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What's the matter?

Inquisitor Irene simply stares blankly at the scenery in front of her.

A dim sliver of light in front of the pitch-black sea. In front of the ship's mast, time seems to have stood still for the past sixty years.

So this... is the Stultifera. 'Stultifera Navis.' The Ship of Fools.

The flagship that housed both scholars and soldiers, the floating palace of a fallen dynasty. It's quite... different from how it's described in the books.

Let's go.

W-Wait!

What are you even searching for, on a ship this big?

Breogan was an Ægir.

This key must be hiding some sort of clue that the Ægir wanted to leave behind.

A key? What is it meant to open?

That's what I'm here to find out.

Even ignoring its size, the ship's also been lost at sea for sixty years. How do you plan to—

Perhaps you young Iberians haven't had much exposure to these transport vessels. Even with Breogan's help, this thing was so shoddily built.

Why you...!

Were the seas calm on our way here? I'm sure you know the answer.

Then my next question for you is this: 'why didn't this ship sink?'

You don't mean—

Footsteps. Heavy, viscous footsteps.

A shadow appears upon the deck, where no living beings should stir.

No, Irene immediately reprimands herself for having such a thought. Gladiia's question was also on her mind. Along the shore, in the waters. She's already seen so many of these.

The moment she sees the enemy, the young, talented Inquisitor Irene's first instinct is to hold her breath.

By the time she remembers how to breathe, Gladiia has already stepped forward.

(Screeching howl) —!

Interesting, you managed to dodge it.

Not for long.

Don't even think about it!

What...?

It hid inside the cabin! Should we chase it?

...Yes, that is where it went.

But why would it hide inside? We're out in the middle of the ocean.

What do we do?

It's not alone. There's more than one Seaborn on this ship. And even more Sea Terrors.

We should split up.

I'll go after it.

I'll head down.

D-Down? How? Do you people already know the layout of this ship?

We don't, but that's nothing a sharp blade can't solve.

Excuse me?! This is the most important legacy of the Iberian sages we're talking about here!

And where will you go, little bird?

I... I have an obligation to supervise you. So I'll go with you.

There are so many mysteries shrouding the Stultifera. If it's been preserved this well, why did it never try to return to Iberia in the last sixty years?

As an Inquisitor, I must uncover the truth.

Shall we hold hands then?

Wh-What's the meaning of this?!

You are a fruit of elegance and grace. But your hard work and natural talents are worthless before the enemies you'll face.

I fear we will lose you with but a momentary lapse of focus.

...You look down on others too much, Ægir.

Keep her safe then.

Will do.

Shark.

Hm?

Did you remember something?

...The sea breeze told me. It spoke of a sculpture. It is weeping, waiting for me.

Will I be able to find it on this ship?

Of course. But make it quick.

I'll be waiting for you.

What sculpture?

Well, let us say our greetings to the deceased while searching for its whereabouts, Skadi.

...I'm glad you still remember my name.

This place... really is fit to be a palace.

But, how is it so pristine? There's not a speck of dust to be found. Look, even the floorboards are sparkling.

Maybe someone wanted to keep it tidy.

Who though?

Who knows.

You said you were going to pursue that monster. How are you planning on doing that?

Its scent doesn't lie.

Though this place is full of putrid smells. There must be more—

(Laborious slithering sounds)

Sea Terrors!

As expected, they turned this place into a nest.

I'll handle this.

(Slithers around in place)

—Wait! Specter! The scent's coming from below!

Ugh—

Ishar-mla.

Ishar-mla.

Urgh, that impact... Are you alright, Specter?

...Specter? Laurentina!

What are you looking at? A mirror? Why is there a mirror?

...The mirror's been broken.

What's with this place? Why did the Iberians make a transport vessel into a palace?

It's nothing like Rhodes Island.

Is there anything special about the mirror?

I saw it.

At first, there was a speck of light from the surface of the shattered mirror. But it quickly gave way to the dark shadow beneath it. Its eye.

The Seaborn had long been waiting here, sitting alone in its golden hall.

...Ishar-mla, La-tina, Louu-tina, Laren-tina......?

It's young... No, we can't judge their strength by size. Another Seaborn, without a doubt.

Sea Terrors too! They're gathering, Specter!

Specter ignores her words as she stares blankly at the mirror. And at the Seaborn behind it.

...You remember me?

The Seaborn nods slightly. It looks at Specter and Skadi with confusion. Thinking.

Why are they different from how they were in 'the past'? What happened to them? How can it help free them from their shackles of flesh and blood?

Specter!

I...

Don't think about it!

I'm not.

Her tone had changed.

Skadi looks at Specter with astonishment. She had never been able to get a definite answer from either Gladiia or Kal'tsit regarding the moment of clarity Specter displayed in Sal Viento.