Despite the noise, Darius looked unphased. Just like the Royal Seneschal, he sat there calmly and allowed the fellows to freely vent their dissatisfaction, waiting for them to eventually quiet down.

Many parties had warped expressions and this time nobody would stand up to ask an obviously stupid question, despite some members looking towards that middle-aged woman from earlier.

It was painfully obvious that their choice was to either agree with the young lad and pay less in exchange for him having full control over the resources or secure their own supplies henceforth.

However, the latter option would cause chaos along the supply route, not to mention it would enrichen the Space element union.

If they took the first option, they would (individually) use 40% to gain 100%, yet if they were to strike out on their own with the second option, they would have to use at least 250% to gain 100%. The choice was obvious, but as it had been for the priests, they could practically taste the feces they were forced to swallow.

The two reps from the union were the most aggrieved ones, yet one of them refused to sit down after their fates had been thrown up in the air. He had considered his next words very carefully during the commotion, to avoid repeating the earlier mistake, choosing to strike from a different angle.

"Lord Stone, your generosity is, once again, largely appreciated. I truly believe you have the skills required to set everything up perfectly until Baratuo, but what about after that? Do you plan to utilize the services of the various Space element users here?"

Darius leaned back in his seat with an impressed expression. The fellow had attacked from a clever point, and not in a logical sense. After all, Darius could simply act forcefully like before, stating that he would use his own means, which were none of his business.

However, it was precisely because he had already done that once before why he decided against it. When in the midst of a battle of wits, it was imperative to mix soft tactics with hard tactics.

If you acted like a bullhead all the time, your efforts would go to waste in the long run and it would be harder to play your 'victims' according to your whim. This was why most kings and emperors who had abused their people ultimately collapsed.

Just because one was in a superior position did not mean that one should flaunt it or press that reality down the throats of others. The wisest thing would be to cultivate a good reputation of your 'light' side while handling all matters concerning your benefits through the 'dark' side.

To Darius, a merchant, a good reputation was far more valuable than anything else, in a way it was the most precious currency in the world.

As such, he chose his words carefully. "While I do have the means to transport them over, I'm not against using the services of the present Space element users. Of course, the price for your union's services will have to be re-negotiated after this meeting. Hopefully, we will find a compromise."

The fellow accepted this for it made sense. Nevertheless, he could only wring his lips as he sat down.

The young Adept who had taken to the stage appeared to have a solution for everything, so he doubted that him having his own means had merely been a bluff.

As such, he and his union members would likely have to work for far less, if they still wanted to earn at least a little bit.

As for the others, many looked like they wanted to speak up, but didn't know where to attack from.

In fact, it was an older man with hawk-like eyes, a hooked nose as well as a smooth bald head who rose and bowed. "Greetings everyone, for those who don't know me, my name is Difo Syas. I currently represent the Bank of Andrato in this encampment and would like to ask Lord Stone a few questions."

Darius gazed at the new challenger with interest. "I shall answer your questions to the best of my abilities, Banker Difo."

Difo pushed up his round-rimmed glasses and patted his robes before nodding. "Excellent. The first thing I'd like to ask Lord Stone is how much you estimate each faction's contribution to amount to? Of course, since you have yet to negotiate with the suppliers and to decide on the final costs, I'm fine with just a guesstimate."

The banker smiled thinly at this point. "Since Lord Stone has made himself out to be an industry insider with your astute explanations, this should not be too much of a problem, no?"

Darius' eyes narrowed at the man, while the others on the council gazed at him with surprised but appreciative looks. They weren't 100% sure where this fellow was going with this, but that challenging undertone suggested that he was about to take advantage of the young lad.

An interesting show was about to happen!

Darius nodded. "If it's just a guesstimate then sure. Based on the previous contributions, various parties have paid various amounts, mostly chosen their own whim."

"The ones that contributed the most were the Alchemists Guild and the Mercenary Guild. Interestingly, your bank, despite being the richest faction in the kingdom, has contributed the least." Darius pointed out with a playful smile.

The other powerhouses grimaced at the sharp barb, feeling phantom pain on behalf of their council member. As for the Difo fellow himself, although his expression remained stoic, he clenched his fists underneath his robes.

"The bank uses its discretion in deciding various payouts. After all, we have to consider the investments and savings of our various clients." Difo explained slowly.

Darius sighed. "Truly difficult, despite having the highest fixed asset capital of all factions, as well as the most available liquid funds, the Bank of Andrato still cannot pay for its own resources, but rather has to rely on others to feed them! All for their clients too! Where would you find such an honorable establishment nowadays?!"

Many fellows breathed audibly through their noses, trying to stifle their laughter. Not because they wanted to mock Difo, but rather the notion that this notoriously greedy bank would care about its clients.

Darius' eyes gleamed. There was a time to be soft and a time to be hard. When the Space element union spoke, they had taken a soft position, so Darius had to respond in kind to avoid seeming brutish.

But here, everyone could tell Difo had come with nefarious intent, so Darius shutting him down was natural! Responding to hard tactics with soft ones wouldn't make him seem mature and kind, but rather weak and a pushover.