The Vastness of Magical Destiny

Chapter 85 - 85 13 Performance

?Chapter 85: Chapter 13: Performance Chapter 85: Chapter 13: Performance Komer had anticipated such a result and said with a cold smile, “Gentlemen, perhaps you think that these refugees are not worth spending such a sum of money on, but let me remind you, those who managed to flee their own countries, many were once prestigious nobles and officials of various nations, and they have intricate connections with the citizens of your city-states. If you refuse to provide them with necessary asylum, I believe the troubles they could bring to your nations will far exceed the amount we’re discussing now. This is my heartfelt advice, please consider it thoroughly.”

“Gentlemen, I think His Excellency the Baron’s words make a lot of sense. We can’t possibly fail to provide them with the necessary conditions for survival. Consider this, if every refugee were to settle down in your city-states and countries, the cost of things each refugee would need could far surpass thirty gold shields—the housing, food, fuel, and various other necessities of life—besides, we would have to provide them with jobs. With so many people flooding in, there’s bound to be all sorts of conflicts with the local residents, and many issues here can’t be solved with money alone.”

The Internal Affairs Manager interjected with a serious look, “I think it would be best if you could reach an agreement with His Excellency the Baron. This solution would be the most aligned with our mutual interests.”

“But your Grace,” interjected the Netherlander, “3,600,000 gold shields is far beyond our authorized range. We truly are powerless in this situation.”

“Ha ha, Viscount Selibas, given your relationship with your Archduke, I think even if it’s a slight overstep, as long as you aim to resolve this difficult situation and aren’t acting out of self-interest, I don’t see why there would be any problem. Or perhaps I could write a letter to explain the matter to His Grace. What do you think of that?”

The Internal Affairs Manager began to exert his unique influence.

“Viscount Kleyan, on the side of Naples, as an important representative of the Business Association, you would surely want to prevent a large influx of refugees. I am certain that the Chief Officer would have no objections if such an addition of refugees was avoided. And if by any chance he is displeased, please relay to him that the Kingdom of Nicosia and the Northern Alliance will defend the front lines to the death, ensuring that Naples is absolutely free from any threat by the Beastmen. As for Baron Buhaz, I needn’t say much more. If the Susoer City-State needs to go back for instructions for such a trivial matter, I don’t think that would fit the Baron’s style of doing things, isn’t that right, Your Baron?”

Caught between flattery and pressure, the look on the faces of representatives from the Three Nations conveyed their difficulty. As the other party had said, it wasn’t that the Three Kingdoms couldn’t afford the sum, but the three of them had not been granted such high authority. However, it was clear that the other party expected an immediate decision, and if they delayed further, fearing that longer delays might lead to complications, they would not be prepared to take on that responsibility if issues arose.

In the end, it was the Netherlander who first agreed, “Your Grace, since you put it that way, we can’t be seen to be evading the issue. However, we would appreciate it if you could personally write three letters for us to take back, so we can give an explanation upon our return. After all, this has exceeded our authority. But time is of the essence, and we cannot delay any further. We shall proceed as you suggested, and we hope to see the refugees leave at the earliest.”

The Netherlander’s words finally broke the deadlock, and Viscount Kleyan and Baron Buhaz nodded in agreement at the same time.

“No problem, I will write letters for you to take back and will additionally seal them with the kingdom’s seal to formalize it,” the Internal Affairs Manager said with a smile and a nod.

Not until the figures of the three had completely disappeared at the end of the rest hall corridor did the Internal Affairs Manager take a satisfying deep puff from his sandalwood pipe, turned his head, and nodded with satisfaction, saying, “Good kid, you did well today. It seems you were very well prepared, and the outcome far exceeded my expectations.”

“Ha ha, your Grace, it’s all thanks to following your plans. I had to make some preparations in advance,” Komer replied with a wink and a jocular smile. “This matter involves over a hundred thousand people and the entire Caucasus. Not a single mistake can be made. Besides, everything I said was factual, without any exaggeration. Still, it was your words that truly had the decisive impact.”

