CH 49

When Ian Kerner arrived at the Captain’s room, he realized that the situation was worse than he thought. The entire radar was covered with red dots. It was a detector made by the Marine Beast Corporation.

“Kerner, can you see that? The red dots here are all marine beasts. It’s a big group. At this rate, the ship can’t move until they retreat on their own.”

“Because of the nature of this species, they are low-aggression individuals. For some reason…”

The marine biologist on board was also staring at the instrument panel with a serious face. The vice-captain exclaimed impatiently at the crew.

“D*mn, there is a degree to being stupid. Are you stalling because you don’t know why? It’s a question with a clear answer. A witch is on the ship!”

Ostensibly he was speaking to his crewman, but in reality, his words were directed at Alex Reville. The vice-captain’s eyes turned to Alex. It was clearly a look of resentment. The vice-captain mumbled something to himself, nervously pacing back and forth before shouting.

“You have to throw the witch into the sea! Then it’ll be quiet!”

Alex, who had been quietly watching the fuss with his arms crossed, exploded at those words.

“Can you shut up?”

“Captain, did I say something wrong?”

“Shut your mouth! How about I throw you into the sea!”

“I know you’re covering for the prisoner who saved your granddaughter! But has a ship ever been in a situation like this? I’m sure this is the first case in more than 40 years. Then what’s the cause? Think about it!”

“Look at this guy!”

“The sea is angry at the witch on board. The beasts are demanding the witch as a sacrifice!”

“Don’t be stupid. Do you think anything will change by throwing a person overboard based on old superstitions?”

“Whether Rosen Walker is a witch or not, we have nothing to lose by throwing her into the sea. Passengers always come first! Did the witch deceive the Captain with magic? Have you forgotten basic principles?”

“We are also in charge of transporting prisoners. As long as I am on this ship, a prisoner is also a passenger!”

“Say something that makes sense! Looks like we’re all going to die now! If even a single demonic beast sinks their teeth into the hull and makes a hole…”

“My ship won’t sink from such a thing! As long as I am on this ship…!”

Alex grabbed the vice-captain by the neck, and Ian, who was standing off to the side, pulled out his pistol and put it to the vice-captain’s head. The vice-captain’s face turned pale. The atmosphere in the Captain’s room soured in an instant.

Ian pushed the gun closer to the vice-captain’s face. With his finger on the trigger, he calmly listed out the facts, trying not to get emotional.

“It’s something the Captain doesn’t want.”

“…”

“Anyone who defies the Captain’s order on the ship is subject to summary judgment. Even the vice-captain can be disposed of if necessary. I know you know.”

“Even the little blue boy… ”

“I have been ordered by the government and military to safely escort prisoner 24601 of Al Capez to Monte Island. And that order takes precedence over the Captain’s will, at least until the end of the mission. If anyone interferes with the mission, I can dispose of not only the Captain but the vice-captain.”

Ian Kerner’s stark choice of words and gun pointed at his head caused the vice-captain’s face to turn blue and red. Looking between Ian and Alex alternately, he burst into laughter, amazed. Ian continued.

“Rosen Haworth has already passed the Magic Test three times before boarding the ship. The fact that she is not a witch has already been proven.”

“You really think so, Sir Kerner? Then you are an idiot. What a wicked, manipulative race witches are. There’s a reason why they are persecuted. I’m sure this was her intention when she got on board. I thought she was up to something from the start! She’s trying to get back at us!”

“If you blame people with groundless superstitions, there will be a greater need for me to dispose of the vice-captain.”

“I thought the witch possessed only the Captain, but our good war hero was also possessed.”

The vice-captain glared at him as he slowly raised his hands. Ian did not reply. He simply put away his pistol and looked at Alex. Alex was still watching the instrument panel full of red dots with a blank face.

At that moment, there was a loud noise. Layla burst in, leaving the Captain’s door wide open.

