NOVPUBTheir vision became so dark that they felt as if they could not even grasp the position of their own limbs.
Here, for the first time, Roma was almost overcome by fear. The world of darkness, where she could not see even an inch ahead, stimulated her instincts.
Just before a scream was about to come from her throat, something lit up the darkness.
“…What?” (Roma)
They were surrounded by light, centered on Roma’s group. It was as if a fire had been kindled in the darkness, creating a round light, while the darkness that surrounded them was as dark as usual.
They looked at its source and found Mirai with her hands clasped together as if in prayer.
“… I’m scared…” (Mirai)
The pose looked like she was praying, but she was only doing so because she was scared. But somehow it seemed to Roma that it was thanks to Mirai that this happened.
“Mirai…” (Kuufa)
“No… no…” (Mirai)
Kuufa said nothing, but wrapped her arms around Mirai. Then, when Kuufa started to walk, Mirai stepped forward as well.
Walking slowly, the light also moved around Mirai. There was no sign of anything stirring in the depths of the darkness coming at them.
“Mirai… what truly are you…” (Kuufa)
Kuufa had an inkling that Mirai was more than just a normal girl, but this incident completely confirmed it. She felt that the responsibility she carried had become even heavier.
She could faintly feel a good amount of magic power, but not the same kind of magic power that she recognized as a magician. Kuufa had never been able to feel this kind of magic power before, so she decided to take a gamble betting on Mirai’s potential growth.
“Mirai… I don’t know what this power is, but just for now, please lend us your power.” (Kuufa)
“Master…” (Mirai)
“May the day come when you will no longer call me master…. Even then, I will never let go of your hand.” (Kuufa)
Kuufa put her hands on both of Mirai’s praying hands. Soon they were nimbly moving through the dark interior of the ship, but the undead did not attack them.
They ascended the stairs and continued their search, trying to get a clue on where the source that Kuufa mentioned was located. But even though there was light, the search was difficult being surrounded by darkness.
“Kuufa-chan, can’t you try finding the location of the source by sensing its magic power?” (Roma)
“Ummm, well, Spiritual Entities have a different kind of magic power… Only Exorcists can detect it…” (Kuufa)
“Who, who are you?!” (???)
As they were approaching one of the cabins, there was a man in front of them who shouted out in surprise. He was dressed in a simple breastplate and shirt, and although he was rough around the edges, Roma assumed he was a colleague.
The man said, “Thank God! A living person, right? I just got on this boat…. However, after I entered my room, I noticed that there was nobody around, and suddenly, it became dark. What is happening on this ship?”
Roma replied, “The floor should be creaking a lot. I don’t know how you can walk around without making any noise.”
“What?” (???)
“Why don’t you come with us? Come and explore this ship with us.” (Roma)
Roma beckoned, but the man did not approach. To be precise, he remained in the dark, outside Mirai’s light.
This was enough for Roma to understand the situation.
“What’s wrong? Come on.” (Roma)
“I’m scared… Can you stop that light?…” (???)
“I was just about to open the door when I noticed you. Thanks for going out of your way to mention that.” (Roma)
“Aaaaaaaaaaah! I hate it!!! I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I don’t want to, Captain! Captain! I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I don’t want to….” (Undead)
As the man wept, every joint in his body twisted and turned. His jaw was detached, and his tongue stretched to the floor, splitting in two with a spray of blood.
The deformed man, who looked like a doll that had been broken by someone, couldn’t stop crying.
“Captain… I always… why… this…” (Undead)
“Captain…?” (Roma)
Roma frowned at the phrase.
A huge ship, a captain, and a man who looked like an adventurer. Although these were only three pieces of information, something suddenly clicked in Roma’s mind, making her shudder.
“Captain…no way…” (Roma)
Every adventurer had at least heard of his name at least once.
If the person this undead man referred to as his captain was that man, “Captain Cleaver,” a man who has become a legend of the sea. Roma could feel all hope lost, after all, he was one of the few who was supposed to be recognized by several countries as a special rank.
Because of this revelation, Roma almost let go of her weapon.
