Chapter 3: Potential Allies with Poor Character

“An explanation? Of course. But I don’t think your explanation, Mr. Karman, will change my impression. If one or two people say so, it might be bias, but if everyone from different perspectives says the same thing, then it’s likely the truth,” said Komer with a shrug and a faint smile.
Komer’s words made Karman’s expression darken. He hadn’t expected to leave such an impression on this lord after the entire canal project. It seemed that a few words alone wouldn’t be enough to dispel his doubts. The image of the Giza people was deeply ingrained in everyone’s minds, and with what had happened this time, Karman truly felt stuck.
Looking around, Karman realized it wasn’t the time for a detailed discussion. He could only silently retreat without saying another word. The others also dared not speak up on the topic. Even Carrera, who had wanted to praise the canal’s benefits, kept his mouth shut.
“Why are you silent? Although I’m not entirely satisfied with Mr. Karman’s performance in some aspects, I don’t deny his contributions to the canal construction. Once completed, this canal will connect the inland areas of the Caucasus and Leon, which is crucial for the development of both regions. To complete it in such a short time, Mr. Karman deserves great credit,” said Komer. Realizing his words might have hurt those who had worked hard on the canal project, he tried to comfort them, quickly improving Karman and the others’ moods.
“Lord, you’ve said everything that needed to be said. We’re already very satisfied if we receive your approval after this inspection,” said Carrera with a smile. “There’s still plenty of uncultivated land around Lake Nirel. I just hope the lord will consider giving more priority to the Leon region if more immigrants arrive. This could help alleviate the severe food shortage there and save a lot of transportation resources.”
“Hmm, your suggestion is good. I’ll consider it,” nodded Komer.

From the moment he left the shores of Lake Nirel, Komer knew that Kalamaní surely had something to say to him, but he didn’t pay it much mind. Those people from Giza were all profit-driven; even if they were helping him find an alchemist, it was likely out of personal gain, perhaps trying to manipulate matters related to the iron mines in Izmir. But for Komer, that wasn’t a bad thing—anyone who could bring in foreign capital to help develop his territory was welcome. As long as they were on his land, he wasn’t worried they would cause any trouble.

The carriage bumped along the uneven, makeshift dirt road. With the shaking carriage, Komer felt drowsy. This inspection of Leon—from Murey to Banasha, then to Mando, and finally to the shores of Lake Nirel—showed that Carrera was an outstanding talent. Not only was the economic development in his territory thriving, but social order was also relatively stable. Of course, this was partly due to the many mines in operation and the massive labor demands of the canal construction projects. But once the canal projects were completed, a large number of unemployed half-orcs and barbarians would become a problem. Komer had thought further than anyone else about this. They were accustomed to a life where hard work meant enough food and even a drink. If these half-orcs and barbarians suddenly lost their jobs, where would they go? This was no longer just an economic issue but a social one.

The army expansion couldn’t recruit that many workers, and besides, how much wealth could such a large workforce generate for him? But now, to deal with these surplus workers, he needed to find them another way out. Barbarians and half-orcs weren’t suitable as farmers. Even if given land for free, they couldn’t farm and harvest like ordinary people—their race made it impossible for them to become competent farmers.

A rapid sound of horse hooves approached from behind. Komer didn’t need to think to know it must be that man from Giza trying to take this opportunity to talk to him. But it was still a long way to Santiago, and Komer also wanted someone to talk to to pass the boring time during the journey.

“My lord…”

“Please have Mr. Kalamaní come up. I have plenty of time to listen to his explanation,” Komer interrupted the guard and said directly.

“Yes, my lord. You’re aware, then. Mr. Kalamaní just caught up,” the guard replied, looking surprised.

“Hmph, let him come up. I hope he can bring me something pleasant,” Komer said with a half-smile.
Karmanni sat across from Komer, feeling somewhat uneasy. The carriage was spacious enough to accommodate four people, but being alone with just the two of them still made Karmanni feel oppressed—a mental and psychological pressure unrelated to the space itself. Even he was surprised by this. He had met many lords and nobles on the continent, and even when encountering kings of smaller nations, he had never felt such pressure. Yet in front of this man, who was always regarded as a playboy, he felt tense, as if he had nowhere to hide under those deep eyes.
“Mr. Karmanni, it seems you really have a lot to discuss. Don’t be too restrained. I’m quite casual—there’s no need for you to worry,” Komer said, noticing the other man’s unease. The mental pressure he exerted was evident, even unintentionally. Even if he didn’t deliberately do anything, it still made the other man uncomfortable.
“Lord Komer, I think you have a prejudice against the Giza people, including our Laurent family. I hope I can dispel this unfair view of you,” Karmanni said after taking a deep breath.
“Oh? Do you really think that’s necessary, Mr. Karmanni? Or am I that important in your eyes? I don’t think I deserve such high regard. Your Laurent family has businesses and interests in other places too. Do you treat everyone this way wherever you go?” Komer was surprised. He hadn’t expected such words from him. He had thought Karmanni might have other business deals in mind, not that he just wanted to explain things.
“Well, of course not. In other places, we simply act as businessmen,” Karmanni shook his head.
“Then I’m curious why Mr. Karmanni values me so much. Is it because of the business opportunities in the Caucasus and Homer, or because of me personally?” Komer found it increasingly interesting.
“Both, I suppose. But more importantly, we’re more interested in Lord Komer himself,” Karmanni smiled, and the atmosphere relaxed considerably.
“Oh, I see. I do feel a bit complacent,” Komer laughed too.

