Haidu: Top of the Tower

Chapter 16 Milady's Decision
If someone asks the wandering circus how they feel at the moment, they will probably answer two words: regret.

They were skilled at trapping, trapping, and deceiving people, but after failing, they were now facing eight adventurous seafaring crews who had spent years traversing wind and waves and risking their lives for each other—and all of them were very angry.

Although the crew of the Night Castle is small, there is a huge gap between the two sides in terms of force.

For others, this is still a battle; for Dao Minke, this is clearly a one-sided massacre.He is like a heavy chariot, wherever he rumbles, there will be people screaming and flying into the night sky.The person caught in the back of his heart will be thrown like a wheel by him, turning into a weapon that everyone hides.

Lu Ranzhou was nimble and swift. He rushed left and right in the battle group like a bolt of lightning. Wherever he passed, he would often be accompanied by circus members falling to the ground, retreating and cursing in pain.Outside the battle circle, the female crew member who bought the "communication musician" carried a long-bow gun found in a circus camp on her shoulder, and showed amazing accuracy; every time she shot, there would be a circus Members could no longer stand up.

Several real animals were scattered, and lights, tents, etc. were knocked over and torn in the scuffle.Another time, several fireworks shot straight from the camp; under the rain of orange light, half of the circus camp turned into a battlefield, breathing brightly and darkly in the light, shadow and blood flowers.

As for Milady, she was probably the most relaxed of the eight.

She wandered through the battle situation like a leisurely stroll, and there was no one within four to five meters of her body.

After knocking down the two people rushing towards her, the five animal organs acted like scavengers and guards. They cooperated with each other to cover, attack and defend, and cleaned up her surroundings. No one could get close to her— —I'm afraid the man in the zoo never imagined that these organs were in the hands of different people, and they could show such a tyrannical side.

After going to sea for half a year, tonight was the first time Milady used the "Morning Song of Birds" in battle.

This feeling was so amazing that it reminded her of the chess games she used to play with her mother, and she almost forgot that she was fighting. Instead, she gave birth to the intoxication and curiosity of a child when seeing new things.

A step forward to the left opened up a new situation like the spring breeze blowing away the branches and leaves; it naturally made the two organs form horns with each other, and gave a circus member who accidentally broke into Milady's territory to him. Arriving in the middle, it became a sinking pawn in the sharp confrontation.

Turning around again, Milady was able to change the shape and flow of the killing array composed of five organs, like a commanding arm, like a boat sailing on water, every step seemed to involve countless invisible strands in the battle situation.

On countless thin lines, she is the hand that controls the overall situation.Whichever thread she is willing to pick up, the corresponding person will be stopped, washed away, and dragged back... Even though she was standing on the flat ground, Milady gave birth to herself on the high platform, leaning over The illusion of commanding soldiers and horses to swing on the battlefield.

If she used a more advanced force mechanism, she might be able to stop half of the circus by herself.

Milady was so engrossed in this wonderful way of fighting that she didn't even realize that there were fewer and fewer standing circus members.She intellectually "knows" that the number of opponents is decreasing, but she doesn't seem to have thought of its significance at all; it wasn't until a few minutes later, when the crew of the Night Castle stopped breathlessly, that she suddenly came back to her senses.

"Gone?"

Milady looked round.The wild grass was full of moaning, comatose or begging circus members; blood, sweat and despair weighed on their heads like a dark cloud. "Is there no one left?" She asked with some regret.

Lu Ranzhou wiped the dirt off his face and glanced at her. "No more," he said with a smile, "you haven't had a good time yet?"

"I can't tell," Dao Mingke slapped Milady on the back so hard that she almost fell to the ground. "Your fighting power is so strong!"

Milady felt a little embarrassed.

The five institutions that have made great contributions to her are already scarred and damaged, and the significance of repairing is not great.When the crew went to the tents to rescue people, she patted the hippo cubs on the head and said goodbye to them reluctantly.

