Chapter 1

The gods reside in the God Realm, far removed from the reality of the world. Mortals believe that this special dimension is the cornerstone of the world. Contrary to common sense, this "cornerstone" is not located at the bottom of all dimensions, but at the very top.

Ancient Crete, in its surviving texts, described the world structure as they understood it:

At the top lies the cornerstone of the world, guarded by eternal truth and order. Within this cornerstone is the God Realm, existing from the beginning of time.

Below the God Realm is the reality inhabited by all living beings. In this layer, mortals enjoy the afterglow of order, allowing them to survive in a relatively stable and prosperous world.

Below reality is the spirit world, gradually diverging from mortal perception. In the spirit world, the blessings of the gods are thin, and distorted, bizarre powers begin to take precedence.

Below the spirit world lies the abyssal deep sea, unsuitable for living beings and dominated by strange powers. This can no longer be considered part of the material world, but rather a reflection of nothingness.

Beyond the abyssal deep sea lies the very bottom of the world—the sub-dimensional depths, home to the shadows of all things. The most dangerous Ancient Gods and various sinister entities lurk in the sub-dimension.

In the records of the ancient Cretan kingdom, the gods established a covenant within the cornerstone, the source and standard of all laws in the world. This order flows downward, defining the rules of the world and permeating all things. As the "depth" increases, the power of order diminishes, gradually giving way to the sub-dimension. The "cornerstone" where the gods reside and the sub-dimension are like the upper and lower endpoints of the world, with "order" flowing unidirectionally between them.

This is the ancient gift left to the world by that glorious civilization that pioneered the deep-sea era ten thousand years ago. Over countless years, scholars have devoted their lives to studying this "layered structure" without finding any flaws in the model. Today, it has become the universally recognized "standard model of the world."

Within this standard model, mortals fall deeper, but few can return from the "depths" to the "shallows." Even if the occasional lucky individual returns from the spirit world to reality, no one has ever heard of anyone defying fate and reaching the "cornerstone" dimension where the gods reside.

That is precisely why the *Lost Ship*, returning to reality from the sub-dimension, is the most absurd anomaly in the world—its return violates the world’s understanding of the standard model.

But on the other hand, the existence of the *Lost Ship* also conforms to the classic statement about anomalies and aberrations: the permanent inaccuracy law of anomalies and aberrations.

Regardless, Bishop Valentine and Vanna did not believe that the ghost captain had the ability to seek revenge against the Storm Goddess—even if he had the desire, he couldn't possibly accomplish such a thing.

Because the "cornerstone" and the real world are discontinuous. Unlike the continuous descent and material exchange between reality and the spirit world, or between the spirit world and the abyssal deep sea, no scholar has ever found evidence of a direct connection between the "cornerstone" and the real world. Even the gods can only indirectly exert their influence through projections and edicts. How could a ghost ship possibly counterattack the God Realm?

Since he could not seek revenge on the Storm Goddess herself, the remaining choice was naturally the goddess's followers in the mortal world.

The Storm Cathedral, the headquarters of the Deep Sea Church, is a "pilgrim ark" that sails hidden on the boundless sea, appearing and disappearing without a trace. The Pope, who sits in the ark, possesses the power to wield the storm on behalf of the goddess, making him a difficult target.

Therefore, the city-state of Pruland, fixed on the sea, with a clear target and open to the public, naturally became a better choice: eighty percent of the people in this city-state are believers of the Storm Goddess.

Vanna had already determined that the ghost captain had come for revenge—after all, the *Lost Ship* had fallen into the sub-dimension during a storm a hundred years ago. She couldn't think of any other reason to explain why the *Lost Ship*, which had disappeared for so many years, would suddenly return to the real world and turn its attention to the city-state of Pruland.

But what exactly did the ghost captain intend to do?

Vanna frowned, slowly opening her mouth in thought: "Bishop Valentine, do you think... the *Lost Ship* is related to the recent unrest among those Sun cultists in the city-state?"

After speaking, she paused and added: "In last night's dream, I saw the burning sun and the *Lost Ship* appearing together in Pruland. The simultaneous arrival of two disasters may be a sign from the goddess..."

