With Xu Yi exposing his intentions so bluntly, Kowach froze for quite a while before saying awkwardly, "President Xu, we aren't... no, we just... we finally have this opportunity, so we want to make the most of it... it's not that we're unwilling to supply parts to the Xinfei Merchant Guild, honestly! Please believe me. We'll definitely use the best workmanship for this last batch of parts! We absolutely won't..."
Xu Yi raised a hand and interrupted him again.
"All right, no need to explain. I understand what you mean." Xu Yi smiled faintly, showing none of the anger Kowach had feared. "I won't blame you. But tell me, Kowach, was this your idea or Freeman's?"
"Well..." Kowach looked even more embarrassed, but he still answered honestly. "It was my idea. Freeman was completely against it."
Xu Yi nodded.
Freeman was an honest man who had always been grateful to Xu Yi for recognizing his abilities and giving him a chance. Naturally, he would never consider abandoning the Xinfei Merchant Guild's orders just because orders had come in from elsewhere.
But precisely because of that, a "shrewd man" like Kowach had found it easier to gain control of the Ireland United Merchant Guild. Despite being its president, Freeman had less say in the guild than Kowach, leading to its eventual decision.
After considering it for a moment, Xu Yi said, "All right. I understand your choice, and I support it. From my perspective, of course I want the magic industry to spread throughout the Lampari Kingdom, and even across the entire Sains Continent. The more merchant guilds like yours that expand beyond Bunta City, the more help I'll have in achieving that goal."
Kowach nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, President Xu! That's what I was thinking too. Your Xinfei Merchant Guild has