Ashes Of Deep Sea Chapter 435

Chapter 435: Chapter 436: After the Disaster Ends Chapter 435: Chapter 436: After the Disaster Ends Snow was falling gently, not too heavily, but it seemed it would continue for a long time. The sun's brilliance was blocked by gloomy clouds, and the light that filtered through wasn't very bright yet was undeniably present.

Through the street-facing window, one could see pedestrians on the road–people who had survived the disaster. Fear still lingered in their eyes.

These startled citizens ventured out from their hiding places, on the streets confirming the presence of acquaintances or inquiring about the whereabouts of those missing, asking if any new information came from the Upper City District. Some were still immersed in the terror of the mirror invasion, reacting fearfully to every passing figure, hastily stepping out of their homes only to quickly lock themselves back inside.

Battle-scarred steam-walkers, along with the equally battle-worn City-State Guards, sheriff forces, and guardian squads passed by the junction, their presence reassuring many. Mounted loudspeakers on the steam-walkers broadcasted the end of anomalies–the mirror invasion had subsided, the city would enter a forty-eight-hour public-security control state, and the City-State authorities would regain control of the situation and clear any hidden dangers within the city. Supplies of provisions, electricity, steam power, and fresh water were to be restored promptly, and neighborhoods were instructed to report casualties as soon as possible…

The crackling loudspeaker sound gradually faded, the poor sound quality on this snowy day accentuating the grim atmosphere on the streets. However, upon the departure of the steam-walkers, many people's nerves genuinely began to relax a bit.

Sherry leaned against the living room window, muttering to herself as she observed the scene on the street outside, “Wonder how long the chaos will last… Bread prices are definitely going to soar.”

Nina was sitting beside her on the sofa, mouth agape, blowing out hot air that could distort the surrounding air. Hearing Sherry's murmuring, she turned her head, “It's definitely going to be chaotic for a while. It took three days to restore order in Prand last time–though without a doubt, it won't get too hectic since the sheriff forces are still here…”

“Hey, hey! Don't talk toward me!” Sherry, unable to stand the blast of hot air, awkwardly moved away from the window while shouting at Nina, “You're blowing air like a steam core leak! Why is it so hot?”

Nina quickly covered her mouth with her hand, her corners puffing hot air as she mumbled an apology, “Sorry, sorry… I maintained that state for too long…”

Just then, Duncan's voice caught the attention of the two girls, “I told you, Nina can only stay in the sky for a short while–her condition isn't stable.”

Upon hearing the voice, Sherry quickly turned around, standing at attention, while Nina jumped down from the sofa, running towards Duncan with a smile, “Uncle Duncan!”

Duncan smiled too, lightly embracing Nina, who was still emitting heat from all over, then turning his head to acknowledge Morris and Fenna, who were rising from a nearby chair and bowing to him, with a slight nod, “Seems you both are doing well.”

“Indeed, in good condition,” Morris adjusted his monocle, “and quite shocked.”

“I thought my nerves had grown thick enough after the big fire in Prand,” Fenna spoke as well, her tone laced with contemplation and reverence, “Honestly, talking to you like this is more relaxing–under normal 'scales,' that is.”

“Occasionally such encounters are enough,” Duncan waved his hand, “but I have to admit, the perspective from above the sky is truly impressive.”

As he spoke, his gaze fell on an object placed on a nearby dining table.

It was a large book with a black cover, bearing no symbols or letters on its front, and the whole book exuded a mysterious and dangerous aura.

“Is this the 'Book of Desecration' you seized from that minor leader of the Obliteration Sect?” Duncan's eyes lingered on the book, “Certainly doesn't look like any proper reading material.”

“Yes,” Morris nodded, carefully picking up the book, “I conducted a simple authentication under safe conditions and surmised this isn't the 'original,' but a copy held by a special member within the Obliteration Sect–because if it were the original, it would possess much greater power and be more valuable, unlikely to be carried casually into the City-State by a mere leader.”

He paused momentarily, his tone uncertain, “As for the book's purpose… it might serve to spread doctrine or act as a medium in casting spells or rituals. It contains sections related to the Saint of the Abyss, which may source power for those heretics, but the specifics are mere conjecture.”

