Chapter 15: The Age of Turmoil Arrives

From the city-state of Tyros to Piraeus, from Corinth to Troy, from Gallipoli to Pyrgos, Hayreddin and Drake split into two groups, using their respective networks to swiftly operate in various regions.

Building a fleet—even a simple merchant fleet—required a large number of skilled sailors. Fortunately, the prosperity of Corinth and Piraeus meant that other city-states reliant on trade were declining, such as Tyros and Gallipoli, providing Hayreddin and Drake with an abundance of human resources.

These city-states, located in the Salonian Gulf alongside Corinth and Piraeus, suffered from narrow territories and poor productivity. Their trade, once thriving due to their strategic locations, was now severely impacted by the growing threat of the Demişeme pirate group. Their navies were unable to ensure the safe operation of their own fleets, further worsening their economic conditions until they were on the verge of bankruptcy. The arrival of Hayreddin and Drake offered many unemployed sailors a satisfying job.

Word of Hayreddin and Drake’s recruitment efforts spread quickly across the Chios Peninsula and the Salonian Gulf. Along with it came news of the development of Sifnos Island. The Caucasian lords from the northern Kingdom of Nicomedia planned to turn Sifnos into a cargo transit hub, allowing free trade between the Kingdom of Nicomedia and countries along the southern Mediterranean coast as well as the vast continents. This news quickly caught the attention of these nations and city-states, who wanted to know how this outsider would deal with the threats posed by the Kha fleet and the Demişeme pirates.

The astonishing move of the Kha fleet, flying the Blood Rose, patrolling around Sifnos Island caused a tremendous stir throughout the southern Mediterranean. It implied not only that the Kha fleet recognized this outsider’s presence in the region but also served as a warning: Sifnos Island was under the protection of the Kha fleet!

While the nations and city-states of the Southern Central Seas were filled with confusion, the merchants could no longer hold back. The rise of Corinth and Piraeus had deprived the merchants and industrialists of cities like Tyros and Gallipoli of their economic privileges. Lacking the favorable natural conditions of Corinth and Piraeus, their only pride was their excellent port facilities. But when even this advantage was taken away, it meant the beginning of a decline for these merchants and industrialists.

No one wanted to stay in a dying city-state; moving to a thriving new one was undoubtedly the wisest choice. When the merchants from Tyros and Gallipoli arrived there tentatively, they discovered that Sifnos had already become a truly glorious place.

The nine-story lighthouse could be seen from eighty nautical miles away. The exquisitely designed, marvelously conceived spiral lighthouse stood tall at the southeastern tip of Sifnos, just like the Tower of Babel of the ancient Babylonian kings. The brilliant light emanating from its magnificent magic lamp was dazzling even in the darkness, and not even fierce winds and waves could dim its glow.

What shocked these merchants even more was that Sifnos had already developed the basic infrastructure of a port city within just two or three months. A large number of dwarves had also settled on the island. Together with ordinary people from various parts of the Southern Central Seas, they were working hard to build warehouses, docks, roads, houses, and various other structures. They even saw some of their counterparts from the Caucasus discussing land purchases and warehouse construction with the island’s officials, so as to make better use of Sifnos’ uniquely strategic location to transship goods from the north.

The merchants from the north had already taken the lead. If they didn’t catch up, they might lose such an opportunity forever. In the end, the merchants from Tyros and Gallipoli also joined in the development of Sifnos, hoping to turn their investments into profits as soon as possible.

“Cusli, you must have heard about the changes on Sifnos, right? What are your thoughts?” Haireddin crossed his legs and leaned back in the hardwood chair behind him. It was closing time at the tavern, and no one would disturb their conversation.

