Chapter 497: Volume Eleven: Shrouded in Fog and Smoke - Nine: Journey
Komer was moved by Hayreddin’s frankness. After all, such matters should be considered true secrets. Having a secret agreement with the preeminent pirate leader of the Nether Sea would indeed cause great ripples if word got out to those with ulterior motives. Yet, it seemed that Komer didn’t take this issue to heart—perhaps out of trust in Hayreddin, or maybe because he truly feared no one knowing about it.
"Your baron, although the Gray Skull is contending with the Red-haired Witch for supremacy in the North Mediterranean, the Southern Nether Sea is still their stronghold. I think they would be vigilant towards the Homer Navy. Mattdam is not too far from Rhode Island. If the Homer Navy Fleet really extends their reach to Mattdam, I believe the Gray Skull will not remain indifferent. Sir, if you negotiate carefully with Gote, I’m sure he will share this view," Hayreddin persisted with his opinion.
"No, no, Hayreddin, you might not fully understand the intricacies. Gote, that old fox who has been roaming the Nether Sea for so many years, do you think there’s no collusion between him and Philip? Their tacit understanding is probably closer than some allies. If you pin your hopes on him, you will be the one to suffer in the end. I never trust things I can’t control. As long as the Gray Skull guarantees they won’t attack the merchant fleets coming and going to Mattdam, I am satisfied. As for the rest, we’ll have to rely on ourselves," Komer said leisurely, waving his hand dismissively.
"But Your baron, it’s exceedingly difficult to communicate with the Jellyfish People. They ask for nothing from the outside world and have no desire to interact with outsiders. They seem very content with their current way of life. How can we communicate with them? On what grounds could we persuade them?"
Hayreddin finally gave up trying to persuade Komer to make an effort with the Gray Skull, sensing the baron’s unique approach to dealing with people—that everything must be under his control, rejecting anything that was not certain.
"Trust me, there will be a way. As long as they’re human, they have needs, they have weaknesses. Why do they establish strongholds? To communicate and connect with the outside world, which suggests they still have some dealings with outsiders, just that people can’t find or satisfy their needs. As long as we do that, I believe this obstacle is not insurmountable," Komer smiled, his confidence in himself on this matter profound. He had made thorough investigations and specific arrangements beforehand, and now it was time to see what would happen after entering the Java Swamp.
One night’s talk in Odessa had finally convinced Hayreddin Barbarossa to follow Komer to Luxembourg wholeheartedly. Hayreddin could feel the Lord of Caucasus’s ambition to control naval rights, from the situation in the Northern Nether Sea to the politics in the Southern Mediterranean. Komer showed a deep interest, and in his words, he let slip the desire for the Caucasus to build its own naval force under the Lord’s Mansion.
Although it was not yet clear whether it was a merchant fleet or a naval fleet, the revelation of this intent still thrilled Hayreddin. To command a fleet or even a navy was the lifelong dream of any navigator, and he was no exception. He even fantasized about leading a fleet through the Southern Mediterranean with glory, showing those who had once looked down on and humiliated him the true prowess of Hayreddin Barbarossa!