Sitting in a simple wooden hut, Leonardo looked solemnly at the pair of brothers before him. "I heard you’ve worked in the administrative departments of other islands?"


    "Yes, sir. We were responsible for document management on Spider Island. Of course, we can handle other tasks as well."


    "Then let me test you. What are the main responsibilities of a qualified Minister of Administration?"


    The Joseph brothers exchanged glances, a hint of surprise in their eyes. They hadn’t expected to be asked this question during their recruitment.


    "What? Can’t answer? The door’s over there. Leave. Hope Island doesn’t welcome liars," Leonardo said coldly.


    Hearing this, the two panicked. They had come all this way, and if they were sent back now, they wouldn’t even have a ship to return on.


    "I know, of course I know. Responsible for implementing the Governor’s instructions, facilitating communication between departments, and promptly reporting information to the Governor."


    "Right, right. Also, based on the Governor’s intentions and the island’s development strategy, drafting departmental work plans, annual summaries, and other important documents, leading or assisting in planning research for other departments."


    The two brothers blurted out everything they knew, trying to prove their worth.


    Leonardo nodded expressionlessly, quickly jotting down notes as they spoke.


    When they finished, he spoke again. "Second question. If you were the Minister of Administration, what would be your first priority in the island’s current environment?"


    After a brief discussion, the older brother cautiously replied, "Um… prioritize establishing the framework for the island’s departments? Is that correct?"


    Leonardo’s face hardened. "Are you asking me? Did you recruit me, or did I recruit you?"


    The brothers shrank back, nodding repeatedly.


    "Leave. Come back tomorrow for the results. Don’t get your hopes up. The Governor’s standards are very strict."


    As the brothers left, Leonardo’s calm demeanor instantly vanished. With a sigh of relief, he tugged at his collar, breathing heavily. "Damn, finally found two usable people."


    He stood up and walked to the window, cautiously observing the bandaged figure on the sand in the distance.


    Though he appeared to be just an incapacitated patient, Leonardo knew the power this man, Charles, held. The entire island belonged to him.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    The thought of those cold eyes sent a shiver down Leonardo’s spine.


    But more than the fear of death, Leonardo’s heart burned with desire for power.


    Yes, Leonardo was a fraud. When he learned of a new island’s emergence, he saw it as a golden opportunity to strike it big.


    He wasn’t the Minister of Administration of Shadow Island, but he was certain these sea-faring lunatics wouldn’t know what the real Minister looked like.


    Since no one knew, if he claimed to be the Minister, then he was.


    If this plan succeeded, he would rise from a small-time swindler in the port district to a core noble of an island!


    As Leonardo fantasized about his glorious future, the Governor in the distance suddenly turned and looked at him.


    Leonardo remained unfazed. With a bow and a hand on his shoulder, he respectfully acknowledged the Governor before returning to his seat to continue recruiting.


    Where there are people, there is society. Though Hope Island was initially chaotic and disordered, with the establishment of the Governor’s departments, a structured social order began to return.


    "Governor, here’s the six-month island development plan I’ve drafted. What do you think?"


    Leonardo respectfully handed a booklet filled with writing to Charles.


    Seeing Charles take it, Leonardo stood confidently, waiting.


    "Governor, with ample food and fresh water on the island, I suggest issuing a recruitment order to other islands. After all, Hope Island’s population is still quite small."


    Charles flipped through the pages, his mind elsewhere. "You’ve done well these past days."


    "Naturally. As I said before, I’m a professional."


    "Really? A professional fraud?"


    The room’s atmosphere instantly chilled. Leonardo’s smile froze. "Governor, I don’t know what you mean."


    "You’ve been very cautious, not revealing any flaws in front of my people. But coincidentally, one of my crew members isn’t human."


    A white mouse climbed onto Charles’ shoulder, sticking out its tongue at Leonardo.


    "A… mouse?" Leonardo took half a step back, feeling something furry under his foot.


    He turned in horror to see a cluster of brown mice huddled behind him.


    "These are also my crew, and they understand human speech. Every word you’ve said, they’ve heard clearly."


    When Leonardo felt something cold and hard press against the back of his head, his body went cold, and his heart raced.


    He deeply regretted his earlier decision. Those who become Governors aren’t ordinary people. What madness had driven him to deceive a Governor?


    Just as Leonardo thought he’d be shot, the hard object retreated.


    "Fine, proceed as planned."


    Leonardo trembled as he turned, looking at the Governor in disbelief. "You’re not going to kill me?"


    "Why would I? You’ve done well with the island’s affairs. I need someone like you as Minister of Administration."


    Leonardo’s legs shook as he walked out. Once outside, he collapsed, gasping for breath.


    "Mr. Charles, why didn’t you punish him? He deceived you," Lily asked, her big eyes wide.


    "Someone has to do the work. Since he’s doing well, let him continue. We don’t have anyone else to replace him right now."


    Charles scratched at the itchy bandages on his arm.


    "Aren’t you worried he’ll secretly cause trouble?"


    "As long as I hold the knife, I can replace the pen whenever I want."


    Charles scratched more vigorously, the sound of dead skin rustling beneath the bandages. Finally, he stood up and began unwrapping the bandages.


    On the table, Lily covered her eyes with her tiny paws, peeking through the gaps at Charles.


    Bandages, scabs, and dead skin fell to the floor in rolls. Standing naked before the mirror, Charles examined his body.


    His recovery was better than expected. The grotesque, fused flesh seen on the vampire sailors hadn’t appeared.


    Apart from a few burn scars, most of his skin had healed, though it was patchy with pink and white areas. Full recovery would take time.


    Of course, all his body hair was gone. Charles rubbed his smooth head, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.