Celt, the governor of Soloto State, was intrigued by the changes in neighboring Vota Province. He quietly took a group there to see them for himself.
Although Celt and his companions posed as merchants, they carried no goods, so their carriage traveled quickly. Before long, they came upon a merchant caravan resting beside the road.
Celt got out to ask around and learned a few details about Vota Province.
The slogan at the Safe Station they had established at Soloto State's railway station was: "If your goods are stolen, the provincial government will reimburse you in full."
Prices were high in Vota Province, so many caravans were willing to take the risk and send small shipments there.
Vota Province's emphasis on commerce had changed the merchants' view of government. First, the Security Force escorted their goods. Once they reached the province, warehouses were provided free of charge.
There were substantial tax breaks, too. The first caravans to make the trip had all turned a profit.
As more and more caravans brought goods to Vota City, the province itself seemed to be importing a wide variety of products in bulk.
Some came from Intis, others from Feynapotter or Loen. No one knew which country Vota Province had actually struck a deal with.
In truth, Odys had brought the goods that pirates wanted to fence over from Krus Island.
Some were products that Northern Continent countries had dumped on the Southern Continent; others were raw materials bound from the Southern Continent for the north.
Odys sent the raw materials straight to the factories for processing and brought the finished goods to Lenburg for sale.
With so many goods entering Vota City, prices quickly stabilized.
Merchants could still make money, however, and commerce soon flourished.
At first, the Security Force assigned thirty soldiers