Accompanied by a wave and rippling sea water, the submersible rushed out of the water. The afternoon sun was shining on the sea, and the thick shell of the submersible was shining with a cold glow in the sun. Then the disposable smoke device on the top of the hull was activated. With a flash of fire and a slight explosion, an orange-yellow light rose straight into the blue sky.
After a period of attitude and power adjustment, the submersible's floating state became stable, and with a creaking sound, the locking device on the side of the hull opened.
As the handle turned, Duncan opened the hatch of the submersible from the inside, and fresh air rushed in their faces. Even for two "corpses" that did not need to breathe, the fresh and cool breeze above the sea surface seemed particularly comfortable and pleasant. The illusion of being constantly chased, entangled, and trapped by the indescribable things in the deep sea finally gradually faded from their minds. Agatha held the handrail tightly, went out of the hatch with Duncan, climbed onto the top outer shell of the submersible, and looked at the endless sea in the distance.
Duncan tilted his head slightly and looked at the goalkeeper: "How does it feel to be back in the sun?"
“It’s as if I’m returning from the gate to the realm of death once again.”
Agatha said softly, “I never thought that the sunlight and air would bring me this kind of shock of rebirth, but it happened after I could neither feel the warmth of the sun nor enjoy the smooth breathing.
"Where's she?"
Duncan asked again, "During the submersible voyage, the other Agatha never showed up, but she should have been watching the whole time, right?"
We feel the same way. But she said she has something to think about and is silent now. Do you want to talk to her? I can call her out. "No, let her think. This deep dive will be a reshaping and baptism of our three views for everyone. We have a lot to consider.
Duncan waved his hand gently, then raised his head and looked at the horizon in the distance.
"Oh, the recycling ship sent by Tirian has found us. Looks like we don't have to rush to the city-state by ourselves~~"
The silhouette of a steamboat appeared on the sea, heading quickly towards the direction where the signal smoke of the submarine rose... The submarine returned successfully, and his father and the "gatekeeper" lady were safe and sound on their way back. When this "quick message" was delivered to his desk through the pressure pipe, Tirian, who had been waiting for news in Nangang, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, but then a strange feeling came up from the bottom of his heart. He stood up from behind his desk and slowly walked to the window. He looked out the window at the gradually sinking sunlight, and in the silence, Lucrecia's voice suddenly came from the crystal ball not far away: "Is there any news about my father?"
Tirian looked back at the glowing crystal ball on the desk, and said in a strange tone: "You can see that... am I showing it very clearly?"
Lucrecia in the crystal ball held a piece of bread in her mouth. One hand was writing and calculating quickly on the draft paper floating in the air beside her. The other hand was busy adjusting the experimental equipment on the table. She looked up at her brother and said vaguely, "Three parts nervousness, three parts hesitation, three parts comfort, and one part fear and helplessness - that must be my father coming back.
Are you scholars used to talking to people like this? You're talking about me like a pie chart. Tirian frowned, then couldn't help but sigh.
I just felt a little emotional. If it were not long ago, I would never have thought that I would feel comforted by my father's safe return. When I first knew he was back, I didn't feel this way.
"Yes, your legs almost cramped at that time. You commanded the Sea Mist to fight a battle with my father. After that, you couldn't sleep for three days. You woke me up in the middle of the night to describe your nightmare. You insisted that I shiver with you.
"Stop, don't make up details like this that don't exist"
Tirian quickly interrupted the sister on the other side of the crystal ball, and said, "This is not what I want to express my feelings to you."
Lucreia calmed down. She finally stopped the seemingly endless research work and endless bread in her hands, raised her head and looked into Tirian's eyes seriously.
When this gaze almost gave Tirian goosebumps, she finally broke the silence: "When I was young, my father often left home for a long time. At that time, as long as the bell rang in the direction of the dock, we would climb to the roof of our house to see if it was the flag sail of the Lost Homeland. You always told me to be more steady like a lady, and then take the opportunity to grab the highest place."
“It’s been many years.
Tirian was silent for a few seconds, then whispered something to himself.
"I still remember that the roof was blue. When the sea breeze blew, the weather vane on the corner of the house would whistle. You tied a windmill next to the weather vane and said you wanted to show it off to father. So our secret climb up the roof was exposed."
"We are now higher than the rooftop, and we can see the same scenery that our father saw," Lucrecia said softly. But we still couldn't catch up with our father.
