The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 493: Volume Eleven: Shrouded in Fog and Smoke - Five: The Mediterranean

Chapter 493: Volume Eleven: Shrouded in Fog and Smoke Chapter Five: The Mediterranean

Komer did not alter his demeanor in response to the gazes of the other two, his interest unabated as he continued to examine the craftsmanship of the Star Compass.

This must be a genuine Magic Toolsmith’s creation, since those makeshift mages couldn’t produce such exquisitely crafted goods—the dark star map and the crimson lines representing the sea map complemented each other brilliantly. The periphery of the compass had been polished until somewhat shiny, likely due to long-term use.

What enveloped the compass was a smooth glass cover which, when needing to harness the power of the stars, only required opening the skylight atop the captain’s cabin to let the power from the starry sky cast upon the arranged magic metal star map, guiding the crew on their path forward.

"This gentleman seems to be quite interested in the Star Compass?" The captain’s amiable smile finally prompted Komer to nod. He hadn’t planned on engaging in these topics, but with nothing better to do, learning about the customs of the sea could also serve as a diversion from the loneliness of the voyage.

"Yes, this Star Compass is very delicate, but you can tell it has some years on it. Generally, the life of a Star Compass should not exceed twelve years. I wonder how old this compass is?"

Komer’s fair fingers lightly swept over the glass cover, which made the nearby shipowner visibly nervous. However, the shipowner seemed to hold some reverence for the bearded captain and although he wanted to stop Komer’s actions, seeing the captain not showing any displeasure, he simply turned his head away, pretending not to see.

"It’s a masterpiece from Master Agamon of Delphi. According to him, this compass should last for fifteen years. It has already been ten years now, yet it’s still very accurate, and I believe it will last beyond fifteen years," the captain said with unmistakable respect when mentioning Agamon’s name.

"Delphi? Oh, was this ship built in the west? That’s unbelievable. It is currently capable of sailing the Nether Sea. It appears you’re a great navigator indeed. Please forgive my disrespect."

Komer’s eyebrows arched in surprise. Delphi was an important port on the northwest edge of the Blue Continent, famous for shipbuilding and navigation. The straight-line distance from Mattdam should also be over three thousand miles, and if one were to travel by sea, the voyage would be at least ten thousand miles. He had always felt that this ship didn’t quite resemble the style and design of his region—it turned out to be a ship from the oceans to the west. No wonder the ship navigating the treacherous Nether Sea astonished Komer.

"Hmph, Captain Portalan is a well-known navigator on the Nether Sea and the North Mediterranean. This ship was also chosen by Captain Portalan for me, costing me a great sum—80,000 Gold Shields," interjected the annoying shipowner, unable to grasp the right moment to speak, his tone undeniably boastful. As soon as he spoke, Komer saw a flash of displeasure cross the captain’s brow, but due to the presence of others, refrained from further comment.

"It seems that Captain Portalan must be very familiar with these waters. I wonder if Captain Portalan has ever been to the south?"

Komer was very interested in the situation within the Mediterranean. Gote, the old thief, was nowhere to be found now, and even with threats of the Magic-armed gun, it was hard to get a meeting with him. He had heard that the struggle for maritime superiority on the North Mediterranean was fierce. With the Red-haired Witch and the Skeleton King vying for dominance, who the true master of the North Mediterranean was seemed difficult to determine for the time being.

"The south? Are you referring to the Mediterranean?" A hint of weary nostalgia flashed across the captain’s face as if Komer’s query stirred some past memories.

"Yes, I see Mister Portalan seems quite familiar with the waters around the Continent and even has extensive knowledge about ships from Delphi. So, I dare to ask."

Komer indeed wanted to comprehend the Mediterranean situation through him. Ordinary crew could only focus on their duties and, though they might be aware of some maritime situations, were unlikely to have complete knowledge. Captains, however, were different. At any time, shipowners might send the ship on a different route, and it was essential for captains to know the seas surrounding them inside out; otherwise, any real emergencies would be the captain’s responsibility.

With Mattdam’s northern routes now severely limited, trade with the south and the colonial outposts on the Vast Continent was gradually becoming the mainstay of Mattdam Port, yet food remained the primary import of Mattdam.

The quality of southern food was poor and expensive, unsuitable for the tastes of the Caucasus people accustomed to the north, but for now, it was the only option to alleviate the food shortage.

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The colonial outposts on the Blue Continent are Mattdam’s main markets for the export of iron ore, coal, pig iron, as well as forged iron and iron products. As the outposts on the Blue Continent continue to expand, the need for exports from the Caucasus also increases, gradually surpassing the Southern Continent to become the Caucasus’s largest export destination. The Mediterranean is the vital maritime route connecting Mattdam with these two regions.

