Komer's coming-of-age ceremony ended in a somber atmosphere. Baltimore Cathedral, a well-known church in Cyprus City and an important venue of the Church of Light, was often chosen by the faithful as a place for inner confession and atonement.
When a priest of the Church of Light sprinkled what was called holy water on Komer's head, signifying that the holy water had washed away the filth from his body and he had become a new person, it marked Komer's official coming of age. It also meant that Komer was now an adult, independently responsible for his actions, and could enjoy the rights of adulthood.
Family members watched Komer, who was exceptionally quiet during the ceremony, with strange looks. Ramla, in particular, viewed his son with complex emotions. When he informed Komer that His Grace would bestow upon him the title of Baron and grant Caucasus as his fiefdom, he was surprised that Komer showed little reaction, instead accepting it readily.
He didn't believe that his son was unaware of what the Caucasus was. Although he was reluctant for his son to go there as a so-called Lord, and even though Komer had indeed brought many troubles and disasters upon himself, the saying goes "even tigers do not eat their cubs". Komer was, after all, his own flesh and blood; sending him to the Caucasus was undoubtedly a death sentence.
The guilt in his heart could not change the decision. As the head of the Reese Family, he had to consider the fate of the entire family, the family members besides Komer, his eldest and youngest sons, and all their family members' future lives. The Duke's cold voice echoed in his ears countless times. He had to accept such an arrangement and could only blame Komer for his foolishness in the past. He had made his own bed and could not blame others.
Komer, stepping out of the church, felt unusually light-hearted, holding in his hand the enfeoffment letter bearing the seal of the Kingdom's Privy Council and Grand Duke Philip's personal signature, declaring him the Lord of the Caucasus in the Homer Region of the Kingdom of Nicosia.
The enfeoffment letter did not specify whether the Caucasus was a city, town, or village, or even possibly an uninhabited wasteland. Fearing that area, few in Cyprus City knew its actual size or what it looked like. They only knew it was a graveyard for normal people, a paradise for freaks; the title was merely a sign, which might be retracted before long. After all, the territory of a noble without heirs naturally reverted back to the grantor upon their death.
Treating the enfeoffment letter with great care, Komer tucked it into his breast pocket and politely declined the invitations from several aristocratic children with whom he had a fairly good relationship. He didn't want to see the pity in their eyes as if he were a prisoner walking to the gallows. They were not worth discussing further.
Ilot and Puber had not come, and Komer did not wish to see them on such an occasion. He hoped they would use this period to plan and prepare for their affairs. Since they had decided to join him on an adventure to the Caucasus, it was necessary to make some corresponding preparations.
Strolling along the spacious Seaside Boulevard, with its hexagonal stones polished smooth as mirrors, Komer's mood gradually lightened. Previous Dukes, enthralled by the seaside view thirty years prior, had spared no expense to import a vast quantity of Ocher Flame Stone from the Horing Mountain Area. Craftsmen meticulously polished these stones before laying them across this coastal road. The reddish-brown stones were cut into uniform hexagons, fitting together like fish scales, creating a delightful sight.
The efficient drainage system always kept the road dry, and precious Purple Maple Trees were planted along the way. The palm-sized maple leaves quivered under the sunlight, dancing gracefully, presenting an unusual beauty. The fresh sea breeze, scented with a hint of maple, made Seaside Boulevard one of the most famous sights in Cyprus City. Moreover, the delicious mandarin fish found here, Lotus Mandarin Fish, was counted among the top ten famous dishes on the Continent, drawing countless merchants and tourists to visit and taste.
As he ambled down the avenue, Komer began to feel more relaxed amidst the charming scenery. The majestic Royal Villa was the most luxurious complex by the sea, with a branching path from Seaside Boulevard leading directly to the Royal Family's private beach, a series of tall wooden structures enclosing the beach into a vast semi-enclosed space. This was the king and his relatives' exclusive sunbathing area, while the slightly smaller one next to it belonged to the Duke's family.
Gazing at the distant azure sea, Komer let go of everything on his mind, fully enjoying the seamless beauty of the sea and sky, sporadic white sails appearing like frost flowers on a vast sapphire. Seagulls and egrets cried out as they crossed the sky, with the sea breeze gently blowing.
Komer, standing against the wind, was filled with boundless emotions. He was about to leave this place, leave this beautiful and prosperous city.
Although he did not harbor much attachment to the city, it had witnessed his reckless youth for more than a decade. The scenes of his wild youth of racing horses and flying hawks and inviting friends reappeared before his eyes. In the chilly rain and cold wind, so much prosperity seemed like a dream, so much color faded away, washed out by rain and wind, leaving not a single trace.