The sea was unimaginably vast.
Vaster than the White Water River, vaster than the Gorgon River, vaster than any river or lake on land.
Byron stood on the raised platform of the Curiosity's foredeck, letting the icy sea wind wash over him. The salty, fishy scent unique to the seawater blew into his nostrils, while the endless expanse of water before the ship's prow rose and fell. The roar of the waves, the wind, the ship's machinery, and the cries of unknown seabirds surrounded him from every direction.
He turned and saw sailors busy at their various posts throughout the vessel. Technical Personnel were inspecting the connections between the Magic-infused Wing Panels and the mechanical devices on the upper deck. The Naga philosopher, with his deep, melancholy eyes, was using some sort of magical device to observe the distant weather, while several beautiful yet ghostly figures darted through the waters beside the ship.
He suddenly remembered his years as a mercenary—something entirely unrelated to the sight before him, yet it stirred an inexplicable nostalgia in the heart of this knight who had come to the path halfway through life. He remembered those days of adventure in jungles and Secret Realms, remembered the companions who had followed him across countless unfamiliar lands, only to be buried in unfamiliar lands in the end...
The sea wind blew over him. He narrowed his eyes and smiled at the Sea Monster Viola standing beside him. "I thought I'd already become a middle-aged man who wanted a peaceful life. Never expected I still had a bit of an adventurous spirit in my bones."
"Humans have always been full of adventurous spirit—you do not possess the vitality of Sea Monsters, yet you are even bolder than we are. That has surprised us for many years," said