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 filled with anxiety, her posture tense as she occupied a chair beside the counter. Every so often, her concern would get the better of her, causing her to rise from her seat and gaze out the window. Her eyes would scan the desolate streets, hoping for a hint or a glimpse of her uncle.

She sighed heavily, “Why in the world would Uncle be out at such an hour? With a curfew in effect, he’s risking so much.” As she sank back into her chair, her voice dropped to a low murmur, “If the patrolling guardians spot him, he’ll certainly get arrested again…”

She had been voicing her concerns aloud repeatedly, so much so that it had become a pattern. However, her routine was interrupted by the soft shuffle of feet near the door, which was followed by the sound of the doorknob turning.

Nina’s head shot up, her heart racing in hope. And she wasn’t disappointed. There, entering the shop, was a familiar silhouette.

“Nina, I’ve returned,” Duncan announced warmly, the corners of his mouth lifting in a reassuring smile. “You see? I didn’t take that long.”

Without waiting, Nina lunged forward, embracing him tightly, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and frustration. “Not too long?! Just look at the time! Do you have any idea how perilous it is to be outside after the curfew? And to leave without any explanation, making me worry here all alone…”

She rattled off her concerns rapidly, each word tumbling over the other, a torrent of emotions. But her tirade was interrupted when she spotted a petite figure peeking from behind Duncan.

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

Seizing the opportunity to distract from the brewing storm, Duncan quickly shut the door and shifted aside, making space for the girls to communicate.

“Shirley?!” Nina’s voice echoed with 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 battered condition made Nina’s eyes grow wide in horror.

Trying to allay Nina’s fears, Shirley responded hastily, waving dismissively, “Oh, it’s nothing serious.” Even though the gash on her back was still raw and painful, she forced a cheerful smile. “Just ran into a minor mishap. I’m alright, really.”

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

Attempting to soothe her worried friend, Shirley held onto Nina’s hand, her face displaying 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 her thoughts were abruptly cut short by Duncan’s deliberate cough.

Duncan, sensing the escalating tension and confusion between the two girls, 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 these bloodied clothes. I promise I’ll fill you in on the details later.”

Nina’s eyes darted back and forth between Shirley and Duncan, trying to gauge the situation. She eventually nodded, although her expression was still laced with uncertainty and worry. On the other hand, 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 the extraordinary healing process she seemed to undergo, it had probably taken a toll on her energy reserves, making her hunger more intense.

Nina, slightly taken aback by the sudden change in topic, responded with renewed vigor. “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 diminishing until they were barely audible. Left at the entrance, Shirley paused, absorbing her surroundings. She glanced around, her gaze 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 illuminated by a gentle smile, replied, “Yes, you are back.” He reached down, carefully lifting the small tin box that Shirley had been clutching earlier. “While we have a moment, let’s figure out how we’ll explain your injuries. Moreover, we need a plausible reason for your extended stay here. But don’t stress too much about it. I’m quite sure Nina will be thrilled to have you around permanently. Her thoughts won’t be an obstacle.”

Suddenly 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 hushed whispers as the ghost captain, intently observed the three surviving Enders. Though unconscious, the grotesque and monstrous appearances they previously held were gradually shifting back into their original human forms.

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

The sound of hurried, delicate footsteps echoed behind him, and a jubilant voice reached his ears. Dressed in her elaborate gothic attire, Alice came into view. “Captain! Captain!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement. “I overheard Mr. Goathead mentioning that you’ve brought something new to the deck. Did you procure more artifacts from the city?”

However, as she drew closer and her eyes settled on the unconscious figures, her initial enthusiasm rapidly dissolved, replaced by a look of bemusement. “Captain,” she queried, 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 come across before. They have an odd tendency to emerge in the city-states, much like the unexpected sprouting of plants in spring.”

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

Duncan chuckled, “No, I certainly didn’t buy them. I chanced upon them and decided they might be of some use.” He glanced at the trio, noting their steady transformation back to humanity. “It appears Ai’s teleportation capabilities are as efficient as ever. This discovery leads me to wonder if I could utilize Ai’s skills to transport ordinary folks aboard in the future.”

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

As luck would have it, these unsuspecting cultists, who serendipitously found themselves in his grasp, served as perfect subjects for his impending experiments.

Duncan felt a surge of gratitude for this unexpected boon. As he reveled in his fortuitous find, a subtle movement from one of the Enders caught his attention. Initially, it was just 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 the breeze, Duncan said, “You’re finally awake.” The serene tones contrasted sharply with the ominous undercurrents, sending shivers down the spine of the newly awakened Ender.

The disoriented cultist attempted to take stock of his surroundings, and as his gaze shifted, he found himself locked in the intense scrutiny of Duncan and Alice. There was a brief moment where his mind struggled to align the sensory input with his cognitive 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, of course, you haven’t had the pleasure of making my acquaintance yet,” he said, indicating to 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 have a clear understanding, it should make our forthcoming conversation quite straightforward. I have a few inquiries to…”

But before Duncan could continue, another of the cultists interjected with fervor. His hands were raised, his eyes glazed over with a fanatic intensity. “O magnificent subspace!” he cried out passionately. “At long last, you’ve unveiled your mysteries to us! A new dawn, eternal life beckons! In the midst of apocalypse, 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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