Chapter Eleven: Seville

“The Spire of Repentance? The Holy City of Marco?” With a soft sigh, Komer had actually anticipated this outcome. If he was already seen by the Inquisition as an unforgivable demon, then Rebrí was merely a lost lamb sunk in the dark world. After all, Rebrí had once enjoyed a glorious career within the Church of Light. Saving him and bringing him back to the light meant far more to Noroya and Lorenzo than executing this remnant of darkness.
“So, what’s Rebrí’s situation now?”
“That’s unknown. The Spire of Repentance is a prison used by the Inquisition to lock up heretics and those who have strayed. It’s guarded by the powerful Order of Holy Knights, and there are also the Hidden Monks living there. No one dares to challenge them.” Mihajevic shrugged. “In history, aside from the former Dark Emperor Kenifer III, who once challenged those Hidden Monks, it seems no one has ever broken this taboo.”
“Oh? Who are those monks? What was the outcome of Kenifer III’s challenge?” Komer’s gaze sharpened.
“Those monks are scholars who possess a profound understanding of the Church of Light’s doctrines. They remain obscure within the Church but have spent years studying its teachings and laws. Over time, their powers have reached an unfathomable level. Many self-proclaimed genius magicians and martial artists have tried to prove themselves by challenging them, only to fail—among them, even those who had reached the ranks of archmages and holy knights.” Mihajevic’s expression turned solemn. “The story of Kenifer III’s challenge to the Hidden Monks is not known to the outside world. I only know that it happened; as for the details, I’m unaware. But since the Church of Light hasn’t publicized it, it seems the Hidden Monks didn’t come out on top either.”
“So, we can’t break free from this prison now?” Komer murmured to himself.

“It’s difficult, my lord. In Marco, we not only have to deal with the Inquisition but also consider the power of the major cathedrals. I personally believe we can’t change this situation in the short term. Of course, Rebrí won’t be in danger of death there—since the Inquisition sent him to the Tower of Confession, it means they don’t intend to resolve things in extreme ways.” Mihajevic nodded. “Perhaps one day, when our strength has grown enough, we’ll have the chance to challenge this taboo.”

“Hmph. We’ll repay them with the same shame. I hope that day won’t come too soon.” Komer grunted heavily. “The good aspects of the Light Church were completely ruined by these vermin, and its inherent flaws have been exposed. Every thing goes through rises and falls—on the outside it seems splendid, but inside it’s rotten. That’s the best description of the Light Church’s current situation. It’s like a giant with muddy feet, waiting for someone to give it the final push so it collapses. If we’re fortunate enough to play that role, I would be honored.”

“My lord, your aspirations are noble, but we must not underestimate the power of the Light Church. They’ve been able to stand firm on the continent for centuries for a reason. The Dark Forces have been fragmented since the collapse of the Dark Empire. I know you’ve been working to unite them, but it’s only just beginning. The Dark Forces have a solid foundation in the south, but their development in the upper classes is nowhere near comparable to the Light Church’s roots across the north. To reverse this disadvantage, the Dark Forces still need to make a lot of effort. Though I dislike the Light Church, I never underestimate them. That’s just my humble opinion,” said Mihajevic calmly.

“Mihajevic, thank you for your kindness.” Komer held this master of puppet magic in high regard. Though his gentle reminders weren’t pleasant to hear, they were indeed true—far more sober than those blindly optimistic high priests.

The barbarians’ attitude wasn’t a surprise to Komer. The Karon and Kabo tribes had clearly expressed their intentions, and although the attitudes of the other tribes hadn’t been stated outright, Komer could sense the discord among them. As long as the Karon and Kabo tribes lost interest in the siege of Brandenburg, he believed this atmosphere would soon spread to the other tribes, causing the Mountain People’s alliance’s fierce offensive to dissipate. It would also cast a shadow over their future cooperation. This was a generous gift from Komer to the Kingdom of Iberia, one that would surely earn the Iberians’ gratitude and make them aware of his influence.

