Lai Kamdo Magic Goods Store.
Founded in Year 696 of the Saint Laurent Calendar, the chain of magic shops was headquartered in Siltovis. Its owners had shown a keen eye for business by sponsoring Annan Potter and the Magic Stone, and the hit Magic Film had given them a surge of publicity.
To keep the partnership going, they had even opened a shop in Free City.
Annan looked up. The shop had grown famous through the Magic Film, and Lai Kamdo Magic Store's appearance matched the one in Annan Potter exactly.
It did not sell Magic Muskets, though, and there was no shooting range.
When he pushed open the door, he found a middle-aged man dressed as an Ancient Wizard behind the counter.
"Lord Annan! What can I get you?"
The excited owner's greeting drew the attention of the other customers.
"Do you have a Magic-Energy Annihilation Gun?"
"Is that... a magic weapon?"
"I guess not."
Annan had shown up for no apparent reason, and he left just as abruptly.
As time passed, the Dream Realm's influence gradually faded. Annan soon put it out of his mind when Olmedo pulled him away to deal with two matters.
Year 1002 of the Saint Laurent Calendar was nearly half over, and the McKennan Clan's Autumn Offensive was drawing closer. They had to prepare on every front.
That meant stockpiling supplies, expanding the army, and making sure they could evacuate every citizen if Free City fell into danger.
In early June, Francois, who also handled communications with the Empire, received an official answer through its Foreign Affairs Department: the Empire intended to resolve the problem in the North once and for all.
"Resolve the problem, or get rid of the ones causing it?" Annan asked.
"Is there a difference?"
"Getting rid of the