Chapter 233

Chapter 233Previous

Headnote:

In order to understand the next scene better, we did our best to search for a fitting image of the wagons in question. We think the wagons will look something like the picture below, maybe a bit bigger and longer so it can fit more people. Hope it helps!

The wagons ran down the dark green hill. The hill where Gualtiero was located was actually nothing more than a low peak, but even though the road down it wasnt very long, it felt like an endless eternity pulling on Lil.

In time, they left the hill and entered the paved city streets. The sound of the horses hooves altered and rang on the stones. Meanwhile, Alain grabbed his chest and waved his hand in the air, making strange sounds.

Hiya! Ho!

Shut up.

Lil warned, but the men inside the luggage compartment were also becoming noisy. Finally, Alain lifted the screen behind the coach seat and shouted to the sailors in the cargo hold.

Were out! We escaped that damned vineyard!

Chants that were as strange as Alains came out sporadically. Although Lil scolded them several times in order to keep them quiet, she herself eventually burst out laughing. However, when the excited sailors began pounding in the hold, causing the horses to cry out in distress, Lil slapped Alains back as he was putting his upper body further into the compartment.

Calm down now! Calm down, all of you!

Captain!.. Captain!..

As Alain crawled back onto the coachmans seat, the shouts of Marenzio, who was driving the second wagon, spread everywhere. His voice echoed into every corner of the alley and reverberated, giving Lil no choice but to jump up from her seat and shout towards the back.

Cant you shut up?

But just as she was about to sit down again, Marenzio shouted again. Unfortunately, his message wasnt a pleasant one.

Something is catching up behind us!

What?!

Holding the reins in one hand, Lil twisted her torso and looked behind her. Four figures were approaching fiercely from the end of the street. Lil drew her eyebrows together, thereby squinting her eyes. Because the figures were backlit, the seal of those horse riders couldnt be seen properly. The only thing she was certain of was that there were no badges on the horses saddle nor markings on their cloaks.

Lil muttered as she turned the wagon to the right, following their designated path.

Its not the uniform of the guards

Still sitting next to her, Alain looked at her in shock. Similarly, Lil also faced Alain.

Both of them shouted simultaneously.

Then who?..

Then who are they?..

How should I know? I just got out of jail!

Shit!

After handing the reins to Alain, Lil pushed herself off her seat and landed flat on the roof of the wagon. Instead of falling onto the middle of the roof, as she was going for, she fell more to the side. But luckily for Lil, the rear was visible from this position too.

Four armed men on horseback

An obvious fact came to mind.

In the first place, theres no way the guards are wearing masks Are they spies from the Duke of Mireille? No Im not sure

Lil took her gun out of her pocket and placed the barrel on the frame of the luggage compartment as support. However, she quickly became conflicted due to the possibility that they could be the prisons guards.

What if this only brings us more trouble? Moreover, if I use my gun now, the gunshot will ring aloud, and if someone hears it

While she was caught up in deep thought, Alain hit Lils leg which was hanging above the coach seat.

Lil didnt respond and tried to jump off the wagon. But the moment she tried to leap to her feet, Alain grabbed her by the collar.

Answer me, Captain!

Lils upper body swayed violently and she was dragged back into the coachs seat. As she was caught midair, her neck almost broke from the force.

Lil yelled loudly.

You crazy old man!

What about the Captain?!

Lil managed to regain her balance by grabbing Alains shoulder.

Come to your senses! Think about what you were imprisoned for. If even one person is caught here, the whole of the South will be executed!

What do you mean

Lil shouted while pounding the back of the coach seat with her fist.

Damn it, think!

Alains face, which had been blank for a moment, soon became coloured with realisation. Lil asked him to confirm it.

You know what I mean, right?

I understand I understand now.

With Alain frantically nodding his head, Lil pulled her upper body out of the coach seat, looked behind her and shouted.

Marenzio! Move aside!

Marenzio, driving the second wagon closely behind them, opened some space to the right. Lil was about to jump out of the wagon but remembered something important. Turning to face Alain again, her heart sank as she wondered how she had forgotten such a crucial point.

One more thing. Ed must watch the course of the Bell Rock until it sets sail and completely leaves Mondovi. We can never know what might happen. You understand that, right? The waters around here are all full of warships, so he must remain in the port until the end

Are you saying I shouldnt tell him about those guys?

Alain pointed with his chin at the men pursuing them. He looked at her uneasily, as if he had sensed her intention. But Lil lied to him to receive his cooperation.

Theres no need to tell him anything. Ive bribed the nearby guards, so theyll come to help me as soon as I give the signal. Until then, all I must do is buy you time.

Guards? How?

Shut up and say you understand! Theres no time to explain!

Okay, I understand!

Remember, once you manage to get out of here, everything will be resolved. And dont worry about what might happen after you escape.

The last thing she saw before turning away from Alain was his mouth opening to say something. But simultaneously, one of the horsemen already caught up to them and had stuck himself right next to her. A spur-of-the-moment reflex made Lil unsheathe and swing her sword fiercely.

Crazy!

Agh!

The arm that was reaching towards Lil backed off. It was an accidental wound, but it appeared to have been more fatal than she thought, seeing how the guy struggled to continue. He eventually fell from the horse despite his efforts to hold on. However, his horse paid no heed to the ordeal and kept running alongside the carriage.

With no time to argue any further, Lil jumped towards the empty saddle

Shit!