Deep Sea Embers

Morris, a distinguished historian, a polymath, a believer in the God of Wisdom, possesses valuable knowledge, which was currently in short demand for Duncan. At the same time, the old gentleman was also part of “high class” with certain connections and status in the human world, which could also come in handy at the right time.

Shirley and Dog, controlled shadow demon and summoner, shared a symbiosis relationship together. Their knowledge and combat power about the shadow realm meant they were able to perceive subjects beyond the wisdom of Morris.

Finally, there’s Nina, his well-behaved and cute niece – the current carrier of the sun fragment.

Duncan’s gaze slowly swept over the long table, and around this feast, several faces were nervous, some restrained, and some with simple curiosity.

None of them seem to realize that a very special “group” has taken shape in this dinner, and what binds this group together is their common identity at the moment: The crew of the Vanished.

“My previous promise is still valid, that the status of the crew of the Vanished does not restrict your personal freedom. I do not need coercive allegiances, nor sacrificial offerings or anything like that—all of this means nothing to me,” Duncan said slowly, his voice low and soft like the waves coming from the porthole nearby. “But given the connection between you all share with me now, this connection can be regarded as a… loose organized team.”

“Frankly, I’ve been away from the civilized world for many years. Morris should know very well about this point and how long the Vanished hasn’t been cited within the past century. I also know about the many terrifying and frightening stories about me, about this ship, and I admit that these stories have a factual basis to go upon. Truth is, for many years… the ship was out of control.”

“But as you can see, I have regained my humanity and re-stabilized the state of the Vanished, and now… I am interested in the civilized world that’s a century ahead of my time.”

Duncan said unhurriedly. This speech was something he came up with during his fishing venture. He needed to recruit a new crew, and considering the doom and gloom history of the Vanished, coming out as a gentle and kind captain who regained his sanity was a good starting point. Minimally, it wouldn’t send the newcomers fleeing for their lives in the first notion of being recruited.

As for the newcomers believing his story or not… That’s a problem only the other side could resolve.

It has to be said that fishing was indeed a leisurely activity suitable for the mind and body. Duncan feels that he really should thank the gifts from nature… thank the heirs of the Deep Sea.

Hearing Duncan’s words, Morris’s face immediately showed a thoughtful expression. He still had trouble believing what he heard was the true voice and not a fabrication of his illusions. In fact, he also had trouble believing the Vanished actually looked like this and not something else entirely. However, he didn’t dismiss the friendly attitude of the captain shown thus far. Finally, and gradually, he’s starting to be convinced…

At least, if this statement were to be true, the friendly performance of this subspatial shadow would become a little more plausible.

On the other hand, Shirley was still thinking and not fully comprehending the situation. However, Dog, who was sitting beside the gothic girl, had already understood everything: “That is to say, you need us… to be your kin and do something in this world?”

“It’s just a possibility,” Duncan said with a smile, “when I require the help, I will ask. Also, you’ve misunderstood something about being my kin – you are to be my crew member. So, it’s okay to call me Captain or in the same manner as before.”

“Then how will you contact us? Ah, of course, I know you have an avatar in the city-state of Pland, but I mean…” Morris asks after giving it some thought.

“I know what you are thinking,” Duncan nodded lightly without waiting for the other party to finish. “If I want to find you, I will naturally get to you all, and if you need to contact me in an incident, you can call my name or the Vanished near a smooth mirror. I can hear it through that medium. In addition, flames can also increase my strength, and if you are in danger, you can light a flame after calling my name.”

Morris listened, the expression on his face growing a little troubled by the news. He still believed in the God of Wisdom at heart, yet now, he’s semi-actively joining a “heretical group”. Then to top it off, he’s also learning knowledge from a subspatial shadow, a being equivalent to a god.

Out of reflex, the old scholar rubbed the colorful bracelet enchanted with blessings on his wrist.

The Lord didn’t see it, the Lord doesn’t mind, and the Lord believes you’re doing the right thing.

Meanwhile, Nina’s eyes widened slightly after listening to Duncan’s words, her face a little excited: “It sounds so amazing!”

This gleeful reaction actually caught Duncan by surprise: “Nina, you don’t need any additional flames…”

Nina didn’t catch on: “Huh? Why?”

Then without waiting for Duncan to answer, she answered her own question: “Oh, oh I understand, I understand, I can…”

“Don’t transform here!” Duncan saw the air around Nina faintly flaring up and quickly cut her off, “Until you can master the power brought by the sun fragment, you are not allowed to try switching to your other form in an enclosed or crowded place!”

Nina instantly deflated her head: “Oh…”

Duncan became relieved after seeing the air calming down again.

So far, Nina has been able to keep the sun fragment’s power at bay thanks to the properties of him being a “flame usurper”. Until the girl fully grasps the magnitude of her newfound flames, it’s imperative she does not try anything beyond her control.

“We may be adding new members in the future, too.” Duncan mused for the right words before continuing, “So, let’s use today’s dinner as a standard process for new members when they join. I think it will also help in strengthening the relationship between team members.”

Morris subconsciously glanced at the dinner plate before him, feeling as if he’s glimpsed into the truth.

But what else could the scholar say? He’s already a member of this ship, has accepted the protection of Mr. Duncan, and the meat of the Deep Sea heir has been placed in front of him as dinner – though more like a ritual offering – it’s obviously too late to quit.

Then glancing to the gluttonous dove that’s diving head first into the mountain of fries, the old scholar could only sigh inwardly. He’s always been a man of learning, and now he’s gotten his chance to become legendary. What more could he ask for?

But before he could continue this spiraling self-inflicting comfort, Miss Alice had suddenly stood up and broken the silence by speaking to the captain: “Ah, Captain, are there going to be more crewmembers aside from me in the future?”

“You just realized?” Duncan glanced at the puppet casually, “Of course you are no longer the only crew here, and before they leave, you will have to teach them the crew code, just like how Goathead taught you back then.”

Alice dumbly blinked for a second before getting the point. Then out of habit, she clapped her hand and giggled like a kid: “Okay! Then I’ll later…”

In the next second, perhaps due to the excitement, a familiar pop suddenly sounded in Duncan’s ears. Next thing everyone knew, a blond head had rolled onto the middle of the table in plain view, causing a momentary silence to hang over the air.

“AHH!!! Her head is off, her head is off!” Shirley’s frantic scream was the first to break the awkward mood.

Chaos promptly ensued within the room, mainly Shirley and Nina running around and losing their minds. Meanwhile, Dog and Morris were busy trying to calm the kids down without losing their own cool.

And that’s how the new crew members of the Vanished started out their meeting…