CH 170

“Courant said that the bastard doctor served in Mondovi, so doesn’t that make all of this add up perfectly? He stole intel on the Bell Rock and fed it to the Western fleet, that’s why the Mondovian Navy has been tracking us!”

“…”

“…Or are Lil Schweiz’s words still clogging your ears?”

Alain gritted his teeth at the mocking remark.

“The Black Whale’s dedication to the League is deeper than anyone else’s. And you certainly aren’t someone who can say those words about the Captain so lightly.”

“You must be fucking kidding me.”

“Look at the mess you’ve made. What is this? Comrades from the same League are pointing guns at each other!”

“Ha! Comrades? Were you guys even born in Marchand?”

“The South isn’t divided. There is only one South…”

“And you! An old man, who used to earn his living by licking the imperial’s asses…”

“…”

Julio raised his left hand. His fingers, which had been cut to different lengths, wriggled in disgrace.

“…Who are you to talk about comrades?”

“Julio.”

“I was only 10! 10 years old! But those people rolled dice among themselves to decide which finger and how much they would cut off. Those bastards aren’t people, they’re demons!”

His face flushed red as if he were about to shed bloody tears. When Julio’s subordinate placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him, Alain spoke with a softer tone.

“Think about it. Even when there was an inspection from Legardon, you guys almost lost it. Everyone claimed they were about to die, but what happened? Huh? Did anyone get hurt?”

“…”

“Even if you’re afraid of the Navy, you need to keep your head cool.”

Julio stamped his foot.

“Who says I’m scared!”

“…”

He stomped and grabbed Alain by the collar. He stretched his fist out as far back as he could to threaten the old man.

“I’d rather die. But first, I’ll kill them all, and then we can all go to hell together.”

“Julio. They’re your comrades.”

“…”

“Stop this. Don’t look at me, who is merely an old man, look at your comrades.”

“..!”

The eyes that were burning with anger suddenly froze. Julio could easily beat anyone in a game of fists, but sailing was different. Sailing was a mission directly related to life. As many lives were at stake, Julio had no choice but to be cautious. So, Alain calmly rebuked Julio.

“We need the Captain and the Navigator.”

“I’ll never approve of those bastards.”

“Julio. If we don’t manage to get out of here and get caught by the Navy, we’ll surely die. Not just you, but 200 people will all die together. 200 Sailors who committed to remain in the League even after knowing a real war was approaching. What about their families?”

But Alain’s passionate speech was interrupted by someone’s loud voice.

“…Julio!”

Courant, standing on the deck below, took off his hat and looked up at him. Julio first hesitated to return the gaze, but when their eyes met and he recognized the boy, he lowered his head and smirked. Julio then motioned for Courant to be dragged away, but Courant resisted the hands that were trying to restrain him.

“Wait! I’m a witness!”

His remark made Julio pause.

“What?”

“The Navigator had me watch his cabin! He kept saying that someone was breaking in and he told me to stay in the room so that I could catch the culprit. He said it was suspicious that there were signs of a break-in, but nothing was missing.”

“So are you saying it was the doctor?”

“No. It’s not like that, but… but if he was in some sort of collusion with the doctor, why would the Navigator entrust me with such a task? It’s ridiculous to accuse the Navigator of being in cahoots with the spy when he ordered me to catch him. There’s nothing wrong with the Navigator!”

Julio, who had been rolling his eyes for a while, suddenly nodded his head.

“All right. Then let’s just bring the Navigator.”

Finally free, Alain replied while sweeping down his chest.

“What about the Captain? It takes a Captain’s eyes to read the sea route…”

“Unfortunately for you, I have to become the Captain if you want to bring the Navigator.”

“What?”

“Not the Lil Schweiz guy..”

“…”

Alain squeezed his chin and bit his lip. Thinking that he could’ve known that the kid would use this opportunity to threaten the officers with their vote.

“It will be better if you decide quickly, won’t it? Hurry up and raise your hand.”

Splitting through the surface of the water, the Bell Rock waddled again. When a shower of water splashed to their left, everyone had to hold on to either the railing or the rigging.

“You must guarantee the Captain’s life.”

“I’ll guarantee it. Actually, there’s nothing much to guarantee, as his life is going to be nothing more than a fly’s life now.”

The officers exchanged glances. In the midst of their agony, the sound of the ship hitting a stone beak echoed through the floor. 

