Chapter 33 “Fish”
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Duncan began his day with a bland and unsatisfying breakfast, which he found as appealing as chewing on wax—a truly mundane and lackluster experience. The meal did not bring him any satisfaction; instead, it spurred a flurry of speculative thoughts in his active mind, prompted by a casual comment from the talking goat head.
His focus shifted to Ai, the dove that meandered around on a nearby shelf. The thoughts swirling in his mind became increasingly outlandish. He had long believed that this peculiar bird, capable of communicating in human language, was the reincarnation of an earthly soul. Specifically, he theorized that part of his own soul, the Zhou Ming aspect, had merged with the spirit compass during his spirit dive, thereby animating Ai.
But what if things were different?
What if, as Goathead had suggested, Ai was merely a phantom escaping from some “deeper” realm that had randomly appeared near him? The bits of human language Ai sporadically spoke might not be fragments of Zhou Ming’s memories but rather echoes of historical snippets recorded by this universe…
This notion of an alternate reality sent shivers down Duncan’s spine, the implications deeply unsettling.
Interrupting his troubled thoughts, Alice stood up and inquired, “Would you like me to wash the dishes?”
Duncan stared at the doll-like girl in surprise. She clumsily touched her head and added, “I thought since I’m on board, I should contribute somehow; otherwise, I’m just taking advantage of your hospitality…”
“You don’t even need to eat,” Duncan reminded her gently, “But your intentions are admirable—take the dishes to the sink. Speak to the sink first; if it doesn’t object, go ahead and wash them.”
After making this suggestion, Duncan stood and walked towards the captain’s quarters, calling back, “I’m going to check the deck. Unless it’s urgent, do not disturb me.”
Ai, who had been exploring the shelf, fluttered down onto Duncan’s shoulder and joined him as he exited the room. This left Alice and Goathead exchanging silent glances.
“Is the captain in a bad mood?” Alice timidly asked Goathead after a moment of silence.
“The captain’s mood is as unpredictable as the weather on the Boundless Sea. It’s best just to accept it and not speculate,” Goathead replied solemnly.
Before Goathead could continue, Alice hurriedly asked another question, “The captain talked about negotiating with the sink… how do I do that?”
“It’s simple. You wash the dishes. If you get splashed with water, it means the sink doesn’t approve of you. By the way, do you know how to wash dishes? If not, I can offer some theoretical guidance…”
Before Goathead could finish, Alice had already started clearing the dishes from the table and headed toward the kitchen, cheerfully declaring, “No need for help, I’ll figure it out myself. Thank you, Mr. Goathead, until later!”
The captain’s quarters fell into a quiet calm, the only presence remaining being the shadowy silhouette of Goathead seated at the table, its vacant gaze following the path everyone else had taken.
After what seemed like an eternity, a deep sigh echoed through the room. “If only I had legs…” Goathead murmured, his focus returning to the sea chart before him.
Outside, the fog that had enveloped their ship, the ‘Vanished,’ slowly lifted. The ship, seemingly sentient, had been entrusted to Goathead by the captain, with the critical task of maintaining its course.
Guided by precise navigation, the vast ghostly ship adeptly adjusted its many sails, continuing its grand voyage across the boundless expanse of the Boundless Sea. As it sailed, a haunting sea shanty sung by Goathead filled the air, its rough, almost discordant melody resonating:
Sails raised high, seafarers take leave, bidding farewell to the comfort of home.
Amidst the storm, amidst the noise, a mere wooden plank separates us from the icy grip of death.
Furl the jib, unfurl the mainsail, loose the ropes, grasp the gunwales! We are in the heart of the mighty sea!
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Steer clear of the fish, steer clear, as we maneuver through their massive schools.
Steer clear of the fish, steer clear! Our goal is the safety of the shore—warm hearts and hearth lie ahead…
Meanwhile, Duncan decided to inspect the ship’s supplies after stepping outside, moving from the storage to the kitchen and then back to the mid-deck of the Vanished. He searched thoroughly but only found food as appealing as jerky and cheese.
The silver lining was that, unlike the seafarers during Earth’s age of sail, he didn’t have to contend with worm-infested biscuits. However, the downside was that the ship didn’t even offer such basics.
