"Oh, hello, High Elf lady, you're so tall!" Gazlowe squeaked, feigning surprise.
"Hello, Mr. Gazlowe!" Sylvanas greeted the goblin indifferently.
Goblins were a relatively new race on Azeroth, having only recently broken free from troll enslavement and gained independence. This was Sylvanas's first encounter with one.
However, Sylvanas, even without her future queenly aura, possessed the arrogance of the Windrunner elves and a strength that commanded respect.
Even Galen earned her recognition primarily through his power.
"Gazlowe, I have a lucrative business proposition for you," Galen said directly.
"Make a fortune! I'm interested, very interested, Galen!" Gazlowe's eyes gleamed.
He was relatively rational and pursued wealth ethically, not viewing it with disdain.
"I want to establish a large, cross-racial company to conduct business across Azeroth, including transportation, weapons, equipment, food, magical items, and more!"
"This is huge. My subordinate, Harmon Kavan, is already overburdened managing the Scarlet Crusade's logistics. I need someone to handle the company's affairs, and I've chosen you, Gazlowe. Are you interested in becoming the Scarlet Crusade's commercial representative and a new Trade Prince?"
The Scarlet Crusade's power in Kalimdor was undeniable. They had defeated the Quilboar, contained the centaurs, and allied with the tauren to co-rule the central region.
Galen's Harbor's thriving maritime trade had already made many goblins envious. The Steamwheedle Cartel and Venture Co. had considered challenging the Scarlet Crusade's business, but their inferior military strength and location led to their suppression.
"Why me? My friend!" Gazlowe was taken aback. Becoming the Scarlet Crusade's commercial representative was a meteoric opportunity. He was a novice goblin businessman who, just weeks ago, was concerned with tax evasion and reducing shop rent.
Galen's offer was like a self-employed individual being offered the CEO position at a modern company—a fast track to wealth and success!
"There's no specific reason. I'm simply optimistic about you, my friend."
Galen had a fondness for Gazlowe. Compared to his unscrupulous compatriots, Gazlowe was relatively kind.
This goblin was more of an engineer than a traditional merchant, guided by principles of social responsibility, friendship, and fair exchange. He presented a facade of pure profit-seeking but harbored a sense of righteousness.
He had provided discounted weapons and airships to Baine for the reclamation of Thunder Bluff and had funded adventurers to defy the Steamwheedle Cartel's Trade Prince to liberate his fellow goblins.
He was a wise and visionary goblin who tempered his greed.
Combined with his innate business acumen, this made him Galen's choice.
"I agree!" Gazlowe, after some deliberation, joined Galen's camp. The offer was too tempting, and the Scarlet Crusade's reputation in Kalimdor was decent, making the representative position irresistible.
"Excellent. Take this badge and find Tyrick Foote in Galen's Harbor. He'll provide every convenience and act as my full representative in establishing the company."
Galen gave Gazlowe a unique badge and a teleportation scroll to Galen's Harbor before dismissing him.
"Galen, though this is my first time meeting these goblins, I sense their greed. Given your strength in Kalimdor, aren't you worried about them causing trouble?"
Sylvanas, who had overheard their conversation, was familiar with Kalimdor, the ancestral home of the high elves. She was surprised that Stromgarde had established overseas territories.
"My territory in Kalimdor is immune to commercial exploitation. Its abundant resources guarantee profit, not loss!"
Galen had stationed numerous human footmen and musketeers in the Barrens, matching the guard presence on the Eastern Continent. Combined with Medivh's heroic spirit, they could suppress any threat.
Seeing Galen's confidence, Sylvanas remained silent. It was his internal matter, and she had no right to interfere.
Afterward, Galen took Sylvanas to visit Eastwatch. Over the years, Galen had added many blacksmith shops, primarily producing second-tier armor and weapons for foreign trade.
"Galen, Eastwatch's arms trade is quite prosperous, and I see members of my race here?" Sylvanas observed the bustling town on the Eastern Continent's edge, with its numerous blacksmiths and active port, noting the presence of many high elves.
"I have trade relations with Prince Kael'thas. Eastwatch is the closest city to Silvermoon City, and tunnels connect us through the mountains, facilitating Holy Light training for Sunstrider knights."
This was confidential. Kael'thas and King Anasterian Sunstrider had imposed a strict gag order, known to few nobles. Yet, Galen casually disclosed it to Sylvanas.
"This is a royal secret, right, Galen? Is it really okay for you to tell me this?" Sylvanas frowned. Though her family leaned towards the royalists, it was still a secret, and she felt uneasy knowing too much.
"Silvanas, you're not an outsider, and I trust you won't betray me by spreading this news," Galen said casually, unfazed by revealing Kael'thas's confidence.
Galen knew Sylvanas's character. Faced with the undead scourge, she had sacrificed herself to protect her people. Such a person wouldn't betray her country or royalty.
Sylvanas, though her expression remained calm, showed a hint of approval.
"Sylvanas, look at this armor-piercing ammunition produced in Eastwatch. My musketeers are always short on it, and while we have some armor-piercing arrows, the supply is limited. How many do your Farstriders need?"