In the midst of the tumultuous cacophony of artillery fire, a mysterious ghostly doppelganger of a ship had mysteriously materialized. It charged fearlessly across the war-torn battlefield, right under the scrutinizing gaze of the embattled parties. Its presence seemed to arrest not only the crew aboard the Sea Mist but also left a noticeable impact on those imitation warships lurking deep in the mist, leaving them dumbfounded for a fleeting moment.

Suddenly, from his peripheral, Tyrian caught Aidens voice slicing through the deafening chaos: Captain the one that just streaked past seemed to have also emerged from the obscurity of the fog. Should we launch an attack?

Upon hearing Aidens query, every eye on the ships bridge swiveled to their captain. His words from moments ago still echoed in their minds: Anything unfamiliar that intrudes upon this ocean during battle is presumed to be an enemy.

Attack my foot! Tyrian retorted after a few seconds of strained silence, Do we even stand a chance of catching up?! And did you not witness the silhouette of that ship under the water?

Aiden withdrew, a flicker of light playing off his bald head. After a pause, he admitted, Yes, I noticed it. The shadow it appeared to be engulfed in an eerie, ghostly flame.

No sooner had the first mates words dissipated than a deep, resonating rumble emanated from within the Sea Mists hull. Concurrently, a sudden blast of the whistle from above the ships deck rang out this ship, its very essence altered by some mystical power, and once a protector of the Vanished Fleet, seemed to be autonomously acknowledging the first mates observation.

The ship has also picked up on it, Aiden surveyed his surroundings before turning back to Tyrian, his face a jumble of emotions, Captain, any thoughts on what that ship could possibly be?

Maybe its something my father had put in place, Tyrian replied, his tone heavy with seriousness, Dont question it too much. Lets focus on the ongoing battle. And send a word out to all our allies, including the Frost Navy, to refrain from obstructing that peculiar Oh, forget it, given its pace

Tyrians sentence was cut short as the sailor beside him, who was tasked with monitoring the radio, abruptly received a transmission. Rising to his feet, he announced: Captain! Weve just received word from the Frost Navys Sea Owl. Theyre reporting an unusual, super-speed ghost ship that has just shot past them, heading directly towards Frost. Theyre inquiring if its one of ours.

A tired sigh escaped Tyrian as he pinched the bridge of his nose. After a moment, he dismissively waved his hand: We cant reveal any details about the Vanished to them. Simply say that its an ally without offering any further explanation. Once things settle down a little, I will personally get in touch with him.

Understood, Captain!

As the cannons continued their ferocious symphony, the onslaught of fire and explosions within the mist didnt cease in the slightest, not even during this brief interlude. Amid the majestic spouts of water erupting in the distance, Tyrians contemplative gaze pierced through the heavy fog blanketing the combat zone, quietly observing the direction in which the peculiar ship had just disappeared.

I believe we just collided with something!

From the porthole, Lawrence rushed back to his workstation. He loudly addressed a small mirror placed on his desk, his gaze anxiously darting back and forth between the mirror and the ominous view outside. The sea beyond the porthole, shrouded in darkness and haze, seemed to be teeming with countless shadowy, intangible entities bobbing on the surface, rendering it nearly impossible to distinguish between reality and illusion.

And amongst these phantom images, the White Oak was speeding its way.

Black fog roiled within the mirror, and emerging from the gloom was a female adventurer clad in a captains uniform.

We didnt collide with anything, Martha assured him, her smile brimming with mirth, We almost did, though.

An almost collision is still pretty terrifying! Lawrence snatched up the small mirror as he hastened towards the window, his words tumbling out rapidly, With no reference points, I didnt notice how fast were going. Whats our current speed?!

Exceptionally fast, astonishingly so insubstantial illusions can glide through the waves as swiftly as the wind, Martha answered, her smile unwavering as she met Lawrences eyes through the mirror, Do you remember the promise you made to me years ago? You said you wished to transform the White Oak and Black Oak into the finest vanguard exploration ships, and then, together with me, sweep across the sea like the wind my love, we are currently at a seven or eight.

That was a figure of speech! A figure of speech! A spark of panic flickered in Lawrences eyes. Just as he was about to retort, another colossal illusion nearly skimmed past his porthole. This illusion boasted a towering bridge and distant-pointing gun turrets, embroiled in a battle with adversaries in another realm. The White Oak-Black Oak seemed to have barely whizzed past its primary cannon.

After a moment, Lawrence raised his hand and lightly tapped his forehead, sighing in resignation: Forget it, as long as were safe. Whats the current situation outside?

Were navigating through the war zone, Martha replied, her tone steady.

