Chapter 401: The Fog
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.com
The Silent Cathedral sat at the heart of Frost, an independent city-state, perched on its mountainous peak. The imposing structure stood silently under brooding clouds, adding to its solemn and melancholic aura. Its towering spires, like thorny blades, pierced the misty atmosphere, overlooking the city below.
Amid the bustling crowd in the plaza before the cathedral, a tall figure strolled casually, taking in the picturesque scene like a tourist. Soon, an elderly gentleman in a dark brown coat approached with a purposeful stride, exuding warmth.
Spotting Morris weaving through the crowd, Vanna discreetly moved to a quieter area.
“Everything seems normal around the cathedral square,” Vanna said, leaning against a lamppost and gazing at the cathedral’s entrance.
“Same at City Hall. The residents show no signs of psychological or cognitive issues,” Morris replied, cleaning his monocle. “But I’ve noticed something.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“Some people near the square were talking about recent sewer inspections. They mentioned the Second Waterway and a Gatekeeper Agatha leading the team,” Morris explained.
“Gatekeeper Agatha?” Vanna’s brows furrowed. “But the Captain told us…”
“The real Agatha is trapped in an illusory Frost,” Morris said gravely. “The one leading the team must be an imposter.”
Vanna took a deep breath and looked up at the Silent Cathedral. The structure, stark against the gloomy sky, had spires emerging from the fog.
Her expression hardened. “If nothing seems wrong with the cathedral, we have two possibilities: either the imposter has deceived the cathedral, or…”
“Or the Death Church of Frost is compromised. There’s a significant problem within the cathedral,” Morris agreed. “We need to inform Mr. Duncan immediately.”
Vanna nodded, and they headed towards the plaza’s exit. Before leaving, she glanced at the area opposite the Silent Cathedral, where City Hall stood. Once known as Winter’s Court, now the Queen’s Palace, its spires reached into the mist, standing silent against the foreboding sky.
Vanna suddenly froze. Morris, noticing her reaction, turned swiftly. “Vanna? What did you see?”
Vanna remained silent, staring into the fog with a sense of deja vu. The city hall seemed to revert to its previous form, an architectural marvel with numerous arched domes, flanked by long corridors and continuous arches.
“Vanna? What’s wrong?” Morris asked again.
“I saw another cathedral where City Hall stands,” Vanna said, her voice low and serious. “Just for a moment, but I’m sure of it.”
“Another cathedral?” Morris looked around but saw only the normal city hall. He didn’t doubt Vanna’s vision, knowing her divine sight surpassed that of ordinary people.
“This isn’t good,” Morris muttered, adjusting his hat. “It suggests escalating contamination.”
Vanna frowned, looking down at the city. “The fog is thickening, covering everything.”
The fog had started in the heart of Frost and spread throughout the city, now veiling the entire island in a hazy whiteness.
“Look at the thick fog outside!” Shirley called from the second-floor bedroom window, her head sticking out as she observed the streets in surprise.
Dog joined her at the window, his skeletal head peeking out. After a while, he spoke, “The dense fog is due to a temperature difference between day and night, combined with human activities increasing water vapor, leading to airborne dust particles. When the moist air cools rapidly, it results in…”
“Dog, what are you talking about?” Shirley asked, confused.
“He’s quoting from ‘The Logic Behind Nature.’ He’s been reading it for days,” Nina said from her desk, not looking up from her homework. “You should try simpler books. They help improve vocabulary. If you’re overwhelmed by text, start with picture books.”
Shirley hesitated, then replied, “Are you saying my vocabulary is so poor I can only handle picture books?”
Nina, still focused on her work, responded, “No, just stating the obvious. You can only handle picture books. It’s not an insult, just a fact…”
Shirley looked ready to argue but was distracted by the fog outside. “Let’s drop it. Come look at the fog! It’s the thickest I’ve ever seen!”
“Pland has small temperature differences and breezy conditions that prevent fog,” Nina explained, still focused. “I can’t look now. I have homework. Professor Morris’s test is tricky. The multiple-choice questions are misleading. I keep choosing the wrong option…”
“If in doubt, pick C,” Shirley suggested. Then, “Want to step out? There’s a pastry shop across the street. With this weather, it might be empty. We could get discounted cakes…”
“I’m not interested,” Nina said. “Go ahead. I won’t tell Uncle Duncan…”
A rustling sound interrupted, silencing the girls.