While speaking, he handed the book over, “Would you like to look at it now?”

“Let's take it back to the ship and look at it,” Duncan shook his head, “The city is still quite tumultuous, and who knows what might happen once I open this book–best not to introduce more chaos, especially since we have guests arriving soon.”

“Guests?” Fenna inquired curiously, “Who would visit at such a time?”

Duncan glanced at Fenna with a smile in his voice, “Your colleague, she is on her way here.”

With that said, he paid no mind to Fenna's suddenly peculiar expression but walked to the street-facing window and took a seat on the sofa, adopting a posture of calm anticipation.

Footsteps approached; Alice walked up to Duncan, the eternally optimistic puppeteer wearing her usual unawarely cheerful expression, “Captain! When are we heading home? After receiving the guest?”

Duncan lifted his eyes, giving the dense-headed puppet a look, “Do you think… that everything here is concluded?”

“Eh? Otherwise?” Alice looked puzzled, “The villains are gone, the disaster has ended, then shouldn't the remaining people continue their adventure?–That's what they say in storybooks…”

Duncan's mouth twitched as he looked up at Alice, “What else does the picture book say?”

“The picture book says the prince and the knight lived a happy and joyful life…”

Duncan, “…?”

He choked for a moment before finally bursting out, “Usually, in these kinds of stories, shouldn't there be a princess or something…”

“The princess ran away with the maid…”

Duncan was silent for a few seconds, taking a gentle breath.

“Where did this picture book come from?”

Alice pondered for a moment, lifting her finger toward Sherry, “She has a lot of them in her room…”

The next second, before Duncan could respond, Sherry sprang up and dashed toward the door, “I saw an old bookstore going out of business, getting rid of books cheaply so I bought a bunch. Didn't you tell me to read more, starting with picture books? I didn't expect them all to be such weird stuff, no wonder the store couldn't keep going. It's really none of my business.”

The girl ran across half the living room crying and howling, and Duncan hadn't even planned to lecture her before she reached the door, then, with a bang, flung it open and darted outside.

The next second, a bang came from outside, followed by Sherry's exclamations, “F**k, what the hell did I run into…”

Almost everyone in the room was dumbfounded–Alice hadn't grasped what happened, Nina was startled by Sherry's close-range wailing, Fenna didn't expect Sherry to be so bold, and Morris… this venerable old man was still deeply shocked by the story of “the princess running away with the maid.”

Only Duncan remained calmly seated on the sofa, neither chasing after Sherry nor curious about the commotion at the door.

He simply turned his head toward the door.

Footsteps sounded, and a young woman hesitantly entered.

She wore a black clerical robe marked with the church's emblem, eyes covered with a thick layer of black cloth, her long hair cascading down her back. On the exposed skin of her arms and neck, one could still see scar-like wounds. These terrifying scars seemed rather like sacred stigmata bearing a holy aura.

More importantly, she was holding the thrashing Sherry by the hand.

“Sorry,” Agatha raised her head, nervously “looking” toward the figures in the room, “I meant to knock, but… she suddenly ran out.”

As she spoke, her gaze swept across the room.

In the faded-colored, grayscale-textured room, each figure with a strong presence registered in her “vision”–
She saw an old man with a dim outline, colors swirling around him, with matrix-like specks flashing within his body as if Rahm was casting his gaze from the mortal world;
A tall figure stood beside the old man, its contours dark and chaotic, filled with foreboding shadows reminiscent of the Subspace, yet a pale green flame leapt among these shadows, stabilizing the figure;
A bright arc of flame was near the window, seemingly lacking mystical powers yet radiating pure light and heat, staring at it felt like it could erode the soul;
Another empty shell stood in the room, surrounded by countless faint lines, seemingly casting a curious glance in this direction. Under that gaze, Agatha even felt her soul might be captured and turned into one of those “lines.”

And among these figures, the most powerful one approached her.

A dazzling starlight approached her.

“Welcome, I have been waiting for you for a long time.”

The starlight said to her.

Chapter end

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