Chapter 7: Gutenberg
“Gutenberg is known as a garden city, and indeed it lives up to its reputation. Although Messene is the capital of a kingdom, compared to it, it seems like just a rural market. A city as grand and beautiful as this, with such diverse and magnificent buildings—one wonders how much wealth it must have cost the treasury. It seems true that the Gallia region is indeed the wealthiest area in the Kingdom of Nicosia.” Even the usually strict and rigid Rese couldn’t help but sigh in awe after witnessing this prosperous place where every inch of land was valuable.
“Hehe, Mr. Rese, Gutenberg’s prosperity didn’t come overnight. Its rise wasn’t entirely due to its strategic location or fertile land; thriving commerce and advanced agriculture were merely added bonuses later on. Its origins lie with Duke Gutenberg, the great-grandfather of Duke Zelin, who founded a printing workshop. At that time, movable-type printing wasn’t as widespread as it is now. Duke Gutenberg saw this opportunity clearly, invested heavily in establishing the workshop, and spared no effort to promote this new technology within his territory. Since woodblock printing was commonly used across the continent at the time, it was time-consuming and costly, the spread of movable-type printing immediately sparked a printing revolution across the continent. Parchment and woodblock printing became relics of the past, and the widespread availability of books today is thanks to Duke Gutenberg,” said Komer with deep emotion. “Duke Gutenberg’s keen insight transformed this once-unknown small town into the printing center of the kingdom and even the entire continent. Various books and prints were continuously shipped out from here. Although this period didn’t last long, it laid a solid foundation for today’s city of Gutenberg.”
“One person or one initiative can bring prosperity to a nation. It seems that a wise decision by those in power is enough to lead a place to prosperity,” said Rese, also deeply impressed by Gutenberg’s rise.
“Indeed. But those in power also bear greater risks. A wrong decision could plunge the interest groups they represent into trouble,” Komer added insidiously, seemingly prompting the two to reflect.
Although they had already seen the wealth of Gutenberg City, when Komer and his group arrived on time at Duke Zelin’s villa in the southern part of the city, they were still shocked by its opulence.
It is an asymmetrical garden villa. Upon entering through the main entrance, one is not faced with the main building but rather a vast and serene courtyard. On the right side of the courtyard lies a row of low, flat buildings that serve as stables, capable of housing dozens of fine horses. Along the edge of the courtyard is a wide lawn, intended as a backup area in case too many guests attend large banquets or parties, leaving no space for the horses drawn by carriages. Next to the stables, on the right, is a row of simple yet neatly kept rest rooms, prepared for the carriage drivers of guests.
Turning left through a spacious passage and an open gate in the high wall, one enters the main building complex. A long passage, dozens of meters long and ten meters wide, leads to a circular pool in front of the main building. At the center of the pool stands a group of statues. Magic crystal lamps illuminate the entire pool, creating a dazzling display of colors. The sound of flowing water and shifting light and shadow bring to life the golden statue of the god of art, Apolo, holding a seven-string harp with a bold and heroic expression. His muscular, well-proportioned chest and every line of his body appear vivid and natural under the magic lights. Several naked nymphs follow behind him, some exclaiming in delight, some looking on anxiously, and some admiring him in awe—all appearing utterly lifelike and natural.
These magnificent sculptures, standing in front of the main building, enhance its grandeur and elegance. Anyone who sees this masterpiece for the first time will be utterly captivated and develop an admiration for the villa behind it.
Entering the foyer adorned with large carved glass panels creates a dazzling effect. Several merchant representatives from the cities of Main and Susor gasp in awe. Such huge panels of relief glass would cost at least three thousand gold shields—something unimaginable. Alone, the decoration of this foyer uses twelve such panels, a cost that could support a hundred ordinary families for a year. The elegantly dressed and handsome doorman is clearly the product of years of strict training, his every move in perfect accordance with noble etiquette. This makes even the refugee representatives following Komer more cautious, fearing they might commit some etiquette mistake and lose face.
