Chapter 744: Volume 22: Revival and Rise - 4: Entering the Game
Puber was at a loss for words after being choked by Komer’s rhetoric. Fortunately, Komer did not press on. Many things are understood implicitly rather than said explicitly. Although the boss in front of him still maintained many of his old temperament, his shrewdness had far surpassed that of the past, which caused everyone around him to develop a sense of awe—gradually, their feelings became slightly distant. Even Komer himself could vaguely sense this.
Perhaps sensing Lord’s unstable emotions, Maha Gummi’s report was much more concise. In addition to briefly describing the situation in Caucasus, Leon, and Bruce Fortress, Maha Gummi focused mainly on Homer, Galle and Jazair.
Even Komer did not expect that Maha Gummi would be able to quickly establish an intelligence network through Carreila’s connections in Galle and Jazair. Although it was not perfect, it was much better than their previous disadvantaged position, which greatly improved Maha Gummi’s ability to collect intelligence within the kingdom.
The Salvation Society’s activities have become more frequent in Leon and Caucasus, but they were not very effective in Leon. The Half-Beastmen have always believed in Martial Power, with the creed that the strong are revered, deeply ingrained in their hearts, and Komer’s performance has convinced them that he must be the incarnation of the War God Mars—a feat that was, of course, attributed to Maha Gummi’s efforts. On the contrary, the Salvation Society’s prospects in Caucasus were more optimistic. The upper-class wealthy immigrants from the three regions began to lose their strong faith in religion after being utterly disappointed with the Church of Light. It was somewhat difficult for these immigrants from the North to suddenly become devout followers of Hades, the god of darkness, but still, some people began to worship secretly. The Salvation Society, which masqueraded as a reformist faction of the Church of Light, seemed to be more acceptable to these Northern immigrants.
However, considering the deterrent power of the Church of Light, the Salvation Society’s activities in Caucasus were essentially a death sentence upon exposure, and the Religious Court’s crackdown on the Salvation Society was even more severe than their pursuit of the Dark Lineage. In their eyes, the activities of the Salvation Society threatened their rule in the North, while the Dark Lineage seemed more like superficial filth. Carreila and the others from the Salvation Society spared no effort in helping Maha Gummi expand the intelligence network in Galle and Jazair, also realizing this. As long as Caucasus and Leon cannot become independent from the Church’s influence like the Southern countries, the Salvation Society dared not openly preach and convert. To achieve this, they could only pin their hopes on Komer.
The Beastmen on the Mogan Plateau in the North seem to have hibernated, while the situation within the kingdom has been unstably stirring. The reason being nothing else but the king’s sudden deterioration of health. It seemed he no longer had the strength to grasp control of the kingdom’s situation after moving into Versailles to recuperate. Suddenly, the question of who would inherit the throne became the focus of everyone’s attention, and Jazair had become the center of the vortex. It seemed as if everyone was waiting for the moment the king would pass away.
Regent Hoffman already had the upper hand, and the Great Aristocracy of Jazair had explicitly sided with him. It was said that the two Great Lords of the North had also reached an understanding with Hoffman. Only the two Great Lords of the South had not made their positions clear. Although the Middle and Small Aristocracy in the kingdom’s direct territories tended to prefer Katya, Hoffman’s agreement with the other Great Lords would undoubtedly come at their expense. This was unquestionable, but their strength was not enough to influence the situation. Perhaps the only uncertain factor was the attitude of Minister of Internal Affairs Tez and Minister of Military Affairs Mathew, yet everyone believed they would not take any stand until the king’s last breath.
"Maha Gummi, what about the Traders and the Financiers?" Komer asked after a long silence.