The Vastness of Magical Destiny

Staring intently with her bright green eyes at Komer, Princess Katya’s lips slightly curled up, revealing a faint smile. She finally couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, "Viscount, you’re quite the comedian. It seems my trip to Caucasus was not in vain; at the very least, it has kept me in good spirits, something you’ve managed to achieve."

"The honor of having Princess Katya reside in our Caucasus is ours as well; our reputation and standing will greatly improve. That is exactly the kind of good fortune we’ve been hoping for."

Komer too was all smiles; Jazair’s internal strife made it difficult for him to stay uninvolved. It was evident that Hoffman held the upper hand, and for Katya to escape to Mainz was to avoid the brunt of his influence—a significant motive, no doubt. Now that she had come into his territory, it put him in a dilemma. It wasn’t the best time to get involved in the kingdom’s struggles. His power was far from sufficient to engage in this game, and although he was quite intrigued, reason told him the time was not yet ripe. This woman, however, seemed eager to drag him into this quagmire. Did she believe he could help her turn this dire situation around?

"With such words, whether they come from the heart or not, Katya is satisfied. Currently, Katya might not be the most popular, but she isn’t someone who can be easily dominated. Katya will always remember friends who have sincerely offered their help."

Her face radiated pleasure, showing no sign of distress. Even Komer carefully pondered the meaning behind her frank words, which seemed too brazen for her status and the situation at hand. If he were to relay her words back to Jazair, it could stir up enormous waves.

"Your Highness, I don’t wish to say too much, but as the saying goes, ’Distance tests a horse’s strength; time reveals a person’s heart.’ Why not stay here in my Caucasus? The scenery of the fringes is no less beautiful than in the Kingdom inland. If Your Highness is interested, I’m available to accompany you to see Leon and South Bahomon, and we could also take a stroll on the Cordillera Wasteland, which has a rugged charm entirely different from our kingdom." His mind raced, the smile on his face deepened, and with thoughtfulness mixed with pride, his bright gaze flowed over Katya’s delicately made-up face, "I believe that after seeing the untamed nature of the Cordillera Wasteland, Your Highness will have many reflections."

With her gaze fixed firmly on his calm and composed face, Katya faced him seriously for the first time, her piercing eyes scrutinizing Komer’s face like sharp spikes. He seemed to talk in riddles, as if sensing her intentions. It wasn’t surprising, considering her current predicament and the fact that she was seeking external support, which seemed reasonable. Hadn’t he connected with her previously hoping to find support from the Central Kingdom? But now, as she seemed down on her luck and Hoffman’s influence more dominant, he didn’t mind; instead, he put on an act as though willing to support her fully. That was all well and good; flattery could earn some favor, but whether he could truly deliver in a critical moment was uncertain. Yet, she had carefully gauged the strength of Caucasus; if he thought that commanding a force of three thousand Half-Beastmen Self-defense Army could make him complacent and arrogant, then he was overly proud. If Philip hadn’t had various concerns, he might have already moved forcefully against Caucasus and Leon. However, Komer’s words did not seem to come from someone so foolishly arrogant, which made Katya unsure about him.

"Oh, in that case, I can’t disappoint Viscount’s generous hospitality. I’ve long heard of the rugged beauty of the Cordillera Wasteland and the Baden Gold Mountain Range. I have nothing pressing at the moment, so to see the sights of different lands would be worth the trip."

After settling Princess Katya and her entourage at the posthouse, Komer began to think more carefully about the situation he faced.