Chapter 549: “Witnessed by the Four Gods”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.com.
When asked about her last encounter with the church’s patrol fleet near the border, Lucretia paused to collect her thoughts. Her expression tightened as she recalled the event. “It was about a month ago when I saw the Flame Bearers’ ship near the border waters. Since then, I haven’t encountered any patrols from the churches in that area. But that might be because I haven’t been sailing near the border recently.”
Governor Sara Mel shook his head. “It’s not just because you haven’t been near the border, Ms. Lucretia. The situation is more strategic. The Church of the Four Gods has pulled back many of its personnel who used to patrol the border. They’ve reduced their presence there by about fifty percent.”
Lucretia looked surprised. “They’ve reduced their border patrols? Why would they do that?”
Sara Mel explained, “The churches don’t have to share their plans with me, but from what I’ve gathered, those pulled back from patrol duties haven’t been reassigned to other routes or tasks. Instead, they’ve been stationed near the Eternal Veil at specific strategic points along the border. They’re not actively patrolling but seem to be amassing their forces there, possibly preparing for something significant.”
Pausing for emphasis, the governor looked intently at Lucretia and spoke gravely, “This kind of strategic shift is unprecedented.”
Lucretia absorbed Sara Mel’s words, understanding the gravity of the situation. “When an elf says ‘this has never happened before,’ it’s usually a sign that we’re facing something extremely serious. I understand the gravity of what you’re saying.”
Sara Mel nodded solemnly. “The world is in a precarious state, Ms. Lucretia. The Vanished has issued a global warning. Even ordinary people like myself can sense that a crisis is coming. The Church of the Four Gods, which has been our guardian and overseer for millennia, can’t ignore these signs. They’re definitely mobilizing.”
As he spoke, Sara Mel pointed to a letter on his desk bearing the official seal of the four churches.
“This letter suggests a link between their recent redeployment and the warning issued by the Vanished. It seems the leaders of the Arks have identified, or at least confirmed, the ‘root cause’ of the issues your father warned us about. And whatever they have discovered seems more consequential than anyone initially thought. In light of this ‘major issue,’ concerns over the Vanished—whose existence remains tied to subspace and has the potential to disrupt it—have become secondary. What’s crucial now is that your father still aligns with the ‘mortals’ in this looming conflict.”
After Governor Sara Mel finished, Lucretia found herself deep in thought, her gaze shifting back to the letter she held, its contents weighing heavily on her mind. She navigated through her thoughts, considering every aspect of the conversation.
After a prolonged silence, Sara Mel decided to break the stillness. “If I may ask, Ms. Lucretia, what is your father, the legendary Captain Duncan, currently doing? And what are his future plans?”
For a moment, a whimsical thought crossed Lucretia’s mind: “He’s busy babysitting and plans to take the kids on a grocery run for some human-friendly food.” She immediately dismissed the notion and focused. “He’s very interested in the ‘fallen object’ I discovered. He seems to know a lot about the ‘stone sphere’ at its core. That’s mainly why he’s here now.”
Sara Mel’s eyes widened in surprise. “He knows the origins of this ‘stone sphere’?”
“Yes,” Lucretia nodded. “He called it the ‘moon’ and said its original size should be enormous—much larger than what we see. He also asked me about the sphere’s physical properties and the composition of samples taken from its surface.”
Sara Mel frowned, thinking deeply. After a moment, he shook his head. “I’ve never heard of such terminology.”
“Neither have I,” Lucretia said. “My father mentioned that it’s unlikely anyone in our world would recognize the term ‘moon.’ And when he said this, he seemed… uncharacteristically dispirited.”
The governor paused, carefully choosing his next words. “Our research team has recently collected more surface samples from this ‘stone sphere,’ and they’re analyzing them now. Given your father’s keen interest, I’ll make sure to share the findings with you. I’ll also arrange access to the research facilities; your father is welcome to examine any of the data or findings personally.”
Lucretia raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. “And you’re not concerned that revealing such sensitive information could cause mass panic?”
Sara Mel gestured expansively. “You’ve already openly walked your father into the city. Do you know how many people here would recognize his face?”
She retorted, “Until there’s an official statement, most people will likely dismiss it as a mere resemblance—a man who looks like Captain Duncan is more believable than a shadowy figure from subspace casually wandering our streets.”
Sara Mel smiled wryly. “A striking resemblance is unsettling enough, Ms. Lucretia. Since your father’s… disappearance, even seasoned sea captains have mostly stopped wearing goatees out of respect or superstition.”
“Well, that’s hardly my concern,” Lucretia replied humorously, “It’s not as if my father went around forcibly shaving them.”
Governor Sara Mel looked momentarily stunned before regaining his composure. “Very well, let’s not get sidetracked. I want to know the absolute truth—how is your father doing now, really?”
He knew his question was sensitive, especially to someone as formidable as the “Sea Witch.” Yet the urgency of the situation compelled him to ask.
Lucretia showed no offense at his directness.
“From what I’ve gathered, my father has lost a considerable amount of his memory. His time in subspace fractured his reasoning and identity. The Duncan Abnomar we see today is a man pieced back together from fragmented memories and characteristics,” she explained, her face a tapestry of conflicting emotions. “I can still recognize some semblance of his former self—the familiar aura and dignified presence. But beyond a vague impression of me, his recall is largely non-existent.”
