Able couldn't help but notice the harsh realities faced by the commoners in both the Empire and Deliat.
The average monthly wage was about 2 Ceylons, which was absurdly low but sadly reflected reality. Half of this meager income went to food, leaving them living hand to mouth.
To survive, they had to save 12 shillings a year, buy clothes, and pay rent, making life a constant struggle.
It was no wonder the birth rate was so high; labor was directly tied to survival. But still, Able found it too little.
This was not a complaint made out of populism or a sense of superiority—this world was riddled with labor exploitation.
No matter how much one worked, it was impossible to achieve even a minimal standard of living. Workers were often forced to stay in "coffin" or "rope" dormitories. The former he understood, but the latter?
'You're talking about rope,' he thought grimly—a place where people slept while hanging from a long rope to avoid being bitten by rats or bugs.
