Sword Flash didn't accept or reject the request. This made Quartzite unable to determine what he was thinking.
Quartzite could only bite the bullet and continue, "I was also asked to see if we could come to some sort of arrangement regarding Aries. I have been told that if you are open to sharing the resources of Aries with us, we would be willing to help you in exchange."
Sword Flash heard this and chuckled inwardly as he thought to himself, "If even we can't mine this world, how can I give you the permission to mine it?"
Outwardly, he also chuckled and asked, "What makes you think that you will have to ask us for permission to mine in Aries? Aries is ours yet."
The gem person also chuckled as he replied, "I don't know the exact details, but I heard that Aries has essentially been cut off from support, so you will have free rein to do whatever you want to do there. If we are to intervene, we will need your permission and help."
He was never going to agree with this request, but he still spoke enthusiastically, "Fine. But what do you have to exchange for us to share Aries with you?"
Before the gem person could reply, he warned them sternly, saying, "Mind you, what you are asking for is the right to mine the resources of an entire world. You'd better have something truly worthy of what you're asking for, or you will be disrespecting me."
His stern voice made Quartzite uncertain of himself. He couldn't tell whether what he had been told to offer was going to be good enough.
So his demeanor and voice became subdued as he said, "I have been told to offer you 50% of everything that we mine, a cultivation method that reaches the gem emperor level, and a technology for finding worlds."
Sword Flash wasn't tempted by the offer at all, so he was sincere when he disregarded the offer and said, "Not enough."
His reply put Quartzite in a dilemma. He didn't know what to do because that was the maximum offer he was authorized to make.
So he could only say, "Wait a while. I want to consult with my superior to see if we can offer more."
He was about to cut off the connection, but Sword Flash stopped him with a question.
Sword Flash said, "Hold on. Is that all you want to ask for? You should make all your demands first before you go and ask for more."
Quartzite stopped what he was about to do and said, "Alright. I indeed have other things to ask for."
His voice became uncertain as he said, "My next request might sound preposterous."
Sword Flash chuckled and asked, "How bad can it be? Are you going to ask for my life now?"
Sword Flash's joke was supposed to ease the tension that Quartz was feeling, but it didn't work. Quartz was still feeling nervous. He was fidgeting and racking his brain on how to bring up the third matter he was asked to do.
The joke could only make him chuckle dryly. It was a polite chuckle, one he had to do in order not to offend Sword Flash. He definitely didn't chuckle because he found the joke funny.
"Mind you, I was only supposed to ask for this after the success of our first two deals and after we had established the basics of a cooperative relationship. And take note that you can say no. You're not being pressured to do anything."
"Even though your rejection would disappoint us, it wouldn't affect our budding relationship. Have the set things in mind when you hear and consider my request. It is very important that you have an open mind about it. There will be no consequences if you reject the..."
Sword Flash interrupted him with an impatient tone, saying, "Get on with it."
He wanted to drag the conversation for a while until he was done acquiring the spatial coordinates of the world, but he didn't want to be drowned in awkward conversation, so he urged the gem person to speak.
Quartz stiffened in fear when he heard Sword Flash's rebuke. But then he thought to himself, "I'm here, while he is way over there. Even if he gets angry, there is nothing he can do to me. The only ones I should be worried about are the superiors over here, who gave me this job."
This helped him summon enough courage to say what had to be said. So he stopped beating around the bush and said, "I have been asked to see if we can buy some special products from you."
Sword Flash urged him again, "Special products like what?"
Quartz replied, "Special products like a ship that can traverse the void."
Sword Flash chuckled and said, "Is that all you wanted to ask? I thought you were going to ask for something serious like my head."
What Sword Flash said and how he said it made Quartz, who had been bracing himself for an outburst, relax. This time, Quartz was able to enjoy Sword Flash's joke. He gave a genuine chuckle.
As he chuckled, he said, "Yeah. Now that you mention it, it is not that serious a matter. We basically want to open a channel for the exchange of goods and services between our two civilizations. This channel will benefit both sides, so it is a good thing."
Sword Flash said in agreement, "It is a very good thing. There is no need for me to be angry about it at all. As long as you offer a good price, there is nothing we can't sell to you."
Quartz cheered up and said, "I'm glad you think that way. Let me go to my secretary to ask them what they are prepared to offer for the third request and to ask them to increase their offer for the second request."
He was about to shut the leystone off, but Sword Flash stopped him again, saying, "Is there a fourth request?"