When Yu Lin Bloodhawk spoke of increasing their support, what he was really telling Lothar was, what exactly are you implying? We have been doing our part throughout this war. It is just that you, Lothar Grand Marshal, have been so ineffective, losing battle after battle. You might not find that humiliating, but we in the Hinterlands do! So we intend to restore our reputation by giving you more support.
Mez'dra gave Yu Lin Bloodhawk a somewhat surprised look when he heard this, but remained silent, tacitly accepting his words.
Lothar glanced at Mez'dra, then at Yu Lin Bloodhawk, seeming to understand something.
After a moment's thought, he asked, "How do you intend to increase your support?"
By saying this, Lothar had effectively acknowledged the Hinterlands' previous contributions to the war.
"Troops, food, weapons, armor-anything! The Hinterlands can increase the quantities we provide," Yu Lin Bloodhawk said.
"Since you put it that way, there must be conditions!" Lothar said with a smile.
Talking to intelligent people certainly saved trouble. A slight hint was enough for them to understand, without having to beat around the bush for ages and still struggle to bring up one's demands.
Yu Lin Bloodhawk had said they were interested in increasing their support for the war, not that they would increase it. This was an expression of intent, not a final decision to send troops.
In other words, they might increase their support, or they might not. Whether they ultimately did so would depend on how many of the Hinterlands' conditions Lothar could accept.
Likewise, the extent of that increased support would depend on how much Lothar could offer in return. The more he could pay, the more support the Hinterlands could naturally provide.
Lothar was no fool either. The words "interested in" told him that