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Beside Duncan sat the enigmatic figure known as the “Sea Witch,” accompanied by Nilu, a diminutive doll recently welcomed into the crew of the Bright Star. It was Nilu’s first appearance among them, perched delicately on her mistress’s shoulder, her tiny hands gripping Lucretia’s hair as she observed her surroundings with wide-eyed curiosity.

Noticing Nilu’s elegant appearance, Shirley couldn’t resist the temptation to play a prank. “Hey-ha—”

Startled, Nilu let out a surprised cry, clutching onto Lucretia’s hair tightly for comfort.

Observing Nilu’s reaction, Lucretia gently reassured the doll, listening as Nilu softly confessed, “She frightened me.”

Shirley, feigning innocence, quickly diverted her attention back to the ongoing briefing led by the captain.

Seemingly unperturbed by the minor disturbance, Duncan shifted the conversation towards the challenges posed by the Boundless Sea.

“In the cities, the undead mingle with the living, rendering graveyards and crematoriums obsolete. The dead wander aimlessly, while the living exist in a state of listless stagnation, with the natural cycles of life and death disrupted. To outsiders, these distortions are unfathomable, yet they’ve become the unsettling norm, either rationalized or ignored.”

“The plight of the Storm Church mirrors that of the Death Church. Their fundamental beliefs have twisted into unrecognizable, heretical forms, yet daily life continues as if nothing is awry. However, this adaptation to a ‘corrected’ reality is unsustainable.”

A somber silence fell over the group, with Shirley’s earlier levity replaced by a sober mood in the wake of Duncan’s chilling portrayal.

Turning to Vanna, Duncan inquired gently, “How are you coping?”

Visibly distressed, Vanna furrowed her brow and replied, “Reconstructing one’s cognition isn’t a simple task.” Contemplating Duncan’s words, she managed a wistful smile and shook her head. “I had almost forgotten about ‘the waves.’ This unexpected encounter has stirred those memories, leaving me feeling as though the fabric of reality itself is unraveling.”

Vanna paused, her expression conveying intense concentration as she grappled with articulating her complex emotions. “It’s like there are two conflicting ‘cognitive systems’ battling in my mind. One part of me is keenly aware of certain truths, while another refuses to acknowledge them, dismissing them as incomprehensible or non-existent. It’s as if both perceptions have firmly rooted themselves in my consciousness, like…”

Her voice trailed off as she sought an analogy to encapsulate her inner conflict.

“Perhaps something akin to ‘hydrophobia’?” Duncan interjected calmly.

“Yes, that feeling of believing ‘water is poisonous’…” Vanna mused, nodding slowly. “Indeed. The battles waged within the mind are always more challenging than those in the physical realm.”

With a pensive expression, Duncan shared his strategy for addressing Vanna’s cognitive dissonance. “I had contemplated the necessity of reinforcing and stabilizing your cognition,” he began, his gaze scanning the assembled group. There was a hint of a green fire dancing in his eyes as if reaching out to touch the essence of their beings, binding their consciousness more closely to his vision. “However, considering what lies ahead, it is crucial for me to bestow upon you these flames. Only with them could you serve as my most reliable ‘anchor.\'”

Lucretia reacted subtly to Duncan’s proclamation. Though she appeared poised to offer her own insights, she ultimately remained silent, her attention firmly fixed on her father.

Pressing on, Duncan outlined the next phase of their journey with unwavering focus. “Our next destination is Bartok’s ‘node,’ the final point of the ‘external barrier’ fashioned by the four gods. Completing the final mark there will allow the Vanished to circle back to the Leviathan Islands—the origin of our journey. Upon reaching that point, our explorations beyond known boundaries will draw to a close.”

With a sweeping gesture encompassing everyone at the table, Duncan lowered his voice to a whisper as he surveyed the faces of those who had shared this journey with him, finally settling his gaze on Nina.

Nina symbolized his initial connection to this world—the first ‘human’ he encountered and a pillar of humanity within this sanctuary.

Sensing the weight of Duncan’s thoughts, Nina broke the silence. “Once we reach that point, will you continue alone?”

