The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 903: Volume 28: The Long-Spear Rake Courtyard, - 20: The Big Sucker

Chapter 903: Volume 28: The Long-Spear Rake Courtyard, Chapter 20: The Big Sucker

The exquisite rattan chairs, like pieces of ingeniously crafted artwork, added a touch of romantic flair to the lawn. Dappled sunlight scattered across the grass, where Komer lounged on a plush cushion, fully enjoying his rare leisure. But his mood was soon disrupted.

When Puber, like a maggot clinging to bone, and the ever-obsequious Karmani appeared in Komer’s sight, Komer knew his good mood was doomed for today.

The guests had arrived, but Komer had no desire to entertain them. Yet Puber behaved even more casually than the host, taking a seat without invitation and boldly encouraging Karmani to make himself comfortable. The coffee, which had been roasting over charcoal on the rattan coffee table, poured into the cup with Puber’s lift, and its rich aroma spilled out instantly.

"Puber, aren’t you being a bit too presumptuous?" Komer couldn’t hold back any longer. The plan he had wanted to enjoy was undeniably ruined by this man, who looked set to drink his fill—it was a waste, wasn’t it?

"Boss, don’t say that. What am I exhausting my heart and soul for, if not for the prosperity of your territory? Can you really not spare this pot of coffee?" Puber completely ignored him.

"Puber, it’s not about the pot of coffee—it’s about respect. I toiled to make this coffee myself, and here you come, enjoying it without a word. When has there ever been such a thing in this world?" Komer said, irritated.

"Come on, Boss, you’re now the Great Lord with multiple territories. You still bother with such trivialities with us, don’t you feel ashamed?" Puber said carelessly: "Let’s not argue over these insignificant matters, shall we talk about serious things instead?"

"Serious matters? I finally have a break, and you insist on discussing things today?" Komer glanced at Karmani, who seemed somewhat uneasy.

"Boss, time waits for no one; every moment is precious. The situation in Poznan has calmed down. Princess Renta—believe it or not—actually has some skills. She quickly intimidated those rustic nobles there, and now they’ve settled down quite a bit. It seems they won’t stir up any trouble."

"Hmph, I never thought they could cause any trouble, with or without Renta." Komer snorted.

"That’s different. Without Renta, this chaos would last for a period of time at least. The bloodline of the Romanov family and the influence of the Anson family still play a role. We have to acknowledge that," Puber shook his head, disagreeing with Komer’s view.

"Puber, remind Renta to not overstep her bounds."

"Boss, this Princess Renta is sharper than any woman I’ve ever met. She knows what is important," Puber said with some emotion: "Why does the Romanov family seem to have all the talented women?"

"You seem to have quite a fondness for her?" Komer tilted his head and asked.

"Boss, don’t get the wrong idea, I just think she’s very smart and understands the times. It’s not simple," Puber grinned, "Having such a woman by your side in bed makes you feel like she’s calculating something at all times. Boss, don’t you find it tasteless?"

"Hmph!" Komer snorted and didn’t pursue the topic further, "What’s the matter today?"

"Boss, it’s something you’re interested in—the Nissai River development project," Puber said with a sleazy smile.

"Oh? It seems the Gran family is greatly interested in the development of the Nissai River?" Komer turned his gaze to Karmani.

"Lord, it’s not just our Gran family but several Gisa families." Karmani interjected, "Mr. Puber told us that Lord has already obtained the lordship of Livonia, and that Princess Furina will also be engaged to Lord Komer. Furthermore, she will bring the eastern estates of the Buzak Plains as her dowry. Is this matter already settled?"

Komer cast a deep glance at Puber. The man truly was a master of rumor-mongering, able to inflate the slightest hint of gossip into an awe-inspiring tale, complete with vivid details that compelled belief. Contacts had just begun with Basarabia, and the outcome was still unclear, yet Puber, that rascal, had already linked the lordship of Livonia and the eastern estates of the Buzak Plains with the Nissai River development. No wonder Karmani had suddenly taken an interest in the Nissai River project.

