Deep Sea Embers

Ever since Vision 004 introduced the first “list” to the present world, all anomalies and visions had been assigned numbers. Despite changes in position, evolving characteristics, or the disappearance or transformation of some anomalies and visions, there was always an empty space on the list to account for them. For millennia, this rule remained unaltered.

Thus, people believed that Vision 004 served as a “focus” transcending the order of time and space. All anomalies and visions, whether from the past or future, had left their marks within this focal point, even if they had not yet come into existence; their positions were preordained.

However, this longstanding rule was broken today with the appearance of an unnumbered vision that emerged before everyone.

Adding to the unease, this vision was known as “Pland” – the pearl of the Boundless Sea, the most thriving stop on the ocean trade network, and the largest gathering place of Storm Church believers.

Yet, for some reason, Vanna sensed that the pope, who maintained a serene and introverted demeanor, didn’t appear overly concerned. When Pland became a vision, she exhibited only mild surprise – she seemed less concerned with “Pland becoming a vision” than with “Pland being unnumbered.”

Anxiously, Vanna glanced at the pope, who seemed lost in thought. Following a few minutes of heavy silence, she suddenly inquired: “What has become of Pland since the ‘disaster’?”

“Order is being re-established in the city-state, and all who perished from historical pollution, as well as damaged locations, have been restored, save for those who truly died eleven years ago,” Bishop Valentine promptly replied. “We have inspected every nook and cranny of the city-state, including every sewer, factory, machine, and even each pipe, and found no signs of supernatural distortion. The city-state is in… an incredibly ‘normal’ state. Well, except for…”

“The french fry issue, correct?” Helena interjected indifferently, “I saw it in the report.”

Vanna’s expression turned somewhat awkward: “I know it’s a bit odd to include that in the report…”

“It’s not odd. Following a supernatural event, all leads must be taken seriously,” Helena calmly asserted, her gaze landing on Vanna. “So, what about you, Saint Vanna? Have you sensed anything amiss?”

Vanna grew subconsciously uneasy, anticipating that the pope would eventually ask her this question since she had documented everything in the report, apart from the shaken faith segment. “I… actually don’t feel anything unusual. No spiritual pollution, no mental distortion. Bishop Valentine specifically conducted several tests on me, and the conclusion was that it’s merely a ‘connection.'”

Helena slightly clenched her fists, resting her chin on her fist, appearing to ponder for a moment before addressing the saints gathered nearby. “Everyone, disperse for now – I have matters to discuss with the two saints from Pland.”

Upon hearing this, the shadows assembled in the square paid their respects to the pope and disappeared one by one. In under half a minute, only Helena, Vanna, and Valentine remained in the expansive assembly area.

“You appear slightly anxious, young saint – relax,” Helena said, smiling at Vanna after the area had quieted. “You are on the right path, and the Goddess’s approval and favor remain as steadfast as ever. Don’t be uneasy merely because you’ve encountered some ‘dangerous’ powers – as defenders of order, isn’t it our responsibility to handle all sorts of dangerous powers?”

Taking a gentle breath, Vanna tried to keep her voice steady: “…Indeed, as you said.”

Helena nodded and shifted her gaze to Bishop Valentine: “I saw in your report that you believe the renowned ‘Captain Duncan’ has regained his sanity and humanity, and there’s potential for communication?”

“Technically speaking, it’s not just the potential for communication; we are already establishing communication – though the beginning was unplanned,” Valentine nodded slightly and stated solemnly. “For some reason, the ghost captain is particularly interested in the situation in Pland and has chosen Vanna as the contact. So far, he has shown no hostility towards the civilized world.”

“Did the fire from the Vanished engulf the entire city-state?” Helena inquired immediately.

Valentine nodded in affirmation: “Yes, the fire expelled the historical pollution created by the heretics and reset the city-state to its pre-pollution state.”

“…Alternatively, one could argue that the fire tainted the entire city-state and rendered it untainted,” Helena calmly remarked, locking eyes with Valentine. “In this situation, the distinction between ‘polluted’ and ‘unpolluted’ has become rather ambiguous.”

Valentine subconsciously exchanged glances with Vanna beside him.

They then heard Helena continue: “This might be why Pland became a ‘vision’ – the parchment doesn’t detail the specific attributes of this new vision, but we can venture a description: Vision Pland, the city reduced to ashes by subspace flames, was reshaped into a normal appearance by Duncan Abnomar’s power. Its distortion lies in distorting its own distortion. The entire city functions as though it had never been polluted, and the sole remaining evidence of the pollution is its existence.”

Helena paused, silently studying the two saints before her.

“A coin with its head side up, flipping through the air, and still landing with its head side up.”

Vanna seemed about to say something, but the pope gently waved her hand, stopping her.

“However, there’s nothing wrong with that, Saint Vanna – compared to the twisted states of most places in our world, what does it matter if a coin still shows its head side up after flipping?” Helena said lightly. “At least, in reality, Pland continues to exist, whether the coin flipped once or countless times… It’s not something we mortals should be concerned about.”

For some reason, Vanna sensed a hidden meaning in Pope Helena’s words but couldn’t yet comprehend it. She simply furrowed her brow: “So, how should we announce this news? And how do we explain to people that they live in an immense vision – while still enabling them to maintain a normal life after learning this fact?”

“A startling revelation resulting from an abrupt change should either remain undisclosed or be announced when the aftershocks have yet to subside. People are most receptive during the initial aftershock,” Helena asserted solemnly. “At present, the citizens of Pland have not fully escaped the disaster’s aftermath and have not entirely immersed themselves in the return to normal life… so proceed with the announcement as usual.

“However, exercise caution in guiding people, helping them understand the distinctiveness of this ‘vision’ – not all visions are dangerous, and always remember that our world is still sustained today by the illumination of Vision 001.”

“Yes,” Bishop Valentine bowed his head. “I will consult with the city hall on this matter, determining the most prudent way to announce this news.”

Helena nodded, her gaze inadvertently drifting over Vanna before adding, “There are a few more things.”

Vanna and Valentine immediately responded: “Please instruct us.”

Helena hesitated momentarily: “…It’s not that urgent; we’ll discuss it in greater detail when we meet.”

It took Vanna a couple of seconds to suddenly understand Helena’s implication: “Meet… are you going to…”

“The Grand Storm Cathedral has been touring for many years; it’s about time to make a stop,” Helena said, smiling at Vanna. “Prepare yourselves; the Grand Storm Cathedral will arrive in Pland within a week – by then, I can witness for myself the posture this coin has taken after flipping.”

The two saints departed, leaving only Helena’s figure standing in the vast assembly hall.

But merely half a minute later, quivering shadows emerged from the nearby darkness, and the tall, thin, elderly leader of the Death Church, Banster, along with the kind-faced, slightly overweight leader of the Truth Academy, Lune, materialized from the shadows and stood before Helena.

Banster glanced in the direction Vanna had left before shifting his focus back to the Storm Pope: “Is it her? She seems… ordinary.”

“But the ruler of the storm chose her,” Helena replied calmly. “It is the will of the Goddess.”

The plump, kind-faced Lune contemplated for a moment before speaking with inquisitively: “But why did the ruler of the storm choose her?”

“…No one can decipher the intentions of the storm,” Helena gently shook her head before changing the topic. “Let’s not dwell on this; let’s discuss the information revealed by Vision 004 this time – an unnumbered vision, which is far more perplexing than the vision itself.”