"Sorry. My 'salespeople' caused your city quite a bit of trouble..."
Louis City's three days of "Free Trade" had ended. There was nothing more to gain by staying, and the New Origin One had another mission.
"They were just a little too enthusiastic..."
City Lord Nicolas Hayes said politely, "Our merchant ships will visit Star-Moon Bay soon. I hope our territories can trade with each other."
Star-Moon Bay was far from Louis City, but the "Northern Frontier's only Port" was vastly more important than the ports scattered every few dozen nautical miles across the Southern Isles. The route there was safe, with no Sea Folk, and the only Pirates were Annan's people. As for the Demon Iron, Magic Newspaper, and Cement packed in wooden crates, they were more than enough to make the Nobles ardent supporters of trade.
"I'll give them a warm welcome."
Ingrid then handed City Lord Nicolas Hayes a list of goods Star-Moon Bay permitted for sale. In return, he gave Annan a nautical chart. It showed every Harbor within a thousand nautical miles, along with Islands, pirates, and the territories of various religious factions.
People at sea worshipped the Goddess of the Sea and the Goddess of Storms. After the upheaval, the Gods had fallen silent. Their followers fought bitterly with one another, and even among themselves. Meeting either sect was more dangerous than meeting Pirates.
Annan had secured steady trade. The Red Witch had earned more than she would have from plunder. City Lord Nicolas Hayes had gained substantial tax revenue, the nobles had made enormous profits, and residents who bought Playing Cards, Magic Newspapers, and other goods felt they had gotten their money's worth. So who had lost out?
After his conversation with City Lord Nicolas Hayes, the Portal opened again on the deck