The Vastness of Magical Destiny

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Komer and his entourage had not intended to stay in Bahomon for long, but the enthusiastic locals, particularly the traders, made it necessary for Komer and his companions to patiently introduce the outcomes of their recent visit to the Great Swamp Area.

Since the mission had been successful, there was no need for secrecy anymore. Komer was keener on spreading the astounding news through the well-informed merchants, hoping they’d relay it far and wide. He especially emphasized the antagonism and hostility of the Jellyfish People towards outsiders, as well as their dangers, warning people not to attempt any futile adventures without a navigation permit issued jointly by the Caucasus Prefecture and the Jellyfish Clan Government Affairs Hall. However, his warning seemed somewhat superfluous; the infamous reputation of the Jellyfish People, built on countless predecessors’ lessons, was well-known, and now that there was a chance to safely traverse the Golden Waterway, no one was willing to undertake such foolish actions.

Many merchants immediately realized the value of the navigation permits Komer held. Even before he could depart from Bahomon, savvy northern immigrant merchants had already piled up requests to purchase the permits on Komer’s desk. Whether they owned ships or had never been involved in shipping, securing a navigation permit meant a sure stream of wealth due to the restricted navigation conditions, especially considering the significant material complementarity between the Caucasus and the middle and upper reaches of the Catania River – a fact clearer to the merchants than anyone.

The somewhat chaotic order made Komer realize that Bahomon’s geographical significance was unmatched by the past. Bordering the Barbarian Territory increased its complexity to a new level. Pressured by survival and influenced by the Caucasus’s relaxed atmosphere of ethnic equality, the Barbarians clearly preferred moving to Bahomon to make a living. Moreover, once the Catania River navigation opened up, mortals from all nations would flock there, leading to more complex security situations. It was apparent that the mere patrolling of a small self-defense squad was insufficient for such intricate social affairs – the immediate placement of an Administrative Officer and the pressing need for a Judicial Officer were evident.

This issue troubled Komer throughout his journey back to Ugru. Puber, as the entire Caucasus’ Administrative Officer, was already quite busy. Neptune had always been Komer’s protégé, but the incorporation of the Mandu Region forced Komer to prematurely assign Neptune as Mandu’s Administrative Officer, even though the region had not yet been fully integrated into the Caucasus. The area’s issues were no less challenging than Bahomon’s. It was another monumental task to integrate newly freed slaves back into a lawful society and make them understand that only labor, not revolt, could bring about a genuinely peaceful and free life.

Perhaps it was time to carefully select from amongst the northern immigrants. Aside from those obviously more interested in making money, the less fortunate immigrants could be a suitable choice. After all, whether as an Administrative Officer or a Judicial Officer, while the salary might not be generous, it was still a respectable profession. Of course, the job also required good family education and manners, a threshold sufficient to deter many.

The condition of the road between Bahomon and Ugru surprised Eve and her companions once again, seeming too advanced for a place recently developed. Of course, they were unaware of the enormous employment pressure the massive influx of Half-beastman slaves and immigrants had brought to the Caucasus at that time, and how much effort Komer and Puber had invested in this critical road for the Caucasus’s survival.

"Komer, is this the legendary Caucasus? How did you manage to transform this land so dramatically in such a short time? I can hardly imagine how you accomplished this."

Eve, who had purposefully kept her distance from Komer since agreeing to return to the Caucasus with him, unexpectedly requested to ride in the same horse-drawn carriage with Komer on their journey from Bahomon to Ugru. This surprised not only Komer but also Burianos, Havier, and Bayezid. The companions were well aware of the shepherd girl’s soft exterior but firm will, and such a request at this time surely didn’t imply a thaw in their relationship. Even Grace was unsure of the specific reasons.

Komer had also long realized that the shepherd girl’s identity was not as simple and ordinary as she claimed. Still, he disliked prying into others’ privacy. If she chose not to share, she must have her reasons. He preferred to let things happen naturally, although he could tell from her speech and behavior that she must come from a noble and affluent background. Her recent questions further confirmed this.