Chapter 112: The Impoverished Sky Island
When Brook’s Golden Ark sailed into Baron Island, he finally understood what Shakky meant by calling it "pathetic."
This Sky Island was the very definition of poverty—run-down, destitute, and practically devoid of development. It seemed like the island’s monk-like culture had turned its people into a race of passive sloths who had long abandoned ambition.
Every resident of Baron Island bore a gentle smile, as if even going hungry for two days wasn’t enough to push them into hunting more Sky Beasts or Sky Fish to fill their stomachs. Perhaps it was the lack of resources that had shaped their strange belief system—one that revered peace and the sanctity of life to the extent that even creatures meant for food were treated with undue respect.
Aside from the Guard Corps, where a few muscular warriors feasted heartily, the rest of the islanders embodied an attitude of "as long as we’re alive, it’s enough."
This kind of culture was hardly conducive to governance or development. Even if Brook offered food as compensation, he doubted it would be enough to motivate them to work—let alone assist in constructing a palace.
Simply surviving seemed to be their only goal...
Would force be necessary to make them work?
"Captain Brook, this island’s people are lazy! Useless layabouts!" Shakky scoffed, unimpressed. She had never seen a race so indifferent to food. By all logic, they should have gone extinct ages ago!
"It seems we’ll need to establish rule through pressure. This kind of slothful race won’t change simply by offering incentives. Their ’kindness,’ ’peacefulness,’ and ’passive’ attitudes are too deeply ingrained," Brook mused.
He hadn’t expected this at all. A Sky Island settlement with zero potential for workforce or recruitment? Even rats would probably abandon this place out of sheer frustration!
"Brook, there’s not a single sweet treat here. We should claim Sheep’s House instead—I don’t like this place!" Charlotte Linlin complained, wrinkling her nose at the barren land. Her initial excitement about a new island had instantly plummeted.