Chapter 199 “The Vigilance of Historians”

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Duncan realized he had made an oversight.

His main concern had always been about Alice’s unfamiliarity with the ways of the human world. Yet, he hadn’t fully grasped just how profound this lack of knowledge was.

The fact that Alice didn’t even understand the concept of money was a glaring example. How was she ever going to be of any assistance in the shop if she didn’t even know such basic things?

However, on reflection, it made sense.

It stood to reason that someone who had spent their time inside a coffin wouldn’t have any need for, or knowledge of, currency.

Feeling the weight of responsibility while Shirley and Nina were absent, Duncan knew he had to set aside his own plans for the afternoon. “I really need to teach you about the basic concepts of the human world, starting with the idea of money.”

He took a moment, sighing, “Considering everything, I probably need to arrange a series of lessons for both you and Shirley.”

Alice’s face lit up at the mention of Shirley. “Shirley, the petite girl you were with earlier? I heard you mention she’s similar to me. Did you say… illiterate?”

Duncan tapped on the table for emphasis, “It’s not a good thing, Alice! And even then, Shirley is more knowledgeable than you. At the very least, she knows how to commit fare evasion when she takes the bus!”

Alice looked puzzled, “What does ‘fare evasion’ mean?”

Duncan was at a loss for words.

……

Heidi felt a sudden cold draft which caused her to sneeze forcefully. The sensation of cold air passing over her skin gave her an uncomfortable shiver. Rising from her seat, she moved towards the living room window to shut it. As she approached, she couldn’t help but snuffle, trying to clear her nose. She muttered under her breath, showing her annoyance with the unpredictable weather changes.

She then cast a glance at her father, Morris, who was seated by the coffee table, lost in his own thoughts, seemingly miles away. School was on break for the holidays. Typically, during the autumn season, Morris would occupy himself by visiting the major libraries. But ever since his trip to that mysterious antique shop, his demeanor had changed dramatically, becoming more lethargic and distant.

Unable to suppress her concern any longer, Heidi leaned in closer to her father, her voice filled with worry, “Dad, are you okay? You don’t seem well.”

After she repeated her question, Morris seemed to snap out of his daze. Looking up hastily, the seasoned historian felt the weird buzzing in his head fade a bit. He gestured dismissively and said, “I’m fine. Did you not have your church or city hall duties today? And wasn’t there work at the clinic?”

She replied with a slight frown, “I’ve finished my tasks at the church and city hall, and the clinic’s closed today. You asked me the same thing this morning, remember?”

“Oh, right. My memory’s failing me,” Morris responded, tapping his forehead lightly, a hint of unease in his eyes.

Morris was well aware that he wasn’t himself. He couldn’t, however, share with Heidi the reality of what he’d encountered. Disclosing the existence of a mysterious subspace shadow in the city was a matter of great significance. It could upset Mr. Duncan and potentially taint Heidi’s perception.

Suddenly, Morris was jolted by the familiar buzzing sound in his head, triggered at the mere thought of Duncan. It was like static interference, distorting his thoughts. Yet, after a brief, sharp sensation, it faded, allowing him clarity once more. This internal disruption was a direct result of his visit to the antique shop.

Grateful that he had retained his sanity and life after that incident, Morris believed that with time and rest, the symptoms of his “critical madness” would diminish. Yet, until then, he knew he’d continue to distress Heidi with his strange behavior.

His face contorted with worry as he recalled Heidi’s profession – she was a skilled psychiatrist. She would surely notice his deteriorating mental condition if he wasn’t careful.

His train of thought was interrupted by Heidi’s voice again, “Did you discuss something with Mr. Duncan recently? Every time you see him, you come back… different.”

