Chapter 84 “Captain Duncan’s Offspring”

This Translation was hosted on bcatranslation.com

In days gone by, even the ghosts that haunt our tales once lived and breathed in our reality. A prime example is the ship named the ‘Vanished.’ Lost deep within the realm of subspace a century ago, this ship was the pinnacle of craftsmanship, intricately designed and constructed by master artisans of the real world. Among its passengers was Captain Duncan, a man of flesh and blood whose fate led him to transform into an ethereal shadow, lost to subspace.

For the majority of sailors who traverse the vast oceans, tales of the ‘Vanished’ were always shrouded in mystery, intrigue, and fear. The ship, and especially its ghostly captain, was regarded with a mix of terror and awe. To many, Captain Duncan appeared as if he was born directly from the depths of subspace, a force of nature itself, without any ties to the world of men. To them, he wasn’t a man with a history but more a mythological figure or natural event, existing without a past or origin.

This fear, like an insidious poison, seeped into the very hearts of humans, constructing walls of ignorance and misconception. They found comfort in their ignorance, rarely daring to peek beyond these self-imposed barriers.

However, Vanna was different. As an inquisitor trained to challenge and confront these fears, she had honed her skills in separating truth from folklore, discerning facts from exaggerated tales.

The ghostly captain of the ‘Vanished’ was no supernatural entity. Before the infamous incident at Witherland’s Thirteen Islands, Captain Duncan was a human being with friends and family. He led a crew of loyal sailors and officers, anchored at various ports, resupplied, and frequently communicated with the authorities of various city-states. He wasn’t a curse or calamity incarnate.

Digging further into his history, Captain Duncan was a father to two children – Tyrian Abnomar and Lucretia Abnomar, both of whom remain alive today. Legend whispers of a curse that granted them unnaturally long lives, allowing them to sail the seas endlessly like their enigmatic father.

Though these two captains operate on the periphery of civilization, their interactions with city-states have always been distant, if not slightly antagonistic. This aloofness led many to remain oblivious to Captain Duncan’s legacy. Only a handful, those well-versed in history and possessing the capacity for rational thought, recognized their lineage.

However, in contrast to their father’s tragic path, both Tyrian and Lucretia have, in their ways, remained allies to humanity. Lucretia Abnomar, commanding the magnificent ship called the Bright Star, is renowned for her explorative voyages. She is driven by an insatiable curiosity that has seen her touch the furthest boundaries of the known world, laying her eyes upon sights most can only dream of. While her true intentions remain elusive, occasionally, she dispatches envoys to city-state exploration guilds, sharing tidbits of her discoveries. Such gestures affirm her allegiance to the human cause.

Legend has it that the prestigious Explorer’s Association, recognizing the unparalleled explorative feats of Lady Lucretia, extended an invitation of honorary membership to her. A beautifully crafted badge symbolizing this esteemed membership was supposedly sent her way. However, whether the mysterious captain received, acknowledged, or even valued this token remains a matter of conjecture.

Tyrian Abnomar presents a contrasting figure to his sister. He is less of an enigma but poses a greater threat to the human realm. Over five decades prior, he loyally served in the frigid waters of the north under the reign of the Frost Queen. Today, he bears the mantle of the most dreaded pirate captain of the Cold Sea.

His dominion stretches far and wide, with the volatile captain holding sway over nearly half of the major sea routes in the frigid expanses. At the helm of the flagship ‘Sea Mist’, and bolstered by a fleet of over ten formidable warships, Tyrian’s influence has elevated him to a stature that rivals even the established powers of Frost and Cold Harbor. The territories he controls have evolved beyond the rudimentary confines of mere pirate bases, developing into bustling hubs that challenge the prominence of many established city-states.

As for Tyrian’s transformation from a loyal commander of the Frost Queen to the feared pirate lord, theories abound.

One narrative attributes him with orchestrating the notorious Frostbite Rebellion. In this version, Tyrian is painted as the orchestrator of the Queen’s downfall, even going so far as to lead her to her grim execution. Having consolidated his grip over the Frost Queen’s riches, he then allegedly channeled these resources to amass his formidable fleet.

Yet, another account offers a starkly different portrayal. Certain scholars argue with conviction that Tyrian Abnomar remained a steadfast defender of the Frost Queen till her last breath during the rebellion. Embittered by her demise, he took to the life of piracy, harrying ships that sailed between Frost and Cold Harbor, driven by a mix of grief and vengeance.

Vanna, caught in the whirlwind of these conflicting accounts, could only speculate about their integrity. Given the enigmatic nature of the Abnomar siblings, expecting them to offer clarifications might be wishful thinking. But amidst this uncertainty, one looming fact remained indisputable: the re-emergence of the ‘Vanished’ posed an imminent threat. The Abnomar siblings, over a hundred years ago, had defied the ship, and now, with its reappearance from subspace, an enraged Captain Duncan sought them out.

