Chapter 7 “Doll”
This Translation is hosted on bcatranslation.com
The ferocious green inferno that had been raging tumultuously began to wane. Its once terrifying intensity dwindled and faded like a distant echo, until the emerald flames were reduced to a mere smoldering afterthought, a whispered memory of the vibrant blaze that once was. Similarly, the once fierce and stormy sea gradually gave way to a serene calm. It was as if a formidable storm had been mercifully pacified, yielding tranquility in the wake of preceding chaos.
When the goat head, appearing as if from a mythical tale, confirmed that the ship, known as the Vanished, had navigated its way out of the treacherous territory and could now sail autonomously, Duncan reluctantly loosened his grip on the mystical helm. Crafted from obsidian as black as the darkest night, the helm felt cold under his hand as he withdrew. His gaze then lowered to his now mended body. The ship’s deck, too, was gradually reverting to its original state, the spectral residue of the once voracious emerald flames being cleansed from its wooden surface.
Deep within himself, Duncan harbored the unsettling sensation that many aspects of his world had been irrevocably altered.
From the moment Duncan had clasped the helm of the Vanished, he had felt an ineffable transformation coursing through his veins. Though now mere smoldering remnants, the emerald flames seemed to have forged a powerful, unseen bond between him, the ship, and the infinite expanse of the sea. This lingering essence of connection, almost tangible, allowed him to perceive every tiny nuance and intricate detail of the ship beneath his feet.
Slowly, Duncan closed his eyes, immersing himself deeper into this newfound consciousness. His senses heightened, allowing him to hear the faint whispers echoing through the shadowy corridors of the Vanished. Each whisper carried an eerie sense of familiarity, almost comforting, yet strange. In his mind’s eye, he saw the captain’s cabin lantern alight, casting a gentle, flickering glow. The rhythmic thrumming of waves against the ship’s hull suggested the presence of hidden gazes lurking beneath the surface. Yet, every time he strained to locate these unseen watchers, they eluded him, slipping away like elusive shadows…
Reopening his eyes, Duncan exhaled calmly as he watched the ethereal sails billowing in the wind atop the ship’s mast. He approached the staircase leading to the ship’s upper deck, watching in silent awe as the ropes flanking the staircase moved aside to clear his path.
It was only now, having taken command of the helm, that Duncan truly felt he had stepped into the role of the ship’s captain.
“Captain, we are ascending from the fringes of the spirit realm and will soon re-enter the realm of the living,” the goat head’s voice echoed within Duncan’s mind, bypassing the conventional copper tubes typically used for conversations aboard the ship. Its voice carried a weight, a gravitas reserved for matters of utmost importance, marking a departure from its usually light and chatty demeanor. “We were fortunate. Our brief stay in the deepest parts of the spirit realm was marked by nothing more than a mild ‘jolt’, barely affected by the formidable pressures of the deep sea.”
The concepts of the real world, the mysterious spirit realm, the imposing depths of the deep sea, and the cryptic domain known as subspace swirled in Duncan’s mind. He realized these terms were key to understanding the true essence of the unusual world he had been thrust into, yet their exact meanings remained tantalizingly out of reach, like enigmas wrapped in mysteries.
When the goat head addressed him as “Captain,” the subtle yet discernible shift in its tone struck him. It became clear to Duncan that even if he revealed his actual identity as “Zhou Ming,” the creature would continue to respect his authority and obey his commands. This perceptual shift had occurred after he took command at the helm and successfully navigated through the ethereal onslaught of the “green fire.”
However, after a brief moment of indecision, Duncan restrained himself from making any hasty inquiries. He resisted the urge to press the goat-headed entity about the unsolved riddles of the spirit realm, the formidable depths of the sea, and the enigmatic realm of subspace.
Just a few days earlier, he had been gripped by overwhelming anxiety and restlessness, a compelling need to decipher the inexplicable situation he was ensnared in. Now, however, his approach had transformed; he was no longer driven by frantic urgency.
This Translation is hosted on bcatranslation.com
This new world, populated with beings referred to as “people,” featuring various vessels, societies functioning with a set order, and civilizations previously unknown to him, filled Duncan with exhilarating anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead. He even found himself formulating some vague “plans” for his future in this unexpected realm.
Caught in his introspective reverie, Duncan’s mind drifted back to the encounter with the ship that had mysteriously emerged from the dense, foggy abyss. He remembered the distinct chimney on that vessel and the complex mechanical structures that had unfolded in his mind when the ship had intersected with the Vanished.
