Ethan stood on the sidewalk across from "The Captain Slice." The pizzeria looked vibrant, its facade freshly renovated with warm wood and polished brick. But it was the small detail near the entrance that drew the eye: a solid gold "R" emblem, meticulously crafted and bolted to the wall.
It was a stroke of genius in Ethan's territorial strategy. Any business displaying that R was officially an Affiliate of Royal. It wasn't a forced protection racket; Ethan allowed every shopkeeper and entrepreneur to operate freely on his lands, offering tax breaks and low utility rates regardless of their status. There was no extortion here. However, those who chose to affiliate received a level of security that even the federal government couldn't provide.
