Cold Night

Under the dim oil lamp, Heidi gently set down the sheet of paper bearing news from afar. The living room was quiet, warmed by the lamplight and her mother's gentle gaze beside her.

She had known about the Lost Homeland's latest long-distance voyage plan—her father always wrote home, and his recent letters had mentioned many things concerning the frontier. She knew that captain was about to undertake a great voyage, that her father would depart alongside him for the distant borderlands—but when she truly learned the news through channels within the city-state, a different sort of feeling still rose in her heart.

It was as if something that had always existed only as a vague notion had suddenly become real. Looking at those brief lines, she abruptly realized—ah, they had truly set sail.

Her father and her best friend had embarked for the end of the world beneath this long night.

"They'll be safe," her mother's voice came from beside her, drawing Heidi from her momentary distraction. The old woman's tone was calm, just as it had been years ago when she comforted Heidi through a stormy night. "Don't worry so much, Heidi."

Heidi turned her head somewhat blankly. "Because... that powerful captain?"

"Because of your father—he always comes home safely." Her mother smiled gently, as though immersed in old memories. "He's done many bold things, more than you can imagine, but in the end, he always returns home and tells me of those incredible experiences... This time, he'll return as well, carrying tales from the end of the world. And you'll hear an incredible story from him, just as I once did."

Heidi listened quietly. After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke softly. "Father, and Vana... they're doing something very great, aren't they?"

"Yes, something very great—setting out