Fifty days have passed since my sea journey began.

　Since then, I've been attacked by sea monsters a few times.

　However, I've never been attacked by a sea monster the size of an octopus, and I've managed to fight it off and continue my voyage safely until today.

　Zapaan, zazaa.

　The waves are a little high today.

　The sky was cloudy and raindrops were dabbing on the cabin window.

It's about time we could see the continent.

　Suddenly I hear Mr. Quilt's voice.

　I removed my gaze from the window.

　He was spreading a nautical chart on a table fixed to the floor of the cabin.

　The chart showed the route we had taken and the date of our journey.

　On the map, the Dark Continent was almost there.

　But the part of the map that is supposed to be the Dark Continent is blacked out in an oval shape.

(Because no one's ever been there before.)

　It was discovered 40 years ago.

　Since then, four investigation teams have been sent to this mysterious continent, but no one has ever returned.

　..........

　It occurred to me.

How was the Dark Continent discovered in the first place?

　And.

　At the murmur, everyone looks at me.

　The girl who knows things replies.

'It was an accident.'
Coincidence?
Yeah. About 40 years ago, the New Greer Trading Fleet got caught in a storm.

　Oh, yeah?

'So one of the ships that was wrecked washed up in the South Sea, and that's when we found land in the distance.
Could it be?

　The girl nodded in agreement with my prediction.

It's the Dark Continent.
..........
'The wreck of the New Greer merchant fleet had lost its rudder and was unable to make it to the continent. Eventually, the shipwreck, riding the current and the wind, made its way northward, and was accidentally discovered by another merchant fleet passing by, and the wreck was rescued safely.

　Ho ... that's good to hear.

'But the wreck had the coordinates of the continent from the position of the stars.
"Mmm-hmm.
Everyone was skeptical, but when a survey ship was sent out to investigate, the continent was indeed there. However, the ocean currents around the continent were so strong that the survey ship couldn't get ashore. Even so, the discovery of a new continent caused quite a stir at the time.

　I know.

(But it would be.)

　Because it's a new world within my reach.

　I ask.

"So they're sending another group of pioneers?
Yeah.

　Solstice nodded.

'But that's the beginning of the tragedy.'

　The girl held up one finger and said so.

　Zapaan.

　The hull of the ship shook wildly, as if a wave had hit it hard.

　The lantern hanging from the ceiling also shakes, and the light that illuminates me, Illtimina-san and the others moves violently, shaking the eerie shadows.

　The girl's lips open.

'The first settlement group was sent out three years after the discovery of the continent.
..........
Fifty-four men were sent to the mission. At the time, I'm sure everyone was excited to see what they would find on this new continent. But.....
But?
A year after my deployment, I hadn't heard a single word from the settlement.
..........

　zapper

　The waves hit.

　The light of the lantern also shimmers.

　Solstice continued to speak under the shadows of the shimmering shadows.

'The second settlement was another year later. They guessed that something had happened to the first pioneer group, so they were sent to help them, as well as to be a rescue team.'
..........
But,

　Soltis broke off one word there.

'After all, we've also lost contact with the second settlement group.
..........

　gulping sound

　I spit.

"The Third Settlement wasn't sent until six years later. Ten years after the discovery of the continent.
..........
'Two hundred in all. Among them are the 'Golden Mark Adventurers' of the time aboard.

The Golden Mark adventurer...

　I glanced at Kilt-san and Illtimina-san.

　Even though the times were different, I'm sure that the simultaneous 'Golden Mark Adventurer' wasn't so different in ability from them.

''But the result is...''
..........
..........
..........

　Without saying anything more, Solstice laughed bewitchingly.

　.........Ugh.

　The girl returned to the posture she had been bending forward and exhaled heavily.

''Since then, the 'pioneer group dispatch' of the Si(‡)mu(‡)ri(‡)a(‡)king(‡)‡a(‡a) country(‡a) or others has been gone for a while.''

　...from the Kingdom of Shumuria?

　The way he said it made me curious.

''Not that it's a replacement, but after that, the Arun God Emperor and the seven countries of the dollar continent have sent a delegation of pioneers. I heard that Arun in those days had as many as a thousand men ready to go.

　That's the greatest country in the world.

But you know what?
..........
I knew it. Not one of them came back.
..........
Ten years ago, the Kingdom of Shumuria sent the 'Fourth Frontier Corps' for the first time in 20 years, but the result was the same. All the pioneer groups that have been sent over the last 40 years--

　Solstice took a quiet breath.

You are all dead.

　zapaaan

　The biggest wave of the day shook the hull violently.

　Lantern light ramped up in the dimly lit room.

　............

　For a while, silence dominated the room.

