Chapter 202: “Finding People”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation

Duncan gazed at old Mr. Morris, his eyes wide with astonishment. The elderly scholar looked disheveled and completely out of sorts, as if he had dashed through a torrential downpour to arrive. “Good day, Mr. Morris,” Duncan began, descending the staircase slowly to greet him. “What in the world happened to you? It’s as though you ran through a storm just to get here.”

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Morris removed his drenched hat, water dripping from its brim. “Dun… I mean, Mr. Duncan,” he began hesitantly, “I’m not sure how to convey this to you, and I’m even less certain you’ll be inclined to assist, but… I’ve discovered that Ender Missionaries are active within the city. They’re distorting Pland’s history, and I…”

Morris faltered, searching for the right words. He seemed to grasp the audacity of his request, understanding that seeking aid from a being of Duncan’s mysterious stature might be deemed illogical.

Would Duncan even consider helping?

What motivation would he have to intervene?

Did Duncan care about the fate of humanity or the well-being of the city-state?

And just how threatened would Duncan feel by the actions of the Enders?

A weighty silence enveloped the room until Duncan finally responded with a simple acknowledgment: “I’m aware.”

The aura around Duncan, reminiscent of scattered starlight and fractured mirrors, combined with his towering presence that seemed to blur the lines between light and shadow, solid and ethereal, answered Morris’s concerns in a matter-of-fact manner.

“You… you knew?” Morris, momentarily taken aback, swiftly regained his composure. “Ah, right. I should’ve realized you’d already be informed. I just…”

With a mix of embarrassment and frustration, Morris cast his wet hat aside and ran a hand through his damp hair, rebuking himself silently for his oversight. “It was foolish of me to think you wouldn’t notice the city’s disturbances. But are you also aware of the situation with Vanna?”

Duncan’s brows knitted together in confusion. “Vanna? The same Vanna who is close to Heidi? What’s happened to her?”

“Vanna has… disappeared,” Morris hesitated, taken aback by Duncan’s reaction. He quickly added, “Heidi seems to have forgotten Vanna entirely, and nobody else has any memory of her…”

Duncan’s expression turned grave. “Take a seat, and explain everything in detail. Alice, would you be so kind as to brew us some hot tea?” He paused, glancing at the graceful blonde with an unusual query, “Do you recall how to do that?”

“Of course, Mr. Duncan,” Alice responded, her voice lilting with enthusiasm.

From where he stood, Morris observed Alice’s ascent to the second floor. Her every move was fluid and refined, reminiscent of the graceful demeanor of long-gone nobility, a rare sight in the contemporary world.

However, his momentary curiosity was swiftly overshadowed by the pressing matters at hand.

Upon taking a seat at the main counter, Morris wasted no time in briefing the man before him, whom he referred to as the “shopkeeper.” He detailed the peculiar events he had observed and the hurdles he faced while investigating them.

Duncan absorbed every word with a stern countenance, choosing to respond only after digesting the entirety of Morris’s account: “Ender Missionaries… They’ve always been a handful, haven’t they?”

Morris spoke with a hushed urgency, “Indeed, this cult, which has chosen to forsake reality since time immemorial, tends to resurface through temporal breaches. Their objective? To disrupt historical sequences, jeopardizing the very fabric of our reality. But it’s a rarity for them to stir up such significant chaos. Typically, divine protection thwarts the Enders’ attempts to infiltrate, while the Flame Bearers tirelessly fortify the historical ‘shield.’ The fact that they’ve breached our defenses suggests they’ve gained allies from beyond…”

“Here you are, sir,” Alice interjected smoothly, setting a steaming cup of tea before Morris.

Gratefully, Morris murmured his thanks and eagerly reached for the warming drink. Being soaked from the storm had chilled him to the bone, and he yearned for something to revive his spirits. But as he took his first gulp, he recoiled in shock, hastily expelling the scalding liquid.

Unfazed by Morris’s outburst, Duncan remarked dryly, “Do bear with it. At the very least, she managed to locate the tea. Although her measurement skills leave much to be desired.”

Still recovering, Morris cast a bemused glance at Alice, who was seemingly lost in her thoughts and was drifting back towards the staircase.

Who exactly was this enigmatic woman?

While Duncan cautiously sipped his own brew, his mind turned to a revelation. The celestial entities of their realm had uncovered the “nonlinear” tactics employed by the Enders, along with the strategies required to counteract them. Yet, these methods didn’t always seem to yield success.

