The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 617: Volume 16: Mists and Illusions, - 10: Secret Assistance

Chapter 617: Volume 16: Mists and Illusions, Chapter 10: Secret Assistance

The vast Nissai River divided the Leon Prairie from Greenland Forest, and from the high hills outside Banassia Town, one could clearly see the empty expanse above the turbulent river as its muddy waters rolled westward. The once bustling Banassia River Harbor was now deserted. Ever since Homer’s army was defeated in the battle at Leon, Cyprus had declared that any ships entering Nissai River to transport goods to Banassia would be detained and all cargo confiscated. After two vessels daring to bring coal to Banassia were seized by Homer Navy at the Mouth of Nissai River and subjected to heavy penalties, no foreign ships dared to trade between Banassia and the outside world.

Both the coal and iron mine production in Banassia had in fact come to a halt, which was the greatest headache for Komer. Unlike Moray, which was not far from Mandu and had relatively good roads, the increased cost of transportation for Moray was manageable, thanks to the special product of Leon Prairie—black-haired cattle which have always served as the main draught animals for land transport in Leon Region. Thus, it barely managed to cope, but some smaller coal mines were also forced to cease production. Banassia simply couldn’t operate at all; the cost of rerouting through Moray to Mandu was astronomical, unacceptable for the Coal Mine Owners, which was the main reason for the difficulty in attracting investors. No one was willing to buy a mine whose output could not be transported, no matter how cheap the price.

This situation also led to a massive influx of Half-Beastmen miners to Mandu and Muscat, which at one time troubled Puber, but after the decision to commence construction on the Canal Project from Lake Niall to Mattdam, it actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The Canal construction project could fully accommodate these robust workers, and construction merchants contracting various segments of the project even plastered job advertisements throughout the streets of Banassia, Moray, and Izmir.

Merely opening the Canal from Lake Niall to Mattdam wasn’t enough to exploit the rich mineral resources of Leon’s land for oneself; Banassia and Moray both relied on the waterways of Nissai River to prosper, as reliance on land transportation was unsustainable for the long term.

Piles of coal were visible everywhere, the filthy, disordered streets were repulsive, even the plants beside the street were covered in coal ash. Idle Half-Beastmen in tattered clothes wandered the streets; although they did not exhibit any extreme behaviors, Komer knew that if this situation continued, Banassia would eventually become a source of upheaval. Many Half-Beastmen accustomed to mining for a living still had no desire to leave their homeland. If their living issues were not properly resolved, they might have to face their dissatisfaction.

But these were not the issues Komer had to consider right now. What he needed to contemplate was how to deal with Homer’s army, which was poised to move southward. Intelligence had shown that Homer’s army was ready and the vanguard troops had already moved south to Busen Plain, and would pass through Greenland Great Forest opposite them in a week’s time, while the Mage Corps and Knights regiment that Komer was most concerned about seemed to be following behind the vanguard troops.

"We must control Bruce Fortress; we also need a force that can withstand Homer Navy, otherwise, we may have to abandon this place," Komer remarked, surveying the lush forest across the river, that appeared as an enormous jade basin stretching for miles. This very forest split Homer into two distinct parts: one side impoverished and chaotic, the other wealthy and peaceful. It was upon the poverty of the south that the peace and wealth of the north was established, with Bruce Fortress locking all the poverty and chaos to the south.

"Lord, you really have started to fit into the role of a lord now. I truly cannot understand why a mage of such accomplishment as you would cling to this kind of life. Do you really find it more fulfilling than the pursuit of the magical arts?" Mihailovich asked, his face bearing an expression of incomprehensible regret. In his opinion, Komer had a natural talent for Magic Practice, laying a strong foundation in both Elemental Magic and Psychic Magic, and his origin might even stem from the Dark Lineage. It was inconceivable to these magicians that a man of such profound knowledge was preoccupied with these mundane matters, especially since it was so out of sync with their understanding.

