Chapter 62 “Overlap”
The shocking revelation that the Vanished had been navigating through subspace all this time overwhelmed Duncan with a deep sense of despair.
Duncan had always been aware of the mysterious and dangerous nature of the Vanished, but the reality of the ship’s supernatural capabilities far exceeded his most imaginative guesses. His understanding of subspace was rudimentary at best, probably even less than what Nina’s history teacher might possess, yet he knew enough to recognize subspace as one of the most lethal elements of the universe. It was a realm so terrifying that it could disturb the sleep of the most devout saints, instill fear in the hearts of deities, and cause sailors to shun even mentioning “subspace” as they navigated the seas.
If his suspicions were correct, then the dark, run-down cabin near the door might actually serve as a protective barrier established by the real Captain Duncan. Could it be that this area was already tainted by subspace, beyond any hope of recovery?
Without thinking, Duncan looked down, as though he could peer through the ship’s deck to scrutinize the rotting cabin beneath. He no longer felt safe on board; rather, he felt like he was standing on a bomb that could go off at any moment due to the slightest disturbance. That small crack was the potential spark that, if it widened, could unleash a devastating explosion.
However, after a wave of paralyzing fear, Duncan gathered his wits by recalling something else Goathead had mentioned.
Given the wooden effigy’s scared response to Alice’s story, it seemed that Captain Duncan should have acted oddly as if some horrifying incident had occurred. But that hadn’t happened, had it? He was relatively fine, even after thrusting his sword into the small gap in the door.
To claim he was perfectly fine might be overly optimistic. He did feel a momentary pang of fear when he faced the illusion, contemplating whether to open the door. However, that was merely a natural human reaction, not the influence of some supernatural force controlling his mind.
Duncan looked away, examining his hands, repeatedly reassuring himself that all was well.
Here, he was Duncan, the captain of the Vanished.
In another reality, he was Zhou Ming, an unremarkable middle school teacher living alone in a fog-shrouded apartment.
Perhaps Goathead was being too melodramatic? It was only a crack in the door, not a gaping gateway to subspace.
With a renewed sense of resolve, Duncan raised his head, his gaze naturally moving toward the rocking masts and the ship battling the ocean currents. At the moment, the helmsman was struggling to steer the Vanished correctly.
“First Mate, take the helm and adjust the sails!” he commanded Goathead through their psychic connection.
“Ca… Captain?” Goathead’s voice transmitted, tinged with unmistakable anxiety, “Ah, yes! Yes, Captain!”
Duncan chose not to extend their exchange, aware that more information was forthcoming from Goathead: “Captain, I overheard Miss Alice mention… there’s a gap in the door at the bottom of the bilge…”
“Yes,” Duncan replied softly, “I’ve looked into it.”
“You checked it, and Miss Alice said you assessed the situation on the other side of the door…” Goathead paused, seemingly choosing its next words carefully, “Right now, do you feel… I mean, somewhat unclear? What lies beyond that door is…”
“Subspace, I’m aware,” Duncan interrupted Goathead before it could complete its thought, “do I seem to be suffering from any cognitive issues to you? Stop evading the issue.”
“Absolutely not, you appear completely normal!” Goathead quickly responded, “Perhaps I overreacted. We’ve never faced such a situation before. Ever since you steered the ship back, the boundary between the Vanished and subspace has been stable. I… I didn’t expect this development, and I certainly don’t question your abilities.”
Steer the ship back? From where?
Duncan caught Goathead’s inadvertent reveal and began piecing together the clues. With a nonchalant tone, he responded, “From what I can see, the crack in the door seems stable, but I can’t dismiss the possibility of it expanding. I’m keen to hear your thoughts.”
“…Knowing that it’s stable is somewhat reassuring, Captain,” Goathead answered, its voice still laced with concern. “As for my advice… honestly, I’m at a loss. You were the last one at the door, you sealed it yourself. You never shared your intentions or mentioned any changes. The bilge has always been under your direct control…”
“I understand,” Duncan immediately agreed, his tone conceding the point without delay. “So, you don’t have any suggestions regarding this issue?”
