Chapter 236

Chapter 236

Upon hearing this, the Maid Doll paused in her movements but did not release her grip, reporting calmly, "Master, he harassed me. After my warnings were ignored, I subdued him."

When the man heard Evan's voice, he turned his head and glared fiercely at him, gritting his teeth and shouting, "Kid! Tell her to let me go, or I'll show you no mercy!"

Evan ignored his threat. Walking over to stand beside the Maid Doll, he looked down at the man with a cold gaze. "Harassing others on the ship and then spouting threats—it seems you're used to throwing your weight around." He raised his hand to signal the Maid Doll to let go. "Let him up."

The Maid Doll complied, releasing her hold and stepping back to stand beside Evan, smoothing her skirt as if the fight had been nothing more than brushing off dust.

The man scrambled to his feet, his forehead bruised and his arms aching. He looked at the Maid Doll with a mix of wariness and resentment. Rubbing his twisted arm, he glared at Evan. "Just wait! When we get to the First Island, I'll make you both pay, you hear!"

Evan let out a cold laugh, tapping his suitcase lightly as he discreetly activated several Spider Dolls inside.

A few spider dolls, no larger than a fingernail, crawled out silently crawled out, slipping along the floor to the man's feet and hiding in the crevices of his leather armor. "I'll be waiting," Evan said flatly, his tone carrying unshakable confidence. "But before that, you'd better behave. If you provoke us again, it won't end with just being pinned to the ground."

The man felt a chill run down his spine at Evan's gaze, sensing something dangerous watching him. He clenched his teeth but dared not cause more trouble. Shooting one last glare at Evan and the Maid Doll, he covered his bruised forehead and shoved his way through the crowd, slunk back to his seat, not daring to look up again.

The surrounding passengers broke into knowing smiles, looking at Evan and the Maid Doll with newfound respect. Someone murmured in admiration, "That young man seems young, but he has guts."

"And that girl—she's incredible! Even a Formal Knight was easily subdued. She's no ordinary person."

Evan paid no attention to the stares. Taking the wooden tray from the Maid Doll, he said, "Let's head back."

Returning to their seat by the window, Evan handed the pet cat doll to the Maid Doll and began eating his bread slowly. The sea breeze carried a faint salty smell through the window. The chatter in the cabin gradually subsided, though the passengers still glanced at him with curiosity and awe.

The Maid Doll stood quietly beside him, holding the pet cat doll in her arms, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily to ensure the man wouldn't cause further trouble.

As Evan ate his bread, he gently stroked the doll in his arms. This minor altercation was just a small incident during the voyage, but it reinforced his confidence that his ten days of hard work hadn't been wasted. These handmade dolls were not just his companions—they were his assurance. Even on the dangerous First Island, with these dolls by his side, he could protect himself and even help Sara.

The sailboat continued across the sea, the setting sun painting the sea gold and red. On the distant horizon, the outline of an island appeared—the First Island. Evan set down his bread, his gaze firm with expectation.

The Maid Doll seemed to sense her master's mood. She bowed slightly and said gently, "Master, the First Island is almost here."

Evan nodded, looking toward the distant island, a gentle smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

The sailboat slowly approached the official dock of the First Island. The hull bumped softly against the pier, and the imperial flag onshore fluttered in the sea breeze—a golden eagle embroidered on a scarlet background, striking and prominent.

Evan stood up and straightened his formal attire—a dark gray tailcoat tailored specifically for him on the Fifteenth Island. The silver collar clasp at the neck was polished to a shine, and the fabric was crisp and smooth, accentuating his 1.8-meter frame, shedding some youthful immaturity for a composed maturity.

The Maid Doll had already adjusted her skirt, holding the snow-white doll in her arms. Its fur was fluffy and soft, its obsidian eyes gleaming with a warm luster. It lounged lazily in her embrace—so exquisitely crafted that anyone would mistake it for a rare purebred pet cat.

She nodded slightly to Evan, signaling that it was time to disembark. She walked gracefully behind him, each step steady and proper, just like the Aides-de-camp who would soon appear.

Stepping onto the pier, the solemn atmosphere of the official dock washed over them. Rows of imperial guards stood at attention on both sides of the pier, dressed in bright red uniforms, holding long spears, their expressions stern as they scanned the surroundings vigilantly. The crowd gathered in the central area of the dock, mostly officials from the New Nigeria Province and their families and attendants. The men wore crisp formal suits, while the women donned elegant long dresses adorned with jewelry, exchanging polite but restrained small talk. Occasionally, attendants carrying trays wove through the crowd, offering drinks and snacks.

