North x Northwest

———- flashback ———-

Ed grinned, his face half bright and half dark.

“I won’t just kill her. I’ll torture her.”

‘Although Edgar showed no signs of viciousness in the pub, I would have been naïve to think he would take my warning seriously.’

Cesar’s threat was to assert his position and make Ed think twice about toying with Liloa. If that had actually worked, Ed wouldn’t have deceived Lil and rushed here. However, Cesar’s worst nightmare, running into Ed before they left Amiaeng, came true.

“Ha! You’re pirates! No wonder I didn’t get a price from her. Haha, a pirate! Great, that’ll make it easier for me to threaten you… I’ll kill her with that body and that name, hanging as the notorious pirate Lil Schweiz, buried and rotting. What a futile death would that be for dear Liloa?”

“Don’t you dare call her Liloa.”

“Then what should I call her? Seeing her like this, I don’t want to call her by her last name. I know the virtue of respect.”

“…”

“No one in the world would know she died. No one will mourn for her, except you. Well, she might say that you’re enough because she hates her family, but is that really all right? Her death won’t suddenly make things right with them, will it?”

“…”

“Can you handle the tragedy?”

Cesar was silent for a moment.

‘Although Edgar’s words aren’t empty threats, he can’t kill Lil that easily, no matter what he says. More than anything else, he came all the way here, because he’s interested in her.’

But there are plenty of reasons for Cesar to still be concerned.

‘…Impulses, rage, and explosions. Even if it isn’t death, Edgar can still inflict equivalent damage. Whatever the case, the outcome would be bleak.’

While still being silent, Cesar’s gaze moved from Ed to the stern of the Bell Rock, following Lil, who was busy making her way to the upper deck. Imagining the horrible reality Ed just painted, cold sweat trickled down his back.

‘Killing him would be the safest option.’

“Were you trying to pick your sword? What if I get angry?”

“Sir Edgar.”

“Do you think what I said is the worst possible scenario? I can do a lot more than that.”

“…”

His words were frightening, as Cesar subconsciously envisioned Ed’s quick blade stabbing and slicing through Lil’s body.

‘Lil’s true identity was never meant to be revealed. But, it’s pointless to linger in regrets now. We’ve been careless.’

Cesar blamed himself for allowing Lil to act alone despite hearing the tumultuous news on the streets.

‘Edgar was able to see and unravel Lil’s true and hidden identity. There are no limits to what he can do to her.‘

Cesar, helpless, put down his sword.

“…Yeah. That’s right…”

Ed, who muttered with satisfaction, moved his gaze to the Bell Rock again.

“I’ve been thinking about how Liloa could be in the form of a man.”

“…”

“No, actually, when I first saw her in that form, I didn’t even think that was Liloa. When I heard the people around me call her Captain, I thought it was really Lil Schweiz. I came here convinced that Liloa was Lil Schweiz. I knew it, but what I saw was not just a disguise. You can’t fool me with a mere disguise.”

“…”

“At first, I was sceptical. Although there are similarities, thinking of two people who seem completely different as one and the same, is not something that most humans do.”

Cesar guessed that Ed had gone to Madame Rouge’s brothel.

‘Out of fear of escapes, the pimps there were extremely strict with their employees. Edgar wouldn’t have had to look long to figure out that Lil being a prostitute was a disguise. If so, he would’ve lost interest in Lil. The target must have been Lil herself, but how could he have figured it out so quickly?’

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“…”

“I was just lucky: the first report I saw was from the Black Whale, Lil Schweiz. I also happened to have received a letter wonderfully similar to it. The loot certificate isn’t exclusive to Lil Schweiz anymore, but the writing style is. Well, even if I hadn’t seen the report, I would’ve found her in the end. It might have taken me a bit longer and you would’ve probably left Amiaeng by then… You really are in such a hurry to escape.”

“…”

“Anyway, back to the point, how can she look like a man?”

“…”

Cesar hesitated, unsure how to respond when Ed inquired about her appearance. Unable to come up with a suitable response.

