Chapter Eleven: Magic Machinery

The Caucasus in early summer was in a state of hustle and bustle. Komer, who had returned from his mission to the barbarian territories, immediately plunged back into endless work and training. The restraining and oppressive policies of the two northern lords were gradually becoming apparent. Although Komer had stockpiled large amounts of grain in advance, it was only enough to sustain them through the minor spring harvest in May. Moreover, the grain prices due to transit taxes had more than doubled, putting pressure on Komer and prompting him to relax his policies on land reclamation. Yet this could not solve the immediate shortage of grain; the total harvest from the minor spring crops in the Caucasus was far from sufficient to meet demand, necessitating large-scale imports. The current grain prices were clearly unacceptable.

The peace and trade agreement with the barbarians also included a crucial clause: the barbarians would purchase grain in the Caucasus at market prices. But if they could not even meet the needs of their own people, how could they expect to export grain?

After the agreement was signed, barbarians began to appear in the markets of Bahomun and Ugru. Their strength even surpassed that of Komer’s half-orc guards, and their presence in Bahomun and Ugru caused concern among the local residents. Although the lord’s announcements were posted throughout the towns, the increasing frequency and numbers of barbarians still worried the locals, especially the new immigrants.

However, they soon realized their worries were unfounded. The barbarians behaved even better than the locals in the Caucasus. Most of them came to sell theirprey or goods in exchange for necessities. One of the terms of Komer’s agreement with the barbarians allowed them to enter the Caucasus freely for trade, while the Caucasians could also enter the barbarian territories with their permission to purchase goods.

Although they are stern and unsmiling, their reputation in business is better than that of any merchant; there is little haggling, and the quality of their goods is surprisingly good. The various rare birds and animals in the Cordillera Desert are the best items for exchange among the barbarians, but for them, the abundant goods at the Bakhmon and Ugru markets are even more appealing. Their own items for exchange are clearly too limited, which has led many half-orcs to gradually consider staying in the Caucasus to work and earn money. After all, back in the Cordillera Desert, there is nothing to do but hunt, but hunting is far less lucrative than working here. There are plenty of jobs that require physical strength, such as logging, building roads, constructing houses, mining, pulling carts, and loading/unloading goods, with recruitment notices posted everywhere. The half-orcs in the Caucasus are clearly not enough to meet these production needs, especially after Komer recruited five hundred strong half-orcs as his guard, increasing the demand for half-orc labor in his territory. Everyone wants to earn more money and live a better life, and the barbarians, accustomed to a life of poverty in their neighboring lands, seem to see new hope there.

It seems that the rulers on both sides have noticed this change and trend, and both seem to have adopted a policy of non-interference. This makes it normal to see barbarians pulling carts with heavy breaths in Ugru or mining with hard work in Dalmann. Along with the half-orc guard soldiers and half-elf archers on patrol, and merchants speaking various languages, it’s hard for newcomers to believe their eyes—this is the Caucasus.

“Mr. Kudan, please sit here.”

The bearded man felt an unexplained sense of tension facing this young, smiling lord. It wasn’t his first time dealing with this lord. As a shareholder of the Caucasus United Bank, he had to appear more often in public. He didn’t understand why his boss wanted him involved in this matter. To him, being exposed openly to everyone always gave him a feeling of guilt. He didn’t believe the lord before him didn’t know his true identity. Even if he hadn’t known at first, over time, those like Hes would have no hesitation in revealing his background. But to his surprise, no one had asked him anything in these months. Everyone treated him as a real grain merchant and even made him a representative of the United Bank! This left him both shocked and uneasy. What was this lord planning?

“Mr. Kudan, you’ve been in the grain business in the Caucasus for quite a few years, right?” Comer casually started the conversation.

“Over ten years, yes. But there hasn’t been much change in the Caucasus over those ten years. Not to flatter the lord, but the changes in the Caucasus in these past few months have exceeded what happened in decades before. It’s only now that the Caucasus has truly gained a foothold in the kingdom and the Eastern Continent.” While pondering the lord’s reasons for summoning him, the bearded man carefully answered the question.

“Hehe, that’s just the kingdom’s support. Without the efforts of the people of the Caucasus, it would all be just talk.” Waving his hand, Comer wasn’t interested in continuing these trivial topics. He had come here today to find a solution to the current grain crisis, and this man was the key to that solution.

“Mr. Kudan, let’s get straight to the point. You’re in the grain business, so you must be aware of the grain problem in our Caucasus. To the north, they can raise customs duties on our grain imports, and grain prices have risen to an unacceptably high level. The Caucasus has a weak foundation, and now with over a hundred thousand immigrants arriving, land reclamation work has just begun. It’s impossible to achieve self-sufficiency in the near future. That’s why I’d like to ask you to help us find a solution to the current grain shortage in the Caucasus.”