Lucretia paused, contemplating her next words. “I sense something else within him. And I’m not talking about subspace corruption or something dangerous. It’s as if he has multiple layers of personalities or fragmented bits of information coexisting in a complicated tapestry.”
Sara Mel furrowed his brows. “Could you elaborate?”
Exercising tremendous patience, Lucretia delved into greater detail. “When I saw him again, my initial impression was disrupted by a brief onslaught of noises and shifting shadows—likely the residual effects of some form of psychic contamination. This was fleeting and didn’t leave a lasting impact. Amidst this chaos, I perceived tiny lights emanating from behind him, resembling a ‘starry sky,’ as if it existed between the spiritual recesses of the ocean and the metaphysical realm.”
“Before this ‘starry’ phenomenon, my initial impression was that of an immense ‘void.’ I could see his physical form but couldn’t sense his essence. Once these sensations unfolded, I could establish meaningful communication. I wasn’t speaking to a hollow shell anymore; the essence of Duncan Abnomar, fragmented as it might be, was accessible.”
Governor Sara Mel’s face turned grave. “And how long did this experience last?”
“The experience unfolded in the briefest of moments,” Lucretia said. “It happened at the intersection of rational thought and intuitive perception. Most would likely overlook this episode altogether. Those with heightened psychic sensitivities might be so engrossed by the star-like phenomena that they’d miss the preceding sense of ‘void.'”
Governor Sara Mel pondered silently before speaking. “You perceived this transition because you were attuned to your father at that moment. The implications are disconcerting. It’s as if—”
Lucretia cut him off. “I believe you’re suggesting that this ‘starry light’ phenomenon might now constitute the ‘real’ essence of Duncan Abnomar. And what returned from subspace could be merely a fragment or an extension of this essence.”
Sara Mel’s face tightened into a frown. “That was my thought. Isn’t it plausible?”
Lucretia shook her head gently. “I have my convictions; according to them, that is indeed him. He now carries troubling attributes—qualities that make his existence difficult to comprehend. However, I can affirm that these ‘stars,’ perplexing as they may be, are either him or an integral part of him.”
Sara Mel considered his words carefully. “Your explanation is laden with emotional undertones, Ms. Lucretia. But I understand you’re not one to let emotions interfere with your judgment. I hope your assessment emanates from your grasp of reality rather than a sentimental yearning for what was or might have been.”
Lucretia looked him squarely in the eye. “You can trust my judgment,” she stated emphatically. She then gestured toward the letter adorned with the insignia of the Church of the Four Gods. “If not in me, then at least trust in the wisdom of the ‘Four Gods.'”
Sounds like “Duncan” is not only Zhou Ming in possession of Captain Duncan’s body which has reality changing powers, but also the Avatar of some greater power.
{The term avatar in Hinduism refers to act of various gods taking form to perform a particular task which in most of the times is bringing dharma back.]
Duncan’s official title, in the eyes of the Gods and the Guardian of the Tomb of the Nameless King, is “Usurper of Fire.” Naturally, this wasn’t a title he had when he lived, but something that he gained during his stay in subspace, I suppose. But this intrigues me, is the “Usurper of Fire” the main body, and Duncan Abnomar the “Avatar” by which the Usurper of Fire expresses his power? After all, that title has to do with the Spirit Fire he wields.
There are obvious Lovecraft influences in the story which I have been enjoying. I have not noticed any Tolkien influences as yet, but I do see some similarities between Duncan’s Spirit fire and Tolkien’s Secret Fire, also known as the Flame Imperishable.
My own impression is that Duncan likely is the Usurper of Fire, but by doing so he corrupted himself to a point of no return. So, he tried to find a way, an existence that could make use of such achievement, and that is MC. Probably something like a quick fix to support the power that can affect reality. If he got the fire himself, or opened his body to an entity but then got the better hand of the battle by giving his body to MC instead, I am not sure which if that is what happened. But that is just a guess so far and it is likely to be somethhing else entirelly.
Idk why, but I do think the original Duncan somehow fought, or perhaps is still fighting a possession. And MC is just the hack he found to allow the fire to appear on reality. It is just weird for MC to have the fire. The balancing of identities could explain the way the head was so worried too, and how MC living as Duncan is important. But that still doesn’t explain the head on the ship. That existence in itself is just so mind blowing for me, it just doesn’t seem to fit on any of my guesses.
It’s not Duncan, this has been answered by the Guide in the tomb. I think it refers to zhou ming posing as the character of duncan
Keep in mind that the guide in the tomb of the namless king said Duncan is not the usurper of fire when Vannah asked. It’s most likely zhou ming that was being referred to as the usurper
Did you guys forget the one who has the title “usurper of fire” Isn’t Duncan but Zhou Ming?
Will the chapters stay free after the story is completed?
yes
I think it’s implied that the white giant Zou saw in subspace was the original flame god. Duncan got his power and Zou took over after. How did these events happen you ask? Hehe you don’t know? Yeah I don’t know either.
So what are the chances that the Nameless King that spends his days slumbering in his tomb is the nameless dreamer whose dream the heretic are trying to get into