North x Northwest

Chapter 230

Lil grasped the protruding handle next to the keyhole. Her chest tightened from extreme anticipation, so much so that the sound of her heartbeat even seemed to echo throughout the hallway. Lil was about to take out the keychain from her pocket again, but then

It rattles?

Being able to move the door without unlocking it first, Lil looked down at her hand on the handle without understanding the situation. She then absentmindedly pushed it.

Screech

Just like the last one, this iron door also made an eerie sound as it was pushed aside. Lil couldnt think of anything else as she looked around the room in a daze. Handcuffs, chains, and iron balls were all illuminated by faint moonlight The metal fittings that this cells prisoners had left were scattered sparsely in the empty space. There was no one there. All she could see were forks bent in different directions and spoons with their heads ripped off.

Lil muttered dejectedly at the unbelievable sight.

Crazy these crazy people

Lil treaded into the cell as if possessed. Whenever her foot stepped on something, a clanging sound was heard. Cutlery such as knives and forks were kicked every time she walked. Lil was so shocked that she couldnt even help but snort.

What kind of crazy prison gives its prisoners eating utensils? Anyone with enough patience can open a lock with a fork. Its because you can try it thousands of times and you only need to get it done once for it to be a success

In a panic, Lil clutched her head.

So what should I do now? Since when has this cell been empty? I didnt see anyone on the stairs either. So where are they? No, this cant be.

Lil shook her head vigorously and tried to change her distressing thoughts.

Ive seen Alain earlier. Before his wrists were cuffed, it seemed like he was an attendee of the banquet due to Avars invitation. Meaning, its been less than an hour since these crazies escaped on their own

Lil thoughts were abruptly cut short by a cold piece of metal that touched the back of her head

Put your hands up.

It feels like the muzzle of a gun

Lil slowly raised her hands.

Is it a guard? Was there another guard on patrol besides the one at the entrance?

During that brief moment, her mind was flooded with arrogance.

Even if I can easily subdue the guard here, that doesnt change the fact that I dont know where the crew is. And in addition to not being able to successfully rescue my crew, those same sailors are about to turn Gualtiero upside down on their own

All kinds of terrible imaginations converged without even a hint of a breakthrough, but Lil managed to calmly console herself. Since she was wearing the guard uniform, she decided to try her hand.

You might be unaware, but

Courant. Get me those keys.

Yes, Alain.

What?

As Lil inadvertently asked back, the muzzle of the gun was menacingly pushed to the back of her head.

Shut up.

Meanwhile, Courants light-coloured hair popped into Lils periphery. Although her vision was dark and the boy looked like a mess, Lil was sure that the hair belonged to Courant. As Courant took her key ring from her pocket, Lil stared at Courants head. Nevertheless, Courant just looked up at Lil with eyes full of hostility.

Murmurs erupted from behind her.

What should we do now?..

Where are the rest of us trapped?..

Is that a problem now? We dont even know where we are! Damn it, weve been circling here for ages!..

It didnt take long for Lil to grasp what was going on and inwardly snorted out her laughter.

These crazy guys broke out of their cells in order to run away, so what are they still doing here? They shouldnt have done this without a plan unless they decided to die together of course

Uh Ehem! Everyone be quiet.

..!

Alain solemnly quieted the crew. With this, it became clear that the crew recognized his role as captain.

You idiots, are you seriously whining about not being able to find your way out despite a guard standing in front of you? You idiots are like no other in the world, tsk tsk. We should be thinking about how to use this guy.

Lil, who has suddenly become a guard who must be used, was unable to hide the sound of her wheezing. A sudden relief washed over her, and she burst into laughter.

Pffffft. Hahaha!

Whats wrong with this guy? Is he crazy?

Hahaha.

He might be up to something, seize him.

Ugh! What?!

A chain wrapped around Lils neck and someone strong lifted her from behind. Lil struggled in the air as her fingers eagerly tried to secure some room to breathe, but it was difficult to squeeze through the already tightened chain.

While twisting her body as much as she could, her hat fell off. Soon after, Alain threateningly strode forward.

The way out

Where is it?!

These black hair you crazy

If you dont take the lead, well kill you here.

Recognize your captain look at me

Fine, then die here.

It became more and more difficult to hold on.

Ill have them take this chain off before I can swear and get angry.

Ah all right

Clang

The chain disappeared as soon as Lil accepted Alains proposal, and she instantly dropped to the floor. Lil gasped a few more times, trying to catch her breath.

The man who strangled me from behind must be Marenzio.

Lil picked herself up and faced Alain. She was tempted to prick his eyes that looked down on her sternly. Initially, she thought to explain things rationally, but her lips twitched on their own.

Strangle me one more time and see for yourself where youll end up.

Hah, havent you come to your senses yet?

Have you gotten senile because of your age, Grandpa? I just saw you spit out your juice earlier.

Alain, who was about to give orders to Marenzio again, asked back with an extremely confused face.

What?

Wasnt it because you recognized me? Or were you thinking about something else?

What are you talking about? That was definitely a woman.

I guess you crazy bastards didnt recognize your captain simply because he put on some makeup. You mustve been locked up for far too long without being able to see the sunlight, so your eyes have rotted away. Ill have to beat you all up one by one and hang you up to dry.

The mumblings around quickly subsided. Meanwhile, Lil coughed several more times. Her throats condition hadnt yet completely improved, so her voice still sounded raspy from the strangulation. Of course, she actually considered that beneficial for her case.

Alain closely examined Lils face while she was in a kneeling position. Looking at Alain observing her like that with such curiosity, reminded her of the way he tilted his head and looked at her before she took off her veil earlier. It was like she experienced some kind of dj vu from her memories of when she dressed up as a woman.

Grandpa, theres a red wart on your left buttock. With two white hairs stuck in it. Unfortunately for me, reciting it like this brings me right back to the day I had the pleasure to admire it.

Its a good thing there arent any torches around here. They wont be able to grasp my full appearance if they can only rely on moonlight. All that needs to happen is for them to recognize the resemblances between me and their Captain. More than that wont be possible anyway, seeing how Im also covered in soot. Also, I wasnt planning on proving my identity with just appearance alone.

Well, the black whale is merciful, so Ill give you guys another chance.

Lil now sat back on her butt and admired Alains dazed face. Some of the sailors behind her grabbed her hair and looked at it in the faint moonlight.

Its black hair. Very pitch-black hair

You idiot. Who knows if it would look that way in the dark?..

Isnt the Black Whale dead?..

Didnt someone say he saw him die?..

Uhh then is this a ghost?..

Upon asking if she was a ghost, Lil felt some pokes on her shoulder. Noticing how the atmosphere slowly turned in her favour, she flicked away the fingers on her back and thought of dealing the final blow.

Marenzio.

Yes, Captain. No, uhh, no Yes?

Hearing that he answered right behind her, she became sure that the guy who had strangled her was indeed Marenzio. Lil spoke, gritting her teeth in disdain.

Last June, you couldnt muster the courage to confess to Panichis sweet Rosaline, so you just chased her around the whole time. I once saw you hide behind a tree and spy on her in a dirty and disgusting way.

As if it wasnt a secret that only she knew, a few people could be heard giggling behind her. Lil stood up from her seat and snatched the keychain from Courants hand.

Im getting tired. And we dont have time. Lets just finish this and go.

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