Deep Sea Embers

With a sigh of relief, Duncan couldn’t help but become lost in thought.

Although the reason for the amulet’s transformation remained unclear, Vanna’s information undoubtedly served as a wake-up call, heightening his awareness and mental readiness for any “strange phenomena” that might transpire around him.

In the future, it seemed he couldn’t casually give things away or make promises without careful consideration.

Duncan’s momentary silence captured Vanna’s attention, and she looked at him curiously, “Did you remember something?”

“After thoroughly reflecting on recent events, nothing appears to be out of the ordinary,” Duncan shook his head, speaking sincerely and calmly, “Could Heidi have been mistaken?”

“It’s unlikely. She’s an experienced psychiatrist with some knowledge of the supernatural field, and she’s well aware of her mental state,” Vanna shook her head, “But the issue with the amulet might indeed be something else… Maybe it’s just an extraordinary item mixed in with ordinary products, or perhaps something happened during the production process…”

As Vanna spoke slowly, it seemed as if she was not explaining to Duncan but instead hypnotizing and persuading herself.

As an inquisitor, she should maintain her vigilance against potential supernatural events, but her focus eventually shifted away from the amulet as gentle waves resonated within her mind. The sound brought relaxation to her mind, causing the lady to gradually forget the initial purpose of this visit.

In this state, Vanna began to carefully observe the shop in silence as if she were in a stupor.

Shirley and Nina had both returned from the outside and were stocking the shelves by themselves.

The blonde woman named Alice was busy near the small stove and readying the tea.

Then there’s Mr. Duncan, who sat behind the counter, his face wearing a friendly smile.

Everything appeared so warm and cozy from the surface, with the kettle emitting a sharp whistle from the boil just then. However, the shadowy corners and the second floor gave off an eerie vibe of murmuring whispers. It’s not inviting, especially the second floor, which felt like a tunnel into some perilous realm.

“The tea is ready,” Alice’s voice came from the side as she brought a cup of hot tea to the counter and pushed it towards Vanna, “Please enjoy.”

Vanna silently picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then chewed on it before expressionlessly swallowing the piping-hot liquid and leaves.

Seeing this, Duncan was amazed—he had never witnessed anyone so composed while drinking Alice’s tea before. Miss Vanna was indeed an extraordinary woman, far beyond comparison to ordinary people.

After a while, realizing that Vanna was just observing and had no intention of speaking, Duncan finally couldn’t help but break the silence, “Is there anything else besides the amulet?”

“Ah, apologies, I got lost in thought for a bit,” Vanna suddenly snapped back to reality and then abruptly coughed violently as if choking on something. She frowned at the empty teacup in front of her and shook her head, “No, that’s all. I just came here to inquire about this matter.”

“If you’re interested in the amulet, I can give you one,” Duncan chuckled, pushing the amulet he had just taken down towards her, “You can examine it when you go back.”

Vanna looked at the “crystal” amulet before her with surprise, and after a moment asked, “How much?”

“Let me offer it to you. It’s not worth much anyway; I usually bundle it with other sales,” Duncan said with a half-smile, “Or should I create an impressive-sounding product description? Do you prefer the historical artifact version or the health and wellness version?”

Vanna was taken aback, “Are… all the items sold here like this?”

“Legitimate business,” Duncan spread his hands, “If it were for sale, the base price is eight sola, with a health and wellness narrative, sixteen, and with a historical account, twenty-two. For twenty-five, you can have a black walnut box—the box guarantees no fading for half a year, and I can also provide a receipt for two hundred.”

Vanna, who had grown up in the upper city and joined the church before adulthood, had never encountered anything like this before and appeared somewhat bewildered, “Two… two hundred for a receipt?”

“It’s suitable for gifting to colleagues,” Duncan said earnestly, “and also for young people to give to their partners…”

After considering it, Vanna shook her head, “I likely don’t need that—but I can’t just take your items for free.”

