Ashes Of Deep Sea Chapter 339

Chapter 339: Chapter 343 “Return to Port Chapter 339: Chapter 343 “Return to Port Frost Eastern Port Military District, many had stayed up all night.

Since the Sea Swallow had lost contact, more than twenty-four hours had elapsed, and even spiritual energy calls from the onboard priest at the port church had received no response.

The only clues and traces all pointed to dire possibilities.

In the port office, a middle-aged man with sparse hair, dressed in a Frost Navy commander's uniform, sat grimly behind a desk, while several other commanders occupied other chairs in the room. The atmosphere in the not-too-large room was tense and oppressive, as if brewing up a storm.

“So far, no trace of the Sea Swallow has been found. We've searched towards Frost Island from the last known signal location of the Sea Swallow three times, and found nothing on the sea surface,” a civilian officer with light brown short hair said, shaking his head.

“The most optimistic estimate is that the Sea Swallow's communication system is malfunctioning, and something happened to the onboard priest, causing the ship to drift off course uncontrollably–but honestly, that's overly optimistic,” another officer sighed. “Such a large ship wouldn't have drifted out of the search area in such a short time, even if it were uncontrollable. It's more likely that the Sea Swallow encountered a severe accident and has already sunk… There were reports from patrol boats nearby about faint explosions and distant flashes seen under the night sky, which could have been the Sea Swallow.”

“Such a large ship would take hours to sink, wouldn't it? We dispatched search forces immediately after losing contact with the Sea Swallow,” the civilian officer with light brown short hair frowned. “Moreover, there would be oil pollution on the surface. How could the traces disappear so cleanly? Could the entire ship instantly sink to the ocean floor?”

“…We should send someone to Dagger Island to verify the situation,” another female officer suggested. “Perhaps the Sea Swallow didn't head for Frost Island, and may have been held up near Dagger Island…”

“Dagger Island is currently under special circumstances, sending people onto the island requires complicated procedures…”

“Just making contact might be easier, the Governor's Office should be able to provide clearance in as fast as half an hour…”

The discussion in the room continued nonstop until a steady voice from behind the desk interrupted everyone: “Procedure twenty-two.”

The room quieted down instantly, the officers raised their gazes, looking towards the sparse-haired, stern-faced middle-aged man behind the desk.

“It might be the activation of Procedure Twenty-Two–either the situation is too urgent or there's a risk of meme leak, or the Sea Swallow is completely under someone else's control, hence no messages,” asserted Lister, the port's defense commander in a low voice, “although this still doesn't explain why the debris from the Sea Swallow would disappear so cleanly.”

Around the office, the officers exchanged glances. The weight of the words “Procedure Twenty-Two” added a denser weight to the already oppressive atmosphere.

Amidst that tension, Commander Lister paused for a moment, then resumed, “I know General Duncan. If the Sea Swallow indeed encountered an insurmountable supernatural contamination, he would undoubtedly initiate Procedure Twenty-Two without hesitation. Therefore, our next steps should not only continue to search for any remaining traces of the Sea Swallow but also figure out what entity attacked and contaminated the ship–if there indeed is an assailant. It might not be tangible, posing a great threat to Frost.”

“Assailants…” the previous speaking female officer's expression gradually grew graver. “If this assailant truly exists, do you think it wasn't destroyed along with the Sea Swallow's 'Procedure Twenty-Two'?”

“When facing supernatural disasters, one of the primary rules is–unless there is strong direct evidence, always assume the enemy still exists,” Lister stated slowly, “whether it is a supernatural object or phenomenon, their 'vitality' is always stronger than expected.”

Officers glanced at one another, and one hesitated before speaking up, “About Dagger Island…”

“I will lodge an investigation request with the Governor; although the Sea Swallow was returning to the home Island and had sent a message that the inspection work was completed when leaving Dagger Island, now that the ship has suffered an incident, the situation on Dagger Island is now also suspect,” Lister slowly rose, bracing his hands on the desk. “What you all need to do next…”

His words were not finished when a slightly rapid pace of footsteps suddenly arose in the hallway, followed by a knock interrupting further discussion.

Lister frowned, “Come in.”

A secretary pushed the door open and saluted to the officer behind the desk, “Commander, the Gatekeeper, Lady Agatha, is here.”

