The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 735: Volume 21: The Dark Road - 15: The Advent of Turbulent Times

Chapter 735: Volume 21: The Dark Road - 15: The Advent of Turbulent Times

From the Tilo City-State to Piraeus, from Corinth to Troy, from Gallipoli to Piergos, Hayreddin and Drake split into two groups, each leveraging their connections to quickly get things moving in various places.

To build a fleet, even an ordinary merchant fleet, one needs a multitude of skilled sailors and seafarers; fortunately, the thriving Corinth and Piraeus meant the decline of some other mercantile city-states, like Tilo City-State and Gallipoli City-State, which provided Hayreddin and Drake with an abundant workforce.

These city-states, located in the Saronikos Bay like Corinth and Piraeus, once flourished solely based on their unique geographical locations. Their trade was severely impacted as the Demisheme Pirates grew increasingly brazen. Their navies were now unable to maintain the normal operation of their city-state fleets, which led to further business declines. In a vicious cycle, the economic situation worsened, with some on the brink of bankruptcy. The arrival of Hayreddin and Drake finally gave many idle veteran sailors and seamen satisfactory employment.

News of Hayreddin and Drake’s recruitment spread quickly through the Sisonia Peninsula and the Saronikos Bay, and with it came rumors of the development on Xifnos Island. The Lord of the Caucasus from the Northern Kingdom of Nicosia planned to transform Xifnos Island into a cargo transshipment hub. Goods from nations along the Southern Mediterranean coast and the vast Continent could freely enter and exit through this junction. This news swiftly attracted the attention of nations and city-states in the Southern Mediterranean who were curious how these newcomers would handle the threat from the Carter Fleet and the Demisheme Pirate Group.

The astonishing move by the Carter Fleet, flying the Bloody Rose, to patrol around Xifnos Island immediately caused a sensation across the Southern Mediterranean. This implicitly signaled that the Carter Fleet not only recognized the presence of these newcomers in the Southern Mediterranean but could even be seen as a warning—that the existence on Xifnos Island was under the protection of the Carter Fleet!

While the nations and city-states of the Southern Mediterranean were puzzled, traders were already unable to contain their excitement. The rise of Corinth and Piraeus caused the industrial and commercial elites of city-states like Tilo and Gallipoli to lose their economic privileges. Lacking abundant natural resources and without the advantageous conditions of Corinth and Piraeus, their pride rested solely in their superior port facilities. When even this advantage was taken away, it signaled the onset of a decline for these industrialists and merchants.

No one wished to languish in a dying city-state; heading to a prosperous new city-state was undoubtedly the wisest choice. When merchants from Tilo and Gallipoli visited with a tentative mindset, they discovered that Xifnos Island had already become a truly splendid beginning.

The Nine-story Lighthouse could be seen from eighty nautical miles away, and the beautifully designed spiral lighthouse, towering like the Babylonian King’s Tower of Babel on the southeast end of Xifnos Island, was impressively majestic. The Luminous Flame rising from the magic lamps shone even more dazzlingly in the night, unobscured by even the fiercest storms and waves.

What truly astonished the merchants was that within just two or three months, Xifnos Island already possessed the basic infrastructure of a port city. A great number of Dwarves had moved to the island, working diligently alongside mortals from across the Southern Mediterranean to build warehouses, docks, roads, houses, and various other buildings. They even saw some of their peers from the Caucasus beginning to negotiate land purchases with officials on Xifnos Island to construct warehouses, to better utilize its unique geographical location for transshipping goods from the North in the future.

Colleagues from the North had already taken the lead. If they did not catch up, they might forever miss such an opportunity. In the end, merchants from Tilo and Gallipoli also threw themselves into the development of Xifnos Island, hoping only to turn their investments into profits as soon as possible.

"Kusri, you must have heard about the changes on Xifnos Island, haven’t you? What do you think?" Hayreddin propped his leg up, leaning back against the hardwood chair, at a time when the tavern was closing and no one would disturb his conversation with this man.

"Mm, Mr. Komer has already extended his reach into the Southern Mediterranean. It’s hard to believe how Miss Katrina could come to terms with Mr. Komer, but it seems that is indeed the case, surprisingly so," Kusri remarked, his lean face lacking its usual obsequious meekness, and his flickering gaze in the darkness roused much speculation.

