Sanctions and Counterattack

Chapter 636: Sanctions and Counterattack

Several days later, Anvis received a string of requests for aid from the high-level members of the Eternal Gold Crown Merchant Guild and the Mysteries Society.

The number of bandit groups encountered by caravans on the road had suddenly surged. A single trip could run into robbers two or three times, and many of those groups included High-Ranked Professionals.

If Anvis had not reduced the number of caravans in advance and assigned several High-Rank Family Guards carrying Ninth Rank one-use Artifacts to protect the major caravans, this incident would likely have resulted in severe casualties.

Even so, while his caravans were indeed safe, the cost of guards for each trip had already reduced profits to almost nothing. If they encountered a powerful enemy and had to use a Ninth Rank one-use Artifact, they would suffer a massive loss outright.

Moreover, the Eternal Gold Crown Merchant Guild's already limited share of the Empire's market was being suppressed. The Iron Thorn Merchant Guild and the Mithril Rose Merchant Guild had suddenly moved into the Eternal Gold Crown Merchant Guild's business territory and begun slashing prices drastically.

At the same time, unfavorable rumors concerning the Eternal Gold Crown Merchant Guild began to spread. Some claimed that the Healing Potions and Universal Antidotes sold by the guild were adulterated, causing companions who could have been saved to die from their grievous injuries.

Some people even went to the guild to make trouble and cause scenes. Whenever that happened, city guards would often be "coincidentally" patrolling outside. The moment the guild's bodyguards showed any sign of acting, they would rush in to stop them, then use the excuse to levy fines against the guild.

The situation on the Mysteries Society's side was even more complicated.

Many Players aligned with the