Chapter Nineteen: Bonds
After delegating matters related to the Principality of Bohemia to Carmanini, Komer stopped paying attention to them. He trusted those he employed and avoided doubting them; he believed the Gran family understood the significance of this matter and would consider how to deliver a satisfactory outcome. If the Gran family could truly pass this test, Komer intended to have serious talks with the entire Giza group.
Late autumn in Livonia was filled with tranquility and peace. Compared to Poznan, it resembled a quiet haven, while Poznan was like a chaotic fishery. Living a leisurely life here might also be a form of happiness, thought Komer, but he knew this was not his own life.
From Livonia, one could head west directly into the heart of the Principality of Bessarabia—the Buzak Plain. After the orcs captured Jazair, Bessarabia announced its withdrawal from the Northern Alliance. At the same time, the Principality of Bessarabia was working to improve relations with its southwestern neighbor, the Kingdom of Bohemia, to counter pressure from the Northern Alliance countries. With rapid changes in the situation within the Principality of Nicomedia, Bessarabia became interested in Komer, who was rising in power east of Nicomedia. Vrjana’s marriage issue was undoubtedly a test.
Pale yellow daisies, purple violets, and white marigolds—Komer took a deep breath. The rich mixture of floral scents enveloped him, as if he were immersed in a dense aroma that was intoxicating. This rare pleasure was indeed a great opportunity for Komer to relax his mind.
Lying on the grassy slope, Komer didn’t want to see anyone or think about anything at that moment. He simply wanted to lie there quietly, feeling the setting sun as it descended behind the mountains.
News of Komer’s arrival in Livonia spread immediately, and the arrival of 2,500 orc troops only confirmed this. Of course, those who had been eagerly waiting couldn’t miss this. Both Kajia and Andonescu, the representative of the Grand Duke of Bessarabia, learned right away that Lord Komer, who had achieved a great victory in the battle of Poznan, had arrived.
Kagiyaa still maintained her reserve, seemingly hoping to remain as she used to be. Komer found this amusing. The reality had changed drastically; if one couldn’t see the situation clearly and continued to indulge in self-delusion, was it really necessary or worthwhile to uphold so-called pride and dignity? Reality determined everything. Refusing to face reality or always hoping for things to turn out well was undoubtedly the behavior of a coward. And now, both Kagiyaa of Katin and Hoffman of Gothenburg showed signs of such behavior. What were they waiting for? That they would suddenly show kindness and save them? Or to maintain this delicate balance? But how long could that last? It was self-deception.
This was clearly unrealistic, but Komer couldn’t ignore public sentiment for now. If it weren’t for that, he would have already taken action to eliminate those two pitiful people. In contrast, Hoffman seemed much calmer. The envoy from Gothenburg had arrived, indicating that Hoffman had realized many problems and needed to calmly deal with the harsh realities. Komer was also regretful—this was how reality was. The former ruler was now reduced to a vassal, a reality no one wanted to face. Komer found it difficult to handle as well. Publicly overthrowing the Romanov dynasty wasn’t what he wanted; it would cause significant damage to his already weak popular support. He preferred to solve these two problems gradually and subtly. But he didn’t need to be so cautious about Silesia and Calais.
The envoy from Bessarabia was said to have set off from Kishinev, suggesting that Bessarabia also valued this marriage greatly. Komer knew it wasn’t because he was particularly likable, but rather because the situation made many people value his status and power.
Vulyana? The most beautiful skylark of the Buzak Plain? Komer had little interest in this girl he had never met. Women’s status in Komer’s eyes kept dropping. Unless a girl was truly special, she couldn’t attract his attention at all.
It seems that Kakiya still refuses to let go of Livonia and has not given herself a clear answer yet. Her influence has already become unbearable for them; if she loses Livonia as well, perhaps Kakiya will truly have no one left to bargain with. But should she be allowed to keep Livonia just because she refuses to hand it over? Komer smirked slightly—how childish. Everyone seems to make these mistakes, insisting on something they know is unwise. Why bother?
Hoffman has clearly extended an olive branch, officially giving Livonia to him, but this generosity is conditional on Livonia belonging to Kakiya. Anyone can be generous at someone else’s expense, and Komer certainly understands this. Livonia is very important to him. The Zuck Valley is far too small. With the entire Livonia as a base, his sphere of influence can be greatly expanded—especially to influence Bessarabia to the west and the entire central region of Nicosia to the north. It can function like the two ends of a dumbbell, with the vast eastern region of Nicosia at one end and the western region centered around Livonia at the other. The Little Greenland Forest will serve as the connecting link between these two unevenly sized ends—a new beginning.
The development of the Little Greenland Forest is still progressing actively. Puber is still sparing no effort for this project. Komer has told Puber that to truly integrate the Caucasus with Nicosia, the development of the Little Greenland Forest is essential. Although Homer is now in his hands, the Homerians’ long-standing contempt for the Caucasus cannot be completely erased in just a few years.
To develop the Little Greenland Forest, the Nise River is a crucial element. It’s necessary to fully open up the Nise River basin, including Lake Nise, to create a smooth route from Fortress Bruce to the Zuck Valley in southern Livonia. This is the task Puber needs to complete now, especially since the canal project has already been finished, making this task even more important and urgent.