"Over the past three months, the Noble Faction's purchases of several war-related supplies in the Gold Coin Federation have suddenly increased sharply." Lakanixiu Lightning, the goblin in charge of Void City's bulk trading market, frowned as he handed a compiled report to Commerce Minister Osman ben Launegu.
Minister Launegu frowned as well. He took the report and studied it carefully.
After a while, he asked, "The Noble Faction is buying large quantities of blazing fire glue and flash dust... What are they planning to do? Are these things consumed heavily in war?"
"As far as I know, blazing fire glue can be used for fire attacks, while flash dust can temporarily blind the enemy. Used well, it can even dispel invisibility—though these are all low-grade alchemical products, with effects only equivalent to low-level spells." Old goblin Lakanixiu had once been the chieftain of a tribe. Having spent many years matching wits and courage with adventurers, he was very familiar with such low-grade alchemical items.
One freezing winter more than twenty years ago, he watched his people fall into famine after a powerful Demonic Beast plundered their stored food. In the end, he decided to surrender to nearby Dragon Roar Town, becoming part of a group of foreign residents. Because they could wield a small amount of lightning magic, he and his people called themselves the "Lightning Clan." Later, "Lightning" became their clan surname. Among the goblins of the Northwest Republic, they were considered one of the earlier groups to become "civilized and enlightened."
Now, he was an elderly old merchant in charge of Void City's bulk trading market. The job was actually quite leisurely, since the market only provided the venue and security, never meddling in business transactions—but there was one rule. Once the two parties had reached an agreement,