At the rail, Elland braced both hands against it and gazed solemnly at the brightly lit harbor before him.
After the first mate's reminder, he realized that there seemed to be something wrong with his memory.
...Perhaps it isn't just me. Maybe it's the whole of Bansy Island.
Only those who stayed aboard their ships after dark had escaped the influence of the unknown, mysterious force here.
Years of surviving in the mysterious world had taught him that something terrible might happen in Bansy Harbor—or might already have happened.
...The closest place was Damir Island, where they had last made port. The next port of call was Tiana Island, in the waters of the Rorsted Archipelago.
But either island was several days' sail away. The ship's wireless telegraph couldn't transmit a message that far unless they returned to Bansy Island and used the telegraph office there.
But I vaguely remember that our attempt to send a telegram this evening failed.
Gathering his thoughts, he turned to the first mate behind him and asked in a low voice:
"Tell me again, in detail, what happened after we went ashore."
Seeing the seriousness on Elland's face, the first mate realized how serious the situation was too. He quickly tried to recall what had happened.
"We went together to the telegraph office, but that person, uh, what was his name again..."
The first mate frowned just as Elland had, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. At last, he shook his head helplessly.
"I suddenly can't remember his name."
"But I remember the portrait you drew from memory kept catching fire on its own. In the end, you gave up on reporting his abnormality by telegraph and decided to wait until we reached Bayam before informing the authorities."
As Elland listened to the first