"It was practically nonexistent to begin with. After the pressure, even fewer people will dare take the risk," Olmedo said.
"Then what's there to fear? If pressure from the Orr Empire doesn't affect us."
The Orr Empire lay in the Eastern Region of Middle Earth, with a string of small countries and the Tartun Empire between it and Free City. It couldn't reach across the empire to slap Free City in the face.
That wouldn't be slapping Annan's face. It would be slapping the empire's backside.
"There is still an effect..."
Olmedo had spent the past two days dealing with it. Five of their commercial streets lay near the Orr Empire, and all had been affected to varying degrees.
In the least affected city-state, the city lord had said they only needed to be careful. But the closer a commercial street was to the Orr Empire, the worse things got. Those within its sphere of influence faced frequent trouble.
There were searches on suspicion of harboring wanted criminals, attempts to force entry into warehouses over alleged smuggling, and even aggressive demands to buy the commercial streets or raise their tax rates.
"Send Francois."
With the stability of their trade at stake, they could only send someone they trusted.
Olmedo frowned. "Sending him is fine, but what terms are we willing to negotiate?"
"We can give up some profit to preserve stability. That's our limit. But if they get greedy and want everything..."
The warm look usually held in Annan's Black Eyes turned cold. "I'd rather give up the commercial streets than let them have their way. We'll break their teeth first!"
"That's what I was thinking."
Free City's commercial streets had expanded to 207. If they yielded to the Orr Empire's threats and surrendered a share of their profits, the