As a venue that determined the course of history, a ten-square-meter room was embarrassingly modest. Further considering the identities of the participants, the frugality was almost palpable.
It was akin to an arch-villain having fallen on hard times, riding to work at a fast-food restaurant on a women's bicycle every day to support his family while declaring a three-tatami room as the grand villain's castle...
At least the furniture and refreshments were presentable; the Darjeeling tea and chiffon cake were indeed high-quality. Otherwise, it was likely that someone would not be able to endure the insult and would storm off in a huff.
"I apologize for only being able to offer simple tea to my guests," Siegfried Otto Lilin said.
"No, it's quite sufficient," Roland replied.
"After all, we're not here for afternoon tea, are we? A little tolerance won't hurt."
