Chapter 747: Volume 22 Revival and Rise - 7 Join Hands
Komer eyed the elderly man in the simple gray cloak with great interest. Agreeing to meet in such a place was indeed a risk for Komer, even though Piro Feller had assured him repeatedly that safety was absolutely guaranteed. Nonetheless, Komer decided to meet the other party in disguise. Looking at the thoughtful face of the old man, Komer knew that his makeup would hardly fool him. As the largest slave trader in Jazair and also a notorious usury merchant, the head of the Novarin Family was by no means mediocre. His actions in Jazair made it clear that he would always stand invincible in the contest for the Royal Successors.
"Mr. Muktse, please forgive me for appearing before you in this guise. In fact, before I met you, I had some mistrust towards you. However, once I saw you, I realized that my worries were unnecessary. So, here, I offer you my apologies," Komer started by pointing out his own shortcomings, reasoning that it was better to be upfront about his deceptions than to wait for the other to expose him.
"Ah, Viscount Komer, I hadn’t expected it to indeed be you. The moment you entered the door, I had my suspicions, but Piro did not make it clear whether you would come in person. I wasn’t sure, but it seems Piro’s judgment is quite reliable." The elder showed no displeasure at Komer’s initial secrecy. Instead, he expressed understanding of Komer’s caution. In such turbulent times, everyone needed to be careful, even those merchants like him who were seen as opportunistic were still in need of constant vigilance.
"To receive such praise from Mr. Muktse is truly a secret delight for Komer. It indicates that we must have much to discuss, don’t we?" By this point, Komer had little patience for beating around the bush. Since Piro had formally introduced him to this man, Komer guessed that he must also have some connection with Katya. Given the current volatile situation, this man would not dare to commit readily, and Komer’s main goal now was to solidify the man’s confidence.
"Viscount Sir, you do not seem to be a man who rushes things. Why are you in such haste today?" The elder took a sip from his coffee cup, exhibiting a demeanor that didn’t quite match that of a slave trader or usury merchant. However, Komer knew that this was just a facade. As one of the kingdom’s leading slave traders, he had an extraordinary relationship with General Mathew, who controlled the kingdom’s military forces. Additionally, due to his substantial loans to the kingdom’s finance department, he had ambiguous ties with both the Finance Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs. However, since he came from common people, he was constantly disparaged and suppressed by the Great Aristocracy, and even those ministers who wanted to recognize his merits and bestow upon him noble status were helpless to do so.
Komer’s heart chilled at the other’s words, which had multiple layers of meaning. Although Piro had somewhat hinted, this man still intended to wait until the last moment before taking a stand. This was absolutely unfavorable for Katya, who was already at a disadvantage. Komer had bet heavily on her and could not afford any mishaps. Moreover, Maha Gummi had delivered some disconcerting news after his arrival in Jazair: it seemed that Galle had struck some deal with Hoffman and Quke Valley might fall into the hands of a noble friendly with Zellin, a troubling development for Komer.
"Mr. Muktse, although I will stay in Jazair for a couple more days, I do not wish to waste my time on meaningless pleasantries. If we were to draw a boundary, it seems I have unreservedly chosen a side, while you, Mr. Muktse, do not seem to have made up your mind. It may seem like a good idea to have the boundary under your feet, but we both know that once involved, there’s no escaping unscathed. I can simply return to my remote backwater, but if someone were to stir up trouble, I believe your good days in Jazair will come to an end. I’ve heard you left many people disappointed and empty-handed in Parluca Bay, and they, like you, are now keeping a watchful eye on everything around. Do you believe your affairs are so impeccably flawless?"