Chapter 186: “Local Products from the City-State”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation

On the first floor of the quaint antique shop, Nina sat anxiously, her posture tense as she occupied a chair by the counter. Frequently, her worry would get the best of her, prompting her to rise and peer out the window. Her eyes scanned the deserted streets, searching for any sign of her uncle.

She sighed heavily, “Why on earth would Uncle be out at such an hour? With the curfew in place, he’s taking such a huge risk.” As she sank back into her chair, her voice dropped to a murmur, “If the patrolling guardians spot him, he’ll surely get arrested again…”

Her anxious musings had become a pattern, repeated so often it was almost ritualistic. Her routine was interrupted by the soft sound of footsteps near the door, followed by the turning of the doorknob.

Nina’s head shot up, her heart pounding with hope. And she wasn’t disappointed. A familiar silhouette entered the shop.

“Nina, I’m back,” Duncan announced warmly, a reassuring smile on his face. “See? I didn’t take that long.”

Without hesitation, Nina rushed forward, embracing him tightly, her voice a mix of relief and frustration. “Not long?! Look at the time! Do you realize how dangerous it is to be out after curfew? And leaving without any explanation, making me worry here all alone…”

She rattled off her concerns rapidly, her words tumbling over each other in a torrent of emotion. But her tirade was cut short when she noticed a small figure peeking from behind Duncan.

Shirley, holding a metal tin box, stepped out shyly and offered a tentative wave, “Hey, Nina… it’s me.”

Seizing the opportunity to shift focus, Duncan quickly shut the door and stepped aside, giving space for the girls to communicate.

“Shirley?!” Nina’s voice was a mix of surprise and concern. “Why are you here so late with Uncle? And… oh my god! Why are you covered in so much blood?” The sight of her friend’s injuries made Nina’s eyes widen in horror.

Trying to calm Nina’s fears, Shirley waved dismissively, “Oh, it’s nothing serious.” Despite the raw gash on her back, she forced a cheerful smile. “Just a minor mishap. I’m fine, really.”

But Nina wasn’t convinced. She gently took the tin box from Shirley’s hands and started inspecting her friend’s injuries. Horrified by their severity, she declared, “This isn’t minor at all! We need to get you to a doctor right now!”

Trying to soothe her worried friend, Shirley held Nina’s hand, her face showing a mix of resignation and amusement, “Relax, Nina. Remember, I’m not just any regular person…”

Nina opened her mouth, trying to voice her concerns, but Duncan’s deliberate cough interrupted her thoughts.

Duncan, sensing the escalating tension and confusion, stepped in with a clearing of his throat. “Nina,” he began, his tone firm yet understanding, “Don’t bombard Shirley with so many questions right now. Trust me, her injury is manageable. Please take her upstairs, let her freshen up, and change out of those bloodied clothes. I promise I’ll explain everything later.”

Nina’s eyes darted between Shirley and Duncan, trying to gauge the situation. Eventually, she nodded, though her expression remained filled with uncertainty and worry. Meanwhile, Shirley, with her cheeks flushed, gingerly rubbed her abdomen. “Uh, sorry to interrupt, but do we have any food? My stomach is growling.”

It wasn’t typical for Shirley to feel ravenous, especially at such a late hour. But given her supernatural healing, it had likely drained her energy reserves, intensifying her hunger.

Nina, slightly startled by the sudden change in topic, responded with renewed energy. “Oh, of course! I made too much for dinner tonight, so there’s plenty of leftovers. I’ll heat some up for you right away!”

She dashed up the stairs, her footsteps gradually fading. Left at the entrance, Shirley paused, taking in her surroundings. She glanced around, her eyes settling on the familiar bookshelves, the assortment of antiques, and Duncan’s reassuring presence.

“I’m back here, it seems…” Shirley murmured, slowly coming to terms with the reality that this place would be her home.

Duncan, his face lit by a gentle smile, replied, “Yes, you are back.” He carefully lifted the small tin box Shirley had been holding. “While we have a moment, let’s figure out how we’ll explain your injuries. And we need a plausible reason for your extended stay here. But don’t worry too much about it. I’m sure Nina will be thrilled to have you around permanently. Her thoughts won’t be an obstacle.”

