Chapter 498: Necessary Procedures
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.com
Duncan knew that the agreement he reached today would stir up significant unrest across the ocean. This “warning,” as he called it, would impact not just a small group but everyone. Its significance was profound due to both its alarming content and its source.
Tyrian, looking grim, broke the tense silence. “This is a serious matter,” he began, his concern evident. “We don’t need to worry about the church’s response. They’ve always been vigilant and skilled in handling transcendental crises. They’ll take this very seriously. The city-states, however, are another matter. I doubt they can all set up an effective early warning system.”
“Then we have to consider how many people will take this warning seriously,” Lucretia’s voice echoed through the shimmering crystal ball. “Our world is flooded with apocalyptic warnings, mostly from fanatical cultists. Now, with the Vanished sending out a sudden warning, many might react as they do to the Annihilators, if not worse.”
Shirley, speaking softly from across the table, added, “In the end, it’s their reputation on the line.”
Duncan glanced at Shirley briefly before shaking his head. “The reputation of the Vanished holds significant weight. Even if some dismiss the warning’s content, they will still take it seriously out of fear or respect for the Vanished. Their caution will be enough.”
Agatha, with her husky yet soothing voice, spoke up. “I’ll contact the church immediately.” She nodded with conviction. “The Sanctuary of Death will treat this warning from the Vanished with the highest priority.”
Vanna agreed. “Once the news reaches the Death Church and the Truth Academy, it will certainly reach the Flame Bearers. I’ll confirm this directly with the Pope.”
During the discussion, Morris removed his monocle and polished it thoughtfully. “It’s been a while since I last interacted with the Ark of the Academy. This might be a good opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues.” He paused before adding, “Though, I’ll need some special preparations. Obtaining the necessary ointments and herbal powders for communicating with the Ark of the Truth Academy isn’t easy.” Morris’s words triggered a memory in Duncan.
“What about the inquiry I asked you to undertake earlier?” Duncan redirected the conversation toward the scholar. “Were you able to trace the origin of the broken cross symbol that the Enders possessed?”
“I must apologize, there hasn’t been any progress,” Morris admitted, sounding disappointed. “I’ve sent numerous letters to my academic peers and reached out to several universities we have good relationships with, but none have any records of the broken cross symbol. All we can determine so far is that it might have appeared on some remnants of the ancient kingdom of Crete…”
“I see…” Duncan felt a wave of disappointment but knew that investigating a cryptic symbol was like searching for a needle in a haystack. He didn’t dwell on the setback. “Keep monitoring this matter and inform me immediately if there are any developments.”
Morris bowed his head in agreement. “Understood, Captain.”
Duncan grunted in acknowledgment, paused to ensure no detail was overlooked, and then sighed lightly. He stood from his chair and scanned the gathered individuals.
“That concludes today’s meeting. We’ve outlined our course of action. If any questions arise, don’t hesitate to seek my counsel.”
At the far end of the table, Lawrence, who had been holding his breath in anticipation, felt a sense of relief.
The meeting wasn’t as grim and frightening as he had feared. It wasn’t filled with bizarre rituals or strict, bloody regulations. However, being “under Duncan’s watchful eye at any moment” had put considerable strain on him. As the “newcomer,” he had been on edge throughout. Now, he could finally relax. But just as he was about to sigh in relief, he noticed that the others didn’t seem ready to leave. Instead, most, including the esteemed scholar Morris, seemed to be looking forward to the next session. Was there more to discuss?
As Lawrence pondered this, Nina’s voice rang out from across the table. “Ah, finally, we’ve finished the business talk. Let’s eat, I’m starving!”
“We’re having a feast today. A grand feast!” Shirley chimed in, her voice filled with excitement.
“Since it’s our meeting day, we have a hearty soup simmering in the pot. It’s the perfect time to serve it,” Alice declared, standing up. “I’ll fetch the serving cart.”
Bewildered, Lawrence watched the scene unfold, struggling to understand the sudden shift. He turned to Agatha, who looked just as puzzled.
