Chapter 582: Gradually Gathering Intelligence
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Duncan listened intently to Morris, who was reading from an ancient elven epic. As Morris spoke, Duncan’s expression shifted to one of deep thought and reflection.
Morris added context, “These lines come from a time long before the modern city-states were established. Over the centuries, the text has likely been altered through scholarly revisions, potentially deviating from its original meaning. Despite this, I believe these verses retain significant meaning. They offer insights into the ancient elves’ ‘Dream of Creation’ and also relate to the modern concept known as the ‘Dream of the Nameless.'”
Intrigued, Duncan stroked his chin and mused, “One line stands out to me: ‘Saslokha creates everything in a dream, yet he himself is unaware of what a dream is.’ How should we interpret this contradiction?”
Morris paused, considering his response carefully. “I think this line highlights the difference between divine and mortal perceptions of existence. It positions Saslokha, the ‘First Dreamer’ in elven lore, as unique. For a being who dwells in the realm of dreams, the line between dreaming and waking life might not exist. From his perspective, our reality could be just another mutable dream, and what we see as dreams might be as real as our waking world. Thus, for Saslokha, the concept of a ‘dream’ might indeed be elusive.”
Duncan nodded slowly, absorbing this. “That’s an interesting interpretation. What do the subsequent verses reveal?”
Morris elaborated, “The interpretations of the following lines have been debated among elven scholars. A widely accepted view is that the Great Demon God Saslokha eventually realized that the elves he created experienced dreams differently from him. This led to a pivotal moment of introspection, where he began to ponder the distinction between dream and reality. It was during this uncertainty that he brought forth the ‘Dreamless’ elves.”
Duncan considered this. “Ah, the Dreamless. In elven lore, being unable to dream is seen as a genetic anomaly.”
“Correct,” Morris confirmed. “The legend suggests that the Dreamless were born out of Saslokha’s emotional and existential crisis. They are depicted as imperfect because they lack access to the ‘Heaven of Dreams,’ a core aspect of elven spiritual belief. However…”
Morris paused, deep in thought, before continuing, “Interestingly, some obscure legends depict Saslokha not as indifferent but as the ‘Protector God of the Dreamless.’ This interpretation is largely disregarded by mainstream elven society. In ancient times, voicing such a belief might have been blasphemous, though it’s somewhat more tolerated in modern discussions.”
Vanna, intrigued by the conversation, added, “The notion of Saslokha as a guardian deity for the Dreamless is fascinating. It seems likely that this idea emerged among the Dreamless themselves, historically marginalized and ostracized. This belief could have provided them with solace and a sense of identity.”
“You’ve hit the nail on the head,” Morris responded, impressed. “This belief surfaced during what historians call the Elven Dark Ages. During this period, elven city-states exiled the Dreamless to remote islands, branding them as cursed. Their inability to connect with the dream world was believed to attract malevolent forces, leading to their societal banishment.”
Morris continued, “In these isolated enclaves, the concept of ‘Saslokha as the protector of the Dreamless’ gained traction. Embracing this belief provided comfort and resilience against isolation and nightly dangers. Over time, as societal norms shifted and the practice of exile relaxed with the spread of the Four Deity Faith, the Dreamless began to reintegrate into broader society. Although no longer outcasts, the ‘heretical’ beliefs about Saslokha remained largely unrecognized by the mainstream.”
As Duncan listened to Morris’s explanation, he connected this historical narrative to the peculiar occurrences in Wind Harbor. The information hinted at a larger, more complex theory. However, Duncan felt he was still missing critical pieces of the puzzle.
Suddenly, Duncan was pulled back to the present by the sensation of someone entering the room. The sound of the front door opening, followed by a servant’s muffled greetings and approaching footsteps, signaled a new arrival. Lucretia entered the living room, followed closely by Luni, a clockwork doll dressed as a maid, holding an unsettlingly designed oversized stuffed rabbit.
As soon as Lucretia and the clockwork doll entered, the rabbit toy in the doll’s arms made a sudden, twitching motion. In one fluid leap, it escaped from the doll’s embrace and landed on the floor. Filled with wild zest, it started bouncing around the room, emitting a high-pitched squeal, “At last, at last! Rabbi has entered the city! Rabbi is going to cause a grand commotion~”
Duncan, along with everyone else in the room, watched the bizarre performance of the rabbit doll with a mix of astonishment and unease.
After a short display of its frenzied behavior, the rabbit toy came to an abrupt stop. It slowly raised its head, its button eyes scanning the room methodically. Seemingly coming to a decision, it moved to a secluded corner and settled down with a soft “plop,” assuming the guise of an ordinary, lifeless plush toy once more.
The swift and strange turn of events left Nina and Shirley, seated across from Duncan, trying to make sense of what they had just witnessed.
Breaking the silence, Lucretia apologized, “Please excuse the interruption; Rabbi tends to be quite the troublemaker, which is why I rarely bring her into the city.”
Turning towards Duncan, she shared a subtle, meaningful smile. “Yet, I suspect Rabbi will maintain her best behavior in your presence.”