"What? Mr. Karmani, why would you take an interest in my personal affairs? Are you perhaps planning to send a gift ahead of my wedding?" Komer said with a slight smile, without directly answering the other’s question.

"We naturally would not miss Your Lordship’s wedding, but we’ve heard that Lord is intending to connect Livonia with Bruce here, developing the Nissai River into an important waterway connecting the southwest of Nicosia with the Leon Region. We are very interested in this project, hence we wish to learn more about it," Karmani said, glancing at an ostensibly surprised Puber and awkwardly continuing.

"Oh, I see." Komer feigned indifference. Puber had already whetted their appetite; now it was his turn to play along with a tease-and-denial strategy. To lure the Gisa into the fray, he had to put on quite the act. "I have that intention, but I’ve only just established my lordship of Livonia, and issues with Basarabia still require further discussion. I think it would be more appropriate to consider these matters once they are concretely settled."

Seeing Komer’s lack of enthusiasm, Karmani grew more anxious, sensing there was more to the matter. With Komer’s nature, any advantageous opportunity would draw him like a leech scenting blood. Today’s indifference suggested a deeper mystery. It likely held truth that Basarabia merchants were preparing to invest in the development of the Nissai River channel to gain future operational rights.

The canal rights from Mattdam to Lake Niall had already brought the Gran family a taste of success. Without the lordship of Livonia and the dowry of the eastern estates in Basarabia, Karmani wasn’t optimistic about the project— after all, the river was too long and the regions belonged to different Lords, diminishing its connecting value. But if both Livonia and the eastern estates in Basarabia would fall under Komer’s jurisdiction, the significance of it would be altogether different. The abundant produce of the Buzak Plains and the handicrafts of Livonia could continuously flow into Leon, just as Leon’s mine products could travel upstream, entering Livonia and the Buzak Plains—a prospect teeming with limitless business opportunities.

"Lord, such matters should not be delayed. The very fact that you have just established the lordship of Livonia means you should promptly dredge and develop this waterway to strengthen the connections between Livonia, the Caucasus, and Leon. This can greatly enhance the ties between the two places, as well as boost Livonia’s centripetal force towards you. The economic complementarity could also lead to more frequent commercial exchanges between the regions," Karmani quickly followed up, giving Komer no room to argue.

"However, the upstream conditions of the Nissai River are complicated, especially since a significant stretch passes deeply through the Little Greenland Forest, where dangers abound and the scale of work is substantial. To develop this river, considerable effort and funds will be required..." Komer pretended to hesitate.

"Lord, what are you saying? Hasn’t our collaboration on the canal project been extremely pleasant?" Upon sensing a gap, Karmani immediately puffed out his chest and spoke with utmost righteousness. "We Gisa would very much like to serve Sir, and it has always been our greatest wish to collaborate with Lord once more. If Lord has this plan in mind, we Gisa are willing to take on the development and management of the Nissai River channel, also making a contribution to the economies of both territories."

"If that’s the case, then it might be worth considering. As for the specifics, you can discuss them with Puber," Komer relented, seemingly with reluctance.

After exchanging a look of satisfied surprise with Puber, Karmani finally left with firm steps.

"Boss, how did I do? Not just anyone can turn nothing into something so skillfully, right? Heh, fronting the funds for development, the Gisa really are big suckers," Puber said lazily once Karmani’s figure had completely vanished.

"Sigh, another one willingly deceived. Puber, let’s put Livonia aside, how did you convince him that the eastern estates of the Buzak Plains in Basarabia would become my territory? I don’t even know what Furina looks like, yet here we have such a colorful story already spun," Komer was quite curious about Puber’s adeptness at spreading rumors.

"Boss, you excel in other areas, but when it comes to understanding and manipulating these folks’ minds, that’s where I come in. The art lies within one’s heart and is understood by intuition rather than conveyed in words," Puber proudly boasted. (To be continued. For further updates, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters, support the author, support authorized reading!)