Author: Akashari	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mui	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“……Huh?”

The moment I turned back after escaping through the hole Mr. Nova had made, I saw it: the dragon’s enormous mouth, wide open.

That gaping maw, large enough to fit a hundred people, was shrouded in complete darkness. No teeth, no tongue—just an all-consuming void.

I had no idea what awaited inside that darkness if I were to be swallowed. Yet, for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw something move within it.

“A… person?”

No, it wasn’t my imagination. I was certain of it. It was a human hand—a baby’s hand, at that.

Were there others who’d been attacked besides us? But if they’d come into contact with the ghost ship’s curse, then surely—

—Waah.

“…!”

Even with my ears still ringing from the dragon’s roars, I couldn’t mistake the sound of a newborn’s cry.

I knew—of course I knew—that Master would scold me for this later, probably a lot.

But before I could think it through, I found myself diving straight into that darkness.

――――――――…………
――――……
――…

“Yooooou absolute idiot! I-D-I-O-T! Something like that is almost certainly a trap!!”
“But what if it really was a baby? That would be terrible, wouldn’t it?! And I was right! See, look!”
“See, look, you say, but I can’t see or hear anything over here! I’m busy, so don’t throw unnecessary information at me!”

Dodging the lethal attacks coming at me from every direction while listening to Momo’s nonsense was practically impossible.

Honestly, just hearing her talk gave me an endless list of complaints I could unload, but right now, even spending the energy to voice them felt like a waste.

“Let’s confirm the situation. You saw a baby inside the dragon’s mouth and dove in to rescue it! So far, so good?”
“Yes! And I’ve successfully secured the baby!”
“You’re holding the baby in your hands, right? Now, Momo, how’s your own self-awareness? Can you still feel the shape of your body properly?”
“I’m not sure! It’s pitch black in here, so I can’t see anything at all!”
“…I see.”

Without more information on Momo’s condition, several hypotheses came to mind:

First, it could all be a trap. Momo might already be dead, and I could be talking to some puppet controlled by the ghost ship, luring me in.

Second, only the baby might be a trap—a lure meant to fool the gullible. But would they really go to such convoluted lengths?

Third, there was the possibility that Momo had miraculously survived and was genuinely rescuing a survivor from inside the ghost ship.

“…That’s a bit too optimistic.”
“Hey, Laika. I’ve received your message. This is my reply.”

Just as I was deliberating over what to do next, the message I’d sent to the city returned.

As expected of the house head, such a level of magecraft was no issue for him. This also showed that Stell’s future prospects were promising.

“We’ve settled on a course of action. Once the evacuation of non-combatants is complete, the remaining wizards and sorcerers will launch a coordinated assault.”
“……I see.”

Messages sent via wind magecraft were one-way; even if I replied, there would be no response.

A concentrated barrage from the forces of Aldebaran… How effective it would be against the dragon remained to be seen, but it was likely a sound plan.

After all, the saint was among the sorcerers. But if they initiated the attack, the fallout could very well reach Momo inside the dragon, regardless of their intent.

“…Hey, Momo, Momo, can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear! What’s up?”
“I’ve received word from Aldebaran. They’re planning a magical assault on the dragon advancing toward the city.”
“Wait, the dragon’s heading to the city? I thought it was just aimlessly moving! We’ve got to stop it!”

“Exactly. While I can’t say for certain whether they’ll be able to take it down, one thing is sure: you and the child inside it will be in grave danger when the attack starts.”
“What?! Then, Master, can you hold out just a bit longer? I want to at least ensure this child’s safety!”
“……”

Ah, I’d worried for nothing. This girl’s undoubtedly genuine.

She has the gall to overestimate her master’s abilities and, shamelessly enough, tries to save others—even at her own expense. That relentless selflessness, bordering on foolhardy, is something no trap could possibly replicate.

“……Alright. I’ll buy you some time to work out a solution. In the meantime, see if you can do something on your end as well.”
“Thank you! I love you, Master!”
“Say whatever you want. Just know there’s no guarantee I’ll manage before the attack begins.”

There’s still some time, considering the dragon’s distance from the city, its movement speed, and the effective range of magic and magecraft.

But once the assault starts, retreating before getting caught in the crossfire will be our only option. While I alone might sense the magical surge in time to escape, it’s a different story for Momo.

“…Now, a dragon hunt after a thousand years. Guess I’ll see this through until I’m out of options.”
“Guuooooo…!!”

――――――――…………
――――……
――…

“Hmm, Master told me to figure something out, but… what should I do?”

I mulled over my options, shrouded in pitch darkness where even my own hands were invisible.

Escape? Not a chance—I couldn’t tell left from right. All I knew for sure was the sensation of water lapping against my legs and the weight of what I assumed to be a baby cradled in my arms.

If only I’d brought my smartphone. But, no, I’d left it powered off and stuffed in my bag back at the inn.

“Light… light… Oh, right. I can use magecraft!”

Since arriving in this world, I’d managed to learn only two things.
The first: a spell to vaguely locate someone by pointing at them.
The second: a tiny bit of magecraft I’d practiced endlessly after coming here.

Careful not to let any flames get too close to the baby, I focused all my attention on the tip of my index finger.

“Mgh… mghhhh… fiire~come!”

I chanted in my mind, willing it into existence for a good five seconds.

After what felt longer than striking a match, a small flame finally flickered to life at my fingertip, no brighter than a candle.

It was so fragile it seemed like the slightest breath might snuff it out, but at this moment, it was the most reliable thing in the world.

“It worked! It lit! Oh—wait, the baby!”

With the light now illuminating my surroundings, the first thing I checked was the baby’s condition.

The flickering flame revealed what I held in my arms: something shaped like a baby but covered in pure blackness, as if dipped in ink.

It stirred faintly, wriggling its tiny limbs, and let out soft, restless murmurs.

“Wh-what… is this…?”

“Ah… uuu…”
“Is it… alive?”

Was this another effect of the ghost ship? But unlike before, the baby—or whatever it was—radiated a faint warmth that felt undeniably alive.

Its appearance was unsettling, sure, but I could tell: this little one wasn’t beyond saving.

“It’s okay, don’t worry… I’m here with you… But seriously, where am I?”

Wading through the water, I pushed forward without any clear direction. I had no clue where I was going, but standing still wouldn’t accomplish anything.

What was this water anyway? Stomach acid? Probably not—if it were, I’d have been dissolved long ago. At least, I hoped that wasn’t the case.

With the faint flame as my only guide, I brushed my free hand against the walls while trudging forward. Before long, my fingers grazed something unexpected.

“———Huh? What’s this…?”

It wasn’t soft, organic, or fleshy like I’d expected. On the contrary, it felt rough and solid—wooden, maybe.

Bringing the flame closer, I saw it. The faint, flickering light illuminated the contours of an object made of wood.

“Is this a… ship?”

What I touched, half-submerged and in utter ruin, was unmistakable. It was a vessel long since rotted and crumbled, bringing the name “Ghost Ship” into mind.

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