Lott paid no more attention to the Sky Lord and motioned for Wyper to lower his rocket launcher.
His gaze swept over everyone's faces.
Knowing Lott had something to announce, everyone adopted a serious expression.
Lott nodded and began:
"First, we'll establish a nation on Sky Island. I'll serve as king. Kuro will serve as adviser, with status equal to mine."
Everyone nodded in agreement with this decision.
"Next, we need to choose two aides."
Hearing this unfamiliar term, everyone could not help feeling puzzled.
"The aides will hold the highest authority after the king and adviser."
Everyone nodded to show they understood.
"I'd like Gan Fall and the chief to take these two positions. Whenever I'm away from Sky Island, all the nation's affairs will be entrusted to you two."
Seeing Gan Fall hesitate, Lott added, "You've served as God for so many years. I'm sure everyone has seen everything you've done for Sky Island. So please don't turn this down."
Gan Fall looked around at the others before nodding helplessly. "Very well, then. This old man will use what little strength he has left to do something for everyone."
The Shandia chief also looked hesitant. He had originally planned to go home after this and live as an ordinary old man, growing vegetables, drinking tea, and the like.
Who would have thought this "God" would immediately appoint him to such a high position?
Lott said, "And you too, Chief. You've clearly been doing such a good job. Why are you already thinking about retirement?"
The chief rubbed his dog-head hat sheepishly.
The Shandians chimed in from the side. "Chief, there's no one on all of Sky Island better suited to these positions than you two."
An explanation followed at this point. "There are two peoples on Sky Island now. If Gan Fall were put in charge, I doubt the Shandians would agree. If the chief ran things alone, the Angel Race would have complaints too."
"So the best way to bring all of Sky Island together is for you two to work together."
The chief sighed helplessly. "And here I was thinking I could just retire."
With that, he and Gan Fall exchanged smiles.
Lott nodded. He knew Sky Island would have no problems with these two here.
Then he continued, "A nation naturally needs an army. For now, Enel will be its commander, and Wyper will be the deputy commander."
Enel nodded in agreement.
Wyper had still been basking in the joy of finding Shandora. Hearing Lott mention him, he was at a loss.
"Wyper, I know you treasure this hard-won peace. But an army is essential to defending a nation. I hope you'll help me build an invincible force."
After a long moment of thought, Wyper nodded firmly.
Lott took a Devil Fruit out of System Space, placed it in Wyper's hands, and nodded.
Wyper nearly dropped it, as though he were holding a piece of red-hot charcoal.
"God, this... what is this?"
"It's a Devil Fruit. Eat it. The kingdom needs your strength." Lott looked at Wyper with a smile.
He knew Wyper was a stubborn man. From the moment he saw the Golden Bell, from the moment the war was declared over, he had let go.
He was no longer that fiery man who clamored single-mindedly to take back Vass, because Upper Yard had returned, and he had obtained Vass as he had wished.
Lott looked at Wyper appreciatively and said, "Once the kingdom opens up, there are bound to be plenty of security issues. I'll leave those to you."
Wyper nodded firmly and ate the Devil Fruit, bite by bite.
Lott watched in alarm. What a tough guy. He can even stomach something that disgusting.
Under everyone's curious gazes, Wyper knitted his brows tightly.
Bang!
Right before everyone's eyes, he actually turned into a Pteranodon!
Robin spoke in shock. "That's a Zoan Devil Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Pteranodon form!"
Lott was also shocked for a moment before continuing, "After the nation is established, we'll build an education system. Robin will be the highest official in charge of education."
"But there's still the most important matter."
Everyone wondered what could be so important that it had to be saved for last.
Lott's gaze passed over their faces one by one, finding confusion on some and nervousness on others.
Then he smiled. "Since the war is over, of course we're holding a feast! Tell all the residents we're having a feast in Upper Yard tonight!"
Everyone brightened at the mention of a feast, nodding before heading back to prepare.
After everyone left, only Lott's group remained in the square.
Enel had little interest in feasts and such. To him, eating a couple of apples was more enjoyable. Since he had nothing to do anyway, he simply lay down where he was.
Robin said a word to Lott and eagerly entered Shandora. History was more enticing to her than a feast.
At night, Upper Yard was no longer the site of the mysterious Vass, nor was it a primeval jungle filled with gloom and terror.
Deep within it, a grand bonfire feast was in full swing. Night hung low, with a bright moon and sparse stars. Like sunlight, the bonfire shone warm and bright on smiling faces, dispelling the gloom that had shrouded all of Sky Island for hundreds of years.
Around the bonfire, members of the Angel Race, Shandians, and members of God's Guard alike held hands as they danced and celebrated.
Occasional insect calls from the distance mingled with people's laughter.
Zoro was drinking with several others;
Robin held a wineglass as she sat quietly on a distant rock;
Ling'er bustled about with the Sky Island cooks, bringing everyone servings of delicious food;
Crocodile also sat quietly to one side, smoking;
Lott, Kuro, Nami, and Enel sat with Gan Fall and the Shandia chief, discussing the Xia Kingdom's future development.
"God, these ideas of yours are far too ahead of their time. They'll be difficult to implement." In the flickering firelight, the chief's aged face wore a complicated expression.
Lott nodded. "Yes. Without braving the rugged, treacherous path, how could we glimpse the beautiful view from the summit?"
When Lott described China's various policies from his previous life to everyone, they could not help marveling at how advanced these systems were.
But then they grew worried. After all, some of these systems affected many people's interests, and implementing them would indeed be no easy task.
Enel scoffed. "Lott, I still think it'd be better to concentrate all the power in your hands. Just make anyone who disobeys submit through force. You can't go wrong with that."
Despite what he said, he could not help feeling a measure of reverence for Lott.
That spirit of doing everything for everyone, for this world, and for the establishment of a fair order made Lott seem like a true god.
Looking at Enel, Lott said slowly, "Perhaps I could do that, but that isn't the world I want."
"The world I want is one where everyone on this sea can live freely, whether they're giants or members of the Angel Race, strong or weak, young or old, poor or rich."
Gan Fall and the chief could not help feeling admiration.
"Oh, right! I'll be moving Sky Island to the New World in the future. What do you think?"
Before you continue