Ashes Of Deep Sea-Chapter 275 - 279 Agreement Reached

Chapter 275: Chapter 279 Agreement Reached

Compared to Fenna’s current disarray, the Pontiff Helena’s demeanor remained always serene. She wore a smile on her face that even seemed slightly joyous.

However, Fenna was not joyous at all—nor could she be “reasonable”!

“I think… this is too sudden,” the young Judge struggled to think, unable to comprehend why the conversation had abruptly taken such an ominous turn. She was now trying to keep her logic up with the fast pace, “I understand the need to establish communication with the Homeloss, but I believe it should be gradual. Moreover, if it’s just for the sake of communication, we already have channels for that, Captain Duncan…”

“He will visit in the Dreamscape, or talk to you through a mirror, right?” Helena interrupted Fenna gently, “I know, you have mentioned it in your reports.”

“Then…”

“That’s not enough,” Helena said with a smile, shaking her head. “That’s just ‘talking,’ a private conversation between Captain Duncan and you. Such means of communication have neither the peculiarity nor the binding force, and they are far from being an official channel between the Deep Sea Church and the Homeloss. Fenna, you should understand the difference.”

Fenna’s lips quivered, thousands of words teeming at the back of her throat, yet in the end, she didn’t voice any of them.

She had confirmed that this was no joke, and nor was it a spontaneous arrangement by the “spokesperson of the gods” before her. From Helena’s attitude and her gaze, Fenna sensed something deeply deliberate, and… some emotions that she couldn’t quite comprehend for now.

It was only after a while that she suddenly asked, “The will of the Goddess?”

“You could understand it that way—if it makes you feel better.”

“…I see,” Fenna took a deep breath, finally regaining complete composure. She reverted to her usual meticulous self, and with utter seriousness, bowed her head, “Then I shall comply with this arrangement.”

“Go and rest for now,” Helena said with a soft nod, “There is much to do tomorrow.”

Fenna bowed her head once more before turning to leave the room.

Watching the Judge’s tall figure vanish beyond the door, Helena didn’t look away for a long time. Then she suddenly smiled and shook her head with a hint of helplessness, “This child… She didn’t even ask me how I plan to send her to that ship. She’s just putting on a brave face…”

A solemn and commanding voice then rose amidst the crackling of flames, “I, too, am quite curious about how you intend to get her onto the Homeloss.”

In the corner of the room before a full-length mirror, the candles suddenly flickered to a deep green, casting an eerie light on its surface. From within the stark darkness of the mirror, shadows spread rapidly, and Duncan’s figure emerged from that profound gloom, quietly observing the Helena standing in the room.

Helena, without turning around—even as Duncan’s voice sounded from behind—remained fixedly gazing out the window, “Ah, so you have been watching.”

“It’s hard not to, when your planning is so loud the beads are bouncing off my face.”

“…What is a ‘planning’?”

“It’s a subspace joke.” Duncan said matter-of-factly. After all this time, he had grown accustomed to occasionally spouting nonsensical lines while conversing with people, taking pleasure in observing their puzzled reactions, and as for how they might make sense of it afterward…

In any case, whatever he said, the people of this world would always come up with their own wild interpretations.

Helena wisely chose not to pry any further. She still didn’t turn around, keeping her emotional fluctuations in check. Her tone retained its consistent softness and tranquility, “Although you probably don’t need it, I will introduce myself anyway—Helena, a humble servant of the Storm Goddess Gomona. It’s a pleasure to speak with you.”

“Duncan Ebnomal, Captain of the Homeloss,” Duncan responded casually. “I prefer a forthright mode of communication, so let’s be frank—what are your intentions, or rather, what does the Deep Sea Church truly want?”

“We are just focused on maintaining the order of the civilized world and responding to all the unsettling changes,” Helena answered calmly, “You must have heard what I just said to Fenna. The world is undergoing some changes—in fact, the situation is far more serious than what I’ve explained to her.

