The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 843: Volume 26: Gathering Momentum, - 7: What is Happiness?

Chapter 843: Volume 26: Gathering Momentum, Chapter 7: What is Happiness?

The arrival of the dwarfs piqued Komer’s interest. Their arrival might not have any special effects in a short period, but as the canal waterway between Izmir and Santiago became connected, the economies of both places would welcome a period of rapid growth. The abundant clay resources along the Lakeside of Niall could also provide a place for the dwarfs to employ their skills. Pottery had always been a proud skill of the dwarfs. With quality clay, these clays could be transformed into exquisite artworks in the hands of the dwarfs. It was only in talking to Carreila that Komer had just become aware of this situation.

"Lord, the number of dwarfs in Santiago is likely between five hundred to eight hundred, most of them from Shimaina, and some from Severo. However, their mood is not good right now, and many are inclined to leave Santiago. If we cannot give them some hope, the majority will leave soon," Maha Gummi reported in detail.

"Hmm, I understand. I will entrust this matter to Puber," Komer nodded, "How is the situation with the Barbarians? Any reaction from the Sanjia Tribe?"

"Nothing unusual can be seen at the moment. Garong and Galong Tribes have been relatively indifferent in their response. Dvanch and Bellamong have met many times, but they don’t have anything to negotiate with us. As for Sike from the Gapeng Tribe, I estimate that he will be seeking us out in the next few days. Although the man is not very clever, his ambition and desire are relatively small. He is aware that the prosperity of his tribe depends entirely on our support, so he is inclined to agree with your views, Sir. Nevertheless, he has to consider the attitudes of the other two families," Maha Gummi said hastily.

"Hmm, they won’t last much longer. If they keep delaying, we will take measures to make them uncomfortable, and they will realize that without the Caucasus, they will become barbarians with nothing, even worse than before. The people won’t accept that. It’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to revert to frugality. Do they think their people will continue to obey as before? What a joke!" Komer said with a faint smile. "I hope they will be wise and not waste time."

"Yes, Lord, you make a lot of sense," Maha Gummi quickly complimented Komer, "But I don’t quite understand why you, Lord, are unwilling to cooperate with the Gisa People? It should be a quite rare opportunity."

"A quite rare opportunity? Do you think so?" Komer glanced at him and asked in return.

"Er, I believe so, Sir. The Gisa People are widely distributed across the Continent, and their wealth is said to account for a quarter of the whole continent. Moreover, the Gisa People are quite united. Although they are greatly suppressed politically, their economic influence is unmatched. If we could gain their support, not only could you obtain unimaginable economic backing, Sir, but also our intelligence network could be ten times as effective as it is now. With the Gisa People as our eyes and ears, many difficult tasks that are currently beyond our reach would be solvable," Maha Gummi said with some anticipation.

"Heh, they will be of use to me, but not in such a way," Komer said with a confident smile on his face. "Now, the Gisa People’s situation across the Continent is not good, whether it is in the South or the North. Whenever there is instability in a country, the Gisa People are the first to be implicated and made scapegoats by the rulers. Why? Because they hold too much wealth. Such a people, yet without any power to protect themselves, are like kids with a fortune living amidst covetous bandits. Can you imagine how much mental pressure they’re under? Before approaching us, they had sought other rulers, but what were the results? In the end, they were ruthlessly betrayed, ending up with nothing!"

Komer was leisurely confident in his view of the situation, firmly believing that the Gisa People would eventually accept his offer.

"My asking price might seem high to outsiders, but do you believe me when I say that it is precisely the high price that will truly reassure the Gisa People? Why? Because it also demonstrates my sincerity! If I were to casually agree to their terms, the Gisa People would instead suspect whether I would turn around and perhaps cast them into hell like the other betrayers. After all, the Gisa’s reputation is well known, and any action taken by any ruler against them, even annihilation, would not be condemned by anyone."

Maha Gummi was painstakingly trying to understand the meaning behind Komer’s words, having a profound respect for the Lord’s thoughts and tactics. He had to admit that Komer’s words probably struck a chord with the Gisa People, who had been betrayed and deceived into losing faith countless times.