‘Even with my confirmation – Edgar wouldn’t simply take my word for it, he would want to check it with Lil. If he does, there would be no guarantee that Edgar, who has an eye for rare pieces of art, won’t covet the jewel.’

“Is Liloa, by any chance, borrowing the power of an artefact?”

“…”

Cesar was perplexed by the question, which came out so naturally as if Ed had already solved it.

‘No matter how well-versed he is in history and how brilliant his mind is, how can he see through everything?‘

“Don’t be so surprised. This isn’t my first rodeo. When I’m trying to explain an unexplainable phenomenon, I have all kinds of options. Unlike most people, my travels from east to west in search of ancient traces brought me all over the world. Anyway, I have no desire to satisfy your curiosity. Rather, it’s your turn, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Won’t you answer?”

“…”

“Shall I shout her real name out loud then? I don’t think you made my presence known to Liloa, so won’t she be surprised?”

Cesar squeezed the bridge of his nose.

“All right.”

“All right?”

“Yes.”

“Great.”

A rush of ecstasy filled Ed’s body. He rubbed his hands together, raised his brows, and walked around.

“Let me see. Liloa already knows my face. In that case, I don’t think she’ll allow me on board, so you should take care of it. You must guarantee that I can board the Bell Rock.”

Cesar attempted to regain his composure.

‘Although, I thought it was highly unlikely, it was still a possibility. What should I do now? How the hell can I make this work?’

Cesar decided to take a gamble.

“Get on board as a doctor.”

‘It’s the best option. The simplest route is also the safest for Lil. I have no idea what an enraged Admiral would do. For the time being, I have to extinguish the fire. What’s most important is that if Edgar went on the Bell Rock, new negotiations might eventually be possible.

The moment men boarded a ship on sea, they’re all equalized as human beings held in their mother’s arms, whether they are the noblest emperor or the humblest slave. Even an admiral couldn’t survive an epidemic without water. Men are humbled and rendered insignificant by the sea. Besides, Liloa and I have the highest rank on the Bell Rock, after all.’

“What?”

“That’s all.”

“…”

“We don’t have a doctor. He died a month ago.”

“Are you crazy? You’re telling me to treat the pirates’ pus-filled wounds?”

“Because you haven’t completed your medical training, Liloa might strongly oppose your boarding, but the rest of the crew will welcome you. You’ll have the support of the entire crew, while the Captain stands alone, so the crew will easily win the vote. If that happens, Liloa can’t object either. There will be no choice but to let you join.”

Ed tried to reject it more vehemently but soon became aware of the gazes around them. In the end, he could only voice his anger through his mouth.

“I don’t want to.”

“Liloa is not under my control. She’s not something I hold and shake. Also, I have no intention of stopping her reasonable and free will.”

“…”

“There will be no large battles towards our next destination. Our priority is to get out of Amiaeng as quietly and quickly as possible. You will rarely see a patient, and due to the shallow waters most injuries in southern voyages are fractured bones, instead of pus-filled wounds.”

Even though Ed was still planning to complain, Cesar refused to back down. Ed quickly weighed his options. His brows moved up and down. After rearranging his thoughts, Ed finally exclaimed.

“Then, it’s not that bad.”

“Go to Doctor Pons on Varese Street and get a letter of recommendation.”

“When will you depart?”

“In two days.”

“Don’t you dare double-cross me, know that you won’t be safe.”

“There is no reason for me to lie to you.”

Ed fixed his gaze on the men before him, trying to determine the truth in Cesar’s word. Still sceptical about his innocent appearance.

“Well, good.”

“Now get the hell out of here.”

“Come to think of it, if she gets hurt on this voyage, things could get quite interesting.”

Unable to resist the provocation, Cesar distorted his face. Ed left satisfied after seeing his opponent’s reaction.

he smiled.

Slowly, revealing his teeth.

———- end flashback ———-

‘Just like now.’

Cesar looked at the admiral. It was a suspicious and unseemly gaze, one that seemed to be watching him. Eventually, the navigator had no desire to please him more and turned his head.

***