Chapter 7: The Back Garden

Despite the other party’s rather impolite behavior, Karmado remained quite restrained. The Barbarossa family was not yet strong enough to pose a threat to the Odysseus family in terms of armor and weapons manufacturing, and they wouldn’t be able to do so for some time. Karmado had no objection to introducing Komer to them—the Odysseus family still maintained business relations with the Barbarossa family. A large portion of the goods shipped from Patras to the north also relied on the Barbarossa family’s ships. Although their relationship was not harmonious, they still maintained polite interactions.

After the introductions, the Barbarossa family’s Baski clearly showed great interest in Komer, especially upon learning that Komer was there to place an order for armor from the Odysseus family. His eyes darted around, clearly plotting something. But Karmado didn’t care what he was thinking. The Barbarossa family’s armor and weapons workshops had only been established recently, and they lacked both technical expertise and scale to handle such a large order. Moreover, once the goods were completed, they would likely need to use the Barbarossa family’s ships to transport them to the Caucasus. So Karmado let Baski chatter on as he pleased.

However, Komer wasn’t bothered by having another talkative companion on this picturesque journey. Since the Hayredin group had been driven out by the Barbarossa family, it meant these people still had some influence in Sparta and the Southern Seas. From Karmado’s words, it was clear that the Barbarossa family still held a significant position in Sparta’s shipping industry. If he wanted to stir up trouble in the Southern Seas, he would have to deal with these powerful families.

The idle chatter continued until they arrived at the shore of Lake Castoria, where they stopped their ship. A restaurant with a beautiful lakeside setting provided Komer and his group with an unforgettable lunch. Fortunately, during the meal, Mr. Baski remained restrained and didn’t chatter incessantly in front of them, allowing Komer to enjoy his grilled sturgeon in peace. The sturgeon, with its insides removed and filled with spices using bamboo sticks, was then coated in oil and roasted over a pine fire. The rich aroma filling the air was intoxicating even before tasting it. Paired with fine lime wine, it truly gave one a sense of being in paradise.

This sumptuous lunch lifted Komer’s mood considerably. The tea time was spent on the deck. Although Karmado didn’t want to sit with Baski, under the circumstances, he had no choice but to accompany Komer on the deck to enjoy the serene scenery of Lake Castoria. It wasn’t until they crossed Lake Castoria and entered the Pindus Valley that the weather turned cooler, and the three of them returned to the cabin to continue their tea time.

After some mutual probing, Komer finally understood why Mr. Baski from the Barbarossa family was so interested in him. He wasn’t interested in Komer himself but wanted to use him as a means to learn about the policy changes in the Caucasus. It seemed that news of Komer’s disappearance had reached the Southern Central Ocean. Since the Caucasus and Leon had become the most important sources of iron ore, crude iron, and anthracite in the Southern Central Ocean, the Barbarossa family’s fleet, benefiting from the massive trade between these two regions, was naturally very concerned about Komer’s whereabouts as their lord there. That wasn’t a problem, and Komer also wanted to learn more detailed information from him about the Southern Central Ocean, especially about the important figures who would attend the Olympic Games held in Athens.

To this day, Komer still hadn’t fully determined the exact purpose of his trip to Athens. Besides ordering 500 sets of armor for the Caucasus Self-Defense Forces, he also wanted to understand the complex relationships and grudges among the various countries and city-states in the Southern Central Ocean region, so as to make better use of them to serve the Caucasus and Leon in the future.

After crossing the rugged and magnificent Pindus Valley, they entered the plain area in central Sparta. This was an important agricultural region in Sparta, with olive groves and vineyards stretching one after another. Olives and grapes were the most important economic crops in central Sparta, and the olive oil extracted from them and the wine produced there were renowned. In particular, Sparta’s olive oil was the most important export product of the region. Even in the wealthy families of Homer and the Caucasus, Sparta’s jarred olive oil was a symbol of luxury, not something that every family could afford.

Baski’s somewhat lewd appearance was in complete contrast to his eloquent speech; even Karmado paled in comparison. After Karmado, somewhat tired, retreated to his private room, only Comer and Baski remained in the spacious indoor café. It was clear that Karmado held no fondness for Mr. Baski, but the Barbarossa family was not someone the Odysseus family wanted to offend. Under such circumstances, retreating in an unpolite manner might be a sensible choice. Karmado had long noticed that Baski seemed intent on extracting something from him as well, his major client.

