Francois nearly laughed at the Windmill Grand Duke's shamelessness.
He argued his case, trying to make the Windmill Grand Duke understand that Free City and Commercial Street needed each other. He even offered to give up a share of the profits if the duke was worried about pressure from the Orr Empire.
But the greedy grand duke had no interest in sharing. He wanted it all.
Francois drew a deep breath and frowned. "If you do this, who will ever dare do business with you again?"
"Are you talking to me?"
"I represent the will of Annan Reeves. The man speaking to you now is not me, but Lord Annan Reeves."
The Windmill Grand Duke stared at him for several seconds. After weighing his options, he decided against arresting Francois.
It wasn't that they only wanted money and wished to avoid trouble. However formidable Free City might be, it was still less formidable than the Orr Empire.
The problem was the squad of mages Francois had brought with him. They were right outside. A sudden attack might not go their way.
Sensing a trace of danger, Francois gave up trying to persuade him and left the Castle without looking back.
Annan's fearsome reputation had spread far and wide. In the three years since Free City's founding, he had destroyed three factions, earning the nickname "Little Empire."
The Windmill Duchy dared to provoke him for the same reason Annan did not fear the Orr Empire: they were so far apart that any hand reaching across the distance would have little strength left.
While the Windmill Grand Duke was still hesitating, Francois and the others returned safely to Commercial Street.
For the next few days, Francois went nowhere. He stayed on Commercial Street.
Under pressure from the local nobles, customers dwindled along