The next morning, Annan arrived at the Newspaper Office early. Tomorrow would start a new week.
The second issue of Voice of Freedom was already being printed. Annan passed through the busy hall, where women brought in to help were working, and went upstairs to the Office.
Evelyn was polishing off the apple pie Aunt Susan had delivered that morning. When she saw Annan come in, she looked up and pointed vaguely at the stack of Magic Newspapers in front of her. "Isn't this a little too blatant?"
Annan picked up a Magic Newspaper. On the third page, under Daily News, it read: Middle Earth's first succubus tavern opens in Free City. Sexy succubi, ready to serve anytime. The time of your life awaits.
"We're trying to attract mercenaries and Professionals... Do you expect their pumpkin heads to understand anything subtle?"
"Fair point."
Annan opened the Magic Newspaper.
The first page, World News, covered major events across the Allen Continent: the Expeditionary Army's retreat, the Demon Tide and Rat Tide ravaging the Northern Frontier together, the Vampire Clan Council's declaration of war against the Stuen Ratfolk—
Annan read carefully. He hadn't known about any of it.
The second page was Middle-earth News. The end of Annan's war with the Mad Dog Duke led the page, and Evelyn had even closed the article with a jab at the ridiculous prophecy made by the Duchy of Keating's envoy delegation...
Advertisements were scattered throughout the first three pages. The only sponsors so far were Gem Star Jewelry Store and one from Siltovis. The self-promoting Fast Pants didn't count.
Skipping Old Zoran's Limping Weather Forecast, Annan turned to the racial joke at the end:
During a war in the Elf Calendar, elves fought dwarves and orcs on the ancient battlefields of Wilhelm. An elf