Deep Sea Embers

The night was gradually deepening, and the cold creation of the world was already hanging high in the night sky. Under the pale light, the entire city-state fell into silence.

On the second floor of the antique shop in the lower city, Duncan stood in front of the small window at the end of the corridor, quietly looking out at the quiet street outside the window, those undulating roofs under the cold glow, and the pipes and buildings across the city on the roof. valve.

In another distant view, he could see the Lost Country crossing the undulating sea, heading north in the night, chasing the direction of the Seamist.

But here, he watched the entire city-state, using the ubiquitous "perception" to scan every corner of Purand.

He raised his gaze slightly, and saw those invisible "mists" still floating over the city.

The "soul" like "smoke" released by the Cathedral of Storms stopped expanding after nightfall, and now its scale is enough to cover three quarters of Pland City. Now they are like a layer of smoke. Slowly fluttering in the night sky like a tulle, just like...

Take a stroll in the night sky.

Duncan retracted his gaze towards the sky, and focused on the huge shadow on the edge of the city-state.

That's where the Cathedral of the Storm is moored.

The huge roving ark clings to the southeast port of Plante like a dark cloud. In Duncan's perception, he can clearly feel the outline of this huge individual, but he can't pry his eyes deep into the cathedral. .

The interior of that cathedral seemed to him an empty and dark black hole.

Those ordinary ships docked in the port can't stop his perception - within a range close enough to Prand, nothing can escape his "touch", but now this cathedral is obviously a exception.

Is this due to the "protection" of the goddess Gemona? Or is it the special protection technique of the Church of the Deep Sea?

Duncan was a little curious about this, but he didn't take too much action. Although he did think about whether he could break through the protection of the Cathedral of Storms by directly burning it with green fire, but he just thought about it for a while-after all, there is no injustice or enmity. Yes, there is no need to do this kind of thing of setting fire to people's houses just to satisfy one's own curiosity.

At this moment, Duncan's heart suddenly moved, and he quickly withdrew his perception of the Cathedral of the Storm, and looked up in the direction of the upper city.

He looked thoughtfully at the hills rising above the surrounding terrain, at the Purand Church standing in the night.

...

On the heights of the Prand Cathedral, a lounge was brightly lit. Pope Helena lit a ceremonial candle mixed with spices, and placed the candlestick in front of a full-length mirror in the corner, before turning her head slightly and looking to her side Fan Na who has been standing by for a long time.

"I heard that the first time you saw 'him' in a dream, your first reaction was to throw yourself away—what did you think at that time?"

There was a slight embarrassment on Fan Na's face: "At that time... I didn't think much about it."

"When you say 'didn't think much,' it usually means 'never thought,'" Helena laughed. Useful when you're evil - after all, 'thinking' itself can easily become our loophole."

"... But I'm just glad that my reckless actions didn't lead to any consequences," Fan Na sighed helplessly, "In hindsight, he doesn't seem to care about my 'offense' at all."

"He doesn't care, they don't care," Helena sighed softly, "The superior beings care about something bigger and longer-term... The good news is that what they care about more or less includes our survival."

Fanna didn't respond for a while, and Helena looked at the "judge" who was no longer a judge with a half-smile: "Fanna, you probably have a lot of questions to ask."

"I want to know... your arrangement for me," Fanna hesitated, but she still said, "You secretly dismissed me as a judge and did not arrange a new city-state guardian. I am at a loss. I don't know. How to perform your duties next.”

Helena listened calmly, without the slightest surprise on her face. After Fanna finished speaking, the seemingly young pope just smiled and turned his head to look out the window.

Through the window sashes inlaid with iron patterns, you can see the city-state streets illuminated by a large number of gas lamps, peaceful and peaceful.

"It's a very peaceful night, Vanna," the pope said. "How many incidents do you think the guards watching the night will report about extraordinary pollution or evil invasion?"

Fan Na froze for a moment, and said hesitantly: "...I'm not sure, the city-state is indeed relatively safe these days, and there are no reports of incidents, but..."

