Chapter 52 “Captain’s Not Home”
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Mastering the simultaneous control of two separate bodies, each performing different tasks, was proving to be a profoundly challenging and intricate endeavor for Duncan. This rare ability placed him far beyond the average human experience, burdening him with its immense responsibilities. After a series of exhaustive attempts and rigorous practice, Duncan finally managed to guide his second body back onto the bed in the quaint, antique-filled shop.
As he overcame these hurdles, Duncan noticed his control over this dual-consciousness ability was steadily improving. He was confident that with persistence and further practice, he would eventually perfect this unique skill.
Once everything was settled and a part of his attention remained anchored in the antique shop, Duncan let out a deep sigh of relief. Losing this critical base would have severely undermined his plans.
“Mission accomplished!” announced Ai, her wings fluttering vigorously as she landed on the table, her face beaming with pride. She had successfully retrieved a pale gold sun amulet and two bottles of spirits.
A slow smile began to form on Duncan’s face, blossoming into a wide grin as he grasped the full implications of their success.
The possibilities were boundless! Ai could transfer items between the spirit world and their own, and not just mundane objects!
Filled with elation, Duncan stood to examine the items closely. The sun amulet retained the faint magical energy he had embedded within it, and when he uncorked the spirit bottles, he was welcomed by their enticing scent.
Duncan, filled with happiness, turned his attention to Ai, who was energetically hopping around on the table.
He was quickly growing fond of Ai’s efficient, premium, and cost-free delivery service.
Feeling his gaze, Ai walked over to him, tapped the table with her beak, and chirped, “French fries! Make some French fries!”
“We don’t have any fries right now, but we’ll get some soon,” Duncan replied, gently picking up the bird and peering into her small, gleaming eyes. “I’m eager to find out more about what you can do. Are you limited to non-living things? And what about items that are lost? Do you ever misplace them? We’ll need to do more tests to find out.”
Ai paused, tilting her head back as she responded, “Missing bag? Oops, page is missing…”
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“…Shhh, that’s precisely my concern,” Duncan said, his confidence momentarily shaken by Ai’s cryptic words. Although their initial success was exhilarating, Ai’s random remarks did little to reassure him. He knew he wouldn’t fully trust this newfound “supply line” until further trials were conducted.
Having devised a clear and structured plan for his immediate actions, Duncan stood up from his seat with determination and made his way toward the door that led to the navigation room. As he approached the door, he stopped just short of the doorknob, took a moment to roll his shoulders, and flex his muscles, evaluating his physical condition. He noticed that his body moved smoothly and responsively, without any signs of tiredness or fatigue—just as it had been when he last checked.
This remarkable resilience made Duncan wonder: Was it a new aspect of his abilities as “Captain Duncan,” or could it be related to his peculiar half-ghost state? Could it be that he no longer experienced physical exhaustion at all?
He considered these questions briefly but could not find any definitive evidence to support one theory over the others. Nevertheless, it was a fortunate development. The reduced need to care for his physical form meant he could allocate more energy to other aspects of his existence.
Duncan was a practical man, skilled in setting aside unsolved mysteries for later reflection. After a brief pause, he firmly grasped the doorknob, opened the door, and stepped into the navigation room.
Back at his post, Captain Duncan resumed command.
“Name?” asked the stern-looking goat head sculpture, its empty gaze fixed ahead.
“Captain Duncan,” he replied briefly, glancing at the wooden figure. “I’m back.”
“Ah! The renowned Captain Duncan returns victorious to his majestic ship, the Vanished! Forgive me, Captain, I had to confirm your identity again, as you’ve been away spirit walking for quite some time… It’s the procedure you set up, after all. How are you feeling? What’s your current mood? How is your physical condition? Did you discover anything noteworthy during your extended absence? Would you like to share your adventures with your faithful first mate? I have skipped listing my other titles, as Miss Alice advised that keeping things simple would be preferable for you…”
“Enough,” Duncan cut off Goathead’s rambling with a wave of his hand, clearly annoyed. “What has happened here in my absence?”
“Ah, Captain Duncan, your straightforward approach and your humor are as sharp as ever. The ship is in tip-top shape, and all functions are operating without issue. I have led the ship just as you instructed. Miss Alice visited us twice, though neither visit was particularly remarkable. She checked the ropes on one occasion and the anchor on another…”
Duncan, who had intended to inspect the deck, became intrigued by Goathead’s report. With a furrowed brow, he asked, “Why is she tampering with the ropes and the anchor?”
He had realized during his spirit walk that Alice might explore the ship, but he hadn’t expected her involvement to be so significant as to necessitate a detailed report.
“Oh, it was purely out of goodwill that Miss Alice took those actions,” explained Goathead crew member. “She found the idleness aboard the ship unbearable and felt compelled to assist in some way. Thus, she took it upon herself to straighten the ropes and care for the anchor. However, I failed to inform her that the ropes are rather sensitive, almost like being ticklish, and that the anchor requires regular rest periods to function properly…”
Duncan remained silent.
“Captain, are you upset?” Goathead asked, growing anxious at Duncan’s sudden silence. It vigorously shook its head and continued, “I assure you, Captain, there’s no cause for concern. All newcomers need time to adapt and get to know their fellow crew members. They’re simply in a phase of adjustment and familiarization. Once this phase is over, you’ll see a significant improvement in Miss Alice’s integration with the crew. In fact, she’s already quite well-liked among the ship’s personnel…”
As Goathead defended Alice’s actions, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps. Alice burst into the room ungracefully, slamming the door open as she entered. “Mr. Goathead, why are the cannonballs in the ammunition storeroom rolling around and refusing to let me…”
Duncan’s silent and intense gaze halted Alice’s words abruptly. She stood rigidly, her posture betraying the discomfort and awkwardness she felt under the ghost captain’s scrutiny.
“I have returned,” Duncan announced, his voice resonating with calm authority.
Alice remained speechless.
So when Duncan dropped some cannon balls in Alice’s coffin and threw the coffin of the ship, he was making crew members walk the plank?