Deep Sea Embers

Homeless and Shining Star sail against a uniform gray and white background.

This long journey to the end of the world seemed to be coming to an end - even if Duncan didn't mention it, everyone on the ship was vaguely aware that the end was approaching.

Now, everyone gathered around the long table in the cabin of the Lost Home, and even Lucretia temporarily handed over her ship to the control of the puppet Luni and Rabbit.

The "sea witch" sat on Duncan's side, while the little doll Neelu, who had just recently become the official crew member of the Brilliant Star, sat obediently on the hostess's shoulder. The latter appeared here for the first time and was cautiously sitting on her side at the moment. He grabbed Lucrecia's hair and looked around curiously.

Shirley looked at the gorgeous three-pointed doll wearing an exquisite dress with great interest. When the latter turned to look over, she suddenly raised her hand and made a frightening sound: "Hey ha-

Yinlu suddenly exclaimed softly and grabbed a handful of Lucrecia's hair.

The witch girl was startled and raised her hand to pat the little doll's arm. Nelu then lowered her head in grievance and muttered in a low voice: "Mistress, she is scaring me."

Shirley immediately shrugged and turned her head to pretend that she was listening carefully to the captain.

Duncan didn't pay attention to the movement coming from the long table. He just glanced at Shirley casually and continued to talk about the current situation within the boundless sea:

"The undead live together with the living in the city. No one remembers the original functions of the cemetery and crematorium anymore. The dead are in a daze, and more and more living people are falling into a trance. No one dies anymore, and at the same time there is no Another newborn is born. In the eyes of onlookers, the distortion of the world has become unimaginable. However, no one is aware of these abnormalities. All inconsistencies are subconsciously 'explained' or 'ignored', and this is the current situation of the entire world. 'status quo'.

The situation at the Church of the Deep Sea is similar to that of the Church of Death today. The core part of their respective teachings has now become an unknowable 'blasphemous prototype'. Although people are still maintaining their 'daily life' in ignorance, this 'world correction' may not last long. "

Everyone on both sides of the long table remained silent. Even Shirley, who had been secretly playing with the doll just now, fell silent after imagining the weird and terrifying scene in the city.

Duncan's eyes fell on Vanna not far away, "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"Cognitive reconstruction is not that simple." Fanna's face was not very good. She frowned slightly. After hearing the captain's words, she smiled bitterly and shook her head. "I almost forgot about the 'wave'. You just summoned us suddenly and reminded me of all this, which made me feel as if the whole world was torn apart."

Miss Inquisitor took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. She seemed to be still struggling to adjust her state. At the same time, she continued with a complicated expression: "Now two completely different 'cognitive systems' are still in my mind. During the fierce confrontation, I clearly knew that something actually existed, but another perception told me that it was an incomprehensible thing that had never existed. I knew that the previous perception was correct, but I I can't deny that the second knowledge has taken root in my heart, just like

She pursed her lips, but in the end she seemed unable to find a suitable way to describe it.

It’s like ‘hydrophobia, right? "Duncan asked calmly, "Is the water poisonous?" Vanna thought for a while and nodded with a wry smile, "Probably. Compared with all kinds of physical blasphemy, cognitive problems are always so difficult to deal with. "

"I have also hesitated whether it is necessary to re-strengthen and stabilize your "cognition"," Duncan said slowly, his eyes swept around, and wherever his eyes went, green flames were spreading all over the place. The cabin burned quietly, and the firelight shone on everyone, and even seemed to be soaking into their souls, soaking into their minds, and stabilizing their "cognition" on the "Captain" side, "But considering In the future plan, I must use fire to 'strengthen' you, because only in this way can you become my strongest anchor."

After hearing Duncan's words, the expression on Lucretia's face obviously changed slightly. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end she didn't speak, and just stared at her father steadily.

"Next, we will arrive at Bartok's node," Duncan continued to say calmly, seemingly ignoring the glances that fell on him that contained various emotions, "it will be composed of four gods." The last node on the outer barrier, after completing the final mark, the Lost Home will return to the Leviathan Islands, the starting point of this 'tour'.