　Only the sound of raindrops tapping on the window could be heard.

　Eventually, Kirt-san exhales.

'Those are the facts. But they are all a consequence of the past.

　crunch

　His hand strokes my hair hard.

'What happens to the strawberries will depend on them, won't it?
Yes.

　I nod.

　Iltimina's white hand cupped mine.

'It's okay, Marle.'
..........
I'm gonna make sure you're safe, okay?

　She laughed so softly.

(Illtimina-san....)

..........

　bang-bang

　Poe too, with a blank expression, tapped me on the shoulder.

　I smile at the three of them for their encouragement.

　Solstice looked at us and cowered her small shoulders.

　I somehow looked up at the dark gray sky beyond the window.　

　The rain outside is intensifying.

　Gyan.

　Thunder ran through the black clouds like a snake.

　The ship's hull, tossed by the wind and waves, made a screeching sound of gishiri, gishiri, and screaming sound incessantly.

(............)

　With tension and anxiety in our hearts, our pioneering ship was moving through the stormy sea.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　It was 53 days after the voyage began.

'--I'm seeing land!

　It was early in the morning, when the sun hadn't even risen yet, that I heard the voice.

　I was asleep in Illtimina-san's arms when I woke up to a sign that she was awake.

　Rattling.

　There were signs of people getting up from the other cabins as well.

　Mr. Kilt, who already had the face of a warrior, quickly opened the cabin door and walked to the deck.

''...........''

　chilly weather

　Poe is shaking Solstice's still sleeping body, waking the girl up.

'Mnya ... what is it?'

　The girl rubs her eyes sleepily.

　She says to her sister, "Let's go, Sol," and Iltimina walks away.

　Me and Poe followed.

　When we stepped out onto the deck, the adventurers, temple knights and sailors were gathered there.

　They were all pointing forward and talking about something.

(Oh, it's Kilt-san.)

　On the bow of the ship, I spot a swaying back of silver hair.

　At her side is Aase, the head of the Temple Knights.

　We approached that way.

"Mr. Kilt.
..........

　When he noticed me, Kirt-san didn't answer and gave up his place.

　...................

　From there, I look out to sea.

　The sun's rays are still far away and the sea is completely black, with only the eastern horizon being white.

　South of such a black sea.

　Above the horizon, I could see the land in black shadows.

''The ... dark continent.''

　I muttered in a shaky voice.

　Kilt-san and Aase-san nodded.

　Iltimina-san and the others were also voiceless, staring at the unknown continent that stood in the distance.

　Solstice, too, seemed to be fully awake.

　There seemed to be a large number of people gathered on the decks of the other three pioneer ships as well.

　A cold early morning breeze blew through the air.

　At the end of a long voyage, we, the 5th pioneering group, have finally found our destination.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　After two hours, we are approaching the continent.

　The sun was climbing and the early morning light lit up the surface of the sea.

　The four ships were plowing through the waves, heading towards the dark continent, which they were seeing for the first time.

　As they approached, they could see the land.

(-- A rocky place.)

　Numerous sharp rocks, like spines, sprouting from the surface of the sea, more than ten meters long, grew out of the water in myriad ways.

　The larger ones were close to 30 meters long.

　The land portion of the cliffs was also a series of similarly pointed rocks.

　I wondered if the top of the cliff was at least 50 yards away.

　And.

　Zazaaaan.

Wow!
"What?

　The hull of the ship lurched wildly.

　The closer we got to that continent, the faster the tide flowed, the rougher the waves got.

　Some places on the surface of the sea are swirling, creating white foam.

　Illtimina-san supported me and Solstice as we were about to fall.

'Oh, thanks,'
No.

　A smiling sister.

　Mr. Kilt glares at the surface of the sea.

Mmm.

　I groaned.

　'Not very much, but we can't land from here.

　And then one of the sailors on top of the four "pioneer ships" at the head of the four diamond-shaped "pioneer ships" moved the two red and white flags wide.

　It was a signal using a hand flag.

　Mr. Kilt and the others stared at it.　　

　The sailors quickly ran to their posts.

　I asked, "A hand flag?

"A hand flag what?
They're going to turn east from here and look for a place along the coastline where they can land.

　Iltimina told me so.

　Zazaan.

　The ship slowly cruises its course, flapping its sails wide in the wind.

　...........

　As far as I can see, I can't see anything but cliffs.

　Stinging rocks and fierce currents.

(It's as if the continent is refusing to let us in........

　I squinted my blue eyes at the eerie continent that stood black in the shadows created by the morning sun, and shuddered a little.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　It was going to be some time before we found our landing point, so we went back to the cabin.

　Then.

I'll give this to you.

　Mr. Quilt handed us all something.

