The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 715: Volume 21: The Dark Path - 1: Invincible Fleet

Chapter 715: Volume 21: The Dark Path Chapter 1: Invincible Fleet

The arrival of the group caused a ripple in Komer’s originally relaxed mood, for he had not tasted the vibrant bodies of Lome and Grace in a long while. The various evasions and complex affairs in the Caucasus left Komer with little energy to focus on this aspect. However, after a brush with death, Komer seemed to harbor a stronger yearning for life—perhaps only those who have tasted death truly appreciate the preciousness of every single detail of life.

Although Grace’s room was quite reasonably arranged, it was not soundproof. But for Komer, this was no obstacle. A magic barrier was child’s play for a mage. Watching as the unusual rose-red color bloomed on Lome’s face beneath him and the fervor in her half-closed eyes slowly calmed, Komer realized he still had no urge to release.

Grace curled up in Komer’s arms, his mood now seemed very relaxed. Lome had calmly accepted the fact; she seemed not to care about the nature of Grace’s relationship with Komer, but only about her own standing in Komer’s heart. To her, the Great Sage might be more important than anyone else in the world—the Great Sage was her god of rebirth.

The fluffy red hair trembled at the tip of Komer’s nose, and the faint scent made him yearn to nestle in its tresses and sleep without waking. Compared to Lome’s simple devotion, Grace seemed more aesthetic; her unresentful and regretless giving always left Komer feeling guilty towards her. No wonder Havier and Bayezid so seriously warned him not to toy with the emotions of such a perfect girl; it would be nothing less than desecration, an affront to his own morals.

Leisurely leaning back on the soft sofa, his suppressed passion of several months was released in one night. Though Lome and Grace were still unable to rise from bed, Komer felt a refreshing pleasure in his entire body after the passion dissipated. He felt he was now at a delicate pinnacle, with every detail within a dozen meters, every blade of grass, every insect’s chirp, vivid in the sea of his heart.

The excitement on Hayreddin’s face had gradually faded. The trip from the Caucasus to Corinth and then to Athens hadn’t tired the sailor, accustomed to wandering the seas. On the contrary, the thought of returning to his home, which gave him so much, filled his heart with irrepressible thrill.

"Lord, we’ve already been to Corinth. The ladies were unwilling to wait for you there, so Hayreddin boldly agreed to their request." Hayden couldn’t tell Komer’s opinion of his bold decision, but the other’s silence yesterday had unsettled Hayreddin.

"Hmm, since they’re here, so be it. But this is Athens; the Barbarossa Family has significant influence here. You should be careful about your movements—it’s not yet time to reveal your true identity." Komer seemed to be thinking of something else, his indifferent words unsettling Hayreddin even more.

"Rest assured, Lord, I’ve been away from Sparta for years. The Barbarossa Family’s stronghold is in Patre; Athens is not entirely under their control. Moreover, I’ve deliberately changed my appearance; it’s unlikely anyone would recognize me," Hayreddin said anxiously.

"Hmm, just be careful. Have you been to Xifnos Island? What do you think?" Moving to the main subject, Komer stirred his coffee gently with a spoon, its creamy aroma blending with the scent of coffee, filling the room instantly.

"I don’t really understand, Lord, why you would purchase Xifnos Island." The question filled Hayreddin with confusion; he couldn’t hold back. Such a huge cost for a piece of useless land? People say the Lord is a wastrel—could it be that his own judgment is flawed?

"Oh? Is there something wrong?" Komer paid no heed to the other’s agitated emotions—impulsiveness was not a good habit, and Hayreddin seemed to lack some restraint in this regard.