"Right? It’s hard to believe, but Mr. Komer has indeed done it. Perhaps there is no real conflict between them after all," Hayreddin added slowly.

"No, I do not think so. Miss Katrina definitely has a need for Mr. Komer’s support, but only provided that Mr. Komer does not threaten her position in the Mediterranean. Right now, Gote’s offensive in the North Mediterranean is fierce, and that is Miss Katrina’s biggest threat. I think the alliance between Miss Katrina and Mr. Komer might target Gray Skull, but I still do not understand what substantial help Mr. Komer could offer Miss Katrina." Picking up a piece of ice and dropping it into his glass, Kusri’s expression remained calm, but the slight trembling of his glass betrayed his perturbation.

"That is not for us to worry about. All we need to understand is that they are working together, isn’t that right, Kusri?" Hayreddin said indifferently.

"If we do not understand the dynamics at play, we may find ourselves backing the wrong side. And if that happens, I believe you are well aware of the consequences, Mr. Hayreddin. I am not like you; I need to consider things more carefully." Kusri’s face revealed an intriguing depth, "Considering Mr. Komer’s actions, I cannot believe he just wants to meddle in the commercial interests of the Southern Mediterranean. If that were the case, perhaps the cooperation between Miss Katrina and Mr. Komer could last for a long time. But if it goes beyond that scope, their partnership will quickly turn into rivalry. No, it actually depends on how much opportunity Miss Katrina offers to Xifnos Island. If it were me, I would not give Xifnos Island any chances."

"Haha, Kusri, that’s why you would never be Katrina." Not directly responding, Hayreddin casually picked up a dart and threw it; the dart flew and embedded itself in the All-knowing Compass hanging on the distant wall, "Mr. Komer is currently in the honeymoon phase of his collaboration with Miss Katrina, so you don’t have to worry about these issues for now. These are not our concerns. You should know why I am here today."

"Hmm, Demisheme?" Kusri tilted his head slightly, twirling his glass in hand.

"Yes, Demisheme," Hayreddin nodded, "The Carter Fleet won’t be responsible for the security of Xifnos Island indefinitely, and the island’s security must be resolved by itself. I want to know Demisheme’s thoughts and whereabouts."

"Haha, Mr. Hayreddin, what are you planning to do? Solve the Demisheme problem once and for all? Miss Katrina couldn’t do it; do you think you can?" Kusri began to laugh, perhaps thinking it a joke, but when he saw Hayreddin’s motionless gaze, he realized he had guessed wrong, "Do you really intend to do this?"

"Why not? The Carter Fleet and our goals differ. Katrina can’t eliminate Demisheme, not because she is incapable, but because in her mind there are more important matters. Ridding herself of Demisheme is not easy, and though she is formidable, she is still a pirate – remember that, the name ’pirate’ is etched onto her, no how strong or domineering she is. As long as she remains independent, no one will trust her because she will always be a pirate! If she tries to absorb Demisheme, she will only face fierce resistance. Mr. Komer, on the other hand, is different – we have territories, identity, status, interests, a future. Do you understand?"

Kusri’s eyes narrowed subtly, the words of Hayreddin had sufficiently revealed their intentions. Demisheme must not become a stumbling block for Xifnos Island. If it could not be utilized, then elimination was the only option. As for the method and operation to be taken, that depended on what Mr. Komer was capable of. However, attracting someone like Hayreddin to willingly follow him was proof enough of Komer’s remarkable abilities.

"Mr. Hayreddin, many people do not see reason or discern right from wrong like us. They believe in strength and the sword," Kusri spoke leisurely.

Hayreddin nodded and smiled, "Of course, words can’t replace power. Many need to deeply comprehend its essence before they can grasp the concept. We are not naive enough to fantasize that all problems can be solved with words. Kusri, what I am telling you is that you need to consider carefully which side to take. As you said, once you choose the wrong side, there’s no coming back. By the way, Mr. Komer has become the Lord of the Flanders Region under the Iberian Kingdom, and Xifnos Island is just one of his maritime territories. This should help you see things more clearly."

When Hayreddin’s imposing figure disappeared along with the shifting lights of the Tavern’s Door, Kusri thoughtfully picked up his glass and drained it in one gulp. It was indeed time to carefully ponder this issue. Perhaps the Southern Mediterranean was truly about to enter an era of great upheaval.

(To be continued. For more Chapters, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM, where you can also support the author and Authorized Reading!)