Chapter Eleven: Three Women, One Drama

Lost in joy, Komer was completely unaware of the approaching crisis. After skillfully reaching an understanding with Frentz and Vazinkida, the situation suddenly became clearer. Without the covert support of the Church of Light, the Knights of Gothenburg found themselves utterly isolated.

Everyone around rushed to flatter and win Komer’s favor. The reconstruction of the Kingdom of Nicosia seemed an inevitable reality, though the Romanov dynasty had been replaced by the imagined Komer Empire. It was still uncertain whether the Lessor family would become the true symbol of this kingdom. After all, this unpredictable lord kept his origins a closely guarded secret. Judging from the attitudes of his close friends and advisors, Lord Komer seemed determined not to link the empire to the Lessor family—even he himself wanted no connection to them.

Nevertheless, the political structure of the kingdom was gradually taking shape. The Romanov family, represented by Lenta, though no longer possessing the glory of its former royal status, and representing the Anson family, indisputably became a powerful new force in Nicosia, meaning the Anson family would continue to maintain its influence.

Vero’s engagement to Komer also proved that the Storten family of Calais still held significant power. Although they might not return to the dominant position of the old Romanov era, they at least retained stability in political and economic terms, especially in Calais.

Vyrana’s marriage to Komer increased Besarabia’s influence in the Katin region of western Nicosia. In return, Nicosia’s influence in Besarabia also grew substantially. The stable alliance between the two sides enabled them to resist pressures from the north and west, in terms of politics, economy, and military affairs.

Immigrants from the three regions and indigenous Caucasians, having secured their economic advantages in the Greater Caucasus, began to make a political impact. Officials like Rese and Neptune were no longer satisfied with showcasing their talents in the Greater Caucasus; they sought a larger stage, and Homer and Katin undoubtedly provided them with that space.

On the military front, the Knights, barbarian forces, and orc forces formed a tripartite balance, constituting the backbone of Komer’s armed forces.

The Mage Corps and the Black Flame Knights play a pivotal role as forces independent of the kingdom’s official military. The armed forces of mortals and half-elves are not yet capable of becoming independent forces capable of competing with others. Although Komer strongly supports their growth, this is not something that can be changed overnight.

Everything is developing as Komer had planned. The Gothen Knights quickly surrendered to Komer’s harsh policies after losing external support. After eliminating some dissidents, the Gothen Knights became much more acceptable in Komer’s eyes, and merging them with the Katin Knights was put on the agenda. Once this knightly force was established, Nicomedia would have a powerful knightly force comparable to that of the Northern Alliance.

The Church of Light has already made concessions in Bessarabia, and the development of the Order of Mercy in Nicomedia has also been constrained in some way. Xuro has now shifted his focus to the south, especially after detecting signs that both the Order of Mercy and the Church of Light are moving southward. The Dark Holy Church is also making rapid, targeted adjustments to its strategy.

This is the balance Komer hopes to see—a balance in religious beliefs that helps secular forces return to their peak, especially in those worlds of half-orcs and barbarians, where mortal beliefs are even harder to penetrate. This is Komer’s exclusive domain of faith.

Lying lazily in bed, Komer propped his chin with one hand as he watched the woman arranging her hair accessories at the dressing table. A smooth, soft quilt covered him, and a faint scent of frankincense filled the room—it was another relaxed early summer morning.

The translucent silk underskirt outlined the woman’s full figure. Komer knew that beneath it lay the magnificent body he had just enjoyed, one he could relish at will. At the thought of this, he felt a heat rise in his body.

Putting on his robe, Komer silently approached the dressing table. The woman seemed to sense him getting up and raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Weren’t you going to rest a while longer? Why are you getting up?”

“Oh, without you, I can’t sleep alone in bed.” Komer smiled faintly, but his hands recklessly slid beneath the underskirt to touch the smooth skin.

“Oh, no, Komer. You were too fierce last night. You need to take care of your own body too.” Instead of resisting his advances, the woman stood up, seemingly to make things easier for him.

Komer’s hands quickly climbed onto those tall, full fleshy mounds. The unencased mounds kept changing shape under his touch, causing the woman to let out soft moans. Komer found himself somewhat out of control; with a gentle lift of her thin skirt, his hard erection pierced through her skin. After a sharp scream, the woman could only lie on the dressing table, accommodating the man’s fierce thrusts behind her. Along with the rhythmic shaking of the dressing table, faint, sensual moans echoed through the bedroom. After a long while, the bedroom finally settled back into silence. Both of them seemed still immersed in the aftereffects of orgasm, and the room was unnaturally quiet. “Komer, I really can’t stand you. Look, you’ve left my whole body weak—how am I supposed to go out in front of people?” A murmured whisper came from the woman lying collapsed on the dressing table. The blush on her face and the desire in her eyes were impossible to hide, especially from those sharp-eyed people from Giza. “Then take a day off.” “How can that be? Today, the main members of the Laurent family will arrive in Cyprus. They asked to meet me yesterday, and I agreed.” “Oh, what do those guys want now? Have I been too friendly to them, to the point where they really think they can make Nicosia their hometown?” Komer asked irritably. “Komer, it’s undeniable that the Giza people have a clear commercial advantage. Their arrival will bring about significant changes in the business climate and environment of the Homer region. I’ve been looking forward to their arrival. Cyprus has a much stronger economic foundation than Groningen and Maastricht, but right now it’s far behind them—even Odessa is better. I can’t tolerate this situation.” Struggling to free herself from Komer’s embrace, Lenta found herself growing more and more fascinated by this lifestyle. Komer’s strong, powerful body conquered her time and again, but that wasn’t the main reason. She wasn’t the kind of woman who craved physical pleasure; she was more drawn to the allure of power, and Komer happened to satisfy that desire of hers. Feeling the respectful and flattering looks from the nobles and gentry across Nicosia, and experiencing the merchants’ eagerness to win favor and gain positions, Lenta realized that power was like honeyed wine—not only sweet and delicious but also extremely intoxicating, making it impossible to resist.

