The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 887: Volume 28: Long Spear Tilling the Courtyard, - 4: Intrigues

Chapter 887: Volume 28: Long Spear Tilling the Courtyard, Chapter 4: Intrigues

"This is wonderful, why not?" Komer burst into laughter, "Absolutely reasonable."

"But this Ebson guy is too greedy; he’s actually demanding to empty the treasury of Poznan! Wouldn’t that be a wasted trip for me?!" Puber burst out. He had come with the intention of taking over the property of Poznan, but the message brought by the negotiator was cause for jubilation for Komer and the others, yet it was a complete disaster for him.

"A wasted trip? Puber, isn’t the whole of Poznan enough to satisfy your appetite?" Komer retorted.

"That’s a distant matter. What I’m facing is the current predicament. I need a large amount of cash, remember, cash, not some damn land, houses, and all that, otherwise what am I supposed to use to pay the rewards you promised to those half-beastmen and barbarians? This damned war isn’t bleeding blood every second, it’s bleeding the savings I’ve laboriously built up over the years in the Caucasus!"

Puber shook his head like a rattle-drum.

"Puber, are you really that short on money?" Komer stared at Puber, like a snake eyeing its prey.

"Of course, you don’t need to look at me like that, you know very well the current finances of the Caucasus!" Puber said defiantly.

"Well then, how about mortgaging the tax rights of Groningen to the Gran family? I think Karmani will crawl before you like a pug, offering you the cash you need," Komer said with a half-smile.

"Gisa people? No, no, that’s not a good idea. Those damned Gisa people are more venomous than vampires; they’ll drain Poznan’s finances dry!" Struck where it hurt by Komer, Puber deflated, "Damn it, you’re actually considering such a thing, the people of Poznan will curse you for a lifetime!"

"Hmm, since the Gisa people aren’t suitable, mortgaging to the Caucasus Bank isn’t a bad idea either," Komer suggested with a smile.

"Perhaps that’s the only way. Better to keep the rich water in our own fields. Boss, our finances are already overdrawn. We really can’t keep going if the war continues. Let’s end the war as soon as possible," Puber said, resigned to the reality.

"Without war, how would Poznan fall into our hands? Groningen, being the most important port in the North, brings in a considerable amount of tax revenue each year, especially with such close ties to the Continent. Think of the profits it could bring us," Komer shook his head. "Puber, broaden your mind, set your sights further. Please believe that every war will bring us benefits far beyond our investment; otherwise, why would I wage such wars?"

Puber fell silent. He knew Komer was right, but his miserly nature made him want to remind Komer to be more sparing. Once the war started, gold flowed out like water, and this trip up north was compelled by the folks at the Caucasus Bank. If he couldn’t bring back a reasonable return for them, the finances of the Caucasus would really be cut off.

"All right, does anyone else have questions?" Komer said briskly. "Fran, the rest is up to you."

"Lord, rest assured, I will make the Silesians know the taste of ’betrayal’ of an ally. Poznan is not a place for them to reach out for, and I’m sure Mr. Ebson will have everything prepared for us."

Fran once again witnessed Komer’s tactics, fabricating documents was a trick that perhaps only he could think of, and at such a time it was unquestionably worth an entire army. It not only completely shattered Ebson’s will to continue the war but also successfully redirected the animosity of Ebson and the Poznan people towards Silesia and Galle, virtually eliminating any resistance faced by their side in Poznan, a feat unattainable even for a conquering force.

Like a furious lion, Zellin locked himself alone in his room; he didn’t want to lose his composure in front of his subordinates, but the rage suppressed in his heart gave him no outlet.

What on earth has happened to this world?

The Homer Army swept across Poznan like a decayed tree collapsing under its own weight, from Trelins to Denver and then to Poznan City. Mr. Ebson’s Poznan Knights and tens of thousands of soldiers could not muster any effective defense. It was inconceivable that such a sturdy fortress as Denver City would fall in just two days, letting the people of Poznan surrender to the Homer People. Had the Homer people truly transformed their army in less than a year? Moreover, substantial Homer forces were still dealing with the advance of my own army in the West. This was utterly unbelievable!

In Zellin’s view, with the cooperation of the Silesians, Poznan and Silesia could have easily bogged the Homer People down in the wilderness of the North. Yet, everything happened unexpectedly. The Silesians did nothing. Their Knights and infantrymen were wandering aimlessly. Alleged increased activity of Beastmen, nobles, and merchants unrest—these were nothing but the most transparent of excuses. What the devil was that old fox Nissa up to?

