Sim stood by the window, the round lenses of his glasses reflecting starlight that stretched from heaven to earth.
He had never imagined that on only his second day on Treasure Island, he would witness the legendary advancement of a hero.
"Viola," Sim murmured.
There was no need to wonder who had become a hero. It was naturally Viola, the Witch who issued cards.
The taverns had ballads about the Witch written by bards, while the marketplaces had stalls trading and selling cards.
This Cult Witch, once placed on the Association's Wanted List, had been elevated into a hero by Treasure Island.
Sim suddenly recalled a book he had once read, which described a hero.
Wherever he went, even poisonous swamps would bloom with flowers.
Sim returned to his desk, picked up his fountain pen, but did not write for a long while.
Should he send a report to headquarters?
If he did, then sending information out the moment he arrived on the island would make him seem like a planted informant.
If he did not, then once headquarters learned of it through other channels, he would have an even harder time explaining himself.
"Damn it!" Sim tugged at his hair before tossing the letter aside.
Better to endure headquarters' displeasure than offend Treasure Island.
On Treasure Island's bluestone streets, the rising and falling cries of vendors abruptly ceased.
The baguette in the bakery owner's hand froze midair, and the silver tray carried by the tavern waitress tilted. Everyone stepped out of their shops and looked up toward the Island Master's Manor.
The Milky Way flowed backward, and a waterfall of stars poured down.
All the native residents on the island had seen such a sight before. The last time, the Pope had attacked Treasure Island.
They had been