As the steamship carrying Mathew and the delegation from the Foreign Ministry approached the port of Pendralis, he stood on the deck, observing the bustling harbor with great interest. Even in the few months he had been absent, it was evident that the city had undergone remarkable changes. The port had been expanded once more, yet the volu of traffic showed no signs of slowing. Ships laden with raw materials arrived in a steady stream, while others departed, their cargo holds filled with goods produced in Pendralis. The sheer scale of trade and industry unfolding before his eyes reaffird the rapid growth the city was experiencing.
After docking, the delegation disembarked, with the rest of Mathew's colleagues heading ho to rest after their long journey. However, despite his own fatigue, Mathew's curiosity got the better of him. A good envoy needed to understand the changes occurring within the land he represented, and so he decided to take a walk through the city, hoping to observe the latest developnts firsthand.
Leaving the port, he found himself on one of the city's main comrcial streets—a grand, half-circle boulevard lined with shops and businesses. As he walked, one particular feature caught his eye: rows of tall poles standing at regular intervals along the street. He stopped a passerby, a well-dressed man who assud Mathew to be a visiting rchant and began explaining.
"These are gas lamps," the man said proudly. "They light up the streets at night."
Mathew raised an eyebrow. "But why illuminate the streets after dark? Most businesses close, and people return to their hos."
The man chuckled. "That used to be the case, but not anymore. Since the installation of these lamps, cri has dropped significantly. More importantly, shops stay open much later than before, and people feel safer walking the streets at night. It has transford the city. If this is your first ti in capital, I strongly recomnd taking a walk after dark. It's an entirely different experience."
Mathew thanked the man and continued his stroll, reflecting on what he had just learned. The idea of extending business hours and reducing cri through street lighting was simple yet effective. It was another sign of how swiftly things were changing.
As he wandered further, he noticed a young newspaper vendor waving freshly printed copies and shouting out the latest headlines. Mathew signaled to the boy and purchased a newspaper, skimming through the pages as he walked. While the articles themselves did not imdiately capture his interest, the advertisents did. He noticed promotions for various modern conveniences: high-quality fountain pens marketed to bureaucrats and businessn, sewing machines designed to assist tailors and housewives, and even steam-powered laundry services.
One advertisent, in particular, caught his eye—a fountain pen store located just along the boulevard. Since he spent much of his ti writing reports, the idea of an alternative to constantly dipping a quill into an inkwell intrigued him. Without hesitation, he made his way to the shop.
Arriving at the store, he quickly realized that it also sold pocket watches, the very kind he himself owned. When pocket watches first beca widely available, Mathew, a man of discipline and precision, had imdiately purchased one, recognizing its value in managing his ti effectively.
Inside the shop, two display cases were occupied with custors—wealthy-looking gentlen discussing purchases with the clerks. Mathew patiently waited for a spot to open, using the ti to examine the store's wares. Eventually, one of the clerks beca available and greeted him with a polite smile.
"Good evening, sir. How may I assist you?"
"I'm interested in your fountain pens," Mathew responded.
The clerk, recognizing Mathew's refined attire and assuming him to be a high-ranking official or businessman, eagerly began showcasing the most expensive models. Ever since Arthur had implented commission-based sales incentives in his own businesses, store employees were far more enthusiastic about their work. Seeing the benefits of this approach, many other businesses had adopted similar practices, leading to a noticeable increase in sales across the city.
The clerk launched into a well-rehearsed explanation. "Sir, unlike traditional quill pens, which require frequent dipping into an inkwell, the fountain pen has a built-in ink reservoir. This ans you can write continuously without interruption. It saves ti, reduces ss, and eliminates the risk of ink spilling onto the paper. Additionally, it writes more smoothly, allowing for greater precision and comfort."
Mathew listened attentively, realizing how much this simple tool could improve his work. As a bureaucrat, he spent hours writing reports, and the inconvenience of constantly re-inking a quill had always been a minor but persistent frustration. Furthermore, fountain pens prevented the occasional ink splatter that quills often produced.
Without hesitation, he purchased two fountain pens along with three bottles of ink. The price amounted to nearly two months of his salary—an expense that would have been daunting had he not made wise investnts in the stock market. Ever since Arthur had established strict anti-corruption laws, governnt officials were barred from accepting bribes. However, no restrictions were placed on their personal investnts—except for those in key financial or military positions who might possess privileged information. Mathew, foreseeing the war with Aragon, had invested in arms and supply companies well before the conflict began, earning himself a small fortune.
Leaving the shop, he noticed that night had fallen. The boulevard was now illuminated by the warm glow of gas lamps, casting long shadows over the cobbled streets. Business signs glead under the artificial light, and the city took on a completely new character. Shopfronts remained open, their interiors buzzing with activity. Restaurants and cafes were filled with patrons, and street vendors still peddled their goods, all under the steady glow of the gaslights. The city resembled London in the 1800s, a city transford by the advent of modern lighting. Here, too, progress was marching forward, shaping Pendralis into a hub of comrce and culture.
Despite his exhaustion from the long journey, Mathew chose to prolong his evening, strolling through the lively streets. He watched groups of people conversing outside cafes, rchants eagerly negotiating deals under the safety of the lamplight, and carriages rolling down the illuminated avenues.
Eventually, he reminded himself of his responsibilities—tomorrow, he was to present his report to the governnt. It was ti to retire for the night. Taking one last look at the glowing city around him, he turned towards his residence, eager to rest before the important day ahead.
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