North x Northwest

Chapter 181

Levi, as tall as Ed, stood in front of the bed as if protecting Lil. The message from her bulging eyes was clear. But even though Levi was shielding the bed to the best of her ability, Ed could still see Lil, who was lying on the edge of the bed due to the need of a change of clothes. Ed gaze briefly lowered to the blood-soaked clothes on the floor. At the same time, the maids around the bed gathered the stained dress and basins before leaving the room.

Remarkably, Levi seemed to be unconditionally standing her ground. However Ed didnt want to argue with Levi, especially with Linhardt there, so instead he hurriedly looked away from her. With the bed on his right, his line of sight drifted towards the left. The space in front of the fireplace was in disarray due to the decorative sword above it being forcefully removed, and a little more left lay a tumbled chair and a broken vase.

His face twitched slightly as he slowly looked around the room, and then, like a possessed man, walked forward. Eds eyes narrowed while focusing his attention towards the decorations on the mantelpiece.

So, she drew a sword

Linhardt let out a sigh and repeated his words.

Yeah, you heard me, right? A sword on us

And then something like this?

..?

Ed turned away from the fireplace and headed for the window. He started off walking normally but suddenly stumbled like someone drunk. It was because the carpet had been scuffed messily, hence resulting in Ed mimicking the stride and steps of Lil. As he followed Lils traces, his face grew more and more delighted. After passing the remains of the vase and the overturned chair, Ed finally reached the window.

Like this! She walked like this!

With an expression undeniably filled with joy, Eds shoulder shook greatly every time he breathed in.

Against the background of the night, Eds excited face was reflected in the glass. Noticing that he could see the night view outside, he realised that the curtains had been opened.

Ed cheerfully asked why the curtains, he had closed himself, were open now.

Why did she open the curtains? Why

After examining the torn curtain, Ed pulled it further away and eagerly peered through the glass. He then enthusiastically put both his hands on the window frame. The clear sky was exceptionally bright, and the waxing moon floated high.

Ed easily deduced the most basic of human habits.

She checked the time. All right, so theres a time element Or rather, did she want to confirm what I told her? Couldnt she believe that this much time had passed? Patients who wake up after a long period of unconsciousness usually experience the loss of sense of time as most traumatic. Yes, that could be. I wish it was the latter I wish it was the latter

Levi and Linhardt looked out the window before staring at Ed who was talking to himself.

He sank so deep into his thoughts that hes only repeating that the latter is much better like some kind of madman

I told you, hes losing it.

Yeah, really. Should I keep him away from the patient?

Suddenly returning to the large desk, Ed picked up his glasses and scrawled something. It was a large desk unsuitable for a bedroom, but the desk wasnt the only awkward piece of furniture there. The room has turned into something comparable to a research lab, with various professional instruments and medical equipment crammed into it.

Even though it wasnt the first time he saw it, Linhardt clicked his tongue at the sight before him. Every time he witnessed it, it annoyed him because it brought back memories from 10 years ago

It was when he brought that foreign girl and did all kinds of crap. If he loses this woman as he did back then, theres no estimate of how long he will be digging again. At that time, he dug up the lands on the Western Continent, so it can very well be the Central Continent now.

Linhardts head already started hurting from only thinking about it.

Edgar doesnt know how to back down. He habitually says that medicine is a domain developed by humans, but he never admits that the realm is terribly limited. He insists that the area is actually wide like hes pushing out the walls himself, with his own body.

Linhardt was sure he already knew the outcome.

The woman will eventually die, unable to endure the experiments done on herEdgar has already done the crazy thing of injecting her with that poisonous Maltine Only because he became impatient and frustrated with the repeated situation of her seemingly waking up, but unable to regain full consciousness Hes still the same, still greedy, arrogant, and selfish

Linhardt spoke firmly to Ed, who was holding the quill.

Theres no progress.

Ed, who had been sucked into the desk, raised his head. The glasses he wore sparkled in the bright light of the chandelier. Underneath were two pairs of shining glass beads instead of his eyes. His tightly closed lips spread apart, revealing his white teeth.

No.

Having understood Linhardts vague words, Ed answered determinedly.

I know shell make it through.

Levi left behind the confrontation between the two of them and tidied up the rest of the patients clothes. The two men butting heads was a daily occurrence, so somewhere down the line, she stopped caring about it. Instead, Levi took a wet towel and wiped the patients face.

I dont even know her name, so I can only call her patient, Miss, or Visha. Shes very beautiful, even in the eyes of us Northerners who have a different standard of beauty than the people of the Empire. And she remains beautiful even though I can no longer find any traces of vitality in her after not having eaten proper food for nearly two months.

Levi muttered while wiping the unsuitable bloodstain from the frail-looking face.

What a terrible thing to happen to such a beautiful young girl. Seeing the way he looks after her, she appears to be a girl Edgar likes. But its clear that he cant even take care of her properly as he can be such a nasty guy

Dont belittle her. Shes stronger than anyone else.

..?

Levi looked back at the eerie voice. Ed, who had taken off his glasses, looked directly at her as if he had read her thoughts. There was no sign of blaming them for opposing the administration of Maltine in his sullen, glistening eyes, instead he had that look that screamed I was right in the end and his joy was evident.

I knew. Thats why I trusted her that she could persevere.

Edgar still seems to be in a state of excitement, hes been like that since walking back from the window. Apparently, this indescribable emotion continues to engulf him. Who would have thought that the patients awakening could stir his feelings

Even Levi, who expected Ed to reprimand her for not applying the anaesthetic incense on time, was confused and contemplated whether it was something she should cry or laugh about.

I knew it!

Now, instead of his glasses, Eds eyes flashed. Looking like he was about to do something, Levi hesitantly moved her steps toward Linhardt. As soon as she moved from bed, Ed strode across the room as if he had been waiting.

Hahahahaha!

A human bursting into laughter with his arms wide open wasnt normal for anyone to see. At first, the two, who were so astonished that they froze, didnt think of stopping Ed. It was only when Levi noticed that Ed was approaching the bed, that she became wary. But it was a bit too late.

Shes walking!

Ed whipped up the blanket and grabbed the patients foot. The action made Levi panic.

Hey!

Simultaneously with her shout, Linhardt turned around with his eyes closed. However, the completely unbothered Ed looked down at the soles of Lils feet with emotion, as if he had excavated a treasure.

This this is moving!

Linhardt, who almost saw the womans feet, asked Levi with a shudder.

Crazy bastard Why is he acting like that?

She sustained a wound that penetrated the middle of her body. He was most worried she might have injured her spine

So, she couldve been paralyzed?

Yeah.

Linhardt glanced disgustedly at Ed who looked like he could kiss the foot at any moment.

Ill vomit if I stay here any longer. Im going out.

Me me too. I dont like this either.

Linhardt was about to move forward when he suddenly stopped, looked back and gave a subtle sneer.

Rub it well.

..!

Eds laughing instantly stopped and his shoulders became noticeably stiff. Linhardt added some more with a sarcastic tone.

Didnt you say you wouldnt touch her apart from the purpose of therapy? Who was that jerk who said that he wont be doing anything for self-interest?

Levi paused too and murmured.

Oh? Come to think of it

You know what? Levi, I think you should stay, just in case

Embarrassed, Ed yelled, throwing the nightcap.

Get out!