Luni, the mechanical maid doll, approached Duncan with a dignified bow. “Good day, esteemed master,” she greeted warmly.
After her greeting, Luni looked around as though searching for someone or awaiting further instructions.
“Alice is in the kitchen,” Duncan informed her, his expression brightening with a smile. “You’re welcome to join her.”
Luni glanced back at Lucretia, seeking her consent. With an affirmative nod from her mistress, Luni cheerfully made her way out of the living room.
Duncan’s attention returned to Lucretia. “Have things been progressing smoothly?” he asked, genuinely interested.
Lucretia replied succinctly, “All is well-managed. I’ve conferred with Sara Mel, revisited the Bright Star, and updated Tyrian on the situation here.”
Listening to Lucretia recap her recent activities, Duncan nodded thoughtfully, feeling a sense of relief. “Alright, I have a clear picture now. With everyone gathered, it’s time we discuss my findings,” he declared, signaling the beginning of an important conversation.
Upon hearing Duncan’s preamble, everyone instinctively sat up straighter, adjusting their postures in anticipation. Shirley, who had appeared somewhat detached and on the verge of dozing, snapped to full alertness. Duncan’s shift in tone communicated the importance of the information he was about to unveil.
Without delay, Duncan began sharing his findings, focusing on his theories surrounding Goathead. He avoided the more troubling details about the Vanished, reasoning that discussing them would only heighten the existing tension and do little to illuminate the peculiar occurrences in Wind Harbor.
The suggestion that Goathead might have connections to the elven mythos, specifically “the Great Demon God Saslokha,” cast a palpable chill over the room, enveloping everyone in deep, contemplative silence.
For an extended period, no one uttered a word. The room was filled with exchanged glances of bewilderment as each person grappled with the implications of Duncan’s theory. Nina eventually pierced the silence, her voice a mix of skepticism and concern: “Are you really suggesting that Goathead, this incessantly chattering sculpture, could have ties to Saslokha, the legendary Great Demon God from elven mythology? Isn’t that a stretch?”
Her voice trailed off, leaving her question hanging in the air, but her skepticism was clear. The atmosphere in the room became charged with a blend of disbelief and worry, reflecting the group’s shared uncertainty and apprehension.
“Although it may seem like a stretch, the evidence we’ve pieced together points toward a potential connection,” Duncan responded seriously. “Let’s look at the facts: Goathead, a mysterious entity with no known origin, emerges on the Vanished, a ship enshrouded in a peculiar mist and marked by an eerie presence. The timing of the ship’s appearance aligns with the heightened activity of the ‘Dream of the Nameless One’ at midnight. Additionally, the phrase ‘may he linger in dreams,’ inscribed on the captain’s quarters, clearly alludes to ancient elven traditions. Considering Goathead’s distinctive behaviors and reactions, particularly regarding discussions of Atlantis, dismissing these connections as mere coincidences is challenging.”
Visibly unsettled yet intrigued, Lucretia turned to Duncan with a look of concern and deep thought. After several contemplative glances, she cautiously shared her perspective. “You’ve mentioned before that Goathead is believed to have originated from subspace. Setting aside for a moment the perplexing idea that an elven ‘God of Creation’ could take on such a form, we’re still left with the puzzling question of how the Vanished fits into this complex puzzle.”
Lucretia paused, struggling to find the right words. After a moment of reflection, she pressed on, “And what significance does the Vanished have in this scenario?”
Duncan could sense the deep-seated worry behind Lucretia’s questions. Although focused on the Vanished, her inquiries seemed driven by a deeper, more personal anxiety.
“Rest easy, Lucy,” Duncan offered reassurance. “The realm of subspace is filled with mysteries that even I don’t fully understand. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how it’s influencing the Vanished. What I can promise is that as long as I retain my human essence, I’ll ensure the ship remains within our grasp. And right now, I am fully in possession of my faculties.”
This declaration seemed to alleviate Shirley’s evident concern. “Precisely, precisely,” she chimed in, echoing Duncan’s sentiment. “With the captain here, there’s no chance the ship will deviate from its course. After all, the captain’s grasp on humanity…”
Duncan gave her a puzzled look: “…?”
At that moment, all attention shifted to Shirley, who appeared oblivious to the sudden focus on her. Unfazed, she continued, “Despite its peculiarities and mysteries, the Vanished—”
Dog, having silently emerged from his hiding spot near the sofa, assertively placed a paw on Shirley’s head, as if to silence her. His gesture seemed to convey a stern, “Enough talking!” effectively halting her mid-sentence.
this novel is one of the few exceptions that MC saying something isn’t raising a flag. if he says the vanished is now fish, then the vanished is now fish. will that power ever crack tho?
I think he really has to believe that something is reality for something to become that ‘reality’. He was a school teacher that most likely has a bit of fishing experience. He was on a ship on the ocean and thought there were fish he could catch in it. He caught something while fishing. He said it was fish, therefore his reality power made it into real fish.