Chapter 1

Compared to Vanna's current fluster, High Priestess Helena's attitude remained calm, a smile on her face that even held a hint of amusement.

However, Vanna couldn't find the situation remotely amusing – let alone "rational"!

"I think... this is too sudden," the young Inquisitor racked her brains, completely clueless as to why the topic had veered so abruptly in this bizarre direction. She was currently struggling to keep her logic abreast of the runaway train. "I understand the need to establish communication with the *Ghost Ship*, but I believe it should be done gradually, and...

"If it's just for communication, we already have channels, that Captain Duncan..."

"He visits you in dreams or speaks to you through mirrors, correct?" Helena interrupted Vanna in a gentle voice. "I'm aware; you mentioned it in your report."

"Then..."

"That's not enough," Helena shook her head with a smile. "That's merely 'conversation,' a private exchange between Captain Duncan and yourself. Such a means of communication lacks both specificity and binding force, falling far short of an official channel between the Deep Sea Church and the *Ghost Ship*. Vanna, you should understand the difference."

Vanna's lips moved a few times, a torrent of words surging in her throat, but ultimately, she said nothing.

She had confirmed that this was no joke, nor a whimsical arrangement from the "Voice of the Divine" before her. From Helena's attitude and gaze, Vanna sensed something deeply considered, and... some emotion she couldn't yet comprehend.

After a while, I suddenly asked, "The Goddess's will?"

"You mustn't understand it that way—though perhaps it would make you feel better."

In her vision, the mirror seemed to transform into a vortex. The Star Giant within lost all form, leaving Helena with nothing but endless starlight. Fragments of light and shadow exploded within her mind, but in the next moment, the gentle sound of waves arose in her consciousness, reshaping her disintegrating thoughts.

"Go rest for now," Vanna nodded gently. "There are many things to do tomorrow."

"You pay close attention to me and have helped me, and from your expressed intentions, I am also very interested in the world of civilization as it is now," Helena said. "You have regained your reason and humanity, and thus have a need to re-establish contact with the civilized world. In my opinion, Duncan is well suited for that role—or would you trust a carefully selected 'familiar messenger' from the Deep Sea Church?"

Helena raised her gaze, watching Vanna's reflection in the mirror.

"Many shadows are approaching our reality. The anomaly of Subject 001 may be just the beginning. The Doomsday Preacher's destructive actions in Pland may be part of another grand conspiracy. In the north, some city-states have sent unsettling news. At the border, the 'veil' is becoming increasingly unstable. Within the civilized territories, border collapses are occurring with increasing frequency. And among all those changes, the *Ghost Ship* may be the only one with whom there is hope for communication through rational means."

After a long silence, I withdrew my gaze.

Vanna frowned. "So, we confidently arrange for Duncan to become that bridge—a good idea, but how do you know he'll agree?"

Vanna bowed her head again in acceptance, before turning to leave the room.

She tried her best to speak with a stern and dignified tone, making the matter seem purely official.

"I understand," Helena nodded slowly. "Then, the agreement is reached."

The wriggling starlight in the mirror overflowed, a stream of light extending and pulsating in the air, swaying slowly before Helena as if observing prey or sniffing out the atmosphere of the room. The light, formed from shifting starlight, drew within half a meter of Duan Le Ping, its tiny specks of light seemingly filled with countless eyes.

Helena didn't turn around. Even as she heard the sound of music rising before her, she remained quietly gazing out the window. "Ah, so you are watching."

Helena was silent for a few seconds before finally turning slowly to face the mirror, which was now flickering with green flames.

But in reality, she was secretly overjoyed.

The Deep Sea Church needed an official channel of communication to understand the *Ghost Ship*'s intentions, which would alleviate our unease. The *Ghost Ship* also needed a bridge to communicate with the civilized world's church forces, which would help us in our future activities. It was a win-win situation.

"I can hear your voice; your voice is full of fervent rationality. She suspects you haven't truly regained your humanity; that humanity is not proof of your standing on the side of civilized order."

