The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 667: Volume Eighteen: Stormy Secrets, - Eighteen: Ambitious Ambitions

Chapter 667: Volume Eighteen: Stormy Secrets, Chapter Eighteen: Ambitious Ambitions

"Viscount Komer, Bahomon has made quite an impression on me. I never imagined that you could build such a prosperous town in a place the people of Jazair probably can’t even recall by name. I can hardly believe my eyes." Katya’s expression flickered, but ultimately she maintained the grace expected of royalty, praising and encouraging the astonishing feat accomplished in Caucasus.

"Lady, although Caucasus is remote and its people are somewhat simple and unlearned, there is one thing that stands out—a trait not found in the citizens of the Kingdom Inland. Here, they are less burdened by cumbersome formalities; their temperament is honest and straightforward. Even though they can be rough and uncivil, once you truly earn their respect and trust, many problems become solvable and numerous tasks, much easier to initiate."

Komer explained with a smile. It seemed that the stimulus Bahomon gave Princess Katya was significant. This was a good sign. As his strong side was increasingly revealed before her, she would come to realize that perhaps he was an exceptionally good partner. He wondered how her perception of the Barbarians, those she deemed archenemies in her heart, would change once she set foot in the Cordillera Wilderness.

"Viscount Komer, it seems you have truly poured your heart into this land. From your emotional words, I can feel your affection for this territory. I think I should report all that I’ve seen to the kingdom upon my return. Such a great transformation of Caucasus under your leadership suggests that Leon could be similarly influenced. The kingdom has chosen wisely in entrusting Leon to your care. I just hope, Viscount, that you do not forget the kingdom’s expectations and the heavy responsibility it has placed upon you." Though these were clichéd courtesies, they carried a particular flavor when spoken by Katya, and Komer found her words deeply meaningful.

"Your Highness, my loyalty to the kingdom is as clear as day. Even in the most difficult of times, Caucasus has mobilized its Self-defense Army to support Jazair, is that not proof enough of our fidelity?" Komer’s tone remained calm, but his attitude was quite serious, "I can affirm once again—if the kingdom needs, anything within the power of Caucasus and Leon, and our hundreds of thousands of citizens, we are ready to heed the kingdom’s call."

"Viscount, you are too grave, but please understand my feelings. The kingdom is currently in turmoil, and many within are not considering how to revive it. Instead, they scheme day and night about how to remove dissenters and fortify their own positions, placing personal interests above those of the kingdom. Can such behavior truly be convincing?" Katya glanced sideways at the sincere-smiling Lord of Caucasus, her words as sharp as a blade, openly challenging.

"Haha, Lady, let’s not discuss this issue today, shall we?" Komer smiled, "Friends from the Cordillera Wilderness have long awaited Your Highness’s arrival. This will be the first time a figure of such importance has set foot into the heart of Cordillera Wilderness. I believe their fervor and subservience will alter many of your perceptions."

Clever as a fox! Katya cursed internally. Confronted with a tough topic, he’d maneuver and diverge or outright refuse to answer. This man, not old in years but deep in schemes—what kind of anomaly was he? She pondered over this question for a long time. Yet the man’s true nature remained shrouded in layers of mist, always out of clear sight.

The barbaric charm of the Cordillera Wilderness allowed Katya to witness aspects of the Blue Continent wildly different from Mortal Society. On this vast land, ferocious Barbarians galloped at will, and the spectacle of Earth Dragon Warriors, Thunder Peng Knights, and Barbarian Berserkers, a display nearly demented, not only made Katya uncontrollably betray fear but also deeply shocked Komer, though he maintained a composed facade. This was the true might of the Barbarians.

Komer weighed the outcome of a direct confrontation between his Half-beast Army and these savages, concluding that the Half-beasts would likely meet defeat. Although he regarded his own Half-beast Army as absolutely superior in terms of equipment and discipline, the Barbarians’ advantage in their special units was something his side wouldn’t be able to counter. The mass charge of the Earth Dragon Warriors, for example, was unstoppable even for heavily armored Half-beast infantry, and the Thunder Peng Knights’ attacks could greatly damage his own command systems.