"We should start collecting suitable organs for you,"

Lu Ranzhou watched her leave the five traps behind her, leaning on a long knife like a cane, and said, "You can't always expect you to find traps from your side temporarily, right?"

Milady was taken aback. "It's not just long-term crew members who..."

"There are only a few months left in this sailing schedule. I hope you can stay and truly become a part of the fleet."

Lu Ranzhou smiled, revealing his white teeth from the sweat and blood stains.

"Night Castle is just the first step, it's just the first ship. With you, I don't think the second ship will be far away. My plan for the future is a gradually growing fleet... Your future It will be the captain, it will be the captain, in terms of your ability, as far as the sea area you can travel, the sea area you can own is as big as it is. Don't you want such a free and powerful future?"

... Lu Ranzhou really knows her too well.

Milady never expected that he would say such words at this moment; she was standing on the grass under the moonlit night sky, but suddenly felt the sea breeze blowing towards her face, and saw the endlessness crawling under her feet. the sea.She was born in a crowded and hard family, and there was almost no room for her to stretch and expand.

She was too eager for the future described by Lu Ranzhou.

Although Milady has a thin body, her will is such a giant that even the sea can't find space to accommodate her. She naturally wants to open up a world, step on a piece of heaven and earth, gallop freely, and come and go freely.

"So... what about Haidu?" She whispered, almost unable to remember what Haidu looked like. "Am I not going back?"

"Haidu, what else is waiting for you?" Lu Ranzhou watched the crew carry out a person from the tent, and asked softly: "Didn't you say that you might not even be able to return to Gaota's house?" going, isn't it?"

indeed.

Even if the matter of the secret letter is settled, no one doubts her, and if she goes back, what future does she have in Haidu?She didn't even know how to unmount the patriarch.

After living at sea for more than half a year, the dark clouds that once enveloped Milady seemed to have been washed away by the waves and long winds. Now she was like a young wild eagle hovering in the sea breeze, stretching lightly.Sometimes she felt that there was nothing wrong with living at sea all the time.

However, when this vague thought turned into the reality handed by the captain, and when she faced Milady directly, she realized how difficult it was to swallow: it meant that the sea water on her body was dried by the sun, When it was covered with salt grains, Tea Rose's silver spoon dipped in fruit pulp might be making a crisp sound on the porcelain plate; Sail to Chang'an.

The family that had consumed her mother like a commodity, that family, would carry on their status, their lives—continuing the power that Tea Rose sucked from each Itami.

On the one hand, there is longing, on the other hand, unwillingness.

"I...I need to think," she whispered.

Lu Ranzhou nodded.It happened that a crew member was calling for help in the distance, and the two of them simultaneously put aside the topic for the time being.

The dose of anesthetic gas used in the circus is not small, and it is difficult for people to regain their sanity when the time is not up. Seeing that the splashing fan can't wake people up, the eight people simply found a big wooden cart, stacked people in, and prepared to pull them back to the boat. ——It’s a good idea, but it’s more like selling piglets than a circus.

After being tortured by a thrilling adventure for no reason, everyone in the crew of the Night Castle was angry; they not only tied up the members of the circus one by one, but also ransacked them in turn: if anyone liked them, they would go to the circus Put it in the middle; if you don't like it, kick it with your foot.

Half an hour ago, the circus camp, which was flickering with colored lights and well-organized, was now a dilapidated and messy place.

The host of the circus troupe lost his poise at the moment, begging for mercy from them; Lu Ranzhou turned a deaf ear, turned a blind eye, let everyone vent their anger, acted like a pirate for a while, and then clapped his hands to say hello Everyone left.Before leaving, he found oil paint and wrote the word "Human Trafficker" on the forehead of every circus member.

Dao Mingke knew the taste, and on the way back to the port, he was even a little bit reluctant: "This fight was really comfortable. Why didn't the circus tie me up before?"

The rest of the crew members couldn't help laughing and cursing when they heard this; after the sleeping companions were arranged and their injuries were treated, they still seemed to be on fire under their buttocks, and they couldn't sit still.

