The Vastness of Magical Destiny

Despite the other party’s less-than-courteous words and actions, Kamado still maintained considerable restraint. The Barbarossa Family was not yet a threat to the Odysseus Family in the armor and weapon manufacturing industry and wouldn’t be for some time. Kamado didn’t mind introducing Komer to them as the Odysseus Family still had business dealings with the Barbarossa Family. A significant portion of the goods transported from Patre to the North also passed through the Barbarossa Family’s ships. Although the relationship between the two families wasn’t cordial, they still maintained a semblance of courtesy.

After the introduction, this member of the Barbarossa Family, Baski, seemed quite interested in Komer, especially upon learning that Komer was here to place an order for armor with the Odysseus Family—he couldn’t take his eyes off him, clearly harboring some schemes. However, Kamado didn’t care about what the other party was thinking. The Barbarossa Family’s armory and weapon workshops had only recently been established and were simply incapable of handling such a large order, both in terms of technical experience and scale. Considering that they might need to use the Barbarossa Family’s ships to transport the goods to the Caucasus once they were completed, Kamado let Baski prattle on endlessly.

But Komer didn’t mind having another talkative travel companion on the scenic journey. Since Hayreddin had been driven out by the Barbarossa Family, it showed that this group held some power in Sparta and even the Southern Mediterranean. From Kamado, one could learn that the Barbarossa Family still held a pivotal position in the shipping industry in the Kingdom of Sparta. If Komer wanted to stir up the waters in the Southern Mediterranean, he would have to deal with these prominent families.

The aimless chitchat continued until they arrived at the lakeside of Kastoria Lake to dock. There, a beautiful lakeside restaurant provided an unforgettable lunch for Komer and his party. Thankfully, Mr. Baski restrained himself during the lunch, not incessantly chattering away, which allowed Komer to quietly enjoy a grilled Arctic char. The fish, skewered with bamboo and hollowed of its innards, was stuffed with spices, then soaked and coated with oil before being roasted over a pine wood bonfire. The rich aroma that filled the air was intoxicating even before tasting it. Paired with fine Lime Wine, it was truly a joy that made one forget all their troubles.

This lavish lunch greatly improved Komer’s mood. Tea time was spent on the deck, and even though Kamado didn’t want to sit with Baski, he begrudgingly joined Komer on deck to enjoy the serene scenery of Kastoria Lake. It wasn’t until they passed through the lake and entered the Pindus Gorge that the weather cooled, and the trio returned to the cabin to continue tea time.

After some mutual probing, Komer realized why Mr. Baski of the Barbarossa Family was so interested in him. His interest wasn’t in Komer himself, but in using him to learn about the political changes in the Caucasus. It seemed that word of Komer’s disappearance had already spread to the Southern Mediterranean. Considering the Caucasus and Leon had become the Southern Mediterranean’s most important suppliers of iron ore, crude iron, and smokeless coal, the Barbarossa Family’s fleet benefited greatly from the substantial goods trade between the two places, and naturally, they were very concerned about the whereabouts of the lord of both lands. Komer also wished to learn more detailed information about the Southern Mediterranean from Baski, particularly regarding the significant figures attending the Olympic gathering in Athens City.

By now, Komer hadn’t fully decided on the exact purpose of his trip to Athens. In addition to ordering 500 sets of armor for the Caucasus Self-Defense Forces, he also wanted to understand the intricate relationships of grudges and indebtedness between the Southern Mediterranean countries and city-states to better utilize them for the benefit of the Caucasus and Leon in the future.

After traversing the rugged and magnificent Pindus Gorge, they entered the plains of Central Sparta, an important agricultural area for Sparta. Olive groves and vineyards stretched far and wide, with olives and grapes being Central Sparta’s most important crops. The pressed olive oil and the wines produced were long famed, especially Sparta’s olive oil, which was the region’s most important export. Even in the wealthy households of Homer and the Caucasus, Sparta’s jarred olive oil was a symbol of luxury, not something every family could afford to enjoy at their leisure. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NovᴇlFɪre.ɴet

Baski’s somewhat sleazy appearance was in complete contrast to his endless chatter. Even Kamado paled in comparison, and after becoming somewhat exhausted, he retreated into his private room. Inside the spacious indoor café, only Komer and Baski remained. It was clear that Kamado had no fondness for Mr. Baski, but the Barbarossa Family wasn’t someone the Odysseus Family wished to offend. Under such circumstances, a somewhat discourteous evasion might be a sensible choice. Kamado had long noticed that Baski seemed to want to dig something out from his esteemed client.

When Baski learned that Komer had spent 300,000 gold coins to buy Xifnos Island from the Tilo People, Komer felt that in the other’s eyes he’d become a fool with deep pockets. Baski’s eloquence became even more fervent, as he kept promoting the various properties of the Barbarossa Family, such as two castles and a large woodland pasture in Athens City, a vast tract of land in the Northwest of the Iberian Kingdom, and a small island off the coast of Patre.