Chapter 218 “People Who Survived”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
In the grand cathedral, the statue of the Storm Goddess Gomona stands with an air of majesty and mystery, ever silent and imposing.
The veil draped over the statue concealed not only the visage of the deity but symbolized the bridge between the mortal world and the divine. Vanna, having always been a devout follower, was suddenly struck by a realization. She came to the unnerving conclusion that she didn’t truly understand or even recognize the deity she had dedicated her life to worshiping.
Her whole life, she had never questioned her faith or the relationship humans shared with the divine. She had simply accepted the tales of the storm and the ocean without ever challenging them. However, a sudden surge of uncertainty washed over her, causing her to snap out of her contemplation. As she regained her senses, she felt the cold wetness of sweat against her back.
Such doubt could be seen as heresy. To even entertain such thoughts could lead one down a dark path. It terrified Vanna to think that these borderline blasphemous thoughts could originate from her own mind. She had begun to question the gods’ intentions, something many would consider sacrilege.
But in the midst of her internal turmoil, the soft sound of ocean waves brought her solace. She felt the goddess’s familiar, reassuring presence, which eased the pain in her body and calmed her troubled spirit. Even in the sacred confines of the church, even when plagued by such doubt, the goddess seemed to always be watching over her.
Disturbed from her thoughts, Vanna heard Valentine’s voice beside her. “Are you sure you don’t need to take a break?” The old bishop asked, concerned. He had observed Vanna lost in thought, staring intently at the statue. “Physical wounds may heal quickly, but mental strain can take a toll,” he continued.
Vanna hesitated before admitting, “Perhaps I am a bit fatigued.”
“You should rest,” Valentine suggested. “I can manage things here.” Before Vanna could protest, he added, “I’ve just been informed that Mr. Dante has safely returned home. I’m sure your family would appreciate your presence.”
A memory of her uncle flashed in Vanna’s mind, pushing away any second thoughts about departing. “Very well,” she replied, “I’ll take my leave.”
“Go with peace in your heart,” Valentine said with a nod, “and may the storm watch over you.”
Returning the sentiment, Vanna whispered, “May the storm watch over.”
Outside the church, a dark gray steam-powered car roared to life. As it moved through the central district, it set its course for the administrative residence. Inside the vehicle, Vanna occupied the passenger seat, and driving the car was Heidi, who had recently been interrogated within the church’s walls.
“Thank you for the ride, Heidi. I truly appreciate it,” Vanna said softly, her gaze lingering on the city scenes unfolding beyond the car window. “You might’ve been able to leave sooner if it weren’t for waiting for me.”
Heidi glanced at her friend as she drove, responding with a hint of amusement, “Come on, Vanna. Formalities between us? Really?” She continued, “And, to be honest, I couldn’t have left any earlier. The cleric had a ton of questions for me, and security was tight. They wouldn’t have let anyone out until they were sure it was safe.”
Vanna’s gaze remained transfixed on the window. The aftermath of recent events was evident: city-state police and local guardians patrolled the streets in tandem, and people who had been hiding hurriedly ventured out, likely emerging from shelters. The sights might seem chaotic to most, but for Vanna, it brought a strange sense of comfort. Fear, tension, and apprehension in the eyes of the survivors were proof that they still had something to lose, something to live for.
Heidi, sensing Vanna’s reflective mood, voiced her concern, “Hey, are you alright? You seem drained. I haven’t seen you this tired since we were kids. Back then, I always thought you were invincible like you were made of steel.”
Vanna chuckled, her eyes gleaming with a mix of fatigue and mischief, “What if I told you that during the chaos, I single-handedly battled my way through the entire city? That’s why I’m so worn out.”
Heidi shot her a skeptical yet amused look, “Knowing you, I’d believe it. Heck, if you said you had a skirmish in an alternate dimension and came back, I’d probably buy that too.” Heidi gave her friend a thorough once-over as if assessing her physical state, then added, “Considering all that, I’m not surprised you’re spent.”
Feeling slightly self-conscious under Heidi’s scrutiny, Vanna raised an eyebrow, “Why are you giving me that weird look?”
With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, Heidi proposed, “How about we head to the marriage counseling center?”
Vanna, taken aback, asked, “Why in the world would we do that?”
Seeing her friend’s confusion, Heidi elaborated with a playful tone, “Given how exhausted you are, maybe you’ll finally meet someone who can match your strength. This way, you’ll keep your vow of finding a worthy partner. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll end up injuring all your potential matches.”
Vanna’s hand clenched into a fist, her knuckles audibly cracking. Heidi winced, “Easy there! Just a suggestion! Remember all those times you took my lunch when we were kids? I haven’t forgotten, you know!”
The two shared a moment of laughter, remembering their shared history and the bond that had always been between them.
The atmosphere inside the car grew silent once more, the soft hum of the engine the only sound between them. It was Vanna who broke the stillness, her voice soft but filled with gratitude, “Thank you, Heidi. Talking to you has helped me find some calm.”
