Chapter 693: Volume 20: Wolves Lurking in the Mediterranean, - 1: Sparta
Just as the upper echelons of the Caucasus celebrated upon hearing the news about Komer, his identity at that time had transformed into that of a Susoer merchant attempting to conduct trade between the Southern Mediterranean and the Blue Continent. His hearty generosity and renowned reputation quickly spread throughout the Southern Mediterranean Region, as tirelessly as his lack of timely awareness.
The Southern Mediterranean has always been a hotspot for the advancement of the Blue Continent’s civilization. Numerous city-states, a long history, and a warm, humid climate have nurtured a developed maritime trade civilization in the region. Civilizations from the inner Continent and accessible seafaring regions intermingle here, creating its unique local customs and thriving cultural arts, which have even become somewhat distorted.
Komer began his voyage across the three bays only after completing his transactions with the Tilo People. The vast sea between the Blue Continent and the Mediterranean brims with prosperity in the Mediterranean, and the essence of the Mediterranean pulsates in its three great bays – the Saronikos Bay, the Aegean Bay, and the Corinthia Bay – nestled within the embrace of the Moria and Sisonia Peninsulas. Dozens of cities, city-states, principalities, and kingdoms interlace around these two peninsulas; an effusion of races and a liberal faith environment, together with exceptional sailing conditions, have created an unprecedentedly rich cultural and commercial civilization.
The Kingdom of Sparta was Komer’s first stop. The honey wine and dried figs of Patre lingered in Komer’s past memories. Here lay the Mediterranean’s most aromatic and sweet honey wine, the crisp and sweet dried figs, as well as the beautifully crafted Spartan armor. Increasingly advanced smelting and forging techniques had made Patre and Sparta second only to the Corinth City-State as the center of armor manufacturing in the Southern Mediterranean Region.
Komer also knew that a significant portion of the iron ore and high-quality smokeless coal shipped out from Bahomon and Bruce was sold here. Even the ravages of the Wicked Dragon and the fierce battles between the Carter Fleet and Gray Skull could not stop the continuous flow of Caucasus and Leon’s most significant exports to this place. The favorable climate and wind conditions of the Northern Mediterranean made this route one of the most profitable, where cargo ships coming from Mattdam and Bruce headed south were invariably large bulk carriers. Iron ore, pig iron, smokeless coal fueled the rebirth of the Corinth City-state Alliance’s smelting and forging industry with a powerful current.
"Mr. Karadin, what do you think? I can assure you, you will not find finer armor in the entire Aegean Bay. We Spartans never lie!"
The incessant merchant tried hard to present the intricate beauty of his goods to Komer, detail by detail. Komer had to admit that the armor displayed before him was something he had never seen in the North. Aside from its beauty, the connection of each armor plate was seamlessly woven, and the delicate patterns and motifs all conveyed to onlookers the armor’s absolute worth of the price being asked.
"Indeed, it’s quite good. However, while you might not find such fine goods elsewhere in the Aegean Bay, what about Corinthia Bay? I’ve heard that the Corinth City-State produces unparalleled armor as well." Seeing the merchant so earnestly peddling his wares, Komer could not bear to deflate the confident merchant’s spirit. Yet, it was not just a display of his financial prowess at stake; this was genuine business, and he needed to save every Gold Shield he could.
The merchant faltered briefly, his face revealing a moment of speechless embarrassment. With the smelting and forging techniques of the Corinth City-State renowned throughout the entire Mediterranean, even his boasting could not claim to surpass the city-state’s armor. It might even provoke controversy.
"Mr. Karadin, if you need only one or a few sets of armor, I won’t stop you from going to Corinth. However, I must remind you that the armors there cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of Gold Shields. They specialize in making magic armor. I believe that you, Mr. Karadin, will need more armor. The basic materials for our Spartan armor come from iron ore from the Caucasus, supplemented with our unique Spartan mineral ingredients during smelting and refining. Aside from magical features, I can boast that our armors will not be bested by any, so I believe our Spartan armor is exactly what you need."