Gently lifting up the pure and flawless face of Eve, Komer had a look in his eye like a torch, with fierce anger burning the depths of his soul. He had never felt so angry and depressed, and the mixture of these two feelings gave him an impulsive urge to explode.

"Why?"

"Why? Lord Komer, do I need your approval to have a fiancé? Remember, I am not your slave," Eve’s composed face showed not a hint of disturbance. Facing Komer’s towering rage, she appeared as leisurely as if she were strolling in a garden, pushing away Komer’s hand with her own, and slightly furrowing her brow, "Please do not use such actions, they do not suit your current status."

Angered to the point of laughter, Komer could not help but crack a smile so ugly that it distorted his face, forcibly suppressing his fury and squeezing out each word through clenched teeth, "Do you believe I can make sure he never sees tomorrow’s sun?"

"Believe? Of course, I believe. You are the untouchable Homer and the Great Lord of the Caucasus, as well as a Magic Tutor. Anything in your eyes is but trifles that can be obliterated and discarded at whim. I have no doubt you’re capable of all that. But what of it? What do you want, Komer, my body? Or my freedom?" Eve’s tone remained perfectly calm, her icy gaze flickering towards Komer that inexplicably sent a chill through him.

"Eve, why has it come to this?" Komer took a deep breath; his momentary lapse almost drove him to the brink of irrational action, but he was no longer the naive youth he once was—he had much more to consider.

"You should be asking yourself that question!" Eve raised her voice, almost instinctively.

"Asking myself?" Komer cast a somewhat guilty glance around, "I don’t know what I’ve done to make you feel this way. If I really did something wrong, I can apologize."

These words, coming from Komer’s mouth, surprised even himself, for he never thought he would say something so weak; Eve felt the same.

"Apologize? Komer, do you need to apologize to anyone? I don’t see the meaning of an apology in your eyes. How can someone unaware of their wrongdoing feel the need to apologize?" Eve’s voice settled back into calmness.

"Eve, uh, maybe I have indeed been too busy lately. So I neglected your feelings, uh, this, you must understand me, you know what I am dealing with now••••••" Komer suddenly didn’t know what to say. Was he really that busy, or was he subconsciously trying to avoid something? Renta, Vero, and the affairs from Basarabia—his mind seemed to be completely filled with things that could bring him infinite benefits. The impressions of Eve and Grace were gradually fading and blurring in his mind, but could he truly forget everything?

"Komer, there’s no need for explanations; some things don’t need them, right?"

For a moment, Komer thought he saw a glint in her eyes, and a surge of warmth revived in his heart. It had been so long since he had felt this way. This feeling was foreign, but it excited him. He thought he was becoming a cold-blooded creature devoid of feelings, but today’s experience made him realize that deep inside, there was still a passion burning.

"Eve, please believe me, what I promised will never change. Perhaps the trivial matters of the world and the passage of time may alter some things, but there are things that will remain ever fresh and unfading," Komer said as he looked straight into her eyes, shedding his burdens and appearing extraordinarily brave.

Eve bit her lip, unconsciously. Could she still trust him? When Princess Renta lingered in the Caucasus, refusing to leave, she maintained her dignity. But when the rumors from Basarabia began to circulate in the Caucasus, she could no longer remain indifferent, not just for herself but also for Grace; it felt like they were being fooled, and she could no longer tolerate such disrespect and insult. When Carreila appeared before her, she did not hesitate to accept his marriage proposal, but now, Eve hesitated again. Had she been too hasty? The determined and composed look in Komer’s eyes was enough to shatter any rumor or gossip, and under such a gaze, Eve couldn’t resist.

"Eve, don’t gamble with the happiness of your lifetime out of spite. You’ll regret it deeply. Please, believe me!" Komer’s gentle, even voice was as relentless as a tide, sweeping away the embankments built around Eve’s heart in an instant. (To be continued. For what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, for more Chapters, support the author, support authorized reading!)