Chapter 461, No Need to Ask the Corpse
The crisis on Gold-Silver Island has been resolved, and next comes the appointment of a new Island Lord.
As for the candidate, the decision now lies with the headquarters of the Guild.
After all, whether it's "Imiro" or Wu Heng, who resolved most of the troubles, they are both members of the Guild.
Both must follow its rules.
Imiro leaned against the back of the chair and asked directly, "Dean Janvito, which scenario do you think is more likely?"
Janvito seemed to have already considered this question and said slowly, "According to the Guild's usual arrangements, the second scenario is more likely—to appoint someone skilled in management as the new Island Lord."
The second scenario involves bringing in a new Island Lord from outside.
The downside is also obvious—a newcomer would need some time to understand the local situation.
Over time, it's possible that a new group of pirates might arise.
Becoming a pirate doesn't require much of a threshold, and as time goes by, they'll emerge endlessly.
Imiro nodded, clearly aware of how the Guild operates.
Janvito continued, "Of course, this is just based on past assumptions. If a locally nominated person has high enough prestige and local support, then the likelihood of the first scenario increases."
As he spoke, he looked up at the other party.
The implication was clear—if Imiro wanted to be the Island Lord, it wouldn't be too much trouble.
Imiro said directly, "The locally nominated candidate is Deputy Steward Wu Heng. This time, he predicted the enemy's plans in advance, killed Occam, and stopped the pirates from landing on the island. He should be the one recommended."
Janvito looked slightly surprised.
He softly reminded, "The position on Gold-Silver Island is quite desirable."
Imiro's tone remained calm, "I came to Gold-Silver Island only because the Guild couldn't find anyone more suitable. Now that the pirate issue is resolved, I have my own path to follow and won't stay on Gold-Silver Island for long."
"The elves are truly enviable; they have more time to pursue their own paths," Janvito said, with a hint of envy.
He then added, "If you were to take the position, the success rate would be higher. If that young Deputy Steward is recommended, the chances would be much smaller."
Imiro replied indifferently, "Then it'll depend on his luck."
"Once you've decided, write it down and send it to the headquarters of the Guild as soon as possible."
"Alright!"
In the residential area, in a mansion's hall.
Shanaila was dressed in a purple gown, looking dignified and elegant.
She sat at one side of the long table, while representatives of various merchant groups sat around the sides of square tables, discussing in low voices the events of the past two days.
The restoration of order on Gold-Silver Island brought them the greatest joy.
After this incident, Gold-Silver Island would usher in a new era.
Maritime shipping would become the new golden route.
"I've heard that the Guild is electing a new Island Lord. Does anyone have any thoughts?" Shanaila suddenly spoke, drawing everyone's attention.
A representative of a merchant group fiddled with the gold ring on his hand and said, "We don't have a say in the Guild's choice, so what's there to think about?"
"Indeed, as long as it's not a pirate, we're fine with whoever is chosen."
"Given the current situation, any Island Lord would be beneficial to us. Maritime trade can only improve."
The others chimed in, expressing optimism about the current situation.
As they said,
The Guild operates with very clear rules and systems.
Merchants prefer to conduct business within rules.
Therefore, as long as the Guild appoints someone, it doesn't matter who the Island Lord is, as long as it's not a pirate.
Shanaila put down her teacup and smiled, "Actually, I'm more inclined to have Deputy Steward Wu Heng as the Island Lord."
The merchant group representatives were taken aback.
Curious glances were directed at her.
"Madam Shanaila, if you have something to say, just say it. We're all here, and it's a good opportunity to discuss."
Shanaila nodded and said, "You may not be aware that the Guild's appointments generally fall into three categories: local nomination, external transfer, or handing it over to a neighboring kingdom."
She paused slightly, letting the others digest her words.
She then continued, "The latter two provide no help to us. The battle the night before last—many of us were involved in some way. We can't let all our efforts go to waste, only to end up with no connection to the Island at all."
She paused slightly, allowing the others to process her words.
Then she continued, "The latter two options don't help us at all. The battle the night before last—we all contributed in some way. How could we let all that effort go to waste, leaving us with no connection to the Island in the end?"
Everyone frowned.
For a moment, they couldn't grasp her meaning.
But someone still played along, saying, "From what Madam Shanaila is saying, it seems we did contribute."
"Exactly, I lost quite a few guards too."
"What you're saying makes sense, but how does this relate to Deputy Steward Wu Heng?"
As they each spoke, the hall grew a bit chaotic.
Shanaila picked up a silver spoon, lightly tapping the edge of her teacup, and said, "I plan to write a recommendation letter on behalf of the merchant guild to the Guild, nominating Deputy Steward Wu Heng as the new Island Lord."