“That was a ship driven by machinery… while the Vanished is more akin to an antique sail warship,” Duncan mused aloud. “But it doesn’t wholly rely on mechanization either.”
Specific sections within the mysterious ship seemed to hold an eerie significance. The arrangement inside those cabins reminded him of some arcane ritualistic setting, and the ship’s keel was adorned with an array of unusual patterns and symbols—embellishments that seemed to have meanings extending beyond mere decorative purpose.
Breaking the tranquility of his solitary musings, Duncan abruptly addressed the entity, “Goathead.” He was unaware of the entity’s actual name and had, therefore, opted for the moniker that instinctively sprang to his mind. “During our ‘intersection’ with that ship earlier, the individual who appeared to be the captain shouted something at me. Do you know what he said?”
Showing no sign of surprise or discomfort at being addressed as Goathead, the creature accepted the unexpected nickname with equanimity and promptly responded, “The storm was raging too fiercely; I couldn’t make out his words clearly.”
The item at the center of their attention was a human-sized wooden chest, emanating an unmistakable sense of masterful artistry. An unknown variety of dark wood had been fused together seamlessly, fortified with metal that bore a striking resemblance to gold, and embellished with detailed etchings along its borders. The designs were a unique fusion of cryptic script and deliberately distorted pictorial symbols. The chest was decidedly not an artifact from the Vanished! Duncan was certain it hadn’t been there when he’d last left the captain’s cabin.
Following a beat of silence, the voice of the goat head artifact resonated, “I can’t identify it either, but it seems to be a war trophy…”
“War trophy?!” Duncan was slow to catch up. He paced around the chest, scrutinizing it. “This thing looks more like an ornate sarcophagus, extravagantly luxurious… Wait a minute, a war trophy? Are you implying we took it from the ship we encountered earlier?!”
“Indeed, Captain,” the goat head answered, its voice underscored by a gravitas laced with subtle approval. “Your voyages always yield something valuable. It’s common practice.”
Duncan was just about to protest that he had no intention of looting from another vessel. What was all this talk of a “capture” and “coming back with a prize”? However, he suppressed his thoughts, worried that his dissent would clash with his persona as the “captain.” Moreover, the mechanical vessel had already vanished into the hazy unknown of the sea fog. Reflecting on the white-bearded captain who had defiantly stared him down, ready for a pyrrhic standoff, Duncan recognized there was no viable way to return the object. He chose to keep this unexpected occurrence confidential.
Before long, he found himself staring at an imposing wooden chest, its intricate design and sturdy make ominously resembling a coffin. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a thin crevice between the chest and its massive lid, indicating it wasn’t as securely fastened as it appeared and could be easily forced open.
Stirred by curiosity, he pushed aside his initial unease and dared to lay his hand on the lid of the magnificent chest. It was evident to him that the answers he sought about the intriguing “Spirit Realm Speedster” and its role in the ship’s cargo would be found inside.
To his mild surprise, he discovered his strength was more potent than he’d anticipated. Despite its daunting and robust exterior, the lid wasn’t as heavy as he had initially feared. With minimal exertion, the ominous dark cover began to shift, and soon, he had successfully removed it from the chest.
What he saw inside left Duncan utterly dumbfounded.
“A person?”
Incredibly, the chest’s contents were awe-inspiring—a stunningly beautiful young woman was peacefully ensconced within its enclosure. Her hair was a radiant shade of silvery-white, spreading out around her like molten silver under the soft luminescence. Her face was an artful masterpiece, displaying delicate features so flawless they were almost surreal, and her expression radiated an aura of royal detachment. She was dressed in an elegantly crafted court gown of rich purple-black hues. Her posture was serene, hands modestly folded across her chest, appearing as though she was immersed in a peaceful, undisturbed slumber.
Her flawless appearance made her seem as immaculate as an expertly crafted figurine.
“No, this is actually a doll!”
Upon examining the figure with a closer, more scrutinizing gaze, Duncan found his initial perception quickly refuted. The strikingly lifelike entity was, in reality, not a living being. The dead giveaway was the abnormal joint formation, something that wouldn’t be found in any human anatomy. The revelation that he had been gazing at an incredibly detailed and realistic doll, not a person, washed over him like a surging tide.
Thanks for the chapter!
This novel is very good. Thanks for translating this.
Waifu acquired? The tags didnt mention romance if i remember correctly and even if there is, i hope its good.
Aww, he already blew his cover like 10 times so far, starting with making weird faces in the captains quarters right next to the goat, I really wish he would try to roleplay more considering his dangerous position.. sigh.
Damn this series is pretty good huh
Sex Doll?