Deep Sea Embers

Chapter 140 “Two Guests”

According to Duncan’s perception, Vanna’s aura was rapidly approaching the antique shop and in a weird zigzagging line.

What is an inquisitor from the upper city suddenly running down to this antique shop in the lower city? And the trajectory is so eccentric?

Duncan subconsciously glanced at the gothic girl sitting opposite of himself.

Did she come for Shirley? The Storm Church finally discovered that there was a wild “summoner” hiding in the city? Or is she coming for me instead? But I’ve been very careful in my actions thus far. They shouldn’t be able to trace the events back to me. If there’s anything that might cause a leak, it would be this body’s identity as a sun cultist…. That shouldn’t be enough to alarm an inquisitor to personally make the trip, right?

Many theories fluctuated in the ghost captain’s heart, causing him to stop reading and get up to the door.

“Mr. Duncan? Something happened…” Shirley was the first to notice the strange behavior and subconsciously asked.

“Stay in the shop.” Duncan glanced at Shirley, then back at the door before peeking through the glass front window.

Finally, he understood why Vanna’s aura was approaching so quickly – she had driven here with a car.

A dark-gray car powered by a steam engine had parked outside his shop with two fine ladies stepping out of the vehicle. First was the tall and imposing Vanna, and second was Heidi the psychiatrist.

Duncan: “…”

In that instant, Duncan realized he’s been overthinking matters. This needs to be corrected immediately. Acting like an overly sensitive crackpot that’s constantly worried about being caught was not a good thing. At the very least, not to this degree.

“Mr. Duncan!” The doctor was the first to wave at the man peering out the shop window.

The corners of Duncan’s mouth visibly twitched after the neighbors all looked over his way. It’s already quite eye-catching to have the inquisitor visit his store. He doesn’t need the locals to think he’s two-timing both ladies or something along those lines.

“This is…” he quickly ran out and asked with an astonished face like he wasn’t expecting them.

“Ah, you must have recognized her. There is no one in the city who doesn’t know her. Lemme introduce my friend, Miss Vanna Wayne.” Heidi backhands her friend by the waist to push Vanna forward, “Today is her off day. That’s why she’s here with me. After hearing about the event at the museum, she wanted to come in person and meet you as well…”

“Friends?” Duncan’s surprise this time had a bit of realism, which he didn’t expect to have, “I really didn’t expect that you would bring such a big person along…”

“Calling me a big person is a bit of a stretch Mr. Duncan.” Vanna seemed to have been silently assessing the store owner when she finally spoke up, but for Duncan, this was not the first time he’s heard her voice. “Just treat me as a normal guest. As Heidi said, today is my off day, and I am here mainly to thank you for saving Heidi from the fire and to inquire about something… Don’t worry. This is not a formal inquiry.”

Know something?

The expression on Duncan’s face didn’t give off any change as he turned to one side and beckoned the two special guests inside: “Then don’t just stand there. Please come on in. Today the store is deserted, so it’s great to have guests.”

“Keep your cool, do not fret,” Duncan whispers to Shirley, who was probing her head up from the table.

Shirley blinked in confusion: “Calm down…?”

In the next second, she knew why she had to calm down.

The young inquisitor, the apex of power in the church of Pland, had stepped into her view. She’s a petite dwarf compared to Vanna so the visual oppression wasn’t just noticeable, it’s enormous!

“Oh… wah, so tall!” Shirley subconsciously blurted out these words.

Vanna jerked to a halt, her eyes glancing a the petite girl with a strange expression as well: “Hello~”

“Her name is Shirley,” Duncan said casually, “she’s helping out in my shop. Oh right, Miss Heidi might’ve mentioned this to you, but she was also at the museum when the fire broke out.”

“Are you Shirley?” Vanna connected the description from the report to the girl, “She’s indeed a cute little sister.”

Nina, who was reading a book next to the counter, had also heard the movement from her spot. First looking up in amazement at how tall Vanna was, then she quickly exclaimed after recognizing the female inquisitor.

“…… That’s why I don’t like going out with you,” Heidi sighed and mumbled, “You attract attention just by standing there. I’m the main show today, you know?”

“But I don’t want to attract attention like this either.” Vanna shot a deadpan face to her friend like she was troubled, “I’ve been trying to look as ordinary as I can today too.”

“…… Forget it, I’m used to it.” Heidi sighed even harder and turned to greet the girls with the gifts she had brought along.

“I don’t know what you like, but I can’t visit empty-handed so these are my presents for the young ladies. My father also asked me to pass a gift from him to you as well Mr. Duncan. He said you will like it since you’re into history and the occult.”

“You’re too polite. What we did is no more than a helping hand.” Duncan may say that, but his hands were far more honest in how quickly he accepted the gifts. However, as soon as he opened the box and saw the thing inside, he became puzzled, “This is…”

It was a tome, beautifully bound like you see in those museums. Any scholar with an eye would know how valuable this must be based on the beautiful floral lettering: (City-States and Gods)

“This is a book from my father’s collection. You will be hard-pressed to find a print like this in the market nowadays. The author is supposedly very famous from a century ago. I think the author was called Mr. Mardaino Victor or something,” Heidi said with a smile, “and he likes to write about the history of various city-states and how the gods and church effected society during the ages. My father said you will definitely like this gift.”

Duncan silently studied the exquisite tome and gradually formed a smile. Indeed, he’s very pleased by this gift. “Of course, do give my thanks to Mr. Morris for his kindness.”

After some courteous formality and chitchat, Duncan went ahead and directly closed shop for the day. Business has been slow anyways so the man figured it’s better to clear out the area to entertain his guests.

While Nina brought two chairs out for the ladies, Duncan had started to brew the best coffee in his cabinet. As for Shirley, the nervous girl pretended to be busy sorting out the shelves to reduce her existence.

“Let’s get straight to the point. I heard that you have been plagued by nightmares during this period. You’re also often falling into a trance?” Heidi asks after pulling out her med kit.

“Ah, it’s actually not a nightmare. It’s just a continuous strange dream…” Nina didn’t expect Miss Heidi to be so professional and so quickly: “I always dream that I am standing in a very high place, like a tower, and then under my feet are several streets that have been burned to ash. Ah, but nothing terrible was in it though…”

“Stop!” Heidi gestured for a halt with her palm out. Then opening the medical box, she recited the key points: “So recurring scenes, a high place, a fire, and no scary things. You’re mentally exhausted because of the frequent dreaming… hmm, let me see…”

At first Nina didn’t think much of the session, but after seeing the stuff inside Heidi’s medical box – chisel, axe, saw, various potions, and sprays – her neck instantly shrunk back in fear: “That… Miss Heidi… can I not treat it? In fact, I don’t think I’m in that of a bad state…”

Duncan also saw the contents of Heidi’s medical kit, which caused his eyebrows to jump: “Forgive me, but is this really what is needed for a psychiatric treatment?”

The elegant and gentle-looking doctor in front of me is a psychiatrist or a veterinarian?!