Chapter 14: Clashing Views

Bao Ling frowned. In fact, both he andFranz were skeptical and concerned about Komer’s deal with the barbarians. Although the barbarians had delivered a small squad of earth dragons and two thunder wyverns to Caucasus as promised, such deterrents, more symbolic than practical, seemed of little real use in their eyes. They might be useful for intimidating the half-orcs in the region, but as far as Bao Ling andFranz were concerned, it was doubtful how much impact those few earth dragons and two thunder wyverns could have in actual combat.

“Bao Ling, it seems you’re not very optimistic about our secret weapons?” Komer smiled slightly. He understood Bao Ling andFranz’s feelings. Troops like earth dragon warriors were entirely new to the northern mortals. A squad of earth dragons might seem formidable in small-scale battles, but it was hard to say how much impact they could have in large-scale confrontations between regular armies.

In Bao Ling andFranz’s view, Caucasus did not produce earth dragons and relied entirely on the barbarians. To expand their use, they depended on the barbarians’ willingness. As for thunder wyverns, the requirements were even higher. The fact that the barbarians could provide just two was already a matter of great debate among them. Expecting more seemed unlikely. Those two thunder wyverns would likely serve mainly for reconnaissance and surprise attacks.

“Lord, although earth dragons and thunder wyverns are powerful, their small numbers make it difficult to achieve practical effects. Moreover, training them is complicated, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. Neither Caucasus nor Leon produces these creatures, which are unique to the Cordillera Wasteland. Without sufficient replenishment, it’s hard for these troops to develop a significant impact. Thunder wyverns might be slightly better, as their needs for reconnaissance and raids aren’t too high. But earth dragon warriors, whose greatest strength lies in making frontal breakthroughs in field battles, are limited by their numbers. That’s why I’ve always been skeptical,” Bao Ling said without hiding his views.

“Hehe, Bao Ling, you don’t need to worry too much about this. Whether it’s earth dragons or thunder wyverns, I believe we have plenty of opportunities to gradually replenish them. As for numbers, with the support of the Sanjia Tribe and even the entire Mountain People, do you still worry about their supply? Let me tell you—not only earth dragons and thunder wyverns, but also other special troops from the Mountain People will gradually appear in our Caucasus and Leon Self-Defense Forces. Everything will get better. What we need now is time.”

The confidence on Komer’s face left Baoling and the other two somewhat puzzled. The relationship between the Sanjia Tribe and the Caucasus was, in essence, one of mutual exploitation—the Sanjia Tribe needed the Caucasus to provide them with food and other necessities, while the Caucasus sought to obtain the various rich minerals and resources in the Sanjia Tribe’s territory, including Raypeng and Earth Dragons. But if the lord thought he could bring these barbarians under his control just like Leon’s half-orcs, that was surely an overstatement.

Seeing the disbelief on the three men’s faces, Komer didn’t want to explain further. The relationship with the barbarians couldn’t be clarified in a short time, and they wouldn’t believe how far the relationship between the Caucasus and the barbarians, especially the Sanjia Tribe, would develop in the future. Yet Komer could predict that, given the current trends, the northern part of the Cordillera Wasteland—i.e., the area controlled by the Sanjia Tribe, and even regions nearby—would sooner or later be firmly drawn to the Caucasus like a magnet.

Looking at how quickly the number of barbarians in Bahomon, Ugru, Matdan, and Santiago was increasing, with even barbarians appearing in Leon and Bruce Fortress, one should realize that once this door was opened wide, it might be impossible to close it again.

After the agreement signed between the Sanjia Tribe and the Caucasus, allowing the mountain people from the Sanjia Tribe’s region to enter the Caucasus and Leon and enjoy equal citizenship rights, there was an immediate surge in mountain people heading north to work. Some smaller communities around the Sanjia Tribe were also attracted by the Caucasus’s open policy. Unfortunately, since they had no direct connection to the Caucasus, they had to go through the Sanjia Tribe first to obtain an identity certificate before they could legally go to the Caucasus and Leon to work. This not only allowed the leaders of the Sanjia Tribe to reap significant benefits but also encouraged some smaller communities that had previously been independent to join the Sanjia Tribe, indirectly strengthening its power.

