Chapter 147. Governor of Hope Island
Noting the burning greed in their eyes, Charles immediately knew their intent.
"Is this the right time to be discussing about this?" Charles' brows were slightly furrowed in irritation. Despite their current predicament, they still had the time and thoughts to want to negotiate their rights to the island?
Feuerbach stepped forward with a radiant smile on his face. Looking at Charles, he said, "Everyone knows you command the fleet, and the nautical chart belongs to you and Kord. So it's a given that you will be the governor of this island. However, we have also risked our lives alongside you on this mission. Surely we deserve a stake as well, no?"
The captains standing behind Feuerbach hurriedly nodded in agreement. Once they saw that a simple makeshift hay shed could ward off the deadly sunlight, they grew restless. The island's richness in resources was evident to everyone unless they were blind.
It was no barren wasteland.
With habitable land and fresh water, people could definitely live here.
Captain Golden Hook stepped forward and added, "Everyone risked their lives back at Skywater Island during the fuel raid. According to the age-old maritime traditions, we have the right to pledge allegiance to you."
Feeling uneasy, he observed Charles' expression and continued in a softer tone. "Of course, we would accept a smaller stake too."
Charles was well aware of the old traditions.
Anyone who rendered assistance to a governor in conquering a livable island was entitled to a portion of it. The stake didn't merely serve as compensation for the conquest, but it was also payment for future protection. Only when everyone was bound by a shared interest would they be more inclined to help the governor in managing the island.
And that was how island governors started out and formed their initial governing team...
They needed to form alliances to ensure that their island wouldn't be invaded and overtaken by other governors.
Overhearing the captains' conversation, the surrounding crew members ceased working. Their eyes turned to Charles, and a tense silence descended upon the area.
Their fates hung in balance. If Charles agreed, they would then become central islanders regardless if they eventually reached the Land of Light.
Sensing the heavy gazes weighing down on himself, Charles knew that they would probably not be in the mood to do anything else if he were to refuse.
"All right, if it's just an oath of allegiance, sure, I'll sign it. Get it over and done with, and get back to work."
Wild grins of triumph appeared on the captains' faces. They eagerly produced their already-prepared oaths from within their garments.
"It seems like everyone came well prepared, huh?" Charles commented as he uncapped his fountain pen.
As usual, Feuerbach was the first in line. He handed a crimson parchment with golden text to Charles. "Actually, most exploration ship captains keep two pre-written contracts in their captain's quarters. One is to submit to the Explorers Association as proof of governorship. The other is an oath of allegiance to a governor."
Taking the contract from Feuerbach, he scanned through the contents and found them to be of the standard template. Without hesitation, he signed his full name in the designated blank for the governor.
Charles Reed
According to the maritime rules, each surviving captain was entitled to a 3% stake in the island. With twelve captains, they collectively accounted for 36% of the island's rights. The remaining 64% would then belong to the newly conferred governor, Charles.
Having a stake in the island was equivalent to having shares. As long as taxes were collected, those with shares would never starve—they would be able to live off the taxes as the primary beneficiaries of the island.
Swiftly signing all twelve oaths of allegiance, Charles capped his pen.
"All done. Get back to work." Annoyance was evident in his tone. In his opinion, he found all these completely unnecessary. They were going up to the surface world, so there was no point in being distracted by these trivial formalities.
Feuerbach shook his head and replied, "There's one more thing, Governor Charles."
Anticipating the next step, every crew member stopped their tasks at hand and swiftly formed a circle around the captains. Their faces lit up with the thrill of witnessing such a historical moment.
Under the gazes of their crews, the twelve captains lined up in a single row before Charles. Going down on one knee, they placed their left hand on their right shoulder while they held the oath of allegiance in their right hand.
With a stern and solemn look, they pledged in unison, "We swear eternal loyalty to the governor. We will never betray or deceive!"
"We swear to courageously reply against all external threats against the island and defend our territory to the last inch!"
"We, and our lineage, swear eternal loyalty to the Reed Family till the day the island sinks!"
Reading out each declaration one by one, their voices grew louder with each proclamation.
Upon reciting the final vow, the twelve captains collectively bowed and said, "Governor, please name the island."
Charles looked toward the brilliant sunlight outside the shelter with mixed emotions in his eyes. He then declared, "Hope Island."
The moment his words fell, ecstatic cheers erupted in the shelter. Their identity and status had been transformed. They were no longer sailors risking their lives at sea but esteemed central islanders.
Looking at Second Mate Conor, who was walking around with a spring in his steps and a wide grin, Charles struggled to understand the man's elation. In comparison to the surface world, what was so joyous about owning a stupid barren land?
Feuerbach leaned in with the usual smile on his face.
Sensing Charles' confusion, he explained, "Governor, the land you spoke of is extremely enticing—so enticing that it felt out of reach. They care more about what is tangible. In other words, what's right in front of them."
Charles turned to Feuerbach and asked, "Is this your goal, too?
"Of course," Feuerbach had a matter-of-fact expression. "I am the captain of an exploration vessel, too. My dream is to become a central islander as well. Can't you see how happy I am?"
Charles was rather skeptical of the words of the green-haired man before him, but for now, he didn't seem to bear any harmful intentions.
"Enough of this useless chatter. If we don't send these photos out, none of us are going anyway," Charles instructed.
Soon, he also realized that there were some positive benefits to the declaration ceremony. The crews' morale had evidently soared, and every face was brimming with anticipation of a brighter future. True to its name, Hope Island instilled hope in every individual.
With renewed passion, the crews moved fast and in no time, the fuel storage of all twelve ships had been filled up.
Standing in the ship's bridge, Charles' brows were furrowed as he stared at the nautical map adorning the wall. Three hundred nautical miles wasn't too far for a steamship stocked full of fuel.
However, Hope Island was situated at the edge of humans' explored territories. No one knew what lay beyond those uncharted waters.
To ensure that nothing would go wrong, Charles had decided to have all twelve ships escort Monti in his mission.
He was rather reluctant about returning to the sea, but he didn't really have a choice in this matter. He scanned his fleet and observed a dozen searchlights piercing through the darkness.
He took a deep breath and commanded, "Start the engines. We move out!"
Next to him, Bandages nodded and started turning the wheel.
Hope Island's sunlight gradually disappeared beyond the horizon as the Narwhale, accompanied by the twelve exploration vessels, ventured into the darkness once more.
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