The vast majority of the residents of Withered Wood Port hold a quite good impression of him, even harboring a touch of gratitude.

Although Governor Kedson is a greedy scoundrel, making money off them even with flour, and Baron Ticky is an arrogant fellow, conforming to all their stereotypes of nobles from the Old Continent, not only indulging his subordinates in profiteering at the expense of the populace but also turning a deaf ear to complaints like snowflakes.

But Roxey Colin, with his elegant demeanor and care for the people as if they were his children, is different.

He is like their father, always running around for their affairs, working tirelessly day and night, unable to have a proper meal each day... only able to eat a late-night snack.

Just like now.

The honorable Prince Colin is about to head to the Holy City, to both bury his father's ashes and to solve the legal status for those who have decided to settle in this new land.

Only if the Imperial acknowledges them can they continue being Imperial citizens and legally operate routes in Withered Wood Port and other Imperial ports without worrying about being exploited by the Imperial fleet.

As for taxation...

There's nothing much to it, what must come cannot be avoided.

Besides, newly established colonies generally have tax exemption policies, which continue for fifty years or until the Imperial believes the colony has developed sufficiently to shoulder the ancient and sacred duty of tax payment.

Watching the crowd bidding farewell at the port side, Ticky stood on the deck with a complicated expression, sighing softly after a long time.

"The day I left the Holy City… I never thought I would return in such a way."

He felt excitement, apprehension, and a hint of confusion about where the future might lead.

Luo Yan, standing beside him, merely gave him a faint glance.

"Have you formulated the outline for the autobiography I asked you to write?"

Ticky's expression tightened, and he immediately replied.

"The outline… is already conceived."

Luo Yan nodded slightly.

"Let me have a look once you're done. If there are any immature parts, I'll help you revise. Besides… on this journey, I hope you tell me some things about the Holy City, such as the families and factions there. I need to know who can become potential allies and who might be our enemies."

"At your command." Ticky bowed respectfully, performing a standard court greeting of the Imperial Nobles.

The fate of the Cosia family was now firmly tied to the Demon King; he knew full well that there was no getting off this ship.

A single misstep would lead to eternal damnation in Hell.

Luo Yan nodded but did not continue to put excessive pressure on him. Instead, he looked at Lumier, who was walking over slowly—his most loyal human servant.

Lumier nodded slightly, respectfully speaking.

"Master, the sailors are ready. Please give your orders."

Half of the sailors on the ship were recruited from Withered Wood Port, and the other half were servants of Lord Demon King—some peculiar-looking individuals, but by now hardly distinguishable from humans—Artificial Humans.

Of course, publicly, they were claimed to be "Gana people"—a new group born from shipwrecked individuals who drifted ashore to the Gana Continent over the past five hundred years and intermingled with the forest savages.

Luo Yan squinted, gazing out at the rolling tidal waves to the east and the rising sun over the sea, a sliver of a smile couldn't help forming on his lips.

The moment had finally arrived.

Even before becoming the Demon King, he had wanted to take a look there.

He drew out his Magic Wand and gently waved it towards the standing sail, a strong and stable sea breeze arose from nowhere, pushing the Purple Moon, which was docked at the quay, away from the harbor.

Following the command, the sailors got busy immediately.

Destination—

The Holy City of the Imperial!

It's time to spread the Demon King's influence there!

"Raise the sails, set sail!"

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