NOVPUBLitty, Witnessing the Departure of Souls
After the light that enveloped Cleaver disappeared, a ring fell on the deck. It was heavily corroded by rust, but it retained its original shape.
Litty picked it up and stroked it with her finger.
“He was engaged…” (Roma)
“What is this ring?” (Litty)
“It’s a wedding ring. It is customary to wear a ring as a symbol of the commitment of two people to each other.” (Roma)
“Is this what you call… a romantic gesture?” (Litty)
Litty was not familiar with the concept of marriage or love, but she fully understood the bond between the two.
Some couples lived in peace, like her parents, while others became separated.
Although she could not change the tragedy that had occurred, the more she thought about it, the more Litty was almost swallowed up in a torrent of emotions.
“Roma-san… I’m lost. I have many things I want to think about, but what I can only do is to move forward.” (Litty) 𝙣𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝙤𝙢
“That’s okay. You can use what you learned from this encounter and turn it into your strength.” (Roma)
Pushing down the emotions that were rising in her, Litty went to see Mirai, who was held by Kuufa in her arms.
“Everyone, Mirai will be in danger if we don’t end this soon… She’s already in a dire state because of overusing her magic power while not being able to control it properly.” (Kuufa)
“It’s our fault for letting her get this far. Let’s get out of here quickly. I’d like to say so, but…” (Roma)
There was no change in the surroundings of the giant ship. Not a cloud in the dark sky, not a wave on the ocean. The undead could not be seen, but not a sound could be heard.
Litty whipped her injured body and carried Mirai on her back.
Next Litty said, “I want to take Mirai-chan and this ring to the infirmary!”
“Infirmary???” (Roma)
“Let’s give Mirai-chan first aid in the infirmary with the supplies we have on hand!” (Litty)
“We can’t do that on a ship like this…” (Roma)
Each of them decided that nothing would change for the better if they continued to stand idly by. With the limit ticking away, they had no choice but to do whatever they could think of.
Roma affirmed Litty’s decision.
“Kuufa-chan, go to the wheelhouse with Aquaria. If possible, I want you to move this ship.” (Roma)
“Yes…!” (Kuufa)
“I’ll try to find some way to break the deadlock!” (Litty)
Even if there was still a chance that the undead were still around, they had to do something.
Mirai had fallen, and Litty and Roma had no magic power left. Even though they were aware of it, they were prepared to take risks.
***
On the way to the infirmary, Litty sensed changes inside the ship. Walls and other parts of the ship, which were originally in deplorable condition, were deteriorating at visible speed.
There was a popping sound peculiar to wood, and the planks were falling apart.
“Don’t tell me this ship is about to break…?” (Roma)
The ship was starting to sink. Its master was gone, so it was returning to how it was supposed to be.
As expected, Litty was impatient. There was no clear way out. It was completely on a hunch that she came here.
“Julie-san! It’s Cleaver-san’s ring!” (Litty)
It was an action she would not have taken if Roma had not taught her the concept of a wedding ring.
However, Litty herself did not know if this action would turn things around.
“The ring…I’ll leave it here.” (Litty)
