Chapter 21: Persuasion
Soft sunlight shone within Fort Tamber. After learning about Komer and his companions’ identities, the officers stationed there by Rosenberg became much more polite. Although they couldn’t freely patrol the city walls, walking along their inner edge went unnoticed. Komer had specifically invited Eve and Grace out to discuss in detail the next steps for the Night Angels Mercenary Group.
Seeing Eve in a thoughtful silence and Grace with a calm, composed expression, Komer grew uncertain. If the two women were determined to head south, he feared it would be difficult to persuade them to change their minds. He carefully chose his words, trying to find a way to speak that wouldn’t hurt their feelings while taking the actual situation into account.
“Eve, Grace, is it my identity that makes it hard for you to accept me?” Komer knew he had to address his most critical issue first. Only by showing them his sincerity could he hope to earn their understanding, especially Eve’s. He could sense that her background was likely complex—her elegance and composure weren’t something ordinary families could cultivate.
“No, Komer. One’s background and identity aren’t something one can decide on their own. Eve and I also realize your identity isn’t that simple. What we don’t understand is that since you joined the Night Angels Mercenary Group and claim it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision or a casual act, why can’t you openly reveal your identity to your comrades? If you trust your comrades’ character, then why can’t you tell them? Of course, this isn’t the main reason we want to part ways. The Night Angels Mercenary Group bears a great responsibility—we still need to avenge our comrades’ bloodshed. Though the enemies are powerful, the Night Angels won’t be intimidated. The south offers the best environment for mercenaries to thrive. We’re thinking that the Night Angels should develop there.”
Eve organized her thoughts and spoke eloquently. She knew Comer’s goal was to persuade them to follow him back to the Caucasus. To be honest, although the Caucasus was remote, given the Night Angel Mercenaries’ current situation, it was undoubtedly the right place. Powerful enemies would still appear on their path southward, and Eve had no certainty about whether they would have enough luck to break through. Following Comer not only meant gaining two strong allies but also, thanks to Comer’s special status, enemies would have to be more cautious when attempting attacks or assassinations wherever they went. Once back in the Caucasus, it would be like a dragon entering a deep abyss—enemies would find it even harder to carry out assassinations there. Yet Eve didn’t want the Night Angel Mercenaries to rely on anyone for survival; it went against their original purpose. The mercenaries might need to endure greater hardships to grow stronger.
“Eve, Grace, I don’t want to say much more, but I think there’s some misunderstanding between us. I need to explain—maybe after hearing my story, you won’t see why I need to hide my identity right now.” Comer nodded. He could tell that although they hadn’t said it outright, their words still carried suspicion about his sincerity in joining the mercenaries.
Comer began by talking about his affair with Tracy, then his forced exile, and finally his banishment to the Caucasus. He described the various hardships and pains he endured with emotional depth, moving even the two inexperienced girls. Especially when they thought about Comer, who was less than fifteen years old, having to leave home alone with no support from his family—a delicate plant from a greenhouse suddenly thrown into the storm—was a feeling beyond what ordinary people could comprehend. When Comer recounted how, during his exile, he had to catch rats and insects to survive for days at a time, and this situation lasted for quite some time, Eve and Grace were horrified. Comer’s status as an illegitimate child also won their sympathy, especially Grace. Her own pain from an unknown origin had made her sensitive, and Comer’s situation wasn’t much better than hers as an illegitimate child. Feeling empathy for each other, they sensed they might have more in common.
Komer didn’t hide from the two sisters even his purpose for coming to Rosenberg, which touched them deeply. Such matters were related to the rise and fall of a territory, and usually only those who were very close would share such information. Yet Komer spoke openly before them without any reservation, how could this not move them?
“Komer, are you really sure you can convince the Jellyfish people to open up the Catalonia River route? From what we know, it seems no one has ever succeeded in passing through the Catalonia River route. Before the Rosenberg people suffered defeat, other countries also tried, but all failed without exception. Besides, the Jellyfish people are extremely xenophobic and won’t give you any chance at all.”
