The Vastness of Magical Destiny

After all these years of tempering, Komer found that his once passionate heart had unknowingly become cold and merciless. He had left Tracy in Mattdam, discarded like old shoes. The remnants of warmth and fondness he once had for her had been completely replaced by a grotesque physical satisfaction. Occasionally toying with her might be acceptable, but the idea of even spending a night in the same bed with her made Komer uncomfortable. This transformation was beyond his own belief. Human emotions are indeed complex; once a certain unique intrinsic element is lost, everything ceases to exist, although she still appears unscathed and perhaps even more illustrious on the surface.

Komer could imagine the resentment Tracy felt at this moment, but he did not care. The hatred of minor figures had become numb to him, and moreover, he believed that if he gave her just a little incentive, she would come running like a fawning dog, even to the point of betraying her father. Once the aura of the Philip family was shattered, the noble veneer that shrouded her would be completely stripped away. What could she do then without a foundation to survive on?

Now, Komer’s focus was no longer on these trivial matters. How to quickly take control and manage the land effectively, to truly become one of the few great lords of the Kingdom of Nicosia, was most important. Recognition from Cartin and Godeburg, the default acceptance of Galle, Silesia, and Poznan, and the support from the nobility, gentry, and commonfolk of the Homer region were all immediately before Komer.

For some reason, Komer did not want to go to Cyprus. He would rather stay in Odessa. Perhaps this port city brought him a freshness that also allowed him to avoid all that was familiar from the past. Everything in Odessa seemed unaffected by the war. This city, connected to the Fertile Busen Plain and the Nether Sea via canals, seemed to lack the intense hierarchical atmosphere of other inland cities. In this city, apart from the city governors, the traders had greater influence. Although a considerable portion of these traders had evolved from noble landlords of the Busen Plain, once they joined the merchant class, the noble aura seemed to gradually fade. Komer liked this atmosphere.

The municipal official had fled after the Caucasus Army entered the Busen Plain. As the main confidant of Philip stationed here, he could not wait for the recognition of the Caucasus. Before the power of Caucasus reached Odessa, the union of industry representatives temporarily controlled the city’s operations. In reality, it was the representatives of the traders who controlled the city.

"Sir, the representatives of the traders have all arrived," an attendant said respectfully from behind.

"Oh? They’ve all come?" Komer asked indifferently. The attitude of these traders had swiftly undergone a complete one-eighty after the total defeat of the Homer Army. From their original aloofness and deliberate distance, they quickly became cordial. Some traders even secretly visited, which made Komer admire the thickness of their skins; they showed no embarrassment over their initial reservation and detachment.

"Yes, they are all waiting for your arrival," the attendant bowed slightly.

The City Hall in Odessa differed from any City Hall in the Homer region. It barely resembled the Nicosia style prevalent in other cities of the region. Accurately speaking, it resembled more the style from cities in the Southern Continent, with its slightly low-rise buildings scattered around the center of the square. Apart from the City Council, which was slightly more grand, other buildings like the taxation and judiciary departments appeared very plain and modest, which suited Komer’s taste well.

Two escorting Half-Beastmen Warriors voluntarily stopped at the entrance of the Council, which significantly relieved the traders’ representatives. Although they knew that those Half-Beastmen would not cause trouble without reason, the sight of their fierce faces and burly bodies, coupled with their fully armed appearance, involuntarily made the traders feel immense threat and pressure. Had they entered the council, the traders might not have been able to clearly express themselves.