When he learned that Comer had spent 300,000 gold shields to buy the island of Sifnos from the Tyrrhenians, Comer felt he had become nothing but a wealthy idiot in Baski’s eyes. Baski’s eloquence grew even greater as he continued to promote various properties owned by the Barbarossa family across different locations—two castles and vast forests and pastures in Athens, a large tract of land in the northwest of the Iberian Kingdom, and a small island off the coast of Patras.

“Mr. Kaladin, Cotton Castle and Crystal Castle are undoubtedly the best choices for your investment. Athens is the most prosperous and beautiful city in the entire Southern Mediterranean region. Whether for business or residence, choosing Athens will be a wise decision. With your wealth and status, it’s hard to imagine you would host a grand banquet for guests using someone else’s castle if you didn’t have a proper residence there. In your free time, you can engage in horse racing and hunting; the pastures and forests can satisfy all your hobbies.”

“Hehe, Mr. Baski, as you say, I indeed intend to acquire some properties in Athens. However, I’m not very familiar with Athens or the properties you’ve recommended. Moreover, my main purpose for coming to Athens this time is to order armor, so…” Comer said with an apologetic expression.

“No problem, Mr. Kaladin. You can investigate whether Cotton Castle and Crystal Castle are worth investing in. Our Barbarossa family has an excellent reputation throughout the Southern Mediterranean—there’s no doubt about that. We hope to maintain a good relationship with Mr. Kaladin and believe we’ll have more business dealings in the future.” Baski’s smile seemed somewhat distorted, appearing strange to Comer.

“Mr. Karmado, what do you think of the property that Mr. Baski recommended to me?” The setting sun cast a golden glow, revealing the Akmon River at its most beautiful as it flowed peacefully. Komer leaned against the side of the boat and asked casually.

“If Mr. Kaladin truly intends to purchase property in Sparta, Athens is certainly the best choice. I must also admit that the property Baski recommended to you is indeed worth that much money. I can’t understand spending three hundred thousand gold shields on Syphnos Island, but places like Cotton Castle and Crystal Castle, along with the surrounding pastures and forests, are definitely worth five hundred thousand gold shields. Well, to be honest, it’s a good deal.” After pondering for a while, Karmado, who had rested all afternoon, seemed in high spirits.

“Oh? It seems Mr. Karmado doesn’t have a very high opinion of Mr. Baski. Why then do you give such high praise to Baski’s recommendation? Mr. Baski said that the Barbarossa family will use Patras as their base, so they will gradually transfer their properties in Athens. Is that the reason?” Komer asked, puzzled.

“Oh, that property being a good deal has nothing to do with the Barbarossa family transferring their assets. Does Mr. Kaladin not realize that besides shipping, the Barbarossa family is also involved in another business?” Karmado’s gaze toward Komer became somewhat strange.

“Usury?” After a brief thought, Komer realized it. “Was that property obtained through collateral?”

“Hmm, the original owner was Marquis Solomon of the Iberian Kingdom. He was a famous playboy who owned a large territory there. Unfortunately, the barbarians broke through the Gdańsk fortress on the border of the Iberian Kingdom and destroyed it completely, turning his territory into a backyard for the barbarians. Meanwhile, in Athens, he became infatuated with a woman he shouldn’t have loved. To win her heart, he spent one million gold shields in just half a year and incurred huge debts with the Barbarossa family. Naturally, Cotton Castle and Crystal Castle became the property of the Barbarossa family.”

With a soft sigh, Karmado shook his head regretfully. “The current Marquis Solomon is penniless now.”

“Oh, no wonder. Mr. Baski said he’s willing to offer a large piece of land from the Iberian Kingdom as an additional bonus. If I were to purchase this property, I wonder if it might be Marquis Solomon’s territory?” Komer asked thoughtfully.

“Hmph, that territory is vast, but it’s worth nothing now. The Iberian Kingdom has completely given up on that area and rebuilt a fortress defense line. Besides, hmph, Baski is really generous.” Camado sneered, then added, “But Cotton Castle and Crystal Castle are indeed worth all that money. Yet everyone knows that no member of the Barbarossa family could live in those two castles, so they’re all waiting for the Barbarossa family to sell them at a low price. Who would have thought Baski would target you instead?”