Deep Sea Embers

Lahem, the God of Wisdom, one of the four gods who sheltered the world in the Deep Sea Age. Like the Goddess of Storms and the Lord of Death, this god also wields two contradictory powers at the same time – he’s the giver of wisdom and also the overseer of foolishness.

The number of followers in this religion was small, and they often needed to undergo a rigorous examination to qualify for conversion. However, once they do, the believers would instantly receive both blessings after converting to this deity.

One was wisdom, which enables a mortal to gain insight into the truth, to acquire knowledge, to understand the workings of all things more easily, and to detect truths that may interfere with their own fate.

The second was foolishness, which could hold up a barrier called “ignorance” to keep the pollution and temptations of subspace away. Bluntly said, it’s a blessing to keep the user from the other world since foolishness couldn’t understand danger.

With Nina busy working in the kitchen upstairs, the sound of passing cars and horses on the street outside, the antique shop became particularly comfortable under this quiet atmosphere. It’s under this mood that Duncan sat behind the counter and crossed his arms to study the old scholar in front of him.

The protection of the God of Wisdom is indeed a good thing, but it is clear that his followers face greater dangers on a daily basis because of their professional habits and instinct for knowledge.

“I’m afraid only those who are the most outstanding and favored by the gods of wisdom can…” Morris rubbed his head as it ached due to the shrill voices from Duncan’s presence, “You might find this a bit ironic… but most of the Lahem believers do not meet the qualifications of being taken away by you…”

“Oh, so you’re exceptionally blessed,” Duncan muttered with a slightly strange expression, especially when he said the word ‘blessed’ due to how awkward it sounded. “The blessings you people have here is truly terrible… Hold on, how come you were alright the last time you came?”

Morris was a little surprised and taken aback. He didn’t know if Duncan was truly in the dark or playing ignorant with bad taste, but in the current situation, he didn’t dare to diverge his thoughts.

Answering directly to avoid being tempted: “Even the blessed Lahem believers don’t always open the ‘True Eye’. I didn’t use any of my powers when I came before, and this time…”

The old man smiled bitterly and pointed to his eyeballs – the monocle used to enhance the ritual effect had been removed, but one of his eyeballs remained faintly white with a floating halo seen between the whites and pupil.

Now this intrigued Duncan: “… So you can’t stop this effect at will?

“…… I tried to no avail,” Morris shook his head, “and even if it is successfully terminated, what does it matter at this point. I have already seen it… what you look like.

“…… Apologies, actually, I didn’t mean to cause you the pain.” Duncan was still feeling sorry and lowered his stance, “Will you be able to recover after you go back? Or do you need some special treatment?”

“I…” Morris opened his mouth, feeling very much conflicted due to the interaction. In his earlier years of studies, he had imagined himself one day encountering a shadow of subspace at some point due to all his research. The difference though was that he didn’t expect the shadow to be so intense and strange.

“I’m fine,” the old gentleman finally shook his head, “I’m much better now that you retracted your aura… I think I should be fine.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. It seems I will have to be more careful in the future. If there are more good-eyed individuals like you in the city then things will get very troublesome.” Duncan nodded, and then asked with more curiosity, “Then it’s safe to assume you didn’t visit today only to deliver the medical report? What are you looking for?”

A rocking thud hit Morris inside.

When he met Duncan’s gaze, all he saw was an ordinary middle-aged face with a little curiosity and concern, but around that face though, between the shelves and such, the environment was starting to twist and warp little by little.

It wasn’t until the other party’s voice suddenly sounded again that the distortion in Morris’s vision returned to its original state.

“You’re hesitating, you’re having concerns, and you don’t want to answer this question.” Duncan was able to read the other person’s emotions from the eyes alone, “Is it related to Miss Heidi?”

“How do you know…”

“Miss Heidi is a psychiatrist and seems to be a believer of Lahem. Though her experience doesn’t seem to be as deep as yours,” Duncan replied lightly. “Now that I think about it, the last time she left with Miss Vanna, she did act a bit strange… Considering your reaction to my question just now, it’s not hard to connect the dots.”

“…… It’s indeed as you said,” Morris sighed, knowing that he could no longer hide it. “After Heidi returned that night, I found that her mental protection had been bypassed. At that time, I only thought there was something dangerous in this antique shop, I didn’t expect…”

He sighed again and looked at the already frowning Duncan on the other side.

Heidi… The young psychiatrist merely gave Nina a hypnotherapy in the antique shop, yet her mental protection was pierced? I didn’t know about it at all, and Heidi herself didn’t seem to have found out either!

There’s unease in Morris’s face as he watched the other man across the counter. He didn’t know what the ghost captain was thinking to be so lost in thought, nor did he dare to ask so casually.

Taking advantage of this short but quiet moment to repair his damaged mind, the old scholar also took the opportunity to secretly glance at the stone bracelet on his wrist.

There are still four colored stones, the sign that Lahem’s blessing remains intact.

This gave a breath of relief to the old scholar.

“She doesn’t know anything, right?” It’s then Duncan looked up and asked.

“That’s right, Heidi doesn’t know anything,” Morris said immediately. Only when it came to matters related to his daughter did his mind became clear, “She didn’t even find out that her protective charm was damaged, let alone that I am here today…”

“Then I won’t bother her. As my apology, consider the debit with the museum settled between us,” Duncan said politely.

Speaking of this, he paused, and then thought of another question that roused his curiosity: “So, can you describe it to me in detail? Describe what you just saw, if it’s not too troublesome of course.”

Morris didn’t react for a while, forcing Duncan to explain further: “I’m curious about what I look like in the eyes of a different ‘observer’. Looking in the mirror will not solve this problem.”

Duncan was really curious about this matter, and understanding his “true form” in the eyes of different people may also help to master his special powers and uncover the secrets of this body.

Morris hesitated for a moment. The inhuman horror he saw at the door of the antique store once again appeared in his mind, causing the sanity that had quelled to loosen again.

But under Duncan’s direct gaze, he gulped and slowly spoke in a low voice: “I saw… that you are a giant filled with chaotic starlight, standing on the twisted and grotesque street while supporting Nina. She’s an arc-shaped steam of flame constantly erupting…”

Duncan originally nodded slowly when he heard the first half of the sentence, thinking that his image was indeed worthy of his reputation in the Boundless Sea. However, the second half of the sentence sent him into shock as his eyes popped. “Oomph! What are you talking about? What did you say Nina is in your eyes?!”

Morris got taken aback by the strong reaction, but didn’t bother to think about why: “I… saw an arcing flame that was erupting violently… Is there anything wrong with this?”

Duncan: “…”