Chapter 284: On the Day of Boarding

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.com

Near the cathedral in the upper city district, there was once a park, and a tall platform had been part of it. However, after the renovation project for the steam core, the park facilities were relocated, leaving the platform behind like a vigilant knight overlooking the factory and plaza below.

From this platform, one could see a panoramic view of the entire cathedral area and the central factory district. Vanna often visited this place during her free time to clear her mind and reflect on her thoughts.

The afternoon sun was warm, and even with a slight breeze, the platform was not very cold. The gentle sea breeze lifted Vanna’s hair, tickling her ears.

Vanna pushed her long white hair back and gazed at the winding, mist-shrouded steam pipes in front of her. After a moment of silence, she spoke, “I will be going away for some time.”

“Going away?” Heidi turned her head, surprised. “Where are you going?”

“I’m not sure, maybe somewhere far away, and I might be gone for a long time,” Vanna looked into Heidi’s eyes. “I can’t disclose the exact itinerary, but I thought I should tell you before I leave.”

Heidi blinked, looking puzzled, “But you’re a city-state inquisitor – can inquisitors just leave for a long journey?”

“I…” Vanna attempted a smile, “It’s an arrangement by the church, an order directly issued by the Grand Storm Cathedral.”

“Oh… I see,” Heidi nodded in realization. She didn’t fully understand the workings of the Storm Church, but the mention of “Grand Storm Cathedral” clarified things. “So, it’s a sacred mission? Are you being sent outside the diocese to fight heretics?”

Vanna’s expression stiffened slightly, “In a sense, it does involve heretics, but it’s not a combat mission.”

Heidi didn’t notice the subtle change in her friend’s tone and sighed, “Well, my father also left for a trip recently. There were no signs beforehand; he just suddenly told me he had to go on business. My mother didn’t let me ask too many questions – now you’re leaving too. It seems like you’re both being mysterious.”

“Mr. Morris is also away, huh,” Vanna muttered, quickly shaking her head with a self-deprecating expression. “He’s probably visiting friends in the academic world or attending some events. Scholars like him are often invited by universities in various city-states… Anyway, it’s not the same as where I’m going.”

Heidi turned her head, puzzled, “Why do I feel that you’re acting strangely? You seem preoccupied. Is it because you’re uneasy about going on a long journey? You don’t seem to have left the city-state much.”

“It’s not that. It’s probably just because I’ve been assigned to a task I’ve never dealt with before, and I’m a bit nervous,” Vanna shook her head. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Well, okay,” Heidi sighed and then seemed to remember something. She suggested excitedly, “Hey, how about we go to the movies together? There’s a new play recently; it might help change our mood. You should try to get more involved with popular things; it might even expand your social circle…”

Vanna raised her eyebrows curiously at the mention of a new show, “A new play? What’s it about?”

“It’s a work by the famous director Sando Ke, called ‘Borderland Horrors.’ It’s about a small village on the border that falls into heresy, sacrificing the village women to the ‘Cave Demon.’ In the end, brave defenders destroy the evil. I heard the play uses a new technology called ‘soundtrack,’ which synchronizes sound with the images on the screen, coming from machines on both sides of the screen…”

Heidi excitedly introduced the “popular new elements” to her friend but noticed Vanna’s expression growing more peculiar. She hesitated and stopped halfway, then waved her hand, “Alright, you might not like this. There’s another play called ‘Night Watch,’ about brave defenders venturing into a mysterious land, accidentally getting trapped in a heretic’s nest, and relying on their wisdom and experience to survive and maintain their integrity… You don’t like this one either?”

Scratching her hair, Heidi tried hard to think, “Then let me recommend a book to you. It’s a popular novel called ‘Walking with Shadows,’ which is about…”

Vanna couldn’t take it anymore and interrupted her friend with an almost pained expression, “Thank you, but I really don’t need it.”

She realized her attitude might have been harsh and sighed softly. She rubbed her forehead with her fingers and whispered, “Thank you for your concern, but the task I’m about to undertake requires a firm will and pure thinking. It’s best not to be exposed to too many things that might disturb my mind before departure.”

