"Don’t worry, the Governor won’t do that," Charles said to the man before him.


    "How do you know? Are you the Governor?" The passerby looked disdainfully at the man who seemed to lack even eyebrows.


    "He is—" Lily was about to retort, but Charles quickly silenced her.


    "Let’s go, we’ll check out other places," Charles turned and walked away from the square.


    Arguing further was pointless. Once the new decree was posted, he’d understand.


    Charles and Lily continued their walk, passing through the square to what was called the island’s central area.


    Of course, due to the lack of building materials, the center wasn’t much better than before, except the people here dressed better.


    Residents here were either staff serving the Governor’s mansion or the exploration crew who had fought alongside Charles.


    The sparse population made the area feel somewhat empty, with some open spaces still holding stones.


    "What’s this?" Charles picked up a stone and saw something carved on it. "John No. 3."


    "Mr. Charles, I know this! Jump told me. People use these stones to mark their land. Once the shipping routes are established, they’ll build many houses here and rent them out for profit."


    "Huh, that’s a first," Charles placed the stone back.


    Just then, Charles noticed someone familiar walking towards him.


    It was Fred, the cook from the Narwhal. He was flanked by two voluptuous women, chatting and laughing.


    The tall, thin man standing between the two curvaceous women looked somewhat comical.


    "Chef!" Lily’s shout caught Fred’s attention.


    Seeing his captain, Fred looked surprised and quickly approached. "Captain? Are you healed?"


    "Much better," Charles pointed to the women. "Who are they?"


    Fred grinned. "Four days ago, when I got home, they were waiting at my door, begging to be my wives. Where else would I find such a deal? Of course, I agreed."


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "So, they came to you because you’re now a central islander?"


    "Exactly, but isn’t that a good thing? Captain, their skin is so soft, much softer than those on the streets. Here, feel it."


    "Lily’s still here. Watch your words," Charles frowned slightly.


    Noticing the white mouse on Charles’ hand, Fred felt awkward. "Lily, sorry, sorry."


    "How’s your work on the island going? Any issues?"


    "You mean the Governor’s Finance Department? Don’t worry, I’m doing fine. I’m working hard."


    Fred hesitated. "Captain, we’re all family. You know me—I can only cook. I’m really worried I’ll mess things up in such a crucial position. Maybe you should find someone else."


    "If not this, what do you plan to do?"


    Fred’s eyes widened. "Captain, why do I have to do anything? Isn’t it better to just play all day? Isn’t that why we became central islanders—to enjoy life?"


    "What about the Land of Light? You’re not going there either?"


    Fred chuckled. "Captain, if it’s as you say, life here isn’t much worse than up there. Who knows if women like these would just show up there, right?"


    Charles stared at him intently, making Fred uneasy. "Captain, did I do something wrong?"


    "Nothing, you’re doing fine," Charles turned and left with Lily.


    Charles walked through the streets, checking on his crew’s residences. He realized the island’s allure was stronger than he’d thought.


    Most of the crew had eagerly started living their imagined lives as central islanders.


    Seeing their exaggerated behavior, a word popped into Charles’ mind: nouveau riche.


    Of course, not everyone had fallen into decadence. The doctor spent his days holed up in his room, doing who knows what, while Bandages was fully immersed in building Hope Island’s navy.


    Finally, Charles found his chief engineer, James, in a banana plantation.


    The tall James, wearing a large hat, was carefully inspecting the banana leaves.


    Seeing Charles wave, James greeted him with a warm smile. "Captain, are you healed? Hi, little Lily."


    "Not bad. You seem quite knowledgeable about this?"


    "Yeah, my grandpa taught me to grow ryegrass. But after he got sick, my employer let me go. That’s why I became a sailor."


    "Any women climbing into your bed?"


    "Captain, what are you saying? I’m married, and my wife is pregnant."


    At the mention of his child, James’ face lit up with happiness. "I can’t wait to see them. They must have been born by now. I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl."


    Seeing his smile, Charles thought for a moment. "Your wish is to have your wife and child by your side?"


    James scratched his head sheepishly, then quickly put his hand down, his expression serious.


    "Mr. Charles, but rest assured, if you need me, I’ll drop everything and return to the deck!"


    Charles shook his head. "No need. It’s over. Stay on the island. If you really want to help me, take care of Hope Island’s agriculture."


    Without waiting for James’ reply, Charles turned and left. This time, he didn’t head back to the grass huts but walked under the sunlight.


    Charles, under the sun, seemed to be in a different world from those in the grass huts.


    Sensing Charles’ mood, Lily looked up at him.


    "Mr. Charles, are you unhappy?"


    "Not really, just reflecting. Everyone is so happy, no longer fearing the dangers of the sea.


    Women, family, money—they’ve found what they need. The Land of Light is now just an optional place for them.


    Good thing we’ve found the surface exit. Whether they follow or not doesn’t matter anymore."


    Charles turned to look at the dark sea beside him. Suddenly, everything that had happened over the past nine years felt like a dream.


    "Mr. Charles, don’t worry. Wherever you go, I’ll always be with you," Lily hugged Charles’ coat, leaning her little head against it.


    Charles stroked Lily’s fur, looking up at the sunlight streaming through the cracks. "This dream is finally ending."