"Does this have any direct connection to us?"
Shanaila explained slowly, "First, our lives were saved by him. Supporting our savior ensures that if there's danger in the future, someone will still save us. Second, his character and talent are quite good. At just over 20 years old, he's already reached the position of Deputy Steward—he's a genius and likely to achieve even more in the future. Third, he has enough strength to hold Gold-Silver Island."
Without waiting for the others to respond, she summarized, "Helping him benefits us in two ways: externally, it shows we remember our savior and support a genius, which is a form of investment; internally, it ensures stability on Gold-Silver Island, benefiting our guild."
Wow~!
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone began discussing again.
From what Shanaila said, it seemed that nominating this Deputy Steward was in their best interest.
"Then why not let Imiro become the Island Lord? That Deputy Steward is a necromancer, after all, which could lead to problems." A slightly chubby middle-aged man raised this question.
Shanaila replied, "Whether or not Imiro is interested in Gold-Silver Island, even if he wants to become the Island Lord, after this matter is resolved, Wu Heng could be transferred elsewhere as a Steward, leaving Gold-Silver Island without a strong presence. If Wu Heng becomes the Island Lord, he won't be transferred, and Gold-Silver Island will have two strong individuals in residence."
The middle-aged man was momentarily speechless and didn't argue further.
Everyone pondered for a moment.
One after another, they began to express their views.
"Alright, I agree with Madam Shanaila's suggestion. Count me in on the nomination."
"I agree too. If he really becomes the Island Lord, he mustn't forget about us."
"I also support this proposal."
Most people spoke up, agreeing with Shanaila's suggestion.
After all, nominating someone didn't harm their interests.
Her argument was indeed quite convincing.
Shanaila glanced at the merchant guilds that hadn't yet expressed their stance.
She added, "If he does become the Island Lord, those who sign the recommendation letter will receive at least three years of trade tax exemptions, which is enough for everyone to make a fortune."
After this statement.
More people expressed their agreement and signed their names.
Shanaila glanced at the recommendation letter. After confirming there were no issues, she handed it to the steward nearby.
"Have someone deliver this to the Guild and say that all the guilds are nominating 'Deputy Steward Wu Heng' as the Island Lord."
"Yes, Madam."
...
At his residence, in the study.
After returning from the Zombie World, Wu Heng.
Sat at his desk, rethinking the subsequent issues.
With the death of Island Lord Occam, the crisis on Gold-Silver Island, as well as the blank envelope issue, had all been resolved.
The only unexpected matter was the person controlling Occam's head to speak after his death.
From the tone of that person's voice, they had also been involved in this incident, but they weren't part of the pirates.
"Let's see if Imiro has any clues on his end."
The second issue concerned the aftermath on Gold-Silver Island.
Occam's corpse—if the Guild needed to interrogate the corpse, he'd lose an 18th-level skeleton.
However, corpse interrogation could reveal who else was involved behind the scenes.
As for the two artifacts obtained.
The Guild usually didn't force members to surrender their spoils, but these two artifacts were quite special; it was possible they'd want to take them.
Especially the 'Emerald Sand Table,' which was essentially a strategic map of the Emerald Sea.
Whoever possessed it could control the movements of all ships in the sea.
It was practically a divine artifact.
Matters regarding the artifacts needed to remain confidential; if he didn't mention them, the Guild was unlikely to ask.
He decided to wait a while before using them.
After sitting in the study for a while.
Knock, knock, knock~!
There was a knock on the door, and Minnie's voice came through, "Master, dinner is ready."
"Alright, I'll be down soon."
Wu Heng stood up and walked out of the study.
Going downstairs, he saw five women already seated at the dining table.
Aside from his own maids, Shanaila, dressed in an elegant gown, was also present. Seeing him come down, she smiled but spoke with a sharp tone.
"The number of people here keeps growing, doesn't it?"
Uh…
Wu Heng explained, "Philipa is my informant planted among the pirates. Much of the intelligence for capturing pirates came from her."
"Mm, Minnie mentioned it before."
Wu Heng didn't say more and invited, "Let's eat!"
The group gathered around the dining table and sat down.
Wu Heng and Shanaila discussed matters concerning the Island.
Philipa, meanwhile, was stuffing food into her mouth as she nudged Minnie with her arm. "The lady of the house?"
By contractual hierarchy,
Philipa, Minnie, and the others were maids, while the mistress of the house would be the lady.
"Sister Shanaila is the president of Star Flower. Hmm… and the master's… lover."