Duncan’s response was resolute. “Yes.”

“And will this journey be fraught with peril? Is it a place far beyond our reach?” Nina sought clarification.

Duncan pondered her questions thoughtfully. “It’s not a matter of being ‘dangerous’ or ‘safe.’ It’s a task uniquely mine, beyond the understanding of others. I am venturing into a realm beyond the very edge of our world, a place so remote that even the gods hold no sway there—a distance immeasurable by any standard. Yes, it is exceedingly far.”

“Will you find your way back to us afterward?” Nina’s voice conveyed a blend of hope and concern as she reiterated her question.

“Yes, I will return,” Duncan affirmed with a certainty that left little room for doubt.

Nina’s expression registered surprise at his declaration, her brow furrowing slightly.

“Are you sure? You won’t leave us waiting in vain?” Her skepticism was evident in her tone.

“Absolutely. Should there come a time when you await my return, know that I would indeed come back, without fail,” Duncan promised, his assurance unwavering.

Nina’s expression grew more pensive, her brow furrowing as she absorbed Duncan’s assurances. It was at this moment that Morris, who had been silent until now, posed a question that redirected the conversation: “What role do we play in all of this?”

Duncan turned to address Morris directly, his explanation deliberate and clear. “Once the Vanished embarks on its final journey, you and the crew will take charge of the Bright Star,” he instructed. “Agatha will utilize her abilities to create a ‘reflection’ of the Vanished, effectively linking it to the Bright Star. You will navigate following the Sea Song’s course, traveling from the domain of the Storm Goddess back to the vast expanse of the Boundless Sea.”

“Your return voyage will include stops at the city-states of Frost, Pland, and Wind Harbor. Additionally, you will rendezvous with Lawrence, who is currently stationed at Morpheus’s western frontier. With this arrangement, I will gain a comprehensive understanding of our world. Remain vigilant for my instructions; a significant event is imminent.”

Vanna reacted with a blend of curiosity and concern. “A significant event?”

Duncan’s response was measured yet profound. “The end of our world,” he declared. “I intend to orchestrate an orderly conclusion to our current existence before the underlying ‘mathematical machinery’ that sustains it completely unravels. It is crucial that we preserve the essence of our world beforehand.”

While the concept of a ‘mathematical machine’ may have been beyond the grasp of some, the mention of ‘the end of the world’ resonated deeply, sparking a shared moment of contemplation.

Shirley’s reaction punctuated the ensuing silence, a mix of astonishment and disbelief in her voice: “…Oh my…”

Yet, the rest of the group’s response was notably composed, a testament to their trust in Duncan.

Observing their reactions, Duncan couldn’t help but smile. “It seems you have a great deal of faith in me,” he remarked, appreciating the trust they had placed in him.

Vanna responded with a smile tinged with respect and gratitude. “After everything we’ve experienced in Pland, Frost, and Wind Harbor, how could we not trust you?” she pointed out. “You’ve had numerous opportunities to cause destruction, yet you’ve chosen preservation. If you were to propose something that seemed harmful, I would sooner doubt my own judgment than question yours.”

Duncan chuckled softly, recalling a past encounter. “Gomona would surely find it amusing. Weren’t you the one who greeted me with a flying chop when we first met?”

A hint of embarrassment colored Vanna’s cheeks. “You weren’t supposed to bring that up again,” she lightly admonished him.

Steering the conversation back to the broader picture, Duncan reassured them once more. “The ‘end’ of our current world is a necessary step toward the creation of a new one, a world where peace is everlasting. I’ve devised a plan to transition everything of value from this world to the next. You can trust in that.”

Driven by a blend of curiosity and concern, Shirley posed another question. “What comes after the end? Where do we stand in the aftermath? And what about you? How soon will this ‘new world’ you speak of come into being?”

Meeting her questioning gaze with a reassuring smile, Duncan responded softly, “Blink your eyes.”

Following his instruction, Shirley blinked, her expression one of puzzled anticipation.

“In the time it took you to blink, the new world would have arrived for you,” Duncan revealed, his voice carrying a promise of swift and profound change.