The Vastness of Magical Destiny

"Heh, that’s just the kingdom looking after its own, but without the efforts of our Caucasus people, it would all be empty talk." Waving his hand dismissively, Komer was not interested in continuing these trivial conversations. His reason for seeking out this man today was to find a solution to the current food crisis, and the man before him was the key to that solution.

"Mr. Kudan, let me cut to the chase. You deal in food, and I’m sure you’re well aware of the food issue we’re facing in the Caucasus. The North has hiked the transit tariffs on our food imports, pushing food prices to an unacceptable level. Our foundations in the Caucasus are weak, and with over a hundred thousand immigrants moving in and land reclamation efforts only just beginning, it’s impossible to achieve self-sufficiency in the near term. Therefore, I’d like to discuss with Mr. Kudan how we might resolve this pressing food shortage."

Thɪs chapter is updated by NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt

The way Komer spoke, he seemed completely unaware that he was talking to a key member of a pirate organization, appearing more like he was discussing a business challenge with a trading partner.

"The food issue?" The whiskered man’s lips were dry. Though on the surface he dealt in grain, in reality, he was responsible for all of their logistics, with food being just one important aspect. And yet, this young lord had now dropped the issue squarely on his shoulders. Could it be that he planned to pin the blame for the Caucasus’s food shortage on him as well?

Seemingly sensing the doubt and tension in the other man’s eyes, Komer offered a magnanimous smile, "Mr. Kudan, there’s no need to be nervous. I meant no other implication with my words. I’ve heard that Mr. Kudan has friends who operate maritime transport. I’d like to solicit your help in making connections. We in the Caucasus need to import a large amount of food at the original market prices, not the inflated ones due to the added tariffs. To put it plainly, this means smuggling—though this smuggling will be for the welfare of the entire Caucasus populace."

With the conversation reaching this point, the whiskered man’s once-suspended heart settled down. Knowing his true nature and still daring to invite him, the whiskered man couldn’t help but admire the young lord’s bold and reckless approach. Pirates had always been the public enemy of coastal countries, and no one dared to deal with them, as even clandestine interactions carried significant risk. Yet this lord brazenly discussed open negotiations with him, even before his position had been fully secured. Besides shock, the whiskered man also weighed the pros and cons of the situation.

As he saw the other’s expression change and fall into deep thought, Komer did not pressure him. The trade was inherently risky. The North had clearly tightened the food blockade to the areas south of Leon. Although officially it was still free trading, dodging the tax officers at Bruce Fortress meant going by sea. But now, the logs of all transport fleets were tightly controlled by the Philip-operated Transport Guild, making it nearly impossible to evade Philip’s watchful eyes. Of course, there was one exception—the "Gray Skull" pirate fleet active in the Southern Nether Sea.

Komer knew that the "Gray Skull" must have some secret ties to the powers that be in order to thrive on these lands. From the fact that the Philip Family’s own fleets could freely travel south while others had to pay exorbitant protection fees, one could infer a connection. However, this did not prove anything. After all, as the ruler of a region, the Homer region had its own professional navy. While not numerous, these were still official navy ships, and it was this navy that allowed for the delicate balance to be maintained between Philip and the "Gray Skull."

Hoping to import food without Philip’s surveillance, the only suitable candidate was the power represented by the man before him. Of course, Komer was prepared to pay a price.