Even Charles, who didn't often keep up with current events, had heard plenty of gossip about the new governor. Overall, this governor was a man who preferred the company of other men. While that wasn't particularly scandalous, his brazen decision to marry six husbands was pushing it a bit too far.

  Fortunately, aside from his peculiarities, he seemed to take his responsibilities for Coral Island’s administration and the welfare of its citizens seriously, leading to a relatively positive reputation among the islanders.

  The golden car pulled up beside the dock, and the governor did not exit, as if he were waiting for something.

  At that moment, a line of police officers in black uniforms poured out, numbering nearly a thousand. They swiftly began to disperse the crowd at the dock.

  Laborers moving cargo and fish merchants were quickly driven away, leaving the once-bustling dock eerily quiet.

  When the dark coastline suddenly lit up with a bright light, Charles realized who the governor had been waiting for.

  One ship, two ships, three ships—three massive steamships, each nearly the size of the Titanic, approached the shore, blaring their deafening horns, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.

  Margaret, standing by the window, became ecstatic upon seeing the crossed flags of rifles and cannons on the ships. “Mr. Charles! That’s my father’s ship! He’s come to get me! I can go home!!”

  Nico, draped in a fluffy white cloak, stepped out of the car and smiled as he watched the colossal ships draw closer. He clapped his hands, and nearly ten armed warships positioned their cannons toward the three giant vessels.

  The massive steamships were stuck outside the harbor, unable to approach further, while the sailors aboard signaled frantically with flags, but the warships remained unyielding, using their show of force to prevent passage.

  “Boom!” A cannon fired in the distance, and a dark shape shot toward the dock.

  As the object drew near, Charles’s eyes widened in shock. It wasn’t a cannonball; it was a man—a stout figure with a big belly and a pair of bushy mustaches.

  He was slammed to the ground by the tremendous impact, only to bounce back up and stand firm as if nothing had happened.

  “Indeed, no governor is an easy opponent; he uses his body as a cannonball,” Charles thought, astonished.

  “Let’s go. We need to get closer,” he said, grabbing the girl beside him and leaping down from the window onto the adjacent rooftop, sprinting toward the dock over chimneys and tiles.

  “Nico! What do you mean by this?!” Daniel shouted angrily at the governor of Coral Island, completely ignoring the guns raised around him.

  Hearing the furious shout of the island’s governor, Nico casually trimmed his long nails with a shiny golden nail file.

  “You brought three Royal Giants to someone else's island. What do you think it means?”

  “I told you in the telegram!! I’m here to find my daughter!” Daniel’s expression was that of an enraged lion.

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  “Hmph~ Six years ago, you said the same thing to young Arthur, and look what happened to his island.”

  The urgent whistle of the police interrupted their argument, causing both men to turn their heads toward the sound.

  A young man with a diagonal scar on his face and black hair was leaping between rooftops like a monkey, accompanied by a girl, swiftly reaching the two men.

  Seeing the suspicious figure approaching the governor, the nearby police began to draw their guns.

  “Father!” Margaret exclaimed, wanting to rush toward the distance, but Charles held her back.

  Nico blinked his heavily made-up eyes. “Everyone, lower your weapons. I seem to have a faint recollection of this handsome young man.”

  “You bastard! You’re the one who kidnapped my daughter!” Daniel, the island governor, clenched his fists in anger, ready to charge.

  “Father, it’s not what you think! Mr. Charles is a good person; he saved me,” Margaret quickly explained.

  After hearing his daughter’s account, Daniel shot a cold glance at Charles. “If it’s a misunderstanding, then hurry and let my daughter go!”

  Before Charles could respond, Margaret reminded him, “Father, don’t forget! You promised Mr. Charles the reward of 500,000 echoes!”

  Faced with his daughter’s reminder, Daniel’s thick lips quivered, and he ultimately said nothing. He pulled out a check from his pocket, quickly filled it out, and threw it down on the ground.

  As the check fell, Charles raised his hand, and it flew straight to him.

  “Father!” Margaret rushed forward, hugging Daniel’s belly, creating a comical scene with their contrasting sizes.

  “How is it? Did you suffer any grievances? Tell your father, and I’ll take revenge for you!” The governor anxiously examined his daughter.

  “No, I’m fine. It’s all thanks to Mr. Charles; he saved me,” she replied.

  Daniel shot Charles a hostile look, then yanked his daughter’s hand and walked toward the sea. “Let’s go home. Your mother has been crying her eyes out for you.”

  “Wait, I want to say a few words to Mr. Charles.”

  “What’s there to say to that kind of person? Let’s go home!” Without waiting for his daughter to protest further, Daniel turned and walked away, dragging her along.

  Under everyone’s gaze, the governor stepped onto the water’s surface, heading toward the distant giant ship.

  Margaret, resting on her father’s shoulder, looked back longingly at the young man on the dock. She had hoped he would say something to her, but he remained silent.

  Watching his calm expression, memories of their time together flooded her mind.

  She suddenly thought of persuading her father to let her stay a little longer, but she ultimately kept quiet.

  “Mr. Charles! Goodbye! I will send you a telegram!” Tears streamed down the girl’s cheeks.

  Upon hearing this, Daniel’s expression darkened, and he quickened his pace.

  “Smart move, managing to extort Daniel’s money, but your heart isn’t dark enough. If I had his daughter, the price would be much higher,” Nico leaned closer to the young man, the strong scent of his perfume wafting toward Charles.

  Charles silently took a step back. “Your Excellency, you jest. For someone like me, 500,000 echoes is more than enough.”

  The 500,000 echoes were merely a way to irritate him; if he were to ask for a higher price, it could easily cost him his life.

  Nico gazed at the young man with interest. “So you’re the one who caused a stir in Sodom? Made the ‘King’ suffer a bit?”

  Charles’s heart stirred. The governor was well-informed; he had learned about that incident quickly. “Yes, I killed the ‘King.’”

  But Nico’s next words caught Charles off guard.

  “No, you couldn’t have killed him. If he could be killed so easily, he wouldn’t be the ‘King’ of Sodom. As far as I know, no one in the entire sea can kill him.”

  Charles recalled the body sinking to the seabed, his heart racing. “Half of his head was severed, and he still didn’t die? What on earth is that man?”

  “You’re quite impressive. If you have time, come visit me at the center of my island. We can get to know each other better,” Nico said, turning toward his golden car.

  Charles firmly rejected the idea in his mind. He had no intention of becoming this man’s seventh husband.

  Looking at the 500,000 echo check in his hand, Charles let out a sigh. This matter seemed to have come to a close. With this money, he wouldn’t have to worry about funding for the time being.

  He tucked the check into his pocket, glanced around, and called out to a nearby white rat watching the spectacle. “Lily, gather the crew. The vacation is over; it’s time to set sail.”