Shrouded Seascape

Chapter 527. Whereto

Governor Margaret of the Isle of Whereto opened her eyes slowly from her slumber. She stared blankly at the electric light on the ceiling for a good while.

Soon, her maids walked into the room and assisted her. Upon settling into her seat before the vanity table, Margaret dressed up and started applying her makeup with the help of the maids.

The luxurious Governor's Mansion of the Isle of Whereto was eerily quiet and desolate. The windows were sealed shut, so there was virtually zero ventilation, which brought upon a faint musty smell in the air.

The "death light" had claimed the lives of many of the Governor's Mansion staffers, but Margaret had no intention of hiring staffers to replace them. After all, she was the only surviving member of the entire Cavendish Family; there was no need to hire so many people just to take care of her.

Margaret gazed at herself in the mirror and took in her haggard appearance for a while. Eventually, a soft voice echoed from behind her. The voice had come from her assistant.

"Esteemed Governor, we've just received a telegram from Governor Charles of Hope Island; he said that the light is fading gradually. Do you wish to respond to him?"

Margaret shook her head and replied, "No need to respond. I noticed it as well. He's not the only one with eyes, after all. Anything else?"

"A representative from the Explorers Association is waiting outside for you. He has been waiting for half an hour now."

"The Explorers Association? I thought their surviving staffers had retreated to their headquarters? How come they've returned?"

"They've just returned to the island today. Apparently, the Explorers Association has issued a new regulation on governors, and they've come here to tell you about it."

"A new regulation? The Explorers Association has issued a new regulation and wants to enforce it on us? What rights do they have to do that?" Margaret turned to look at her assistant next to her.

The woman looked down; she dared not meet Margaret's gaze, as the intangible pressure Margaret was exuding bored down on her entire being. "My apologies, Governor, but I'm not aware of the details. That's the extent of my knowledge."

"Bring him in, then. I'm curious as to what regulation they're trying to impose."

Soon, an aged voice echoed behind her. "Governor, the President of the Explorers Association has issued a new regulation for every governor. It is all for the sake of mankind's survival beneath the 'death light.'"

"Oh? And what regulation has your president announced?"

The envoy, whose hair was half black and half white, pulled out some papers from his leather bag. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses before reading the texts on the paper out loud.

"Greetings, Esteemed Governors. My name is Jax, and I am the President of the Explorers Association. For the sake of protecting our common interests, I hereby notify you that for the next five years, any form of war or plunder between islands in the Subterranean Sea is strictly prohibited.

"This regulation was endorsed by Julio, the Governor of Cat Island in the Southern Seas, the Patriarch of the Watz family in the Western Seas, Charles, the Governor of Hope Island in the Northern Seas, and the eleven high priests of the Fhtagn Covenant in the Eastern Seas.

"Violating this regulation is strictly prohibited, so please be sure to abide by it."

Margaret grazed her scarless cheek with her finger, putting something across it before responding, "Then what's the deal with the war between Hope Island and the Fhtagn Covenant?"

"Well... it's all water under the bridge now. At the recent telegram conference, Governor Charles has also expressed his intention to strictly abide by the regulation."

Having finished her makeup, Margaret stood up and took out a fountain pen from the side before signing on the pieces of paper that the envoy had presented to her.

"I'm a bit curious. Why did you choose Charles as the representative of the Northern Seas?"

The man carefully collected the signed papers as he replied, "It's because his island has the most population throughout the Northern Seas. I'm sure you know that only his island was spared from the 'death light.'

"Governor Swann was the strongest governor throughout the Northern Seas, but he has already passed away. As for the Isle of Whereto..." The envoy trailed off, but the implied message was unmistakable.

The Isle of Whereto had already fallen from grace and no longer had the qualifications to vie for the top spot.

Margaret Cavendish stared calmly at the envoy. "How come the Explorers Association still has time to deal with these matters? Weren't you guys affected by the 'death light' as well?"

The envoy of the Explorers Association revealed a determined expression at Margaret's remark before replying, "Our losses were indeed great. We lost our president and vice president. The Association's internal affairs are in a mess as well with everything that is happening at the moment, but...

"We cannot stop. We are a net—an expansive net covering the entire Subterranean Sea. Mankind will not die out so long as we exist. Please remember that our existence is beneficial to everyone, Governor Margaret."

With that, the man placed one hand on his chest and bowed deeply to the Governor of Whereto before turning to leave.

Left all alone, Margaret expressed her strong unwillingness and defiance through her face. "Do they really think that Hope Island is strong enough to represent the Northern Seas? Hmph, I'll reclaim the glory of the Cavendish one day."

"Hehehe, what use is meaningless boasting? Hope Island has undergone a qualitative change. What do you have to compete with them? However, I do have a good solution," a little girl said. She grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth as she walked toward Margaret through the door.

She was none other than the "King" of Sottom, 134.

The hideous scar on Margaret's cheek wrinkled as she frowned deeply. "What solution are you talking about?"

"It's not that hard—a political marriage. I mean, think about it. You only have to let him ride you a few times at most, and you'll obtain a share of the powerhouse known as Hope Island. Isn't that the best trade deal ever?

"However, that's just the beginning; the best part is what's going to come next. We'll find a way to kill him once you two are married. Once he's dead, Hope Island is going to be ours—Tsk, not ours! That island was supposed to be mine!" 134 roared, and her gaze revealed extreme hatred. After all, Charles was the reason she had to live under someone else's roof even now.

Throughout the entire Subterranean Sea, 134 hated Charles the most if the Fhtagn Covenant weren't included in the count.

Margaret stood up abruptly, and she looked annoyed as she said, "A childish plan like playing house won't work against Charles. Besides, he already has a child. A political marriage is impossible."

134 glared at Margaret's retreating figure and roared, "You come up with a plan, then! What can you accomplish with your navy that has dwindled to just over two thousand men? If it hadn't been for the fact that the majority of my people have perished, I would have seized this wretched island of yours long ago!"

Margaret ignored 134 and entered her office to handle the island's affairs. The Isle of Whereto was currently in dire straits, and she had many things to do as its governor.

Margaret looked down at the document in her hand. It contained a proposal to recruit islanders from other islands to help in Whereto's construction efforts.

Just as she was reading the document, the glass of water on her desk churned and emitted a fishy stench.

"Long time no see, Margaret. We didn't obtain the best result against the Divine Light Order, but we work pretty well together."

Margaret put down the document in her hand and replied, "Don't come looking for me anymore. The Divine Light Order is gone, so our cooperation has ended as well. I don't want to get too involved with you people."

"Oh? Really? Are you not tempted to become the overlord of the Northern Seas?"

Margaret instantly deduced why they had decided to seek her out.

"You want me to deal with Charles?"

"Of course, who else? You know, we can work together and take care of him.

"Hope Island is too far from us, and it's not exactly appealing, so as long as you help us get rid of Charles, his prosperous island will become yours. By then, you will be the Queen of the Northern Seas!"

Margaret cast a cold gaze upon the pair of eyes in the glass of water. "You've probably said that to quite a few people, haven't you? Have you not heard of the new regulation that the Explorers Association has issued? Don't you think it's suicide to make a move at this point?"

"You can take your time, just like last time. We also understand that it can't be rushed. Everyone needs time to recuperate as well. Anyway, you still haven't answered me. Are you willing to work with us or not?"

Margaret stared calmly at the eyes in the glass of water for a long time. Finally, a resolute light flashed in her eyes.

"Count me in," Margaret replied.