Noticing the box in Duncan’s hands, Shirley reacted with slight alarm. “Oh! It’s alright, I can handle it myself…”

…

Aboard the Vanished, Duncan, known in whispers as the ghost captain, closely observed the three surviving Enders. Though unconscious, their grotesque, monstrous appearances were gradually reverting to their original human forms.

“They can transform back to their human state?” Duncan mused aloud, raising an eyebrow at the perplexing sight.

The sound of hurried, delicate footsteps echoed behind him, followed by a jubilant voice. Dressed in elaborate gothic attire, Alice appeared. “Captain! Captain!” she exclaimed excitedly. “I overheard Mr. Goathead saying you brought something new to the deck. Did you get more artifacts from the city?”

As she drew closer and saw the unconscious figures, her initial enthusiasm dissolved into bemusement. “Captain,” she asked, tilting her head slightly, “are these… unique individuals a typical find from the human cities?”

After a thoughtful pause, Duncan replied, “In a manner of speaking. They’re not something I’ve encountered before. They seem to appear in city-states, much like unexpected plants sprouting in spring.”

Alice’s brow furrowed as she scratched her head, puzzled. Her knowledge of human life and nature’s cycles was limited. “So… they are humans, right?” she hesitantly asked. “And Captain, why exactly have you brought these three aboard? You didn’t purchase them, did you?”

Duncan chuckled, “No, I certainly didn’t buy them. I came across them and thought they might be useful.” He glanced at the trio, noting their steady transformation back to human form. “It seems Ai’s teleportation capabilities are as efficient as ever. This discovery makes me wonder if I could use Ai’s skills to transport ordinary folks aboard in the future.”

The implication of this new potential brought a gleam to Duncan’s eyes. He pondered the broader horizons this discovery opened up. Beyond gauging Ai’s teleportation prowess, Duncan had other experimental inclinations. He was curious about the effects of the Vanished’s environment on outsiders or the outcomes of exposing individuals to Alice’s peculiar guillotine power.

By chance, these cultists, who found themselves in his grasp, served as perfect subjects for his upcoming experiments.

Duncan felt a surge of gratitude for this unexpected boon. As he reveled in his find, a subtle movement from one of the Enders caught his attention. Initially a faint quiver, but soon groans filled the air, and one of them slowly sat up.

Greeting the stirring figure with a voice as gentle as a breeze, Duncan said, “You’re finally awake.” His serene tones contrasted sharply with the ominous undercurrents, sending shivers down the spine of the newly awakened Ender.

The disoriented cultist tried to assess his surroundings, and as his gaze shifted, he found himself under the intense scrutiny of Duncan and Alice. There was a brief moment where his mind struggled to align the sensory input with his understanding. But once the connection was made, a fierce defiance took hold. “Who are you people?!” he demanded.

Duncan, noticing the cultist’s struggle and subsequent recognition, responded with a light chuckle. “Ah, you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting me yet,” he said, indicating the two other cultists who were also showing signs of revival. “You’re aboard the Vanished. And I? I’m Captain Duncan.”

Recognition flashed across the cultist’s face. “The Vanished?” he echoed, his voice quivering with a mix of dread and astonishment. “You mean to say this is the legendary ghost ship that’s rumored to have emerged from subspace?!”

Duncan nodded approvingly, pleased with the cultist’s grasp of the situation. “Exactly. Now that you understand, our forthcoming conversation should be straightforward. I have a few inquiries…”

But before Duncan could continue, another cultist interjected fervently. His hands raised, his eyes glazed with fanatic intensity. “O magnificent subspace!” he cried passionately. “At long last, you’ve unveiled your mysteries to us! A new dawn, eternal life beckons! In the midst of Great Annihilation, redemption is ours! From destruction springs rebirth! The prophesied Ark has arrived… The awaited Ark is here!”

Duncan’s eyebrows knitted together in clear irritation, and he muttered under his breath, clearly bemused, “What on earth has scrambled this cultist’s senses?”

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