ASHES OF DEEP SEA

Chapter 255: Chapter 259: After the Coin Roll

Since the first “list” was conveyed from anomaly 004 to the present world, all anomalies and phenomena had been assigned their own numbers. Regardless of how their locations shifted or traits changed, even when some anomalies and phenomena disappeared while others underwent transformation, there was always a corresponding empty spot on the list.

For thousands of years, this pattern had never changed.

Therefore, people believed that the essence of phenomenon 004 was a “focal point” that transcended temporal and spatial order. All anomalies and phenomena, whether from the past or the future, had already left their marks in this temporal and spatial focal point, even if they had not yet come into being… their locations were already predetermined.

However, today, this pattern was broken.

An unnumbered phenomenon appeared before the eyes of the world.

What was even more unsettling was the name of this phenomenon, “Prand”—the pearl atop the Endless Sea, the busiest stop on the maritime trade network, and the largest gathering place for believers of the Deep Sea Church.

Yet for some reason, Fenna always felt that the Pontiff of the Deep Sea, who was before her with a calm and reserved demeanor, did not seem to show much worry. Seeing Prand become a phenomenon had only slightly surprised her—the degree of her concern for “Prand becoming a phenomenon” seemed even less than her concern for “Prand lacking a number.”

Fenna looked nervously at the Pontiff, who was pondering something. After a few oppressively silent minutes, she suddenly raised her head, “Since that ‘disaster’, what has been the situation in Prand?”

“The order of the City-State is being restored, all people who died due to historical contamination and all damaged places have been restored. Of course, except for those who genuinely died eleven years ago,” Bishop Valentin immediately responded, “We have checked every corner of the City-State, including every sewer, every factory, every machine, even every pipeline, and found no traces of transcendental distortion. The City-State is in a very, very ‘normal’ state. Oh, except for…”

“The issue with the fries, right?” Helena said lightly, “I saw it in the report.”

Fenna’s expression was somewhat embarrassed, “It does feel a bit odd to include that in the report…”

“Not strange at all. After a transcendental event, all clues must be seriously considered,” Helena’s expression remained calm, her eyes resting on Fenna, “What about you, Saint Fenna? Have you felt anything amiss?”

Fenna subconsciously tensed up, guessing that the Pontiff would inevitably ask her this since she had written everything in the report, except the part about shaken faith, “I… actually didn’t feel anything special. No psychic contamination, no mental distortion, Bishop Valentin specifically conducted several checks on me, and the conclusion is that it’s just a simple ‘contact.’”

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Helena slightly clenched her fist, resting it on her chin, seemingly pondering seriously before abruptly saying to the nearby saints, “Everyone disperse for now—I have some matters to discuss with the two saints from Prand.”

The gathered shadows in the square, upon hearing this, did not hesitate. They paid their respects to the Pontiff and then one by one vanished. Within less than half a minute, only Helena, Fenna, and Valentin remained in the large assembly area.

“You seem a bit tense, young saint—relax a little,” Helena finally turned to Fenna after the surroundings quieted down, starting with a smile, “You walk the right path, and the Goddess’s approval and favor toward you remain as always. You need not worry about having been in contact with some ‘dangerous’ forces—as defenders of order, dealing with various dangerous forces is our duty, isn’t it?”

Fenna took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice as calm as possible, “… Indeed, as you say.”

Helena nodded, her gaze shifting to Bishop Valentin, “I saw a claim you mentioned in the report, that the well-known ‘Captain Duncan’ has regained his sanity and humanity, and communication might be possible?”

“To be precise, it’s not just a possibility; we have already started establishing communication—although it wasn’t planned,” Valentin nodded slightly, speaking gravely, “For some reason, that Ghost Ship captain is particularly concerned about the situation in Prand and has chosen Fenna as the point of contact, but thus far, he has not shown any hostility toward the civilized world.”

“The flames from Homeloss once burned through the entire City-State?” Helena immediately asked further.