Choosing to set aside his puzzling thoughts for a moment, Duncan walked to the edge of the deck, accompanied by the silent Ai. As they looked out at the Boundless Sea, he pondered their situation:
“…One way or another, I need to find a way to restock the Vanished’s supplies… I may live on a ghost ship, but I can’t very well exist like a ghost myself…”
“Alice might also need a change of clothes; there are none suitable for her on this vessel.”
“I also need to establish connections with the terrestrial city-states soon… The Vanished has been aimlessly wandering the seas for too long; the cities on land may have advanced far beyond even Goathead’s estimations. From what I saw in the sewers, Pland seems to be a formidable and technologically advanced city. The presence of revolvers in the hands of those cultists is indicative of how far human society has progressed…”
“Against a society that has experienced a century’s worth of development, a centuries-old phantom ship might not remain invincible. The Vanished might still hold a formidable reputation, but relying solely on that reputation could potentially lead to complications…”
As he reflected, Duncan looked at Ai, who was perched on his shoulder.
Perhaps… after he had taken some time today to recuperate, it would be time to attempt another journey into the “spirit realm.”
“Coo?” Ai tilted her head, finally acting more like an ordinary dove.
Duncan chuckled at her antics. At that moment, a sudden shimmer on the nearby sea’s surface caught his eye.
Intrigued by the glint, he instinctively glanced several more times over the ship’s side. It didn’t take long for him to notice a shape moving beneath the water.
After a brief moment of thought, a realization struck Duncan, and he slapped his forehead in disbelief.
“Good heavens! How did I not see it sooner… This is the sea, isn’t it? Aren’t there supposed to be fish in the sea?!”
The sudden insight brightened Duncan’s mood. He recognized that making contact with the land and ensuring a stable supply for the Vanished would take time. However, could the vast, Boundless Sea itself help in his plight?
The sea was teeming with fish, and he had grown tired of the jerky and cheese on the ghost ship.
A surge of enthusiasm filled Duncan. He remembered that one of the storage compartments beneath the deck contained sturdy fishing rods suitable for ocean fishing. There were slots for securing the rods along the gunwales at the deck’s edge. As for bait… perhaps the jerky and cheese would suffice?
Meanwhile, the cursed puppet continued washing dishes in the water room, the talking goat head focused on steering the ship, and the captain of the Vanished was bustling between the deck and the cabins.
Duncan quickly found what he needed. He carried three hefty fishing rods and some “bait” back to the deck, fumbling slightly as he secured them at the ship’s edge. After baiting the hooks and casting the lines, he retrieved an empty barrel from nearby to serve as his seat while he waited.
Truth be told, Duncan had no experience in sea fishing—his fishing exploits had been confined to ponds and a small river back in his hometown. He was unsure if his impromptu idea would yield any fish. Yet, it was better than doing nothing. Moreover, this could be a refreshing change before his next spirit walk, and it left room for anticipation of an improved menu.
Duncan settled among the fishing rods. As he waited, his spirit gradually calmed, with the overcast sky showing no signs of an impending storm. But as the minutes passed without a nibble, his half-closed eyes began to succumb to boredom, drifting him into a semi-conscious slumber.
In his dream, he walked barefoot on the calm sea surface. The azure water and inviting warmth of the sun beckoned.
The familiar and “normal” sun of his memories shone brightly above, intense but not scorching.
He heard splashing water and turned to see fish leaping out of the serene waters nearby.
A school of golden fish, each no bigger than his palm, floated in mid-air, blowing bubbles and swishing their tails as if swimming, lazily circling around Duncan.
These airborne fish gradually drew closer. Duncan watched them with curiosity, observing their round, bulging eyes, delicate scales, opening and closing mouths, and the subtle ripple-like patterns trailing behind them.
At that moment, Duncan found these fish utterly captivating, and what’s more… they smelled delicious.
Absolutely, incredibly delectable.
Thats a trap. This is going to bite him in the a*s.
How many warnings have you gotten about the Sea… Captain?
there’s a reason pirate or sailor rather chose starving than eating fish in the sea