Chapter 83
Bohn, who had been listening to Mary-san and me, tensed slightly. But the moment he tried to leap backward and escape, a dagger struck the deck at his feet. Bohn's body trembled, and cigar ash spilled from his mouth.
Kyle, who had his sword pointed at Mary-san, was the one who threw the dagger. With his left hand, he drew another dagger from inside his coat and held it ready.
"I won't let you escape, Bohn-san. You attempted to murder a noble of the Lionel Kingdom. This is an international incident. The Vaal Archipelago will be held responsible."
"Hey, Mary was the one who did the kidnapping."
Bohn pointed at Mary-san, trying to shift the blame onto her.
"But you were the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, weren't you? Don't worry, I won't kill you. Give me the letter supposedly sent by Hameil Kingdom, and I'll set you free."
I replied with a smile and glanced toward the stern of the Flame Lion.
The letter from Hameil Kingdom ordering my abduction should be in the captain's cabin of the Flame Lion.
"You pretended to be captured from the very beginning because that was your real goal!"
I gave Bohn, sweat trickling down his forehead, a derisive snort.
At present, the Lionel Kingdom and Hameil Kingdom were allied against their common enemy, the Demon King's army. But their alliance was merely superficial; although the two countries clasped hands, they kicked each other with their feet.
It was only an alliance in name, but an alliance was still an alliance. If a letter hinting at Hameil Kingdom's involvement in my abduction came to light now, the kingdom would be condemned internationally. If I could secure the letter, it could serve as diplomatic leverage against Hameil Kingdom.
I wanted that letter. To obtain it, I had Kyle infiltrate Mary-san's ship, made myself a hostage, and set up this situation to bring Bohn here.
"What a terrifying little lady you are, despite that pretty face..."
Bohn sucked in a breath, cigar clenched between his teeth. His eyes darted about as he searched for a way out, but the children aboard the Silverwing were being thrown into the sea one after another, their numbers steadily dwindling. The crew of the Flame Lion had drawn their bows and prepared for battle, but they could not act while their captain was captured.
Bohn had boarded the Silverwing alone to win Mary-san over. Now that decision had backfired on him.
"Now then, Mary-san. The outcome is decided. Please surrender. I promise you won't be harmed."
I shifted my gaze to Mary-san. It was only a matter of time before the Silverwing fell under our control. But I wanted her to surrender before then, so we would not have to throw the children into the sea.
As I urged her to surrender, Mary-san's gaze wandered.
"Not yet!"
It was Ann, the girl with the burn scars on her face, who let out a sudden cry. She pointed her blade at Paula-san instead of at me or Kyle.
"Kyle!"
I ordered Kyle to help Paula-san. Like a predatory cat, Kyle sprang forward and threw himself in front of Paula-san, blocking Ann's sword.
Paula-san was safe, but Mary-san fled behind Ann. Bohn also saw his chance and leaped into the sea, escaping in a trail of cigar smoke.
Keeping wary watch on Ann and Mary-san, I tracked Bohn's escape with my gaze.
Bohn swam toward the Flame Lion. Its crew began moving to retrieve him.
I clenched my teeth. Losing Bohn was a painful setback. But taking control of the Silverwing was the priority for now.
"Mary-san, the tide has already turned. What do you hope to accomplish by resisting?"
I looked at Mary-san, who was being protected by Ann. She understood that she was at a disadvantage as well, and her eyes darted about.
"Ann..."
"No!"
Ann, sword in hand, stopped Mary-san as she began to speak.
"Not yet! It isn't over! We can't end it here!"
Ann's cry turned into a wail of anguish.
Similar voices rose from various parts of the Silverwing. Most of the children realized they were at a disadvantage and had lost their nerve. But some stubbornly refused to stop fighting. They shouted as though clinging to their hatred.
A piece of lumber was tossed onto the deck and rolled with a dry clatter. When I looked over, I saw Zeze.
"Ann, stop now."
Zeze dropped the lumber he had been using as a weapon and approached Ann with his empty hands spread.
"Zeze! You idiot, stop!"
Jini shouted, while Borel and Gatt held their breath. Yet Zeze kept walking slowly toward Ann.
"It's over now. No one is going to hurt you."
"Don't come any closer!"
As Zeze approached, Ann pointed her sword at him.
Ann's eyes burned with hatred, but her sword trembled.
"Ann."
Zeze called her name and took another step forward. He was already within Ann's striking range. She could cut him at any moment. Even so, Zeze took another step forward. The next moment, Ann screamed and thrust out her sword. The tip of the blade plunged into Zeze's abdomen.