The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 941: Volume 30 The Rise of the Empire - 12 The Bathtub

Chapter 941: Volume 30 The Rise of the Empire Chapter 12 The Bathtub

Komer did not show his feelings towards the scenes unfolding before him; he had mastered the art of keeping his joy and anger from coloring his features. The dramatic transformation of Xifnos Island deepened his impression of Hayreddin and made him realize that there must be many talented individuals around Hayreddin. To create such a grand scene in such a short amount of time—despite having Komer’s substantial funds at his disposal—was no easy feat.

The island, which had been neglected despite its excellent location, was mainly barren due to the rocky and uneven terrain of the site. To transform this island into a major trade hub, the first and foremost challenge was to overcome the difficulty presented by its landscape.

From what he could see, Hayreddin had succeeded admirably in this regard. By using the funds he supported to cyclically develop a fleet, in addition to the incorporation of Demisheme’s naval power, the previously dangerous waters became a clear path. This facilitated the rapid development of shipping between the coasts of the Storm Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Mang Continent, turning Xifnos Island into a dazzling pearl on the Mediterranean.

The horse-drawn carriage ran smoothly on the stone path, and though the streets of Xifnos were somewhat inferior to those in towns like Ugru and Mattdam, Komer was quite satisfied. After touring around Xifnos Island, the place brimmed with vitality. A spacious square in the center and numerous buildings were built upon gently rolling hills, terraformed into relatively flat high grounds, certainly not a minor engineering feat. Countless merchants carried out their trade here, and the prosperity was not much less than that of a city like Odessa.

After making a full round, Komer returned to the dock and his gaze drifted toward the fleet hidden behind distant rugged hills. "Hayreddin, is that your fleet?"

"Yes, Lord, our main fleet is stationed there, separated from the merchant vessels—it’s a military zone where outsiders are not permitted," Hayreddin nodded. "Ships setting out to sea regularly patrol through the merchant vessel areas, deterring other powers from filling the void created by Demisheme’s withdrawal. This region can only be occupied by our force."

"How are the naval activities of the Mediterranean countries?"

"They seldom sail out of their actual control areas, spending most of their time patrolling their own waters; we rarely have conflicts with them. How should I put it, there’s a kind of unspoken understanding. They acknowledge our existence, and we respect their rights. After all, we are no longer pirates. To be precise, these city-states and nations’ fleets are not really capable of waging war anymore; they are more like coast guards, capable of apprehending smugglers perhaps, but to face a real fleet, their only outcome would be annihilation," Hayreddin explained.

Komer nodded. "And to the north?"

Hayreddin understood what Komer was asking. "The Carter Fleet is currently still focused on their conflict with the remnants of the Gray skull, and although Gray skull has been on the losing side, they have still not disbanded. I suspect they may be receiving support from other forces. Additionally, the consumption of the Magic-armed gun has been heavy, preventing the Carter Fleet from securing an absolute advantage. We have always maintained a harmonious relationship with the Carter Fleet. We have an agreed traditional boundary line at the north that neither side usually crosses."

Komer turned to face him, his gaze fixed directly on Hayreddin, who remained calm under Komer’s scrutiny.

"Hayreddin, is there anything else you need to tell me?"

"Lord, I have a request—that you could pay more attention to the Mang Continent. It has gradually become a hotspot for coastal adventurers and colonizers from various city-states and countries. We cannot afford to fall behind in this race for territory, as it would be a lifelong regret. With Xifnos Island now as our best supply base, with enough focus, especially on the eastern shore of the North Mediterranean, that region will be ours to rule."

"Hayreddin, words cannot describe what you have achieved. I can only say that you have done an excellent job, and I am proud of you. The Barbarossa Family would surely regret not having someone like you among them. That Xifnos Island has become a rising pearl on the Southern Mediterranean in such a short period of time is due to the unimaginable hard work and sacrifices you and your companions have made. I think you fully deserve the title of Viscount."

Komer’s words were devoid of rousing passion, but his gentle and kind language was like a stream of warm spring water flowing into Hayreddin’s heart. The efforts of more than a year were not in vain, for Hayreddin felt more satisfaction from Komer’s recognition than from any praise of others. Komer had never inquired about the disposition of the funds he provided, nor about the operation of his fleets or the development of Xifnos Island. All this meant an unreserved trust in him, and all the conditions he had proposed had been fully met without discount; these were the true foundations of his success.

"Lord, I won’t say much more. It’s because of you that I and my brothers are able to realize the desires of our hearts. Our only dream now is to make the entire Mediterranean your bathtub, where you can wash your noble boots anywhere on this sea," Hayreddin said after taking a deep breath, his voice calm and steady.

The brilliance in Komer’s dark eyes flared briefly, and the gentle smile on his face became more handsome. Even Finitz, who had always stayed by Komer’s side, hadn’t seen such a bright and stunning smile from him for a long time. At that moment, she suddenly realized how handsome the Lord looked when he smiled, as if a golden arrow had suddenly struck her heart, rippling through it.

Without a word, Komer patted Hayreddin’s broad shoulders and smiled slightly, looking behind him at the group of strong and rough men, and he called out loudly with a laugh, "Why don’t you introduce your good brothers to me?"

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