The meeting room fell silent.
Elvin's fingers tapped against the tabletop.
Three second-rank knights were indeed no insignificant force.
In this city where dragons and snakes mingled, the second rank was a symbol of strength.
But that was all.
The Elven Merchant Association had been rooted in the Free City-State for decades, with an exceptionally deep foundation.
Even with their current manpower shortage, they were not something three outsiders could provoke.
"We should still try to win them over." Elvin made his decision.
"Look into their background. If it's clean, try making contact."
"Should we offer them the highest-tier recruitment terms?" Roel pressed.
"No need." Elvin shook his head.
"They're only three ordinary second-ranks. They don't deserve for us to humble ourselves and beg. Pass the word along—send someone clever to approach them, bring some fruit or small gifts, and forge a good connection. That'll do."
"And if they don't know what's good for them?"
"Then leave them be." Elvin waved a hand with extreme casualness. "As long as they don't cause trouble on our turf, don't bother with them. Our focus now is figuring out how to bring back those fools on the front lines who'd rather have money than their lives. The Baris Empire's gunpowder weapons are getting more and more powerful. If this keeps up, Orenda will be finished sooner or later. It's only a matter of time before the flames of war reach this place."
The four elven higher-ups reached an agreement.
In their eyes, these three newly arrived youngsters were, at most, upstarts who had lucked into some incomplete potions.
They simply were not worth spending too much effort on.
A small gesture of goodwill
would be enough to brush them off.
The two-story building on Ginkgo Alley.
The courtyard was exceptionally lively.
Su Li