Duncan’s voice echoed from the head of the table, addressing their unspoken questions. “It’s our tradition to share a meal after discussing business. That’s the rule on board.”
“After business discussions… we share a meal?” Lawrence echoed, his surprise clear. For a moment, he thought he had misinterpreted something. But the truth became apparent when he saw Alice wheeling in an oversized food cart. The ancient cart squeaked with each movement, bearing numerous containers brimming with hot food.
Lawrence watched in disbelief as Alice arranged the food on the table, with Shirley and Nina helping set out the plates and cutlery. The enticing fragrance filled his nostrils – freshly baked bread, a variety of fruits and vegetables, and other familiar food items, all fit for human consumption.
The most intoxicating aroma came from a simmering pot of soup at the far end of the table.
The soup, filled with tender flesh of a mysterious fish, bubbled gently. The steam rising from its surface created an eerie illusion of life, as if the pieces of meat were twitching and writhing. But on closer inspection, this apparent movement was just an optical illusion.
Compelled by an inexplicable urge, Lawrence rose from his seat, his eyes locked on the simmering fish soup. He couldn’t identify the type of fish in the broth, but his intuition, honed from years at sea, told him it was extraordinary. Despite lacking supernatural abilities, he had developed an instinct for perceiving the extraordinary. It had alerted him to dangers that could lead to tragic losses and shipwrecks.
“It’s fresh fish,” Duncan said, beaming at Lawrence and Agatha, the newcomers. “Caught today. I had to travel far from Frost’s main island to get it.”
“Fish?” Lawrence repeated, his suspicion growing. But Morris quickly reassured him. “Your instincts are right, Captain Lawrence. But it’s part of the initiation process here. It poses no threat now. On this ship, it’s just food.”
While Lawrence processed this, Alice set a bowl of fish soup before him.
As she moved to Agatha, Alice hesitated, confusion on her face.
“I can’t consume anything,” Agatha explained, blushing slightly. “This body is just a lifeless vessel. It can’t enjoy food.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Duncan said, waving her concern away. “It’s technically a ship rule, but it’s more about socializing. If you can eat, eat. If not, conversation works too.”
He glanced at the crystal ball in front of Tyrian. “Remember to eat your dinner, Lucy!”
“I’m eating,” Lucretia assured him. “Luni has made baked apple pie and a salted meat pie for me.”
Duncan nodded, smiling warmly, and lifted his wine glass. “To the day we’ve gathered here, let’s toast!”
The vertigo that had clouded Lawrence’s senses began to fade, along with the spectral green flame at the edge of his vision. A refreshing sea breeze swept across the deck, bringing a moment of clarity.
The events on the Vanished still felt dreamlike, infused with surrealism.
Determined to regain full consciousness, Lawrence shook his head as if clearing the fog. He walked to the edge of the deck, staring at the sea darkening with night.
The faintly glowing silhouette of the Vanished near the White Oak seemed otherworldly. The entire experience felt surreal.
To be part of a gathering on such a ghostly ship, interacting with sentient puppets, sun fragments, and demons, exploring ancient gods’ mysteries and apocalyptic revelations—it was fantastical.
And then, under the watchful eye of a shadowy being from the subspace, they shared a meal, savoring the flesh of a creature from the ocean’s depths.
As the gathering ended and the real-world wind touched his face, the mental tension and numbness ebbed away. Lawrence regained his rational thinking as the peculiar sensations from the gathering faded.
He slowly began to understand the “true nature” of the extraordinary episode, but couldn’t find words to describe it. A regular person would have been paralyzed with fear or at least repulsed by the exotic “fish” they had consumed.
Yet, all Lawrence felt was an unusual sense of tranquility and belonging, which calmed his turbulent emotions.
The taste of that particular dish… was truly exquisite.
Yes… “Fish”
I wonder if Duncan’s wife will ever be mentioned
Yea, I also asked myself this. Considering that his children are now regularly appearing the question does not seem so far away anymore…
Maybe she “doesn’t exist”. She might be history, or rather “not history”.