“Numerous shadows are approaching our dimension of reality; the anomaly 001 might just be the beginning, and the Doomsday Preacher’s acts of destruction in Prland might be part of a larger conspiracy. In the north, some City-States have reported disturbing news, and on the borders, the ‘veil’ is becoming increasingly unstable. Collapse phenomena within the borders of civilization are occurring more and more frequently, and amidst all these changes, Homeloss might be the only one we can hope to communicate with by rational means.

“We hope to establish a stable and effective communication with you, just as you wish to know the purpose of the Deep Sea Church, we… also want to know about Homeloss. So, why not build a bridge?”

Duncan Ebnomal frowned, “So, you confidently arranged for Fenna to become this bridge—a fine idea, but how do you know I would agree?”

Visit frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓ for the b𝘦st novel reading experience.

“You care about her and have helped her, and from the intentions you have shown, you too are very interested in the civilized world of today,” said Helena, “You have regained your reason and humanity, which necessitates the rebuilding of ties with the civilized world. In my view, Fenna is well-suited for this role—or would you rather trust a ‘stranger messenger’ randomly chosen by the Deep Sea Church?”

“Indeed, Fenna is at least an ‘acquaintance’ of mine. From your perspective, sending her ensures the messenger’s safety to the greatest extent,” Duncan said slowly, “But even so, aren’t you worried that sending Fenna to Homeloss might be like sending a lamb into the jaws of a tiger? Given the good reputation my ship and I have in the civilized world, if your action were publicized, it might seem more reasonable to be seen as a bloody sacrifice.”

Helena fell silent for a few seconds, then finally turned around slowly to look at the mirror, which was rippling with green flames.

“So, this matter will not be made public. After all, apart from people from Prland, most people in the world today still cannot discuss Homeloss without changing their face. Fenna will become a secret agent, and those in the know will be limited to the upper echelons of the Deep Sea Church and a few rulers of City-States—or those informed as circumstances require.”

Helena raised her eyes to observe the figure of Duncan in the mirror.

The shimmering, distorted brilliance of stars filled her vision.

“As for what you called ‘a lamb entering the lair of a tiger’… I am not worried.”

Indescribable streaming starlight throbbed on the surface of the mirror as if straining to break free from the fragile glass, as fine black cracks spread from the edges of the mirror, filling the entire room. A low, chaotic growling noise filled her mind, each growl seeming to mingle with endless knowledge from Subspace.

“I can hear your voice, your voice full of calm reason. I believe you have indeed regained your humanity, and that humanity is clear evidence of your standing with the civilizational order.”

The mirror in her vision appeared to turn into a vortex, the figure of the giant within the mirror entirely shapeless now; Helena saw only endless stars, fragmented light and shadow exploding in her mind. But then, a gentle wave rose in her consciousness, reshaping her nearly disintegrated thoughts.

“You are a friend and reliable. My deity has sent down guidance, and I trust my deity unconditionally. If It commands me to work with you, then that’s what I shall do.”

The writhing starlight from the mirror overflowed, a flowing silhouette extending into the air, pulsing, and swaying gently before Helena as if observing prey or sniffing the air of the room. The writhing starlight-formed silhouette came within half a meter of Helena, seemingly filled with countless eyes among its fractal points of light.

Duncan, through the mirror, watched Helena’s expression closely, seeking to discern her true intentions from the details of the Pontiff of the Deep Sea’s words and actions. After a while, he realized that her eyes conveyed only calmness and sincerity.

After a long time, he averted his gaze.

“The agreement is reached. I will keep a place for Fenna aboard Homeloss, but in return, once she is aboard Homeloss, she becomes a member of my crew. She will abide by strict codes of conduct, and her priorities will even surpass her status within the Church. I hope you understand that.”

He spoke with a deliberately formal and authoritative demeanor, giving the matter an air of official business.

But in fact, inside, he was overjoyed.

For a long time, he had suspected that Fenna and Homeloss were fated. Back then, he had been plotting how to entice this high-order clergy to come aboard as a deckhand, but could never find the right opportunity or reason. He never expected such an opportunity to fall from the sky.

The Deep Sea Church needed a formal channel of communication to understand the intentions of Homeloss; it would alleviate their unease. Homeloss also needed a bridge to communicate with the Church forces in the civilized world, which would aid Duncan in his future endeavors. This was a win-win situation.

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