That was a beautifully delivered piece of official rhetoric.
Kael and Elder Muyu nodded repeatedly as they listened, feeling that this might work out.
Even the sour expression on Thorin Ironbeard's face seemed to soften a little.
Then, however, Lin Mo abruptly changed tack and let out a long sigh.
"But... we simply don't have the capacity, much as we'd like to help."
He spread his hands, his expression full of helplessness and regret.
"To be frank, our top priority when we open the portal next is to bring the twenty-five thousand soldiers serving abroad back to Blue Star."
"The portal will only remain open for ten days. Transporting the soldiers and their equipment back alone will already leave us pressed for time."
"The large-scale arms and equipment trade you're hoping for would involve an enormous volume of goods. It simply couldn't be completed in a few short days."
"I hope you can understand."
At those words, the air in the conference room froze.
The smile stiffened on Kael's face.
Elder Muyu's brows knitted tightly.
"What?!"
A furious roar rang out like thunder as Thorin Ironbeard slammed the table, making the cups on it jump.
His beard bristling and eyes glaring, he stood up on his chair, but unfortunately, his lack of height cut his imposing presence in half.
"Understand? No! I can't understand!"
"If your soldiers are tired, they can rest here!"
"We can provide the finest ale and roast meat!"
"Once we get the trade going and you have the money, you can open that damned gate whenever you like! There's no need to rush it now!"
Thorin's words were blunt and forceful, but they went straight to the heart of the matter.
"Elder Steelbeard is right."
A deep voice sounded as Grom, the Half-Orc leader, stepped forward,