"Okay, stop circling on the boat," Lu Ranzhou said, "My boat's skin is going to be worn thin by you. Logically speaking, tonight is still your holiday..."

Anyone who could open their eyes cast a bright gaze on him.

Lu Ranzhou took out a nautical map from his pocket, and said slowly: "The Citron Islands are within a hundred miles to the northeast from here. I know there is a very good tavern in the port of Stotty Rocks... "

Before he finished speaking, the navigator gave a cheer and ran away; all the crew got motivated and quickly dispersed to take their positions, leaving Lu Ranzhou alone and shouting: "Your vacation is only here. Twelve o'clock tonight! The boat leaves at twelve o'clock, and I won't wait for anyone when I come back one minute later!"

As a result, at [-]:[-], Milady watched the captain order another plate of roast chicken while pouring wine.

"There are only 10 minutes left," she said with a smile. "When you run back, where should you put the roast chicken?"

Milady didn't drink, and after tonight, she couldn't resist drinking two small cups. At this time, the alcohol was warming, burning the tavern, the air, and the sound of laughter... In a cloud.

"Humans, we just have to indulge once in a while." Lu Ranzhou waved his hand with a little drunkenness, and made a half-circle above the bar counter of the bar, saying, "We have been suffering in our lives, isn't it just for these short, pleasant moments? A moment?"

Milady followed his hand and turned her head, and saw Seinfeld, Dao Mingke and a group of companions, drinking, laughing, punching and betting... a layer of warmth surged in his chest.

As long as she can make up her mind, she can integrate her future into theirs and start a new life.

"Have you thought it through yet?" Lu Ranzhou asked while leaning on the bar.

"I've been drinking now, and my mind is not as clear as usual." Milady waved her hand.

"That's just right," Lu Ranzhou said frankly.

Milady laughed and was about to answer when a stranger asked the bartender: "Is the new 'Arkana Star' coming?"

She was startled.

The bartender carefully took out a brown paper clip from under the counter, pulled out a newspaper and handed it to the man. "It just arrived yesterday," the bartender said, "don't tear it up."

Milady had never heard the name again since she was at sea.She patted Lu Ranzhou's arm, then turned to the bartender and asked, "Is there a newspaper from Haidu here?"

As the Night Castle started its return journey, the closer it was to the sea, the denser the island towns it passed on the way; but Milady did not expect that in a port tavern at least thousands of miles away from the sea, The daily newspaper with the largest circulation in Haidu unexpectedly appeared, "Star of Arcana".

"Of course, we also need to know the news." The bartender said with a smile: "It's just that we are too far away, and when the news comes to us by boat, it will become old news. Well, knowing is better than not knowing." Girl, are you also interested in taking a look?"

She nodded immediately.

The bartender is really not modest. The "Star of Arcana" in her hand was released two months ago.

The process of flipping through the newspaper is a process of gradually descending from the cloud of mulled wine to calmness and feet on the ground.Milady can see familiar names and places everywhere in the newspaper; but it is not entirely the Haidu she is familiar with, because Haidu is busy and changing every day, and it will not be affected in any way by the absence of her.

She paused when she saw the title of "New Year's Prosperity Resurgence Trial Competition, today enters the preparation period".

The article was short; it was the names mentioned in it that really caught her attention.

"This year's Gaota family's most eye-catching contestant has been replaced by Tea Rose, who has won consecutive victories for many years, to Luo Geng, the eldest son of Tea Rose, who has just reached the entry age threshold. Luo Geng is well-known among the younger generation of the Wave Concerto family; this A tall and handsome young man, he has always been known for his friendliness, self-confidence, and outstanding abilities..."

"Do you know the person in the article?" Lu Ranzhou asked when he poked his head over.

"I've only seen it once from a distance." Milady had finished reading the article long ago, but she still couldn't take her eyes off. "It's a cousin."