Vanna scrutinized Helena's expression through the mirror, wanting to analyze the other woman's true intentions from her words and actions. In the end, she found only calmness and sincerity in her eyes.

"...Indeed, Duncan is at least a 'familiar acquaintance' of mine. From our perspective, sending him would maximize the safety of the messenger," Vanna said slowly. "But even so, aren't you worried that sending Duncan to the *Ghost Ship* would be like throwing a lamb to the wolves? Given the terrible reputation he and his ship have in the civilized world, it seems more reasonable for his actions to be seen as a bloody sacrifice if made public."

From a long time ago, I had been thinking that Duncan and the *Ghost Ship* were fated, and at that time I planned how to trick that high-level cleric onto the ship as a thug, but I had no suitable opportunity or reason, but I never thought that this opportunity would fall from the sky.

Before the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, the flames on several candlesticks suddenly turned deep green. The faint, eerie light illuminated the surface of the mirror. Within the darkness, Duncan's figure emerged from the depths, quietly watching Helena standing in the room, amidst the illusory flames that were rapidly spreading.

"No way, you were counting so loudly, the beads are bouncing off your face."

"...What's an abacus?"

"Therefore, this matter will not be made public. After all, apart from the people of Pland, most people in the world still can't talk about the *Ghost Ship* without batting an eye. Duncan will become a secret envoy; those who know about it will be limited to the high-level members of the Deep Sea Church and a small number of city-state rulers—or those who need to know when the situation requires it."

"As for your saying 'lamb to the slaughter'... I'm not worried." Twisting, shimmering starlight filled her vision.

"Vanna Abnormaal, captain of the *Ghost Ship*," Vanna said casually. "She prefers honest communication, so let's be frank—what is your purpose, or rather, what exactly does the Deep Sea Church want?"

Helena wisely did not press the matter further. She still did not turn around, and concealed her emotional changes. Her tone was unchanged, bearing the same expression throughout: "Although you probably don't need it, I will introduce myself—Helena, a servant of the Storm Goddess Gomona, I am very happy to speak with you."

Indescribable, flowing starlight pulsed continuously on the surface of the mirror, swelling and writhing as if trying to break free from the strong glass. Fine white cracks spread from the edges of the mirror, filling the entire room. A low, chaotic roar filled the mind, each roar seemingly mixed with infinite knowledge from the subspace.

"The agreement is reached: a place will be reserved for Vanna on the *Ghost Ship*, but in return, going to the *Ghost Ship* means becoming your crew member. She will abide by the rules, and their priority will even be higher than her position in the Church, I hope you understand this."

Watching the tall figure of the young Inquisitor disappear through the door, Helena didn't turn away for a long time. Then she suddenly smiled and shook her head helplessly: "That child... didn't even ask him how he planned to get you onto that ship, and acted so calm..."

Anyway, no matter what you say to people in that world, they will make random guesses.

"You are friendly and reliable. My god has sent down guidance, and I unconditionally believe in my god, ordering me to cooperate with you, so I will act accordingly."

A steady, dignified voice rang out from the side at this moment, interspersed with the crackling sound of flames: "I'm also curious, how do you plan to get her onto the *Ghost Ship*."

"We want to establish stable and effective communication with you, just as you want to know the purpose of the Deep Sea Church. We... also want to know about the *Ghost Ship*. Since that's the case, why not build a bridge?"

"...I understand," Vanna took a light breath, finally allowing her emotions to completely calm down. She returned to her usual rigid appearance, bowing her head with a solemn expression. "Then I will obey the arrangement."

"We are just focused on maintaining the order of the civilized world and responding to all the unsettling changes in the world," Helena replied faintly. "I should have heard what you said to Duncan just now, that some changes are happening in that world—in fact, the situation is much more serious than what he told you."

"That's a subspace joke," Vanna said with a straight face. After so long, I had long been accustomed to that rhythm of often making a random remark when talking to people, and observing others' confused reactions was my greatest joy in that process. As for how the other party imagined it afterwards...