The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 529: Volume 12: Magic Flame Burning Fiercely, - 20: Rights and Interests

Chapter 529: Volume 12: Magic Flame Burning Fiercely, Chapter 20: Rights and Interests

"Recall what he said when he first gave you that Crossbow Case," Dolomites’s eyes flashed with a hint of pride.

"What did he say? He said nothing, what could he say? I’ve always thought there’s something off about his mind, a neurotic fellow," Thomas replied without hesitation.

A touch of dissatisfaction crossed Dolomites’s eyes. Her brother seemed clever, but she had no idea what he spent his days thinking about. Here she was, discussing serious matters with him, and yet he was distracted. If not for his strong and reliable background, she would not have been supporting him.

Noticing the displeasure on his sister’s face, the young man smiled slightly, put down his book, picked up his coffee, and took a gentle sip, saying curiously, "Why? Could it be that you think just because he’s been ennobled to the Caucasus, he can help us secure the Catania River trade route? I’m quite eager to know how he convinced you he could achieve that."

Only then did Dolomites’s mood lift. It seemed her astute brother wasn’t foolish after all. Clearly, the impression left by that lower noble hadn’t faded, particularly regarding the Catania River navigation issue; he remembered it well. With just a hint from her, he had immediately caught on.

"Thomas, don’t underestimate the current Komer. There’s something strange about him. He seems to have changed a lot since his time in Cyprus. Back in Cyprus, he appeared to be feigning depth, but now, the confidence and profundity that exude from him don’t require any pretense to be felt. Ah, one could say he gives off a trustworthy vibe, which isn’t something just anyone can achieve," she said.

Dolomites tried hard to recall the events, and although she was unaware of Komer’s Mage identity, she firmly believed that a mere Baron couldn’t possibly seem so at ease and even somewhat condescending before her; this could only mean that the man possessed some unknown strengths.

"Oh? Is that really so?"

Thomas was genuinely surprised. His sister was notoriously haughty; social on the surface, yet everyone in the upper echelons of the Duchy of Rosenbourg knew of her innate pride.

She hardly spared a glance for the ordinary, and those who received a few words from her were indeed figures with some influence. Yet that little noble from the Caucasus, now a Lord of his own right, hailed from a region only known in tales for its desolation. Rumors suggested his ennoblement to the Caucasus was largely linked to his connection with Tracy.

It seems he had once overestimated his ability to gain Tracy’s favor, which angered Grand Duke Philip and resulted in his assignment to the Caucasus—a sort of disguised exile that preserved the face of his family and the dignity of his Finance Officer father.

Thomas had also heard that the man was doing quite well in the Caucasus, having latched onto a high branch in the central power of the Kingdom of Nicosia. Although there were suspicions that he was being used as a pawn in the struggle between the Central Kingdom and the Great Aristocracy, it was still better than being forgotten in a corner.

Furthermore, with the current chaotic situation in the Leon Region connecting the Caucasus and Homer Central District, the Caucasus was effectively in a strange state of semi-independence, which added weight to the man’s significance.

However, the Caucasus seemed to have little to do with the Duchy of Rosenbourg, aside from the Catania River. Thomas found it hard to believe that the man could alter a reality that had been stagnant for decades. Still, Dolomites’s high opinion of the man must have had its reasons, and Thomas was keen to learn what made his sister so interested in him.

Seeing the faint probing look on the young man’s face, Dolomites knew her brother was making assumptions about her again. A hint of anger rose on her face, and she coughed lightly to clear her throat, also reminding him not to jump to conclusions.

Although the man was a noble with a somewhat charming appearance capable of attracting girls, he was just an insignificant low-ranking noble. His domain was a remote and desolate wilderness. How could she be interested in him? Compared to herself, he couldn’t even be considered a toad.

"Thomas, I think you should focus on the right path. This guy’s visit to Rosenbourg might bring us some unexpected benefits, and you must not underestimate him, he’s no longer the frail creature he once was."