　It's a thin metal tube about 10 cm long.

(This is....)

It's a signal flare.

　Mr. Kilt said exactly what I expected him to say.

　One of them, two of each.

　And the tips of each are painted red and green.

(????)

　We stare at it, and Kirto tells us.

It's a special item that they give out to all the settlers. Each color has a different meaning.

　Meaning...?

A green light is a sign of something new.
..........
Use it when you are exploring the continent and find something, such as a large relic or a ruin, that you can't bring back with you. We'll send someone over immediately.

　I see.

"Regular white light emitting beacon to call for help. Help is on the way.
Yes.

　So, what about red?

Red light is a warning sign of danger.
..........
If you are in a situation where you are not able to save yourself and your friends are in danger, use this red light signal, and if you see a red light, get out of there. And conversely, if you see a red light, leave the place at once. No matter what.

　Huh...?

You're not going to help us?
It cannot be.

　Mr. Kilt said in a voice as hard as iron.

These red glowing signal bullets are meant to minimize the damage. You are not to go to the rescue.
..........
..........
..........
..........

　The intensity of his voice silenced us.

　I stare at the red colored luminescent signal bullet in my hand.

　Mr. Kilt says.

'It would be better if we didn't have a chance to use them. But this is the Dark Continent. We can't afford not to take that situation into account.

　.................

(.....................)

　I understand what you're saying.

　Just the thought of the situation made my heart heavy.

　Miss Illtimina.

I understand.

　He nodded in a calm voice, as expected of an adult.

　Mr. Kilt looked at the young us.

'Do you understand?'

　I'll go check to make sure.

'Yes.'
Okay.
Poe agreed.

　We answered aloud to the successive 'Golden Mark Demon Hunters' of the war.

　Kirt-san nodded.

''...........''

　I stare at the luminous signal bullet in my hand.

　Geez.

　I gripped it tightly, hoping that I wouldn't have to use the red color.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　Half a day had passed since we started moving around to find a place to land.

　The five of us were out on deck again.

　The thorny rocky quay was still in place.

　But.

(Has the tide slowed down?)

　The current is still a little strong, but it hasn't swirled or turned into a violent wave.

　And then

...I see sand.

　Suddenly, Poe said.

(Huh?)

　A small finger pointed forward.

　We, too, in a hurry, stared at it.

'Ah.'

　It's true!

　The thorn-like rocks were gone, and the sandy beach was gone.

　It was still far away, but behind the sandy beach, I could also see what looked like a forest.

'Mr. Quilt!'

　I turned around.

　Mr. Kilt nodded widely.

Well, that's a good place to land.

　I replied.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　The four 'pioneer ships' headed for the sandy beach on land.

　As we were heading there, we noticed a large pillar-like object in the sea near the beach.

(What's that?)

　He craned his neck.

　Eventually, as we got closer, its identity was revealed.

(Huh?)　(A ship!)

　Yes, what was there was a wooden boat.

　It looked quite old and the sail posts were broken.

　It looked like it was stranded, and half of the hull was submerged in the water and tilted at an angle.

'This is....'

　Mr. Kilt and the others are raving about it.

　It was completely unexpected to see a ship in a place like this,

　Soltis says.

'Could this be... our previous 'pioneer ship'?

　That's right.

　There have been many "pioneers" sent to this dark continent before us.

　I can't think of anything else.

(I wonder if they came here looking for a landing place like we did?)

　I thought so.

　The stranded ship was given a boat from the four pioneer ships to survey the interior.

　From this boat, Kirt-san and the four temple knights were on their way.

　............
　...........
　...................

　About two hours later, we came back.

　From the boat, I took a rope ladder up to the deck.

It appears to be one of the ships of the Third Settlement of Shumuria.

　Mr. Kilt reported.

　He said that about ten bodies had been identified on board.

　We also found the ship's logbook, which the captain would have kept.

　After examining them, it was determined that the ship that ran aground belonged to the Third Frontier Corps.

...............

　A pioneer group that was wiped out.

　As someone who is about to land, there was something about the relics left behind by our predecessors that was very poignant.

　I thought that the logbook might contain the reason for their annihilation, but the damage was so severe that it will take some time to decipher it, I'm told.

(Something, I hope I can figure out.)

　For 40 years, the Dark Continent has been the birthplace of many people who never returned.

　If I could just figure out the secret...

I'll let the Demonologists aboard the ship do the deciphering.

　Mr. Kilt said.

　Then he looked back at the wreckage of the stranded ship.

　...................

　We all looked at it for a while.　

　Eventually, Mr. Kilto let out a breath and looked at us as if he had come to his senses.

　And.

The warriors will now land on the Dark Continent.

　I told him in a prepared voice.