Rover had a nightmare. He dreamed that everyone had died, leaving only him standing before rows of tombstones, mourning.
It was a day filled with loneliness and sorrow. Dressed in white, he placed a white flower in his hand under the gaze of people from another world.
Tell me, why did this disaster happen?
Rover didn't know. He could only steel himself and move forward—until he saw a familiar figure standing at the end of the tombstones.
"No matter how strong a person is, they cannot stop sorrow from continuing to unfold."
The blurred figure's face was indistinct, leaving only echoes reverberating through the empty, illusory space.
"No... this isn't the answer I want."
Rover slowly opened his eyes. Aside from the dark ceiling above, the sound of waves crashing against the ship came from outside the window.
"Had a good rest, eh, Rover?"
Beidou pushed the door open with a loud creak, the sea breeze lifting the hem of her clothes. Her booming voice forced Rover to reluctantly get up and head to the deck.
"At our current speed, we'll reach our destination in just three days. Oh, and we're about to enter that mysterious sea."
Following Beidou's reminder, Rover gazed into the distance.
The entire fleet slowly sailed into a sea shrouded in purple mist, arranged in a precise formation. At the center of the sea, a towering prism shot straight into the sky, sending a chill down one's spine. The calm sea surface felt like the prelude to a storm.
The ship Rover was on stood at the center of the fleet. Any attacker trying to reach him would have to break through multiple layers of defense.
First were the outer blockade ships—armed with the sturdiest armor and most formidable cannons. Further in were the mid-layered interception ships. If an enemy broke through here, the interception ships would swiftly scatter outward, their explosives more than enough to carve a new path for the fleet. Finally, there was the inner core fleet. Every member here possessed a Vision—they were the last line of defense.
"You really didn't have to go this far for me."
Rover gripped the railing, feeling the sea breeze against his face. Beneath his dark eyes lay nothing but worry.
"This isn't just for you. It's for us too. We need to make sure you're in peak condition to resolve this incident."
Sangonomiya Kokomi had somehow appeared behind Rover without him noticing, followed by her general, Gorou. Then, in a flash of lightning, a familiar figure materialized at the bow of the ship.
"Inner core fleet patrol complete. No abnormalities detected."
Keqing delivered her report crisply. Immediately after, a masked youth descended from the sky, landing steadily on the deck.
"Interception fleet—all clear."
A steady, reserved voice followed right after the young man's.
"Blockade fleet hasn't encountered any enemies yet."
Kamisato Ayato chuckled, pulling a cup of milk tea from his sleeve and taking a sip.
Beidou nodded, placing a hand on her hip before barking another order in her thunderous voice:
"Stay alert, everyone. The real show's about to begin."
"Hey, if it isn't Zhiping! Kid, you're famous now."
The moment Zhiping stepped into the mess hall, dozens of eyes locked onto him. Hailong slung an arm around his shoulders.
"Me... famous?"
Zhiping pointed at himself, utterly confused. Before he could figure it out, Hailong elbowed another crewmate beside him, who was busy stuffing his face. The man looked up immediately.
"Hailong, let me finish eating first."
Zhiping grew uneasy. He could only awkwardly pick up his bowl and chopsticks to eat.
"Hailong, you should've seen Captain Liu's face when he came to the bridge earlier—looked like he swallowed a lemon. Word is, one of your boys gave him an earful."
Hailong coughed awkwardly, while Zhiping scratched his head in embarrassment.
"That's just a rumor, Liushi."
Two hours earlier
"Hailong, I've decided—I'm staying!"
Zhiping slammed the table and stood up, only to realize Captain Liu was also in the room.
"Kid, don't say I didn't warn you. Once you're on this ship, there's no getting off. Don't come crying later, begging to leave."
Before Hailong could speak, Captain Liu's sharp gaze pinned Zhiping in place. But Zhiping, already fired up with passion and determination, refused to back down.
"I won't, sir! I'll prove with my actions that making me leave would be the biggest mistake you ever made!"
Instead of getting angry, Captain Liu laughed. He strode forward until his towering shadow engulfed Zhiping, standing straight as a pine tree, his silent pressure trying to snuff out the young man's fiery spirit.
"Good. Very good. Then I'll be watching."
Hailong sighed as Captain Liu marched out. The words he'd prepared died in his throat.
"Well, if that's your choice, I won't say more. But let me give you one piece of advice: No matter when or where, never regret a single decision you make. I hope that when you chose to board this ship, there won't be a single moment where you think, 'Why did I ever come aboard?' Got it?"
Present
Xu Liushi studied the newcomer thoughtfully before suddenly remembering something. He lifted a jug of wine from under the table.
"You drink?"
Zhiping shook his head. Seeing this, Hailong quickly moved the wine away.
"Are you insane?! The fleet's about to enter the danger zone. Captain Liu explicitly banned alcohol!"
Xu Liushi waved him off, pouring the wine into a bowl despite Hailong's protests.
"A little won't hurt. Nothing bad's gonna happen just 'cause I take a sip."
Just as he raised the bowl to his lips, a strong hand clamped down on his wrist.
"Hailong, I know my limits."
Then Xu Liushi noticed the room had gone dead silent. He turned to see the hand restraining him—not Hailong's rough, calloused grip, but an aged yet powerful one holding him in an iron lock.
"Limits? Like when you got drunk on rice wine dumplings at Three Bowls Tavern and missed the departure? If it weren't for Captain Beidou giving you a second chance, would you even be here?"
The stern, familiar voice made Xu Liushi's scalp tingle. When he looked up and saw who it was, despair washed over him.
"Hailong!"
Hailong, who had been sitting frozen, immediately shot to his feet.
"Here!"
Captain Liu bent down, picked up the smuggled wine, walked to the window, and hurled it out.
The jug hit the water with a small splash—then vanished without a trace.
"He's your responsibility now. If I catch him drinking again, throw him overboard. No need to report to me."
Zhiping shrugged helplessly. Only after Captain Liu had completely left did the noise return—along with Xu Liushi's wails of despair.
"Better eat up. The real work's about to start."
Hailong chuckled before turning back to Zhiping.