Although the reconstruction of the Gdańsk Fortress was put on the agenda, the Mountain People proposed using some time as a buffer to allow more of their tribes to accept this reality. After much consideration, Komer agreed to their suggestion. His intention was to prevent the Mountain People from uniting, but making Flanders a thorn in their side didn’t align with his plans. His ultimate goal was to gradually bind all the Mountain People to his own cause, allowing him to control them at will. Of course, this plan was too ambitious, with many details that needed careful planning.

Seville was undoubtedly the brightest jewel in the entire Pyrenean Plain. The towering and rugged Pyrenees Mountains stretched across the north of the plain, enclosing it entirely. The gentle southern foothills provided excellent natural pastures, and the cheese and butter produced there were renowned throughout the continent. Meanwhile, the narrow coastal lands along the Ebro River in the east were the most famous grape-growing regions, and the wine made from these grapes was regarded as a national treasure by the Iberians.

Seville had been the capital of the kingdom since the Alfonso family unified the Pyrenean Plain and established the Kingdom of Iberia. Though the Pyrenees Mountains served as a natural barrier, Seville, as the capital, was built to be even more magnificent and fortified than any other city in the region. The threat from the barbarians had always loomed as a huge shadow over the people of the Pyrenean Plain, and strengthening their capital was a desire shared by every Iberian. Even if it meant imposing higher taxes for this purpose, no one complained.

It was Kommer’s first time in Seville. With its grandeur reminiscent of northern continental cities and the ornate style of southern castles, Seville immediately captivated him. The fertility and prosperity of the Pyrenean plains also left him in awe. Even the Busen Plain, once considered a land of abundance in Kommer’s eyes, paled in comparison to the Pyrenean plains—dense with population, well-irrigated, filled with canals, and covered in orchards. As he traveled southeast from Flanders through the Pyrenean passes, every place he passed left him in astonishment.

The banquet at the Magni Palace had reached its climax. This welcoming feast was clearly meant to please Kommer, who appeared as Caladrian; otherwise, as merely an agent of a lord, he could never have received such lavish treatment, unless he had arrived in his true identity.

The barbarians finally withdrew from Brandenburg. Clearly, there were problems in their coordination, with many gaps in the coordination between their various armies, which surprised the officers of the allied forces greatly. Yet the shadow cast by the barbarians over the allied forces was too profound. The terrified Iberian and Smyrna allied forces did not dare seize this opportunity but remained behind the walls of Brandenburg, watching helplessly as the chaotic barbarian armies retreated in stages, until they completely disappeared from the already devastated Melan River valley. Only then did they dare send scouts to investigate what had happened.

Nevertheless, the withdrawal of the barbarian armies finally brought relief to the Iberians and Smyrnans. After months of intense fighting, although the allied forces were on the defensive and had certain advantages, the ferocity and wildness of the barbarians had become too much for them to bear. Dozens of exhausted allied soldiers suffered mental breakdowns due to the brutality of the war. Every night, the barracks were filled with cries of people awakened by nightmares, terrifying the residents of Brandenburg and keeping them awake at night, fearing the castle might be captured.

Kommer’s prophecy finally came true, filling the Iberians and Smyrnans with gratitude and curiosity toward this new Cossack lord of Nicomedia who had recently assumed the title of a Flanders lord. After all, his ability to persuade the barbarians to withdraw was an enormous boon. Yet the fact that a Cossack lord could wield such influence among the barbarians left the Iberians both skeptical and worried.

The martini wine was drained with a crisp sound. Beaming, João II signaled the waiter to bring another glass for Komer. There was no need for him to be so polite toward this Sosor merchant, who was the king of an Iberian kingdom, but João II still patiently maintained his composure, hoping to use this man to understand the Caucasian lord behind him—Komer, his vassal. Komer could also tell that His Majesty the King wasn’t interested in him; what interested the king was how he could make the barbarians withdraw their troops. Answering this question poorly could bring many negative consequences. A vassal who could influence the strength of the barbarians was never a good sign for a king, so João II’s caution was understandable.