At this point, Duncan finally understood the ins and outs of the "Abyss Project" that had been sealed for half a century, and knew why it was regarded as a taboo. Even the rebels who launched the Frost Rebellion were deeply afraid of it - they should be afraid.
Although the whole thing happened in the real dimension from beginning to end, when the situation began to get out of control, it was obviously beyond the order of the real world. Under the deep sea... there was a completely unknown horror, and until the end, no one figured out what it was. Only people kept falling into madness, and the whole plan kept accelerating, as if sliding into the abyss.
The endless dive, the gradually spreading weird atmosphere, and the almost autistic behavior of the Frost Queen in the later period... To be fair, even Duncan himself, in the face of this series of facts, would instinctively think that Nora was really bewitched and controlled by something, and even suspected that the "Frost Queen" was colluding with the subspace.
In this situation, not to mention that there are opponents of the Queen hidden within the Frost Sea itself, not to mention that there are many city-states in the Frigid Sea itself that have ill intentions towards the Frost Queen's rule, even if the situation in the north was originally stable, undercurrents will gradually arise over time.
But Tirian always emphasized that Ray Nora had never been affected by anything. He firmly believed that the Frost Queen remained awake until the end and protected the city-state until the end.
Duncan couldn't say whether Tyrian's judgment was correct, but he was inclined to believe it because... he had also seen this "Frost Queen" in historical fragments.
The other party also rationally asked him "not to pollute history."
At least from this brief encounter, the Frost Queen back then did not seem like a terrible lunatic controlled by the Warp.
But it was precisely for this reason that Duncan was so curious - he couldn't understand what kind of motivation would make a smart city-state ruler make such autistic and extreme decisions, causing her to continue to push forward the project at all costs even though she knew there were problems with the Abyss Project. What was the reason that made her keep all the secrets in her heart and remain silent even in front of her most trusted naval commander.
After a long period of contemplation, Duncan discovered that all the questions ultimately pointed to one thing: What "secrets" did the Frost Queen learn in the deep sea
"First, was the first submersible that surfaced really empty?" "Now, let's talk about two doubts about one thing," Duncan's expression became serious again. He stared at Tirian. "I remember what you mentioned just now, that several 'copies' of the No. 3 submersible surfaced one after another, right?"
"Of course," Tirian nodded. "Counting the first original and the seven copies that followed, there is a total of 'Number Eight Submersible' floating on the surface."
"I participated in this plan, and they, as my direct troops, of course participated as well," Tirian said casually, then frowned slightly, "What did you think of it?"
He looked into the mirror, his eyes filled with disbelief: "Is this also your subordinate now? A... Annihilation Cultist?"
"No... no need," Tirian waved his hand with a strange look on his face. He couldn't help but recall the last scene he remembered before coming here, this strange little girl, and this flying... dog-like thing, and then he suddenly realized, "Wait, I remember, this is not a dog, it's a Deep Hound!"
"... I have been confused about this for many years," Tirian said frankly, "The queen did not order anything, but asked me to leave with the team. I thought that she might not want to leave a troop to avenge herself in the future, but... this makes no sense at all. She forbade us to return to the city-state, and the rebels occupied the city-state. How can we take revenge if we don't return?"
The big pirate, who was lost in thought, looked up subconsciously upon hearing this, and looked at his father in the mirror with some surprise. He seemed to suddenly realize something at this moment, and an expression of simple surprise appeared in his eyes.
"I..." He subconsciously wanted to say something, but at this moment he felt a sharp pain on his forehead, and he couldn't help but touch his forehead, "Ah, it hurts..."
Duncan was silent for a while. He was silent for a long time, thinking about something.
Said: "All your soldiers are 'living dead', right?"
"Does he want to stay for dinner?"
Tirian uttered an incomprehensible "oh", then subconsciously looked around, and finally his eyes fell on Alice who seemed to be daydreaming beside him.
