Chapter 475: Taking the First Steps of Exploration
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Taran El, a highly respected elf and scholar in the fields of mathematics, mechanics, and natural history, had received four lifetime achievement awards from the Academy of Truth. He was renowned for his unyielding commitment to the pursuit of knowledge. Taran would often spend both day and night engrossed in research in his laboratory. This level of dedication worried Lucretia, who was deeply concerned that his extreme focus on his studies might one day cost him his life.
However, in a public gathering of his scholarly peers, Taran El found himself in the unusual position of acknowledging his inability to unravel the mysteries of an enigmatic object: a large, glowing geometric shape that had descended from the sky.
Lucretia looked up and her eyes scanned the room, briefly resting on a crystal sphere on her desk before focusing on the otherworldly illumination pouring through the window. Even at this late hour, the sea outside her window appeared to be bathed in sunlight, creating a seamless bridge of light between the sky and the ocean.
Lucretia sighed, shifting her attention back to her desk, where a peculiar, dust-covered sphere rested on a stand. The sphere had a rough, stone-like surface marked by strange, erratic designs. While not exactly aesthetically pleasing, the sphere exuded an irresistible aura of mystery.
This mysterious object was actually a scaled-down model of an enormous ‘stone sphere’ that was encased within the larger geometric light structure hovering above the sea. The model sphere was exactly ten meters in diameter and was the only tangible result of extensive research conducted by numerous experts over an extended period of time.
Speaking to her elder brother via the crystal sphere on her desk, Lucretia said, “Master Taran El has gone to Wind Harbor to rest and recuperate. His students practically had to force him to leave. If he doesn’t take this time to recover, I’m afraid he might die prematurely. For an elf, dying at the age of five hundred would be a true tragedy.”
She continued, “When he left, he was clearly disheartened. The ‘object from the sky’ still remains an enigma that we cannot solve. Both the radiant light surrounding it and the sphere at its core are baffling to all of us.”
“We have managed to collect some samples from the ‘stone sphere,’ but every analysis indicates that the material is nothing more than finely ground stone powder. Attempts to probe the interior of the sphere have been utterly fruitless. Neither conventional methods nor magical interventions have been successful. The object seems to be shielded by a thick, impenetrable shell that keeps its secrets well guarded. We’ve held off on conducting any destructive tests so far.”
She added, “Despite all the uncertainties and questions, there’s one thing that we’ve all agreed upon: the geometric light structure most likely originates from the rune circle that surrounds Vision 001. This conclusion was made possible thanks to research conducted at the ‘Tower’ in Wind Harbor. There, scholars have identified missing portions along the periphery of Vision 001 and have confirmed that these gaps correspond exactly to our mysterious ‘geometric light body’.”
Burdened by a multitude of concerns, Lucretia rapidly unloaded a torrent of detailed information. Tyrian, ever the attentive listener, allowed her to complete her narrative without any interruptions. Only after she had finished speaking did he find the opportunity to respond. “So, the object has been confirmed as a fragment from Vision 001… Lucy, you know Father had alerted the Four Church about the potential waning of the ‘sun.’”
“Yes, I’m aware,” Lucretia replied with a subtle nod. “No one is taking Captain Duncan’s warning lightly, but it has caused a ripple of widespread fear and apprehension, especially when it comes to discussions about the Vanished.”
Tyrian gave a wistful smile. Having recently been in frequent contact with their father, Duncan Abnomar, and experiencing his novel approaches firsthand, he decided to tactfully change the subject. “So, what’s the next step? What are your plans concerning this ‘sun’ situation?”
Lucretia shrugged dismissively. “What could we possibly do? Launch this enormous stone sphere back into orbit? Try to re-integrate it into the sun’s runic circle? It appears that only the lost civilization of the Ancient Kingdom of Crete knew the secret to anchoring the sun in the sky.”
Tyrian lapsed into thoughtful silence.
