The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 404: Volume 8 Gathering of the Storms - 5 Alliance of the Talks

Chapter 404: Volume 8 Gathering of the Storms Chapter 5 Alliance of the Talks

As the three girls disappeared from the Reception Hall, only Komer and Hoffman remained. Komer sensed that the other party seemed to have some intentions and was waiting for them to broach the subject.

"Your baron, I have a question I’d like to ask indiscreetly. If it involves personal privacy, you can completely refuse to answer, and I won’t mind. May I know your thoughts on this?" Hoffman knew that the somewhat inscrutable baron before him had some tacit agreement with his half-sister, but that didn’t concern him. The other needed food, and Palermo just happened to have a deep relationship with Katya. Hoffman admired Katya’s pervasive methods, but he didn’t believe that a single deal could win the baron over. When benefits are mutually needed, many relationships can change at any time.

"Your Highness, you flatter me. Please ask, Komer knows everything and will say anything." Komer replied cautiously. Last time, he had inadvertently caused quite some trouble for this prince with Katya, not knowing whether the prince was aware of the incident. However, Komer wasn’t worried that Katya would leak such news, and even if she did, it was hard for others to believe such words coming from an opponent.

"Princess Vero is young, beautiful, and innocent. I can see that Your baron has a good impression of her. However, for what reason did Princess Vero come to the Caucasus? Did she come on her own, or was it at the behest of Duke Zellin? Please consider your answer carefully. The current situation in the Empire is quite chaotic, and the situation in the Leon Region is unstable, yet Philip has been keeping it under wraps, probably worried about the Central Kingdom intervening. A few days ago, Duke Zellin and Philip once again joined forces to resist the implementation of the ’Utrecht Decree’ in the Homer and Galle Regions, worsening their relationship with the kingdom. That’s why Princess Renta and I came to Homer. Before coming to Homer, Lord Tez instructed me to seize the opportunity to visit the Caucasus. I greatly admire Your baron’s talents, but the appearance of Princess Vero has caused some worry for both me and Princess Renta. We hope Your baron can give us and Princess Renta a clear response to dispel our doubts," Hoffman said.

Hoffman was extremely careful and meticulous in his wording. Although Komer was a low-ranking noble, his current position was quite important to the kingdom. Tracy had become a burden for him. Even without the opposition of Tez and Duke Mathew, given the current relationship between Homer and the Central Kingdom, he stood little chance of taking over. Moreover, as Renta said, deep down he just wanted to play around and had no real intention of outcomes, unless Tracy proved to be more useful. He was eager to use this opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings due to Tracy and perhaps this low-ranking noble could be an extra in his future bid for the throne.

"Your Highness, I think you and Princess Renta are a bit too sensitive. As you said, Princess Vero is very innocent. Although Duke Zellin and we are not on the same path, Princess Vero isn’t involved in that. She came here at my invitation for a visit, and of course, there are some other reasons, but those are private matters that have nothing to do with the current situation in the kingdom. Please rest assured about this," Komer responded, sensing Hoffman’s politeness and willingness to cooperate under the circumstances.

"If that’s the case, then we can rest easy. Your baron is well aware of the kingdom’s current chaotic situation. The beastmen are very active on the Mogan Plateau and could head south at any time. The kingdom’s western barrier has broken, and we have to focus more on this threat. Yet, these Great Lords care only for themselves, ignoring the kingdom’s plight, especially in Homer and Galle. So, we have to be cautious," Hoffman explained his caution before switching topics, "Now the situation in Leon is terribly bad, Bruce Fortress has been closed, and we had to enter the Caucasus by sea. I wonder, what is Your baron’s opinion on the current situation in Leon?"

"Heh heh, Your Highness, the situation in Leon is terrible for Philip, but not so much for us," Komer shrugged, a hint of schadenfreude on his lips.

"Your baron, don’t you think the chaos in Leon could affect the safety of the Caucasus?" Hoffman asked, eyebrows raised in surprise. Could this guy not see such a simple issue?

There are only three paths from Leon to the outside world. One is through maritime transport outside Bruce Fortress, another is to pass through Bruce Fortress and then through the Greenland Great Forest to reach the Busen Plain, and the last is through Darman Pass to enter the Caucasus. Of course, the last path only leads to the Caucasus, as there are no other land routes – the other sides are either the Great Swamp or the barbarian territories. Philip had already stationed heavy troops at Bruce Fortress, and although for the time being, he hadn’t sent reinforcements to suppress the increasingly intense riots in the Leon Region, it was impossible for these rioters to break through Bruce’s blockade. It seemed their only path of escape was through the Caucasus.