Chapter 43: The Master Goes Out to Sea
The golden domes of Ryugu Palace faded slowly into the blue haze of the deep sea. The Voidreign ship, shimmering with reinforced pressure glass and coated in luminous sea-stone armor, began its final descent into the ocean depths — heading directly toward the New World.
At the ship's edge, Shirahoshi turned back for one last look at her home.
There they stood — King Neptune and her three brothers, waving with pride and tears in their eyes. Their figures grew smaller and blurrier until the shadows of the palace walls swallowed them.
A lump formed in Shirahoshi's throat.
"I'll miss you... Father... Fukaboshi... everyone..."
She gently touched the Mermaid Shell Transmuter hanging on her necklace, now glowing faintly, helping her keep her legs and human form steady on the ship.
Jessie, watching silently from a few steps away, noticed her expression.
He walked toward her, his voice calm. "You okay?"
Shirahoshi blinked, trying not to cry. "I... I'm happy. Truly. But it's my first time being this far from home... without them."
Jessie gave her a soft smile. "Homesickness is normal. You're not alone anymore, Shirahoshi. You have a new family now."
Then he turned toward the deck and raised his hand.