After a brief pause, Lucretia abruptly shifted gears. “Has Father been informed about my ‘research’ here?”
“I haven’t said a word,” Tyrian assured her, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t share it without your explicit permission. Why, are you thinking about seeking his help?”
Lucretia hesitated momentarily, showing a flicker of interest in the idea before dismissing it. “Let me think about it some more. It’s not certain that Father could even assist with these complexities. And to be honest, I’m somewhat intimidated by him.”
“He’s mellowed out considerably lately,” Tyrian said with a chuckle. “But if you’re hesitant, I won’t push the matter. Just remember, even if I keep mum, the news may still reach him. He’s now entangled with the church and various city-states. If he takes an interest, I won’t stand in his way.”
Waving her hand dismissively, Lucretia let out a sigh. Always candid with her family, the woman who outsiders called the “Sea Witch” relented. “Fine, fine, enough already. When are you sending me that spirit lens you mentioned?”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Tyrian hesitated.
Two seconds later, an exasperated cry erupted from the crystal ball. “You forgot again?!”
The next morning, Duncan noticed Tyrian’s worn-out appearance as he visited the southern port. “Tyrian, you look exhausted.”
Rubbing his forehead, Tyrian sighed. “I’ve had a lot on my plate lately.”
It wasn’t just an excuse. Tyrian was indeed overwhelmed. The responsibility of governing a city-state had proven to be far more taxing than commanding a naval fleet. And then there was the added weight of tolerating his sister Lucretia’s incessant questioning and complaints for over two hours, which had also taken a significant toll on his energy and patience.
Pivoting skillfully away from the slightly awkward subject of Lucretia’s research, Tyrian regained his composure. “The reason I asked to meet you so early today is to inform you that the submersible is ready for deployment.”
Duncan’s eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. “So soon?”
“Yes, once we realized that the occupants wouldn’t require oxygen, it streamlined a lot of the preparation work,” Tyrian explained, nodding. “Besides, this new submersible is based on designs that date back to the era of the former Queen. Although there have been many upgrades and enhancements, the core principles of its operation remain fundamentally the same. It’s relatively straightforward to operate.”
After a momentary pause in which Duncan carefully studied his son, he seemed satisfied. “Very well. Show it to me.”
Tyrian looked slightly surprised at the immediacy of Duncan’s request. “You want to inspect it right now? I had thought to run some more tests first. Today’s meeting was primarily so you could get a firsthand look at the…”
Duncan interrupted him, “You’ve already conducted preliminary tests, haven’t you?”
Tyrian hesitated for a split second before admitting, “Yes, a few. I had two undead sailors take the vessel on a brief dive down to several dozen meters last night. The primary objective was to confirm the vessel’s functional status and gain insights into its operational processes. Everything went smoothly.”
“That will suffice,” Duncan confirmed, swiveling on his heel and striding toward the warehouse that served as an entrance to the underground facility. “Consider this my takeover of any subsequent testing. I’ll be the one to lead the official underwater mission, after all.”
Caught somewhat off guard by his father’s sense of urgency, Tyrian picked up his pace to keep up with Duncan’s brisk walk. As they hurried toward the subterranean facility, he couldn’t help but feel a measure of perplexity.
Something was off about Duncan today. His father was displaying an uncharacteristic urgency, a preoccupation that made Tyrian uneasy. It was as if the man had stumbled upon a critical piece of information or unearthed a significant secret, driving him to push forward rapidly.
This sense of urgency… it triggered in Tyrian a vague yet poignant sense of déjà vu.
Duncan, his imposing figure sheathed in a black coat, moved ahead at a swift pace. Tyrian quickened his steps even more, striving to match his father’s brisk tempo.
As he observed his father’s rapidly receding back, it finally clicked why this situation seemed so familiar.
This was an emotional echo from years past—a feeling he had experienced when his father was on the verge of embarking on an extended maritime expedition. It was the kind of demeanor Duncan assumed when he had discovered clues leading to ancient ruins, or when a new, uncharted sea route appeared on their maps, or when they received unexpected reports of anomalies and mysteries from the fringes of the civilized world.
