The Vastness of Magical Destiny

Chapter 96 - 96 20 Nicosia (1)

?Chapter 96: Chapter 20 Nicosia (1) Chapter 96: Chapter 20 Nicosia (1) “`
The cool breeze of late autumn already carries a hint of chill, and in half a month, autumn will have passed, followed by the cold of severe winter.

The icy winds from the Far North Icefield seem like drafts from the depths of hell, almost impermeable without solid buildings, and just a few dilapidated tents can hardly offer any resistance. This is also why the representatives from the Three Cities are so eager to have these refugees on their way, as no one wishes to bear the responsibility for the refugees freezing and starving to death. If these refugees can safely reach their destination, then all subsequent consequences no longer concern the Three Cities, whether it be in terms of morality or responsibility; they can wash their hands of it entirely.

The kingdom, too, is keen to resolve this issue sooner rather than later, as each additional day of delay may bring more uncertainties, especially since many refugees, who are unwilling to head to the remote and desolate Caucasus, are flocking in groups, trying to burst into kingdom territory. Some refugees have even begun to flee, attempting to sneak into the kingdom, making it impossible for the kingdom’s border patrol to guard effectively. The only solution to all this is to get these people on their way as soon as possible.

Of course, the majority of the refugees are simple and kind-hearted, who, in their eyes, would rather be anywhere as long as they are away from the threat of the Beastmen, as there is a great difference between slave and free citizen, something all refugees are keenly aware of.

After about ten days of hustle and bustle, the refugees finally completed their registration and assembly and began embarking on their journey in seven separate batches.

Fran’s appearance caused a stir among the refugees from the Fran Principality, who had heard he perished in the Mycenae siege battle. The reappearance of the senior infantry officer in front of the hometown elders, who had now become refugees, naturally aroused everyone’s curiosity.

When Fran shared his experiences, the refugees from the Myron Duchy were immersed in sad memories of their former royal city. With Fran’s help, Komer quickly gained the respect and loyalty of the Myron Duchy refugees.

Of course, this was only the first step, but a good start laid a solid foundation for future development, a fact which pleased Komer greatly.

News from Duke Tez also came that, whether it be Duke Zellin’s territory, Duke Philip, or the Boninski territory, they had all reluctantly agreed to let this batch of refugees pass through their lands—of course, not without a hefty transit fee.

Almost everyone was waiting to see Komer’s blunder, as a remote place with barely five thousand indigenous people had suddenly taken on a hundred and fifty thousand refugees without any prior preparation. Who would believe that a profligate son with no prior administrative experience could neatly solve and handle all of this? Many even foresaw a future where the Kingdom Star Chamber Court would, under the charge of dereliction of duty as a lord, strip Komer of his rights, freedom, and even his life.

In the small reception hall, several pots of verdant plants from the South brighten up what would otherwise be a stiff and dry room, instantly imbuing it with a lively and fresh atmosphere. An elder in a casual robe is seated in the main seat’s buckskin chair, nonchalantly, but his gaze fixates on the portrait hanging across the wall.

The portrait shows a dignified and solemn middle-aged man in military attire, with a dazzling crown standing on his head and a Marshal’s Uniform adorned with patterns and badges that represent the royal insignia, a symbol of unsurpassed nobility. A stiletto crafted from Nine-section Bamboo rests against his folded hands, its slender blade sheathed within a Shark Skin Scabbard, and even through the painting, one can sense the grandeur emanating from the gold-wrapped hilt.

The weather in late autumn is somewhat gloomy and cold, casting a more oppressive and somber mood within the room. Three wooden chairs, arranged in a semi-circle, are already occupied, while on the round table in the center, a thick newspaper lies on the glass surface, seemingly untouched.

It takes a while for the elder to shift his gaze away from the portrait, exhaling softly before turning his head to glance at the somewhat anxious and corpulent man seated to the right.

The obese man is wearing a richly embroidered robe with gold-trimmed and a series of irregular diamond-shaped flowers around the cuff. A chunky black ring adorns the thumb of his thick finger; any movement in the wooden chair seems to be a struggle due to his bulky frame. His lips move silently for a good while before failing to produce any words.

“Parker, if you have something to say, then say it. Don’t hem and haw there. I’m in a good mood today, and you don’t need to be wary of anything.” The elder’s face shows a hint of impatience, and the air of command he carries makes it immediately apparent who holds authority among those present.

“Your Majesty, I have some unfortunate news to deliver: after distributing the salaries to the military officers, our finances are completely exhausted. There are already officials who have not been paid for three months, and preparing for the palace renovations and new constructions for next year’s celebration of Your Majesty’s thirty years on the throne requires a large sum of money. We need to start work immediately, or else we won’t be ready in time for the celebration. Additionally, it’s time to distribute the soldiers’ pensions, but the treasury is entirely empty.”

The man rubs his forehead awkwardly, as if someone had slashed a cut across his face, and his lips twist painfully, like a scar.

As the Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Nicosia, Parker considers himself to be perhaps the most ineffective in history. Each year’s fiscal revenues are bare, maintaining the finances is like robbing Peter to pay Paul, and it’s getting harder year after year.

The overdue salaries of officials and soldiers had become a common occurrence, which has led to complaints from both officials and military officers, but what choice do they have?

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