There can't be a Harvest Moon in the RimWorld.

A cheerful breeze swept through the town's roads, but no pedestrians were seen on the road.

The solid path underfoot is made of a mixture of gravel and unknown building materials, and flowers of all sizes are planted on both sides of the road, making the whole town warm and romantic.

I savored the unique scent in the air and wandered aimlessly along the path, letting it lead me forward.

The midday sun was already quite intense, but thankfully the trees along the roadside formed a row, casting their shadows evenly on the ground, revealing patches of golden light that were endlessly captivating.

Walking along this small building, you soon reach the end of the area where the houses are of varying heights, leaving behind the pasture shadows cast by green trees, and arrive at a small square.

"Is this the Rose Plaza the boss mentioned?"

My footsteps were on their first visit here, and I felt an extraordinary sense of wonder.

I walked around it once and quickly discovered the origin of the square's name.

It is called Rose Square because the paving stones here contain unique patterns, each forming a cluster of flowers, just like a rose.

From above, the delicate flowers on the paving stones, when tilted, form a giant rose-like plant, adding to the mesmerizing effect of the plaza's design.

A lot of thought must have been put into building this place. I just don't know how wealthy this town must have been in the past to have the resources to build this square, given its current situation.

Actually, that's not quite right. Judging from the decorations and flowerbeds along the town's roads, this place was once a prosperous place not too long ago.

"Marcus!"

A rough, loud voice came from afar, startling me back to reality.

Zach was still dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, carrying a large box of unidentified goods.

He carried this large box of goods toward me, his forehead only slightly damp with sweat, but his breathing remained perfectly steady. This man, over six feet tall, was truly incredibly strong.

"Hey! Zack, where are you headed?"

“I’ve brought home the goods from Yudel Ranch. Come and have a seat at my place.”

Since I had nowhere to go, I accepted his invitation.

To my surprise, Zack came from the ranch area on the south side of the square and did not exit from the west or north side of the square to go to the residential area.

Instead, they led me to the intersection to the east. After taking only two steps, a salty sea breeze filled my nostrils, instantly invigorating my slightly languid afternoon mood.

Then, the sound of waves crashing over the row of trees came in a deafening roar.

It's the ocean!

Zach walked quickly ahead and soon arrived at a small wooden house by the sea.

I looked at the unassuming little wooden house and asked curiously.

"Zack, do you live here? Why don't you build your house in town?"

This big guy isn't the type to be acquainted with or get along with; in my opinion, there's absolutely no need for him to stay in this remote seaside area.

Zack placed the cargo box at the door, took out his key to unlock the layers of chains, found a chair for me to sit down, and then grinned.

"I didn't actually live in Mineral Town."

With one hand on the table and the other pointing to the rolling blue sea outside the window, Zack looked like a melancholy philosopher contemplating the past and future of the ocean.

“I used to be a seaman, specializing in the route from here to the southern islands.”

What does that have to do with the mining town? Didn't the mining trade stop here twenty years ago? And what does it have to do with people living outside the town?

"And then the business lost money and you went to hide from your debts?" I asked tentatively.

"Of course not."

"He got a woman pregnant and went into hiding under an assumed name?" I made another reasonable guess.

"I've already said no."

"Being driven out of the government for running naked in the street?" Having ruled out money and sex, I guess the reason is fame!

"Please stop making wild guesses..."

"That means he failed in spreading his philosophy and fled overseas to preach!" I suddenly realized.

"I don't understand what you're saying!"

Zack, driven to madness, was thoroughly humiliated by my sharp rebuke. From his character and reputation to his hobbies and sexual orientation, he was utterly devastated and roared in despair.

He pointed to the sea and shouted, "It's because of a shipwreck! Do you understand what a shipwreck is!"

That's when I understood, the unequivocal truth.

"His failed attempt at adult films caused a massive inventory disaster, and he was jointly wanted by film producers, right?"

"That's enough!"

"It was just an accident, that's all! Stop speculating!"

I looked at him with suspicion, as if I wanted to thoroughly scan his soul from the outside in.

Zach felt a chill run down his spine from the stare. He rummaged through the corner of the room and pulled out an old fishing rod. Even though it was well-preserved, the wooden handle was shiny from being gripped so much.

