"Though there are few people on this island, the nobles live atop the giant mushroom, managing all the farmers below and collecting taxes from them." Anna said to her maid as they walked along the mushroom-lined streets.

  "Are they really profiting from the lives of these farmers? That's just too wicked," her maid replied.

  Anna nodded in agreement. "You're right; these people are truly despicable. Such a lucrative place should belong to me."

  With her servants in tow, Anna continued down the main road. Although there were rickshaws in the port area, she chose to walk, wanting to measure her new territory with her own feet.

  Not all of the land in the Crown of the World was farmland; between the fields were low huts where the farmers lived. As Anna entered one, she found it empty except for some mushrooms growing in the corners, with only faint coughing sounds indicating that it wasn't a dead village.

  She navigated through the village and continued toward the end of the street. After three hours of walking, Anna finally reached the base of the Crown of the World. Beneath the giant mushroom hung a large wooden basket, the thick rope extending upwards.

  "I need to go up; I have important matters to discuss with your governor." Facing the black-skinned guard at the lift, Anna pulled out a badge from Heifang Island and spoke in a commanding tone.

  Seeing Anna's demeanor and attire, the guards in black uniforms dared not obstruct her and quickly opened the lift door.

  As a group of strong men shouted commands, they operated the winch, slowly raising Anna's wooden basket upwards. The basket ascended through a hole carved into the Crown of the World, eventually reaching the umbrella-like top.

  Anna felt the sweet scent in the air dissipate. The surface of the Crown seemed to possess some magical property, isolating the spores while also shielding her from the suffering and poverty below.

  Before her appeared a quiet and peaceful town. Under the bright streetlights, the townspeople were well-dressed, a stark contrast to the desolate farms below.

  Suddenly, a fluffy little dog ran up to Anna's feet and sat, gazing at her with big eyes. A boy in a bowtie soon approached, apologizing to Anna before attaching a leash to the dog's collar. "Goodbye, sister."

  Watching the boy lead the dog away, Anna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "What a wonderful place; I'm feeling a bit hungry."

  After observing the surroundings for a while, Anna headed toward the largest building in the town—the governor's mansion.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Her noble presence quickly earned her an audience, and she was led into a lavish reception room. As she surveyed the extravagant decor, disappointment crossed her face. "I don't like this style. Martha, make a note to replace everything in this room."

  "Yes, Mistress, I'll remember that," Martha replied.

  Just then, an elderly butler entered. "Governor Tucker is available now; you may go in."

  Anna was led to a bedroom where she found Tucker lying in bed, drinking milk. He was a tall and robust young man, surprisingly handsome.

  Sensing a familiar scent in the air and seeing the disheveled sheets, Anna frowned slightly. "Which island are you from? If you're just here to buy grain, you can talk to the people below. Why do you need to see me? Hurry up; I have important matters to attend to."

  After finishing his milk, Tucker set the cup on the table and reclined back on his bed.

  "I'm not here to discuss grain, but rather matters concerning your island," Anna replied.

  Hearing her pleasant voice, Tucker propped himself up and looked at Anna. Upon seeing her alluring eyes through the veil, his expression brightened. "Name your price; stay on my island."

  Anna smiled slightly. "As long as you can meet my demands, I will consider your offer."

  "Oh?" Tucker seemed intrigued, throwing off his blanket and walking up to Anna in the nude. "This is interesting; no one from other islands has come to see me in ages. Who are you working for?"

  "Governor, the matters we need to discuss are very important. Don't you think there are a bit too many people here?" Anna gestured to the servants and guards around them.

  Tucker waved his hand, and the room's occupants respectfully exited. Anna's maids followed suit.

  Anna's expression shifted rapidly as her voice became stern. "Is it appropriate to speak to your sister like this?"

  Tucker's eyes began to cloud, but as a ring on his left thumb glowed red, his expression quickly sharpened. "Are you altering my memory?"

  Suddenly, a wooden spike shot out from beneath the bed, striking Anna in the chest. Her beautiful face twisted in pain as a monstrous tentacle creature shrieked and fled the room.

  Shadows leaped from the bed, pursuing the creature. Hearing the commotion outside, Tucker displayed disdain and turned back toward his bed. "People really think they can come bother me? The Crown of the World may be small, but it’s still a living island. Did they really think I was unprepared?"

  Just then, he heard a noise behind him. Turning around, he saw Anna and shouted impatiently, "Sister!! What's wrong with me having fun with a woman? Why do you have to stare so intently?"

  "Have you forgotten your promise to Father? What have you been doing all these years?" Anna glared at him, unscathed.

  "So what? Father has been dead for five years! I'm the governor of this island now! Get out!" Tucker shouted angrily.

  "Keep living like this, and one day you'll die at the hands of a woman," Anna said, leaving with a look of disappointment.

  "That’s none of your business! You old maid who can’t get married!" Tucker waved his arms in frustration, not noticing the faint crack forming on his ring.

  As Anna stepped outside, she saw her maids moving bodies, each now holding various peculiar artifacts.

  Among them were her former servants and some cloaked figures, all wearing expressions of shock and fear.

  "Mistress, congratulations! This island now belongs to you," Martha greeted her with a smile.

  Anna stretched and shook her head. "Not yet. The connections tied to a governor are too complex. Occupying someone else's territory requires careful management. I wonder how Charles is doing."