When Alya asked her question, Smith's expression was perfectly normal.
"People on the World Crown? There's no one left up there; it's all ruins. When the World Crown collapsed back then, everyone on it died."
Deep looked anxious. "How can there be no one? There should still be a building up there; Shanshan used to live in it! That place is practically her lair!"
At this, Smith, the Governor of the World Crown, looked utterly helpless. He insisted repeatedly that there really was no one up there, adding that if there were any lights, it would be impossible for those living below not to see them.
His enthusiasm was genuine, but as soon as Deep proposed checking for himself, Smith immediately refused. He explained that it was currently the rainy season on the World Crown and that outsiders were temporarily forbidden from the island.
