Olga Marie's decision was smoothly approved at the briefing and authorized for implementation.
Although Da Vinci-chan, as a technician, expressed concerns about the ship's condition and initially opposed the plan, she ultimately accepted the situation after Captain Nemo's persuasion and the presentation of supporting data.
After the meeting, Romani grumbled on the way, saying that Da Vinci should have handled this personally, but Da Vinci herself seemed thoroughly engrossed, observing every activity of the artificial lifeforms she had created.
Just hundreds of kilometers from the Storm Wall, the Storm Border initiated its Imaginary Numbers submersion, heading toward coordinates deep within the Scandinavian Lostbelt.
"We've confirmed entry into the Imaginary Numbers space. Now we just need to wait for the submersion to end, and we can surface within the Lostbelt," reported Baobhan Sith, who was on duty in the bridge, while cuddling and rubbing Fou. "Father, would you like to take a seat and rest for a moment? I can inform you again once the submersion concludes?"
"No, I'll stay here," Shiomi replied, crossing his arms as he kept his gaze fixed on the ship's instrument screens. "No one knows what the Scandinavian Lostbelt holds. It's better to have someone ready for battle at any moment." Of course, the main reason was that he felt this matter couldn't be entrusted to others—he had to take the lead himself.
This was his responsibility, and his wish. To save the world, he had to protect the family and comrades aboard this ship.
"If it comes to combat, even I can handle the Lostbelt King's assault for a while, holding out until Father and Mother arrive," Baobhan Sith offered. "Father, you just surveyed the Bleached World. Why not check the kitchen? Sakura's preparing afternoon tea for everyone."
"Is now really the time for that?" Shiomi smiled wryly.
It wasn't that he resented others' ease—he was referring to his own state. He simply couldn't calm his mind.
"Well, I suppose there's no helping it," Baobhan Sith smiled, though it was troubled. She tugged at Shiomi's sleeve. "But perhaps Father should attend to another matter."
"Hm?" Shiomi frowned in confusion.
Baobhan Sith gestured toward the auxiliary seat in the corner of the bridge. Melusine sat there with a sulky expression, pouting in silent resentment. No matter who asked her, she wouldn't speak, nor did she lash out. She seemed to be angry at herself.
"She's been like this ever since we returned to the ship. What happened?" Baobhan Sith had noticed this and deliberately chose a moment when no one else was around to speak. After all, based on her background, the person who should be most concerned about Melusine was undoubtedly Father.
"Well..." Shiomi sighed and gave a brief explanation.
"How can a being as ancient as a planet act like a child?" Baobhan Sith was dumbfounded. Her impression of Melusine had always been that of a fierce Fairy Knight under Morgan's command. She never imagined the other had such a temper.
"Because she's not human to begin with. You can't measure her by human logic," Shiomi said. "Rather, when I kept you by my side, I focused too much on nurturing your human side. Now it seems you've become less like a fairy."
Saying this, Shiomi ruffled Baobhan Sith's hair before turning to Melusine's side and taking a seat at the auxiliary bridge control seat beside her.
"If you want to be angry, just say so," Shiomi said.
"...I'm not... You have your choices. I have no right to criticize." Melusine pouted, pausing for a few seconds before continuing, "I just envy that girl a little. She can so easily earn your affection."
"If your entire meaning and purpose in life is merely to gain someone's affection, then I... would likely only see you as a blade to protect everyone." Shiomi sighed. "Once the crisis of human history's Bleaching is resolved, I'll find a way to send you back to the Inner Sea of the Planet from Proper Human History."
"Are you trying to send me away?" Melusine asked.
"Didn't Albion fall into the Dark Marshes precisely because she couldn't return to the Inner Sea of the Planet?" Shiomi recounted the past slowly. "Don't you wish to return to the Inner Sea of the Planet?"
"I... don't know," Melusine answered gloomily. "As merely a fragment surviving from the Last Dragon, even I can't tell if the desire for Recurrence to the Inner Sea of the Planet truly belongs to the current me?"
"A profoundly deep question indeed," Shiomi was stumped by the query.
"Actually, before you awakened me from that state, while slumbering in the Dark Marsh, I already knew of you, knew of Morgan... that is, Aesc the Savior. But back then, I possessed no intellect." Melusine suddenly revealed a fact to Shiomi.
It wasn't due to the Mirror Clan's prayers or any other reason. It was simply that, as part of the island, she naturally came to know of their existence.
Even Melusine couldn't answer whether she had thought about it back then.
"Did I make a mistake?" Shiomi suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"Originally, I only joined Morgan in examining Albion's remains to find usable Magecraft materials," Shiomi said with a hint of regret. "Back then, I considered only one thing: whether you, having awakened from the dragon's bones, could become the blade in Morgan's hand to sustain that thousand-year war."
"I understand. Because I am the being you granted life to, reborn anew. Naturally, I understand the harshness in your heart back then," Melusine smiled. "No matter how much you wished for it, unless you made me abandon this life—returning to a mindless dragon skeleton or rotting flesh—I could never forsake the origin that made me 'Melusine.' So please don't think your actions were wrong. That would be true cruelty to me."
"Is that so."
Shiomi instinctively reached out, hesitating mid-air for a moment before gently ruffling Melusine's hair.
"This is enough. This is... enough." Melusine smiled happily. "Even if you don't need me as your sword, I will remain a formidable blade in the shadows. I will protect everything you hold dear. This is the path I have chosen for my life."
"Notify all personnel aboard the ship: Storm Border is about to commence surfacing. Please prepare accordingly to avoid confusion."
At that moment, the ship's intercom broadcast the announcement.
Melusine rose from her chair and moved to the hatch leading to the deck, standing by.
"What a passionate confession," Morgan's voice drifted over. She had been listening nearby all along.
"Nestling syndrome and dependent personality," Shiomi shook his head at her. "In a way, she's problematic too..."
"That's precisely why I responded so cautiously." Morgan crossed her arms, nodding repeatedly. "Seems my husband still retains a shred of decency."
"...Even that little bit..."
Morgan couldn't help but smile at Shiomi's tone of disbelief.
...
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