With a soft sigh, the Bearded Man’s face showed a helplessly pained expression. Obviously, he had undergone some not so pleasant experiences in the Mediterranean that he found hard to forget.

"I can tell you’re a man of status. If possible, it’s best to avoid traveling south. At this time, smoke billows in the North Mediterranean. The Gray Skull and the Red-haired Witch are two pirate fleets clashing over dominion of these northern waters. The Gray Skull uses Rhode Island in the Poletis Islands as their stronghold, while the Red-haired Witch relies on Dacorsica Island, 300 nautical miles south of Pythia Port at the tip of the Coiled Snake Peninsula."

"Most ships have to risk sailing close to the coastline to evade attacks from both fleets. However, sailing too near the coast might save them from pirates, but it comes with its own dangers—dense reefs and numerous hidden rocks. Due to the geographical influence of the coastal waters, there are dense underwater currents, which greatly increase the risk of accidents. Moreover, one might also encounter the Wicked Dragon’s attacks. Currently, transport fees from major southern ports of the Mediterranean to the North Nether Sea have soared by thirty percent and are still unstable. This increase affects transport fees to the Blue Continent as well, and traders are suffering alike. Equally terrified are the ship owners."

Captain Portalan quickly composed himself and began to describe the situation in the Mediterranean in a neutral, informative tone. The ship owner, no longer interested in their conversation, left, leaving only Komer and the Bearded Man in the captain’s cabin.

Portalan didn’t know why he felt compelled to share his perspective on the Mediterranean situation so openly in front of such a young man. Even he found it surprising, as he was neither a talkative person nor one who took pleasure in chatting with strangers. Yet, something about this slender young man gave off a steadiness, as immovable as a mountain.

Portalan remembered feeling a similar sensation from someone else. A self-deprecating smile almost took over him as he reflected on the stark difference in their statuses. One, a famous powerhouse of the Continent, and the other, a well-mannered, witty young man who seemed to be nothing more than a Small Aristocrat coming to the Caucasus for adventure, family visits, or business. Why, then, did this young man’s presence evoke such a resonant feeling in him?

"Oh, it seems the North Mediterranean is indeed unsettled. No wonder Mattdam seems much quieter these days."

Komer did not express any opinion, as he wanted to learn more. Being able to have a face-to-face conversation with a captain who regularly sailed these waters was a rare opportunity.

"The quiet in Mattdam isn’t just due to instability in the North Mediterranean. It’s more affected by the relationship between the lord of this land in the north, the Caucasus, and his lord, Grand Duke Philip. Philip seems quite unsatisfied with the Baron Komer of the Caucasus. I heard there was a past dispute between them over in Cyprus, regarding, uh, a romantic entanglement between their children."

Seeing Komer’s unwavering gaze, the Bearded Man’s heart fluttered with displeasure. He wasn’t one to indulge in private matters, yet the man before him seemed highly interested in this gossip.

"Heh, please continue, Mr. Portalan. It’s my first time traveling to the Caucasus and I find all these topics very interesting." Komer touched his nose somewhat awkwardly and grinned sheepishly.

For this shameless display, Portalan found himself not as repulsed as he would have expected. He simply thought it was funny—how could a young man who had been so well-mannered and aristocratic suddenly show an expression more befitting a vagabond?

"The Homer Navy has blockaded the northern routes to Mattdam. Even with a permit from the Kingdom of Nicosia’s Ministry of the Interior, it would take many days. In fact, Mattdam finds it quite difficult to import goods from the north and export their ore and coal. Fortunately, there are no restrictions on passenger travel. Now, most of the vessels traveling between Cyprus, Odessa, and Mattdam are passenger ships."

"What about the situation in the Southern Mediterranean?" Komer asked nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow.

"The Southern Mediterranean?" The Bearded Man paused, clearly unprepared for Komer’s question about this region. His expression wavered uncertainly.

That ominously shrouded sea held conditions very different from the north, especially since religious beliefs and ethnic differences made that part of the region starkly distinct from the Northern Continent.

"I haven’t been to the Southern Mediterranean for some time now. However, I’ve heard that after the Giganthia Temple on Gozo Island was damaged by a once-in-a-century storm, tensions between the Corinth City-State Union and the Severo Kingdom over control of the Aegean Bay’s shipping routes have rapidly intensified. But I’m not very familiar with the details. Perhaps only sailors who frequently traverse the Southern Mediterranean would know."

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