"Zero," the Pope interrupted, "tonight's event is zero, just like yesterday, the day before yesterday, and it will be the same tomorrow."

Fanna opened her mouth.

"You've obviously noticed this too, but haven't you dared to make a conclusion yet?" Helena laughed, "A city that is no longer dangerous at night, even in the temporary darkness after the gas lamps are turned off, there will be no more dangers." Shadows grow, the brightest pearl on the boundless sea, and now it lives up to its name."

Fan Na finally came to her senses gradually: "You mean..."

"Vision-Prand," Helena nodded lightly, "Inside this large-scale vision, there seems to be no extraordinary 'pollution' phenomenon other than the 'Vision-Prand' itself."

"This is your observation conclusion?"

"Do you think I came here just to receive the 'admiration' from the citizens on the street and the greetings from the priests and officials in the cathedral?" Helena looked at Fan Na with a half-smile, "I have Use your own way to observe and judge the changes that have taken place in this city-state."

Fan Na opened her mouth, she seemed to have countless words to say, but suddenly she didn't know where to start, a mess of thoughts filled her head, she just felt that what happened now exceeded her own world view once again, So much so that she couldn't find a way to continue the topic with her previous logic. After some time, she said, "So...Prand doesn't need a judge now?"

"I'm not sure," Helena's answer surprised Fanna, and the pope shook his head, obviously a little uncertain, "Because this kind of thing has never happened, but at least one thing is certain, As long as the nature of Vision-Prand remains the same, then you really don’t need to work as before, and the responsibilities of city-state defenders will also change a lot.”

Speaking of which, Helena paused, and added while thinking: "But even so, the city-state still needs the protection of the defenders--I can only confirm the vision--the 'natural state' will not happen inside Prand The extraordinary pollution phenomenon under the influence of the world', but the threats we have to fight are not only natural phenomena, heretics, ancient heirs, evil creations, those madmen who actively want to destroy the order of civilization will not be content because Purand turned into a vision .

"But there's one thing that can't be wrong in general: Prand has become safer."

Helena stopped, and looked into Fanna's eyes calmly. After a few seconds, she continued in a soft voice: "Fanna, we are walking a very new road. There is no city-state, no No church has ever faced a situation like this.

"On the other hand, our world... seems to be undergoing some disturbing changes, whether it is the 'malfunction' of Vision 001 or the activities of the Lost Homelander, it is breaking the fragile state that has been maintained by the city-states for thousands of years. Balance, in this case, the goddess has only sent down a very limited revelation... I can only take action under this limited revelation.

"Fanna, you have great talent, and this talent should be assigned to... a more valuable place. Prand is in the safest state right now, but I don't think you are a person who indulges in comfort ?”

Hearing the Pope's words, Fan Na straightened her body subconsciously: "I am ready to sacrifice everything for my faith and righteousness at any time!"

"Sacrificing everything?"

"Of course, sacrifice everything!"

"No hesitation in doing anything?"

"As long as it is the will of the goddess!"

"Including going to the Lost Home?"

"Including going to..."

Fan Na subconsciously spoke aloud, but she got stuck on the spot as soon as she uttered a few words, and she almost couldn't hold her breath. After two seconds, she stared dumbfounded at the Pope in front of her: "What did you just... ?”

"As I said just now, our world is undergoing many disturbing changes, and among these many changes, at least the Lost Country is the only one that has shown the possibility of communication and good intentions," Helena said solemnly, "We need to establish a stable communication channel with the owner of the Lost Home, and it is best to have a certain official nature. You can think of yourself as a special envoy, or you can think of yourself as a 'hostage'-of course I personally recommend You use the first statement, but it's up to you how you think about it."

Fan Na listened dumbfounded, and finally found a chance to speak until the Pope finished speaking: "But...can...but is this reasonable? Going to the Lost Country...is that the concept I understand? Is this possible?! "

Helena quietly looked at the bewildered young "judge", and had expected this reaction. After a long time, she said with a smile: "It's reasonable."