Journey's End

The Lost Homeland and the Brilliant Star sailed through an expanse of uniform grayish-white.

This long journey at the end of the world seemed to be gradually approaching its conclusion—even though Duncan had not mentioned it, everyone aboard had vaguely sensed that day's arrival.

Now, everyone had gathered around the long table in the Lost Homeland's cabin. Even Lucretia had temporarily left her ship under the control of Roonie the Doll and Rabbit Rabbi.

The "Sea Witch" sat beside Duncan, while Nilu, the little doll who had only recently become an official crew member of the Brilliant Star, sat obediently on her mistress's shoulder. It was her first appearance here, and she carefully clutched Lucretia's hair while curiously observing her surroundings.

Shirley watched the ornate ball-jointed doll in her exquisite dress with great interest. When the latter turned to look at her, Shirley suddenly raised a hand and made a frightening sound. "Hee-ha—"

Nilu immediately let out a small cry and yanked hard on Lucretia's hair.

The witch was startled as well. She raised a hand and patted the little doll's arm, and Nilu lowered her head aggrievedly, muttering softly, "Mistress, she scared me."

Shirley immediately shrugged and turned away, pretending to listen attentively to the captain.

Duncan paid no attention to the commotion beside the long table. He merely glanced casually at Shirley before continuing to describe the current situation across the Boundless Sea:

"...The undead move through the cities alongside the living. No one remembers the original purpose of cemeteries or crematoriums. The dead wander in a daze, while the living increasingly fall into trances. No one dies anymore, and no newborns are born either... To an observer, the world's distortion has become unimaginable. Yet no one notices these abnormalities. Every inconsistency is 'explained' or 'ignored' by the