“Ah, alright. That’s my bad,” Heidi smiled awkwardly. “I forgot you’re a ‘professional.’”

Vanna waved her hand.

After a while, she heard Heidi’s voice again, “My break time is almost over. I have two patients scheduled this afternoon.”

Vanna took a gentle breath, “You go ahead. I need to prepare for my departure.”

Heidi nodded but suddenly stopped before leaving the platform. She turned her head, looking hesitant in the afternoon sunlight and breeze, “Can I see you off when you leave?”

“…No, this is a special mission.”

“Will you write to me?”

Vanna hesitated. She wanted to say yes but knew it was not possible. For a moment, she felt there was an invisible curtain between them, pushing each towards a different path.

“…I don’t know,” Vanna whispered. “But I will… try. Maybe it won’t be that strict there.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting for your letter,” Heidi smiled brightly. She then approached Vanna, pulled out a crystal pendant from her collar, and pointed to Vanna’s chest, “We have the same amulet, so you’ll have good luck.”

Vanna remained alone on the windy platform after her friend left.

“…Good luck,” she murmured softly, her expression odd as she eyed the pendant. “I hope that antique shop owner’s thing can really bring some good luck.”

A loud chime suddenly rang out from the direction of the church, interrupting Vanna’s thoughts.

She looked towards the source of the chime and saw the massive clock face on the bell tower displaying the time. The sun’s rays had gradually passed the highest point in the sky, moving towards the western side of the church.

She took out a parchment and looked at the text on the back – her “entry instructions.”

According to the instructions, a messenger would come to pick her up in an hour. She should wait in the church courtyard, and no unrelated persons would disturb the handover process.

What kind of messenger would it be? And how would she be taken to the distant Vanished on the Boundless Sea?

Vanna had many questions but took a step forward, heading towards the church.

She had several plans before leaving the city-state she was born and raised in. She wanted to visit familiar shops, go to the theater, visit the port, meet a few friends, and pray in the sanctuary…

But there wasn’t enough time; she didn’t have that much leeway.

In the church courtyard, Pope Helena and Archbishop Valentine had been waiting for her.

“The messenger hasn’t arrived yet,” Valentine nodded at Vanna as she entered the courtyard. “Are you ready?”

Vanna looked at her belongings.

Apart from the indispensable greatsword, she had only a neatly packed suitcase – not many personal items. In addition to the necessary clothes, the heaviest items were her prayer book and some blessed church readings.

These were safe to read on the Boundless Sea and could alleviate the boredom of life on the ship.

“Everything is here,” Vanna nodded, then looked up at the silent Pope beside her. “I can still pray on the ship, right?”

“Of course,” Helena smiled. “Captain Duncan even promised that you could set up an extra cabin as a small chapel.”

“Well, I guess I’ll look forward to the ‘sailor’s life’ that lies ahead,” Vanna sighed. “I can’t imagine what it will be like.”

Helena seemed about to say something, but at that moment, a burst of fire and the sound of flapping wings came from the sky, interrupting their conversation.

The messenger had arrived.

Vanna looked up, surprised, catching a glimpse of a green flame falling like a meteor from the sky. Huge skeletal wings suddenly spread within the flame. The next second, the flame “fell” onto the path in the courtyard, transforming into a spinning, rising gateway.

“It’s time to leave.” Pope Helena’s voice was a reminder and urging.

“Okay.” Vanna nodded gently, setting aside the last bit of hesitation and stepping forward.

She took a deep breath and crossed the spinning gate of flames. Her mind was filled with turbulent thoughts.

What would the scene be like behind the door? What kind of life awaited her on that ship? Would she first see the terrifying ghost captain? Or some sailor on the Vanished? What would the crew of that ship look like?

The flames surged and then receded swiftly; crossing the gateway took only a moment.

Vanna experienced brief disorientation before a cool, moist sea breeze greeted her, along with the sound of crashing waves filling her ears.

She blinked and then firmly slapped her forehead.

She wondered if there had been an issue with the teleportation.

Or perhaps there was a problem with her own eyes.

Because she saw Morris standing before her, offering her a smile.

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