Valentin nodded again, “Yes, those flames drove out the historical contamination created by the heretics and reset the City-State to the state before the contamination.”

“… It could also be said that the flames contaminated the entire City-State and contaminated it into a state that had never been contaminated,” Helena looked into Valentin’s eyes, speaking with a steady tone, “In this matter, the line between ‘contaminated’ and ‘uncontaminated’ has become very blurred.”

Valentin unconsciously exchanged glances with Fenna by his side.

Then, they continued to hear Helena’s voice, “This might well be the reason why Prand became a ‘Phenomenon’—the parchment did not mention the specific traits of this new phenomenon, but we can boldly describe it:

“Phenomenon Prand, a city entirely consumed by the subspace flames; Duncan Ebnomal’s power reshaped this phenomenon into a semblance of normalcy. Its twist is that it has twisted its own twist; the entire City-State operates as if it had never been tainted, with the sole truth left by the corruption being that the corruption indeed existed.”

Helena paused and silently observed the two Saints before her.

“A coin flung into the air, spinning once, and landing still heads up.”

Fenna opened her mouth as if to speak, but then saw the Pontiff gently wave her hand, halting Fenna’s intention.

“But there is nothing wrong with that, Saint Fenna. Compared to the twisted forms in most parts of our world, a coin that still ends up heads up after spinning—what does it matter?” Helena said indifferently, “At least, Prand still exists, whether the coin spun once or countless times… That should not be the concern of us mortals.”

Somehow, Fenna always felt that there were deeper meanings hidden in the Pontiff’s words, but she couldn’t grasp them yet. She merely frowned, “But how should we announce this news? And how do we explain to people that they are living within a massive phenomenon—and still maintain their normalcy after they learn this fact?”

“A shocking fact born from a drastic change should either never be revealed or broadcast at a time when the aftermath is still felt, while people’s capacity to accept is strongest,” Helena spoke somberly, “The citizens of Prand have not yet fully recovered from the disaster’s aftermath, nor have they completely settled back into a peaceful daily routine… So, let’s just announce it normally.

“However, be careful with the guidance, make people understand the significant uniqueness of this ‘Phenomenon’—not all Phenomena are dangerous, constantly remember, our world is still sustained by the illumination of Phenomenon 001.”

“Yes,” Bishop Valentin bowed his head, “I will discuss this with the town hall to figure out how the news can be delivered in the most secure manner.”

Helena nodded affirmatively. Her gaze inadvertently swept over Fenna before adding, “There’s also something else.”

Fenna and Valentin instantly responded, “Your commands, please.”

Helena pondered slightly, “…It’s not pressing, let’s discuss it in detail when we meet.”

Fenna initially didn’t respond, but after two seconds, she suddenly realized something, “Meet… are you saying you will…”

“The Storm Cathedral has been touring for many years; it’s about time it docked,” Helena said smilingly at Fenna, “Make some preparations, the Storm Cathedral will arrive in Prand within a week—then I myself can verify with my own eyes to see exactly what posture this spun coin has taken.”

The two Saints departed.

In the large assembly hall, only Helena’s figure remained.

But merely half a minute later, the nearby darkness began to reveal faint quivering lights and shadows. Soon after, the tall, slender, and elderly leader of the Death Church, Banster, and the amiable, slightly portly leader of the Academy of Truth, Rune, emerged from the darkness and approached Helena.

Banster first glanced towards the direction where Fenna had left, before shifting his gaze to the Pontiff of the Deep Sea, “Is it her? She seems… unremarkable.”

“But she was chosen by the master of the storm,” Helena responded softly, “It is the goddess’s will.”

The portly and amiable Rune, thoughtfully curious, asked, “But why would the master of the storm choose her?”

“…No one can guess the intentions of the storm,” Helena gently shook her head, then changed the subject, “Let’s not discuss that now, let’s focus on the information released by Phenomenon 004—a phenomenon without a number, which is far more puzzling than the phenomenon itself.”

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