This was Duncan in “discovery mode,” gearing up for a journey into the unknown.
Memories that had lain dormant for years suddenly roared back to life, flooding Tyrian’s mind. Flickering images from the past overlaid the present moment, like translucent layers of an old photograph.
Caught in this reverie, Tyrian had slowed his pace. Duncan paused and turned, casting a puzzled glance back at his son. “Tyrian, is something the matter? Hurry up.”
Shaken out of his contemplative state, Tyrian quickened his steps. “Ah… of course, Father,” he hastily replied.
Duncan gave a curt nod and resumed his stride, apparently dismissing Tyrian’s momentary hesitation as insignificant. He seemed to be driven by a reinvigorated zeal for exploration, an insatiable hunger to unearth the world’s mysteries that propelled him relentlessly forward.
The source of this newfound urgency in Duncan was not lost on Tyrian. It likely originated from the insights his father had gathered the previous day. Duncan had been examining a brass key, an artifact that seemed to peel back a corner of the world’s opaque tapestry. It had revealed the existence of a gigantic spaceship that had crashed onto their world in an era long forgotten, a marvel of ancient technology referred to as a “Blasphemous Prototype.” These revelations touched on enigmas so deep and complex that even noted scholars like Morris hadn’t dared to venture into them.
Indeed, the universe was a labyrinth of boundless mysteries. Each new piece of evidence or clue seemed to merely emphasize how convoluted and impenetrable these secrets were, akin to a web of veils, each layer hiding yet another layer beneath it.
And so, any opportunity to advance even an inch closer to the underlying truths of their world was invaluable. For Duncan, who had the soul of an adventurer and an explorer, this was not merely an opportunity; it was a calling. A magnetic force pulling him toward the uncharted territories of knowledge and discovery was simply too powerful to resist.
Amazing chapter as always
“Amazing chapter as always”
I agree. Each of the chapters in this story always seem to be developing the characters, advancing the plot, and expanding on the world building.
“However, in a public gathering of his scholarly peers, Taran El found himself in the unusual position of acknowledging his inability to unravel the mysteries of an enigmatic object:”
How is it unusual? I would assume given the world they live in there would be many mysteries he would be unable to unravel
Most of them would drive their witnesses insane, I assume. Researching something relatively benign and still unsolvable is not that common, right?
I feel a bit left out because I’m starting to not understand some theories about this novel, mostly that Duncan / Zhou Ming can theoretically talk things into being true. I don’t know where it started or if some nuance has flown over my head, if anyone can explain I would be very thankful!
It started when he first went ‘fishing’
and Alice watched him catch a giant tentacle with eyes. Then it turned into fish didn’t it?
Do you remember the first rule of the Vanished that the Goathead mentioned? “Captain Duncan is always right. Even if reality conflicts with Captain Duncan’s wording, it is subject to Captain Duncan’s judgment”. This is not just wording. Everything that is part of the Vanished (that includes Prand and Frost now) is under the effects of Duncan’s reality manipulation. He just doesn’t know such a thing exists.
Back in Chapter 130 or so when Shirley and Dog ate with them for the first time. Dog mentioned that the very essence of the deep sea heir was transformed into “fish”. Duncan really thought it was a fish so it become a fish. Although it hasn’t been confirmed if he needs to be genuinely thinking for something to become something else or if he can cook it up on a spot. It is the truth that he can make things happen as long as he really wants them to.
Yeah that all makes a lot of sense in retrospect, at the time I had been reading those chapters I kind of just thought that the people had commonly believed these things to be supernaturally tainted and so they just were. But when these tainted items are acquired by Duncan and exposed to his ‘ethereal flame’ they were reverted to a normal/untainted state, or just his notion of ‘normal’. For example, the tentacles turning to fish, or the ‘Blasphemous Book’ replica showing a unique dialogue to Duncan. I guess I had known that Duncan’s reality was prioritized, but understood it differently. That said, could other Visions or deities inflict similar reality-changing effects?
