Emerald III's Memory

Clara—her name is one recorded in Marks's memory.

The name of a girl who passed away over seventy years ago, and the girl encountered aboard the sunken ship, Emerald III.

The woman who came to visit claimed to be Clara's niece.

Though it's unclear what purpose the Lakewood woman had in coming, a brief conversation standing in the dockyard wasn't feasible.

Marks led the Lakewood woman to the cafeteria aboard the Fukubuki.

Though bare due to the vessel's military nature, it was far better than standing and talking.

Marks assumed the woman might like something to drink, but since the crew was all out, nothing had been prepared.

When he opened the refrigerator to check for anything else, all he found were Shinosuke's synthetic fruit teas lined up neatly.

There were also drinks belonging to Seira and Milena, but he hesitated to serve them without permission.

(There's no choice...)

Marks took out a bottle of synthetic fruit tea and presented it along with a cup before Mrs. Lakewood.

"I'm sorry, but this is all we have available. Master, this is Captain Kashimura's preferred drink, but his tastes are so peculiar that even we others can't quite understand them—so I can't really recommend it. The ingredients are perfectly safe and undoubtedly beneficial for health, but... still..."

Mrs. Lakewood smiled warmly at Marks' words.

"It's perfectly fine. After all, I'm the one who dropped in unexpectedly."

Mrs. Lakewood said this while pouring the synthetic fruit tea from the bottle into a cup and taking a sip.

"Oh, this is delicious. It has a unique flavor, but I don't mind it at all. It's as if... yes, it tastes like it's good for the body."

It was a subtle compliment, or perhaps not—either way, Marks decided not to worry about it, knowing full well it was Shinosuke's responsibility.

Although, strictly speaking, Marks—the doll—didn't need to sit in order to ask about the matter, he couldn't simply stand there after offering a chair to Mrs. Lakewood, so he took a seat directly across from her.

"By the way, you mentioned you're Clara's niece. What brings you here?"

Mrs. Lakewood began to explain the purpose of her visit in response to Marks' question.

I am the niece of Clara Lakewood's brother. Naturally, I have never met my aunt. My father, who is her brother, is still alive but elderly and ill, and does not have long to live. My father, who passed away still holding onto memories of his younger sister who died before she could grow up, recently learned that the Kasimura family, who discovered the Emerald III during her journey, are visiting this holy city. I could not bear to wait any longer, so I have come to offer my thanks, and if you would be willing, I would like to hear whatever you can tell me about the Emerald III.

Mrs. Lakewood has come to convey her thanks on behalf of her father in bed, and to ask about Clara. If that's the case, it seems we may need to have Shinosuke and Miliena return.

"I'm sorry. As I mentioned, Kasimura and the others are out, and we don't know when they'll be back. Let me try contacting them."

"No, no, it's not necessary. I'm the one who intruded unexpectedly. The information about Kasimura and the others discovering Emerald III has already been shared with personnel from the operating company and the families of the crew and passengers. Over seventy years since the disaster, the passage of time has given everyone more than enough time to accept the truth. It was received with relief and regarded as a final closure. My father should have been among those who accepted it, yet knowing of his brief time left, he often speaks fondly of his short memories with Clara. I just hoped, in some small way, I might be able to convey a little about my aunt..."

Indeed, it was Marks who met Clara within Emerald III.

Even if this were an incomprehensible phenomenon to Marks, the story might bring peace to Clara's brother's heart.

Of course, it might have the opposite effect, but that judgment should be left to Mrs. Lakewood.

Marks looked at Mrs. Lakewood.

"I do not endorse certain phenomena I am about to discuss. However, I will deliberately present the facts exactly as they occurred."

Mrs. Lakewood nodded seriously in response to Marks's words.

Marks recounted everything that had happened aboard that ship on that day, sharing it all with Mrs. Lakewood.

The record of crew and passengers desperately struggling against their fate.

The fact that not a single person used the cryogenic sleep device, and that all accepted death without conflict.

And the record of Emerald III Second-Class Crew Navigation Controller Reed Filder, found beside the preserved Clara.

How Clara's brightness had become a beacon for everyone's hearts amid extreme conditions.

And the inexplicable phenomenon that occurred before Marks and the others boarded the Emerald III.

"Could it be that Clara's spirit has been wandering within the Emerald III for over seventy years?"

Markus dismisses Mrs. Lakewood's words.

"I do not acknowledge that phenomenon. It is recorded as a bug within my system."

Mrs. Lakewood chuckles at Markus, who contradicts himself by explaining the matter yet denying its truth.

"Then, Mr. Markus, you've found the necklace Clara was searching for, haven't you?"

"It's not quite accurate to say she was searching for it, given she's already passed away, but it's true I returned the necklace to her."

"I believe Clara was very happy about it."

"That's incomprehensible to me, but I did detect what could be interpreted as 'thank you, uncle' at that moment. I'm only 25 years old, having been manufactured recently. The term 'uncle' is quite unacceptable to me."

Mrs. Lakewood listens to Markus's words with evident delight.

Before he realized it, a considerable amount of time had passed, and there was still no sign of Shinnosuke and the others returning.

"Oh dear, I’ve stayed too long, busy as you are. I should be heading back soon."

Mrs. Lakewood rose with a deep bow to Markus.

"If I tell my father about your story, he’ll surely be delighted. He’d probably say, 'I’m looking forward to meeting Clara among the stars of reincarnation.'"

Markus calls out to the back of Mrs. Lakewood as she walks away.

"That may never come true."

"Perhaps you, a doll, can't understand, but humans are fragile beings. It's not just religion—humans often find peace of mind by believing in such things."

No, it's not that—I was called 'uncle' by a girl who shared a 48.2 percent physical resemblance to Clara at the Central Colony of the Salius Province, Alliance of the Acneria Galaxy, after the incident on Emerald III.

Mrs. Lakewood, her expression one of mild confusion, turned back to Marx's words.

And smiled happily.

"If that's the case, then I'm truly happy. Clara must be living a joyful life in her next rebirth."

"I also reject the possibility. The girl I encountered was estimated to be around ten years old. There's a chronological inconsistency with the events on Emerald III. Master said the lingering soul had returned to her reborn self, but I simply cannot comprehend that."

"Yes... that might be true. I'm glad I got to talk with you today, Marks. Please convey my regards to Lady Kasimura and the others."

With those words, Mrs. Lakewood departed.

Several hours after Mrs. Lakewood left,

Shin nosuke and the others returned to Fubuki.

"Huh? Marks, you seem awfully happy."

Shin nosuke stared intently at Marks.

"Yes. I have something important to report to the Master."

Speaking thus, Marks reported today's events with a certain air of pride.