Komer. The Sloppy Mage was clearly just out of his Magic laboratory, clutching a short rod that was still emitting wisps of smoke, with splash-like corrosion spots on his robe, likely from some magic experiment. The pursuit of the Magic Heaven seemed to be the lifelong hope for these Mages, and magic research was an incredibly important task for them.

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