"Your journey to the border ends there."

Duncan spread his hands and said in a low voice. His eyes looked around both sides of the long table, moving between the familiar faces. Finally, his eyes fell on Nina.

The first "human" he knew in this world, his first official "contact" with this civilization trapped in the asylum, his - "anchor of humanity".

Nina sat next to him. This girl who had always been very sensible seemed to always be able to detect "Uncle Duncan's" thoughts one step ahead. Even at this moment, she did not show too much surprise, but after a moment of silence He raised his head and said, "Do you want to do the next thing alone?"

Duncan met the girl's gaze: "Yes."

"Is it dangerous? Is it far away?" Nina asked again.

'It's hard to describe it as 'dangerous'. It's something that only I can accomplish, but you can't understand the process." Duncan thought for a moment and explained seriously, "I will go further. The places are further than the end of the world, so far that even the gods cannot reach it, and all the scales in the world cannot measure it. Yes, very far, very far. "

"Then are you going home?" Nina was still looking at her Uncle Duncan steadily - she asked a question she had asked before.

This time, Duncan didn't hesitate at all: "Yes, go home."

His response was so sure and quick that even Nina seemed a little surprised.

"You're not lying?" She frowned and asked with some confusion, as if she didn't expect to get such a sure answer.

"Yes, I'm sure - but if you had asked me earlier, maybe I would have hesitated," Duncan said seriously, "But now, I can be sure that if one day in the future , if you are really waiting for me to come home, then I will definitely come home. "

Nina frowned, and just as she was deep in thought, Morris's voice came from the side again: "What do you need us to do?"

"After the Lost Home leaves, you will return with the Brilliant Star." Duncan looked at the old man across the table and nodded slightly, "Agatha will take the 'reflection' of the Lost Home and combine it with The Brilliant Star is connected together, and the sailors will come to take the helm. In this way, you can start the "route" left by the Sea Song and return to the Infinite Sea from the Storm Goddess' node.

'After returning to the Infinite Sea, you will go to the city-states of Frost, Jinland and Breezeport respectively. In addition, Lawrence is currently staying in Faelon on the western border. I am equivalent to having the ability to watch. Eyes of the whole world - you have to wait and wait for my order. When I complete the preparations outside the world, something big will happen. "

"A big thing?" Fanna frowned subconsciously.

"The end of the world," Duncan said calmly, "I will 'end' this world in an orderly manner. Before this 'mathematical machine' completely collapses, I will recycle all its data." "

He knew that no one at the scene would understand what he was saying. Even Morris would not understand what "all things information" and "mathematical machines" were, but he still said these words straightforwardly.

The people present may not know what a mathematical machine is, but they at least understand what "the end of the world" means.

After a moment of silence, Shirley was the first to break the silence: "Mom

But except for her, everyone else's reaction was unexpectedly calm.

It seems that you all trust me. "Duncan looked around, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face.

‘After what we have experienced together in Pland, Frost and Breezehaven, why should we not trust you? "Fanna suddenly laughed, "You have countless ways to easily cause destruction, but in the end you choose to save everything you can - even now, even if you say you want to kill me, I'm afraid I will immediately feel... It's because I'm living my life wrong

"Gemona will be sad if she hears what you said," Duncan laughed helplessly, "The first time we met, you came here in a single jump."

Fanna: "You said you wouldn't mention this matter."

Duncan smiled, shook his head, waved his hands, and looked at the others.

"The end of the world" is a necessary step to ensure that the new world can be born, and to ensure long-term peace after the birth of the new world. I have found a way to survive the end of the old world while remaining in this world. Everything, you can really rest assured of this. "

"What about after this?" Shirley finally couldn't help but speak. Although she couldn't understand most of the topic, she was still keenly aware that the captain had not finished what he said. "After the world ends, we will Where is it? Where are you? When will that new world you talk about come? "

Duncan smiled and looked into Shirley's curious eyes.

"Blink your eyes."

Shirley blinked curiously.

"For you, the new world will come after that."

Duncan said softly.