Beyond the foyer lay a vast main hall, where twelve marble columns, thick as two men wrapped arms around each other, were arranged in an arc to support the dome of the building. Dozens of crystal chandeliers hung from the eight-meter-high ceiling, their bright candles amplified by the crystals, casting a radiant glow throughout the hall. A faint, delicate fragrance filled the air—Komer seemed to recognize it; it came from the burning of candles, made from wicks wrapped in the roots of a plant found in the sea. Though this plant was common, it grew only in areas inhabited by merfolk. Like other extraordinary human races, merfolk detested outsiders intruding on their territory. If invaders appeared, they would attack in groups until the ships were destroyed and the invaders perished. As a result, such candles were extremely rare, and only the wealthiest families dared to seek them out—except, of course, for princes like Duke Zelin and Duke Philip.
Komer’s group’s arrival went unnoticed by the Gallic nobles who had already gathered in groups throughout the hall. To them, such matters were merely a means for the princes to enhance their prestige and display their power, using the occasion to invite local nobles for a regular banquet.
From the moment they entered, Komer and his group felt the cold stares and disdain from the nobles around them. Insults such as “country bumpkin,” “rustic fool,” and “fleeing famine-stricken people” drifted from the nobles’ circles from time to time. The refugee representatives following Komer nervously searched for a place among the nobles, realizing at that moment just how difficult and arduous it would be for outsiders like them to live in Gallic territory. The proud and highly xenophobic nobles might still maintain their dignity and composure, but what about those ignorant and brutal farmers and commoners? What attitude would they have toward invaders who, in their eyes, had taken away their jobs and land?
“Lord, why do these people look at us with nothing but indifference, contempt, and hostility? We haven’t done anything to offend them, and we’re guests invited by Duke Zelin himself. Weren’t we here for a banquet to welcome us as we passed through his territory?” Melbourne, puzzled, leaned on his cane to enter the circle of lower nobles. After scanning the mocking looks around him, he quietly asked Komer, who remained calm.
“Lord Melbourne, aren’t you putting us on too high a pedestal?” Comer remained expressionless, his gaze cold as it swept over the nobles dressed in fine clothes around him. “This is just another ordinary noble banquet at Duke Zelin’s estate. Saying it’s held for us is nothing but polite flattery. Do you really think we’re worth a special banquet from Duke Zelin? As for our status, these nobles must have known about us long ago—we’re nothing but refugees with no roots, just commoners. Your title of lord must have cost you a fortune, right? With the country fallen and our destination being a remote place, I’m just a minor baron. Looking at these old folks here, aside from a few young ones, most of them likely hold titles above viscount. How could they possibly regard people like us?”
Comer had seen this situation many times before: high-ranking nobles looking down on lower-ranking ones, city nobles despising country nobles, and nobles from the capital ignoring those from other regions. Arrogance, self-importance, selfishness, indifference, impulsiveness—these were the typical traits of nobles. Of course, this was under normal circumstances. Even Comer himself had been influenced by such habits to some extent in the past. But years of exile had allowed him to experience the life of a true outcast firsthand, and over time, his own arrogant nature had diminished significantly. This was one of the main reasons why these representatives found this lord so approachable.
Although Comer deliberately spoke in a low voice, the representatives behind him heard every word clearly. Facing the disdainful looks around them, they couldn’t help but feel angry and uneasy.
“One must first despise oneself before others can despise one. If you can’t even respect yourself, how can you expect others to?” Glancing sideways at the people behind him, the three representatives of Main and Sosol felt a chill—had their secret discussions with Duke Zelin been discovered?!
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Duke Zelin isn’t stupid. I’m afraid some people won’t realize they’re trapped until it’s too late.” Comer’s casual words finally pierced through the veil of deception.
In utter shock, the three representatives from Main and Susor exchanged panicked glances, their fear evident on their faces. Looking at the two expressionless Melun representatives, Hozel from the city-state of Main realized what was happening. Ignoring the many Gallic nobles watching them, he stepped closer to Komer, his face pale, and said anxiously, “My lord, there are some things I’d like to explain…”
“Enough. We can discuss it when we return. This is still Duke Zerin’s residence. I think we’d better wait patiently until the banquet is over,” Komer said indifferently, waving his hand.
Hozel, silenced by Komer’s words, turned pale. He exchanged worried glances with the other two representatives who had also realized the situation, but dared not say anything more. They could only lower their heads, thinking hard about how to explain everything to this lord after the banquet. The gates of Gallic were now closed, and having offended their future lord, they didn’t know how they would survive in the Caucasus, especially since they had many responsibilities to bear.