Chapter 65 “Alice guillotine”

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After Captain Lawrence of the White Oak disembarked, an impromptu sanctuary was set up for him to use. This room was infused with the calming aroma of burning incense and decorated with amulets bearing protective storm runes. To further ensure the sanctity of the area, priests positioned four bronze tablets at each corner of the room, establishing an invisible shield against dark forces.

Additionally, the priests had brought with them the Storm Code, a sacred text from their cathedral. Esteemed as a potent defense against evil, the Storm Code provided another layer of spiritual protection.

Once everything was in place, Captain Lawrence entered the room, accompanied by Inquisitor Vanna.

“I hope you don’t mind our arrangement here,” Vanna remarked, her tone light but assertive. She maintained the decorum and reverence befitting her high rank within the priesthood. “Everything we’ve done is for your protection.”

“Of course, safety is the utmost priority,” Captain Lawrence responded, nodding appreciatively as he surveyed the room. His eyes lingered on the sacred items, and a feeling of reassurance swept over him, alleviating some of his weariness. “With all these protective measures in place, I’m confident that no ordinary corruption could withstand a moment in this space…”

“That’s certainly our hope,” Vanna replied, acknowledging his feelings. She gestured for him to start his tale, “Now, why don’t we begin at the start? Please, tell me everything about the Vanished, starting from when you first noticed the ship.”

Feeling more at ease, Captain Lawrence began detailing the terrifying events: “This is how it happened…”

He was thorough in his account to the inquisitor, covering even minute details such as what he had for breakfast that day and the meal schedules of his crew. For parts of the incident he was unsure of or didn’t witness himself, he had asked those involved to write down their accounts in the ship’s log, specifically for this purpose.

As an experienced captain, Lawrence knew that unusual events often started with what seemed like trivial occurrences, which most would overlook until it was too late. Therefore, documenting everyone’s experiences and comparing them was crucial for pinpointing inconsistencies that could be key in the investigation.

As Vanna listened intently to Captain Lawrence’s daunting experience, her expression grew increasingly worried. The situation was far graver and more peculiar than she had initially thought.

She had first assumed that the captain’s so-called “encounter” with the Vanished was merely a brief sighting or, at most, a fleeting near-miss with the phantom ship. However, the captain detailed a direct collision with the ghostly vessel, including a near transformation into spectral forms. Their survival was nothing short of miraculous!

“Your Honor?” Captain Lawrence, noticing Vanna’s prolonged silence and her pensive state, felt uneasy. He waved a hand in front of her, attempting to recapture her attention. “What are your thoughts on the Vanished? Do you believe that ship attacked us because of Anomaly 099?”

Vanna turned her attention back to him, “Isn’t that what you’ve always believed?”

“I-I have always leaned towards that explanation, yes, but now I’m beginning to doubt,” Lawrence admitted with a sigh. “Especially after you mentioned that the ghost captain has recently extended his influence to the city-state of Pland… It makes me think the situation is more complex than we initially assumed.”

“No one can truly grasp the thoughts that swirl in the mind of the ghost captain,” Vanna said, shaking her head in resignation. “For the time being, our only course of action is to meticulously inspect the White Oak to ensure that the ship is free of any ‘intruders’. I must also inform you that you and your crew will be subjected to some inconveniences in the days ahead. We must insist that none of you have any contact with individuals outside the church during this period. This restriction will remain in effect until our investigation is complete, and it will include prohibiting visits from family members.”

Captain Lawrence bowed his head in acknowledgment and responded, “Of course, I understand the need for such measures.” He paused before addressing another concern, “So… about the theft of Anomaly 099…”

Vanna recognized the worry underlying the captain’s question. The ghostly apparitions at sea posed a formidable threat to the entirety of civilization. Yet, despite facing these grand, existential dangers, Captain Lawrence was foremost a simple man with a family dependent on him and now faced the personal crisis of having Anomaly 099 stolen by pirates. Such a significant loss was not something a common man should have to shoulder alone.

“Please be assured that the church will manage this situation. We will communicate the necessary details to the city-state authorities and the Explorer’s Association,” Vanna assured him soothingly. “The sudden appearance of the Vanished is clearly a disaster, and you cannot be held responsible for the loss of Anomaly 099. Even if a church ship had been escorting it, the result likely would have been the same.”

