The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 486: Volume 10: Thunderous Movements and Winds Rising, - 21: Shift in Power

Chapter 486: Volume 10: Thunderous Movements and Winds Rising, Chapter 21: Shift in Power

A calm gaze held a faint hint of anticipation as Komer quietly observed the Sloppy Mage deep in thought, and after a long while, he said, "Mr. Rebry, whether there are treasures in the Great Swamp Area, I may not be fully aware, but I believe Mr. Rebry must be clear about that. As to whether Mr. Rebry is interested, I think that remains to be discussed."

"It is true that the Jellyfish People are hostile to outsiders, but they are not completely cut off from the outside world. It seems they too need merchants from the outside to supply them with medicinal materials, and I’ve also learned that most of the medicinal materials provided by merchants are used to treat a kind of skin ulceration which is quite common in humid and hot areas. For mortals, it should not be fatal, but for the Jellyfish People, it has become the biggest threat to their lives. It may be due to the physical differences between us and them, or perhaps the special geographical environment and climate of the Great Swamp make this disease particularly severe."

Komer appeared relaxed and confident.

"However, I do know that this disease is not difficult to cure, and the medicinal materials used are very common, and I also know that using some special White Magic to treat this disease not only can cure it immediately but also enhance the treated person’s resistance to it, so that their ability to defend against this disease will be greatly improved in the future. Now, if we possess these few advantages, do you think they will still reject us?"

His words left Mr. Rebry shocked and at the same time somewhat interested.

It was of course untrue that the Great Swamp Area held no treasures worth adventuring for. The vast Great Swamp was home to various plants used for Water Magic, and some special products were the high-end goods of Water and Wood Magic. What sort of treasures the Jellyfish People had harvested in these waters over hundreds of years, no one could say for sure.

However, compared to the risk of being hostile to the entire Jellyfish People race, such treasures seemed rather insignificant. Whether it was mages or adventurers, one would only undertake something if there was a reasonable assurance of success. No one would embark on what amounted to a suicidal adventure, aside from fools and madmen, of course.

"It seems that Lord knows far more about the Jellyfish People than we do. Indeed, I’ve heard that most Jellyfish People suffer from a certain kind of skin disease to some extent. Unfortunately, I am neither a medical mage nor a Magic Pharmacist, and thus I do not know what kind of disease they have or what treatment they require. However, it looks like Lord has already solved this problem. If I may presume, it seems that Lord is quite accomplished in using magic to cure diseases and concoct potions. Can I confirm that?" Mr. Rebry’s gaze fell upon Komer’s face, clearly hoping for a definite answer.

The noble’s graciousness was fully demonstrated at this moment, with Komer nodding slightly, "Rest assured, Mr. Rebry, Komer would not have invited you if he hadn’t considered safety. If even this cannot be ensured, Komer is not a reckless man and would not engage in futile acts."

Feeling his face grow slightly hot, Mr. Rebry inwardly cursed the kid for his indirect insults, which seemed to suggest that he himself was simple-minded.

However, the chance to enter the Great Swamp Area and glimpse the true state of the Jellyfish People’s territory was the greatest desire of a wandering mage like him, who pursued the Magic Heaven for his goal and found joy in adventuring all over. Such an opportunity presented right before him was something Mr. Rebry would never refuse.

"If that’s the case, it seems Mr. Rebry has been overthinking. Mr. Rebry will await Lord’s summons and come whenever called." With a slight nod, Mr. Rebry spoke no more.

The Lord’s deep and inscrutable mind was comparable to that of politicians who had been in the political scene for a long time, having even anticipated the weaknesses of the Jellyfish People, a secret matter, and planned for it. It seemed the Lord was determined to open up the Catania River as a passage, but it was still unknown what changes it would bring to the overall situation of the Blue Continent.

Once this passage was opened, the countries and city-states along the middle and upper reaches of the Catania River could easily use this waterway to reach the sea outlets, bringing unexpected changes to the status quo of the Central Continent, which had always relied on canals and land transport.

Philip felt powerless as he sat idly on the semi-circular silver armchair; the usually shining silver armrests now seemed somewhat dimmed, as though symbolizing the mood of their owner. The situation didn’t appear to be as good as he had imagined.

Although the Navy had blockaded the central part of the Nether Sea, it seemed that the situation in Caucasus was not greatly affected. Food supply ships from the south continued to enter Mattdam unabated, causing dissatisfaction among local and Galle Region food merchants.

