Chapter 563. Margaret

Chapter 563. Margaret

Margaret was soon seated on a sofa; the air of unfamiliarity shrouding her caused Charles to furrow his brows slightly.

A gaunt man in the shop was glancing around, his gaze filled with hints of lust. Upon noticing that Margaret was alone, he slowly slid toward her, and his hand darted out toward her chest with a predatory swiftness.

But before his hand could grasp Margaret's full bosom, a sharp grappling hook shot through the air and pierced the man's forearm with brutal precision.

"Ahhhhh!" the man screamed in agony as Charles dragged him out of the shop and onto the street.

Hearing the commotion, Margaret looked up. Her pupils were dilated, and her gaze unfocused as she let out a giggle.

Charles entered the shop once more, intending to help her up. However, several shadowy figures with red sashes on their shoulders materialized in front of him and blocked his path.

Margaret had her own guards; even if Charles had not intervened earlier, the pervert would have met a grim fate regardless.

"Charles," Margaret called as she stood up unsteadily. "Long time no see. What happened to your eyes and face?"

"Stop taking this stuff; it's bad for you."

"Bad? I think it's quite nice," Margaret retorted. She closed the gap between them and lifted a hand to caress Charles' face gently.

Staring at the scar that ran across her face, a hint of sadness surfaced in Charles' eyes.

"I have sent my men for expeditions, and the losses have been substantial. Yet, you have survived all these years of exploration. Frankly, I'm quite impressed," Margaret remarked.

"Margaret, I'm still of the same opinion. You need not join the expedition. As a governor, you should go back down to Whereto and stabilize your island. That's for the benefit of everyone."

"Is that so? Then why aren't you going down?" Margaret swayed unsteadily, looking as if she might collapse at any moment.

"Yes. As long as you fulfill your side of the agreement, we'll keep our word! We swear this upon the name of the Great One!"

***

On a bustling street, Charles strolled slowly with Lily as he reflected on his conversation with Margaret earlier. He felt that perhaps he could have done something for her, but upon reflecting deeper, he realized that he could do nothing at all.

Lily burrowed her furry head between Charles' fingers before looking up toward his chin and complained, "Mr. Charles, there's nothing fun on this street. It's so boring."

They weren't in the residential area. The shops on this street were catered for explorers and naturally offered goods and services appealing to the outlaws and not to Lily, like gun shops, brothels, casinos, and other vices.

Charles wandered over to a nearby shop selling cigarettes, which also had a small beverage stand in front.

"I'll have one cup," Charles ordered. He didn't even ask what they were selling and placed an order directly.

"Just a moment," the muscular woman with a brass nose ring replied. She pulled out a black, elongated fruit that resembled a bitter melon. Then, she scooped out the light purple insides onto a plate in front of Charles.

Next, the "bitter melon" rind was stuffed into a juicer. Lily's eyes widened in astonishment as a white juice was produced from the dark rind.

"Hey bud, is this mouse from the Explorers Association, too?" the nose-ringed vendor asked while pointing at Lily.

"You could say so," Charles answered nonchalantly. He scooped up a piece of the light purple flesh with a tin spoon and popped it into his mouth. The fruit didn't have much flesh, but it was sweet and pleasant, much to Charles' liking.

As Charles enjoyed the fruit, he observed the explorers going about their businesses on the street. Moving in groups, they entered various establishments, and there wasn't a single trace of sorrow on their faces.

"Everyone looks rather relaxed," Charles muttered to himself.

"Here you go!" The vendor handed Charles a cup of juice. "Why would these creatures be tense? They're too busy being happy. The Explorers Association covers all their expenses—liquor, fine dining, women, Comfort Fruits, and hallucinogenic mushrooms.

"The best of the entire Subterranean Sea has been sent up here to be at their disposal. They have everything they desire here."