Chapter 9: Seeking Change

Puber jumped off the deck and stood on the simple pier, looking around. He moved his body, which had become stiff from sitting on the ship for too long. The warm sea breeze carried a hint of moisture, making his hair slightly damp.

All around were somewhat chaotic shrublands—purplish-red eucalyptus, grayish-yellow broomwood, and pine-like arrows with small white flowers—common shrubs in the south. They grew in clusters everywhere, stretching as far as the inland, where only tree forests about three to five meters tall could be faintly seen.

In the distance, a winding path twisted its way inland. There were hardly any people on it. Apart from the area around the dock within two or three hundred meters, it was completely deserted, like a remote wilderness.

Puber sighed. This hellish place was far inferior to Ugru and Matdan back then. At least there, there were some indigenous people and at least two passable roads.

Here, Puber knew well that the presence around this dock was entirely thanks to Haideling. As for roads, they couldn’t even be called that—just paths trampled by a few people, possibly even used by wild beasts.

Puber had no choice but to sigh. It was an order from his boss; he had to go. He understood full well that this place had no economic value at all, but it was a strategic stronghold to prevent the Assyrians from advancing eastward. Further west and north lay the heart of the Mistflower Hills, with its mangrove forests. If the Assyrians managed to control those forests and the Iris Basin, their influence would truly spread into the Southern Central Ocean region.

Nicosia currently didn’t have the strength to extend its influence there, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t in the future. Allowing the Assyrians to take the lead was certainly something Komer didn’t want to see. Helping the forest elves resist the oppression of the dark elves was just an excuse; the real goal was to prevent the Assyrians from reaching the Southern Central Ocean before Nicosia could.

The prosperous regions of the countries along the coasts of the Southern Central Ocean were too far away. There was almost no human activity in this area, and the elves’ closed-off customs also deterred merchants from showing interest. Without government support, no one would willingly come here to seek business opportunities. And now, he had to be the one to bear the brunt.

“Haideling, how many people are here right now?”

“Probably a little over a hundred people, most of them being the sailors and rowers we brought along. Only a few merchants have come to scout the area first.” Haireding stood at the bow, hands on his hips, gazing into the mirror-like blue waters. This season was one of the rare calm periods in the Stormy Ocean, making it ideal for long voyages. It was just a shame the place was so desolate.

“Hmm, Komer wants us to establish a forward base here to curb the Assyrians’ ambitions. Heh, this is really tough for us—no people, no supplies, no morale. How are we supposed to build anything? Can just the few of us really turn this place around?” Pupber rolled his eyes.

“Mr. Pupber, the lord has entrusted you with planning the development of this place. I’m just helping you out. You decide how to do it. We can do the running around and physical labor without problem. As for security, Vladkov’s Black Flame Knights and the mages will take care of it. There’s no immediate issue,” Haireding said, also feeling troubled. Sifnos Island was too far away—a week’s journey by sea, and that only if everything went smoothly.

“What a miserable fate! All these bad things always fall on me. Damn Ilot! Never again! Komer is just trying to drive me crazy, to crush my motivation,” Pupber said resentfully. “He can’t stand me resting in one place even for a day.”

“Mr. Pupber, those who are capable work harder. Only you can reassure the lord,” Haireding flattered.

“Hmph, Haireding, don’t try to trick me. Since I’m here, how can I leave?” Pupber retorted bitterly. “But this damned place needs some basic facilities to even consider development. There’s nothing here—not even any value. How can we plan anything?”

“Didn’t Lord Komer say we could try to get the forest elves to help? If we can persuade them to come out, half the problem will be solved,” Haireding reminded him. “Isn’t Miss Fenitz the princess of the forest elves?”

“Hmph, Komer really suffers because of women. If it weren’t for that girl Fenitz sleeping with him, would he be going to such lengths to rally the forest elves? What do they care about us, alive or dead?” Pupber blathered nonsense.

Haireding had no reply. This governor was known for his blunt speech, even in front of the lord.

“Alright, Hairedin, stop pretending to be distressed. If there’s anything to worry about, it’s my problem. Didn’t Komer tell us to focus on the forest elves? Well then, let Vladkov and the others take a break for now, so as to put pressure on the forest elves. We need to make them realize that to maintain their relative independence, they must cooperate with us. Cooperation is mutual—we can help them, and in return, they should understand our difficulties. There are many good things in the mangrove forest; maybe we should take some of them here for exchange. That would also improve the quality of life for the forest elves. It’s a win-win situation.”

“It’s not just the forest elves who are under the oppression of the dark elves; the others are in a similar situation as well. We might as well reach out to them all. In fact, the forest elves are the most conservative among these elves. What won’t work with them might work with the others.” Hairedin’s words clearly showed careful consideration.

“Hmm, only by exchanging goods and facilitating trade can we stay here. Otherwise, with this ruined dock, no merchants will come. Even if the Assyrians don’t show up, I doubt we can stay either.” Pube pondered for a moment. “But initially, we need to bring in more merchants to break the deadlock. We need to study the elves’ preferences and thoughts and carry out targeted actions. I think their methods are far more diverse than we imagine.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Pube. The elves aren’t satisfied with their current situation either, and they strongly desire change. I think all we need to do is create some urgency, making them realize that change is inevitable.” Hairedin nodded, arms crossed.