With that, she rummaged through her pockets and pulled out two ten-sola banknotes, placing them on the counter.

“The original price is eight sola—the rest is for your cooperation and the tea you served earlier.”

Duncan wanted to say more, but he saw Vanna had already stood up and picked up the crystal pendant.

“It was a pleasure meeting you,” she smiled slowly, then suddenly spoke with an unusually serious expression and tone, raising her hand and placing the crystal pendant around her neck, “I look forward to our next encounter.”

Duncan sensed something was amiss about her and subconsciously furrowed his brow, but ultimately, he didn’t say anything more, just nodded politely, “Alright then, you’re welcome back anytime.”

Vanna nodded lightly and turned to leave.

She walked directly through the shop, out the door, and stopped in the open area in front of the antique shop.

A series of “beeping” horn sounds suddenly came from the nearby roadside.

Vanna blinked and noticed the car parked by the road, remembered the Grand Storm Cathedral’s arrival in Pland today, and hurriedly walked over and got in.

“You finally came out,” the young subordinate waiting in the car said as he quickly started the car, “It’s been almost an hour and a half. I was thinking if you didn’t come out, I would go in…”

“An hour and a half?” Vanna was somewhat surprised, “I thought… it had only been forty minutes.”

As she spoke, she tapped her forehead lightly, feeling as if she had forgotten something and couldn’t help but mutter, “I left in such a hurry, I don’t think I said goodbye.”

“Next time will be the same, after all, the shop is right here,” the young subordinate casually remarked. Then, he noticed the crystal amulet around Vanna’s neck through the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but be surprised, “Is that a new pendant you bought? It’s unexpected, you usually don’t buy these things.”

“Pendant?” Vanna looked down at her chest in confusion and hesitated for a couple of seconds before speaking, “Ah, yes, I bought it…”

She shook her head, seemingly fully awake now.

“Enough about that. Hurry up and head straight to the port.”

…

Inside the antique shop, Shirley was the first to run to the counter. She looked back uneasily in the direction Vanna had just left and turned to Duncan, “Why did the inquisitor come here? Was she here to arrest me?”

“You’re overthinking it,” Duncan looked at the anxious girl with an expression of helplessness, “She came to investigate something else, it has nothing to do with you.”

“Oh, as long as she’s not here to arrest me,” Shirley sighed in relief, but then couldn’t help but mutter, “She seemed strange today, her conversation was disjointed.”

“Maybe it is work pressure,” Duncan said casually, standing up from behind the counter, “After all, her boss is coming.”

Nina joined in at this point, and after hearing Duncan’s words, she quickly realized, “Boss… you mean the news on the newspapers earlier? The Grand Storm Cathedral?”

Duncan nodded with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Nina, Shirley, and Alice before suddenly asking, “Are you interested?”

“Interested?” Shirley was startled for a moment, then looked astonished as she realized what he meant, “Wait, are you going to…?”

“Today, there won’t be much business anyway. Most people will either go to the church for Mass or the port to visit. We’ll just be idling in the shop,” Duncan said matter-of-factly, “Let’s go see the grand arrival of the Grand Storm Cathedral. It’s not something you can witness every year.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Nina was already jumping with joy, “Great!”

Alice, on the other hand, didn’t know what was going on but seeing Nina so excited, she began clapping along. Only Shirley looked as if she had seen a ghost, “But… but… that’s the Grand Storm Cathedral! If we go there, won’t we…?”

Duncan looked at her with a half-smile, “Won’t what?”

Shirley looked up at Duncan, thought for a moment, and then shook her head vigorously, “Nothing at all!”

Duncan nodded in satisfaction.

He then looked up, his gaze passing over the streets outside the door, over the city, and towards the port of Pland.

In his transcendent perception that covered the entire city-state, he could already sense a majestic… “presence” gradually approaching Pland.

The Grand Storm Cathedral had arrived.