“Well, Mr. Komer has already stretched his hand into the Southern Mid-Sea. It’s hard to believe that Miss Katrina could reach a compromise with him, yet it seems to be the case—quite surprising.” Cusley’s gaunt face no longer showed its usual humility and flattery; his gaze, faintly visible in the darkness, sparked much speculation.
“Isn’t it? It’s indeed hard to believe, but Mr. Komer has done it. Perhaps there’s no fundamental conflict between them, which is why this is possible,” Haidrin added slowly.
“No, I don’t think so. Miss Katrina must have reasons to need Mr. Komer, but only on the condition that he doesn’t threaten her position in the Mid-Sea. Right now, Gott’s offensive in the Northern Mid-Sea is fierce—that’s Miss Katrina’s greatest threat. I think her alliance with Mr. Komer might be aimed at the Gray Skulls, but I still don’t quite understand what tangible help Mr. Komer can offer her.” Picking up a piece of ice and dropping it into his glass, Cusley remained calm, though the slight tremor in his glass showed he wasn’t untouched.
“That’s not something we need to consider. We just need to know they’re cooperating, right, Cusley?” Haidrin said calmly.
“If we don’t understand the intricacies, we might end up on the wrong side sometimes. And once we’re on the wrong side, the consequences are severe—something you know better than I do, Mr. Haidrin. Unlike you, I have to think more deeply about many things.” A thoughtful expression appeared on Cusley’s face. “Given Mr. Komer’s behavior, I can’t believe he just wants to get involved in business interests in the Southern Mid-Sea. If that were the case, Miss Katrina and his partnership might last long. But if it goes beyond that, their cooperation will soon turn into conflict. Well, no—it depends on how much opportunity Miss Katrina gives to Isla Sifnos. If it were me, I wouldn’t give Isla Sifnos any chance.”
“Heh, Cusley. So you’re not Katrina.” Without directly responding, Haidrin picked up a dart and threw it lightly; it flew and stuck in the Omnipotent Compass hanging on the wall in the distance. “Mr. Komer and Miss Katrina’s partnership is still in its honeymoon phase. For now, you don’t need to worry about these issues. They’re not something we should be considering. You should know why I came here today.”
“Hmm, Demisheme?” Cusley tilted his head slightly and turned his glass in his hand.

“Hmm, Demisheme,” Haiding nodded. “The Karr fleet won’t be responsible for Sifnos Island’s security for long. The island’s safety must be ensured by itself. I want to know Demisheme’s thoughts and whereabouts.”
“Hehe, Mr. Haiding, what do you plan to do? Eliminate Demisheme once and for all? Not even Miss Katerina could do that—can you?” Cusley laughed, perhaps thinking it was a joke. But when he saw Haiding’s unblinking gaze, he realized he was wrong. “Do you really intend to do that?”
“Why not? The Karr fleet has different goals from ours. It’s not that Katerina can’t deal with Demisheme—it’s because she has more important things on her mind. Eliminating Demisheme isn’t easy. Though she seems powerful, she’s still a pirate. Pirates, my dear, seek profit and a future—do you understand?”
Cusley’s eyes narrowed slightly. Haiding’s words had made their intentions clear: Demisheme couldn’t be a stumbling block to Sifnos Island. If she couldn’t be utilized, she had to be eliminated. As for the methods they would use and how they would carry out the plan, it would depend on what kind of skills Mr. Komer possessed. But the fact that he could attract someone like Haiding and earn his sincere loyalty was enough to prove that man’s extraordinary nature.
“Mr. Haiding, many people aren’t as sensible as we are. They believe in strength, in swords,” Cusley said slowly.
Haiding nodded and smiled. “Of course. Words can’t replace strength. Many people need to deeply understand the truth before they grasp the logic. We’re not that naive, thinking we can solve everything with words. Cusley, what I want to tell you is that you need to decide which side to take. As you said, once you pick the wrong side, there’s no turning back. By the way, Mr. Komer has already become the lord of the Flanders region in the Kingdom of Iberia. Sifnos Island is just one of his maritime territories. This should help you think more clearly about the situation.”
After Haiding’s broad figure disappeared into the shifting shadows of the tavern door, Cusley thoughtfully picked up his glass and drained it in one gulp. He really needed to consider this issue carefully. Perhaps the Southern Mid-Sea was about to enter an era of great upheaval.