After taking a roundabout route, the four arrived at the Southern District's harbor.
From the lookout tower, they gazed down at the ships coming and going across the waters below. There were at least a thousand, every one laden with cargo.
"So many ships?"
"There certainly are a lot," Hebrew said with a nod.
"I meant, why are so many ships coming here?" Velin turned to Hebrew, sounding rather exasperated.
"Because there's money to be made, so they came." Hebrew blinked, an innocent expression on his face.
Seeing that the lad still hadn't understood what he meant, Velin asked bluntly, "Just explain to me how trade here became so prosperous, who laid the groundwork, and how large it's grown."
"I thought you were going to use this as an excuse to praise me, my lord," Hebrew said, scratching the back of his head in mild embarrassment.
Velin shot Hebrew a fierce glare and told him to get on with it.
Had he not known how simplehearted the lad was, he would have thought Hebrew was playing dumb to annoy him because he had confiscated his books.
"This is actually all Elder Brother's doing," Hebrew explained obediently, not daring to waste another word. "Since the fifth relay station along the Teleportation Array route is the Hainas Mermaid Kingdom, Elder Brother set up a dedicated channel. Our people carry Space Equipment and act as intermediaries, helping these merchants transport their goods."
"The fees are divided into two parts. One is the teleportation fee, about five percent of the total value of their cargo. The other is the Space Equipment usage fee, which comes to fifteen percent of their net profits."
"The teleportation fees go into the public coffers, while the Space Equipment usage fees go to you."
"Hm?" Confusion crossed Velin's face.