It was very likely that the bottom of the Lost Homeland had been sailing in the subspace all along - this shocking information made Duncan's mood suddenly become very delicate.
He had always known that the Homeless was strange and dangerous, but he had never imagined that this ship would be so strange - he didn't know much about the Warp, and his expertise might not even be as good as Nina's history teacher, but at least he knew that the Warp was the most dangerous thing in the world, the "bottom of all things" that could keep saints awake at night and that the gods were deeply afraid of. That thing was so terrifying that on a ship about to set sail, some superstitious sailors didn't even dare to say the word "Warp" out loud.
Even though the Warp is not a rational god that will not look at people just because they call its name, people are still so afraid to mention this word at sea.
But the Lost Homeland, this ghost ship that has been wandering for a century, it is possible that part of it has been sailing in the warp all along, and there is even a door to the warp at the bottom of the ship.
The dark and dilapidated cabin opposite the door might be the structure of the Lost Homeland that had been completely occupied and eroded by the warp - and that door was a seal.
Duncan subconsciously lowered his head and looked at the dark deck beneath his feet. His eyes seemed to penetrate the layers of wooden boards and see the broken cabin and the chaotic light and shadow outside the cabin.
He suddenly felt as if he was standing on a lit powder keg - the tiny gap in the door was the fuse of the powder keg, and he didn't know how long the fuse was.
But after a brief moment of shock and tension, Duncan gradually reacted: Goat Head's behavior seemed to reveal another layer of information.
Judging from the panic it showed after hearing Alice's words, it seemed that as long as "Captain Duncan" peeked into the subspace through the crack of the door, something very terrible would definitely happen.
Until now, the goat-head was still in the captain's room, repeatedly confirming with Alice about the captain's mental state after that, confirming whether the captain said anything on the way back, whether he made any abnormal sounds, or whether he brought out any unusual shadows.
But Duncan is very clear about his condition and he knows that everything is fine now.
The "illusion" behind the door did frighten him for a while, and he did briefly consider whether to open the door - but all of this was just a purely psychological change, and he did not feel the influence of "supernatural powers" at all during this process.
The thought was fleeting and passed away, and he didn't think that the door had any long-term impact on him.
Duncan lowered his head, looked at his hands, and confirmed in his mind again and again—
Here, his name is Duncan Abnomer, the captain of the HMS Lost.
In another time and space, his name is Zhou Ming. He is an ordinary middle school teacher trapped in a bachelor apartment in the fog.
Maybe... Was Goat Head too nervous? It was just a crack in the door, not an open subspace passage.
The Lost Homeland was swaying slightly in the waves, the mast and cables were creaking, and the translucent spirit sail was still a little unstable, showing the tension and... "negligence" of the controller behind it.
Duncan looked up at the sail, and suddenly calmed down. He said in a deep voice in the depths of his mind: "First mate, steer your rudder and control the sail."
"Captain?" The goat-headed man's voice sounded immediately, a little flustered, "Ah, yes! Yes, Captain!"
Duncan did not say anything, but remained silent and serious as always in the mental connection. He was waiting for Goat-Head to speak, and sure enough, the latter broke the silence after a few seconds: "Captain, I just heard from Miss Alice that... the door at the bottom of the cabin was opened a crack..."
"Yes," Duncan replied calmly, "I checked it."
"You did check. Miss Alice said you confirmed the situation on the other side of the door..." The goat-head seemed to be trying to choose his words, "Do you feel... a little bit dazed now? On the other side of that door..."
"I know about the warp," Duncan interrupted before the goat-head could finish. "Do you think I'm not in my right mind? Don't be so hesitant when you speak."
"Of course, you look normal!" Goat Head said immediately, "Maybe I'm too nervous. After all, this has never happened before. Since you brought the ship back, the barrier between the Lost Homeland and the subspace has been very stable. I... didn't expect the situation to change. This is by no means a doubt about you."