He went to the deep sea, to a depth that even the diving plan of that year could not reach... What do you think he will discover in this expedition
Tirian did not speak for a moment. In the next second, a crackling sound suddenly came from the mirror behind him, and then Duncan's voice came from the mirror:
“I have discovered a very surprising secret, and I am about to tell you.
Tirian almost jumped out instantly, his muscles tensed, and the sea witch on the other side of the crystal ball reacted even more violently. He only heard a scream and a rustling sound from Lucretia. Then smoke and flashes rose from the crystal ball, and the picture was interrupted. Tirian turned his head tensely and saw a green flame burning in the mirror behind him. In the dark mirror, Duncan poked his head to look behind him:
"Is your sister okay? Was she scared by me?"
"Can you please not use such scary methods every time you appear?" Tirian muttered subconsciously, but as soon as the words came out, he felt something was wrong and quickly confirmed Duncan's reaction. There was no change in the expression on his father's face.
"I considered showing up in a friendly way, like knocking on the door in advance or delivering a notice, but Fanna told me that it's not the way I show up that's scary, but my appearance itself." Duncan looked at Tirian calmly.
"I think she's right, so I won't change it. At least it will be more interesting to watch other people's surprised reactions." Tirian's eyes twitched. His father was watching the fun. He was stunned by his calm attitude on this matter, but he quickly forced himself to adjust his emotions. While restoring his expression, he looked at his father in the mirror curiously. "Have you returned to the city-state? I will go to find you now..."
The avatar I used has returned, but you don't have to go there, Duncan interrupted Tirian. "Pack your things and go directly to the Lost Homeland.
Tirian was stunned: "Huh?"
"I made a great discovery in the deep sea."
Duncan's expression was particularly serious. "The information should not be made public and may point to the ancient gods, so everyone needs to be gathered on the Lost Homeland for discussion. I have sent Agatha over, and my followers have also gathered.
You are the master of the Sea Mist and the new Archon of Frost, so you must be present as well.
Tirian instantly realized the special and serious situation from his father's expression and tone, and immediately suppressed his relaxation.
“Okay, I’ll leave Aiden a note explaining the situation.
"Um.
Duncan nodded, then glanced across the room, his eyes landing on the complex crystal ball lens device.
"Take your crystal ball with you when you come to the ship," he said to Tirian.
Lucy had better listen to the situation too. She would be interested in the secrets of the deep sea.
Tirian, who was writing a note, immediately raised his head upon hearing this. He first glanced at Duncan in surprise, then nodded instantly: "Okay, I will definitely bring the crystal ball with me. Where is the Lost Homeland now? I will have a speedboat ready.
As soon as he finished speaking, Duncan in the mirror waved his hand and said, "No need, Ai will take you there."
There was a knocking sound coming from outside the window. Tirian turned his head to look in the direction of the sound and saw the fat white pigeon that always followed his father. The pigeon was pecking at the window glass of the harbor office with its beak. Bi Ke tilted his head and said, "Would you like to get in? There is a big seat and the experienced driver drives steadily.
Tirian...?"
The dining room of the Lost Homeland was the gathering place for the crew. The wide, long dining table had been wiped clean to a shine, and bright oil lamps hung on the pillars near the dining table.
The followers of Funai gathered on both sides of the dining table. Vanna and Morris sat upright, while Shirley and Alice were daydreaming. Nina and Agou were studying hard, and besides them, there were two new figures here today.
Agatha, dressed as a blind nun, was sitting quietly at the long table praying silently, and Lawrence, wearing a white coat, holding a pipe and looking nervous, was looking nervously at the situation in the cabin. Lawrence's ship was parked on the sea nearby. The first mate was helping to manage the affairs of the ship. The captain was summoned to the "chief flagship" by an order, but no one told him what the specific matter was. The old captain was very nervous, as this was the first time he really set foot on the "Lost Homeland".
Stepping on this legendary ghost ship returning from the warp, Duncan Abnomar's followers gathered in this ancient and solemn cabin, waiting for orders from Captain Duncan under the lights. He already knew the identities and origins of these people, the moving puppets, the shattered sun, the spiritual demons, the sworn and exiled Inquisitor, the legendary scholar on the edge of madness. Now, he was among them. Even in the craziest dreams and illusions in the past, Lawrence had never imagined that he would experience such a scene.
He was an expedition ship captain who was about to retire... Why did he end up here