Seeing such a vast market beyond one’s grasp being controlled by those damned southern hybrids, anyone’s mood would not be pleasant. It seemed that Caucasus had also experienced its first bountiful harvest, although most of the tilled land was still uncultivated. Yet, this plentiful harvest seemed to have eased some of the food pressure on Caucasus, which was not an ideal situation.

But none of these were the main reasons that made Duke Philip feel disappointed and dejected. What enraged and humiliated him was the official announcement from the Romanov family of the Kingdom of Nicosia, who had formally revoked the engagement between Hoffman and Tracy after just one year.

It was a clear provocation, or rather, an intentional move to incite his anger and make him lose his reason. Although Zellin had written him advising restraint, and he knew that the Romanov family intended to provoke him into an unwise action so that they could take the opportunity to start a war, Philip found himself still struggling with an intolerable impulse.

But now he needed to clarify why Tracy had not informed him in advance about such a significant change; he did not believe that his daughter would have no inkling about such a major affair.

"Duke, the Commandery Princess says she is unwell and needs to rest in bed; she will discuss any matters another day," reported a guard, who barged in flusteredly and stammered.

"Unwell? Hmph, is she frightened and feeling guilty? Tell her she must come today; I will be waiting for her here!" Philip’s eyes suddenly widened, and his chilling gaze made the guardsman’s heart tremble, causing him quickly to rush out the door again.

"Duke, at this point, it seems rather pointless to discuss the reasons with the Commandery Princess. Since the kingdom has cut off the marriage without hesitation, that clearly shows their intent to target us in Homer. Just look at those food merchant ships still brazenly transporting food to Caucasus; our navy has intercepted them, but they all have permits issued by the Kingdom’s Ministry of the Interior. If we detain them, they threaten to complain to the Internal Affairs Department and the Star Chamber Court, giving the kingdom an excuse to declare war. But if we do nothing, our embargo becomes worthless, and we’ll be a laughingstock to outsiders," he said.

In all of Cyprus, no more than three people could speak to Grand Duke Philip with such a tone, and as the military commander of the Homer region, Marquis Surtz was naturally one of them. He had helped the Duke lead Homer’s army for over twenty years and had built the Homer Army into one of the finest forces in the kingdom.

Although the disastrous defeat Leon had significantly damaged his reputation, it did not affect his standing in Philip’s heart.

"What do you think we should do now? The kingdom’s Blue Dove Corps is fully formed, and our single family lacks the strength to compete with the kingdom from any perspective, unless the Four Great Lords join forces. But now, with Zellin still advising me to show restraint and those two guys in the North scared witless by the beastmen’s ferocity - scared that the beastmen will break through the kingdom’s defenses in the North and threaten their own territories - they’re actually getting cozier with the kingdom recently, even considering accepting the ’Utrecht Decree.’ Damn these beastmen, I don’t know whether to welcome them or curse them, they’ve really made me suffer," he said with a long sigh, looking as if he had aged several years. Philip found that he seemed to be increasingly lacking the spirit of adventure and entrepreneurship, deep down more inclined to want the peace to continue. This mentality worried him greatly.

The more he had this mentality, the more likely he was to encounter trouble; now, with the Blue Dove Corps ready for action, there seemed to be signs of the kingdom moving against Homer. If he still refused to accept the "Utrecht Decree," there was a possibility that either the Iron Cross or Blue Dove Corps would demonstrate the Central Kingdom’s authority in Homer through military action, an outcome the current Philip did not wish to see.

Surtz and the man next to him, who had remained silent as if waiting for something, exchanged a glance before the former tentatively said, "Your Highness, if we wish to avoid a confrontation with the kingdom under the current situation, we only have the option of using other forces to exert pressure on the Central Kingdom, to make them realize that if we engage in a civil war again, the entire kingdom will face the invasion of the beastmen, and the only outcome will be mutual destruction. This method might stop the kingdom from taking such a risk."

"Other forces?" Philip looked skeptically at his confidant for quite some time before his gaze finally shifted to the silent man next to him and he nodded in realization, "The Church of Light, huh?"

"Er, yes, Your Highness." Swallowing with some difficulty, Marquis Surtz also felt that a transaction-like affair with the Church of Light seemed somewhat incongruous, but it appeared that this was the only force that could influence the decisions of the Central Kingdom. If they didn’t prepare in advance and the kingdom officially announced the decree to attack, it would be difficult to ask the Church of Light to step in and mediate.