The leaders of the Sanjia Tribe were overjoyed by this development, while some within the Caucasus were worried that it was precisely because the Caucasus provided the Sanjia Tribe with ample food and job opportunities for surplus labor that the tribe had gained such momentum. The expansion of the Sanjia Tribe’s influence posed a potential threat to the Caucasus, and perhaps it should consider restricting the tribe’s growth. Komer simply dismissed this view with a smile.

The expansion of the Sanjia tribe’s forces should be beneficial rather than harmful to the Caucasus. As their territory grows and their population increases, their demand for food will rise, and their reliance on the Caucasus will deepen. The Caucasus holds the key to their survival, and they will find themselves gradually integrating with it, forced to meet the Caucasus’s needs or face hunger. Returning to the difficult times they once had after enjoying a happy life, few would be willing to do so. This is the effect Kommer aims to achieve.

Kommer’s mysterious behavior only made Bauling and the others feel his depth and complexity. Every move this lord made was so unexpected that it was hard to believe he was just a 20-year-old youth. He was deep, experienced, and shrewd, not inferior to those who had spent years in the royal courts. His powerful magical skills were even more incomprehensible—how could someone so young achieve such a high level of mastery?

After Bauling shrugged, indicating he couldn’t understand Kommer’s words, and left, only Bayezid and Briarnos remained behind him. Kommer realized that their continued presence must mean they had something to say. After some thought, he guessed that Eve’s unusual behavior over the past few days might have worried them, and they stayed to seek a clear answer from him, especially since their relationship was currently complex and awkward.

“Bayezid, Briarnos, do you two have something to tell me?” Kommer suddenly turned around and asked. The two, who had been following him and didn’t know how to start talking, were startled and didn’t know how to respond.

After a moment of silence, the giant Briarnos bravely broke the awkwardness. “Yes, Lord Kommer. Eve has been wanting to leave the Caucasus for some time. She asked our opinion and said she didn’t want to pressure us. We all advised her to stay, but as you know, it’s hard for outsiders to change her mind once she makes a decision. But these past few days, it seems she’s changed her mind and wants to stay, yet her mood has been unstable. We’re worried but don’t know how to ask her. Grace tried to talk to her, but didn’t get much information. Have you discussed this matter with Eve recently, Lord Kommer?”

“Well, Eve has already come to talk to me. She wants to leave and start her life anew, but I told her that as long as one has a kind heart, fulfilling a priest’s duties by preaching and casting spells is the same no matter where one is. The current situation in the Caucasus and Leon makes such priests even more needed. If one tries to avoid these responsibilities due to external factors or personal biases, it’s undoubtedly a denial of oneself. Perhaps she accepted my advice, or perhaps she’s still hesitating. I think we should refrain from interfering with her for now and let her think it over on her own.”

Komer’s words were ambiguous and full of vague mysticism, leaving the two already not very sharp-minded even more confused. Apart from understanding that Komer had already discussed with Eve whether she should leave, they couldn’t make sense of anything else. Yet it seemed that Lord Komer indeed had considerable influence over Eve—his words were enough to make her reconsider her decision. This reassured Bayezid and Briarnos, as it proved that Komer still cared deeply about Eve, and that she wasn’t as carefree as she claimed.

“Lord Komer, we don’t want to say much else. After being around her for so long, you must know what kind of girl Eve is. In many ways, she’s even stronger than boys, but emotionally, she’s as fragile as any other girl. Grace and Eve are both our good friends, and we don’t want them to get hurt because of these matters. So we hope you’ll handle these relationships carefully. Whether it’s Eve or Grace, we want to see smiles on their faces. What do you think, Lord Komer?”

Bayezid’s earnest yet tactful words made Komer look at this dwarf with new respect. He never expected that this seemingly rough dwarf could have such delicate feelings and speak in such a reasonable and heartfelt manner. It was far beyond Komer’s expectations, leaving him momentarily at a loss for how to respond to such a subtly pointed question.