Conspiracy! Absolute conspiracy! As someone seasoned in such matters, Zellin sensed the thick scent of a hidden conspiracy, but it was like trying to penetrate a fog that constantly enveloped him. He wanted to tear through the fog and see the truth, but he couldn’t grasp it.

The ink on the tripartite alliance was barely dry when this eerie situation arose. Zellin couldn’t help feeling both angry and puzzled. What were the Silesians up to? Why had they not sent troops to reinforce Poznan? Could it be that Nissa and Komer reached a certain understanding?

No, that was impossible. Was Nissa not afraid of the Homer People turning the blade towards them after annexing Poznan? Or did Nissa really have such confidence that Silesia could withstand the threat from Homer?

This matter became more and more puzzling, and Zellin felt the danger closing in on him. The situation of the Nirvana Knights and Galle Infantry on the eastern front was also far from optimistic. The Rock Corps formed by Homer half-beastmen, supported by Homer Crossbowmen, firmly bogged down his own great army here. Now, his only reliance was the power of Mages, but this was a double-edged sword. Once the Mage power was fully utilized, it would surely cause significant damage to both sides, leaving no room for maneuver. At this point, Zellin was not yet ready to take that step.

Zellin’s gaze turned to the North. He was almost certain that the strange behavior of the Silesians was related to the Beastmen. The relationship between Silesia and the Beastmen had always been doubtful in Zellin’s heart. The staggering success of the Beastmen in the last war had a lot to do with the Silesians’ poor performance at Saint Nicholas Fortress. Zellin always suspected there was something fishy about it, but he could not openly question it without evidence, especially when Silesia was still his ally.

He had to give serious thought to Silesia’s performance this time. It appeared that those fellows were fearless and, despite the aggressive advances of the Homer People, they maintained a fearless posture. What were they relying on? The Church of Light? Maybe three years ago, but now could they possess that strength amid internal strife? That left only the Beastmen, although Zellin couldn’t fathom what made Nissa dare to trust the non-human Beastmen.

Zellin would never fully understand the secrets within.

Jazair.

The great banner representing the Beamon Royal Flag towered in front of Jazair’s majestic palace. The once proud and handsome guards of the Kingdom of Nicosia had been replaced by warriors in Spotted Armor with bear-like builds. Beneath the banner were the flags of the Five Great Royal Clans of Beamon, symbolizing the authority of Beamon’s royalty unified under the Beamon Kingdom.

"Carter, what do you think?" Shami Taegor asked seriously as he sat in the central large chair.

"Hmph, these weak Mortals are fighting like dogs. It’s a rare opportunity for us, why should we give it up?" Carter Wolfe’s face, with its thin cheeks and those green eyes, always gave a ghastly impression. He rubbed his hands together quickly, a sign he was in a good mood.

"Shami, Carter, I don’t see it that way. I think we still need to consider this matter carefully," Christina said cautiously, polishing her beautiful nails with a small brush as she spoke faintly, "We can’t ignore the opinions of our potential ally, and sometimes we are too focused on the immediate gains."

"Hmph, those Mortals all think the same. Of course, they don’t want us taking another step forward. Our last move has already angered them, so what if we take another step?" Carter Wolfe said nonchalantly, "I don’t think we can’t do without them now."

"Carter, you are wrong. They are not ordinary Mortals; they are Mortals with great power, strict organization, and firm faith. We have all seen it. Even with your mighty shape-shifting power, one on one, are you sure you could handle one of them?" Christina chuckled softly in retort.

After a moment of silence, Carter Wolfe, not one to argue pointlessly, shook his head, "No, I’m not entirely sure. Although they’re individually weak, the way they can harness the power of nature is too mysterious. Heaven has bestowed too many blessings upon these Mortals."

"Moreover, this is not the most important issue. We’ve not been ruling in Jazair for long, and even though we have done our best to please these Mortals with various policies, the effects are just starting to show. To influence them subtly, we still need quite a long time to achieve this. Don’t you all realize how crucial this is for the entire Beamon Tribe?" Christina Fox spoke solemnly, her initial relaxed expression gone. (To be continued. If you want to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters are available there, support the author, support authorized reading!)