The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 804: Volume 24, The Beacon Camps, - 15: Refusing to Return Home in Glory

Chapter 804: Volume 24, The Beacon Camps, Chapter 15: Refusing to Return Home in Glory

The mottled flagpole stood alone at the onion-shaped top of the castle, signifying that the Lily Flag of the Philip family had been removed some time ago, awaiting the arrival of a new master.

The faces of the people on the streets all bore an indescribable complexity of emotions, with disgust, fear, concern, and enmity, but more than anything, a faint sense of anticipation. A few years ago, no one would have believed that the Ress family’s second son, once viewed by the entire city as garbage and leader of the Three Wolves of Cyprus, would make such a comeback.

Aside from a portion of the nobility and traders who fled Cyprus with Philip, the vast majority remained behind closed doors with anxious hearts, watching how the situation unfolded. Those crowding the streets were mostly the urban poor and petite bourgeoisie, driven more by curiosity and a desire for novelty to see how Komer Ress, once driven out of Cyprus, would return, as a conqueror or in a victorious homecoming.

Ramla Ress’s expression was stormy, cigar smoke curling lazily around the grand hall. The handful of people seated there were all influential figures in Cyprus and even in the entire Homer region. The looks on their faces were equally complex and peculiar, perhaps because none of them had anticipated such a bizarre scene, yet now it was happening—Homer had a new ruler.

The edict from Cartin had officially made Komer Ress the new Lord of the Homer region. The nobles of Cyprus looked at this document with skepticism. Its legal validity might be in doubt, but the judges of the Star Chamber Court had all rallied around Princess Katya, and no one dared to question the edict’s enforceability.

What troubled the nobles and Big Merchants of Cyprus most was the incomplete news from Godeburg. It seemed Godeburg was also secretly reaching out to Caucasus, seemingly willing to exchange recognition of Komer’s lordship over Homer for Caucasus’s recognition and support of Godeburg; however, this was merely an intention, and neither party was willing to admit to such a possibility at the time.

Warrensky Rooks rubbed his hands unconsciously, his gaze wandering uncertainly. His son, Puber Rooks, had become the Administrative Officer of Caucasus, and with Komer Ress’s sudden rise to the pinnacle, Puber’s status had also risen sharply. Everyone knew that Puber was Komer’s staunch ally, now wielding significant influence in Caucasus, and now that Homer was essentially at Komer Ress’s feet, anxious folks wondered what kind of situation they would face.

For them, Leon and Caucasus seemed so distant; most had never been to Leon, let alone Caucasus. They also never imagined the glorious rule of the Philip family would end in such an abrupt manner, catching them all without the slightest mental preparation—including Ramla Ress and Warrensky, along with Sherman Mordo, Ilot Mordo’s father.

"Mr. Ramla, the edict from Cartin is already posted throughout the castle, and it seems the townspeople have accepted this reality. Duke Philip is unlikely to return anytime soon; they’ve taken everything they could, and now, only we are left. We need to seriously consider what to do."

The nobleman who broke the awkward silence with a cough undoubtedly represented the thoughts of all the nobles behind him. Philip had abandoned the city, and their decision not to flee showed that they did not wish to leave Cyprus or Homer. They had come today hoping for a clear message.

"Mr. Floup, I understand what you mean. Inviting both Warrensky and Sherman here was clear enough, but I am sorry to say, I have no intention of changing my position. Komer is no longer a member of our Ress family. You know well that three years ago, we disowned him. I, Ramla Ress, have only one son, Conan Ress, and no other offspring. If you wish to make any deals with Komer or have anything to say, I think it best you go directly to him. The Ress family has nothing to do with him."

Finally, Ramla’s face regained composure, his firm tone leaving no doubt about his stance. Even Warrensky and Sherman hadn’t expected the Ress family patriarch to be so resolute and tough. Was it because of Komer’s actions deeply disappointing him, or was it his blind loyalty to Philip? Or perhaps Komer’s actions disgraced him and fueled his anger?

"Mr. Ramla, why bother yourself with this? Youthful debauchery is inevitable; didn’t we also have our reckless days when we were young? Duke Philip has already punished Komer for his mistakes, and now it’s proven that Komer is no longer the ignorant youth of the past—he has earned his enfeoffment from Cartin. I see no need to maintain a wait-and-see attitude. Let’s be pragmatic and accept the reality—that is what we need to do now."