PC01A

All remaining enemies have retreated to the sea. Good work, everyone.

Phew… didn't think I'd have to deal with anything remotely like this outside the Great Lake.

You can say that again. It would've taken us the whole day if that Skadi character didn't occupy the other half while Miss rabbit helped us from a distance.

As we were catching our breath after the battle…

... I heard a brief hum. When I turned to look at its source, I saw Skadi glaring at me with palpable alarm.

… Strange people… who transform.

And a head of clock?

… I guess they're both technically true.

While it's nothing more than a theory at this point… I think they have a lot to do with the dimensional door we're supposed to be investigating.

<N-nice to meet you, I guess?>

… I only hear a ticking clock.

Ooh~ That's because only us Sinners can hear Dante's voice -

Huh?

Mm? What's up?

Ah, no, I'm just wondering how Miss Amiya can seemingly understand Dante.

Uh... yeah. What's going on here?

<Huh... Yeah, it completely flew over my head that I didn't even question how weird this is.>

Their voice sounds like a ticking clock to me, too. But… I don't know, it's almost like I can sense what they're trying to say, what kind of emotion they're trying to convey…

Her explanation reminded me of the blue boy in Sinclair's past, but… I didn't quite feel the uncanny sensation from Amiya that I felt from them.

So she can read me kinda like how... Vergilius can, I guess?

<Well… I don't think it's a bad thing.>

That's true. It's been a bit of a hassle to always need Faust or Hong Lu to translate for you, Dante.

I'd like to know exactly how she can understand Dante, but... I don't think we've got the luxury of time to sit down and figure this out.

So, are we heading back?

Sounds like a plan. It's not like we know anywhere else to go, right? Oh, and Miss rabbit here'll be tagging along, too.

<She said she'd help us find our way back.>

I'm glad to be working with you two also, Miss Ishmael. Mister Yi Sang.

Took the words right out of my mouth. You've already helped us plenty, and you clearly know a lot more about this place than we do.

Mm, the journey is long - perhaps embarking on it ere the sun's fall would be wise.

How long's the journey?

No idea, it's not like we have a clock with us… I do know that it's not very far, though. We just need to walk along the coastline for a bit.

…….

... Skadi quietly points in my direction.

Oh, Dante can't tell us the time because they're not on time~

… Then why the clock head?

<I didn't exactly choose to get myself a clock-shaped head...>

I looked away from Skadi's inquisitive eyes, which were quite solidly fixed on my head.

The coasts of Iberia are… hardly good places for people to live.

Those things can go anywhere in this world, but… they thrive at places that meet the ocean.

So how did people manage to build a village... at a place like this?

The monsters are called Seaborns... or Sea Terrors, yes? While it is true that they posed certain difficulties, they were hardly the kind of monsters with the strength to bring scourge and drive out the local populace...

Don't judge them based on that brief skirmish.

She's just telling us to be on our guard… right?

... Skadi can be a bit curt, but she's not a bad person.

I don't think she said anything wrong. Nothing rules out the existence of stronger variants of these creatures being out there.

…….

Skadi's concern only served to fan my curiosity, but…

… something about her expression communicated that I probably shouldn't pry, so I quietly quickened my pace as we walked to the village.