With a slight narrowing of his eyes, Duncan extended his senses, seeking out the signature he had embedded within Vanna. It pulsated weakly but remained present.

Noticing Duncan’s peculiar actions, Morris inquired, “Mr. Duncan, what is…”

Reopening his eyes, Duncan reassured him, “Rest easy. Vanna lives. However, she presently exists beyond the conventional confines of Pland.”

Astonished, Morris pressed on, “Are you able to ascertain her exact whereabouts and condition?” Truthfully, he had primarily come to discuss the “historical contamination,” and had only mentioned Vanna as a side note. He hadn’t anticipated that Duncan, who seemingly had no ties with the city’s inquisitor, would already be monitoring Vanna so closely.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on Vanna. She’s an astute inquisitor,” Duncan replied, his words carrying a hint of mystery. He gave a nonchalant nod and, without another word, rose from behind the counter.

Morris, intrigued and a tad anxious, also stood. “What’s your plan?”

“I intend to retrieve Vanna and inspect the situation firsthand,” Duncan declared, striding purposefully towards the staircase. However, halfway there, he halted, recalling that he wasn’t alone. “Would you like to freshen up with a hot shower upstairs? My clothing might be a bit long on you, but it should suffice.”

The prospect of bathing within this otherworldly abode and donning the garments of such a formidable being left Morris staggered. Such an audacious act was beyond even the wildest imaginings of the most celebrated scholars!

A shiver running down his spine, Morris hastily declined, “No, thank you. I’m perfectly fine waiting here.”

Duncan acknowledged the response with a nod, continuing his ascent. At the top, he was met with the sight of Nina and Shirley, both sneaking curious peeks from a hidden corner.

Shirley’s expression hinted at trepidation as she addressed Duncan, “Mr. Duncan, has something happened below?”

“Why do you inquire?”

“We heard some commotion from the ground floor,” Shirley began, her tone apologetic. “Dog mentioned that the Enders have resurfaced, causing historical distortions. He also spoke of a certain Vanna’s disappearance. She sounds significant…”

Looking more bewildered than Shirley, Nina turned to Duncan for answers, “Uncle, what’s unfolding?”

“Merely a minor issue,” Duncan reassured, observing the growing anxiety on the faces of the two young women. He paused momentarily before offering them some solace, “Stay within the house. If you grow restless, you’re welcome to chat with Mr. Morris downstairs. Everything’s under control.”

Shirley seemed somewhat placated by his words, but Nina’s concern was palpable. Clutching Duncan’s sleeve, she voiced her fears, “Uncle, there’s an uneasiness I can’t shake. Is everything truly alright? And what exactly are you planning to do?”

Duncan fixed his gaze upon Nina’s earnest eyes. He had previously observed her innate ability to sense undercurrents of tension and disruption. Although typically quite perceptive, the current situation seemed to push the boundaries of her intuitive capabilities.

“My dear Nina,” Duncan began with a gentle chuckle, tenderly patting her head, “You should know that your uncle possesses great power, although I can’t fully enlighten you about it just yet. Stay close to Shirley for the time being. Once everything settles, I promise to share the full story.”

Nina’s apprehension wasn’t entirely dispelled by Duncan’s soothing words, yet she remained her typical obedient self. With her voice tinged with a note of vulnerability, she whispered, “Alright…”

Once Nina and Shirley descended to the ground floor as Duncan had suggested, he took a moment to compose himself before swiftly retreating to his private quarters. There, he invoked Ai, his trusty bird companion, who had been indulging in fries aboard the Vanished.

With a determined demeanor, Duncan addressed the dove, “We have a crucial task at hand. We need to locate someone. Upon successful completion, I promise a generous portion of ketchup as a reward.”

Ai’s feathers fluffed with excitement as he jubilantly chirped, “Unwavering loyalty, unwavering loyalty!”

Taking a deep breath, Duncan refocused his energy, honing in on the faint beacon he had implanted within Vanna.

The circumstances surrounding the inquisitor were undoubtedly unexpected for Duncan, yet they presented unforeseen opportunities. It reminded him of the ethereal flames he had once channeled within Shirley’s dreamscape.

While the intricate web of events remained elusive, and the reason Vanna could interact with his spectral fire was unclear, Duncan was certain of one thing: Vanna had ventured beyond their known realm.

Now, with the “mark” Duncan had instilled within her, the adept inquisitor inadvertently became a conduit, enabling Duncan to influence and navigate this enigmatic domain.

With resolve in his voice, Duncan ordered, “Spirit walk.”

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