Holy Land Island

On the deck of the Lost Homeland, Vana hurried over to Duncan. "The Tide has sent word. Large numbers of 'humanoid objects' have drifted over to their side as well and collided with the hull. Afterward, the 'humanoid objects' lingered and floated nearby, as if drawn by an invisible current..."

"Commander Orlando of the Restless has also sent word," Agatha said as she emerged from the shadows beside Duncan. "Their ship has been surrounded by floating humanoid objects... and something is gathering underwater, striking the bottom of the hull. The impacts can be heard through almost the entire deck..."

She paused, as though hearing a distant voice again, then added, "Commander Boleginni of the Repose said she heard whispers near the engine room, perhaps from beneath the water—a voice spoke in her mind:

"'You will become like them, just as we did.'"

Listening to the intelligence relayed from the other capital ships of the combined fleet, Duncan frowned slightly. He paid particular attention to the report from the Repose. "Mental contamination?"

"It cannot be confirmed yet. Bishop Boleginni is undergoing mental calibration in the church. At present, it seems she may truly have heard some kind of 'echo' wandering these waters."

"Any reports of damage to the ships?" Duncan pondered briefly before asking another question.

"None so far," Vana said, shaking her head. "All the impacts were simply caused by those 'humanoid objects' drifting with the current and striking the hulls. They pose no physical threat to ironclads... though several ships have reported abnormal noises from their steam engines and Difference Engines, as if they have suffered mild contamination. Overall, however, the contamination remains low, and everything returned to normal after calming rituals were performed."

Duncan nodded gravely. For a moment, he said nothing, merely watching the distant sea.

Those