Remaining on the Whitening Earth, Chaldea made another new discovery: this planet no longer had any distinction between day and night.
As Storm Border traveled westward from what had once been Russia, they deliberately avoided Imaginary Number Submersion. Instead, they moved boldly across the whitewashed surface, heading for the Wandering Sea. Throughout the entire journey, the sky never changed—always a clear, vivid blue. The air remained breathable, and the temperature stayed comfortably within human-survivable levels.
Even though they were approaching the frigid northern zones, the world still felt like early summer. And by the calendar, it truly was May—just before the season's shift.
With no day or night, any being whose body clock depended on natural cycles would inevitably become disoriented. So Storm Border relied on its internal atomic clock, cutting lights and sealing off external illumination at "night" to make sure the crew could rest properly.
Aside from those assigned to bridge duty, the only ones regularly awake were the Nemos managing Storm Border's core—the Noble Phantasm battleship, Nautilus.
"What are you doing, my husband?"
In the ship's kitchen, Morgan's voice broke the quiet as she addressed Shiomi behind the counter. He was leaning there with a bowl in hand, casually eating.
"Ah… nothing. Just got hungry." Shiomi blinked, slowed his chewing a little, and answered vaguely. "I checked with the Nemo on duty. They said the kitchen's mine to use."
"No, I mean…" Morgan approached, hands clasped behind her back, moving with elegant ease. "It's rest time. You're not on duty today either, are you? I woke up and saw an empty space beside me—only the two of them were there. I thought something urgent had happened."
Shiomi couldn't hold back a laugh. "Well, if a sudden craving counts as an emergency, then yes. I slipped out quietly to grab a midnight snack."
"Oh? To think you could leave the room without any of us noticing. My husband truly grows more impressive by the day." Morgan stepped around the counter to face him, teasing gently.
"I didn't survive six thousand years for nothing," Shiomi replied, swallowing. "A bit of improvement is to be expected."
Those long years in the Fairy Kingdom had strengthened him more than anything—though upon reuniting with his Chaldea family and companions, there had been a faint sense of unfamiliarity. Even so, he hadn't felt any major shift in his own heart.
Romani had said the same. He'd expected Shiomi to return as someone distant and changed, yet spiritually, Shiomi was no different than before. His lifespan had been stretched to its limits, and with it, his mind had grown steadier and more resilient.
"But honestly," Shiomi continued, "it's because all of you felt safe enough to sleep without paying attention to your surroundings."
Morgan, Scáthach, and Artoria were all the type who would wake instantly at the slightest threat while asleep. The fact that they had slept without worry meant two things: Shiomi was nearby, and Storm Border really was secure.
Moving so openly through the Bleached World, neither the Crypters nor the Alien Apostles had attempted any reckless ambush.
"You're right." Morgan covered her mouth with a graceful yawn. "Since I've found you, I won't intrude on my husband's precious midnight snack time. I'll head back to the room—"
"Since you're already here, why not eat with me?" Shiomi asked. "Eating alone is boring."
"No wonder you didn't sit at the dining table and just ate by the counter." Morgan looked at him with amused resignation.
This man was still as casual as ever.
During their pilgrimage, whenever everyone ate together, he'd always prepare everything meticulously. Even for a simple picnic, he insisted they sit properly and share a proper meal.
But the moment he was eating alone, he'd pick at food while doing something else.
She'd honestly thought that after becoming the ruler of Londinium, Shiomi might at least pretend to be more kingly.
"I'll have a taste then, though I'm not really hungry."
Morgan brushed aside a lock of hair and leaned in with her mouth slightly open. Shiomi naturally fed her a bite.
It was a simple stir-fry—typical of Shiomi's homely cooking—light and refreshing, perfect for a late-night dish.
"How is it?"
"What else could it be? As delicious as always. I can't think of higher praise." Morgan smiled, though her eyes drifted softly into the distance. "It just reminded me of the old days."
"Habetrot and Baobhan Sith are on the ship. You could call them over and have a late-night chat like before," Shiomi said with a grin.
"Forget it. Habetrot's probably sleeping soundly at this hour," Morgan replied. "As for Baobhan…"
She understood things, yes—but she didn't have memories from the pilgrimage. The Baobhan Sith of now only remembered her life afterward as a royal princess.
"Then we'll leave it," Shiomi said with a small smile. "Yesterday can't be chased, today shouldn't be forgotten, and tomorrow can still be shaped."
"Well said." Morgan applauded quietly.
In the dim cafeteria, only the kitchen counter was lit, much like those quiet moments at home before Proper Human History spiraled into crisis.
"I remember you ate plenty at dinner. How are you hungry again in the middle of the night?" Morgan asked.
"…And you're seriously asking that…" Shiomi coughed, nearly choking. "You're all practically draining me dry."
Life aboard the ship could already be described as nightly revelry.
And with Storm Border slowly cruising these past days while surveying the White Earth, they had spent nearly every calm moment… quite thoroughly occupied.
"Oh? Truly?" Morgan reached out with teasing intent, pinching his waist lightly. "Then should we take it easy for a few days?"
"No need, I was just kidding," Shiomi said quickly.
His midnight hunger had nothing to do with any of that.
"You really plan to just eat here like this?" Morgan leaned against the counter, quietly waiting.
She intended to wait with him and walk back together once he finished.
"Cleanup's easier if I eat here. Saves trouble," Shiomi said proudly. "You don't usually handle housework, so you wouldn't think of these little tricks, right?"
"I have thought about doing it—but you always take everything onto yourself." Morgan frowned slightly. "Now that I think about it, you really do like handling every matter personally. Just like sealing away the calamity and the Insect of the Abyss…"
Even Morgan hadn't known until the very end what the Beast God's remains were suppressing.
"Each matter is its own matter. If you want to blame me, you'd be right to." Shiomi stirred the food in his bowl, mixing things together.
"If I blamed you," Morgan murmured gently, "it would only be for almost making me lose you."
Then she suddenly pulled him into her arms and claimed a kiss that still carried the faint taste of his meal.
And the two of them laughed together.