Alain was the first to raise his hand, then two, three and eventually more and more hands followed. One of Julio’s men counted.

“The total is 16.”

Julio opened his mouth and laughed.

“…Congratulations on your inauguration, Captain Julio!…”

A crowd that had gathered in a circle, clapped and cheered among themselves. Seeing that, Alain cast a silent gaze on the other officers. 

The new captain then approached Alain and patted the old man on the chest.

“Now bring the Navigator.”

“Yes.”

“…Captain. Won’t you attach it?”

“Yes… Captain.”

Alain clenched his fists and disappeared to the deck below. Julio slowly laid each of his fingers on the wheel. As if it was an affectionate meeting, he stroked it several times. Relaxing his shoulders, he ordered, proudly holding the wheel with both hands.

“Lil Schweiz will be demoted to a third-class sailor. Have him clean the floors.”

The men leaning against the railing burst into laughter. 

“…Hahahaha!..” 

Meanwhile, the Bell Rock’s sailors shook their heads while sharing grim glances…

***

A while ago.

Cesar had talked about memories, but Lil could only half-heartedly sympathise with Cesar’s stories. His voice might’ve grown calmer as time passed, there were still moments when he couldn’t stand it and shed tears. Whenever that happened Lil felt weak. Even though she didn’t love him, that didn’t mean she was completely devoid of feelings for him. Cutting off those feelings was also for her a hard thing to do. Lil too sobbed, but bit her lip to make sure Cesar didn’t notice.

‘How many hours have passed with us being like this?’

Suddenly, in the background, was a dull sound constantly rambling through the hull. Lil was familiar with it, it was the sound of the anchor being lifted. A chill ran over her spine.

‘What’s the point in raising the anchor of a ship that can’t be moved?’

But soon, before she could even fully deduce the situation, the Bell Rock already staggered greatly.

– Kkiiiik… –

Reefs scratched the keel and hull. The ship made its way through various seaweed bushes that grew under the surface and the rough-shaped coral colonies left numerous scars on the bottom of the ship. Lil looked around anxiously. She sensed that the fog hadn’t lifted yet. 

‘I’m sure they won’t be able to read the maps…’

“…I think we’ve entered shallow waters.”

“I think so too. Damn it, who the hell would do something so reckless?”

Although she asked that, both of them knew it was Julio. It was clear that the madman was attempting to drag hundreds of their colleagues into the underworld with him. With no time to think, Lil resumed the struggle she had given up. She pushed her arms outward with all her might. However, and perhaps in a way to mock her, the rope felt even tighter than it did before. Still, Lil gritted her teeth and gave it her all.

Then, urgent footsteps drew closer and closer. The door opened and someone burst into the cabin. Still struggling, Lil shouted.

“Why is the ship suddenly moving!”

“Captain, it’s me.”

“Alain?”

Naturally, Lil stopped struggling, thinking that Alain would release her. But Alain seemed to be preoccupied with something else. She could definitely hear the sawing on a rope, but it wasn’t hers. Lil panicked and looked back as far as she could.

“Grandpa! What are you doing?”

“I need Cesar.”

“Free the Captain first, Alain.”

“No. I can’t do that.”

Alain whispered something in Cesar’s ear.

“…Mon…”

He was clearly saying something more, but after that, Lil could no longer hear him well. 

‘What kind of information do you need to keep hidden from me?’ 

Lil pressed Alain, widening her eyes.

“What were you whispering?! Alain!”

“I’m sorry, Captain. The situation is very urgent. Even now…”

– Bam! Kkiikk…  –

After impact a sound similar to wood being scraped over the teeth of a saw could be heard. Lil was still tied up and thus only wobbled, but due to the shock Alain fell down and rolled two laps.

“Goddamn it! That crazy… Come on, mate.”

Alain wasted no time. He got up from his fall and quickly led Cesar. Similarly, Cesar stormed out of the cabin without delay. Lil was stunned to see that he had left her behind. Not because she was saddened by his action, but because she had a hunch that some huge disaster was bound to happen.

Lil soon screamed like a madman. However, her body, which was full of injuries and hadn’t eaten a single piece of bread, had no strength left.

After catching her breath, Lil yelled at the ceiling again.

“Is no one there?! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”

She shouted three or four more times.

“Captain? Captain!”

Her tightly closed eyes flashed open.

“Jericho?”