The next day, Ethan, filled with worry, set off for Virenport with Angelina and a mountain of luggage.
Virenport is a subsidiary city of Marlow, just over thirty miles away. Despite being called a port, it is a full-fledged city.
In terms of area, it is much larger than Marlow and has several times its population. However, it lacks high walls and sufficient security forces.
As a result, Virenport is plagued by bandits and lawlessness, making it an undesirable residence for nobles.
But it is precisely this lack of nobility and hierarchical oppression that has allowed commerce to flourish. Every industry here is thriving, especially shipbuilding.
Driven by the development of sea trade, Virenport's shipbuilding industry has advanced rapidly, becoming one of the world's best.
As ships improved, growing larger, more powerful, and faster, maritime trade boomed.
The plains surrounding Marlow are rich in resources, and with sea transport bypassing tolls, goods can be sold worldwide at low prices.
At the same time, they can procure necessary items globally, turning the area into a major logistics hub.
The profits from this trade are immense.
Thus, anyone with influence in Marlow wants a piece of the action.
The Lawson family, though merely viscounts, had the foresight to establish an early presence here.
Now, in Virenport, they own their own port, large warehouses, private armed guards, a personal fleet, and even substantial shares in shipyards.
Whenever new ships are produced, the Lawson family gets first pick.
Over the years, they have amassed immense wealth through Virenport.
With this wealth, they continually recruit and train talent, making the Lawson family the second most powerful force in Marlow, second only to the Duke of Stan.
As Ethan and Angelina arrived at the Lawson family port after half a day's journey, they were astonished.
Dozens of 50-meter-tall (including mast height), 60-meter-long wind-powered ships were neatly lined up at the docks, resembling mid-sized cargo ships from the past world.
Hundreds of people bustled about like ants, loading and unloading all sorts of cargo, painting a picture of ceaseless activity.
This made Ethan realize the tremendous power of the Lawson family and his own insignificance.
As Ethan reflected on his attitude toward the Lawson family, a group of horsemen approached.
Leading them was a middle-aged man around forty, wearing a captain's hat and sporting a cartoonish W-shaped mustache. He was dressed in a blue buttoned noble outfit and dismounted with a smile.
The man took off his hat and bowed.
"Dear Sir Ethan, we've been eagerly awaiting your arrival! I am Saberi Lawson, captain for this voyage."
"An honor to meet you, Captain Saberi," Ethan replied, returning the bow.
"If you don't mind, let's discuss matters onboard," Saberi smiled, "Please excuse my urgency. Our family values efficiency."
"This is the second time I've heard that today," Ethan chuckled. "I admire the approach."
"Please, follow me!" Saberi gestured, adding, "Oh, and don't worry about the luggage; it will be taken care of."
Ethan nodded, took Angelina's hand, and followed Saberi aboard a massive cargo ship named "Popeye."
As they climbed the long gangplank and crossed the cluttered deck, they made their way to the captain's cabin at the stern.
After seating them, Saberi personally brewed them a cup of black tea.
"This is coffee, from the Black Iron Dwarven Kingdom. Those dwarves, always working with iron and taking coffee breaks, call this 'latte coffee.' Please, give it a try."
Angelina, intrigued, was about to take a sip when Ethan stopped her, noticing Saberi's sly grin. He smiled back, "Captain Saberi, you're too crafty. Please bring out the sugar cubes you hid when we entered, so my fiancée doesn't embarrass herself."
"Haha!" Saberi laughed in surprise and pulled the sugar cubes from his desk. "Sir Ethan, you're amazing. You know about coffee and adding sugar, which I figured out after much thought. How did you know? It's incredible."
Ethan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he added two sugar cubes to Angelina's coffee and stirred with a small copper spoon.
"Try it. It may not be great, but it grows on you."
Angelina took a sip and shook her head slightly. "It's unique, with the bitterness and sweetness mixing together."
"Haha!" Saberi laughed confidently. "You'll love it after a few tries, I promise."
"Indeed," Ethan agreed.
"Oh, dear Sir Ethan," Saberi leaned on his desk, turning to Ethan. "You haven't answered my question. How do you know about coffee?"
"I'm curious too," Angelina added.
"Well…" Ethan smiled mysteriously, "Because I've had it before, and I embarrassed myself."
He made a mock retching gesture, causing Saberi and Angelina to laugh heartily.
"Sir Ethan, you're quite the character and well-traveled too," Saberi laughed. "But it's a pity that coffee hasn't caught on. I'm stuck with a lot of stock, and it's causing me trouble. If only those old folks in Marlow were as open-minded as you."
Ethan pondered for a moment. "Do you have a lot of stock?"
"Yes!" Saberi's face turned bitter. "Last year, the Black Iron Dwarves convinced me to try their coffee. I got hooked and thought others would too, so I bought a whole shipload. But the family elders dismissed it, and now I'm stuck with it. I've spent all my savings and future wealth on this venture. I've even stopped visiting my usual haunts and rely on… self-relief. It's been tough!"
He sighed dramatically, looking both humorous and pitiful.
Ethan saw Saberi's optimism and humor, and also a huge business opportunity. He smiled, ready to join the maritime trade boom.