Chapter 968: Volume 31: A Hand Trying to Cover the Sky, - 12: Wrist and Tactic
No one likes to be controlled, yet whether it was Wu Gul, Gulupu, Montrey, or Woodleigh, they all deeply felt a sense of powerlessness and fatigue from being manipulated, like helpless butterflies or grasshoppers stuck on a spider web. Struggling desperately only exhausted them more quickly, hastening their death without any value or meaning, as everything had already been destined.
All of those involved knew that no matter how much they tried to show their sincerity now, they could not regain the trust of their former allies and companions. Once a rift had formed, it could never be mended. If at this time you still foolishly try to exchange your honesty for the other party’s trust, then when you turn around, everything you do and say will be presented on Komer’s desk. Trading a ’partner’ who shares your bed but harbors different dreams in exchange for the ruler’s approval was something no one wanted to be second in.
An alliance that was weak and full of mutual enmity and surveillance was far easier to manipulate than scattered and dangerous tribes, and this Komer knew well. He had no intention of dragging the Sanjia Tribe into this since he controlled a force that could at any time play a balancing role. As for the remaining tribes, to him, they were but trifles, little tricks and maneuvers. Dealing with these tribes, already driven to desperation by the issues of survival, was effortless, even excessively so. But this was not the ultimate goal of Komer.
Causing them to become divided and hostile towards one another was merely a process and a means to an end, not Komer’s final goal. What was the use and value of the Barbarians? Besides offering a considerable number of low-level laborers, what truly piqued Komer’s interest was their potential in war.
Born soldiers, these Barbarians were naturally infantry material. They not only could serve as infantry but also excelled at taming the Magical Beasts unique to the Cordillera Wilderness. If their talents in this aspect could be fully utilized, Komer believed that in the event of a real confrontation with the beastmen, these special troops could play a significant role in the war.
Of course, it was too early to indulge in such discussions. The Barbarian Alliance was quite fragile, and even though Komer had been adding his power to the mix like sand filtering into the Barbarians, bit by bit seizing power, it was not something that would show immediate results. This required patience and process.
Having already had such a beginning, Komer was quite satisfied. Ilot was not an exceptionally talented individual. He was not adept at manipulating political strategies and schemes. To be accurate, Ilot wasn’t even a suitable general, though his loyalty was unquestionable. Outside of that, there wasn’t much he could bring to the table.