"This is for you! Just don't tell anyone your guess!"

Without a word, Zack shoved the fishing rod into my hand, looking completely honest and reliable.

(?o?o)??!

After all, he could easily turn into a suspicious and depraved pervert.

Can I accept it?

I immediately put on an embarrassed expression, scratched my head, and asked.

Please accept this!

"This is my lifelong request..."

Chapter 15 Don't Call Me Father-in-Law

"Boss! I'm back to get something!"

I happily carried my fishing rod back the way I came, ignoring the resentful look Zack gave me.

Who told you to be so sneaky? Are you afraid of people talking behind your back?

As I approached the tavern, I could clearly feel that the noisy atmosphere had completely disappeared.

After careful observation, I confirmed that the two drunkards, Sebala and Dick, had left before I dared to greet Boss Dart.

"You're back. No need to look anymore, those two bastards are arm in arm, saying they're going to Dick's wine cellar for a good drink."

Only Mr. Dart remained in the shop, his slicked-back hair standing straight up, calmly wiping the bar counter.

Why do I detect a hint of gritted teeth in his words?

Right, they must be complaining that they're not selling enough of their own bourbon.

Sure enough, after a while, Mr. Dart continued speaking to himself.

"Is it because the wine here isn't good enough? Why does everyone prefer to drink Dick's wine?"

Then don't add water! Can wine taste good if it's diluted with water?!

I didn't voice my inner thoughts, but instead nodded solemnly and gave my assessment.

"It must be because their taste is lacking."

Mr. Dart gave him a look of relief, as if he had found a kindred spirit. He seemed to have accepted the explanation and finally emerged from his self-doubt, and began to talk about other topics.

"Where did you get this fishing rod?"

I raised my fishing rod and pointed it towards the sea.

"Zack gave it to me. He's such an honest and kind person!"

I'm sure Zach will be grateful to me and speak well of him behind his back, right?

Mr. Dart started his unchanging cup-wiping routine again, making one wonder if the cup was originally a glass ball that had been rubbed inwards to become this shape.

“Zack, he’s been here for quite a while now. That’s because…”

"Because of a shipwreck?" I blurted out.

"You know?" Dart looked at me in surprise. "He used to hate talking about this. Apart from us old folks in town, the younger generation all thought he was a long-time resident."

"Perhaps it's because of my kind appearance, everyone says I'm a champion of justice."

"..."

"Is your shamelessness a common trait among people in dazzling cities?"

Mr. Dart sighed deeply.

"probably."

I didn't take it to heart. Most city dwellers probably couldn't compare to me, but I wouldn't mind shifting the blame to Shining City.

Just as ordinary people don't have a colonizer system cheat like me, ordinary people don't get brainwashed by this kind of bizarre and witty talk every night like I do.

Under this kind of mental pollution, I don't even know what words will come out of my mouth.

"After the Dart shipwreck, I developed a severe fear of the sea. Not only could I not continue sailing, but I would also feel a deep sense of dread when I was near the sea."

"You can't imagine how such a big man could cry and scream, trying to get back on the ship, but his legs wouldn't budge an inch. And once he's on the ship, he'll fall into a deep coma, and even develop symptoms like fever, delirium, and rapid dehydration."

"In the end, his companions gave up on taking him away and simply reopened the trade route to Mineral Town, with ships traveling back and forth every day, perhaps hoping that one day he could return to his group of sailors."

I never imagined that Zach, who seemed so rough and optimistic on the surface, would have such a disease, and that it would seriously affect his life.

"Boss, is this true? Then isn't he a hopeless, pathetic wretch?"

Mr. Dart calmly wiped the glass, trying to make himself look more rounded.

"You should call him a brave ant."

“There was a vacant lot next to old Sebala, and we once suggested that he live there. But he still chose to live in the place closest to his old adversary—the sea.”

"I don't know how he fell asleep to the sound of the endless, surging waves every day."

"All I know is that whenever a storm came at sea, he would go to the tavern and drink one glass after another until he didn't come home all night."

Dart's words possessed a powerful, awe-inspiring force, like lightning brewing in the clouds, its glimmers barely visible amidst the swirling mist...