Chapter 16: Searching for the Map

Chapter 16: In Search of the Map

The prisoners who were singled out immediately began to complain bitterly: "Deputy Captain, have mercy on us! We'd like to live a few more days!"

Eton barked, "Captain Prey is having a meal with the Warden. As long as you're quick about it, you won't run into him! Don't make me use the whip on you!"

Lyman dropped the stone he was holding and walked toward Deputy Captain Eton.

"Sir, since they're unwilling, let me go instead," he said.

Eton was stunned, his expression was like watching the earth split open and sulfurous flames erupting from the crack.

"You?!"

"They don't want to go anyway. I went last time, so I'm familiar with the place."

Lyman studied Eton carefully. A man like him would never believe Lyman was acting out of pure goodwill. He had to make it seem like he had an "ulterior motive" to make himself more credible to Deputy Captain Eton.

"However, I do have a small request." Lyman grinned sheepishly, rubbing his hands together nervously. "Could you lighten tomorrow's workload a bit?"

A look of understanding dawned on Eton's face: "So that's what this is about. I was wondering why anyone would be so selfless. Fine, tomorrow your workload will be halved. I never negotiate with prisoners, but today's special. Now go!"

"Yes! Thank you, Captain!" Lyman wore the smug look of a man getting his way.

Eric stood behind the low wall, glancing from Lyman to the scholar, then hurried after them: "I'm coming too!"

The scholar's jaw dropped as he tugged desperately at Eric's sleeve: "Don't! Did you forget what happened yesterday?"

"It's fine. As long as we're quick, we can finish before Captain Prey gets back."

The scholar's lips trembled as he looked at his two partners with a pitiful expression, terrified of being left behind: "Then... then I'll come too..."

He timidly followed Lyman. The three of them, along with Deputy Captain Eton, arrived at Prey's office.

The place was in even worse shape than yesterday. Lyman quickly scanned the room and soon spotted the map scroll—under the bookshelf, pinned beneath a biscuit tray and several books.

There was no time to waste—Captain Prey could return any moment. Lyman immediately rolled up his sleeves and started cleaning up alongside the scholar. They straightened the desk and put the scattered ornaments back in place. As they worked, Lyman gradually edged closer to the map scroll.

He picked up the biscuit tray, swept the broken biscuits into a dustpan, and put the books back on the shelf. Now he was only a step away from the scroll.

But Deputy Captain Eton was still watching them. Picking up the scroll alone would be fine, but the second he opened it, Eton would definitely notice something was off.

How could he open the scroll? Would it be simpler to block Eton's view with his body, snatch the scroll in one quick move, and hide it in his prison uniform?

Lyman pondered as he cautiously circled around the scroll.

Eric, mopping the floor near the door, noticed his movements. The boy tilted his head, looking puzzled.

For a brief moment, as if a lightbulb went off, he let out a soft "Ah!" Then he jumped up and pointed at the door. "Deputy Captain, look! There's a puppy!"

Eton instinctively turned to where the boy was pointing. In those few seconds, Lyman shot his hand out toward the scroll...

"What puppy? I don't see any puppy!" Eton glared at the boy.

"Uh, I must've been seeing things." Eric scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Get back to work! Stop gawking!" Eton turned his attention back to the room. Lyman was placing ornaments back on the display shelf, as if nothing had happened.

The office was soon put back in order. Deputy Captain Eton inspected it, confirmed nothing was out of place, and waved them off: "Alright, head back!"

He couldn't wait to get out of there himself. Captain Prey could return at any moment, like a sword dangling over their heads, ready to drop at any second.

He escorted the three of them down the tower. Lyman deliberately hung back and whispered to Eric, "Thanks."

He was certain Eric had distracted Eton on purpose. Lyman hadn't coordinated with the boy, yet Eric had cleverly backed him up.

Eric smiled. "It's nothing. You helped me, so it's only fair I help you. Though I don't know what you're up to..."

They reached the first floor and were heading for the cells when footsteps suddenly echoed behind them.

"The bell for the end of work already rang. What are you doing here?"

Aether and Nashel approached them. Nashel was carrying two bottles of wine, looking cheerful and walking with a spring in his step.

Deputy Captain Eton gave a respectful bow: "They just finished cleaning, and I was about to escort them back to their cells."

The Inquisitor didn't need an explanation; he already knew where they'd been cleaning.

"Prey didn't cause you any trouble, did he?" Aether asked.

