Chapter 575: Volume Fourteen Accumulation - Nineteen Bargaining
"Three leaders, I can understand your sincerity and desires. Caucasus has never forgotten a friend, and the Sanjia Tribe is an especially close neighbor to Caucasus. You probably are aware of the situation I am currently facing. The Kingdom Star Chamber Court has ruled that the lordship of the Leon Region to the north of my territory will be taken back by the kingdom. Due to the special circumstances the Leon Region is currently facing, with hundreds of thousands of Half-Beastmen in a state of unrest, a small oversight could lead to great disaster. Therefore, the kingdom has requested that I temporarily assume the lordship of the Leon Region."
"The livelihood of several hundred thousand Half-Beastmen now falls upon my shoulders. I’m not emphasizing my difficulties, but as you are aware, the Leon Region is even more barren than your Cordillera Wilderness, especially in terms of food. At least in Cordillera Wilderness, there are areas that produce food and hunting is feasible. But the Leon Region produces nothing, save for coal and iron ore. Furthermore, the north, the Homer region, is blockading us from all sides. All supplies must depend on logistics provided by Caucasus, and I am under immense pressure."
After a pause, Komer continued, "Of course, the recent opening of the Catania River shipping route has solved a major problem for us, otherwise even I, Caucasus, might not be able to ensure my own food supply, let alone provide for Leon and your tribes."
Komer’s words took a wide turn, and while Chief Dvanch and Sike didn’t catch what he truly meant to express, the shrewd Chief Bellamong knew that the other party had, in fact, indirectly shown some signs of loosening his stance. It seemed that he might still be dissatisfied with the conditions; this man’s appetite was not small. The Earthwalking Dragons and Thunder Pengs might not suffice to fill his desires; he probably had designs on the mines within his own territory.
"Your baron, our Sanjia Tribe has come with great sincerity. The Sanjia Tribe has no conflict of interest with Caucasus. Although the other tribes of the Mountain People Alliance are still fighting in the east and south against other countries, our Sanjia Tribe seldom participates. If we had any concerns regarding Caucasus, we would never have offered Earthwalking Dragons, nor the potential future offer of Thunder Pengs. You must understand that these creatures are unique military units of the Mountain people, and they could play an extraordinary role in war."
"As you stated, Caucasus is currently in a difficult situation, especially, your relationship with Duke Philip, the direct lord to the north, has always been tense. The transfer of lordship over the Leon Region may even heighten the conflict between you two. I believe it’s critical that you accurately gauge the martial power you currently possess. To my knowledge, the armed forces of Caucasus consist of just over a thousand Half-Beastmen soldiers—possibly adequate for maintaining order within your territory. No, to be precise, if a rebellion were to occur in the Leon Region, even your thousand-plus men might not suffice. And once Homer repairs the Floating Bridge of Bruce Fortress and dispatches his great army southwards, I fear the troops you hold will be utterly ineffective. You need not mask reality with the victory you secured in the Leon Region last time. Though I’m unaware of how you achieved that triumph, one thing I can assure you of—if Duke Philip truly resolves to deal with Caucasus, with your current power, you simply can’t alter the outcome."