A few dozen minutes later, Prince Aidan appeared at the Treehouse.
He tidied his appearance, then set out for Annan's Treehouse.
Before he got close, he saw hundreds of Golems gathered outside, with Annan standing before them as if inspecting the ranks.
"What is all this...?"
Annan turned and brightened when he saw Prince Aidan.
"You bought out all the samples, so I had to bring in another batch." Annan sighed. "I've walked around a few times, but nobody's come to buy a Golem."
"You're... selling them yourself?"
"Is there a rule against a lord working as a merchant on the side?" Annan asked.
Prince Aidan smiled. "You're right. No one gets to dictate what a person must do."
It seemed Annan knew nothing about it.
"Need a hand?"
"You'd help me..." Annan looked him over. "Are you offering to sell them for me?"
"Why not?"
"I wouldn't mind, but Minister Ollie just reminded me that nobles making sales pitches is apparently embarrassing. You're heir to the Kingdom. I'd rather not give your critics another reason to attack you."
"What if I found you some buyers?"
Annan stared at Prince Aidan.
"What?"
"I think I just saw an angel..."
Prince Aidan smiled faintly. "I'd only be making use of the nobles who want to curry favor with me."
Annan was tempted, but shook his head. "Forget it. I came to open up trade routes. If all I wanted was to unload merchandise, wouldn't Magic Film make me more money?"
"By the way, have you seen When Freedom Knocks?"
"Yes. It's a wonderful story. What made you choose an Orc as the protagonist? Was it to fit the theme of freedom?"
"That's part of it. The Allen Continent has so many good stories that a human protagonist alone wouldn't be nearly