It was evident that Goathead lacked complete knowledge about the mysterious door located in the bilge. To Goathead, the door was merely a portal to subspace, a potentially deadly barrier if opened carelessly, and it was the real Captain Duncan who had installed it there. But now, the question loomed—where could he possibly find this “real Captain Duncan”?
“Captain…” echoed Goathead’s voice within his mind, a subtle reminder of his presence. “What is your next course of action?”
Next course of action? Duncan was momentarily stumped. What strategy was expected of him now? Was he supposed to navigate towards land? Given Captain Duncan’s notorious reputation, it was almost certain that approaching any coastal area would provoke a massive attack from the entire navy.
With a sigh, Duncan’s gaze lifted to the sky in a gesture of frustration and resignation. At that moment, a dove swooped down from the mast and landed on his shoulder, chirping urgently, “This is a trap! It’s time to abandon ship and escape!”
“Flee? But to where…” Duncan mused aloud, his thoughts interrupted by a sudden realization. “Wait, can you hear my conversation with Goathead?”
He was puzzled. His dialogue with Goathead had been facilitated by a spiritual connection unique to the ship. How could this bird possibly be aware of their exchange?
The dove flapped her wings briskly, peering down at her feet before replying, “Enough chatter, you scoundrel, I have my ways!”
At that moment, Duncan couldn’t help but wonder how dove soup might taste.
However, he quickly remembered that Goathead was still awaiting his reply. Turning his attention back to the pressing matter, he responded decisively, “You focus on your responsibilities, and I’ll take care of the door. Let’s keep everything else as it is.”
“Understood, Captain!” Goathead responded, the uncertainty in his voice now replaced with a renewed sense of stability. The sails of the ship were readjusted, and their journey resumed.
After ending the conversation, Duncan walked to the ship’s railing, his eyes fixed on the waves crashing against the hull. This moment of solitude allowed him to contemplate the challenges ahead.
Monitoring the bilge door was now an unexpected task on his list, but simply watching it wouldn’t change anything. He needed more information, greater power, and perhaps external assistance—maybe from the city-state of Pland?
Nina was due to return from school the next day, and “Uncle Duncan” had to be there at the store to greet her. Before that, he needed to master the control over both of his bodies simultaneously; otherwise, he’d be constantly switching his primary focus. Additionally, he had to figure out the logistics of transporting supplies from Pland to the Vanished, which would also test Ai’s capabilities further.
His gaze then drifted to a reflection in the water below—the “World’s Creation.”
“The World’s Creation?!”
Duncan paused, a rush of familiarity overwhelming him for a moment.
Raising his head, he stared at the sight in front of him. The pale glow contained the same fracture he had noticed earlier, but now he saw it differently. The light was not just a diffuse glow; it was a complex mesh of intertwined, overlapping streams of light, strikingly similar to the patterns he had seen in the ravaged cabin of the Vanished.
Hmm. Spatial Rift to teleport the world?
what subspace is again? i forgot which chapter mentioned it.
anyway, thanks for the chapter
the most horrific plane of existence in the novel. furthest level below the sea
“With his conviction restored” remember how when Vanna was talking with Valentine he admonished her that her constantly looking for reasons to deny was because she was being affected? who says the same isn’t happening right now.
Also with what mc said while comparing the lower deck layout with the upper deck, it could be that just as at the bottom there is a door to the 5th dimension subspace, at the top there could be a 1st dimension to the gods realm, but the green flame is affecting him and preventing him from finding that place.
I am also wondering about the same issue. What if he has been already corrupted and just denying it. I mean whatever horror was beyond the gate directly presented something that should just have been in his memory. Mysteries upon Mysteries.
Or maybe his reality warping powers are stronger, and because he doesn’t know about what might happen, it doesn’t happen. So because he didn’t think he was being corrupted be became immune to being corrupted.
Hmm… Vanna mentioned that there is no link between the Kingdom of Gods and the Mortal Realm so even if Duncan desires to take revenge against Gomona he won’t be able to. Perhaps this World Creation is a portal that connects all the layers of the world?