When he said the words "Annihilation Cultist", he seemed a little firm, obviously not sure of Shirley's true identity - after all, I have seen creatures like Annihilation Cultist before, but this is the first time I have seen one rushing towards me with a contracted demon...
"… Because the last rebel leader died, too. Died of old age," Tirian smiled bitterly and spread his hands. "We have been trying every possible way to capture these rebel leaders. Once we caught them, we would hang them on the masts and throw their bodies on the merchant ships we were on. So they later learned their lesson and simply hid in the city-state, not setting foot out of the city for decades. I could only watch them die peacefully until all those who had participated in the rebellion passed away."
"Nothing." Tirian retracted his gaze, and there was no telling what kind of emotion was hidden in his simple eyes. Finally, he looked at the mirror that was still burning with flames, and asked uncertainly, "Can I... leave now?"
"Yes, this is the only thing I can think of at this time, and it is also the only way to keep the Sea Mist Fleet alive... At this time we don't even have a home port," Tirian shook his head, "but now we are gradually stopping this kind of looting activities."
"He knew to rob rebel fleets in the Caspian Sea and intercept all merchants coming in and out. I did that for many years."
Tirian slowly showed a somewhat surprised expression. However, just as he was about to ask something else, the figure in the mirror shook his head gently: "Don't ask me, I don't understand things myself, so you can't understand them either - I am just standing from the perspective of an observer and expressing my own thoughts."
"I have two questions," Duncan said slowly after organizing his thoughts, "First, the first submersible that surfaced at that time... was it really not the real body
"I am indeed doing something for her," Duncan said with a half-smile, "but knowing that he has a chance to see you again, I suggest that you don't mention the term "Annihilation Cultist" in front of me. I hate this word very much."
Tirian answered casually, "Yes, it is known to all men."
He seemed to have just realized that he had talked about a lot of things with the other party, and realized that he had completely adapted to the atmosphere of this conversation without realizing it. Even a century later, he had had such long conversations with his father many times. As for the vigilance in his heart when he woke up there just now... it had disappeared completely at some point.
Duncan spoke slowly while thinking. Finally, his eyes fell on Tirion and his voice was low: "You are right. The Frost Queen may not want to leave an army behind, but she does not seem to leave this army behind for revenge...
"… Children can hit others with different severity. I hope you won't hold it against him," Duncan's voice rang out in the mirror. "Does he need praise?"
"So there were rumors in later generations that you actually participated in the rebellion and even took the initiative to let the rebels into the town." Duncan
Then he shook his head and said, "Have you ever thought about why the Frost Queen gave this order? Didn't she give you any other explanation?"
"Well, then she arranged for her messenger to send you..." Duncan in the mirror nodded, but suddenly, he frowned, as if he had thought of something, "Wait, I suddenly thought of something."
"You participated in the Abyss Project, but you didn't become crazy and weird like the other participants in the plan. Before 'One Thousand Meters', the Frost Queen had a dispute with you and excluded you from the plan. On the eve of the rebel attack, her queen specifically ordered you to follow the direct troops and stay away from the city-state..."
"Why?"
Tirian subconsciously did not feel relieved: "One thing?"
Alice reacted quickly and looked at Tirian curiously: "What the hell are you looking at?"
"... Since the city-state was in rebellion, you have never returned to this city-state?" Duncan raised his head and looked at
Tirian asked.
"No, Her Majesty Ray Nora once ordered me to leave the city-state with my own troops. At that time, the rebel Fangdao colluded with other northern city-states and gathered a whole fleet in the open sea." Tirian's tone was solemn when he said this. This was obviously a past he didn't want to mention. "... But if you disobeyed the order and stayed, the Queen would have an additional troop that was still loyal to the Queen. These rebels would not be able to easily break through the defense of the port..."
Tirian waved his hand quickly: "Ah... No, that's not necessary..."
Then, the room fell into a brief silence. After an unknown amount of time, Duncan's voice sounded again: "Tirion, we have talked long enough this time."
"You have all been directly or indirectly involved in the 'Abyss Project'?"