Many people on the continent were aware of the importance of the Catalonia River route, as it had caused numerous disputes, mostly due to the inability to access the Great Swamp area, which ultimately led to the abandonment of this vital waterway. People living along its banks longed to solve this problem, but no one had ever succeeded. Could Komer really do it? Eve and Grace were skeptical.
“If I’m to say I’m 100% sure, I think nothing can be certain before it’s successful. The Jellyfish people are also human; they have their own troubles and needs. In the past, people only tried to achieve this through conquest or temptation, but they didn’t understand the Jellyfish people. They’re not as conservative, paranoid, or blindly xenophobic as we imagine. They’ve suffered too much harm and deception from outsiders in the past, which led to this situation. Of course, their self-sufficient, isolated way of life is also a major reason they distance themselves from the outside world. With few needs outside, they can adopt a more detached attitude toward external influences—a point that not everyone realizes.”
Komer spoke in vague terms without revealing his specific strategy for convincing the stubborn Jellyfish people. But hearing him speak like this, the two sisters felt much more at ease. At least Komer was aware of the difficulty involved, which gave them peace of mind. As for the exact method, since Komer didn’t mention it, they didn’t press further.
“As soon as the matters related to the Catania River route are resolved, I will return to the Caucasus. Eve, Grace, I would like you to consider my invitation carefully. Although the Caucasus is somewhat remote, it is currently in a period of rapid development. Mercenary groups are still a new phenomenon there, so there should be great potential for growth. Um, to be honest, the current composition of the Dark Angel Mercenary Group is extremely unreasonable—there are no magicians, no archers, no defensive warriors; talent is lacking in every aspect. Such a fragile group will find it hard to survive in the competitive mercenary markets of the South. Instead of struggling there, it’s better to explore new markets in the Caucasus.”
“Um, I have a few friends, including those two you see, who are highly skilled in every regard. I think if you could train with them for some time, your abilities would improve significantly. Both the barbarian mountains of the South and the Votka Mountains in the Caucasus are said to hold many fascinating secrets. Participating in these expeditions will help enhance your skills. Therefore, I earnestly invite you to join the Dark Angel Mercenary Group on a trip to the Caucasus. If you feel it’s not suitable to stay there for a while, you can leave at any time.”
It must be said that Komer’s persuasion was quite convincing. Aside from Komer’s own formidable strength, the three who accompanied him also left an astonishing impression on Eve and Grace, causing them to feel somewhat inferior. Lebrí’s masterful demeanor was like a magnet, drawing Eve, who was at a shepherd-level of cultivation, firmly to him. She understood that such an air of a great magician couldn’t be faked. If she had the chance to learn from such a master, it would undoubtedly be a rare opportunity to improve her magical skills.
As for Sorenberg, the power he displayed made Grace eager for more. What do a knight’s spear and sword represent? Ordinary apprentices can only carry swords, not guns, while regular knights are limited to ordinary bronze or wrought-iron spears. Grace immediately noticed that the cold-faced knight carried a spear imbued with a strong magical aura and deadly energy, suggesting he might be a magic knight—one experienced in battle. If she could spar with someone like him, Grace believed she could quickly break through her current limitations and reach a new level.
Seeing the two women walking more slowly yet refusing to speak, Komer knew it was not appropriate to press them too hard. After all, they would pass through Rosenberg City on their way to the south, so they could travel together for this stretch. He believed he could persuade them. Rosenberg City would be a turning point in his fate. If the route along the Catalonia River could be opened, the Caucasus would enter a new era. Neither the barbarians in the south nor Homer in the north would be able to exert much influence over the Caucasus anymore. On the contrary, the barbarians would have to rely more on him, and his own fate would inevitably become entangled with the remnants of those dark religious forces from the south. What would this bring to his future?