Even though "300 Warriors of Free City" was kept tightly under wraps, the commotion once filming began still drew the attention of people with their own agendas.
And there were plenty of those people... Rival factions, enemies, neutral parties, perhaps even the Elven Royal Court, a potential ally, were watching this rising city.
Fortunately, they only thought Annan was shooting his sixth Magic Film. They knew neither what it was about nor that he intended to finish it in five days.
If they had known, the Rikaner Kingdom would probably have cursed him out first, followed by everyone trying to make Magic Films in his wake.
They could already imagine rich patrons turning up with Gold Narls in hand: "That Champion Sorcerer can finish a Magic Film in five days. You're not as good as him, so three days should be enough for you, right?"
All they could do was answer tactfully, "Certainly. If there are only a few people in it, we can finish it in a day."
While Annan got busy, everyone else had work to do too.
The Blacksmith Shop, nearly as busy around the clock as the Tavern, finally finished repairing the Hellfire Legion's Plate Armor with the Dwarves' help.
Every Hellfire veteran now had red blood marks and rat-head graffiti that made the other two Legions and the Recruits envious: proof that each had killed a hundred Ratfolk and ten Elite Rats.
Clad in Plate Armor, with powerful builds, scarlet markings, and the experience of surviving a bloody battle, they looked as though they had returned from Hell. They gave off a hardened air just standing there.
Luoxi and Jack watched with envy. They spent every day blocking the Blacksmith Shop's entrance, asking Copperbeard to polish their armor.
"Get in line!"
Copperbeard, gripping a hammer