Chapter 278: Reasonable Arrangements

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As the night deepened, the celestial body of the frigid world hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the silent city-state. Duncan stood on the second floor of the antique shop, observing the tranquil streets and the undulating rooftops of the neighborhood.

In the distance, he could see the Vanished sailing across the vast, turbulent sea, heading north through the night, following in the wake of the Sea Mist.

From his vantage point, Duncan used his all-encompassing “perception” to scan every corner of Pland, including the invisible “smoke” floating overhead.

The “smoke,” resembling “souls” released by the Grand Storm Cathedral, had ceased expanding after nightfall and now covered three-quarters of the city. It drifted gently in the night sky like a thin veil, leisurely meandering about.

Duncan withdrew his gaze and focused on the massive shadow at the city’s edge, where the Grand Storm Cathedral had docked, and the Ark clung to Pland’s southeastern port. Through his perception, he could clearly sense the outline of this massive structure but could not penetrate its interior.

The cathedral’s interior appeared as a vast, dark black hole to him. Ordinary ships docked at the port could not block his perception, but this cathedral seemed to be an exception. He wondered if this was due to Goddess Gomona’s “protection” or the special protection technology of the Storm Church.

Curious but cautious, Duncan refrained from taking any excessive actions. He had considered using his green fire to break the protection but dismissed the idea, realizing there was no need to set fire to someone’s house just to satisfy his curiosity.

Suddenly, Duncan felt something in his heart, quickly withdrawing his perception and looking up towards the upper district, eventually focusing on the local cathedral at the highest peak.

…

In a brightly lit room at the top of the church grounds, Pope Helena lit a ceremonial candle mixed with spices and placed the candlestick in front of a full-length mirror in the corner of the wall. She then tilted her head slightly, looking at Vanna, who had been standing by her side for some time.

“I heard the first time you saw ‘him’ in your dreams, your initial reaction was a sacrificial leap. What were you thinking at that moment?”

Vanna’s face showed a hint of embarrassment: “At that time… I didn’t think much.”

“When you say ‘didn’t think much,’ it usually means ‘didn’t think at all,'” Helena laughed. “Actually, that’s good. Exceptional warriors often act faster than they think, which is very useful when fighting heretics and evil spirits – after all, ‘thinking’ itself can easily become our weakness.”

“…But I’m just relieved that my recklessness at the time didn’t lead to any consequences,” Vanna sighed helplessly. “In hindsight, he didn’t seem to care about my ‘offense’ at all.”

“He doesn’t care, they don’t care,” Helena whispered. “The higher beings are concerned with more expansive, long-term matters… The good news is that their concerns do include our survival, to some extent.”

Vanna remained silent for a while, prompting Helena to look at her with a half-smile: “Vanna, you must have many questions, right?”

“I want to know… your plans for me,” Vanna hesitated before speaking up. “You secretly relieved me of my inquisitor duties and didn’t assign a new city-state guardian. I’m somewhat at a loss and unsure how to fulfill my responsibilities now.”

Helena listened calmly, with no hint of surprise on her face. After Vanna finished speaking, the seemingly young Pope simply smiled and looked out the window.

Through the wrought iron-patterned window panes, one could see the peaceful and serene city streets illuminated by numerous gas lamps.

“A very calm night, Vanna,” the Pope said. “How many incidents of supernatural pollution or evil invasions do you think the night patrol guards will report today?”

Vanna paused, hesitating to answer: “I’m not sure… The city-state has indeed been safer lately, with few incident reports, but…”

“Zero,” the Pope interrupted her. “Tonight’s incidents are zero, just like yesterday and the day before, and it will be the same tomorrow.”

Vanna opened her mouth in surprise.

“You’ve clearly noticed this but haven’t dared to draw a conclusion yet?” Helena laughed. “A city with no longer dangerous nights, where shadows no longer breed even in the temporary darkness after the gas lamps go out. The most dazzling pearl on the Boundless Sea now truly deserves its name.”

Vanna began to understand: “You mean…”

“Vision-Pland,” Helena nodded gently. “It appears that within this large-scale Vision, no supernatural ‘pollution’ phenomena will occur other than ‘Vision-Pland’ itself.”

“Is this your observational conclusion?”

“Do you think I came here just to be ‘admired’ by the citizens in the streets and greeted by priests and officials in the cathedral?” Helena looked at Vanna with a half-smile. “I have my own ways of observing and assessing the changes that have occurred in this city-state.”

Vanna’s mouth hung open as if she had countless things to say but suddenly didn’t know where to begin. Chaotic thoughts filled her head, and she felt that the events happening now had once again surpassed her worldview. It took her a long time to blurt out: “So… Pland doesn’t need an inquisitor anymore?”

“I’m not sure,” Helena’s answer somewhat surprised Vanna. The Pope shook her head, seemingly uncertain. “Since this has never happened before, we can’t be sure. However, at least one thing is clear: as long as the nature of Vision-Pland remains unchanged, you indeed no longer need to work as you did before, and the duties of the city-state guardians will change significantly.”

Helena paused, then added thoughtfully, “Even so, the city-state still needs the protection of its guardians. I can only confirm that no ‘natural supernatural pollution phenomena’ will occur within Vision-Pland, but our threats are not limited to those phenomena. Heretics, ancient offspring, evil creations, and fanatics who actively seek to destroy the civilized order won’t become law-abiding simply because Pland has become a Vision.

“But one thing is certain: Pland has become much safer.”

Helena stopped and looked calmly into Vanna’s eyes for a few seconds before continuing softly, “Vanna, we are on a very new path; no city-state or church has ever faced a situation like this.

“On the other hand, our world… seems to be experiencing some unsettling changes. Whether it’s Vision 001’s ‘failure’ or the activities of the Vanished, they are breaking the fragile balance that the city-states have maintained for thousands of years. In this situation, the Goddess has provided only limited revelations… I can only act upon these limited revelations.

“Vanna, you have great talent, and this talent should be utilized… somewhere more valuable. Pland is now in its safest state, but I presume you’re not someone who indulges in comfort, are you?”

Hearing the Pope’s words, Vanna instinctively straightened her body: “I am always ready to sacrifice everything for faith and righteousness!”

“Sacrifice everything?”

“Of course, sacrifice everything!”

“Never hesitate in doing anything?”

“As long as it’s the will of the Goddess!”

“Even going to the Vanished?”

“Including going to…”

Vanna instinctively spoke loudly but choked on her words. After two seconds, she stared at the Pope in astonishment: “What… did you just say?”

“As I just said, our world is experiencing many unsettling changes, and among these changes, the Vanished is at least the only one that has shown the possibility of communication and goodwill,” Helena said seriously. “We need to establish a stable communication channel with the master of the Vanished, preferably with some official nature. You can consider yourself an envoy, or you can think of yourself as a ‘hostage’. Of course, I personally suggest you adopt the first explanation, but it’s up to you.”

Vanna listened in amazement, and it wasn’t until the Pope finished that she finally found an opportunity to speak: “But… but… is it reasonable? Going to the Vanished… is it the concept I understand? Is it possible?!”

Helena looked quietly at the somewhat flustered young “Inquisitor,” who had anticipated this reaction. After a while, she smiled and replied, “It’s reasonable.”

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