NOVPUBLitty went out into the hallway and disappeared. Such a strange phenomenon occurred right in front of Roma and the others.
“Ro, Roma-san, is Litty-san…?”
“She’s not here, Kuufa-chan, Mirai-chan, like Litty said, this ship is not normal.”
–Don!
The walls of the cabin were banged hard. Kuufa was about to tell Roma that she was talking too loudly, but then she remembered. She couldn’t even hear the ocean on the other side of the wall in their cabin.
“What the heck is this!”
After Roma’s angry outburst, a muffled voice could be heard whispering from the hallway. There was no time to stand around and talk as they noticed the presence of several people appearing soundlessly in the corridors of the ship.
Kuufa, still holding Mirai, spoke in a hushed tone.
“Um, is it possible that this ship…is a ghost ship…?”
“A ghost ship?”
“I’ve read about it in a book…. that sometimes a ship that is supposed to have sunk wanders around in the sea as a ghost. And strange things happen there.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of that story as well. That means we’ve been invited into one.”
“They’re looking… watching… laughing… angry…”
Kuufa never let go of Mirai.
To be honest, Kuufa herself was so scared that she wanted to tremble and scream. However, it was only because of her determination to protect Mirai that she was barely able to control herself.
A knock on the closed door sent tensions running through Roma and the others.
“Hey! How’s the boat trip?”
Roma said in a hesitant tone, “I thought you were left behind at the port…”
Baroque’s voice could be heard through the door.
“If you have any questions, just ask!” (Baroque)
“Baroque-san, is this ship safe?” (Roma)
“If you don’t feel well, feel free to go to the infirmary!” (Baroque)
“No, that’s not the point!” (Roma)
“Ask me anything you don’t understand!” (Baroque)
Roma realized that there was no use in asking any more questions with him because Baroque kept speaking in the same line.
“How’s the boat trip? If you have any questions, just ask! How’s the boat trip? Ask me anything you don’t understand! How’s the boat trip?”
Roma kicked open the door. The brittle wooden door was broken down, and they found no one there.
“Let’s find Litty.”
Through Roma’s unshaken voice, Kuufa could feel her dependability; the thought of Litty’s safety would drive even Roma wild.
“Roma-san…aren’t you afraid?”
“No. You need to focus on what you want to protect and let go of other thoughts.”
Kuufa needed to develop such a mindset.
“…Aquaria.”
“Yes?”
Only Aquaria was at her usual pace. Roma somehow believed that she had foreseen this would happen.
Aquaria, neither a reliable ally nor a protector, was not someone she could rely on. As per their contract, everything she did would be up to Kuufa.
Kuufa, however, put her hand into Aquaria’s liquid body.
“I will show you that I am strong, so watch…”
A burst of water splashed from Aquaria, as Kuufa harnessed the power of the water spirit, drawing out what Aquaria possessed, and what it could do.
“High Rank Water Magic – Real Lady.”
When Aquaria heard those words, she was quite surprised. After all, Kuufa did not even chant. She just said the move’s name as if she simply wished for it.
No matter how it was disguised, the reality in front of them would now be revealed by Kuufa’s magic. And that magic could not be fooled.
“Hey…! This boat…!”
Like a splash of water repainting the landscape, the truth of the ghost ship was brought forth. The wooden walls rotting and peeling.
