Chapter 292 Suitable for Hanging Streetlights_1

Chapter 292: Chapter 292 Suitable for Hanging Streetlights_1

Although he said so, the real reason Aiden didn’t act was that it wasn’t the right time to strike.

Melissa had once provided him with a crucial piece of intelligence: in general, a person could only create three rules in one day using the Wordless Code.

To successfully break out of prison, Navi Derrick would likely need to write down two rules on the Wordless Code: "Prohibit attacking and causing harm" and "Prohibit restricting personal freedom." With these rules in place, they could easily leave the prison.

But if he wanted to escape successfully back to sea from the autonomous region, he might be persistently pursued. If his escape route was anticipated ahead of time, the autonomous region and the Empire could still make it hard for the pirates to leave land by destroying roads, bridges, and boats—as long as these actions occurred outside the influence of the Wordless Code, they wouldn’t be considered "restricting personal freedom."

Therefore, he should also write rules like "Prohibit pursuit" or even "Prohibit approaching with hostile intent" as a precaution. With these, the entire prison break and escape process would be virtually fail-safe.

But if he wasn’t planning on breaking out of prison today, he could write even more rules.

If he used the power of the Wordless Code to take precautionary measures for the Wordless Code hidden on his person, taking the Wordless Code from him would be nearly impossible. Acting now would not only fail, but the plans Aiden’s side had designed might also be exposed.

After hearing Aiden’s words, Navi’s face stiffened for a moment, but then he regained his composure, "Young man, confidence is a good thing, but you should still exercise some caution. Haven’t you heard of my past deeds?"

"I’ve heard that you’ve broken into the capital’s prison, not only taking prisoners but also a load of supplies." Aiden nodded, "With that example in mind, we will naturally take corresponding measures. I am willing to accept your challenge. Aside from your daughter and a bunch of dangerous criminals, there is enough money in the vault on the west side of the core area to buy you another ship. If you’re bold enough, come and take it... but I’m afraid you might not have the life to enjoy it."

Aiden suppressed the urge to reveal the other side’s old tricks right there and then; he knew all too well there was no benefit to showing off at such a time. By making the other side think his own side was completely unaware of their tactics, they would be more likely to let down their guard, increasing the prison’s chances of victory.

"Hahaha... The newborn calf isn’t afraid of the tiger, eh?" Navi laughed heartily, "Young man, we don’t need to be this stiff with each other. Actually, I came here this time prepared to give you another chance."

"A chance?"

"You release my daughter right now, send her to the ferry, and I can overlook yesterday’s incident." Navi said seriously, "Once your prison is ransacked, you won’t be able to bear the responsibility."

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"I can’t bear the responsibility of releasing your daughter either." Aiden shook his head, "And you want me, a law enforcement officer, to bow down to a mere pirate?"

"A mere pirate? Young man, I am the ruler of the Coral Sea Domain!" Navi’s gaze took on a hint of seriousness.

"What’s the difference? Pirates, after all, are just robbers at sea."

"You young people don’t understand the rules. The northern seas are almost entirely occupied by the Empire, and how much tax the fishing boats or merchant ships should pay is all decided by them." Navi spoke with an air of world-weariness, "If it weren’t for us pirates contending for territory with them, the Empire would completely dominate these seas. The existence of pirates is a widely acknowledged unwritten rule. Without us, these waters, the maritime trade routes, would all be completely monopolized by the Empire, and then—"

"Enough, I’ve seen plenty like you in the prison." Aiden cut him off directly, "Concocting a pile of fallacies to gloss over your filthy deeds, you are quite something. Are you pirates robbing and killing at sea to oppose the Empire? Or is it simply to satisfy your own greed? If you’re so noble, why not directly attack the Empire’s navy and start a revolution, instead of just bullying merchant ships and fishing boats? What skill is there in that?"

This world would never lack people who use twisted logic to justify criminal behavior, and Aiden had no interest in listening to their lengthy self-righteous justifications.

Navi was silent for a long while, his complexion faintly darkening: "It’s good to have some courage, but being so ignorant of your place, sooner or later, you will hit a wall and break your head."

"Let’s not waste words, if you’re so confident. Why not set a time?" Aiden straightforwardly proposed a challenge, "When will you break out, so I can give you a proper reception? Though now is not a bad time, either."

The pirate dared to come knocking for a confrontation today; he might indeed follow through soon thereafter.

If Aiden could confirm the time of the other party’s arrival, it would naturally be more advantageous for him.

Navi glanced at him for a long time, "Is this, goading?"

"Of course not, just a little joke." Aiden smiled, "I suppose even the Red Shark pirate group, which had once handled the capital’s prison, wouldn’t dare undertake such a reckless suicide mission..."

"Then tomorrow it is." Navi didn’t wait for him to finish speaking and suddenly interjected, "I have more pressing matters to handle right now and can’t afford to spend too much energy on a place like this."

Navi had once captured pirates fleeing from the Deer Hawk ship and interrogated them, learning that his daughter Annie’s ship had been destroyed by three vampires.

To this day, he still couldn’t figure out where he had offended a major power related to the vampires, but he never imagined it could have anything to do with this prison in the autonomous region.

For him, identifying the mysterious power targeting him was the real priority, without the need to waste too much time on such a small prison.

"True to the so-called Pirate King, you’ve got guts." Aiden laughed, "I’ll be waiting here then."

"Farewell." Navi tipped his hat and rose from his chair.

Just then, Aiden suddenly threw out a question, "May I ask about your beard... is it grown, or glued on?"

"It’s a fake beard, thanks for the inspiration for my disguise." Navi laughed, "Walking down the street, no one recognizes me as a wanted criminal."

"After all, your wanted poster isn’t common in the autonomous region. This disguise is indeed very good, like a phantom thief, or a capitalist—quite suitable for being hung on a lamppost." Having offered his assessment, Aiden waved his hand, "I hope next time you’ll bring that fish along, farewell."

Navi didn’t reply, his face dark as he left the visitation room.

"Sir..." Veronica whispered from behind.

"No need to follow him; it’s most likely useless." Aiden waved his hand dismissively, "Now, we just need to wait for tomorrow to come."