“Grandpa! People… Rosen! Rosen…”

As soon as he caught the word ‘Rosen’, Alex felt a chill and ordered Ian.

“Go out on deck, Ian.”

“…”

“Something must have happened to Miss Walker.”

Alex didn’t have to say more. Ian Kerner had already begun to act and grabbed Layla, storming out of the Captain’s door.

***

As they left the cabin, the cold winter wind hit her face as if it were going to tear her apart. Her consciousness, which had been clouded by fatigue a moment ago, became clear. Ian Kerner’s voice came to mind when she was half asleep.

[Wake her up and take her with you. I will go to the Captain’s room and the deck.]

Rosen asked Henry with a grimace.

“What’s going on? You’re gonna lock me up again? You promised you’d let me stay free until we got to the island.”

“I don’t have time to explain. Come on, we have to get you back to a cell. When people come… No, maybe it’s safer there.”

“Did I get caught? That I was in Sir Kerner’s office the whole time?”

“No, but I think that would have been better. This is…”

She could tell that something unusual had happened.

It was a time when no one was awake except for the crew. But even though it was early in the morning, people were gathering on the deck, murmuring with hardened faces. In addition, the waves that had been calm since last night were now causing the boat to sway, enough to cause her to stumble if she stayed still.

“Beasts have surrounded the ship.”

“…Why?”

“I don’t know either. I recently joined the Navy. I was in the Air Force. But I know one thing for sure. If you go out in front of the people now, they will throw you into the sea.”

“…They believe that I cast magic, and that’s why the beasts want me.”

He seemed to know without listening to her explanation. She wasn’t surprised because it was a familiar outcome.

“Yes, everyone thinks you’re a witch. The general opinion is that the sea is angry and demands you as a sacrifice, and that the ship will not be able to move until you are thrown into the sea. There was a sense of urgency on the deck.”

“…”

“Everyone is crazy. Once you’re inside a cell I will be guarding it.”

Rosen followed him without further questions. Henry covered her face with his coat and took her to the stern.

As she descended the twisted rusty steel stairs, she recognized the humor of her situation. She had to go back to prison to protect herself. Even further, it was her guard who said he would protect her from the angry mob.

Henry, who was ahead, groaned as if he had hit his knee on something. She burst out laughing. He spat out swear words and turned on the gas lamp.

“D*mn, why’s it so dark here? Walker, is this how prisons are?”

“Should a prison be bright and warm?”

“How did you live here?”

“You get used to it. In time, you’ll be able to beat a rat with your bare hands.”

Rosen answered so, but she was also surprised by the darkness that felt thicker than she remembered. It hadn’t been long since she left here, but her eyes had already gotten used to the shining world.

The prison was dark, even during the day. Naturally, it was almost pitch-black at dawn. Until the first time she came out of here, this dark was not unfamiliar. Enough to find her way without having to feel the wall with her hands.

But now…

She didn’t know. The heart is fragile, so it quickly gets used to warmth and adapts to hardship with difficulty. Even though she thought it was a dream, she lost her vigilance by the temporary freedom and warmth she was given.

Even though she was so determined to be wary of happiness.

Fortunately, she didn’t act like a complete idiot. She wasn’t distracted by the favor Ian Kerner showed. She touched the sleeping powder packet that was shoved in her undergarments. It was not as thick as before because half of it was poured into the drinking fountain and a wine container.

“Walker, why do you keep laughing? Is this the time to laugh? I’m scared that you’re really out of your mind.”

“Just… it’s funny. This whole situation.”

Rosen smirked in response to Henry’s words.

It was a good move to put sleeping powder in the drinking fountain. You should always be thoroughly prepared for any contingency. It was unlikely that people would drink wine in this atmosphere.

‘No, if you succeed in throwing me into the sea, will you drink then?’

But it would all be useless if she fell into the sea. 

But no matter how dire the situation was, they’d drink water, and eventually be affected by the sleeping powder…