The Vastness of Magical Destiny

Chapter 56 - 56 8 Threats and Temptations (2)

?Chapter 56: Chapter 8: Threats and Temptations (2) Chapter 56: Chapter 8: Threats and Temptations (2) Hesse’s candidness and forthrightness greatly changed Komer’s opinion of him. Perhaps his own view was somewhat subjective. The Caucasus wasn’t exactly a land of plenty; everyone needs to survive, and choosing a place better suited for oneself is but a natural human tendency of seeking the better and shunning the worse. It’s perfectly normal to fight for a better environment in which to live.

“Thank you for your candor, Mr. Hesse. I want to ask you another question. In your opinion, how does our Caucasus compare to the surrounding regions—is it better or worse?” Komer’s gaze pierced the other man’s eyes.

“Heh, Lord, this question, I think, doesn’t need my answer. The Caucasus is very peaceful now, and we all cherish this quiet environment. Of course, that’s the thinking of our older generation. The younger generation may not see it the same way. To them, the Caucasus is too remote and desolate—within several hundred miles, there’s no decent town or bustling street business. All this has fallen behind the times. Compared to the surrounding barbarian regions, we might just about pass muster, but compared to other territories in the Homer region, we fall too far behind, even behind chaotic Leon. At least Leon Region has a populous, and there’s a port to connect via water routes with the outside world. What about us? Aside from some adventurers coming here, we hardly ever see outsiders.” Hesse paused thoughtfully, his response tinged with a hint of regret.

Before Komer could reply, a young man who had been silent at his side suddenly interjected, “The Caucasus is like a stagnant pool, devoid of storms, devoid of vitality, nothing but gloom—nothing else. Sooner or later this place is bound to be abandoned. The lords of the past, I’ve heard, were either madmen or only knew how to indulge in pleasures, useless. They never had plans or ideas to save our Caucasus, so that year after year, day after day, when you look around at other places on the Continent, bustling and full of life, our place remains lackluster. Baron, as the new lord, haven’t you ever thought about how to make our Caucasus more beautiful and prosperous?”

“Neptune, how could you be so disrespectful?”

Hesse quickly attempted to stop his son’s rash interjection, but Komer seemed not to mind. Instead, he appeared interested in the young man’s words.

“Heh, Mr. Hesse, Mr. Neptune isn’t wrong. Given the current state of the Caucasus, no wonder people would rather stay in Cyprus as a vagabond than come here to be a lord who seems so lofty. I’m only now beginning to understand the bitter reasons behind this. Mr. Hesse, you too are a well-traveled man who’s seen the world. What do we have here? Nothing but desolation. No vitality, no life. Perhaps as an elder, it’s a good place to spend your twilight years, but what about the young? What about the next generation? Are they really meant to spend their days accompanying you, watching the sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the evening? I absolutely refuse to let my territory become a nursing home!”

“Yes, Father, no matter how bad the security in Leon is, it still has vitality, still has spots worth visiting. Whether by sea or land, Leon’s goods continuously flow outward. Could the town near the Nissai River Crossing, Bruce, have developed from a remote fortress castle into a bustling town without Leon Region’s prosperity? I’m sure, Sir, that you saw that enviable sight when you came from the south.”

The young man’s words, though impetuous, were incisive, directly implying the incompetence of the former lords.

Seeing his son’s words brimming with dissatisfaction with the current state of the Caucasus and with some disrespect towards the former lords, yet seemingly having a certain rapport with the new lord standing before them, Hesse was worried.

His son was not foolish but could in no way compare in shrewdness and experience of dealing with the outside world to the seemingly energetic young lord before him. Hesse knew that these children of nobility, from the moment they were born, were steeped in conspiracy and deceit, growing up amidst all manners of mean and despicable scheming. Such petty and disgraceful strategies were second nature to them. To deal with these people, one must remain ever vigilant.

“Heh heh, Mr. Neptune, you are right. I’ve witnessed the prosperity of Bruce, but for Caucasus to prosper like Bruce, mere lip service won’t be enough. It requires solid efforts. However, based on everything I saw in Ugru, it seems far from my original expectations, and this disappoints me greatly.”

Komer shrugged with a hint of regret and said, “I had hoped to work together with everyone in the Caucasus Territory to turn our Caucasus into a paradise in the south of The Kingdom of Nicosia, but it seems I was too optimistic.”

“Hmph, Lord, I think it’s your virtue and ability that fail to inspire trust in the people of the territory. Excuse my blunt words, but I don’t see how spoiled brats like you could bring any positive change to our Caucasus. Even if there were changes, I fear it would only be for the worse.”

The young man, too, shrugged his shoulders, replying with disdain, his eyes brimming with extreme contempt.

Interesting, Komer could tell that the other party had great prejudice against aristocratic children like him. This bias stemmed from a deep hatred and disdain for the poor behavior of the aristocratic children as well as envy and jealousy of their sense of superiority and privileges. These mixed feelings had created a strange mindset.

Enraged, Hesse gestured to stop his son’s provocation and angrily signaled that the other could leave. The other, with a scornful glance at Komer, mounted his horse and sped away.

Seeing Komer still showing interest as he watched his son’s retreating figure, Hesse grew worried. He didn’t want his son to get involved with this man, whose gaze was too dark and sometimes even made one feel like they were staring into two bottomless abysses, unable to fathom his true thoughts, making the seasoned adventurer feel uneasy.

“Lord, I gather you probably have something you wish to discuss with an old man like myself today, and I think I have a clear idea what it is. There’s not much I want to say, other than that the Caucasus might seem calm on the surface, but underneath, I fear it’s not as simple as you imagine. Please forgive me for not elaborating further. If I were you, I’d rather entrust the ruling rights to someone else here and return to Cyprus or stay in Bruce, leading a leisurely life. That might be much better.”

The two walked side by side, and the old adventurer, after several hesitant pauses, finally let out such ambiguous words, yet Komer understood them completely.

“Mr. Hesse, can I easily entrust the lord’s rights to someone else? Heh heh, I’m afraid even if I did, no one would be capable of bearing it. I’m aware of what you’ve said, and I appreciate your kindness. Thank you. This path of lordship seems rough, but I believe I can walk it. As for the dangers you mentioned, haven’t I already experienced them? The Gray Wolf Pack attacks, the Fallen Knight assassination attempts, the Leon Gang ambushes—I seem to be still standing alive and well in this Caucasus Territory.”

Komer’s expression grew colder, his icy gaze sweeping across the old adventurer’s face, emanating a chill that had never been so bone-piercing, not even when faced with an Ice Bear.

At a loss for how to respond, Hesse could only maintain his silence in the face of these words.