Chapter 294

Chapter 294Previous

Lil glared at the surf rushing over Eds shoulder. As soon as she held her breath, the cold water pressure wrapped her whole body. Pain pierced her eardrums as if they were being torn. This fact became even more evident when she saw a thin stream of blood flowing out of Eds ears.

Lil quickly overlapped her lips with Eds and blew air into his lungs. From this close, seeing his face showing no response made her heart ache.

Unable to stand the cold, she clenched her trembling jaw and kicked her feet. The water temperature in Mondovi was colder than she expected. It robbed her of her senses to the point where she wondered if she had already become a corpse.

Already running out of breath, Lil impatiently moved her head upwards and turned her body over to find their way to the surface. Their drifting bodies were being pushed and pulled by the surging waves. They were shoved before briefly falling flat and then dragged away again. Lil held on to Eds body which was getting swept away by the current. If the sun hadnt risen, they wouldve died from hypothermia before she was even given the chance to determine which way to go.

Lil soared toward the sunlight beyond the water while hoping that it was the direction of the shore where they were being drawn.

With her oxygen severely deteriorating, Lil was fighting the urge to open her mouth and swallow everything in order to breathe. Although the water above her head seemed to steadily get shallower, it could very well be her own illusion.

Lil, who began to become disorientated, suddenly strengthened the knuckles holding Ed.

Stay focused. Please, just a little bit. Just a little bit more

Lil stretched her other arm upward. It cut its way through the ocean current, till at some point it suddenly caught the air. Her arm flailed wildly as her head rose above the water. Lil reflexively let out the breath she had been holding when a rising wave invaded her mouth.

She gulped for a while. But whereas she began to regain her steady breathing, Eds skin remained pale, even bluish.

Swimming with someone unconscious wouldve been straining enough already if she had been physically in perfect condition, but now Lil had to move her legs on instinct after having lost her momentum. Still, they were lucky that the waves brought them to the beach.

When her crawling feet finally touched the sand, she felt nothing. Anything was useless until she saw Ed breathing again. Lil laid him flat on the sandy beach and quickly pressed his chest, unsure where the remaining bit of strength came from.

Wake up.

Seeing Eds white lips that might never turn red again prompted Lil to press her breath against the coldness. But no matter how many times she repeated it, Ed still looked alarmingly the same.

Lil gradually lost her temper and screamed.

Wake up!

I cant take this This is so unbelievable, it can only be a dream, right? Not being able to face Ed, hear his voice, or hug him? Is this reality? This isnt a dream, its a nightmare! No dream would be this cruel! And none of what happened even makes sense, from the start

You knew, didnt you?

I shouldve noticed sooner.

You knew!

If the target had indeed been me, Ed would never have sent me back with only Shail as my guard

Looking back, she became unbearably angry at the fact that she had been so blind when it was so obvious.

You madman!

Lil clasped her hands and pounded his chest with her fists.

The bullet that the Lady fired went straight through his upper arm, causing severe bleeding.

Take him to Levi. Tell her that he must be kept alive at all costs.

Yes.

And for the rest of them?

The other soldiers are tracking them down. They probably cant have gotten far.

Linhardt muttered as he looked at Maxwell, who was lying nearby.

Hes a trained soldier. A very skilled one at that

Yes. He didnt even sway on the horse.

Someone who can freely use a crossbow on a running horse hes like Lil.

Could he be from the Karabinae? The Lady said she was once a member of that unit.

The Karabinae is part of the imperial army. Why would the imperial army commit a dishonourable act here?

That was what he said, but he still felt the need to analyse their suspects side.

Although Edgar has done some unsavoury things that may have displeased others, he rarely has incurred a grudge that could cost him his life. Edgar is indifferent to most things, and indifference cannot be a justification for revenge. Thinking about it that way, the Emperor is the only person who ever showed overt hostility toward Edgar. If the people who attacked Edgar were truly carabiners, then its reasonable to think that the Emperor is indeed behind it. But why would the Emperor go that far? Whether Edgar intended it or not, public opinion about his unique talent and incredible wealth is quite positive. If Edgars presence was uncomfortable to the Emperor, it wouldve been better to charge him with treason. Assassination is a cowardly act But what will happen to the Empire if the Emperor punishes nobles he didnt like for treason?

This was clearly plotted carefully. Perhaps even the bandits attack was part of it in order to distract us.

As reported, this so-called bandits attack was distinctly different from their normal methods. They dont attack people.

When His Majestys army arrives, ask them to blockade the village. I will send a dispatch to Roahn, so prepare some horses.

Yes. But as for Sir Edgar

Hopefully, Lil will be able to save both of them.

At the very least if theyve ridden the waves properly, theyll have washed ashore by now Safely

Linhardt was optimistic since Lil didnt seem to resist the sea when viewed from above.

Secure a map of the forest down below. If you have to, search through whatever has been taken from groups of smugglers in the past. And there are sure to be some who settled in the village after working as smugglers, so bring every one of them.

Yes.

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