“Gatekeeper?” Lister's face clearly showed surprise, “What does she want?”

“She says it's about the Sea Swallow, it's urgent.”

“Please let her in…” Lister immediately said, but before he could finish his sentence, a Grey Wind had already risen in the corridor outside the door. Then, as if mingling with pale dust, the Grey Wind surged into the room, swirling swiftly inside the office. Agatha stepped out from the midst of the Grey Wind–her hand holding a tin cane often carried by Reaper Priests, her eyes revealing seriousness and a touch of apology through the gaps in her bandages.

“Sorry, Colonel Lister, it's urgent. I heard your response and came straight in,” Agatha nodded, “I want to know how far you've gotten with the investigation into the whereabouts of the Sea Swallow?”

Lister did not show dissatisfaction with Agatha's direct intrusion into his office. A qualified soldier understands priorities, and the “gatekeeper” of the City-State naturally has many privileges in an emergency. Clearly, the situation was already urgent enough to skip the pleasantries.

“We haven't found any trace or wreckage of the Sea Swallow. We currently suspect General Duncan might have initiated 'Procedure 22,' and the Sea Swallow may have sunk,” he said gravely, “Next, we plan to expand the search area to look for traces of the assailants in the open sea, and prepare to investigate Dagger Island.”

“Procedure 22 is a correct assumption. The Sea Swallow was indeed invaded and contaminated by Transcendent forces; the ship has honorably served its duty. But don't rashly investigate Dagger Island,” Agatha quickly said, “That island might have already spiraled out of control.”

“Dagger Island has lost control?” Lister's facial muscles visibly twitched. “What intelligence have you gathered?”

“…It's not convenient to reveal the source of the information,” Agatha hesitated, “but it is highly reliable. I haven't yet had the chance to inform the Cathedral and the City Hall because it might delay things. Colonel Lister, I hope you immediately block all sea routes surrounding Dagger Island, forbid any ships from approaching, and prevent anything from leaving the island–especially from landing on the main island of Frost.”

“Miss Agatha, I must remind you–this doesn't follow procedure,” Lister's tone turned serious, “I am willing to trust your judgment as a gatekeeper, but you should know that every rule has been derived from human lives–mobilizing the Frost Navy to blockade Dagger Island is no small matter. I need clearer orders and explanations.”

“At least it won't make the situation worse,” Agatha stepped forward, “I have already sent someone to the Cathedral, and further orders should arrive soon.”

Lister opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say more, but just then, the sudden ringing of a bell in the corner of the room interrupted him.

The port defense commander glanced at Agatha, then quickly walked to a small table nearby and pressed a button on it.

After a moment, a hiss of air and rapid click sounds traveled through the copper pipe fixed on the wall beside the table, followed by a crisp metallic clang as the pipe shook and a slight white vapor emerged from the latch mechanism at the end of the pipe.

Lister unlocked the latch, flipped open the cover, and took out a capsule from the pipe, quickly glancing at the paper inside. His expression changed instantly.

“What is it?” Agatha asked curiously.

“A ship has appeared in the nearby waters and sent a signal requesting to dock,” Lister slowly looked up, his face grave, “It's the Sea Swallow.”

The room quickly fell silent.

The officers exchanged glances, Agatha's expression immediately turned solemn, and Lister, after a few seconds of silence, suddenly spoke: “Head to the pier.”

The Sea Swallow had reappeared after being lost for over twenty-four hours, now appearing before the eyes of the Frostfolk and steering straight toward the military pier at East Port.

From the lookout tower at East Port, one could already see the silhouette of the steam fast ship–it gradually grew larger on the horizon, with cloud-like steam wafting above.

“The silhouette and the identification of the bow flag… it's the Sea Swallow.”

A junior officer put down the binoculars, speaking with a complex tone.

Lister still stared unmoved at the black shadow on the sea approaching slowly, remaining silent for a long time.

A faint sound of a steam whistle came through, accompanied by a specific pause rhythm.

“Second round of signals. The Sea Swallow is requesting to dock,” the junior officer turned his head, looking at Lister, “Commander…”

“Sink it.” Agatha, who had been silent until now, finally broke the silence.

Chapter end

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