Everyone here had a clear purpose—either waiting for the arrival of the new Governor Sara, hoping to curry favor with the powerful, or handling handover formalities. The air was thick with subtle power dynamics. Evan quickly scanned the crowd, his face betraying nothing. He slowed his pace and led the Maid Doll naturally toward the edge of the crowd.

He didn't draw attention nor appear anxious, just kept his head slightly lowered, fingers gently stroking the doll in his arms—the one decorated with black pearls. He had wrapped most of it in a soft cloth, revealing only a small section of its pearl-embroidered skirt, enough to feel its presence without making it conspicuous.

The Maid Doll stood quietly beside him, the pet cat doll motionless in her arms, except for its ears occasionally twitching with a faint hint of "life." This caught the eyes of a few officials' wives nearby, who looked at the seemingly "pet cat" with curiosity and affection, but none thought twice about it.

"Whose young man is that? Never seen him before," whispered two middle-aged men in official robes nearby, their gazes casually sweeping over Evan. "Well-dressed, with a proper maid by his side, and carrying something—could he be from some noble family?"

"Hard to say. Maybe he's from the mainland, coming to attach himself to the new Governor. After all, plenty of people want to build connections."

Their conversation reached Evan's ears clearly. He smiled faintly, ignoring them, and stopped at a spot with a good view—close enough to see where the ship would dock, but not too conspicuous.

The Maid Doll bent slightly and whispered in a voice only he could hear, "Master, I sense three Supernaturals nearby—one to the left front of the crowd, one behind the column on the right, and one in the watchtower at the top of the dock, likely imperial guards with superhuman abilities. Additionally, five officials are covertly observing us."

Evan nodded lightly, pressing a finger against the doll to discreetly activate a sparrow doll hidden in his sleeve cuff, sending it silently to the watchtower to scout the surroundings.

He knew these officials weren't hostile, but in such a sensitive setting, any unfamiliar face would attract attention. However, his well-tailored suit, the poised maid beside him, and the seemingly "pet cat" created an image of a "noble yet harmless" individual, allowing him to blend in smoothly.

After all, in such an occasion, there were always a few noble scions coming to ingratiate themselves with the Governor. He was just one among many.

The sea breeze grew stronger, rustling the hem of Evan's tailcoat and the imperial flag onshore. The crowd gradually quieted, many looking toward the distant sea horizon. There, the outline of a massive ship was emerging—its hull black, masts high, with neatly arranged attendants and guards standing on deck. It was the official ship carrying Sara.

Evan's heart raced instantly, his fingers tightening around the doll. The anticipation in his eyes was unmistakable. He stood on tiptoe slightly, his gaze locked on the ship, unconsciously picturing Sara in the Governor's uniform. The Maid Doll, sensing her master's emotions, adjusted her posture, holding the pet cat doll more steadily while remaining vigilant, guarding Evan.

A slight stir rippled through the crowd. Officials straightened their attire, and the chattering of their families ceased, replaced by respectful expressions. The guards tightened their grips on their spears, standing taller, ready to welcome the Governor.

Evan took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement to maintain a composed demeanor. He didn't want to cause trouble for Sara in such a formal setting. He just wanted to stand quietly here, waiting for him to come ashore, waiting for him to see him.

The ship drew closer. The figures on deck grew clearer. At the very front stood a figure in a black Governor's uniform—tall, with an aloof aura. Even from a distance across the sea, Evan recognized Sara immediately.

A gentle smile curled his lips involuntarily. He lightly stroked the doll in his arms, silently murmuring: Sara, I'm here.

The official ship slowly docked at the pier. The heavy gangplank was lowered with a dull creak. First to step onto the pier was a squad of formal knights in silver-and-black armor, their armor gleaming coldly under the light. Their swords hung neatly at their waists, their steps resounding as they lined up along both sides of the gangplank, instantly creating an imposing barrier.

Following them were the Aide-de-camp and the Scribe. The Aide-de-camp carried a silver staff, and the Scribe held thick documents. Both stood tall with solemn expressions, fully embodying the formality of the occasion.

Sara walked last. His black Governor's uniform accentuated his tall frame, the gold-thread eagle embroidery on his collar echoing the flag onshore. The silver badge on his epaulet glinted—the highest insignia granted by the Empire.

He exuded a cold, aloof presence. His ink-black eyes swept indifferently across the pier without any trace of emotion, yet his mere presence silenced the bustling dock.

Such a display far exceeded expectations—not only elite knights for protection but also an Aide-de-camp and Scribe directly appointed by the Empire. It was a clear sign of the imperial court's unwavering support for the new Governor, hinting that the power backing Sara was enough to intimidate the entire colony.

Those officials who had hidden agendas and intended to test the new Governor's mettle felt a chill run down their spine. In an instant, they suppressed all their scheming, forcing sycophantic smiles onto their faces as they vied to welcome him.