Deep Sea Embers

Lucretia stood at the prow of her ship for some time, overseeing the operations of her vessel in its “blossomed” state as they navigated through the luminous waters. This location provided her with an unrivaled view of the entire ship, making it her preferred spot.

At the moment, two sturdy chains extended from the Bright Star’s midsection, winding around a massive stone sphere at the rear.

At first glance, the sphere seemed to hover just a few meters above the ocean, appearing weightless from a distance. However, the intermittent creaking of the chains and the slow progress of the Bright Star, despite operating at full capacity, suggested that towing this object was far from effortless.

Lucretia observed the sphere for an indeterminate amount of time before eventually averting her eyes, rubbing them due to irritation.

The endless soft glow emanating from the stone sphere was not blinding, but prolonged exposure to this continuous radiance caused minor eye discomfort. Still, this was insignificant compared to the disorientation created by the enigmatic indentations and protrusions on the sphere’s surface.

Moreover, she could not detect any other harmful effects from the sphere. Gazing at the patterns did not damage the mind, nor did it produce any unsettling noises when approached. Discovering such an unusual artifact on the border was quite uncommon.

Having explored the borders for many years, Lucretia had encountered numerous dangerous objects that could easily drive ordinary people mad. However, this stone sphere, which projected immense geometric illusions, was the most harmless anomaly among the various border relics.

“Mistress, the engine room reports that we cannot increase the machine’s power any further. We’ve reached our top speed.” Luna eventually approached from the side and reported.

“We’re not even achieving a third of our usual speed,” Lucretia sighed. “This massive sphere appears so light and insubstantial, yet it’s so challenging to tow.”

“It’s truly peculiar,” Luni tilted her head, mimicking a human’s puzzled expression. “We’ve attempted various methods, but we’re unable to determine its precise mass.”

“Fortunately, we can still tow it. The progress is slow, but we’ll reach our destination eventually.”

As Lucretia spoke, she turned her gaze toward the ship’s bow. Due to the limited length of the chains, the Bright Star now sailed within the “massive geometric figure” projected by the stone sphere. As a result, beyond the bow was only infinite radiance, rendering the normal sea surface invisible.

However, she wasn’t concerned about the ship getting lost or colliding with islands or reefs.

That’s because the stern of the Bright Star traveled in the spiritual realm, unaffected by the stone sphere. Her spectral sailors could monitor sea conditions and direct the course from the lookout tower and chart room at the stern, ensuring the Bright Star remained on the correct path.

For ordinary vessels, this would be unfathomable, but for the mistress of the Bright Star, it was a masterful maneuver.

“Did Wind Harbour receive our message?” Lucretia inquired, turning slightly. “What was their response?”

“They received the message, and a research team comprising of mathematicians, rune scholars, and supernatural experts is prepared at the port, along with representatives from the Explorers’ Association,” Luni answered promptly. “However, I also informed them that the Bright Star is sailing very slowly, so they’ll have to wait a bit longer…”

“It’s not just about waiting,” Lucretia said, observing the omnipresent golden glow on the sea and pursing her lips. “Tell them that what I’ve discovered this time is no mere trinket. Although its ‘main body’ is indeed not large, its area of influence is extensive.

“Ask them to locate an appropriate transfer point along the coast, at least two or three nautical miles from the port; otherwise, they must be ready for the entire port area to be engulfed in perpetual daylight.”

Luni bowed slightly: “Yes, Mistress, we’ll pass a lighthouse facility in fifteen minutes, and I’ll send another telegram to Wind Harbour then.”

Lucretia nodded, then appeared to recall something and shook her head with a self-deprecating smile after a few moments of silence.

Luni looked at her with curiosity: “Mistress?”

“It’s nothing; I just suddenly remembered something from long ago,” Lucretia said softly. “Luni, did you know that I used to scold my father when he returned from his adventures?”

“Old Master? You scolded him?”

“Yes, I scolded him for always collecting peculiar items from his journeys,” Lucretia seemed immersed in memories, speaking slowly as she pondered. “Sometimes, he would find a broken stone in the border area and excitedly study it for a week or a month, even involving my brother and me in the research.”

She turned around, staring pensively at the chains extending from the stern and the stone sphere at their end.

“Now, I’ve also picked up a ‘large stone’… I wonder what he would think if he knew.”

Luni didn’t know how to respond to her mistress, and after a moment of silence, she finally said: “…You rarely discuss the old master’s matters.”

“It’s probably because of recent events,” Lucretia shook her head. “Let’s not dwell on that. I’m somewhat tired. What time is it now?”

“It’s already quite late,” Luni nodded. “You should indeed get some rest.”

“Is it really late already?” Lucretia exclaimed, surprised, then waved her hand. “Dragging this object along makes the entire day feel like daylight… Keep an eye on the ship; I’m going to rest.”

Before her words were finished, her figure suddenly disintegrated into countless colorful paper flakes carried by the wind toward the captain’s quarters.

…

Until she returned to the cathedral and evening prayers were concluded, Vanna remained preoccupied, and her heavy-hearted state couldn’t be concealed from Bishop Valentine.

When the bishop inquired, she didn’t hide her “dream communication” with the ghost captain during her journey back from the port.

In a small prayer room connected to the side hall, Valentine listened quietly to Vanna’s account.

“… I’m not surprised by ‘his’ visit,” the elderly bishop said calmly. “The entire city-state of Pland has experienced some kind of… transformation. Whether we like it or not, we and the land beneath our feet are now inseparably connected to the Vanished. I’ve discussed this matter with your uncle; do you know what he said?”

“… What did he say?”

“Behind today’s Pland stands a shadowy ‘master,’ reminiscent of the ‘Ten Cities’ described in the Golan Psalms. In the shadows, there’s a crownless king, an unnamed archon, an invisible but very real ‘owner.’ This ‘master’ hasn’t declared authority over the city-state, just as you haven’t declared to the coins in your pocket that you’re their master – but when you take out the coins, you don’t consider consulting their opinions.”

Vanna appeared thoughtful: “… The Ten Cities, said to be the most chilling part of the Golan Psalms, depict the process of ten city-states gradually being taken over and transformed into shadows by an unseen ruler. Until the end of the lengthy poem, the author never described the ruler himself, merely hinting at the existence of an ‘invisible king’ through descriptions of the atmosphere, customs, and environment in the city-states. I’ve read it, but I was too young at the time to understand the horror that adults spoke of when discussing this poem.”

With that, she gently shook her head.

“However, at least Captain Duncan doesn’t seem to be trying to transform the city-state into some sort of… indescribable breeding ground, as the ‘Ten Cities’ poem suggests. At least for now, he hasn’t shown any malice.”

“Indeed, he hasn’t shown any malice and even went out of his way to warn you,” Bishop Valentine nodded gently. “The matter of Vision 001 has attracted the attention of the Four Churches, but as far as I know, the prevailing opinion among the various churches is still to wait for Vision 001 to ‘return to normal.’ But if Captain Duncan’s warning is true…”

The old bishop paused, and after a moment, he sighed softly.

“Then the trouble facing our world will be much greater.”