Kaito, which she once thought she had a vague impression of, suddenly became clear again: the wind of Kaito, the smell of Kaito, groups of young people in Kaito; the alley she walked home from school, Itami The bus station waiting for the bus to clean up the pollution, the wide but unforgiving road leading to the patriarch's mansion...

She pointed to a few lines in the article and smiled.

"Look at this paragraph, 'This year, a group of boys and girls in the Gaota family will step into the threshold. With Luo Geng as a strong competitor, what kind of contestants will appear? Can Luo Geng successfully guard the patriarch's path? A place? This year's trials, the struggle within the Tower family may be very exciting." It's really hard for someone who writes an article to pretend to be so interested."

Lu Ranzhou has been at sea all year round, so he doesn't know much about the things in Haidu. "Won't there be someone else competing?"

"There must be."

Milady handed the newspaper back to the bartender, and said, "You also know that the ultimate goal of the trials is to produce a family winner, and this family winner will be the patriarch for the next year, right? In the end There are two conditions to be the victor of a family in a round of sinking battle. One is to be the last victor in the family, and the other is to sink at least one member of the same family. Therefore, the Gaota family will definitely send out several people to give Luo Geng is a stepping stone."

Therefore, the son of Charos could inherit the power and wealth of the entire Gaota family so easily.

"If it's enough to sink one person, why do you need to kill several people?" Lu Ranzhou asked.

"Just to be on the safe side. Even if it's a large-scale performance, there may be accidents. With a few more people, Paul even got [-] points to qualify and enter the final round; In the end there is still a target to sink and win the patriarchate."

Milady said coolly: "However, no matter how many people participate, Luo Geng will definitely win in the end. Every year, the participants, what roles they will play, and what jobs they will do have all been arranged long ago."

Regardless of the rules on the surface, all family members who are full can sign up freely; in fact, the patriarchs of the major families who have already reached an agreement with the trial family firmly control the right to compete in their own hands.

If there is no nod from the patriarch's family, others will not even get the registration form - the annual registration form is sent directly to each patriarch's family.

The patriarchs of the major families are only willing to send capable, loyal and obedient subordinates into the trials to protect themselves; and being loyal and obedient is much more important than ability.

"Otherwise, someone else can become the patriarch if he wins the game. How can Tea Rose be able to do so for so many years?" Milady couldn't hold back when she said this. I poured it down.She opened her mouth, and in the scorching whiskey smell, she sighed and said: "It would be great if Luo Geng lost this year... just once, I really want to see the expression on Cha Rose's face when he is kicked out of the patriarch's mansion." .”

Lu Ranzhou put down his glass and suddenly smiled. "As long as there is an accident in the trial match, isn't it possible for him to lose?"

This sentence made Milady startled and turned her head.After drinking, Lu Ranzhou's eyes were astonishingly bright, as if the cool blue lake water was being burned by flames.

She lowered her head, raised a hand, and watched it stretch out under the light. The fingers were long and slender, with clear joints, hard and powerful.A long time ago, she looked at her hand, which was still soft and plump at that time, and secretly swore that she would use it to pull Tea Rose off the horse.

If she can enter the trial competition, if she can cut off Luo Geng's hope with her own hands...if she can use her strength to carve a way to the top in such a crowded and tough big family...

Lu Ranzhou signaled the bartender to fill up his glass, and he also drank it all in one gulp.

"It seems that you have made up your mind?" He asked softly after the wine drank.

Milady turned her head and felt as if she smiled at him.

I don't know if it's alcohol, ambition, or the revenge of losing my mother, but it seems that they are all mixed together at this moment, turning into a strange and strong force, replacing her heart, pounding and pounding in her body; , was a sigh full of pain, joy and longing, which made her blood vessels tremble slightly.

"Yes...I'm going back," she whispered. "I'm going to at least try again."

Lu Ranzhou nodded.After a few seconds, he suddenly smiled and said, "My promise remains the same, no matter when you come to me, there will always be a place for you on the Night Castle."

(End of this chapter)