Dante Wayne’s words echoed in Vanna’s mind; the re-emergence was but a contingency. While its potential aid was welcome, their real strength lay within themselves.

…

The serene night was punctuated by the melodic chimes of a nearby church bell tower, soon followed by the distinctive hoot of a special steam whistle. These sounds heralded the city’s awakening. As the first rays of the sun began to illuminate the architectural marvels, the scarred celestial phenomenon known as the “World’s Creation” gradually receded. The rhythmic clatter of carriage wheels and the chatter of early risers filled the air. Enveloped by the vast expanse of the Boundless Sea, the city marked the passage of yet another tranquil night, welcoming a new dawn with open arms.

The first light of day streamed into the quaint kitchen as Nina diligently prepared breakfast. From the stove, a rich and mouth-watering aroma wafted through the air, the unmistakable scent of a creamy mushroom sauce simmering. This was paired with the comforting, familiar smell of bread being toasted to a golden brown. The fragrances combined were enough to push away the remnants of Duncan’s nighttime haze.

From outside, the rhythmic chime of bicycle bells added to the morning’s melody. It stirred a thought in Duncan’s mind. Turning to Nina, he asked, “Have you ever thought about owning a bicycle?”

Nina paused with a ladle in her hand, looking a touch bewildered. “A bicycle?” She chuckled softly, brushing off the idea with a wave. “Those things come with quite the price tag. Besides, I manage just fine without one.”

“You might find it handy for school,” Duncan reasoned, his tone gentle. “And as for the money, leave that to me. I’ll make sure we get one for you.”

Duncan had been mulling over their financial situation. The antique shop they ran may not have been the grandest establishment in town, but a closer look at its inventory and earnings suggested that it did a steady business. Given this, it should comfortably sustain the two of them. The root of Nina’s monetary woes lay in her late uncle’s poor choices. He had recklessly donated a significant chunk of their family wealth to some obscure cult. What little remained after that had been squandered on liquor, gambling escapades, and substance indulgence.

With those days of extravagance behind them and with Duncan at the helm, things were bound to change. Their immediate goal was to get the antique shop back on its feet, ensuring a better life for Nina. And while Duncan may not have had the expertise in managing a store, and his memory of supplier networks was fuzzy at best, he was confident of figuring things out.

Lost in thought, Nina hesitated for a moment. Playing with her bread, she finally whispered, “But they’re really expensive…”

Before Duncan could respond, an unexpected knock echoed from below. It was strange for someone to be at their door at this early hour, especially given that the shop hadn’t even opened for the day.

With a puzzled look, Nina exclaimed, “Who could it be so early in the morning?” Swiftly rising, she said, “I’ll check it out.” With that, she rushed downstairs.

Left alone in the room, Duncan amusedly tore off a piece of the toasted bread, offering it to a dove that had been prancing around on the table. He teased, “What do you think? Apart from the shop, any ideas on quick money-making? Ever considered starting a delivery business?”

The dove responded with an exasperated flutter, hopping away from the offering. “Must you always jest?” it retorted. What followed was an unexpected and somewhat comical rant from the dove. It rambled about “Daiyu’s fury with an eight-span snake spear,” “Elder Tang’s mighty fists sending Jiu Qianren spinning,” and something bizarre involving “a full blood bar appearing over Buddha’s head, and three brothers in shock…”

Baffled, Duncan could only stare, utterly lost for words.

Duncan was all too aware of the dove’s peculiar limitation. It couldn’t vocalize whenever Nina was nearby, a restriction that, for reasons Duncan hadn’t yet unraveled, was seemingly woven into its very nature. It occurred to him that the dove had probably been bottling up its thoughts and emotions for a prolonged period, given the nonsensical tirade it had just unleashed. Was it possible that such prolonged silence had affected its cognitive functions, causing the bird’s linguistic jumble?

However, his analysis was interrupted by Nina’s voice, which echoed from the first floor. There was an unmistakable edge of anxiety in her tone. “Uncle Duncan! Two men from the security bureau are here. They want to speak with you.”

The mention of the security bureau immediately set off alarms in Duncan’s mind. What business could security officials possibly have with him, especially at this hour?

Keeping his emotions in check, Duncan whispered to the dove, “Stay hidden. And stay quiet.” Without waiting for a response, he swiftly made his way downstairs, his footsteps a silent echo on the wooden steps.

As he descended, his gaze was immediately drawn to Nina, who was anxiously wringing her hands, her gaze darting nervously between him and the front door. Standing at the entrance of the antique shop were two imposing figures dressed in crisply ironed, dark blue uniforms, their badges prominently displayed. Their stern expressions and the air of authority that surrounded them left no doubt about their affiliation with the security bureau.

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