Chapter 288 - 8: Hayreddin
"Heh, a lazy man from Sparta? I’ve never heard such a joke before. Spartan men are never cowards or sluggards. Under any circumstances, they bravely face everything before them, don’t they? Could it be that Captain Portalan’s life only consists of captaining a small passenger ship?" Komer wielded his sharp tongue like a weapon, searching for the other’s mental wounds. Although well-hidden, before Komer’s unusually keen intuition, nothing could remain concealed.
The Bearded Captain’s cheek muscles twitched slightly, clearly stung by Komer’s words. His complexion became somewhat forced as if he couldn’t find the right words to excuse himself and turning his head aside felt too impolite. His gaze gradually grew heavy with too much resentment and pain.
"Captain Portalan, I don’t want to understand the painful past that you might have had. However, I do understand one thing: a real man cannot regain his dignity and honor by self-exile or numbing himself with mellow wine. A true man fights to recover all that with his own hands, thoroughly repaying those who have looked down on him and insulted him. That is what a real man does. Although you seem quite composed on the surface, I believe, deep down, you harbor an unyielding flame just like me. Trust that I can bring you the life you desire, help you achieve your wishes!"
Without giving the other a chance to explain or deflect, Komer lashed out with a barrage of words, whipping at the scars the Bearded Captain was trying to dodge, making his face turn ashen as death in an instant, his robust body even began to wobble.
Painfully closing his eyes, the Bearded Captain seemed unable to endure the lashings of Komer’s words and finally turned away. However, Komer remained unnaturally calm, firmly believing his speech could awaken those with spirit. If the other party remained numb and indifferent as he was now, they would lose the value of being invited by Komer.
Odessa had no shortage of trout taverns, but only two or three were renowned, and without a doubt, the Carino Trout House was among the best. Komer did not repeat his invitation, simply informing the Bearded Captain upon disembarking that he would dine at the Carino Trout House before leaving peacefully with Reese, Solonberg, and Lome.
As a mage wandering far and wide, Reese naturally would not refuse such a culinary opportunity. For Solonberg, a dark knight who saw dining as a task to be completed, following Komer’s arrangements was the default. As for Lome, wherever she went, she encountered endless novelties. As long as she could stay close to the Great Sage, she was utterly content.
Pan-fried trout, mushroom trout rolls, trout caviar, trout fillet - when a series of uniquely flavored trout dishes were served, finally, a knock that Komer had been waiting for sounded at the door: "Your Excellency, please forgive my tardiness, I hope it hasn’t affected your dining mood."
To Portalan’s arrival, Reese and Solonberg remained exceptionally calm. Komer’s actions were always unexpected, Reese never interfered, and Solonberg was utterly indifferent. Lome, however, was quite intrigued by this bearded captain who had traveled with them for three days, particularly by his behavior on board, which had enlightened the ever-curious Lome—how to fish at sea, how to discern approaching weather from cloud formations, how to recognize types of ships. All this filled Lome with admiration for the passion of the bearded captain.
The night view of Odessa is beautiful, suffused with a romantic atmosphere. It is the largest city on the Busen Plain and the second largest port of the Homer region after Cyprus. Following the Sim River northwest from Plovdiv into the Canal Area, one can reach the capital of the Galle Region, Gutenberg. It is also an important slave trade market in the Homer region, where slaves of all southern races are available. Even in the clandestine slave markets, one can purchase rare Shark-people slaves. Of course, such dealings are highly secretive; inciting the wrath of the Shark-people, who pride themselves as children of the sea god, is vastly unwise in these maritime port cities. It would invite punishment from all sides.