"In terms of area, geographical location, and the island’s coastal geography, Xifnos Island is indeed a jewel of the Southern Mediterranean. But its location is too unique—it lies at the throat of the vast boundary between the Continent and the three bays of the Southern Mediterranean, and it’s also a gateway to the Storm Ocean southward, making everyone covet it. The Tilo People have sovereignty over it, but with their current power, they have no say over it; the Corinthians have long coveted this place, but the Red-haired Witch Katerina and the Demisheme Pirate Group force them to weigh the pros and cons; perhaps the only one with the power to control the island is the Red-haired Witch, but Xifnos Island is slightly too far from her base—she is a pirate, not a navy—it’s not worth her effort to occupy the island; but the Demisheme folks are strong but unwilling, their courage broken by the Red-haired Witch, daring not to cross the Xifnos Island line easily."

Before Hayreddin could finish speaking, Komer interrupted, "Isn’t this perfect? They all have their reservations, which is precisely why we should fill the void."

"Lord, are you taking the Red-haired Witch and the Demisheme as nothing?" Hayreddin couldn’t help but exclaim in disbelief, this was simply child’s play!

"Hmm, what if I obtained the Red-haired Witch’s permission, or even her support?" Komer asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Obtained the support of the Red-haired Witch?!" After a moment of shock, Hayreddin’s gaze suddenly fell on the composed face of the Lord, "Are you saying the Carter Fleet would support us in establishing a foothold on Xifnos Island?! Impossible!"

"Correct, I don’t know how long this agreement will last, but I estimate it will be effective for the next two or three years. In fact, we only have to deal with the Demisheme Pirate Group. Although the Carter Fleet has promised to help us, we can’t rely on outsiders. Xifnos Island will become a nail for our Caucasus in the Southern Mediterranean, a fortress, a stepping stone. In the future, when our relations with the North become unpredictable, Xifnos Island will serve as a bond and a bridge between our Caucasus and the South. Hayreddin, I give you two years, no, a year and a half. I only give you a year and a half to raise a fleet for me, a proper armed fleet!" Komer’s tone was calm, but his words conveyed unwavering determination.

Hayreddin silently weighed Komer’s intentions revealed through his words: an armed fleet, which implied a fleet suitable for both civilian and military use, capable of fending off provocations from the Demisheme Pirate Group, and taking on the heavy responsibility of facilitating trade between the Caucasus and the South, and even with the vast Continent. It was not going to be easy, and Hayreddin was not one to make promises lightly; his reputation meant more to him than life itself.

"Lord, I must say, to manage both aspects, that is going to be quite difficult," Hayreddin said after a long time, shaking his head with difficulty, "Even with the support of the Carter Fleet, we cannot ignore the prying eyes of the Demisheme Pirates. They will not tolerate an outsider stretching their claws to their doorstep. They can tolerate Katerina, but they will not submit to us."

"Then we will have to beat them until they crawl at our feet!" Komer said coldly, "Whatever you need, I can provide for you, with only one goal in mind: To ensure our stable footing on the Southern Mediterranean seas!"

"Unless you, Lord, can agree to let me establish an armed fleet separate from the trade fleet, I cannot complete the task you’ve assigned me." Hayreddin did not back down.

"Oh? Did I say you can’t?" a spark of fire leapt in Komer’s eyes, "Whether it’s establishing a trade fleet or an armed fleet, that is your prerogative! My near-term goal is to ensure that our Caucasus trade interests in the Southern Mediterranean are not harmed, to ensure that our Caucasus maintains a firm footing there. The long-term goal is to control a convenient trade route to the vast Continent for our Caucasus. As long as you can achieve this point, you have autonomy in all aspects! If needed, I will also provide my utmost support to fulfill your desires!"

"Well then, please assign someone else to manage the trade fleet, Lord. I’d prefer to build for you, Lord, an invincible fleet that roams the Mediterranean, making even the Carter Fleet take notice and the Demisheme crawl at your feet!" Hayreddin’s eyes were also brimming with pride. With Komer’s declaration, he too became assertive. If it were just about leading a fleet, he was confident he would not lose to any fleet, given enough time—even against Katerina’s Carter Fleet, he had the confidence to challenge.

(To be continued. For further updates, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM, where you can find more Chapters, support the author, and enjoy authorized reading!)