"The Captain is still dining and hasn't returned yet," Deputy Captain Eton replied.

"Good. If anyone in the prison openly breaks the rules again, report it to me directly."

He didn't name who'd broken the rules, but everyone knew he meant Captain Prey.

Deputy Captain Eton nodded and bowed, though he looked conflicted. He was nominally Captain Prey's subordinate, but he couldn't defy the Inquisitor's orders, leaving him stuck in the middle.

"Yes, sir..." he replied listlessly. "Then I'll take my leave."

"Wait."

The three prisoners had just turned to leave when Nashel's voice stopped them.

He handed his wine bottles to Aether, clasped his hands behind his back, and strolled over to Lyman, eyeing him with great interest.

"Prisoner 1154, what are you hiding?"

Lyman immediately clutched his prison uniform. "N-nothing..."

The scholar was baffled, and Eric grew anxious. He hesitated, glancing around, trying to divert Nashel's attention. But the Red-Haired Inquisitor was different from Eton—he stared straight at Lyman, completely unfazed by anything else.

"Take it out. Let me have a look." Nashel smiled, but his tone was commanding.

Lyman pressed his lips together, relaxed his arms, and slowly pulled a few small biscuits out of his pocket.

The smile froze on Nashel's face.

"I took these from Captain Prey's office. They fell on the floor. I thought it'd be a waste to throw them away, so I took them." Lyman blinked pitifully. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have stolen! But we missed dinner, and I was starving..."

He'd glanced at the map and put it back on the shelf; the biscuits were something he'd slipped into his pocket while grabbing the map. That way, even if Deputy Captain Eton had noticed his movements, he could've made an excuse about just wanting the biscuits.

But Eton hadn't noticed at all—it was Nashel who'd caught him instead.

"Fine. Keep them." Nashel waved his hand, disappointed.

Under Aether's disapproving gaze, he took back the wine bottles and staggered upstairs.

"Deputy Captain Eton, get them some food from the kitchen," Aether instructed.

He turned to Nashel and muttered under his breath, "You suspicious bastard, what the hell is wrong with you..."

Eton had no choice but to take them to the kitchen and hand them some black bread. The scholar and Eric thanked him over and over, and Lyman chimed in, singing Eton's and the Inquisitor's praises for being so considerate.

After scarfing down the pitiful dinner, Lyman was escorted back to the dark cell.

Rubbing his sore arms, he plopped down onto the straw and summoned the Book of the Evil God.

A new page had shown up right after "World Overview"—a map of the Cape Prison!

The map was crazy detailed, showing not just the buildings but the surrounding terrain and measurements too!

Thrilled, Lyman walked over to the wall on the right side of the cell, gave three soft knocks, and pressed his ear to the cold stone.

Soon, Lunast's languid voice drifted through the stone: "What's up, my good neighbor?"

"I got the map," Lyman said.

"Oh! You're already halfway through your prep—congrats!"

"Next step is to find a way to work at the stable. But would they really let a prisoner work as a helper there?"

"Of course. The prison is short-staffed, so a lot of tasks get handed off to prisoners. Taking care of animals is one of them."

Taking care of horses was a skilled job—"Masterful Acting" alone probably wouldn't cut it. How was he supposed to convince the stablemaster to take him on?

"Do you have anything else to say? If not, I'm going to sleep," Lunast said.

"Wait. Since you know everything about the prison, do you know what Captain Prew is doing right now?"

"Hey, what do you take me for? I don't have a third eye, and my info's always a little behind."

Fair enough. Lyman said "goodnight" and collapsed onto the straw pile wearily. He'd figure out a way to get close to the stable tomorrow—for now, he needed rest.

He closed his eyes, and sleepiness started to creep in. The next moment, a faint prayer sounded in his ears:

"Great Lord of the Abyss, I ask for Your attention, grant me Your protection..."

It was Sylen's voice.

You've got to be kidding me. Just when I finally get some rest, you show up again?

Lyman sighed, mourned his sleep for a second, and summoned the Book of the Evil God.

After all, he was his one and only believer—he had to take care of him.

He quickly flipped to Sylen's chapter. As he touched the Apostle Card used as a bookmark, the merman youth's prayer became clearer.

"Great Lord of the Abyss, I have arrived outside the Gurehan estate. They haven't noticed my presence. There's no time to waste—I plan to act tonight.

"Please watch over me, let me rescue my kin and find my sister. Grant me courage and good fortune, and I will fight for You to the end."