On the vast sea.
A fleet lay halted upon the waters.
Maritime transport was the most profitable business in this plane.
Silk, various tools, porcelain, and other goods produced on the continent were shipped to the island nations at sea, each bringing profits of two or three times the cost—or even higher.
As long as the profits were high enough, merchants could cast aside a measure of morality, and naturally, their fear as well.
Profitable sea trade bred pirates, but enormous profits made merchants fearless of such problems.
This was a fleet belonging to the Fergus family, a merchant family from the Yaz Kingdom.
The Fergus family's fleet was also one organized by nobles within the Yaz Kingdom. The Fergus family had put up most of the investment, yet they had to split the profits evenly with the nobles.
At this moment, four armed merchant ships and two escort vessels were raising their anchors in the dim light of dawn, and the fleet continued onward.
One large three-masted ship, three two-masted ships, and two single-masted escort vessels.
A lavishly dressed middle-aged man emerged from the captain's cabin of the three-masted ship.
The man had a striking hooked nose. One look at him was enough to tell that he was not someone to be trifled with.
He was Sherry, the boss of the Fergus fleet.
As Sherry stepped out of the captain's cabin, an attendant holding a tray was waiting at the door. The tray held Sherry's washing supplies.
Sherry casually took them, washing up as he walked. Once he was finished, he casually tossed everything back onto the tray in the attendant's hands.
The three-masted ship had three levels of structures above its deck alone.
Sherry arrived at the command room on the second level.
He glanced at the sea