"Oh? I would like to know, on what grounds do you deduce that he has become worthy of our attention? Don’t tell me it’s about the Catania River becoming navigable, I won’t believe that a task that the Duchy of Rosenbourg, with the full force of a nation, has failed to achieve in decades, could be solved with a mere wave of the hand by a minor Caucasus Lord. That would be an insult to the Duchy of Rosenbourg. And don’t try to fob me off with some vague intuition, I won’t buy that either."

At this moment, Thomas finally regained his usual stern demeanor, speaking with inherent authority. He was no longer just the other party’s older brother, but was now questioning as a formidable contender for the heir to the Duchy of Rosenbourg.

When Dolomites relayed what she had observed, including the peculiar behaviors of those accompanying Komer, Thomas fell into contemplation. The performances of the young women, whether Elves or Priests, were not significant due to their novice stage and of little consequence to their side. However, the behavior of the two individuals that Dolomites mentioned caused Thomas some hesitation.

According to her, the middle-aged man must at least be a Mage of considerable attainment. Though Dolomites was not a practitioner of magic, her long-standing interest had made her exquisitely sensitive to the aura of magic. She surmised that the man possessed a substantial level of magic power, which implied that his prowess in magic would certainly not be low.

The other person exuded a chilly aura similar to those from the Dark Sects of the South. Yet, according to Dolomites’ description, this individual’s attire was more akin to that of a knight. Could it be a Dark knight? Now, that would indeed be quite interesting.

Seeing her brother lost in thought, Dolomites understood that Thomas needed time to process the shock she had brought him. Analyzing the power dynamics between the Duchy of Rosenbourg and the Bohemia Kingdom with ease, pinpointing their current predicament, it seemed Komer might actually possess some acumen. Was his transformation in the Caucasus genuine, or had he always been hiding his true potential?

"Thomas, now is not the time to contemplate how this guy might negotiate with the Jellyfish People. What we need to consider is the shockwaves and benefits this might bring. This small aristocrat isn’t as manageable as we imagined. Maybe he only recognizes us for now, but once he claims free passage through the Great Swamp Area of the river, his value will undoubtedly skyrocket. I think we should form an exclusive alliance with him before that happens, cutting off any thoughts others might have and significantly increasing our bargaining chips."

Thomas seemed somewhat taken by Dolomites’ suggestion, but the moment had not yet arrived. He needed to verify whether this guy truly held such capacity. The extreme xenophobia of the Jellyfish People was well-known across the Continent, and it seemed they had no need for contact with the outside world, bar some enigmatic traveling merchants.

But as far as Thomas knew, even merchants who had traded with them for decades had never managed to penetrate deep into the Great Swamp Area, merely exchanging necessities at a few peripheral outposts.

The revelation of Komer’s identity caused mixed emotions amongst the members of the Dark Night Angel Mercenary Group—surprise, yet within expectation, tinged with indefinable complexity. The disparity in their status seemed to suddenly widen the distance between Komer and the rest, leaving everyone, including Eve, unsure of how to react to this unexpected change.

Komer, too, was pondering how to explain this revelation to the others. However, he didn’t believe it would harm his relationship with his companions. Regardless of his identity, he had no ill intentions towards them, and his status as a Caucasus Lord could even provide them a safe haven. There, they could finally relax the nerves they had been forced to keep taut for so long. Their prolonged stressful escape had worn them down, and this opportunity should have been a joyous one.

Yet, to Komer’s surprise, Eve and the others explicitly expressed their desire to part ways with him. They planned to pass through Rosenbourg and head South, hoping to rebuild the reputation of the Dark Night Angel Mercenary Group there. But Komer sensed there was more to it.

The Mercenary Group didn’t necessarily have to go South to be effective. To be realistic, the talents of Eve and the others were uneven, with poor synergy. For such a small Mercenary Group to gain a foothold in the competitive Southern nations was too difficult—something they, having mingled in the mercenary world, would surely understand. If they could stay in the talent-starved Caucasus, they could be of great help to him, especially given his hopes of capitalizing on the chaotic situation in the Leon Region, where talent was even more crucial.

Havier and Bayezid didn’t seem to favor the idea, and Burianos had no opinion to offer. The decision rested with Eve and Grace. It seemed he needed to have a good talk with the two of them.

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