Chapter 56: Monster Defection?

"You've misunderstood, it didn't rebel—"

Before Chi Sui could finish, the middle-aged man interrupted directly, "Ms. Chi Sui, I know this is hard to accept, but it's a normal phenomenon. I'd rather believe my own eyes than your explanation."

"According to Article 26 of the Airship Flight Regulations, causing a serious disturbance on board gives us the right to fine the offending passenger. In severe cases, their range of activity on the vessel will be restricted. Furthermore, according to Article 37, if a companion monster commits a violation, its contractor or the person who purchased its ticket shall bear the corresponding responsibility."

Hearing the word "fine," Chi Sui drew a sharp intake of breath.

She hadn't expected that Mr. Shi's sudden flight would strike her little treasury first.

"Then the penalty—"

Before Chi Sui could finish her question, the middle-aged man sitting opposite her interrupted again, "Ms. Chi Sui, this is no longer about the fine. The disturbance caused by your monster's defection has affected passengers across the entire deck, and several of them have already questioned the safety of our airship."

"This incident has had a severe impact on us. Moreover, I checked the ticket registration information and saw that you are traveling with yet another monster. Under these circumstances, it is difficult for us to believe that the same situation won't repeat itself if we allow you freedom of movement."

The man's words were very blunt. Chi Sui touched her head, already understanding what they meant.

Sure enough, the man spoke again:

"For the safety and stability of this voyage, Ms. Chi Sui, we hope you will remain seated in your designated place and refrain from going out unless strictly necessary."

Chi Sui took a deep breath and smiled faintly. "Of course, sir. May I ask if you are the captain of this airship?"

"Yes."

Having received a affirmative reply, Chi Sui continued, "First of all, I am very sorry for causing a disturbance on this journey. If you need me to, I can cooperate by providing an explanation. Secondly..." She paused, "Captain, you spoke too quickly just now, and I didn't get a chance to explain. My monster did not defect."

The middle-aged captain narrowed his eyes, his previously stern expression turning somewhat disdainful.

"Leaving the ship mid-flight, and you call that anything other than defection? Ms. Chi Sui, I said before that I trust my own eyes. Of course, you shouldn't feel too down about it; these monsters are naturally unruly and indeed hard to discipline."

The captain picked up the kettle beside him, took a gentle sip to moisten his throat, and continued, "I reviewed the footage from the deck at the time—you didn't even put a command lock on it? These dangerous creatures, without restraint, could turn around and bite you at any moment."

"Don't take it personally, but since you're traveling with two monsters and came out from Purple Island, you must be a rancher, right? Figures. Only people like you still believe in contracts. That sort of thing holds zero binding power. If you ask me, you should always keep them under the control of a command lock."

Chi Sui's smile froze at the corners of her mouth, her initially amicable expression gradually turning cold.

The more she listened to the captain, the more wrong it sounded. What angered her wasn't his condescending attitude, but his contempt for monsters, evident in both his words and his demeanor.

From his remarks, it was clear that in his eyes, a monster was not an equal individual.

Although Chi Sui hadn't spent a long time on Purple Island, the attitude of everyone she met toward monsters was uniformly positive and friendly.

For the first time, Chi Sui was seeing a different side of the sky islands.

Suppressing her anger, Chi Sui asked, "Perhaps I am ignorant, but what is this 'command lock' the captain mentioned?"

Hearing what seemed to be a hilarious question, the captain opposite her couldn't help but chuckle.

"You've got to be kidding me. Has the command lock not reached Purple Island yet? Over on Red Island, it's an advanced piece of equipment in widespread use. Not only does it make monsters obedient and reduce the rate of defection, but it also allows even non-professionals to control multiple monsters. It's an epoch-making invention. It seems Purple Island really is quite backward."

Chi Sui lowered her eyes, measuring the distance between herself and the cabin door, as well as the recording device on the table.

The distance was quite short. She should be able to run away after chewing him out, right?

With this thought, Chi Sui stood up and took a step back first.

Very good, even closer to the exit.

"Esteemed anonymous captain, I don't know where you get the confidence to mock the development of Purple Island here. As a dedicated flight operating between Purple Island and Green Island, this ship makes its living off the people of Purple Island and Green Island. If that's your attitude, I'd say the captain's face isn't meant for looking at—it's meant to be thrown on the ground and trampled upon."

"Furthermore, don't use your meager understanding to measure the relationship between me and my monsters. I said it didn't defect, which means it didn't defect, and it will be back shortly. As for its departure without prior notice, I sincerely apologize for the resulting disturbance, and I will take standard responsibility for the compensation due to the rule violation. However, if you insist on restricting my range of activities, please wait until my monster returns."

When Chi Sui spoke these words, she exuded immense presence, her steps advancing toward the door finally pausing.

Having been in the sky islands for so long, Chi Sui knew very little about the other islands besides Purple Island, mostly hearing about them from Mr. Shi and the town residents.

Each island had its unique development: Purple Island boasted a diverse ecosystem, Green Island was dense with forests, Silver Island was rich in minerals, Gold Island was bustling with commerce, and Blue Island possessed a strong academic atmosphere. Only Red Island was skipped and left unmentioned by almost everyone.

On the rare occasion it was brought up, Chi Sui only ever heard the word "dangerous" from Mr. Shi.

It was an island that all residents of Purple Island were unwilling to speak of.

In her understanding, Red Island had always been a blank slate, until today, when the captain's arrogance filled in that missing puzzle piece.

The command lock—just the captain's description of it filled Chi Sui with disgust. The establishment and dissolution of a contract were originally based on mutual consent. If one party refused and the other forced a severance, they would pay an unimaginable price.

Based on this premise, in the perception of Red Island residents, did monsters unilaterally tearing up contracts and defecting happen all the time and count as a routine occurrence?

Chi Sui's heart clenched. It was hard to imagine what kind of dire circumstances the monsters born on Red Island lived under.

Chi Sui's words successfully caused the captain's face to chill. His hand lifted slightly and landed on the recording device.

"Ms. Chi Sui, watch your attitude. You are insulting a distinguished warrior of Red Island, and I have reason to view your words as a provocation."

As his voice fell, the recording device on the table shattered within his palm. With a loud "bang," fragments scattered in all directions. One piece even flew toward Chi Sui, leaving a bloody scratch on her arm.

Simultaneously, Chi Sui's hand gripped the doorknob.

People from Red Island truly were dangerous.