Captain Lawrence showed a visible sign of relief at her words.

Yet, Vanna held back another thought, choosing to keep it to herself: the reality was that “anomalies” were dangerously close to breaking containment and wreaking havoc. Such unpredictable events could potentially result in numerous deaths among the city population. In such volatile circumstances, absolute guarantees were impossible.

Captain Lawrence spoke again, his voice faltering slightly with hesitation. Gathering his resolve, he asked, “I would like to know what makes Anomaly 099 so significant?” He quickly added, clarifying his request, “I was briefed on how to seal and dispose of it in an emergency when I was assigned to escort it. However, I was never informed about its origins or history. Being one of the first hundred ‘anomalies’, it’s usually safer for people like me to know less. But now, with 099 seized by the Vanished, I believe it’s considered completely out of control. So…”

“That’s understandable,” Vanna interjected, stopping him before he could continue. “Given that Anomaly 099 is now beyond the reach of our civilization, it’s time to disclose relevant information to the Explorer’s Association and all competent individuals throughout the city-states. As a member of that group and the last person to have been in contact with 099, you deserve to be informed.”

Taking a moment to organize her thoughts, she started to explain, “Anomaly 099, also known as ‘Doll Coffin’, is encased in an intricately designed wooden box that resembles a coffin. Inside, there is a doll lying in state, adorned with silver hair and dressed in a purple gown, shaped like an average human.”

“The unusual anomaly was first discovered in the icy waters of the Cold Sea in the north. This object, a doll, bears an uncanny resemblance to Queen Ray Nora, who was deposed and executed by rebels approximately fifty years ago. Despite the striking similarity, there is no concrete evidence to connect the doll with the late queen.”

“The anomaly itself is devoid of cognitive functions and consciousness. However, it possesses a remarkable ability to sense its environment and exert influence on it.”

“I understand you’re already acquainted with the procedure for sealing Unit 099, so I won’t go over that again,” she continued, addressing the risks associated with the anomaly. “Firstly, there’s an issue with the ‘Doll Coffin,’ as we’ve termed it, which tends to ‘settle’ if left in one location for too long. Once settled, it claims the area as its territory, making it increasingly difficult to move. The longer it remains, the more it expands its influence, weakening any seals and raising the risk of losing control. This territorial behavior is why we’ve enlisted your services to transport 099 and prevent it from expanding unchecked.”

“Secondly, should the Doll Coffin lose control, any humanoid beings within a certain proximity—whether they are elves, dwarves, orcs, or others—become potential victims. We don’t fully understand how it selects its targets, but those captured by its influence lose control of their bodies, forced to bow as if paying homage to a monarch, and are then swiftly decapitated. This act of obeisance is immediately followed by decapitation, a fatal and irreversible action that is impervious to any form of protection, including blessings or armor. The only criterion for being targeted appears to be the arbitrary choice of the Doll Coffin. Following an execution, the anomaly enters a dormant state for four to six hours before resuming its deadly activities.”

“In addition to its formidable speed and strength, the Doll Coffin can move on its own when out of control, displaying a significant ability to break containment in various impressive ways. It is also extremely durable. The longer it remains at large, the more severe and widespread the destruction it causes.”

“Of the few recorded instances where the Doll Coffin has run amok, only a single saint, who hails from the northern city-state of Frost and possesses their ancient bloodline, has survived. It remains uncertain whether the saint’s survival was due to their formidable abilities or some merciful act by the anomaly.”

As the young inquisitor recounted these grim details in a calm, detached manner, Captain Lawrence was struck with a rising sense of dread, feeling his hair stand on end.

His initial thought was reflective of the gravity of the situation: The city-state authorities are not known for their generosity, which explained why the payment for escorting Anomaly 099 was nearly five times higher than that for a typical anomaly. The relentless nature of the threat, the random targeting by the anomaly, and the unavoidable executions were deeply alarming.

As he pondered these unsettling revelations, Inquisitor Vanna’s voice cut through his thoughts once more. “Given the terrifying nature of the Doll Coffin, the church has given it a distinct name in the records for Anomaly 099. It is named ‘Alice Guillotine,’ after the device used by rebels to execute the Frost Queen fifty years ago.”

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