Bring the boat back? Bring it back from where
Duncan keenly grasped the information revealed in the goat-headed man's words and quickly guessed some of the truth, but he did not show any abnormality. He just said casually: "According to my observation, the gap in the door is still very stable, but it is possible that it will expand further. I want to hear your opinion."
"... Now that it's stable, it's good news, Captain." Goat Head had no doubts, but looked very worried. "As for my suggestion... To be honest, I don't know what to do. You left that door open with your own hands, and you closed it with your own hands. You never told me what your plans were after that, and you never mentioned what changes would happen after that. You have always handled the matters in the hold yourself..."
"... That's right," Duncan said immediately, "I don't think you have any suggestions in this regard."
It seems that Goat Head doesn't know all the information about the door under the cabin.
It only knew that the other side of the door was the subspace, and that nothing good would happen once the door was opened. And more information... was actually in the hands of the "real Captain Duncan".
But where can we find the “real Captain Duncan” now
"Captain..." At this time, the voice of the goat head sounded in my mind again, "What are your plans next?"
Arrange? What arrangement? Escape to land? Captain Duncan's reputation as a world-renowned enemy would attract a whole fleet to chase and intercept the Lost Homeland if it appeared near the coast of any city-state. What else could they do except continue to drift on the sea with this ship
Duncan rolled his eyes and looked up at the sky helplessly. Ai, who had previously run to the mast and pretended to be on guard, flew down and landed on his shoulder, nodding and yelling, "This is a trap! Abandon ship and escape!"
"Escape? Escape..." Duncan said subconsciously, but then he reacted, "Wait, can you hear the conversation between me and Goat Head?"
He had been communicating with the goat-head through spiritual connection, so why did this pigeon suddenly fly down and say such a seemingly appropriate word
The pigeon flapped its wings and said arrogantly, "Don't talk, damn it, I have my own understanding!"
Duncan suddenly became curious about what pigeon soup tasted like.
But he had not forgotten that the goat head on the other side was still waiting for him to speak, so after calming himself down, he ignored the pigeon on his shoulder and continued to say in his mind: "Just do your own thing, I will always keep an eye on that door, as always."
"Yes, Captain!"
The attitude of the Lost Homeland gradually stabilized, and the sails readjusted their angles, allowing this huge ship to continue moving forward on the vast ocean.
The bow broke through the waves, and small waves hit the hull, making a splashing sound.
Duncan finished his conversation with Goat Head. He slowly walked to the edge of the deck and looked at the dark sea below.
The cold, pale light of the Creation of the World is reflected in the sea.
He would pay attention to the door in the bilge, but simply "paying attention" to that door would not change the situation in any way.
He needs more knowledge, needs to further understand and control his own power, and perhaps... he also needs some help.
These things are not on the ship, but the city-state of Pland may have them.
Tomorrow, Nina will return from school, and in the days that follow, she will go back to the antique shop every day after school—her "Uncle Duncan" will also have to be in the store by then.
Before that, I have to transfer my "main consciousness" to the city-state - before I can skillfully control two bodies at the same time, such frequent perspective switching is a last resort.
While transferring this time, he also wanted Ai to do further tests.
He wanted to see if Ai could bring the things on the Lost Homeland to the antique shop. If he could, he wanted to confirm whether there was an upper limit on its carrying capacity, and whether there would be a problem of "losing the bag" when carrying too many items...
While various plans were brewing in his mind, Duncan's eyes were unconsciously watching the rolling waves outside.
The reflection of the Creation of the World in the sea appears hazy and chaotic, and the scattered glimmers seem like invisible streams of light.
Creation of the World?!
Duncan was stunned. He suddenly felt that the sky reflected in the sea was somehow familiar.
He suddenly looked up at the huge, scar-like crack in the sky.
The huge "wound" was filled with chaotic and dim light, and the sky around the wound was filled with escaping light fog. Looking closely, the so-called light fog... was actually countless overlapping and entangled, blurry streams of light.
Just like... the scenery outside the broken cabin at the bottom of the Lost Homeland.