“Hmmm... they’re sort of like police officers, but not entirely,” Charlie replied with a casual tone. My frown must have shown my dissatisfaction because he quickly added, “Alright, let me explain. R.I.s—Rule Implementors—are the closest equivalent we have to police. You know how police are responsible for maintaining public order, enforcing laws, preventing crime, and protecting citizens and property, right?”

I nodded, waiting for him to continue.

“Well, strip away the parts about protecting citizens and property or preventing crime, and that’s essentially what the Rule Implementors do,” Charlie said with a shrug.

“So, they’re focused strictly on enforcing rules, not on the welfare of the residents?” I asked, trying to clarify.

“You could put it that way,” Charlie admitted.

“So... if someone here committed a crime, like murder, and there wasn’t a rule against it, the R.I.s wouldn’t intervene?”

“Exactly,” he confirmed. “If the action isn’t explicitly stated as punishable in the rules, the R.I.s won’t step in. They stick strictly to their job descriptions.”

I raised an eyebrow at this revelation. “That seems... risky. What keeps things from spiraling into chaos?”

Charlie smiled gently and gestured around us. “Aria, the rules here aren’t designed to punish people—they’re meant to maintain balance and order. Since we don’t have a formal government, decisions for the community are made collectively through discussions and agreements. With a small population like ours, everyone’s voice carries weight.”

“Is that really enough?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “How do you preserve balance and prevent chaos if the R.I.s don’t actively stop crime?”

“I get your point,” Charlie said, nodding. “But it all comes down to understanding the root causes of misbehavior—things like greed, theft, or even murder, whether intentional or not. Here, people are taught from an early age about these behaviors and the psychological or environmental factors that influence them. Our small population, barter system, and the rules set by the Rule Makers help shape a community where simplicity and shared values guide our actions. Because life here is less complicated, people don’t tend to engage in petty crimes. It creates a natural sense of balance and order.”

“So, you’re saying nobody here does anything wrong?” I asked, pressing the issue.

Charlie laughed softly. “Oh, Aria, of course, people make mistakes! You’re funny. As Seneca said, ‘To err is human.’ Mistakes happen—it’s part of life. But here, what sets us apart is our focus on growing as a community. No one’s perfect, and we don’t pretend to be. What’s important is how we learn from our mistakes and strive to improve. Ultimately, it’s up to each person to take responsibility for their actions. What makes this work is that everyone makes an effort to contribute. By thinking simply and living simply, people here are less likely to engage in harmful behavior.”

I watched him as he spoke, his calm confidence and thoughtful demeanor drawing me in. For a moment, I found myself admiring him, feeling my cheeks flush. His words resonated more than I expected. He seemed so composed, so... grounded. Somehow, Charlie felt dangerous—bad for my heart. Realizing I was staring too much, I quickly shook my head, pushing those thoughts aside. Then, uncertainly, I decided to ask, "By 'thinking and living simply,' you mean people here don’t dream of becoming doctors, teachers, engineers, or even more?"

"Look around you, Aria," Charlie said with a smile. "Everyone here could become a doctor, teacher, engineer, or even a witch or wizard if they wanted to. Knowledge is free, and you can see that here in the library. I’m not saying people here don’t have aspirations, but they are happy with their way of life."

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"But don’t they want more than just this simple life? Aren’t they curious about the world beyond the island?" I asked, pushing a bit further.

Charlie took a moment before answering thoughtfully. "I understand what you're getting at. But what could they possibly want that they can’t create right here? Sure, we don’t have the same technology or skyscrapers as the city, but I can assure you, people here can do everything you can in the city—just in a more peaceful, straightforward way. I don’t think they feel lacking in any way. It’s a different kind of life, but it’s just as fulfilling."

Charlie’s smile had a playful hint, but I couldn’t help but agree. The people here seemed genuinely content with their lives, and perhaps that simplicity was all they really needed.

"So they’re not curious about the city or what’s beyond the island? Aren’t you curious?" I asked, pressing a little more.