We don’t know anything about the deities. What their opinion really is on the mortal world? What they look like? Why don’t they make any new Messengers? What are their plans? What are their powers? We only know the power that they bestow on their believers and even then we don’t know about all of them(Eternal Fire for example). We know next to nothing. We know from Pope Helena that they are indifferent to the mortal world but how credible is that information? We also know that snippet that Duncan managed to see which only shows more mysteries. We didn’t even know the 4 god’s true names before except Bartok’s.
Same thing goes for the Visions. We don’t know many of them or how they effect their surroundings. We have no idea where Vision 004 is and Vision 001 is more then likely man-made by the ancient kingdom of Crate. In my opinion, it is likely also the cause of their collapse. Maybe a mass sacrificial ritual to leave a better future for their descendants? And yet it shows no negative effect on the world and in fact is purely beneficial as it makes it harder for shadows to manifest during the “day”.
As for the items that you mentioned that is more so about the special nature of Duncan’s flames then it is about reality manipulation and also about his special status among the mortal world. His flame’s according to Tyrian come from subspace so they are likely a form of corruption and yet they’ve shown that they can cleanse souls. In my opinion when Zhou Ming came to possess Duncan Abnomar’s body they became hybrid in nature. They can both corrupt and cleanse depending on Duncan’s intentions.
He uses them to either cleanse from their initial corruption or maybe he just overwrites said corruption with his own making them part of the Vanished. From there he can use them as a medium to see their past. Like it happened with Alice’s Coffin or the brass key. Or use them as a link to certain deities like it happened with the Ancient Sun God and the brass mask. As for the Blasphemous book… here I can’t really help. I mentioned his status among mortals because he clearly has some privileges others don’t. So maybe that’s what caused the difference from Mortis’ situation.
Another example is how his avatars are being named Duncan as if they were named so from the start, despite bearing different names before getting impersonated by him. Doesn’t that make it fitting to call him the Usurper of Fire, especially that Usurper part?
Actually that makes that particular “reality” very likely to be some simulation, if the issue of causality being casually rewritten is only a matter of convenience.
“That said, could other Visions or deities inflict similar reality-changing effects?”
I think the Visions and Artifacts change reality in their constrained manner. The “Sun” is a lovecraftian monster from the rear and the “ring” around it changes its reality to a light and heat giving sun in the front. The puppet’s coffin and the Sailor both had powers that changed reality in an even more limited way. I assume that it is the deities that are ultimately the source of the creation of Visions and Artifacts, but not necessarily done consciously. There are a lot of cults taking advantage of some of the deities.
Something… something feels off with Duncan in this chapter, or to put it correctly, with the MC. Zhou Ming, as a professor on modern earth, is going to want so much to discover the enigmatic and dangerous secrets of a world unknown to him?
I feel like Duncan’s true personality came out with the reveal of the key, something even his son mentioned. Maybe since chapter 1 where ZM reinforced his own existence in front of the mirror or in chapter 2 where GoatHead made him reinforce his being as Duncan something changed, that’s why the author always changes the narrative when the MC enters and leaves of the room. Inside he said “I am Zhou Ming” but outside he said “I am Duncan” and if from the beginning he had the powers to bend reality then… what will happen if he says “I am Zhou Ming” outside? Has his personality been changing little by little or is it an effect of the real Duncan’s will? Don’t you think it’s strange how he was so scared by seeing GoatHead talking and just a few chapters later being in a pile of bodies with holes in their chests without having a nervous breakdown or how he kills some cultists in cold blood without flinching chapters later?
I’m starting to think that maybe Duncan was Zhou Ming the entire time but after he went into subspace he lost his memories of being Duncan and it reverted his memory into just being Zhou again.