Of course, the Barbarians’ advantage was predicated on the exclusion of Mage power from his side. If including Mages, at least the Sanjia Tribe, which wasn’t strong enough to challenge his dominance, would be at a disadvantage—something the tribe’s chieftains understood better than anyone. Moreover, they were well aware that losing their food sources to victory meant reverting to a life of near starvation, an outcome the Jellyfish People wouldn’t greet with open arms.

The military demonstration carried a hint of a show of force, and Komer was aware that these fellows were not just performing for Lady Katya; to the Sanjia Tribe, he was the real threat that decided their fate. The Kingdom of Nicosia was too distant for them—if it weren’t for the respect and submission Komer had exhibited, they wouldn’t have given a second thought to this princess from the far North of the Kingdom of Nicosia. To the pragmatic mountain people, whoever could control their fate held the authority; otherwise, they were worthless.

The lush greenery of the Cordillera Wilderness was brimming with life, and in the distant horizon, one could faintly make out the bright reflections from the snow-capped peaks of the Baden Gold Mountain Range. Grass and flowers swaying in the warm wind from the Mediterranean spread their natural fragrance throughout the wilderness. No one would believe the place renowned as the Wilderness was so vibrant. Komer could not understand why such a rich and open plain could not sustain the growth of food crops. Was this some cruel jest by fate? Relying solely on hunting, the mountain people’s bellies were always tight.

Giant tents made of primeval buffalo leather were propped up with specially made wooden poles, the ample space inside never evoking a sense of oppression. The top of the tent could be drawn closed, undoubtedly a testament to the wisdom the mountain people had gleaned from a life outdoors. Though the mountain people had gradually begun to adopt architectural ideas from Mortal Society, they stubbornly upheld their traditions as a defense of their civilization’s status—entertaining guests in such a grand buffalo leather tent signified the utmost respect for visitors.

A double-eared milk pot hung bubbling under the triangular iron frame at the center of the tent while the ethereal blue flame licked the bottom of the iron pot, releasing the tempting scent of churning milk. Komer, with his hands clasped behind his back, paced leisurely around, while Lady Katya of the Romanov family seemed preoccupied, half-reclining on a large hammock padded with thick woolen felt. The flickering light faintly illuminated her somewhat bewildered fair cheeks, symbolizing Katya’s unsettled heart.

"Your Highness, you seem to be in a somber mood. Are you not feeling well?" Komer attentively poured a bowl of milk for her. "The climate and terrain of the Cordillera Wilderness are quite different from those of our Caucasus, and not to mention compared to the Kingdom Inland. Being new here, you might not have adapted yet. Drink a bowl of dragon milk, a specialty of the Wilderness, and you’ll feel much better."

Ignoring Komer’s attentiveness, Katya’s indifferent gaze shifted from the milk pot she had been staring at and casually set the bowl of milk Komer handed to her aside. "Viscount, I’ve seen our Mortal craftsmanship on the bodies and hands of these Barbarian Warriors. Barbarians have never possessed the skills for smelting and forging; their weapons and armor are entirely acquired through warfare. However, today I noticed that the armor and weapons worn by their warriors are nearly identical. How do you explain this situation? And don’t fob me off with the excuse of smuggling."

With an embarrassed laugh, Komer hadn’t expected this woman to have such a keen eye, noticing the details straight away. The only explanation for providing such a large quantity of arms and armor was the Caucasus, which violates the social contract of the entire Mortal Society, equating to provoking the entire world!

"Er, Lady, I must admit that aside from smuggling, I did indeed supply some low-level weapons to the Sanjia Tribe. Please pay attention, Lady. I’m referring to the Sanjia Tribe among the mountain people, not all mountain people. As you have seen, my territory is home to a substantial number of mountain people who come from the Sanjia Tribe. They are subject to the laws of the Caucasus, just like my citizens, and must obey the administration of my Administrative Officers and Judicial Officers. Today, you also witnessed the respect the Sanjia Tribe shows us. In fact, they must rely on the Caucasus, otherwise they would be in trouble."

It was pointless to beat around the bush at this moment, so Komer straightforwardly admitted the truth, even exaggerating it slightly, believing it might have the opposite effect. Intuition told Komer that this woman didn’t seem to care about him providing weapons to barbarians; he was certain of that. On the contrary, she seemed more concerned about his influence and control over these barbarians. From her tone and gaze, Komer sensed her intense passion, marking her as an ambitious woman. That was the label Komer had given to Katya.

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