“Some subjects, especially in realms of deep knowledge, can be incredibly intricate.” Morris struggled to hold back the invasive thoughts about the “Creeping Sun Wheel”, with memories flooding back of Mr. Duncan’s revelations concerning the state of the Black Sun. These thoughts seemed almost sentient, weaving their way through his mind as if a parasite was intent on consuming his sanity. “It’s been taxing on my mind, so I haven’t fully grasped it yet. Let’s change the subject. Weren’t you meeting a friend for a theater show during your time off?”

Heidi looked perplexed, “Friend? I don’t recall… Which friend had I planned to see? Are you sure about that?”

“Did I get it wrong?” Morris massaged his temples, feeling a sudden, intense throb that felt almost hypnotic. “But I distinctly remember you mentioning a tall friend the other day… Someone I’ve met before…”

The throbbing in his head became more pronounced, making Morris instinctively clench his fist and lightly thud his temple in a bid to alleviate the pain.

Seeing her father’s distressed state transformed Heidi’s initial confusion into sheer alarm. She knelt down, grabbing Morris’s hand in concern. “Dad, are you alright? Is it a severe headache? Should I try some hypnotic relaxation techniques or should we consult another physician?”

“No, no doctor,” Morris interjected, waving his hand dismissively. The internal cacophony had returned, only this time, it was distinct. It was as if the noise was frantically trying to convey something vital, striving to awaken a hidden part of him. It felt as though another consciousness was stirring within him, yet it was still unmistakably Morris, albeit slightly misaligned with his present state of mind. “I need to remember something vital… Heidi, you do have a friend, a significant one…”

Heidi’s eyes were filled with growing anxiety and fear. She tightened her grip on Morris’s hand, her voice adopting a soothing tone almost instinctively, “I have many friends, Dad, but which one are you referring to…”

But Morris was already lost to her words, trapped in his internal turmoil.

Suddenly, a deafening blast resonated within Morris’s mind, a violent release of all the pent-up noise that had been tormenting him. As the static dissipated, it made way for a flood of unfamiliar memories that surged into his consciousness. He found himself in a trance-like state where vivid visions emerged. He saw a colossal figure illuminated with starlight, its form distorted and merged by shards of shattered mirrors. Following this, he glimpsed emerald flames that seemed to burn away the haze that had shrouded his mind.

This time, the sight of the gigantic entity didn’t push him towards insanity. Instead, it empowered him, granting him the clarity to see past the veil that had obscured his vision.

Morris’s focus shifted to Heidi. “Where’s Vanna?” he asked, his gaze piercing into her own.

Confused, Heidi responded, “…Who is Vanna?”

Morris replied in a calm but firm tone, “She’s the inquisitor of our city-state, one of your closest friends, and the niece of Governor Dante.” His breathing steadied, and his eyes regained their previous intensity and sharpness. Morris was now navigating through a tumult of memories, some familiar and others utterly foreign. It was as though two different historical records were unfolding simultaneously within his mind. “You really don’t recall her?”

Heidi hesitated, “I’m not sure who you’re referring to, but I’m more concerned about your condition…”

“I’m fine now. More than fine,” Morris reassured her, standing up with a newfound determination. “Our main concern should be Vanna. There’s a pressing issue unraveling in our city, and we must intervene.”

Heidi instinctively rose, sensing her father’s urgency. She still wasn’t certain about what was transpiring, but she felt compelled to act. “Intervene? How?”

“We need to head to the main cathedral and seek out Bishop Valentine,” Morris began hurriedly, only to halt midway. After contemplating his next words, he said with a hint of trepidation, “Actually, no. Given what may have befallen Vanna after discovering the truth, go to Bishop Valentine and request asylum – the highest form of protection. Tell him it’s on my directive from the foremost historian of Pland. Speak of nothing else.”

Heidi tried to process her father’s directives, sensing the underlying danger and urgency. Trusting her father’s judgment, she mentally prepared herself to follow through.

As Morris reached for his coat, Heidi’s worry deepened. “What will you do, Dad?”

Morris’s voice was laden with gravity. “I’m heading to the antique shop.”

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