“Lord Komer, many people, including you, likely look down on us Giza people, considering us greedy and money-obsessed, believing that we would sacrifice our morals for profit. But Lord Komer, have you ever wondered why we are like this? We mainly engage in business, and we could conduct business normally like other merchants, but we have to earn more profits. Sometimes, we have to act against our conscience. Don’t we know that this will only attract more hatred and resentment, making it even harder for us to survive in this world?” Karmanee stared at Komer and spoke slowly, word by word.

Komer nodded. He was also eager to hear an explanation. It was said that the Giza people were business geniuses who could establish themselves as the wealthy class wherever they went, but they had no political status and were despised everywhere. This unique and awkward position meant that wherever the Giza people went, they attracted curious glances.

“Why? It all stems from that damned Light Church!” Karmanee said through gritted teeth.

“What do you mean?” Komer was surprised.

“If it weren’t for them describing us Giza people as traitors driven by greed in their so-called ‘Holy Book,’ how would we have ended up like this?” A blush appeared on Karmanee’s face. “That bunch of idiots from the Light Church invented a so-called ‘Holy Book’ to deceive the world, portraying us Giza people as representatives of traitors and unscrupulous merchants. As those deceived people followed their teachings, they also pushed us Giza people to the opposite side of everyone else. Over the centuries, our living conditions have gotten worse and worse. Everywhere we live, we have to endure disdain from those people. We have no political rights or social status, and we have to pay taxes several times higher than ordinary merchants. Our children suffer discrimination too. In such a situation, how can we not try to earn more money to prepare for the future?”

Karmanee’s words immediately cleared up the doubts that had long lingered in Komer’s mind. So that’s how it is! The Giza people never believed in the Light Church, and the Light Church never accepted them as members. No wonder Karmanee didn’t want to bring up this issue in front of Carrera—after all, Carrera was still a believer in the Light Church on the surface.

“Mr. Kalamani, I can understand the feelings of you Giza people. It’s true that the Light Church’s actions in fabricating insults against the Giza people have had a severe negative impact on their living conditions. However, there are indeed well-known harmful behaviors among you Giza people as well. To be precise, it’s the combined effect of these two factors that has led to your current situation. Of course, I believe the former plays a much larger role.” Komer nodded and said, “But it surprises me that you take such great pains to explain to me why your people have ended up in such a plight. I know my own worth well; I don’t think I deserve such high regard from you Giza people. I’m just a noble lord.”

“Lord Komer, I don’t want to hide anything. Even if you hadn’t come to inspect the shores of Lake Nirel this time, I would have visited you. I’m not representing just myself—I’m representing the entire Laurent family, and even the entire Giza people, to discuss some matters with you, my lord.” Kalamani wore a very serious and solemn expression.

Komer vaguely sensed that something was about to happen. He even guessed at the other party’s intentions. Yet he wondered why they would choose him. With their wealth and resources, they surely didn’t have to pick him—many countries in the central and southern regions that didn’t believe in the Light Church should be willing to accept their terms.

“Why me? Or rather, why the Caucasus and Homer?” Komer asked calmly. “I don’t think I’m the most suitable candidate.”

Kalamani trembled, his face showing disbelief. “Lord Komer, you already know?”

“Mr. Kalamani, I’m not an idiot. You’re persistently coming to see me—surely it’s not just for some business matters. If so, you could have gone to Puber. You must have discussed this with Puber as well, right? Was it Puber who gave you this idea? Hmph, that traitor—couldn’t he just tell me directly? Why did he have to send you to me?” Komer pretended to be annoyed.

“No, no, Lord Komer, please don’t misunderstand. Although Puber is my close friend and I did indeed seek his advice, he believes this matter involves many complications. Not only do we Giza people have a poor reputation in the Light Church’s controlled areas, but the same is true in other regions as well. Though it’s all the work of the Light Church, the damage has already been done, and it won’t take a day or two to restore our Giza people’s reputation. So he isn’t entirely in favor of our idea. But through this canal project, I’ve seen the true situation in the areas under your lordship’s rule. That’s why, after discussing it with my family members, I came to discuss this matter with you directly.”

Karmanni’s attitude seemed very honest, but Komer knew he couldn’t have come to him rashly without consulting Puber first. The Giza people were just as skilled at acting as those professional bards.

“Alright, Mr. Karmanni. You know my relationship with Puber. I certainly won’t punish him for that, so there’s no need for you to act here. I want to hear your thoughts now—no need to hide anything. It’s best to be straightforward.” Komer waved his hand, signaling that there was no need for further explanation and that it was better to get straight to the point.