When Duncan first began this journey to the end of the world, he made a pact with that Black Sun — once he reached the border of Order and confirmed the foundation stones for the new world, he would respond to the Black Sun’s request for a place in that new world.
In return, the Black Sun would show him a “clue” related to the new world.
Now, the ship Lost-Homeland had reached this Sea of Ashes, and the time to keep that appointment had come.
Far in the captain’s cabin, Alice obediently sat on the bed with her back to Duncan.
The navigation key slid into the doll’s keyhole with a click and, accompanied by a faint grinding, began to turn by itself — after the familiar slight dizziness and perception reset, the surroundings at Duncan’s side had transformed into the grand yet unusually eerie hall of Alice Manor.
The manor’s door, dark in color and carved with complex patterns, stood quietly at the end of the carpet.
Through the gap of the door there seemed to be drifting sunlight — the Black Sun’s projection should be waiting on the other side.
Duncan did not go straight out to meet it, however.
He first turned and moved deeper into the manor — he found Alice in the navigation room, holding a sketchpad and staring off blankly — then returned to the hall with the doll and stood before that door.