The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 483: Volume 10: Thunderous Movements and Winds Rising, - 18: Merger (1)

Chapter 483: Volume 10: Thunderous Movements and Winds Rising, Chapter 18: Merger (1)

Although he had been mentally prepared, Komer couldn’t help feeling somewhat ashamed in the face of the straightforward and honest words of the half-beastman.

Wasn’t it exactly the result he needed from playing these tricks? But on second thought, with the current situation in Leon, if Caucasus didn’t intervene, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that it could become a haven for rebellion.

As the other party had said, tens of thousands of half-beastman slaves, who had supposedly been liberated, making them re-adapt to a life managed and restricted by others, and more importantly, making them realize again that only labor could get them bread, the most basic truth, was not an easy task. Komer knew he too would need to put in much effort to achieve this.

"Mr. Dragumo, it seems you are somewhat impulsive. Leon belongs to The Kingdom of Nicosia, it belongs to Homer, or it could be said it belongs to Duke Philip, and it could even be considered to belong to Count Boninski, since the Kingdom Star Chamber Court has not officially stripped Count Boninski of his noble and lordship titles. But it does not belong to you, nor to me."

"From a legal standpoint, in the secular society, you are still a band of rebellious thugs, not recognized by society. Although the reasons you started the rebellion are understandable, they do not constitute legal grounds for legitimacy. As for the self-liberated slaves, they too would not be protected by law, for no lord has accepted them as free citizens, and they lack the legal procedures required to become free citizens. In secular society, they are still slaves, and moreover, they are rebellious slaves, who could be executed without any reason or justification."

"I understand your feelings. The situation in Mandu Region is unstable, and the people need food. I have already agreed to offer some aid first, so you don’t need to try to win my favor this way. I think I am better suited to manage a relatively stable Caucasus."

Komer’s words were very calm and well-reasoned, and he had learned to perform at any time, in any environment, which seemed to be a quality a noble needed, and Komer found himself especially talented in this regard.

"Oh, Lord Barron, I think you misunderstand my intention. As I said just now, I cannot represent all the brothers and sisters of Leon, but I can represent those living in Mandu Region. What you just mentioned about legal and secular matters may be very important to you, but for us half-beastmen who live at the bottom of society and may face death at any time, such things are irrelevant!"

"If a person’s very right to life can be stripped away at any moment, how would he care for those so-called laws and moralities? Therefore, I hope you understand that those of us living in Mandu hope to accept your rule. We will serve you as the citizens of Caucasus do, follow your commands, and never betray you. I can swear an oath to the God of War, Mars, on behalf of my brothers and sisters, as long as you can accept us, and give us a way to live."

The half-beastman infused his words with considerable emotion, and Komer, who had been prepared to endure, found that his cultivation was still not perfect, since he could not bring himself to refuse the other party outright after hearing their words.

To tell the truth, deep in his heart, he had already accepted them. This was, after all, all part of his design.

Even so, Komer still bowed his head and remained silent for a long time, as if pondering the various consequences and implications this matter might bring, while the half-beastman watched him with a tense and worried gaze, fixated on Komer’s ever-changing expression, fearing a rejection.

As Komer slowly lifted his well-combed, glossy head, Dragumo’s heart began to thump wildly. Seeing the mixture of helplessness and moved resignation in the Lord’s wry smile, he knew his request had finally been accepted, his heart could finally settle down, and the burden weighing on him could at last be put aside.

For Dragumo, this was a tremendous liberation both physically and mentally. For so long, he hadn’t even been able to sleep peacefully, a suffering beyond words for a half-beastman.

"Mr. Dragumo, it is really hard for me to reject your sincerity. Please forgive my initial rudeness and indifference. I am ashamed and moved by your devoted consideration for your kin. Although Caucasus is also facing difficulties now, I have decided to accept your request. I can now reply to you that I will temporarily take over the management of Mandu, but there is one condition. You must assist in the ideological work of your kin. In addition, your army must also obey me and my administrative officers’ commands absolutely, as you do. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to successfully handle this matter."

Nodding slightly, the respect and sincerity in Komer’s eyes were evident, which to Dragumo affirmed his belief that he hadn’t chosen the wrong person. At last, the heavy responsibility was entrusted to another.

