World's End

The Windless Lands, Permafrost Sea.

This was the twenty-fifth day since the Wind Song Tree Boat had entered these waters.

Behind it trailed eight new Silisti warships. They were visibly a size smaller than traditional first-rate sailing ships, but with the deck masts removed and replaced by dedicated observation towers, their outlines looked all the more solid.

Suddenly, a piercing hum rose from the fleet—

Accompanied by a violent screech of friction, an observation tower rapidly tilted and came crashing down onto the deck like a small mountain.

The snow that erupted with a boom instantly blanketed the entire deck, like billowing smoke from a battle-damaged ship. It carried none of the searing heat that scorched flesh, yet it was no less deadly.

Fleet commander Jain Vanrit lowered his Observation Mirror and let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

Though he could not make out the exact situation aboard the ship, the sailors and officers stationed in the observation tower were surely beyond saving.

This was the third warship to suffer an incident.

The Permafrost Sea's temperature often fell below freezing, though he could not say exactly how cold it got. In such temperatures, metal became brittle, as if it had contracted the Cold Plague. Though the new generation of warships was still primarily built of wood, their outer armor and towers had been replaced with iron. What should have given them an overwhelming advantage in future naval battles had instead become a fatal weakness after entering the Permafrost Sea.

Brave warriors had not died on the battlefield, but in this terrifyingly silent sea. His heart could not have felt heavier.

Yet as the supreme commander, he had to fulfill his duty. He could not let a trace of negative emotion show on his face.

Without a doubt, this was a