The ship approaches the shoreline.
"Oliver once said his plan would continue along every coast once we reached Nimurelle," I say to her.
"Losing Uncle affects this journey deeply. Whatever lies ahead… we're going to struggle," she says, worry clear in her voice.
"It can't be helped. I've prepared myself to face whatever comes. Even—" I trail off, my gaze turning empty at the end.
"Even?" Rose asks.
"I think traveling alone wouldn't be so bad after you reunite with your brother or your father, Rose. Because if not, the cost will be too great. Loss—that's what I mean." I lift my eyes to the sky.
She looks at me—not like someone who is about to ruin my life.
"But you won't be lonely like before if we're together, Hiro."
"I don't know. I'm tired of thinking about it. Maybe the view in Nimurelle will heal it."
We board the carriage. Both of us are tired, for different reasons.
She—tired of the sea.
Me—tired of my thoughts.
Rose and I decide to stop briefly to gather supplies at the nearest village, then continue along the coast, whether on foot or by carriage. But one look at our thinning pouch of coins answers everything.
The driver pulls the reins and exhales softly. "If I may say so, sir and miss, the journey will be quick—but in exchange…"
The view opens into darkness.
"Huh—" Rose gasps, shocked, never expecting a land where morning feels like the dead of night.
"A view like this… what happened before? Why is it like this?"
The driver exhales again. "It's a long story. For my passengers' comfort, I can't tell it. I can only tell you this land is called The Land That Refuses the Light."
Mountains stretch across the horizon, unclear—though it's morning, the sunlight is swallowed by thick clouds. A river winds like silver, ending in a waterfall spilling from a high cliff, barely visible. The carriage moves slowly along a packed dirt road connecting several small settlements.
Below us, the valley is consumed by dense forest. Everything is dark; farmland can't be seen. From a small hut, a thin stream of smoke rises, feeding the clouds already heavy enough that only a sliver of sunlight slips through.
The driver glances back, his face dull. "I travel this road every week. With scenery like this… I suffer every single moment."
---
"This is as far as I can take you, Sir and Miss."
The journey ends in the middle of the wilderness, among dense trees.
"Rose, unload the supplies. Please."
"ME?! NOT YOU?!"
Rose shakes her head.
I look at her for a moment.
"I mean, go first, i'm following."
Rose exhales and steps down, opening the door on her side. I follow, planting my feet on the ground.
I approach the coachman. "How far is it from the coast, sir?" I ask.
"Not too far, Sir. I can't take you any farther than this, young master," the coachman replies.
I nod and hand him a pouch of valuables. "This is your payment, sir."
He accepts it warmly. "Thank you very much, young master."
Rose is busy unloading the bags, trying to shoulder another one.
"Hey, hurry up and help me, Hiro."
I move to her side, unloading the rest of the luggage one by one.
When everything is done—