“Alright, kid, stop buttering me up. These fellows lack everything but money, especially the City-state of Medea represented by Baron Buhaz, known for their deep pockets. How could we not extract a bit more from them, considering it is our soldiers holding the front lines with their very flesh and blood against the Beastmen? Tomorrow, they will bring over the banknotes. Remember, exactly 1,080,000 gold shields—30%—are to be deposited into the Royal Treasury, 800,000 gold shields are to be transferred into His Majesty’s Imperial Court Account, and the remaining 30,000 gold shields are for your remuneration.”

Gently tapping the ashtray beside him, he knocked the remaining tobacco into the bowl. The Internal Affairs Manager stood up and shrugged his shoulders, “You’ll need to spend some at Bruce’s too, although I’ve already informed them. But just to be safe, I suggest that when you pass through the Leon Region, it would be best to request an army escort.”

“By the way, a few noble representatives from among the refugees have arrived here seeking an audience with Your Majesty, and they will also attend the banquet tonight. You could meet with them and discuss the allocation of refugee quotas. They probably will not be willing to go to the Caucasus, and I estimate that they will stay in the Three Kingdoms. However, they could assist you in starting the groundwork. I’ll have someone bring them over.”

The Internal Affairs Manager, who had reached the doorway, suddenly remembered something, turned his head, and instructed, “Wait here for a while, they might have some issues to discuss and exchange information with you.”

After Komer finished discussing the detailed distribution of refugees to be settled in the Caucasus with several nobles from the Myron Duchy and the City-states of Meine and Susoer, the banquet was already more than halfway through.

To Komer and the Internal Affairs Manager’s unsurprise, these fellows representing the nobles all unanimously wished to stay in the Three Kingdoms rather than go to the desolate and remote Caucasus, which internally delighted Komer greatly.

Should these nobles end up in the Caucasus, they would undoubtedly exert considerable influence on the common people who were once their citizens. This would naturally affect Komer’s management of his entire territory. By exaggerating the desolation of the Caucasus, whether intentionally or not, they resolved the noble representatives’ hesitation, who were already reluctant to go. Komer cunningly hoped that the noble representatives would not publicize the difficulties of the Caucasus so as not to hinder later work. The noble representatives all solemnly nodded in agreement.

When Komer and the group of noble representatives emerged from the rest area into the banquet hall, talking and laughing, the heavy atmosphere that greeted them caused Komer to pause.

The normally genteel Internal Affairs Manager was now listening with a solemn expression to two officers of the Royal Guards at a corner of the banquet hall, reporting something. And evidently, other guests in the hall had also heard some news through other channels, clusters of people were engaged in intense discussions, with female guests occasionally covering their mouths and emitting exaggerated exclamations, as if terrified and fearful of the situations being described.

“What’s going on?” Receiving a glass of pine needle whiskey from a waiter, Komer raised his eyebrows and quietly asked the elegantly dressed beauty who walked towards him.

“There’s been a major incident. Magician Malone disappeared last night, and wasn’t seen all day today. His guards have reported to the Versailles Royal Guard. While the Royal Guards are on heightened alert, they have also cooperated with the Guard Cavalry to search the surrounding areas. About five kilometers from here in a field, Magician Malone’s body was discovered, turned to ashes. The details are still unclear.”

Though Katya spoke in a relaxed tone, Komer could see some concern in her eyes.

Komer didn’t expect the Royal Guards’ response and search capabilities to be so strong that they found the trace in just a day. Fortunately, when he left, he had made some necessary concealments and special arrangements, so he was not worried they would find anything from there.

“Magician Malone?” Komer expressed in surprise.

“Yes, he was the court mage invited by father, belonging to the Church of Light, with incomparable skills in magic. I never would have thought that he would turn to ashes in the open field. I can’t tell if it was a failure in his magic practice or some other accident. It’s just inconceivable,” Katya shrugged, apparently thinking Komer was not familiar with him.