To get through checkpoints, smugglers would often fashion iron ingots into pots, pans, and other household utensils, which they then delivered into the hands of Orcs for subsequent smelting.
"Let's settle for small batches then!
Send out the order, any caravan that sells us weapons shall receive corresponding tax relief.
Generous rewards bring out brave men.
As long as the profit is sizeable enough, those smugglers will find a way to get us the weapons. Now is not the time to haggle over profits!"
Butzwieg said resignedly.
Knowing full well they were being targeted, he was powerless to do anything about it. With the relationship between the Alpha Kingdom and the Orc Empire, blocking them was quite the norm.
At such a crucial juncture in the fight for the Royal Family's position, he didn't want to provoke a border conflict and bring trouble upon himself.
...