Komer, speaking eloquently, seemed utterly unaware that he was dealing with an important member of a pirate organization; he appeared more like someone discussing business problems with a business partner.
“Food shortages?” The bearded man’s lips grew slightly dry. Though he ostensibly dealt in food, in reality, all logistical supplies had to go through him, with food being just one of the more significant aspects. Yet now this young lord was shifting this problem onto him—was he trying to shift the blame for the food shortage in the Caucasus onto him as well?
Seeming to notice the doubt and tension in the other man’s eyes, Komer smiled generously. “Mr. Kudan, there’s no need to worry. I didn’t mean anything else by what I said. I simply heard that you have some friends involved in maritime transportation, and I was hoping you could act as a bridge. The Caucasus needs to import a large amount of food—of course, at the original market price, not at the inflated price due to additional tariffs. In simpler terms, it’s smuggling, but this smuggling is done for the well-being of the entire population of the Caucasus.”
At these words, the bearded man’s anxious mood eased. Since they already knew his background and still dared to invite him, he couldn’t help but admire the boldness of this young lord. Pirates had always been the public enemy of coastal nations, and no one ever dared to deal with them, even in private, as it carried significant risks. Yet this lord dared to openly discuss business with him even before he had fully settled into his position as lord. Besides being shocked, the bearded man also began to weigh the pros and cons of this deal.
Seeing the other man fall into deep thought after his expression changed, Komer didn’t press him. This was, after all, a transaction with equal risks. The North had significantly tightened its food blockade on the areas south of Leon. Although trade was nominally free, to avoid the tax collectors at Bruce Fortress, one had to rely on sea transport. But now, all shipping fleets’ logs were firmly in the hands of the shipping guild controlled by Philip, making it almost impossible to avoid him. Of course, there was one exception: the “Gray Skulls” pirate fleet, which operated in the southern part of the Sea of Darkness.

Komer knew that the “Gray Skulls” could survive and thrive in this land largely due to some secret connections with those in power. This could be inferred from the fact that the Philip family’s own fleet could travel freely to the south while other fleets had to pay high protection fees. Yet this didn’t prove much—after all, as the ruler of this region, Homer had a professional navy. Though not large in number, it was still a legitimate naval force, and it was this very navy that allowed the Philip family and the “Gray Skulls” to maintain such a delicate balance.

To smuggle food past Philip’s surveillance, the only suitable party was the forces behind this man before him. Of course, Komer was prepared to pay a price for it.

“My lord, since you already know everything, any further explanation from me would seem hypocritical. Indeed, I am the organization’s representative in the Caucasus. Having been in office for so long, I represent our organization in thanking you for your kindness, which allows us to continue living in this land. Yet we have never caused you any trouble, as you are surely aware. You just proposed smuggling food—presumably because you are interested in our organization’s fleet. Personally, I agree. But as you know, our organization also has ties and interests in the north. If you want to persuade our organization to agree to this venture, I assume you have suitable conditions in mind. So I’d like to hear your thoughts first.” The bearded man’s expression turned serious again, and his bold demeanor showed that his merchant lifestyle hadn’t eroded his strength.

Komer smiled softly, pleased inwardly. The fact that the other party dared to speak so openly meant their relationship with Philip wasn’t as close as he had initially thought. Now it came down to whether they would join his cause.

“Hehe, Mr. Kudan, my gifts certainly won’t disappoint you. But my demands aren’t just limited to this food smuggling.” At this point, Komer took control of the situation. His relaxed and confident attitude made it hard for the other party to figure out what conditions he might have to offer in exchange for their agreement to this risky venture.

“Please, my lord, speak clearly. You know very well what our organization does—working through wind and rain, living on the edge of danger every day. Without taking risks, one cannot engage in this line of work! As long as you have something worth exchanging, whether it’s food smuggling or even our lives, what does it matter?” At this moment, the bearded man fully displayed the wild and brave side of a sea warrior, earning nods of approval from Komer.

“Good. Since Mr. Kudan has also spent a long time making a living at sea, have you heard of the Thousand-Mile Mirror and the Magic Armored Cannon?”

His calm words struck the bearded man, who had been waiting leisurely for an offer, like thunder from the sky. He was instantly shaken, even knocking over the coffee on the coffee table, but he paid no attention. He rushed forward to Komer in an instant. The large, strong man’s face turned red, his lips trembled, and his chest heaved rapidly as he stammered, “My lord, what did you say?”

“The Thousand-Mile Mirror, the Magic Armored Cannon.” Komer, seemingly expecting such a reaction, repeated them calmly.

Struggling to stay calm, the bearded man, who had always prided himself on his composure and carefulness, could no longer control his emotions. He pressed his hands together as if trying to squeeze blood from his fingers, ignoring his own rudeness and loss of control. Standing in front of Komer, he stared intently at his mouth and asked word by word, “My lord, are you saying you have information about this? Or clues?”

Seeing him shake his head slowly, the bearded man’s anger surged. How dare this guy toy with him like this? A surge of fury filled his mind, and his expression darkened instantly. “So, my lord has come to amuse yourself at Kudan’s expense?”

“Amuse myself? Hehe, it seems Mr. Kudan has misunderstood me. What I mean is that if I want them, I can have the Thousand-Mile Mirror and the Magic Armored Cannon!” His casual tone echoed through the living room.

“My lord, please do not joke. These two items have been lost for hundreds of years. Throughout this time, there have been no rumors of them being unearthed on the continent. Although you are a magician, and though these items are related to magic, they cannot be created just by mastering magic.” With a heavy weight pressing on his chest, the bearded man stood motionless before Komer, torn between doubts about the other man’s words and a desire for him to firmly refute his opinion. After all, this matter was too significant. Either of these two items would be a shockingly impactful news item, not only for the organization but also for all ships operating in the Abyssal Sea and the Undersea Ocean. If what the other man said was true, not to mention petty food smuggling, even an attack on Cyprus would not be impossible.