In just three days, the Lord's Mansion of Amnath City received a flood of visiting cards from nobles.
These once-lofty figures had now become humble, all asking when the next auction for military merchant group slots would be held.
Some even sent their trusted servants, while others came in person, their words filled with eagerness and urgency.
Yet no matter who asked, the answer was the same: the Lord's Mansion would no longer auction military merchant group slots.
Faced with the nobles' repeated inquiries, Quintina had long since become frazzled.
She did not know why these nobles had suddenly become so concerned about a slot that no one had cared for before. She only knew that Ang had specifically instructed her before departing to treat such matters seriously and not slack off.
Though full of doubts, she still did as instructed.
Meanwhile, the two merchants who had previously secured military merchant group slots had recently become the darlings of Amnath's upper circles.
Banquets and private meetings came one after another, and some nobles even received them personally.
During the first few days, they had been startled by their sudden rise in status and carefully handled every invitation.
But they soon realized that this enthusiasm was not without purpose.
That day, the two were summoned to the Lord's Mansion. Quintina sat at the head of the room, holding a thick stack of cargo allocation lists.
"You're here." Without even raising her head, she said, "You've seen the lists. I've had them delivered to your residences several times over the past few days. The sources, types, and quantities of goods are all clearly listed. Now tell me, how much can you take?"
The two exchanged glances. The bearded merchant hesitated briefly, then said respectfully, "My lady... we can only take ten percent.