Ashes Of Deep Sea Chapter 469

Chapter 469: Chapter 470: Gomona's “Hint”? Chapter 469: Chapter 470: Gomona's “Hint”? The name of the Storm Goddess Gomona appeared on the pass–and Duncan found the handwriting familiar.

For he had seen it before, back in Preland when the supposed presence of the Storm Goddess had left him a message of thanks–he still had an impression of that “deity's” handwriting.

However, Fenna said that the pass had been signed by Pope Helena.

She wouldn't misread such an obvious matter nor need to tell such a meaningless lie, leaving only one explanation–in her eyes, the name on the pass was indeed Helena.

Whose vision was the real one? What did this distinctly different “presentation” in the eyes of the two people imply? What message did that Storm Goddess intend to convey to him through this? Or rather… what was her purpose?

Duncan controlled his facial expressions, reining in the astonishment in his heart. He didn't feel anything particularly discordant from those sheets of paper, so he could only try to inquire some information from Fenna.

He looked up, gazing at the opposite Miss Judge: “What did Helena say when she gave you the pass?”

“The Pope didn't say much, just that what you needed has been prepared,” Fenna, still somewhat concerned about Duncan's strange demeanor, answered immediately. Then she recounted the entire process of her exchange with the Pope about the pass at the assembly in detail, explaining why the certificate was signed by Helena. After finishing, she cautiously observed Duncan's reaction before asking, “Is there… a problem with these items?”

Duncan was silent for two seconds before suddenly speaking, “… No, no problems, these are good.”

Fenna's behavior didn't seem feigned, she clearly knew nothing, and what was more concerning…. If the details Fenna described were accurate, then that “Pope Helena”… seemed unaware of the change in the pass's signature.

Unless the Pope had used acting skills–but why would she do that?

Fenna continued to watch Duncan's reactions, her mind flooded with questions, but in the end, she didn't press further and instead brought up another very important matter:
“Additionally, it was still as the Listener that I ventured into that tomb–I brought out a parchment with information on a new Vision…”
“A new Vision?” Duncan raised an eyebrow at this, and was somewhat surprised, “Isn't that an internal secret of your assembly? It's alright just to tell me directly?”

“The changes in the Vision list would eventually be announced to the whole world; telling you now is just a bit earlier. Besides… the new Vision is related to you.”

“Oh?”

Fenna steadied herself: “Vision-Cold Frost, Vision-Homeloss, Vision-Exiled Fleet. Like the situation with Preland, all without numbers.”

The empty deck was quiet for a while, only the sounds of wind brushing past the ears and the waves lapping against the hull could be heard. After a long time, Duncan finally broke the silence, “… Oh, that's quite a few.”

“Yes, indeed… quite a few,” said Fenna, hesitantly, “Normally, even the emergence of a single new Vision is a major event that warrants the Four Churches' attention. This time, three new Visions were updated, and one of them was the original number 005, Homeloss…”
“So the various Churches and research organizations will be quite busy?”

“Probably countless scholars will lose countless hairs, and the Popes might have a hard time sleeping peacefully for a while… Even if the new Visions do not exhibit any dangerous characteristics, the follow-up divination rituals and data collation are big tasks.”

Duncan pondered for a moment: “… Oh, let them work hard.”

Even Fenna, who was usually calm and composed, had difficulty controlling her expression from slipping, a sense of indescribable awkwardness spread in her heart. She held it in for a long time before finally managing, “As the 'person involved' … don't you have any thoughts?”

Duncan thought seriously for a moment, looking solemnly at Fenna: “Next time I'll try to keep it down a bit? Or perhaps you can go back and persuade your Pope, help them to see things a bit more… openly.”

Fenna: “…”
The Judge Miss seemed to descend into confusion for a moment, while Duncan paid no attention to her reaction. Instead, he raised his head, contemplatively observing the familiar deck, the masts, and the transparently pulsing Spiritual Body sails in the air above.

Homeloss, as always, sailed silently and reliably across the Endless Sea. As the master of this ship, Duncan did not feel any changes in it–yet in the list of Vision 004 “Tomb of the Nameless King”, this ship was no longer “Vision 005”.

It had lost its number.

What exactly did this change mean?

Duncan lowered his head and pondered as he stared at his own palm, then his gaze fell back to the pass, where the name “Gomona” exuded a strong sense of presence, capturing his attention.

