CHAPTER 23

Utopia?

Heberfil Family Residence

In the town square, a group of men in black suits gathered. Ivan stood in the center, waving the latest issue of the World Economic Journal high above his head.

"Brothers, look here!"

The men turned their attention to the newspaper in his hand.

On the front page, bold black letters read:

"The Day the Food City Fell—A Nation of Gastronomy Reduced to Ashes!"

It was a report on the destruction of Gourmet Island, an infamous floating city renowned for its lavish feasts, which had mysteriously vanished two weeks ago.

Beta furrowed his brow. "Brother Ivan, what's so special about this? Isn't it just another pirate attack?"

Ivan smirked and flipped to a smaller section below the main headline. He tapped the page with his thick fingers.

"Look here."

The crowd leaned in, their eyes following his gesture.

"The Blade of the Mysterious Swordsman!"

Below the headline was a grainy black-and-white photo. It depicted a lone figure standing amid the ruins, his back to the camera, sword sliding into its sheath as a severed head flew through the air. The image was blurred, but the silhouette was unmistakable.

"This is… Boss Charlotte!"

Beta gasped. Even with the blurred image, he recognized that stance. That posture belonged to only one man.

Ivan nodded approvingly. "Yes. It's him."

"Even in the face of destruction, Boss Charlotte upholds his code—protecting the weak!"

At that moment, memories flooded the crowd. Many sniffled, holding back their emotions.

"If not for Boss Charlotte, I'd still be a slave, chained like an animal until the day I died," a former captive muttered.

"If not for Boss Charlotte, I wouldn't be alive today! This place wouldn't even exist!" another man added.

"If it weren't for Boss Charlotte, I would have starved to death long ago."

Beta clenched his fists, thinking of his own past. What would have happened to him without their leader?

The giant Dal remained silent, yet he felt something stir deep within him—a warmth he hadn't known in years.

Mitis wiped his eyes, remembering his lost sister. Without Boss Charlotte, he would have perished long ago.

Even Barrett, once an outcast, stood deep in thought. He had known betrayal and exile, but in this place, he had found purpose and security.

Looking around, Ivan felt his own emotions surge. He nearly broke down in tears.

But he steadied himself. There was still more to say.

He took a deep breath. "I once asked Boss Charlotte, 'What is your dream?'"

Silence fell over the square. Every man was listening.

"Boss Charlotte told me… that his hometown was a place of peace. A land of freedom, safety, prosperity, and happiness. A true utopia!"

Gasps spread through the crowd.

"Could such a place really exist?" someone whispered.

Ivan's expression hardened. "It must exist. Because Boss Charlotte will lead us to create it—right here, on Lati Island!"

The square erupted in fervor.

Yes! This was the life they had found here!

Ivan raised his voice. "And now, look again at Boss Charlotte in this newspaper! What does this mean?"

The men exchanged glances, uncertain.

Ivan's face turned red with passion.

"This is Boss Charlotte sending a message to the world! Risking his life to fight against the cruelty of this era with his blade!"

As an elder of the Heberfil Family, Ivan knew his duty—to guide his brothers, to make them understand their leader's vision.

The seas were full of mad pirates who grew arrogant with the smallest taste of power, spreading bloodshed and terror.

But Boss Charlotte was different. He was calm, composed, and had a vision far beyond personal gain.

A leader with ideals.

And now, it was time to act.

"Such a man must not remain in obscurity!" Ivan declared.

"We will carve the name Heberfil Charlotte into history!"

"We will make the Heberfil Family a force that will shake the world!"

"We will carry his will and build our utopia!"

The crowd roared in agreement, their eyes burning with determination.

"Carry the will and build our utopia!"

"Carry the will and build our utopia!"

From this moment on, they would follow Charlotte's path—conquering the seas, spreading his ideals, and forging a new age.

---

Meanwhile, in the Office…

"…What the hell is going on now?"

Charlotte rubbed his temples as the chanting outside continued.

It had been happening every day.

Saga Yaer, dressed in a scientific research coat that did little to hide her curvaceous figure, smirked playfully. "Lord Charlotte, your men are certainly… enthusiastic."

Charlotte shot her a look. After two weeks of working together, he knew this "scientist" was anything but serious.

"Saga Yaer," he sighed, "will continuing the QG medicine experiments endanger people on the island?"

Saga Yaer's smile remained. "Don't worry, Master Charlotte. As long as all containment protocols are followed, there's no danger. With proper protective gear, there will be no adverse effects on the staff."

Charlotte narrowed his eyes. He didn't trust her nonchalant attitude.

Shouldn't a scientist be… I don't know, more serious?

He sighed. Well, this was his home now. If anything went wrong, he would be the one dealing with the consequences.

"And besides," Saga Yaer added, her voice smooth and persuasive, "continued research on QG will lead to new advancements in medicine. Think of the possibilities."

Charlotte considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But—"

Before he could finish, Saga Yaer's eyes sparkled.

"Great! Now, let's talk about funding! I'll need a few billion Baileys to continue research."

Charlotte nearly choked. "Ahem! Do you think I'm made of money?! My Baileys don't fall from the sky!"

Saga Yaer giggled. "Lord Charlotte, always the joker."

"I still need to build a fortress," Charlotte grumbled. "Your fancy research lab can wait. For now, 300 million Baileys. That's it."

"Deal!" Saga Yaer agreed immediately.

Charlotte blinked.

…Did he just get played?

Saga Yaer left, practically skipping.

"Such an interesting man," she mused.

Though her current lab was temporary, she loved it here.

Even her father had found purpose again, designing grand structures for Lati Island's future.

Their true ambitions were just beginning.

And the world… would soon take notice.