"Lord, please be assured, I, Dragumo, will wholeheartedly assist you and your Administrative Officers in taking over Mandu. Whatever you need me to do, just command me," Dragumo immediately completed the transition from a Half-beastman Armaments Chief to a subordinate of Komer, his attitude becoming more respectful.

"Mr. Dragumo is probably aware that the entire Leon has always been a region that is completely dependent on imports to meet its needs, and the commodities it relies on to exchange for food and other essentials are its mineral products. But now that Bruce is closed, the mineral products of the Leon Region cannot be exported and are effectively paralyzed."

"Now, if Mandu wants to be self-sufficient, apart from relying on the Caucasus to supply food and all kinds of necessities of life, it is more important to restart operations. That is to say, the mines in the Mandu region must start operating, and the roads from Muscat to Mandu need to be immediately expanded and repaired to handle the responsibility of overland transportation. This will require a lot of labor, and your brothers and sisters should be up to the task."

"Mining and road building, they can choose freely, but there’s no such thing as getting something for nothing anymore. Of course, I will have my Administrative Officers manage the mines, and Judicial Officers will oversee the operations. The living conditions of the miners will be the same as those of the miners in the Caucasus mines; under my rule, I will not allow abuse of miners."

Dragumo nodded again and again at these words, being well aware of the necessity to restart the mines. Only by resuming coal and iron ore mining and exporting these goods could they exchange for food, and these were things he could not accomplish on his own.

"Additionally, I’m afraid Mr. Dragumo that your army will also need to be restructured. Three thousand people are too many for Mandu. The total strength of the Caucasus Self-Defense Forces and my Guard is just a thousand men. Mandu simply doesn’t need that many soldiers. ’Quality over quantity,’ I’m sure Mr. Dragumo has heard this saying. Therefore, I’ve decided to reduce your three thousand soldiers to a thousand, and you will command them."

Komer seemed quite casual.

"Well, as for a name, let’s call it the Mandu Self-Defense Army for now. I will provide you with the necessary weapons, armor, and uniforms. All soldiers and officers of Mandu Self-Defense Army, including yourself, will enjoy the same treatment as the Caucasus Self-Defense Forces and my Guard. Perhaps, Mr. Dragumo, you might become a knight in the future."

The last words from Komer made any displeasure that Dragumo had about the army reduction vanish without a trace. A knight?!

Oh, for a Half-beastman, especially one who was a slave without any freedom just half a year ago, that was practically a myth.

Dragumo had never imagined he could become a knight, a status in society that only the superior among mortals were qualified to attain, unheard of for a Half-beastman. Although Dragumo didn’t quite understand Komer’s somewhat awkward phrase about the value of troops, he broadly understood the message: the Lord was clearly not very trusting of his soldiers’ combat ability, which caused Dragumo some displeasure. But on second thought, considering the Magic Power that the Lord possessed, Dragumo felt it was entirely understandable.

The quiet integration of Mandu into the Caucasus initially did not attract much attention, as Mandu borders Muscat, and the two regions had frequent exchanges, with all goods in Mandu needing to be imported from Muscat. However, when Neptune, as the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of the Caucasus and the Chief Administrative Officer of the Mandu Region, took up his position, it was like a stone thrown into a pond, immediately causing ripples throughout the region.

Although Dragumo had already communicated the agreement he reached with Komer to his subordinates and supporters in advance, securing the support of the majority, as bread was the most important, and everything else could come later, the actual changes, when they finally arrived, still led to much misunderstanding and confusion.

Mines began to reopen for work, and recruitment stations for road workers between Mandu and Muscat were set up everywhere, all differing somewhat from what was imagined. Meanwhile, announcements were posted throughout the Mandu Region, stating the army would no longer provide bread for free. Everyone had to participate in labor, whether in mining or road building, everything would be priced according to market rates, and one would only earn wages by working, which could then be used to purchase all essentials, including bread, anywhere.

For these individuals, who had transitioned from slaves to Free Citizens, wages and salaries were still a novelty. Although they had seen Free Citizen miners enjoy these benefits in the mines, the first-time experience of it was still incredibly novel.