“Did you hear that?” Shirley backed away from the window, looking around the room
warily.
Nina, now alert, noticed something odd happening with her exam paper and textbooks. The text seemed to move, symbols spinning, and black ink marks trembling as if alive. Black shadows seeped from the edges, spreading rapidly across the paper.
Within seconds, every textbook and paper on Nina’s desk began to shake and convulse. A cacophony of whispers mingled with the rustling sound, filling the room with an eerie presence.
“Your books are possessed!” Shirley exclaimed, instinctively raising the chain binding her to Dog. As she shouted, an insidious entity, attracted by the essence of knowledge, began to manifest, crossing into the physical realm.
Dark dust swirled violently, forming a tangible shape. Skeletal fragments rolled across the floor, rapidly assembling into grotesque creatures—three dark hounds materialized, growling menacingly with eyes filled with madness.
Their eyes locked onto Dog, who lay stunned by the window.
The three shadowy hounds and Dog stared at each other, a moment of confusion visible in the demons’ expressions. But Shirley reacted swiftly.
With a fierce swing, she used Dog like a meteor hammer, smashing him into the nearest demon. The impact shattered the first shadow demon instantly.
The second demon barely had time to open its jaws before a wave of intense heat engulfed it. Nina, her foot ablaze at 6000°C, delivered a scorching kick that obliterated the second demon.
Shirley and Nina worked seamlessly, their years of practice evident in their swift, coordinated attacks. As the third demon lunged at them, Nina dodged to the side, allowing Shirley to bring Dog crashing down on it, reducing it to shards like the first.
Breathing heavily, the girls scanned the room for any remaining threats. The fog outside thickened, pressing against the windows as if trying to force its way in.
Nina, catching her breath, muttered, “We need to find Uncle Duncan. Something is very wrong.”
Shirley nodded, still holding Dog protectively. “Let’s go. We can’t stay here.”
The girls hurried downstairs, the oppressive fog looming closer. They knew they had to reach Duncan and warn him about the escalating dangers in Frost. The city, once a safe haven, was now shrouded in a mysterious and malevolent fog that threatened to engulf everything in its path.
As they stepped outside, the thick fog enveloped them, reducing visibility to mere feet. They moved quickly through the deserted streets, their destination clear: the only person who could help them make sense of the surreal events unfolding around them.
Vanna and Morris, now outside the cathedral, hurried through the fog-choked streets toward their rendezvous point with Mr. Duncan. The eerie silence of the city, coupled with the unnatural fog, created an oppressive atmosphere.
“Do you think the fog is connected to the imposter?” Vanna asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Possibly,” Morris replied, his tone grim. “The fog’s spread coincides with the appearance of the imposter. It could be part of a larger plan to destabilize Frost.”
Vanna nodded, her eyes scanning the fog for any signs of movement. “We need to reach Duncan quickly. He’ll know what to do.”
They continued through the fog, the silent city seeming to close in around them. Every step brought them closer to Duncan, but also deeper into the heart of the unknown threat enveloping Frost.
Meanwhile, Shirley and Nina made their way through the fog, the oppressive silence only broken by their hurried footsteps. Shirley held Dog tightly, ready to defend them against any lurking danger.
“We’re almost there,” Nina said, trying to sound reassuring. “Uncle Duncan will know what to do.”
Shirley nodded, her grip on Dog tightening. “Let’s hurry.”
As they approached their destination, a shadowy figure emerged from the fog. Both girls tensed, ready to defend themselves.
The figure stepped closer, revealing itself to be Duncan. Relief washed over them.
“Uncle Duncan!” Nina exclaimed. “Something’s happening. The fog, the shadow demons…”
Duncan nodded, his expression serious. “I know. We need to act quickly. Follow me.”
Together, they moved through the fog, determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events in Frost and put an end to the threat that loomed over the city.
Messed with the wrong group of individuals.
Hey atleast you died because of the sun
Hey, in too hot environment the furniture and window curtains can catch fire even without direct contact. Even easier for paper books. I wonder how skilled Nina has to be to prevent igniting the room with her manifestation.
Hmm. Isn’t this weirdly similer to the pland incident?
Looks another captain saves the city state moment is upon us.
a bit, but the emphasis won’t be on that in this arc. look towards the bottom
Bottom? Bottom what?
Ah yes, a kick from the freaking sun.
their years of practice evident in their swift, coordinated attacks.
…years?