Charlie smiled and shook his head. "About the city? No, not really. And most people here would probably say the same. We hear updates and news from there, but we don’t envy the city life. We compare it to how we live here, and to be honest, it’s better here than there. We also make comparisons to understand our differences and to improve our ways, satisfying curiosity but not longing for what they have. We do want to explore the world, but more for adventure than for relocating. But that requires special permission from the rule makers. We’re not allowed to travel freely because the rule makers want to keep the island as secret as possible. And we the islanders agree with it. That’s why only invited Guests and Visitors are allowed here."

"Why keep the island a secret?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.

"The Rule Makers believe the island is like an oasis, a paradise. If it were discovered, its resources would be exploited, and the delicate balance here could be disrupted or even destroyed," Charlie explained. His reasoning made sense to me.

"Hey, Charlie, aren’t these rule makers like a government? I mean, they make the rules," I said, trying to get a clearer understanding.

Charlie paused before responding, his tone growing serious. "No, Aria, they’re not like a government. A government is an organized system or institution with the authority to manage a country, state, or community. It creates laws, enforces them, provides public services, manages resources, and protects citizens' rights. Governments are responsible for maintaining order, ensuring safety, and promoting the welfare of people. The rule makers here create the laws, but they don’t provide public services or manage resources. The residents are responsible for themselves in that regard. The rules here are fixed and unchanging—no new rules are created. If someone breaks the rules, the R.I.s step in to take action."

Charlie’s explanation clarified things further. There was indeed a clear difference between the role of the rule makers here and a typical government.

Charlie disrupted my thoughts by saying, “Again, shared values and mutual respect are essential for all of this to happen, for this system to function properly.” I nodded in agreement, absorbing the information.

I took a moment to process that, then asked, “What about resource management?”

Charlie answered, “Shared resources like forests, water, and fish are carefully managed to ensure they’re not overused. This balance is maintained through informal agreements and traditional practices passed down over generations. Thankfully, overuse isn’t a problem here, given our small population. Most people have their own gardens and farms where they grow crops and raise animals. So, there’s really no competition or conflict over resources.”

I couldn’t help but marvel at the simplicity and elegance of it all. The system here was so different from the structured, rule-heavy life I was accustomed to in the city, yet it seemed to function effortlessly here. Perhaps it was the small population, combined with everyone’s deep understanding of the consequences of their actions and the rules they lived by.

What Charlie had explained was a fascinating concept, though it left me with even more questions about how such a system truly worked. Still, the idea of a community built on mutual trust and collective agreement felt both refreshing and, at the same time, unnervingly fragile.

Moments later, I decided to ask, "Charlie, speaking of rules, what are some important ones I should know to avoid breaking them?"

Charlie’s expression turned serious. "There are a few basic rules you should keep in mind as a foreigner here. First, according to your classification, you're only allowed to stay and roam within designated zones. In other words, never cross the red boundary line. Second, you must register or identify yourself with the designated person for registration— that would be Ms. Ivy, the clerk you met earlier. Third, never harm any of the islanders, as you are an outsider. Fourth, if any islander harms you, report it to the registration office or any Rule Implementor (R.I.). Fifth, never take anything that belongs to the island or the islanders. And sixth, you cannot extend your stay beyond the allotted time. If you encounter any issues with transportation, be sure to report it to the registrar."

Charlie leaned in, gesturing for me to do the same, which I complied with. He then said, "Since you're considered a trespasser, Aria, you only need to follow rules 1, 3, 5, and 6."

Charlie then sat back in his usual position, and I stared at him, processing what he said. After a moment, I asked, "So, if I follow those rules and keep my status as a trespasser a secret, I’ll have a better chance of not breaking any rules—and a higher chance of surviving here on the island?"

Charlie nodded, his hands steepled in front of him, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. I felt a flicker of nervousness creeping in as I watched him, unsure of what to expect next.

But I didn’t let the nervousness hold me back and I return to my usual position too. I steadied myself and asked, “What are the Erasers? You mentioned them earlier.”