"Mr. Mihailovich, life is rich and diverse, and so are the thoughts and spirits of people. Some people love worldly power, some love mellow wine and beautiful women, some love the power of nature. Perhaps their thoughts will change with the progression of time and understanding of the world, so you cannot expect everyone to think and have interests like you," Komer smiled, bringing up an issue that was probably not just Mihailovich’s view alone. Others, such as Newman as well as Solonberg and Fradkov, likely held the same belief, while maybe only Rebry had somewhat recognized some of his intentions.

"But, Lord, your conditions are so favorable, many Magic Practitioners may not be able to reach your current level in their entire lifetimes. If you devoted yourself to Cultivation, the success you could achieve in the world of Magic would guarantee you a glorious Chapter in the history of Magic, but what can this mundane life leave for you? Those are merely shallow satisfactions for your senses, the most basic needs and self-fulfillment. I can’t imagine why any wizard would take a liking to these things."

In Mr. Mihailovich’s view, both women and power were perceptions of a lower order, and only ordinary people who could not achieve breakthroughs in their own power would pursue such things. Even a sovereign of a nation could not compare to a true mage. A true magic practitioner could abandon everything as long as they could ascend to a higher realm of the Magic Heaven. For them, the meaning of life was to pursue a higher state of energy release.

"Oh, Mr. Mihailovich, your view is too extreme. In my view, many things are not mutually exclusive. I love the pursuit of magic cultivation, but I also enjoy the pleasures that secular desires and power bring. Sources of pleasure are very diverse, at least that’s what I believe. Closing oneself off at a certain level doesn’t prove anything; at least that’s how I see it. Sometimes, things that seem unrelated might actually complement and promote each other." Komer knew it was virtually impossible to persuade these mages whose ideas were deeply ingrained, particularly since the cultivation method suitable for him was not necessarily suitable for others, and his own circumstances determined that his path was different from others. He simply hoped to express his views; he did not seek agreement, but hoped for understanding.

"Hmm, this is where our worldviews differ. I’ve always believed that doing something requires full concentration and undivided focus, otherwise nothing will be accomplished. Still, your performance might overturn my viewpoint, but I still hold on to my own views. After all, geniuses do not always come around. I think we can’t see eye to eye on this point, but I don’t think it will affect our friendship and cooperation, including sparring." Mihailovich nodded and said no more, "When does the Lord plan to enter the Greenland Forest?"

"We’ll have to wait a bit longer, but we can head to Moray first. Rebry and Fradkov have already entered the Greenland Forest, and I haven’t received any messages from him so far. It seems that finding a suitable Monster Group in the forest won’t be easy. The Gray Wolf would probably be the most appropriate choice, but it all depends on our luck. However, it wouldn’t matter too much if we don’t encounter them. Without the help of the Monster Group, we will succeed all the same. With preparation versus unpreparedness, we hold the advantage." sighed Komer confidently. "Homer’s army just departed from Cyprus, and I estimate they will cross the Busen Plain in about a week. Given their pace, it will take at least two days to cross the Greenland Forest, meaning they will have to spend a night in the forest. That would be the best time for us."

Komer’s voice was filled with confidence as he spoke, behind him at some distance stood a group of mute-like men in black, with pale faces and dark eyes. They stood quietly behind Komer, and even as the residual light of the setting sun bathed them, they seemed to instantly lose their radiance.

Mihailovich had been observing this group for a long time. The origins of these people and what their backgrounds were remained unknown to everyone at Damarlinsk Castle, perhaps with the exception of Komer himself. These individuals had stealthily entered Damarlinsk Castle two days before departure, and their leader seemed to have a special relationship with Komer – they even gave off the impression of being subordinate to him, much like Fran was to Komer. Perhaps these people were the solid backing behind the Lordship’s confidence; Mihailovich could feel the power they contained, which carried an aura similar to his own. This wasn’t surprising, but where did they suddenly recruit so many capable individuals from?

Another man with a rigid complexion and a weird demeanor stood alone by the river, staring into the distance. Although he rarely spoke, his every move made Mihailovich feel uncomfortable, and his gaze gave even someone who never felt fear like Mihailovich a chill, as if a thousand-year-old zombie were watching him.

These were the so-called friends of the Lordship, a group of quirky individuals.

Komer descended from the hill. Banassia was over two hundred miles from the Floating Bridge of Bruce Fortress; it was time to set off now.

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