"But don't forget that in the underground sacrificial site, the corrupted 'sacrifice' killed the priest of the Dark Sun. He was a baptized 'messenger'," the bishop shook his head. "At least at that sacrificial site, the *Lost Ship* and the Dark Sun seemed to be enemies."

Vanna was silent for a moment, lost in thought by the bishop's words. The old man across from her continued after a brief silence: "Regarding those cultists who worship the Dark Sun, I did receive some information from the city-state of Lunsar this morning..."

Vanna immediately looked up: "Information?"

"The Sun heresy is not only making a comeback in Pruland, but they have also been active in many city-states recently. A large number of Sun heretics have been gathering in Pruland via Lunsar and Moca Harbor, and some of them have been captured," the old bishop nodded. "During interrogation, those heretics mentioned 'Sun Shards'."

"Sun Shards... the remnants that fell off after the 'True Sun God' disintegrated, according to those heretics?" Vanna suddenly reacted. "They believe that a Sun Shard is hidden in Pruland?"

"It seems so. I don't know where those heretics got the information, perhaps it was a 'revelation' they received in their madness. In any case, they now firmly believe that a part of their 'Lord' is hidden in this city," Bishop Valentine said calmly. "And they see this as the hope for the revival of the Dark Sun."

"...Those lunatics," Vanna couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "How many lives have they ruined in order to revive that dark, blasphemous sun!"

"Dark Sun is what we call it. The sun god in their hearts is radiant and represents the most genuine order—you can't expect that group of irrational cultists to have any conscience when their hands are covered in blood," Valentine shook his head. "They firmly believe that everything they say and do is righteous. There are only two languages that work with them: caliber and pounds."

Listening to the bishop's remarks, which were very much in the style of the Deep Sea Church, the corner of Vanna's mouth twitched slightly: "It seems we have a lot to do."

"The boundless sea is never peaceful, and the city-states are in the boundless sea," Valentine said. "Captains have to face the storms in the ocean, and we have to face the storms brought by the foolish mortals. Inquisitor, be prepared. The city-state of Pruland may face a challenge."

"Two challenges," Vanna corrected earnestly. "In addition to the followers of the Dark Sun, there is also a mysterious and terrifying ghost captain—if the *Lost Ship* and the Dark Sun are not on the same side, then our trouble has gone from one to two."

Bishop Valentine pondered briefly: "Perhaps there is another possibility—according to the situation at the underground sacrificial site, the *Lost Ship* might fight with the followers of the Dark Sun?"

"...Then those two troubles will merge into one world-destroying trouble, Bishop Valentine," Vanna looked at the old man, who was clearly starting to diverge in his thinking. "A ghost ship returning from the sub-dimension and a group of heretics fighting over Sun Shards in the city-state of Pruland, possibly accompanied by the descent of the Dark Sun. I can't imagine a worse situation."

Valentine sighed, admitting that Vanna was right.

"In any case, let's first work with the constabulary to arrest all the Sun heretics who have infiltrated the city-state and eliminate the threat of the Dark Sun before things get serious. That is a relatively achievable goal," Vanna said. After dispelling the mental interference of the *Lost Ship* and entering her own area of expertise, her mind clearly became more active. "As for that ghost ship... we don't know what its next actions will be, so we can't start yet. We can only first monitor the spirit world and the waters around the city-state..."

At this point, the young inquisitor couldn't help but shake her head, her expression serious and helpless: "Damn it, who knows what a ghost captain will want to do next..."

...

"I want to add some more ketchup..." Duncan waved to Nina across the table. "Just pass it over, I'll do it myself."

Nina immediately handed over the ketchup: "Okay, Uncle Duncan."

It was noon, and Duncan and Nina were having lunch in the small kitchen on the second floor. The food in the antique shop was simple—a local Pruland-style savory pancake, served with ketchup or hot sauce, and vegetable soup. It wasn't exactly a delicacy, but both Duncan and Nina ate with relish.

It had been a long time since Duncan had eaten such a normal lunch, and it had been a long time since Nina had eaten lunch so normally.

Duncan felt like he was starting to like this place.