Deep Sea Embers

Chapter 217 “The Doubt Of The Devout”

Heidi suddenly sneezed, startling the young cleric taking notes opposite of herself.

“Are you okay?” The young cleric looked at the psychiatrist with some concern, “Is it because you’re unwell? Do you feel unusual anywhere…?”

“I’m okay. Maybe I got the chill from the cool breeze just now.” Heidi waved her hand without waiting for the other party to finish, rubbing her nose and saying, “Where were we at?”

“We were discussing the two ‘realities’ that collapsed together and of how one was stripped away following the Vanished’s arrival.” The young cleric glanced at the clipboard in his hand and read the notes he wrote, “You also mentioned the crystal pendant you have may be the key to the phenomenon.”

“The pendant is already shattered,” Heidi thought for a moment and nodded, “my father obtained it from an antique shop, but I suspect neither my father nor the store owner knew it’s a special item. It’s just a giveaway, even… the label from the factory is still on the back.”

“So it’s an object with supernatural power but was concealed by some unknown means. Then it eventually landed in your possession from the lower city,” said the young cleric as he jotted down another line in his notes. “Can you tell us about the antique shop and the details of the pendant? It may help us trace the item’s origin and why only you remember the final moments of the event we all experienced.”

“Of course, it’s no problem,” Heidi immediately nodded and explained all she knew. However, the doc soon grew hesitant after reaching a topic, “Everyone… is everyone back?”

“From what we know so far… Yes,” the young cleric nodded. “Although nobody can remember the entire event with the burning flames, everything should be back to before the disaster struck. According to the head bishop’s explanation, we suffered a historical invasion of our reality. The details are kept private, but it won’t be long before everything is made public.”

He paused as if wondering if he should add: “But your situation is the most special. We all remember how the disaster began with the raining hellfire, but only you remember the Vanished ever appearing and sweeping away the flames with it. What you saw is likely crucial to resolving the puzzle.”

“I understand,” Heidi sighed, suddenly thinking of something else, “then is it better for me to inform my family first? From how things look, I won’t be returning anytime soon…”

“We’ve already sent someone,” the young cleric smiled, “you don’t have to worry.”

“Already notified them? That’s good to know,” Heidi mused momentarily before nodding. “Then let’s continue. What else do you need to ask?”

“Okay, next question, do you remember the specific details of the ghost ship that floated in the two histories, and do you recall those details as a trance or auditory hallucination?”

……

Vanna came to the main church and broke the peaceful atmosphere inside.

This empty and sacred place was tranquil at the moment. Except for the necessary guards at the entrance, only Bishop Valentine stood silently in front of the statue in the main hall.

Turning around at the noise, Valentine smiled at the inquisitor’s arrival. The old bishop had already removed his fancy wardrobe and only retained the scepter representing his status within the city.

Vanna calmly reports: “Order in the church district has been restored, the garrisons are returning to their barracks, and the high-ranking priests have gone to the main factories to pacify the steam cores. At least until nightfall comes, we can keep the entire city supplied with gas and fuel without interruption.”

The old bishop was visibly relieved: “You’ve worked hard, Vanna.”

“I’m only doing my duties,” Vanna said softly. “The remnants of mental and cognitive confusion after the disaster still linger on everyone. The untrained may still be panicking and locking themselves within their homes and shelters. Even City Hall is a mess right now, leaving only us professionals to take charge for the time being.”

Valentine nodded and reminded: “After nightfall, in addition to ensuring the supply of gas and candles, we must also send more night patrol personnel in various urban areas. Ensure they bring enough lanterns and candles along, and beware of anything lurking in the night… We have just experienced a reality invasion, and the foundations are crippling weak at the moment. Anything can topple it over if we’re not careful. Also, some citizens might still be hiding in the various shelters along the island. They may not know what’s happening and will refuse to come out. Once their holy oil is exhausted, panic will ensue and become a problem.”

Vanna agreed and nodded in return: “I understand. I will arrange for a team to scout the shelters with me leading the inspections this evening.”

“…… You should leave it to your deputy,” Valentine showed concern at the young inquisitor, “go rest. You’ve done a lot already. Besides, you’re still injured.”

“No need. My injuries are basically healed already after returning to the cathedral,” Vanna said promptly. Then she eyed the old bishop repeatedly, “Your previous ‘injury’ is more serious than mine…”

“You can’t compare our situation,” Valentine grimaced at the thought of dying. “I have recovered from the pollution and been killed twice over after the curtain landed. But even then, I can still see your fatigue.”

Vanna, however, said nothing and silently turned around. She’s now looking up at the goddess statue.

“What are you thinking?” Valentine eventually broke the silence after the atmosphere got very strange.

“I’m thinking about what to write in the second half of my report,” Vanna sighed, “and how we should explain this disaster to the Pope.”

The expression on Valentine’s face also grew into a show at once.

“In a sense… Well, there is no need to make sense,” the old bishop eventually sighed after holding back for a moment. “The fact is that the Vanished’s arrival extinguished the historical pollution brought forth by the Enders and prevented the Black Sun from being born. Although we don’t know why that ghost captain did all this, there is no doubt about this fact…”

The old bishop paused, and after nearly half a minute of silence, he continued grimly: “Pland survived due to the arrival of the Vanished.”

“Perhaps, he came for the ‘sun fragment’?” Vanna thought about the issue a lot but didn’t say everything that came to mind. “Do you remember the ‘White Oak’? The ship ran into the Vanished head-on, and only Anomaly 099 was hijacked by the encounter. Perhaps, Captain Duncan’s purpose is simpler than what everyone assumed.”

“Stealing the sun fragment and robbing an anomaly is not the same,” Valentine shook his head, “but you are right. This is indeed the only explanation that can be thought of now. If Her Majesty the Pope needs an answer, this is the only answer we can give… All that remains is to truthfully report everything that happened here and see what conclusions the priests from the Grand Storm Cathedral can come up with.”

Vanna faintly nods before turning her head towards the goddess statue.

“Your mind is still unsettled,” Valentine could undoubtedly sense that Vanna’s state was not quite right. “Vanna, we have discussed the affairs of the city-state and the church; what else is shaking your will now?”

“I… I’m fine.”

“We’ve known each other for many years,” Valentine shook his head, “Although you are on the same level as me in terms of the clergy, you have always regarded me as an elder you can trust. I can see that you are bothered by something since you came back. What happened?”

Vanna didn’t answer and continued to stare at the statue of the veiled goddess, and after a good minute, she lowered her gaze and looked at her own body.

Dante Wayne’s words still seemed to echo in her ears as she did so.

In the fire eleven years ago, in the “fire source” where the Enders used to open up the pollution of history, her uncle didn’t actually manage to save herself.

That’s to say, she should’ve died back then, on that night… The only reason she’s still alive was thanks to the blessing of subspace…

“You were reborn anew and will die for being renewed…” The Ender’s words still echoed in the lady’s head.

She has come back from the dead but hasn’t died yet from being renewed. Everything was interrupted thanks to the appearance of the Vanished.

Now, she still stands well, breathing the earthly air and enjoying the warmth of the living.

Even the Storm Goddess continued to bless her with power, allowing her body to recover from the previous battle’s injury.

This confused Vanna, who had always wholeheartedly believed in her faith and herself. Yet, she’s starting to doubt herself and the goddess for keeping a being of subspace alive like herself.