The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 572: Volume 14: Accumulate Thinly, Erupt Mightily, - 16: Grand Ceremony

Chapter 572: Volume 14: Accumulate Thinly, Erupt Mightily, Chapter 16: Grand Ceremony

When the eight-headed Earthwalking Dragon Cubs arrived in the Caucasus Region, Komer had already realized that the Sanjia Tribe could probably no longer resist the temptation of the grain boats that plied the Catania River Channel. The Catania River provided the Caucasus with an ample source of food, and Bahomon’s food storage was quickly filled to the brim in a short time. Food prices plummeted by more than seventy percent, leaving the grain merchants of the Caucasus both pleased and regretful. They were pleased that they no longer had to worry about a shortage of food and could obtain a steady supply of food from the upstream regions of the Catania River. However, they regretted that the past market of scarcity no longer existed. Their gaze had already turned toward the south, to the yet-to-be-developed vast market of the Cordillera Wilderness.

The plummeting food prices and abundant food sources in the Caucasus Region finally made the Barbarians, who had been silent all along, unable to sit still any longer. Seeing so much food piled up so close in Bahomon, while the Cordillera Wilderness was still scrimping and saving, how could one sit idly by? No Chief could do that, unless he wanted to be overthrown by his citizens.

Traders were waiting, waiting for a new market to be opened up, which involved some difficulties. The Caucasus Prefecture had long classified food as a strategic material, the export of which required permits and was subject to quotas. The traders were not unaware of the danger from the southern Barbarians, but seeing more and more Barbarians working on their docks, mines, workshops, and in their shops, the simple and honest Barbarians gradually gained acceptance by other races who had previously been hostile and suspicious toward them. Many people seemed to have forgotten that the Barbarians in the east and south were still waging war year after year, and the huge benefits tempted many to take risks.

The scope of Judicial Officer’s anti-smuggling team had already expanded more than three times. Its main duty was to crack down on smuggling to the southern Barbarians. The rate of Barbarians smuggling food and other goods back home during visits was increasing, and the newly established anti-smuggling checkpoints were catching more and more individuals attempting to take weapons and food illegally into Barbarian Territory. Most of them were Barbarians, but there were also Mortals. Reese had already suggested to Komer that they should use more severe punishments to deal with those caught smuggling because otherwise, the problem would likely escalate. The punishment of doing hard labor was too lenient for the Barbarians—they would at most forego a month or two’s wages.

Komer didn’t want to make the relationship with the Barbarians too strained. He was aware of the little deeds they had to do out of necessity for survival, and as long as they were not too outrageous, he wouldn’t deliberately pursue it. Of course, collusion with the merchants of the Caucasus for large-scale smuggling was absolutely not to be tolerated, otherwise once it came to the attention of Mortal powers surrounding the Barbarians, it would arouse public outrage. Although the Caucasus was isolated, the pressures it faced were not only in diplomatic relations but could even affect the Central Kingdom of Nicosia.

Traders had already repeatedly petitioned the Administrative Officer, Puber, to remove food from the list of strategic materials, but this had not been approved. For a certain period, Komer didn’t have the courage to openly challenge the powers of the southern and western parts of the Cordillera Wilderness and saw no need either. He even needed to use this method to slowly divide the Barbarians internally, and it seemed that the opportunity had now come.

Seeing the different expressions on the three Chiefs’ faces, Komer knew he had already begun to gain the upper hand. The Chief Gapeng named Sike was filled with envy, from the large glass window to the floor mirror beside the curtain, from the beautiful Magic Crystal chandelier on the ceiling to the soft and comfortable embroidered silk chairs. The man’s gaze lingered on everything. This alone was sufficient. Although the other two maintained composure, especially the wily Bellamong, a single crack in unity was as good as its nonexistence. To breach a stronghold, you do not need the Door wide open, just a crevice to pry open.

Before coming to the Lord’s Mansion, Dvanch and the two others had already quietly toured around Bahomon, Ugru, Mattdam, and Muscat, and even stealthily observed Mandu. According to regulations, the Leon Region was temporarily off-limits to those without a special pass, and the three only had ordinary passes issued by the Caucasus Prefecture, barring them from Mandu.

The changes in the Caucasus and the neighboring regions instantaneously shattered the trio’s confidence. The displayed prosperity and wealth of the Caucasus amazed them all. Even Dvanch, who had been mentally prepared by Volen’s introduction, was completely overwhelmed. To chalk up the tremendous transformation that the once desolate Caucasus had undergone in just over a year to mere luck would be far-fetched and self-deceptive. As for Bellamong and Sike, they were even more shaken by the situation. Bellamong began to doubt his initial opinions. Perhaps Dvanch was right—seeing is believing, and as perceptions change, so should beliefs.

In fact, on their journey from Mattdam to Ugru, the three had initially agreed to provide eight Earthwalking Dragons to meet the needs of the Caucasus. They believed that offering a gift could, to a great extent, solidify their relationship and lay a good foundation for discussing substantial issues next.

Komer was very pleased with this gift. Originally, he had hoped to get just five Earthwalking Dragons to form a squad of Earth Dragon Warriors whose deterrence was greater than their utility. But it seemed that the Barbarians had higher expectations, or they wouldn’t have offered eight Earthwalking Dragons right away to win his favor. It was an auspicious start, and Komer was not worried that they would pose demands he couldn’t accept. He believed he could firmly control these Barbarians because they weren’t united.

Komer had also received some less favorable news: Puber was already on his way back to the Caucasus, and the kingdom’s Blue Dove Corps was ready for action. However, Philip remained very submissive. Except for issuing a harmless statement, presumably to save face, he had virtually taken no other actions, even suspending the previous intent to regroup the Army. Abnormalities signal conspiracies, a piece of wisdom Komer had gained from Kennifer III. This was especially the case as even Philip’s most loyal ally, Duke Zellin, was unusually silent, seemingly submitting to the kingdom’s aggressive demeanor.

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