The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 377: Volume 7: The Awakening Spring Thunder, - 8: Ambition_2

Chapter 377: Volume 7: The Awakening Spring Thunder, Chapter 8: Ambition_2

"Heh heh, Lord, I believe we can always find common ground. I urgently need your support, and I trust you need my help just as much. On this point, I am sure we can come to an agreement,"

The faint trace of mockery on the hunchback old man’s face, combined with the confidence exuding from his eyes, made Komer realize that it was superfluous to try to be clever in front of such a person. In the face of tangible interests, everything could become exchangeable; you provide what I need, and I reciprocate with what you seek. It’s that simple.

"Straight talk from a straightforward man, I understand what Mr. Gote means. However, due to my limited energy, I am afraid I hardly have the time to create such things anymore. Of course, nothing is absolute. I would like to hear what Mr. Gote has to offer that would make me consider setting everything aside to fulfill this task for him?" Komer didn’t want to beat around the bush now that the substantive issue was at hand.

Gote nodded with satisfaction, knowing this was probably the best he could achieve. As the Lord of Caucasus, the mere act of the other party agreeing to create a Mirror of Thousand Miles for him was an immense honor, though the cost was not small. But as long as he had the Mirror of Thousand Miles, the power of his organization would immediately rise to a new level. The days when Katrina and her people kept him down would soon be over. If he could produce the legendary Magic-armed guns, then he would truly achieve his heart’s desire, and even death would hold no regrets.

"Lord, I am aware of your predicament. It seems Duke Philip is intending to suppress you. There is only this one single route through the vast Caucasus leading to the foreign ports, and your throat is firmly grasped by outsiders, particularly one who harbors deep hostility towards you." The old man sat back casually in the chair, but the turning of his eyes proved that he was already considering the price of the trade. "If you wish to hold your head high and comfortably secure your position as Lord of Caucasus, transportation is of the utmost importance. Although we have given the Lord a hand, this is not a long-term solution. If Caucasus wants to develop in the future, it must have its own path."

Komer’s face brightened considerably; surely, this was a wise man who had hit the nail right on the head, tapping into what was vital for him. This was probably also the capital from which the other party intended to negotiate. Without this amulet, he would not have the bargaining chip to negotiate with Komer.

"Heh heh, Mr. Gote, we all have our difficulties; otherwise, we wouldn’t be sitting here together. I’ve also heard that Katrina in the Southern Mediterranean is growing increasingly powerful and aggressive, seemingly monopolizing the slave trading business in the Southern Continent. They have even joined hands with our opposite colonies, moving directly north along the coast of the vast Continent. Now, the presence of slave hunter teams can be seen in Odessa and Cyprus. Aren’t they treating you Gray Skulls as if you are nothing?" With a hearty laugh, Komer did not intend to play his cards straight away. It was essential to subdue the other party’s morale before laying them out; otherwise, they would not readily agree to his suggestions.

A shadow crossed the old man’s cheek; even the slight twitch of his facial muscle did not escape Komer’s deliberate gaze. He knew his words had hit a sore spot. The sudden rise of Katrina’s pirates had put immense pressure on the Gray Skulls, especially after they had teamed up with slave hunters and colonies from across the vast Continent to launch frequent attacks along the southern coastlines, brutally plundering and extending their reach into the inland. This not only seized a vast amount of wealth but also secured substantial profits by sharing in the slave hunters’ profits. Their audacity was so great that even Gray Skulls felt somewhat stifled by it. The gradual retirement of many veterans over the past decade and the lack of real combat experience among the rising generation had affected the continuity of the organization’s combat effectiveness. In several maritime engagements with Katrina, although the losses were not considerable, they never gained the upper hand. Just as the other party said, Katrina’s influence was advancing northward. If he did not strike back, the era of Gray Skulls’ dominance over the Nether Sea might soon end.

"Lord, I did not expect you to be so well-informed. Real people should not speak falsely. Presently, the Gray Skulls are indeed encountering some trouble. However, I believe that with the Lord’s help, Gray Skulls can quickly surmount these troubles and reach greater heights. I also trust that you, Sir, can achieve this,"

"Mr. Gote, it seems we both understand each other. Our mutual needs have brought us together, and the current cooperation is merely the first step towards a greater collaboration in the future," Komer stated unequivocally, as if the other party was not a pirate chief but a true ally. "Mattdam is my gateway to the outside world from Caucasus, a natural harbor connecting to Bahomon, with land routes reaching Ugru and the coal mines of Volt Mountain Range. The population growth far exceeds any previous time, and it is my intention to make Mattdam the port of external trade for Caucasus. On this matter, I need Mr. Gote’s full support."

Apparently, Gote had not expected the other party to pose such a challenging demand. The gloom on his face deepened. Since it had been mentioned, it was clear that it was an object of determination. If he refused, the cooperation between them might well come to an end. While a single Mirror of Thousand Miles could improve command abilities for himself and even his flagship, relying solely on this to reverse the disadvantage against Katrina in engagements would still fall short. However, opening a port was a serious matter, entailing that he could no longer attack the merchant ships passing through, which meant that this long-sealed land would finally open its door for sharing and trading. Foreign ships would come and go incessantly, effectively exposing his base to everyone’s view. Mattdam was only three hundred miles from Rhode Island; a day and night’s journey sufficed, and with favorable wind and weather, one could even arrive by dusk when setting out at dawn. While Gote did not believe the other party could attack his base, no one likes to see a thorn lodged in front of their throat, even if it appears harmless.