Deep Sea Embers

Of course, Vanna knew that the nun was probably “non-existent” from the very beginning – the other party’s body had obviously died in the underground sanctuary many years ago. The one praying in the main hall was likely a phantom, an echo still lingering due to the corruption.

“There’s nothing in the corridors and rooms either!” The last two guardians who had gone to search returned with this finding.

Vanna’s brow furrowed as she pondered what this implicated.

The phantom disappeared, but when did she disappear?

Was it the second time we entered the underground church? Or was it after we discovered the string of numbers beside the body? Or… the moment when the green flame erased the message?

The former likely mean we disturbed the illusion by seeing through to the truth. If it’s the latter, it may be… it must be that ghost captain making a move.

Enough! I need to get out of here and inform Bishop Valentine of the current information I have. Afterward, investigate the archives to confirm why I’m getting such a strong warning from the goddess.

Vanna quickly led her team out of the church and came before the steam cars. But right before entering, she glanced back and saw the dilapidated church and the white dove perched atop the spire. For some reason, she couldn’t take her eyes off of that bird, the only sign of life in these parts.

Why is this dove still there?

Vanna couldn’t help but mutter in her heart. However, she quickly squashed that doubt and arranged for everyone to depart. Overthinking something so small was unlike her, especially when she’s been compromised.

Meanwhile, the white dove had also taken to the air with the rumbling of the steam cars. She did not fly far though, only to a nearby alley that was out of view from the guardians.

Following a swoosh of green flaming vortex, Duncan stepped through the burning door that Ai created for him.

It was the right call to pull the lid off this matter. Compared to Shirley and Dog’s investigative abilities, having professionals take a look is far more yielding.

When close enough, Duncan could directly monitor the movements of those he imprinted beforehand. In the case of Vanna, he’s already reinforced the connection during the last visit to the shop; therefore, he could hear and see everything she did within the chapel earlier. Right now, the man’s sorting through the information he obtained in his head.

So the nun likely didn’t get attacked by an intruder, but instead she had to fight against her own doppelganger from subspace? And a clergy can become a direct gateway into the real world if corrupted? That’s something new…

The last bit was the most concerning for Duncan amongst all the intel he had obtained thus far. It surprised him and confused him because it didn’t really make sense.

Duncan didn’t know much about the gods of this world and their churches. But nevertheless, he could confirm the position of these religions was on the side of order and light based on his observation. The fact that a clergy of such a righteous faction could fall so deeply if they slipped was worrisome. But most of it begs the question of why?

It appears the connection between the subspace and the real world is more complicated than I first thought…

In addition, there is the number “1885” left by the nun.

If Vanna’s judgment is correct, the nun died not in 1889 but in 1885, and the chapel should have been consumed by the distortion since that year!

What does this all mean?

Duncan’s thoughts process was getting muddy by all the contradicting new information. Heaving a long sigh, he rubbed his fingertip and summoned up a cluster of green flames.

He could clearly feel the ghost fire spreading beyond the curtain on the other side due to the constant feedback.

This was his third puzzle.

Unlike Vanna’s theory of him interfering and wiping away the string of numbers from the floor, he didn’t. In fact, the guy was more confused than the lady in this regard. The reason? It’s because the feedback he’s getting wasn’t from the present but from 1885 itself in the past!

Duncan fell into a sudden stupor at what this hinted.

Maybe… it’s not an illusion…

For some reason, he suddenly recalled the first time he studied Alice’s coffin box and how the Frost Queen spoke to him.

“… Please don’t pollute history…”

Duncan’s face sank like a murky puddle at remembering another sentence he heard not long ago: Everything in this world can be polluted except subspace.

……

Vanna made it back to the cathedral in record time. She wanted to confirm what was going on in the archive and why her memory was in discord; however, she still made sure to meet Valentine first to give the old man her report.

After listening to the inquisitor’s story, Valentine didn’t comment and only furrowed his forehead in deep thought. After a good long minute, he finally spoke like he’s getting a toothache: “Subspace… is truly the most troublesome type of trouble.”

“As we prepared to leave, the string of numbers pointing to 1885 in the chapel and the nun praying in the main hall was gone. It’s possibly related to the power of that ‘Captain Duncan,\'” Vanna added, “but we did not stay in the church for fear of the contamination spreading.”

“…… You are right to be cautious,” Bishop Valentine nodded slightly. “We cannot be certain of that ghost captain’s attitude, and now it seems that although he did provide us with an important piece of information, he also erased some clues at the end… In any case, he is not our friend.”

Vanna pondered for a moment and met the old bishop’s gaze: “Is there any reply from church headquarters? Have you reported the situation to the Pope?”

Valentine nodded firmly: “I have reported all the situation here to the central Storm Cathedral, and Her Majesty the Pope has said that she will send support as soon as possible. As you know, the church’s ship is still far from Pland. It is difficult for even the fastest clipper ship to arrive in a few days, so… Be prepared to be on our own if worst comes to pass.”

As he spoke, the old bishop sighed softly and turned to gaze at the statue of Gomona.

“Disaster is brewing, and we do not know when it will break out. Whether or Pland can wipe away the haze will depend on our ability.”