Chapter 1258: Chapter 686: No Easy Pickings
King Yasan’s stern, square face couldn’t help but show a slight smile as he said, “You are indeed as straightforward as Taina described. I enjoy dealing with straightforward people. Regarding the matter of purchasing grain and military supplies from the Valley, I’ve already received Taina’s report. It’s a very good idea; however, Kormyr is not suited to handle this directly, as doing so could provoke suspicion and obstructions from multiple parties.
Why not divide the tasks? The procurent effort can be managed by the General, while sea transportation can be handled by us in Kormyr. The profits will be evenly split. What do you think?”
Whether King Yasan is a business genius remains unknown, but his task delegation is spot on, leveraging the strengths of all parties.
Gaven possesses the flexibility and adaptability that the Kormyr Kingdom lacks, and he faces relatively less resistance in the Valley—although the main challenges stem from the Santarin Association and the Sambiyan Kingdom.
For years, the three major powers have been vying for control over the Valley.
You don’t truly believe that the Valley, with its dismal political structure, could withstand an invasion from any one of the three powers, do you?
The Valley does indeed have the protection of top-tier individuals like Irminster and Storm, but both Kormyr and the Santarin Association possess figures of comparable strength. Countering them is not particularly difficult.
The Valley’s continued survival is the result of the balance and rivalry among the three powers.
The Valley’s inability to rise and unify has also been due to these powers not allowing it. Should anyone stand out, they will imdiately unite to suppress them—1356’s Valley Lord of Scar Valley, Lashan, is a pri example.
Thus, while Gaven has been expanding territories in Battle Valley, he wouldn’t rashly start a unification war in the Valley. Such an endeavor requires opportunity—sothing that arises when the three major powers are too preoccupied with their own problems—or Gaven must grow strong enough to withstand the pressure of a united siege from all three forces.
In short, if the Kormyr Kingdom attempts to move in the Valley, the Santarin Association and Sambiyan Kingdom won’t even ask for a reason; they’ll imdiately intervene to obstruct.
But Gaven is different. Even if he now shows signs of leaning towards the Kormyr Kingdom, given the value he currently demonstrates, the Santarin Association and Sambiyan Kingdom would desperately try to woo him.
As for the tis when the Santarin Association and Sambiyan Kingdom secretly plotted against him—trying to treat him as a fat lamb, preventing his rise—
it can only be explained by the saying that there are no permanent enemies in this world.
At least, this saying holds true for these profit-driven organizations, especially the Santarin Association. Having spent over a decade within it, Gaven understands the workings of the Dark Intelligence Network far too well. For this vast network, whether Gaven sched against it, plundered its goods, or waged war against Dark Castle in Goblin Margins—it was all a process of proving his strength. Only by doing so could he qualify to join the entire dark network.
Entering in this manner, of course, does not an joining as slave cannon fodder. At the very least, one becos a rising local backbone. Upon joining, one imdiately gains a degree of resource favoritism, greater authority, and steps onto the fast track to success. But the cost is steep—in this process, one’s soul slowly becos tainted until it plunges into darkness.
The situation with the Sambiyan Kingdom is quite similar. If eradication isn’t possible, then they would welco you into their plutocratic system, adhering to the rules they establish. If you can navigate it well, you might end up with a seat in the Sambiyan Kingdom’s rchants Council hall. Failing that, it wouldn’t be long before you are consud by their comrcial machine, leaving not even a shred of bone behind. This is their other, more sophisticated mode of annexation—not everyone is eligible for such treatnt. Right now, Gaven has earned that qualification.
anwhile, the Kormyr Kingdom holds the advantage of sea transportation.
While the Valley is connected to the Endless Wilderness by land, the routes are fraught with dense forests, towering mountain ranges, and countless rivers. The trade roads are winding and treacherous. Gaven, for now, is rely a Voyeur of the God of the Road—not even a reserve candidate. Even if he were to truly earn a divine position of the Road God, clearing this path would require ticulous planning, mobilizing vast resources, and investing considerable ti—all for disproportionate returns.
This is because there exists an incredibly convenient sea route. Crossing the Sea of Fallen Stars leads to docking in Tavelan, Cesk, from where one can follow the Golden Road straight to the Endless Wilderness.
But the ocean has never belonged to land dwellers. They are rely visitors here, intruders. Walking on the ocean is more dangerous than traversing the wilds. In the wilderness, at least, dangers are tangible—you know what threats you’ll encounter.
On the sea, it’s different. Often, catastrophe will strike without even knowing who your enemy is. Many top-tier individuals fail to unleash even a fraction of their power here.
Compared to natives of the Sea of Fallen Stars, the greatest threat cos from the surface—the countless pirates.
This Inner Sea is filled with nurous islands, especially near its center, forming clusters as dense as freckles on a face. This geography offers the pirates great convenience. At their peak, pirates not only occupied the sea and built pirate kingdoms but also launched direct assaults on mainland cities. Masonber, a major port city of the Kormyr Kingdom, was once a victim of such raids, marking the beginning of Kormyr’s millennium-long feud with the pirates of the Sea of Fallen Stars.
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