He thought of the brief connection that Dog had established with the god of wisdom and that strange dark space, along with the records he saw in the dark space that seemed to be conversations among the gods.

“Fenna,” he suddenly turned around and looked into Fenna's eyes seriously, “how can one establish communion with the gods?”

Fenna was startled from her daze by Duncan's words, looking somewhat at a loss, “Ah?! You said… establish communion with the gods?!”

“That's right,” Duncan nodded, “to establish communion with the gods.”

He had just realized something: if that mysterious dark space truly concealed some sort of “platform for communion” among the gods, and if the “Book of Desecration” that was burned earlier was merely a “key” to open that dark space, then it was likely that this type of “key” was not solely in the hands of a few heretic sects–or, to put it another way–
Since even the “Desecrated Sacred Object” held by heretics could open the gods' “platform for communion,” then what about the orthodox churches that were already closely connected with the deities? Could the items or techniques in their possession be even more effective? This was logical.

Duncan hadn't thought in this direction before; on the one hand, due to mental inertia–as the golden mask before and the Book of Desecration now had both come from heretics, he instinctively adopted the straightforward strategy of seeking out heretics for a “direct fight and kill.” On the other hand… he was subconsciously avoiding this direction.

Because he had indeed seen the role of the four deities' churches in the City-State, he had a natural affinity for the forces behind Fenna and Morris–probing into that dark space was risky, as the destroyed golden mask and Book of Desecration proved. The power of truth was not something ordinary objects could withstand, and if mishandled, the “Sacred Relic” serving as the medium could be destroyed, or worse, those assisting could be in mortal danger. It was more appropriate to let heretics bear this risk.

But now, Duncan suddenly had a new idea.

This idea stemmed from the appearance of the Storm Goddess' signature on the pass.

This could be a signal of goodwill or perhaps a reminder.

Of course, he couldn't explain too much to Fenna–after all, she was still a devout saint. If he directly said, “I think the heretics' Sacred Relics are too hard to find, so I want to try using the Sacred Relics from your Deep Sea Church,” that would surely be inappropriate. If he was not careful, she might attack him…

Fenna, who hadn't realized the reason behind Duncan's offhand question, was just surprised that the ship captain had suddenly taken an interest in the gods. But she soon remembered that the other party seemed to have unique insights and research in theology, so she seriously considered the question and answered, “That depends on what kind of communion you're referring to — generally speaking, we call all acts of reverence 'communion with the gods,' even a common believer's prayer in the evening is a dialogue with the deity.

“Above this, formal clergymen understand the 'divine knowledge' of the gods through years of training, practice, and with the aid of specific rituals and items, drawing power from this knowledge and truth, or receiving divine revelations. This is a deeper level of 'communion.'
“And even higher than this is the level of saints like me. Saints don't need too elaborate rituals; with only our own spiritual resonance, we can relatively easily communicate divine will, because our spirituality is connected to that of the gods…”

Fenna's tone carried a hint of pride as she finished her explanation, yet she noticed that Duncan's brow was slightly furrowed–clearly, these answers were not what the captain was looking for.

“Not that kind of communication,” Duncan shook his head, slowly formulating his words, trying to make Fenna understand his intent, “I mean… more direct, more intimate, more efficient… contact, do you understand? Not some vague inspirations during prayers, but the kind that allows directly talking with the four gods.”

Fenna's mouth slowly dropped open, and it took her a long time to recover.

So Duncan guessed he probably wouldn't get an answer from her–this was an expected outcome.

“Forget it, this is a bit unrealistic,” he waved his hand and let out a gentle breath, “the ritual techniques you use are useless to me, perhaps I'll find it more effective to just look through some holy scriptures of the four deities' churches.”

Fenna blinked, as usual, feeling like she couldn't quite keep up with the captain's train of thought.

Fortunately, the captain did not dwell further on this strange topic.

“Later, go over to the White Oak, hand the pass to Lawrence. I won't go over,” Duncan instructed, “If he asks about the subsequent arrangements, tell him to act together with Homeloss for now. After we have completely settled things here with Frost, we'll discuss long-term plans.”

“Yes, Captain,” Fenna nodded.

Duncan also nodded, but then, he seemed to hear something, and his brow wrinkled slightly, “Hmm?”

Fenna asked curiously, “What's happened?”

“…Agatha is looking for me,” Duncan spoke slowly, his expression growing more serious, “She says she's found a way to infiltrate the Deep Sea.”

Chapter end

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