“Lenta, don’t be too biased. The merchants from the Greater Caucasus region have just as substantial business capital as those from the Freemasons. You can’t focus only on one group; you need to maintain balance, understand? After all, the latter also provided considerable help when we first overcame difficulties. For both public and personal reasons, we should offer them some support.”
Komer reminded the woman, whose emotional perceptions were too easily influenced. Though Lenta was shrewd, she still had the same weaknesses as any woman in this regard.
“Mm, I’ll consider it,” Lenta nodded. The man behind her remained inside her body, unwilling to come out, and his restless behavior truly scared her. “Komer, may I ask you a bold question?”
“Hehe, Lenta, since when have you become so shy around me?”
“Um, have you never thought about Kakiya?”
Komer felt a slight stir in his heart. Kakiya’s alluring figure immediately came to mind. Even Lenta could sense the change in Komer’s mood, and a hint of jealousy filled her heart. She realized her question might be the stupidest thing she had ever done.
“Why ask that?”
“I don’t believe there’s nothing between you and Kakiya. My intuition tells me there’s some special relationship between you two,” Lenta said bravely.
“Hehe, maybe. I’m also looking forward to having a romantic encounter with her. But do you think it’s possible?” Komer gently stroked Lenta’s breasts, his body once again moving gently yet firmly.
“Oh, no, no, Komer! I really can’t take it anymore. Please…”
Lenta never expected this would backfire. A tingling sensation spread throughout her body. Helpless, she lay on the dressing table. Perhaps those two bitches, Vero and Vyrana, were better than Kakiya. How could she be so foolish to bring up such a topic? That was Lenta’s last thought as she lost herself in physical pleasure.
Watching Lenta’s plump figure climb into the carriage waiting outside and disappear, Komer smiled faintly. This period was probably the happiest time for her. Seeing her joyful expression, it seemed she was quite satisfied with this busy life. She was a woman born to navigate political affairs.
Compared to Lenta’s maturity and shrewdness, Vero resembled an immature girl. Although they weren’t much different in age, the psychological gap made their behaviors vastly different.

Komer sighed. Vero seemed utterly uninterested in these matters; aside from a slight concern for her own feelings toward Galle, she was indifferent to everything else. She preferred to spend time alone in quietness, discussing Shelley or Byron’s romantic poems, or eagerly going to the Cyprus Opera to watch a performance of “Madama Butterfly” by the Collins City Theater Company, or simply staying at home reading in peace. If Lenta was too prominent, Vero appeared too pure and quiet. Komer knew deep down that Lenta had been of great help to him, but in his heart he regarded her more as an assistant than as a woman—except in bed. And Vero? She brought him mental tranquility, soulful peace, and utter relaxation, free from any pressure. Perhaps that was what Vero offered him.

What about Vyrana? This little skylark’s political wisdom was not much inferior to Lenta’s. Though she lacked Lenta’s age and experience, Komer believed that in the near future, her performance would astonish everyone, including Lenta.

Women—always bringing endless joy to men while also causing countless troubles.

Komer shook his head, as if trying to cast these worries aside, and forced his thoughts back to matters at hand.

The Black Flame Knights had performed admirably, successfully keeping the Assyrians trapped in the Misty Flower Hills, preventing them from advancing. Puber and Haidrin should be able to carry out their plans well—so long as they could hold off the Assyrians long enough to allow their side to catch its breath, things would become much easier.

Komer’s thoughts flew aimlessly in the air, as if given wings.

The struggle between Gott and Katerina was gradually coming to an end. Without his support, Gott couldn’t last, even with those guys from the Vast Continent backing him. His downfall was only a matter of time. The question was whether ending him now was in his best interest.

Did Haidrin currently possess enough power to rival the Red-Haired Empress?

Neither Komer nor Haidrin was sure.

Controlling the seas meant controlling the Vast Continent—Komer firmly believed this, and it was why he had spared no effort to support Haidrin from the start.

Nicosia’s foundation lay on land, but its future lay in the seas. Whether it was the Southern Mid-Sea or the Vast Continent, Komer wanted Nicosia to have more say. The obstacle standing in his way was his former allies.

Komer’s mind once again saw that ghostly, handsome face.
Where to go?