In the second week after Annan returned, he issued his third decree: the Ministry of the Interior would establish the Devil Notary Department where all trade deals could be formalized with Contracts free of charge.
Before issuing it, though, Annan ran into resistance from Olmedo.
"I object," Olmedo said.
"I agree," Annan replied.
"I strongly object," Olmedo said in earnest.
"I strongly agree!" Annan declared.
Idelia sat to one side, smiling faintly as she watched the two of them clash.
"Give me a reason," Olmedo pressed.
"Devils are rich."
Olmedo had no answer.
"Your turn to give me a reason."
"My reason is simple. Devils aren't on our side. We can work with them in secret, but we shouldn't put it out in the open for everyone to see," Olmedo said. "A lot of powerful people despise Devils. If we get too involved with them, we'll be branded for it."
Olmedo had no objection to the future Annan wanted to build, but Free City already had rather a lot of residents from the Evil Faction... Ratfolk were too few to matter, but Goblins, Orcs, Vampires... Those who fell somewhere between chaotic and evil made up most of them.
Annan calmed down. "You mean we need some Goodly Races to balance them out?"
"That's not what I meant... But if you can manage it, it would help."
Elves were the first to come to Annan's mind—what better represented goodness, truth, and beauty?
"Who's leading this Elven Royal Court delegation?"
"A High Elf Sage."
"They've visited so many times already... Could we let a few hints slip?"
Annan fell into thought and contacted Tadel through a World Tree Leaf.
"If it's just a matter of publicizing the delegation..." Tadel did not refuse Annan's request. "That moderate faction needs someone to give it