Chapter 671: Volume Nineteen: Lost Horizon - One: Half-beastman Hybrid
The early spring wilderness always spreads a lazy mood that makes one want to doze off. Tender grass shoots drill out from the gaps in the mud, basking in the warm breezes from the Mediterranean and the Nether Sea, almost changing daily. After a few days, the fields that were originally sparse and dull with patches of green amidst the withered grass have turned lush and verdant.
His heart, once lifted, slowly settled again. Komer was always watching for all sorts of subtle changes that might occur around him, and at the same time, he was cautiously searching for the potential harm that the Church of Light might bring to him, as mentioned by Katya. He had silently uprooted several strongholds of the Great Mysterium Sect in Mattdam and Bahomon, and the activities of the Nether Guest Association in Bruce had also been politely ushered out. For the time being, his controlled territories were not welcoming these newcomers; they would only be allowed if under his control.
His stance on the secret clean-up was firm, yet his methods were relatively peaceful. Making them temporarily disappear was the best solution. Komer didn’t want to take any risks at this time. Reno had provided some convenience and support for the preaching activities of Priest Beran and Pastor Gustav as much as possible. But Komer knew it might be a little late now. If the Church of Light was clever enough, these actions of his might only serve to confirm their suspicions. As for the Great Mysterium Sect, he had already reached a certain understanding with Xerob, even though they still opposed his actions. As long as he didn’t show his colors, it was all irrelevant.
Now, all he could do was leave it to fate. Komer always felt a sense of anxiety in his heart, but on the surface, he had to appear as unwavering as a mountain, continuing with all the scheduled plans. The exploration of the Little Greenland Forest had also been put on the agenda. If the matter with the Church of Light turned out to be a false alarm, then opening up the passage from the upper reaches of the Nissai River to the Southwest region of the kingdom was currently the most pressing matter.
Days went by, and now that the people from the Court had been gone for more than two months, and Katya had returned to Jazair for over a month, the Church of Light should have come by now if they intended to. Beran and Gustav continued to behave properly, showing no signs of change, but Komer knew that their behavior was not enough to mean anything. If the Church of Light was going to take action, perhaps even those in Homer or Jazair would not be privy to it.
Time passed day by day, but he couldn’t just do nothing and wait for death because of some potential danger. As for whether the Church of Light and the Court would seriously consider his small piece of land, Komer had no confidence. Nevertheless, whatever was coming would come. Komer had thought it through. In any case, as for what the Church of Light and the Court might do, he could only passively wait and respond. Katya wouldn’t get involved; although she was important to him, her importance wasn’t yet at a level for her to disregard everything else to help him. People are pragmatic; to become more important in her eyes and in the eyes of all the people in the kingdom, apart from continuously increasing his own power, there was no other way.
"Maha Gummi, how is the exploration of the Little Greenland Forest going? I hope you can complete the task I gave you within the time I’ve set." Komer had become more and more accustomed to being casual and natural in front of this half-beastman hybrid—it was an effect gained from a long time of harmonious interaction, though the half-beastman might not think the same, Komer didn’t care how the other felt.
The impeccable gentleman’s suit on the half-beastman hybrid showed no signs of discomfort, with hair combed so sleek and shiny that it seemed to flow with the light refracted from outside the window. It’s said to be made with high-grade floral hair oil from the middle and upper reaches of the Catania River, which not only greatly improves body odor but, most importantly, has excellent hair styling effects. In the homes of many northern nobles who liked to use fake hair and chest hair, this was an essential item. The defiant hair of the half-beastman finally succumbed to the oppression of external forces; it seems this hair oil was quite effective.