War zone? Whos in conflict?

Martha pivoted her gaze in the mirror, seemingly surveying her surroundings. After a brief pause, she returned her attention to Lawrence: In the tangible world, its the Frost Navy. Theyre combating the renowned Mist Fleet. Their opponents are the illusory duplicates that have transitioned from the mirror realm into the real world.

A weighty unease lodged itself within Lawrences chest, his facial features pulling into a grim mask: Has the end time arrived?

It appears so, Martha answered in a gentle tone, The mirror world is beginning to intersect with the real one. The final anti-phase process is now underway.

So soon? I thought you mentioned this process wouldnt kick off prematurely?

I could only estimate loosely, Lawrence. Ever since our departure from the counterfeit fleet, my connection with this mirrored dimension has been diminishing rapidly. Im unsure of the precise occurrence, but evidently, someone has intentionally hastened the mirrors anti-phase process

Lawrence fell silent for a moment, and his gaze was affixed on the nebulous, tumultuous sea outside and the unending parade of illusionary shadows. After a pause, he abruptly queried, Are we still navigating through the mirrored sea?

Yes, we remain ensnared within this mirror realm, Martha confirmed with a nod, But the boundary between the mirror world and reality is rapidly fading we are running short on time.

What will occur once the anti-phase process completes? Lawrence pressed further.

When a city-state morphs into a spawning ground for the advent of ancient deities, what do you presume would happen? Martha replied with an equanimity that contrasted sharply with her words.

Subconsciously, Lawrence began to knead his temples.

Damn it, how far are we from reaching Frost?

Were almost there, Martha indicated outside the window by raising her hand within the mirror, From my side, I can already discern the glow of the port area. An astounding number of ships, spanning half a centurys worth of wrecks, alongside countless duplicates, are converging in the surrounding sea. However, they seem to be disregarding the Black Oak, at least for the time being.

Seriousness etched deeply into his features, Lawrence nodded. He picked up the mirror he used to converse with Martha, swung open the door, and exited his captains quarters. As he made his way towards the bridge, he questioned in a grave tone, What do you need me to do once we dock at Frost?

Locate their stronghold. The energy employed to create and sustain this mirror realm is nestled deep within Frost. I can perceive its approximate location, Marthas perpetual smile faded into a solemn expression as she locked gazes with Lawrence, her tone adopting a particularly serious quality, And as soon as you commence the search, the counterfeits surrounding the city-state are likely to react right away. Ill devise a strategy to keep them at bay.

Can the Black Oak and White Oak manage to fend them off single-handedly? You mentioned earlier that a vast number of ships are congregating

We are part of the Vanished Fleet, Lawrence, Marthas lips curled into a small, reassuring smile, And besides, we are not the sole participants in this conflict.

Grasping her implications, Lawrence looked contemplatively out of the window where those shadowy ships continued their battle on the distant waters.

As the minutes ticked by, the boundary between the mirrored world and reality grew ever more indistinct. Soon, the entire sea, encompassing both the Mirror Frost and Real Frost, would be ablaze.

I understand, Lawrence replied, withdrawing his gaze from the window. He continued his brisk walk towards the bridge, speaking again, But theres one last concern. I can guide the team into Frost, but how do we handle that entity embedded deep within the city-state? If its truly an ancient god, or a fragment of one as youve suggested, then our conventional weaponry may prove ineffective.

He had reached the bridge by now.

Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Lawrence pushed the door open.

His first mate, second mate, the ships pastor, and his crewall were waiting for him there.

Also present was the peculiar anomaly 077 Sailor. This mummified figure had somehow acquired a crew hat from the White Oak, which now sat atop its head, and was sitting upright in a chair, observing the rest of the crews activities with an almost childlike curiosity.

Approaching them, Lawrence was met with salutes from his crew.

Marthas voice drifted out from the mirror: You will receive assistance.

In the process of returning his crews salutes, Lawrences attention was caught by Marthas words. Surprised, he glanced at Martha in the mirror: Assistance?

Yes, assistance. They have been battling within the depths of this mirrored world for many years, seeking to penetrate the doorway to the city-states core, yet theyve never managed to succeed. Find them. There will be no need to explain your purpose. They will naturally provide you with support most likely.

Most likely?!

I cant guarantee it because Im unsure about their true nature or their capacity to communicate with humans. Lawrence, even though Ive spent numerous years here, my freedom has been significantly curtailed.

Alright, I understand, Lawrence sighed, before curiosity took over, I assumed we were the sole ones combating the counterfeits in this area. I didnt expect there were others. Who are they?

They refer to themselves as the Queens Guard.