Philipa looked at the wood elf across the table, her gaze showing surprise.
Coming from a pirate background, she had naturally heard of Star Flower, the largest merchant guild of the wood elves, which controlled the race's biggest export trade.
She hadn't expected Wu Heng to have such a connection.
"Really? How did she end up with a Deputy Steward?" Philipa muttered.
The dining table fell silent in an instant.
Shanaila glanced at Wu Heng with a playful smile.
Wu Heng looked at Philipa, who quickly lowered her head to eat as if nothing had happened.
...
After dinner,
the sky gradually darkened.
Wu Heng lay on the bed when the door opened, and Shanaila entered, wrapped in a white bath towel.
Her long hair draped over her shoulders, her skin smooth and delicate, her cheeks flushed.
The bath towel around her chest was slightly open, revealing a deep cleavage.
"Come here!" Wu Heng lifted the thin blanket beside him.
Shanaila rolled her eyes at him, dried her hair briefly, undid the towel, and slipped under the blanket.
They pressed close to each other.
Shanaila breathed heavily and said haltingly, "I still have something serious to discuss!"
Wu Heng rested her smooth, fair leg on his shoulder. "Go ahead, I love hearing you talk."
"You're terrible!" Shanaila complained before continuing, "I convinced the other guilds to nominate you as Island Lord. If it works, the guilds that signed will get three years of tax exemption."
The matter of nominating him had already been relayed to Wu Heng by Minnie earlier.
Becoming the Island Lord would naturally be the best outcome.
But it wasn't guaranteed.
If the Guild handed the Island over to someone else, he couldn't turn against them over this.
"Is there a good chance?" Wu Heng asked, his hands resting on her chest.
"A very good chance. After all, the guilds have some influence. Plus, many contributed to retaking Gold-Silver Island, giving them some say," Shanaila replied.
Wu Heng nodded. "If it works, a three-year tax exemption is no problem."
"Mm, this is all I can do."
"Thanks, sweetheart."
"You're so cheesy."
Wu Heng chuckled, leaning in gently.
...
The next morning.
Wu Heng took Philipa to the Guild.
Philipa was dressed in leather armor, a green-feathered parrot perched on her shoulder, as she swaggered along with her hands behind her back.
"Good morning, Gels!"
"Novalu, looking good today!"
"Hey~! Orin, your beard looks great today!"
"No way, you're just now realizing I'm Wu Heng's informant? I thought you were smart enough to figure it out ages ago!"
Philipa acted like a social butterfly, greeting everyone she saw in the Guild.
This drew quite a bit of attention.
Especially Orin, whom she complimented for his handsome beard while draping an arm around the dwarf's shoulders.
It left Orin a bit annoyed but unable to say anything out of respect for Wu Heng.
Wu Heng grabbed the back of her collar and pulled her into his office.
Andviel, who had arrived earlier, watched curiously as Philipa was dragged in.
"Do you have to greet everyone?" Wu Heng asked.
"Pfft! Silly bird captain," the parrot quipped from a perch.
Philipa raised a hand to shoo the parrot away and explained, "Just getting to know everyone so they don't chase me later."
"But did you have to braid Orin's beard?"
"Come on, my braiding skills are top-notch! I used to braid my own hair." Philipa pointed to her hair.
"Next time, tone it down."
Philipa pouted. "Fine, I get it."
She sat on the nearby sofa and began flipping through a comic book she had brought along.
After sitting in the office for a while.
Knock, knock, knock~!
There was a knock at the door, and Philipa, being closest, opened it.
A staff member peeked inside and, spotting Wu Heng, said directly, "Deputy Steward Wu Heng, the Steward requests your presence in the morgue."
"Alright, thank you."
The staff member left, and Wu Heng also got up and left the office.
...
The morgue was cold and gloomy.
Imiro stood at the door with two investigators behind him.
Inside, the morgue was filled with corpses, and two coroners were busy at work.
Wu Heng walked up. "Steward, you were looking for me?"
Imiro, standing tall, asked, "Have the pirates you killed been examined?"
"Not yet. They're still stationed at the port and other locations for defense. We haven't done a count yet," Wu Heng replied.
This time, quite a few pirates had been killed.
Compiling the numbers would take some effort.
"Do a count. That way, we can calculate contributions," Imiro instructed.
Wu Heng glanced at the bodies. "Steward, some skeletons make it hard to tell who's who."
"Then collect the pirate flags and count by the leaders they represent."
"That works too."
Imiro nodded and continued, "Bring out Occam's body for interrogation. We need to know if there are any other plans."
"Steward, I have a method that could get the answers we need without corpse interrogation."