The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 326: Volume 5 Lord’s Path - 12 Balmore_2

Chapter 326: Volume 5 Lord’s Path Chapter 12 Balmore_2

The aberrant prosperity of Bruce left both Zip and Lafayette, who followed Komer, astonished; such a fortress-like place, surrounded by nothing but forest and devoid of any production, could actually house as many as twenty thousand people—a rarity across the entire Blue Continent. However, Komer quickly explained the reasons behind this to them both. The fortress commander, Balmore, greeted them with a genuinely sincere smile, as if meeting an old friend after a long separation. Although Komer knew the man to be quite shrewd, he still took pleasure in his warm welcome.

Balmore also regarded the three before him with complex emotions. It seemed to him that the Baron Lord had changed somewhat since he left Bruce for Jazair more than a month ago. Could it be that a Mage really possessed such incredible powers, able to keep himself in an elevated state at all times? After learning from the failed incursion of the Double-headed Dragon, Balmore realized that the lord before him was in fact a Mage—and one that had unleashed two rounds of large-scale Fire Magic, burning dozens to death. Balmore struggled to reconcile the carnage’s horrific details with the young lord’s pale face and calm gaze, but it was the reality. The terror still fresh in his mind from the messengers who reported the incident at that time.

But what to do with the orders handed down by Duke Philip? Silently getting rid of His Baron Excellency wasn’t an easy task. Not to mention his Magical abilities, just his status as a Caucasus Lord already made Balmore hesitant, fearful of the consequences. Should he fail, the Star Chamber of the Kingdom would likely hang him without hesitation, and as for Duke Philip, Balmore was all too aware that he’d probably kick him down further, hasty to execute in order to seal his loose lips. An assassination? That would have to be during the journey from Leon to the Caucasus; otherwise, if anything happened in Bruce, Balmore could not extricate himself from the blame. But could an assassination succeed? The people on Leon’s side were already too spooked to involve themselves further in such matters, and finding someone willing and able to keep the endeavor under the utmost secrecy was proving exceedingly difficult.

After exchanging pleasantries, Balmore invited the three to sit in the fortress’s Reception Hall, his usual practice. While pondering how to handle the tricky situation before him, he was also keen to understand what kind of person the young lord really was, since their previous two encounters had not given Balmore a clear view of the true nature behind his affable facade.

"Your Excellency, you’ve really made quite the gesture this time, taking in so many Refugees. The Caucasus population is almost catching up to the Leon Region. In these days, Mr. Palermo’s food transport carriages have already passed through here several times. It seems you are very concerned about the Refugees," said Balmore, warmly gesturing for his guest to try some of his coffee, while he complimented him with a smile.

"Haha, Sir Balmore, you jest. How could our Caucasus compare to Count Boninski’s Leon? Leon is our kingdom’s famous mining area; coal mines dot the landscape, iron mines abound. The only difference is that the Leon Region requires slaves, whereas these people from the allied nations are Free Citizens with legal citizen rights. Otherwise, I think Count Boninski would definitely have fought to acquire them," Komer replied politely, glancing at his two companions. He knew this Balmore to be quite shrewd; although last time he crossed the Leon Region and the man had appeared to offer gifts, Komer’s intuition still led him to sense a deep connection between the Leon Bandits and Sir Balmore. However, the depth of Balmore’s relationship with that old fox, Philip, was something Komer could not conclusively determine—as if the last time he traveled through Leon, had Sir Balmore wished him dead, he and his party would have had no chance of escape.

"Your baron is right, freemen are citizens with legitimate rights, and no one can strip them of their rights. It’s just that the basic conditions in the Caucasus are too poor. With so many refugees entering the Caucasus all at once, it’s hard to know whether the Caucasus can handle it. I see that Mr. Caffrey and his friends have brought quite a few daily necessities into the Caucasus, but I’m still very worried that there might be problems with so many people," Balmore did not hide his concern. After all, Bruce Fortress is an important passageway for guarding the southern part of the Homer region, and considering the increasingly deteriorating situation in the Leon Region, just a few days ago, Grand Duke Philip dispatched an additional five hundred soldiers to assist in strengthening the defense of Bruce. Whether it was to help him more conveniently resolve the current issue with the baron or because he felt there might be problems in the south and made preparations in advance, Balmore couldn’t be certain. But one thing was for sure, it had something to do with this baron.

"Thank you for your concern, Sir Balmore. I believe my Administrative Officer has already made many preparations in advance, and the Central Kingdom has also taken this matter very seriously. Duke Tez has even gone so far as to ensure the safety of the refugees by speaking to various lords along the way. Netherland, Naples, and Medea have also specifically allocated funds to purchase sufficient food to ensure the refugees get through this winter. Fortunately, winters in our Caucasus are not too cold, and whether it be tents or wooden houses, we can manage. However, since so many refugees need to go through Leon to enter the Caucasus, I presume you, Sir Balmore, have also received Grand Duke Philip’s message conveyed by the Kingdom’s Ministry of the Interior, asking you to dispatch soldiers to ensure the safe passage of the refugees through the Leon Region," Komer actually didn’t think that the Leon Gang would attack these passing refugees, since there were so many of them and they didn’t have anything of much value. But as a precaution, he still hoped that the other party would provide protection, even if it meant paying a certain price.

"Of course, there’s no problem with that. The Duke has already given his orders, and we will absolutely protect the safe transit of the refugees. May I know when Your Baron is planning to return to the Caucasus? Will you return with the refugees, or will you go back ahead of them?" After going round in circles, Balmore finally asked the crucial question.

"Oh, you needn’t worry about that, Sir Balmore. The three of us will be returning to the Caucasus very soon. I’ve already sent for mercenaries hired from Ugru to come to Bruce to fetch us. Although I don’t have much with me, these two friends of mine have quite a few belongings," Komer’s response left Balmore somewhat disappointed yet mixed with relief. He didn’t want to go through with something he wasn’t sure about, and the Duke’s orders were also to only take action if there was absolute certainty. Without that certainty, it was better not to move. Subconsciously, after the last failed attempt to use the Leon Gang to deal with the baron, Balmore had the feeling that this baron was not a simple character, and trying to deal with him might only bring mortal peril upon himself.

As he watched a line of proud and spirited soldiers escort the group across the Floating Bridge and move off into the distance, Balmore stood at the head of the bridge with a complex expression on his face. The departing figures seemed to grow larger and even more profound with distance. Whether it was right or wrong to let him go this time, how to explain to the Duke, and what he truly thought in his heart, Balmore couldn’t articulate. However, one thing he was sure of: he did not want to face such an enemy.