With a playful roll of her eyes, Heidi responded, “Well, they do say I’m the best psychiatrist in all of Pland. Just remember to stay strong in front of Mr. Dante. We wouldn’t want to add to his concerns, would we?” She skillfully navigated the car to a stop in front of a grand mansion. “We’ve arrived. Go on, Miss Knight. And remember to smile. Today, we’ve been given a second chance at life.”
The phrase ‘a second chance at life’ lingered in Vanna’s mind, echoing something far more profound. Memories of conversations within the enigmatic Death Church surfaced: a belief held by its followers that life wasn’t a given but something earned, a privilege pre-paid by some unknown cost.
Deep in thought, Vanna took a moment to steady herself. She met Heidi’s gaze, gratitude evident in her eyes, before finally stepping out of the car and making her way towards the mansion’s imposing entrance.
From the driver’s seat, Heidi watched Vanna’s retreating figure, concern etched on her face. She waited until her friend had disappeared inside before starting the car again, her thoughts heavy with personal worries as she navigated the streets.
“Is Dad truly safe? If he managed to survive this chaos… what could he possibly be doing now?” she whispered to herself, lost in her thoughts.
……
As the tempest raged outside the cabin, lightning streaked the sky and thunder roared with fury. The Vanished, their ship, bore the brunt of the storm, with winds so fierce they could have easily torn apart any lesser vessel. It felt as though a monstrous creature from ancient legends had awakened from its deep sleep, enraged and ready to obliterate any intruder that dared to encroach on its territory.
Through the rain-smeared porthole, the ship’s crew witnessed a scene from their wildest nightmares. A blazing titan outside was battling with a catch, its burning chains emanating from its grasp. Whatever colossal entity lurked beneath the surface, it was far from pleased. Its tentacles flailed and thrashed, tugging the ship off course.
Among the horrified onlookers, Shirley and Dog, whose eyes were reputed to be the sharpest among the crew, were visibly shaken. Dog’s heightened senses made the reality outside all the more vivid.
“Is… is this what the captain calls fishing?!” Shirley stammered, turning to the ever-smiling doll next to her.
Alice, the doll, nodded with unwavering certainty, her brow furrowing at the crew’s astonishment. “Of course, fishing is the captain’s favorite pastime.”
Shirley murmured to Dog, tears streaming down her face, “Now it all makes sense… those tales about Mr. Duncan’s catch. If I had only known what I was eating…”
Before she could continue, Morris, who had been squeezing his eyes shut in sheer terror, shouted, aghast, “Wait! You ate one of Mr. Duncan’s ‘fish’?”
“In my defense, how was I to know?!” Shirley retorted, her gaze darting to Nina accusingly, “You never told me where your uncle sources his fish.”
Nina shrugged, clearly less fazed than the others. Though excitement lit up her eyes, much like someone who’d stumbled upon a riveting new hobby. She had been glued to the porthole since the commotion began, utterly captivated. “Honestly? I’m clueless. But how does something like that turn into fish?”
Nina’s demeanor remained unchanged from her city days: perpetually bubbly, effervescent, and bursting with life. Yet, such buoyancy seemed out of place on a ship currently engaged in a tug of war with a sea monster.
“You and your uncle are a uniquely terrifying pair,” Shirley muttered, still in shock.
Nina scratched her head, genuinely puzzled by the comment, “Really? I think we’re quite normal.”
Suddenly, Alice sprang to her feet, making her way out of the cabin. Shirley gasped, “Wait! Where are you going?”
“To prepare dinner, naturally,” Alice replied nonchalantly, looking back with a mischievous glint, “The captain is about to land his big catch, after all.”
The sudden revelation sent a ripple of unease through the group, their eyes darting to one another, each face etched with a mix of bewilderment and anxiety.
Shirley, feeling particularly overwhelmed, clutched Dog tightly, her grip betraying her desperation. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she whispered, “I just want to go home.”
The normally stoic Dog, whose eyes glowed an eerie shade of red, seemed to be struggling under her grasp. The light in its eyes flickered intermittently as if signaling distress. “Shirley, you’re choking me… ease up,” it protested with a hint of desperation.
Morris, meanwhile, heaved a resigned sigh, drawing Nina’s attention.
“Why so glum, teacher?” Nina inquired, genuine concern evident in her voice.
Morris spread his arms dramatically, “Given everything we’ve witnessed, I could pen an entire novel when we return.” He paused, a wry smile tugging at his lips, “Though, I fear my daughter might consider admitting me to her clinic. She’d likely think I’ve gone mad, just like some of her patients.”
Nina blinked, her expression a blend of curiosity and confusion, “…Why?”
“Is Father safe now? If he is also safe, then… what is he doing now?”
Watching a guy catch fish aboard his ship.
Fishing trip!! 🙂
Such a heartwarming story
Is Vanna oath that she needs to marry someone stronger than her?
yep, dumb oath on her part
They need to learn the rules cuz like “i am not the demon lord’s lackey” what happens when he “wakes up”