The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 723: Volume 21 The Path of Darkness - 8 Flanders Territory_2

Chapter 723: Volume 21 The Path of Darkness Chapter 8 Flanders Territory_2

Chief Montrey of the Caron Tribe’s sudden absence from the pre-battle routine meeting didn’t garner much attention from the other tribal chiefs of the Barbarian Alliance. After all, these bi-daily pre-battle meetings were hardly brimming with novelty. At most, it would mean a few tribal chiefs venting their frustration before sticking to the already established plan and proceeding with the campaign. The only issue was that the Meyrin River Valley had mostly come under control, and the fort at Brandenburg, located at the tail end of the valley, had become a thorn in the side, stubbornly halting the mountain people’s advance. The dwarves and mortals were united here in their tenacious defense against the mountain people’s attacks, and it seemed the battle had reached a stalemate that neither side was willing to endure.

If the other chiefs knew that Montrey was actually in Antwerp meeting someone at this time, they would probably leap up in alarm. Yet, there he was, sitting in the just-cleared room of the Count’s Mansion, which could barely be considered suitable for receiving guests.

After repeatedly verifying the token passed by Komer, Montrey finally confirmed Komer’s identity. The mountain people’s tokens aren’t something outsiders could forge, especially those of the tribal chiefs; their special secret patterns and marks could only be recognized by tribal chiefs and members of the Elder Council. This was indeed the token of Chief Dvanch of the Garong Tribe.

"Mr. Komer, I have long heard of your great reputation but never had the chance to meet you. We, the mountain people, keep in our hearts the help you’ve provided us. Today, I’ve finally fulfilled a long-held wish. It’s hard to believe, how did you come to the south? Dvanch is a good friend of mine, if there’s anything you need help with, please feel free to ask."

Montrey seemed quite hearty, which appeared to be the nature of most mountain people. However, Komer had learned from Dvanch that this seemingly rough and straightforward chief was far from as frank and generous as he appeared on the surface.

"Hehe, Chief Montrey, because of some personal reasons, I temporarily left the Caucasus for the south. To speak plainly, I am now the lord of this land—the Flanders Region. Uh, as proof in our Mortal Society, this is the legal deed from the Iberian Kingdom. But I suppose you wouldn’t be interested in seeing it." Komer was careful with his choice of words.

"Oh? You mean according to your mortals’ law, you are both a vassal of the King of the Kingdom of Nicosia and also a vassal of the King of the Iberian Kingdom?"

Montrey’s words made it clear to Komer that the fellow had quite an in-depth understanding of Mortal Society. It seemed these barbarians, in their efforts to break the encirclement by mortals and other races, had also gone to great lengths to understand their enemies’ situations and weaknesses.

"You could say that, our mortal law does not forbid a noble from having two fiefs." Komer nodded, "Therefore, I would like to earnestly request Chief Montrey to provide some convenience for me to fully exercise my rights as the lord of the Flanders Region."

"Mr. Komer, you mean to let us hand over the Flanders Region to you?"

Montrey’s smile was hard to decipher; to Komer, it seemed to contain a hint of ridicule. However, Komer didn’t mind, confident that the other party would act according to his wishes.

"Yes, that’s exactly what I mean." Komer said with assurance: "However, it seems there is a slight error in your word choice, not hand over, but rather, restore my rights. I believe there’s no need to debate the rightful ownership of the Flanders Region. The mountain people have no history or fondness for taking the land of others — that has little to no meaning for you, doesn’t it?"

With a light hum, Montrey showed some dissatisfaction with Komer’s assertive tone, but he couldn’t really argue against such a statement. Indeed, the mountain people have never been good at agriculture, with even the cultivation on Cordillera Wasteland yielding meager returns, barely enough to survive. Although the mortals’ lands were fertile with significant food production, they preferred plundering to acquire food rather than farming for it, except as a last resort.

"Chief Montrey must be aware that the Flanders Region is not known for producing food. This land is of little value to you, especially now that everything here has been pillaged by your people. It won’t be possible to return to normal for another three to five years, so what point is there for the Caron Tribe to remain?" Komer continued.

"Mr. Komer, I have heard of your unparalleled eloquence, and indeed your reputation is justified. True, the Flanders Region holds little value for us mountain people, but it’s different for you. What terms are you willing to offer in exchange?" Montrey knew he would not be able to gain any advantage over these mortals with words and would rather bluntly lay out what both sides wanted, maintaining a straightforward image.

"Oh, Chief Montrey, this is already my territory, the mountain people have taken everything from it. Should I now have to pay a ransom for this? Have the mountain people turned into kidnappers or brigands?" Komer taunted back, "I believe even if I didn’t approach Chief Montrey, the soldiers of the Caron Tribe would sooner or later leave the Flanders Region, wouldn’t they? It’s just that now I wish for that time to be sooner rather than later. I did not expect Chief Montrey to make such a request, which truly surprises me and greatly diminishes my impression of the mountain people."