The sewers.
This infrastructure was not unique to the Imperial Capital. Even Scandia, built before the Empire was founded, already had a sewer system. The plague that had broken out in the East District had spread from the Plague Core in the sewers.
And the Imperial Capital had developed this infrastructure to its fullest extent.
The Imperial Capital was built beside the sea, and the Royal Canal connected directly to the sewers. With its intricate, complex sewer system, the city dumped all its filth into the sea.
The sewers were divided into dry zones and tidal zones.
The sea gates at the steam docks opened with the tides every day, allowing seawater to flood parts of the sewers at fixed times. They opened again when the tide receded, using seawater to flush the sewers. It was an extremely efficient cleaning system.
These sections were called tidal zones, and the sewage flowing through them was generally filthier, even dangerous.
The waterways in the dry zones were different. These areas were relatively clean and generally carried rainwater, with no need for tidal flushing. Land in the Imperial Capital was expensive, and the gentlemen were too kindhearted to bear the sight of poor people. Since Duke Fitzgerald's new "Poor Law" had been implemented, the results had been remarkable. There were hardly any vagrants left on the streets.
Unfortunately, there were always people driven from their homes by bills or the Golden Tax Court for one reason or another, and they needed somewhere to stay as well. Those with a little money left would share rooms with others or sleep in communal bunks known as "Coffin Beds," which cost only one leo a day.
Apparently, in other cities of the Empire, people even strung a rope across a room. At night, people rested their