The Vastness of Magical Destiny

Chapter 49 - 49 1 Arrangement

?Chapter 49: Chapter 1: Arrangement Chapter 49: Chapter 1: Arrangement The Leon Region stretches four hundred and some miles from east to west and almost two hundred miles from north to south, forming an irregular rectangle. This place is not only the most important coal and iron ore production area in the Homer region but also the key ore-producing area in the entire Kingdom of Nicosia. Large quantities of coal and ore are continuously transported by water to Cyprus as well as the northern regions of Nicosia.

However, it is also the place where the social order of the entire Kingdom of Nicosia is most chaotic. The intensive use of slaves from various races and the excessively demanding labor have kept this area in constant unrest, with small-scale slave riots and uprisings emerging one after another, and large-scale slave rebellions occurring every few years.

Typically, runaway slaves band together to become small groups of bandits, attacking passing commercial convoys, kidnapping the mine owners and administrators, and demanding ransoms. This has become a chronic problem in the region, and even the troops from Bruce Fortress have made multiple attempts to eradicate them.

But given the Leon Region’s vast expanse and its rugged and uneven terrain, it’s impossible to locate these elusive bandits, and the efforts have been ineffective.

Later, a large number of mercenaries and bodyguard groups flooded into the area, acting as protectors and enforcers for the wealthy mine owners. This curbed the rampant behavior of the bandits but only addressed the symptoms, not the root cause, and thus did not bring about a substantial improvement in the region’s social order.

Traveling south from Bruce Fortress and crossing the Floating Bridge over the Nissai River takes you into the territory of the Leon Region. Komer’s party continued their journey south in a horse-drawn carriage, but the twelve slave soldiers began their first march. Apart from maintaining a fixed distance, they also needed to be always vigilant, which was the first lesson they were to learn.

Baoling became the busiest instructor, continuously scolding and berating the Half-Beastmen, who were still far from being qualified soldiers. Fran also took the opportunity to give pointers to this small troop of soldiers.

The twelve were divided into two squads of six each, forming two attack formations that looked quite professional. However, maintaining such a high level of alertness for an extended period was indeed too much to ask of these Half-Beastmen, who were accustomed to lazing around.

But Half-Beastmen have always worshipped the strong. Ever since their insubordinate behavior on the edge of the forest outside Bruce Fortress, they had collectively challenged Baoling and Fran. After being soundly defeated, the Half-Beastmen finally accepted the rule of the strong and reluctantly submitted to the inhuman torment by both Fran and Baoling. After some polishing, they had made significant progress, which was gratifying for both instructors.

Ilot could see that his boss seemed to be preoccupied with something, but he had also noticed that his boss had changed so much compared to three years ago. Not only did he seem to possess endless mysteries, but his personality had also become much darker than before. Except for occasional moments when his unrestrained and wild nature surfaced, Ilot sometimes questioned if Komer had become a different person entirely.

Noticing the concerned look from his good friend, Komer offered a faint smile, “Ilot, what’s wrong? Is something not right?”

“Boss, I feel like you’ve changed a lot. Did that incident really change you so much, or has the three years of exile influenced you?” Ilot’s clear eyes stared at him as he spoke frankly, “I don’t like this side of you – this gloomy and icy demeanor. I think the atmosphere when the three of us were together at the beginning was better.”

A wave of indescribable emotion surged in Komer’s heart. He too felt that he had changed too much, even he himself found it somewhat hard to accept. The depressed and gloomy feeling inside him never went away, but Ilot’s words had struck a chord with him.

“Sigh, people have to change, you and I are no longer the naive youths who knew nothing three years ago. But maybe you’re right, my change was too drastic. Yet, there are some things about me that will never change,” Komer’s eyes shimmered with a bright gleam, revealing a wisdom that seemed to emanate from deep reflection, as well as an uncontrollable sincerity.

After a brief silence, Ilot patted Komer on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, “Boss, remember this: we will always be brothers, with bonds thicker than water. Puber and I will always stand with you, no matter what we face. You don’t have to shackle yourself in the darkness. We are still young, with plenty of time and energy. As long as we bravely meet our challenges, there’s nothing we can’t face.”

Ilot’s words moved Komer, filling him with both emotion and surprise. A long-missed warmth swirled in his tear ducts and nostrils, and it took all his might to keep himself from showing his feelings then and there.

Komer stared at the other’s not-so-handsome horse-face for a long time, but at this moment, it seemed so endearing. It seemed that it wasn’t just himself who was growing; the once carefree and jovial Ilot had grown up too. The fact that he could say such words proved that he was just as capable of facing any hardship as Komer was.

Two hands clasped tightly together, everything conveyed without words.

Although he knew they would encounter attacks on the road in the Leon Region, Komer still hoped to avoid them as much as possible.

He changed plans abruptly and took a detour less than thirty li into the Leon Region instead of the main road across the Continent. This sudden change met with opposition from everyone, including Fran. The southern main road, though longer, was broad and frequently traveled by vehicles transporting ore, which made bandits somewhat hesitant to strike. However, taking the less-traveled path increased the risk of unbridled attacks from bandits.

But Komer insisted on his opinion because he knew that if they could bribe Fallen Knights, they were definitely intent on his demise. The remoteness of a road would not deter such people—the chances were that they had already set up an ambush on the main road. Why should he willingly walk into their trap?

The back roads might be more secluded, but they significantly shortened the distance. Moreover, this could disrupt his opponent’s arrangements.

The bandits of the Leon Region did not have any large-scale, coordinated organization; they were mostly small groups, not particularly well-informed. They tended to act opportunistically, and by taking the bypaths, Komer’s group might have a chance to evade their notice.

The only concern was the terrain, with which the bandits were much more familiar than Komer’s party, who could only rely on an expensively hired guide from the market in Bruce City. But whether or not they could avoid the bandits’ interception, Komer had no certainty.

Watching Komer’s group disappear at the head of the Floating Bridge, Balmore stood atop the castle battlements and turned his head slightly, asking calmly, “Have the men been sent out to inform them?”

“Sir, rest assured, they have been sent. But I don’t understand why you don’t send our own men to deal with them directly?” the adjutant asked hesitantly.

Glancing at his trusted aide, Balmore shook his head. “That’s not an order handed down by the Duke. Princess Tracy doesn’t have the authority to command my troops. Besides, I feel that lord is not so simple. Having dealt with him for so long, there’s an indescribable, eerie feeling about him. If our men fail, how would we explain ourselves to our superiors? Moreover, we can’t guarantee our men will keep silent; murdering a lord is an unforgivable crime of rebellion! By doing this, we’re doing those guys a favor. If they succeed, they owe us. If they fail, that’s their own lack of strength, unable to take down even a mere dozen people—who can they blame for that?”

“Sir, you are wise!” the deputy said with an obsequious smile.