Where there was a first time, there would be a second. Li Wei quietly packed his gear and boarded the Airship again. Anthony and Katie were already waiting for him aboard.
Even the Old Butler had come in person.
"What's going on?"
Li Wei nodded to everyone, then asked his question. The Old Butler spoke with a grave expression.
"Today, Princess Louise went aboard the Torchlight to attend a charity auction."
"A charity auction?"
"The theme is contributing to the Empire's education. All proceeds will go toward funding the Empire's educational institutions."
"Why hold it at sea instead of on land?"
"It's something of a... tradition."
The Old Butler sighed as he spoke.
"The Queen originally established this charity auction. She invited nobles and wealthy merchants to a banquet aboard a cruise ship, then proposed that everyone contribute to the Empire's education. Moved by her devotion to the Empire, everyone present generously opened their purses-"
Li Wei stared at the Old Butler with an exceedingly strange expression.
What kind of creatures were capitalists? And they supposedly opened their purses out of generosity? This era didn't even offer tax deductions for charitable donations. Did he think I couldn't see what the Queen was up to? She'd tricked everyone onto a ship, waited until it sailed, then brought up the money. Those people weren't getting home unless they paid!
Generously opened their purses, my ass. As if you could refuse to pay aboard a cruise ship out at sea.
It wasn't like being on land. There was nowhere to run-
The Old Butler chuckled at the look in Li Wei's eyes.
Nothing more needed to be said.
"In any case, every charity auction since then has been held at sea, with someone from the Royal Family presiding. It's become a tradition."
*Charity