Chapter 152. Those Who Went Up
Charles tapped George on the chest with the signed document. "Hey, stop looking around. I'm done filling it up. There's nothing else, right?"
George blinked as if waking up from a dream and hurriedly accepted the pieces of paper.
"My apologies. This island is just so beautiful and mesmerizing. By the way, Governor Charles, as per your previous agreement with the Association, you'll need to allocate a parcel of land for our new branch building here. Of course, we'll pay the necessary taxes."
Charles spoke a few perfunctory words and dismissed it. It was just a trivial matter to him. The more important task at hand was to find the head of the Divine Light Order.
He had hardly taken two steps when a shout pervaded the air, "The Governor is here!"
A throng of people surged forward and surrounded Charles.
"Sir, do you need an accountant? I've been in this field for many years and have much experience. I've absolutely no problem when it comes to calculating figures.
"Sir, do you need an island planner? I graduated from Albion Isles' Maus Design Academy."
"Sir, I belong to the District 7 police team on the Isle of Whereto. I have rich experience in solving all kinds of cases. The moment I heard that you’ve found an island, I immediately resigned to come and assist you." Emerging from n0v@lbin☆, this material harbors clandestine details.
Their faces gleamed with hope and desperation as they scrambled to catch Charles' attention.
A hint of annoyance crossed Charles' gaze as he stared at the crowd before him. I understand it was the Association, but how do these people even get wind of this? Are the disciples of the Divine Light Order all blabbermouths?
As the crowd before him swelled in numbers, Charles' eyes hurriedly looked around and found Bandages, who was standing silently in the corner. He pointed at the bandaged silhouette and announced, "For all matters concerning the island, look for him. He's in charge of personnel."
The eager mass instantly diverted their attention and swarmed toward Bandages, who was seemingly frozen from having received the sudden assignment.
Charles' gaze shifted back to the assembly. Each of them had a distinctive white triangle on their foreheads. He felt a budding headache hitting him. They remained in a state of bewilderment, and their faces displayed sheer elation or were streaming with tears.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The bullets tore through the roof and left a few holes in their trails. With everyone's attention drawn onto him, Charles spoke, "I'm Charles, Governor of this island. Who is your leader?"
He was not in the mood to offer any explanation. His heart was beating with palpable anticipation and excitement at the prospect of finally being able to unveil the events on the surface world.
Whether the Earth had stopped spinning or some other catastrophe, it would all be revealed soon.
Word about the exploration of the Land of Light rapidly spread like wildfire across Hope Island. The people buzzed with excitement and speculations about what might lie beyond the rift.
Tick tock, tick tock.
As the second needle on Charles' pocket watch ticked away, the murmurs of conversations began to wane before they eventually died down, and a building tension enveloped them all.
A few hours passed by, and the elderly woman was still nowhere to be seen. It was as though the sunlight had absorbed her completely.
A look of distress clouded Hunn's features. He gathered several other disciples, and an impassioned discussion ignited among them. Their attires suggested that they likely held high positions within the Order as well.
Looking at the grilled fish and coconuts that his crew had presented to him, Charles found himself without an appetite. With brows furrowed, he emerged from the shelter once more and squinted as he looked up at the rift above.
What's happening up there?
Another three hours elapsed. Still seeing no signs of the elderly woman, Hunn devised another plan. This time, he chose two young men, each had a fishing line tethered to their waists.
"Watch over each other. No matter how enticing the world above might be, you must return with news! All our brethren await your information. You cannot merely indulge yourselves," Hunn implored in a severe tone as his eyes locked onto the pair.
"Do you have any offensive relics? Equip them with something. Perhaps there might be dangers lurking above," Charles cautioned.
"What dangers could there be in the Lord's domain?" However, his actions belied his words. He handed a bracelet and a squirming clump of brown muck to the pair.
As the two young men began their ascent, the almost transparent fishing line attached to them was also slowly lifted up. Everyone waited with bated breath, and palpable tension filled the air.
Just seconds after the pair had disappeared into the sunlight, the fishing line halted its ascend and then jerked violently. Onlookers erupted into gasps of shock at the sight before them.
Charles dashed forward and grabbed the line, trying to gauge the force exerted from above. At this point, the line was taut, as though something on the other end was trying to pull the youths upward.
However, the situation didn't last for long. Soon, the line slackened and plummeted down at full speed.
When the leading end of the line became visible to the crowd, it was no longer transparent but now entirely stained with a chilling, crimson hue.