Chapter 290: The Bay Territory Loves Win-Win Situations
After discussing for a while, they decided that seeing is believing.
Annie stayed behind to guard the goods.
Paris took a few clever subordinates and began to wander around the Bay Territory.
They were shocked by what they saw.
The Bay Territory was a unique place.
It constantly absorbed population.
Every day, thousands of people were transported into the teleportation square.
The growth rate was astonishing.
Paris was envious.
If their population had grown this fast, they wouldn't be in such dire straits now, even if they had to lay low for decades.
Paris was particularly intrigued that the Bay Territory, despite continuously cultivating new land, already had two to three hundred thousand acres of farmland.
Yet, they kept purchasing food.
Paris guessed this was to cope with the ever-increasing population.
It was clear that the lord of this land had far-sighted plans beyond those of an average person.
A remote region of the human empire was rapidly developing.
Even though their magical technology wasn't particularly advanced, the ever-expanding land and population growth.
Were giving them immense war potential.
Moreover, compared to the human cities they had seen before.
Bay City was exceptionally clean, even cleaner than some elven cities, with great attention to hygiene.
This gave Paris a favorable impression of the city and its legendary lord, Matthew.
Paris felt the Bay Territory was peculiar during discussions.
The more he learned about it.
The stronger that feeling became.
In the Bay Territory, Paris didn't see a single beggar or thief.
This was a rare sight, even in Seiwindon—the heart of the Netheril Empire.
Everyone was busy, and Paris had never seen anyone stop to rest.
Even though there were plenty of benches under the trees along the roads for people to sit and relax.
Paris naturally assumed that perhaps life in the Bay Territory was stressful.
That they had to work from dawn to dusk just to have food, clothing, and shelter.
Paris looked for a long time but didn't find a single idle person on the street.
It wasn't until some soldiers found them "suspicious," came over to ask, and upon learning they were looking for lunch, directed them to a food street.
Paris and his group entered an oriental-style restaurant and ordered a large table of dishes.
Watching the bustling customers, Paris pulled aside a server taking orders and instinctively offered a gold coin:
"Hello, may I ask you a few questions?"
The server smiled and shook his head, showing no interest in the coin:
"Feel free to ask any questions; I'll answer what I can."
The taverns and restaurants near the city gate and adventurer hall were specifically meant to accommodate newcomers.
Other customers, seeing this scene, recalled their own experiences and couldn't help but smile.
Paris, careful not to appear too forward, finally asked:
"Why haven't I seen any children in the city? Where are they?"
The server was not surprised by this question; many adventurers and merchants had asked before and ended up intrigued:
"They're all in school, at the academy not far from here."
This answer surprised Paris, and he couldn't help but ask:
"All the children? Do they all receive free education? The kind where they learn to read and write?"
Seeing the server nod, Paris was filled with a strange sense of amazement.
All the children?
All receiving education?
Before he could react, the server's eyes showed a hint of happiness. Shaking his head, he corrected Paris:
"Learning to read and write is just a part of it; they mostly learn about life and becoming professionals..."
About life?
Professionals?
That's impossible!
How many resources would that require?
Not even elves could manage this!
"The lord once said, to live in this dangerous world, we can't lack power, and knowledge is power!"
Knowledge is power?
What a beautiful sentiment!
Paris suddenly wanted to meet this mysterious lord, but he restrained himself and cautiously asked:
"Is this mandatory?"
Smiling helplessly, the server recalled being "tricked" by a child and couldn't help but laugh:
"No, it's compulsory. All kids of school age must attend, and it's completely free."
"He once said something that I really agree with."
"The masses tend to follow blindly; they accept what's said without questioning if it's true."
"Exactly!"
"That's so true; I've fallen for that many times."
Nearby customers nodded in agreement, recalling similar situations.
Paris' eyes widened, his curiosity deepening about the mysterious lord of the territory.
"What are those buildings outside?"
"The factory district. Everything we use is produced there."
"Everything?"
"Yes, food, salt, oil, clothing, tools, even adventurer weapons and gear..."
"Can we go take a look?"
"Of course, there's a product exhibition area with purchase prices and sales guidance."
Thinking of the resource scarcity back home, Paris excitedly asked, "Weapons and gear too?"
An adventurer nearby joined the conversation:
"Yes, standard equipment is clearly priced; if you've got gold, you can buy it right away."
Another adventurer nodded, speaking with a mix of frustration and relief:
"Enchanted gear mostly requires contribution points, but if you need a lot, you can talk to Ralph at the lord's mansion."
His companion, recalling something, leaned in anxiously:
"If you manage to get a lot of enchanted weapons, can I buy a dagger from you at 20% over the price?"
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Paris nodded and continued to ask more questions.
The friendly server and adventurers answered all his queries in detail.
What Paris didn't realize was that his actions had caught the attention of the inspection team.
When Paris and his group finished lunch and left the restaurant, they saw Leon from the city gate.
"Mr. Paris, is there anything we can assist you with? It seems like you're looking to purchase something?"
Seeing Paris hesitate, Leon, though unsure of what he was hiding, patiently added:
"The Bay Territory loves win-win situations. Being upfront benefits everyone."
Meeting Leon's calm gaze, Paris couldn't help but nod:
"I wish to meet with Ralph..."
"Of course!"