Deep Sea Embers

Chapter 255 “Farewell For Now”

Today, half a century after the conclusion of the Abyss Plan, Tyrian once again felt a lingering chill from the long-past scheme. The “Number Three Submersibles” resurfaced in his memory as if appearing right before his eyes. Alongside them were the cautious soldiers, solemn priests, and the cold, silent Frost Queen. It was as if he were witnessing the hatches of those submersibles opening once more, revealing the insane explorers, humanoid figures, grotesque deformed creatures, writhing masses of flesh, the eerie, silent mud, the dried and suspicious black fibers, and… the empty cabin of the seventh “Number Three Submersible.”

“Back then, the platform was heavily guarded by numerous priests and protectors,” Tyrian said with a frown, recalling the past. “But… I must admit, your question is somewhat unsettling.”

Duncan remained silent for a few seconds before suddenly asking, “What happened to those ‘Number Three Submersibles’ in the end?”

“Except for the first ‘authentic’ one that surfaced, the other six duplicates were thrown into a furnace, melted into ingots by sacred flames, and then cast into the sea. Despite being valuable metal resources, no one dared to keep them,” Tyrian explained hesitantly. “But if, as you suggested, even the first one wasn’t ‘authentic,’ then the situation would be…”

“Where is the first one?”

“I don’t know its current location,” Tyrian shook his head. “The rebels should have destroyed everything related to the Abyss Plan, but no one knows how they disposed of those materials. Maybe they simply disassembled and recycled them? But before the rebellion… The Number Three Submersible was stored in a warehouse at the port after being decommissioned.”

After a brief silence, Duncan sighed. “I understand… Tyrian, thank you for sharing so much with me. Regardless, this information has greatly satisfied my curiosity.”

However, Tyrian appeared burdened by his thoughts. Reflecting on the “Abyss Plan” after all these years, he found too many chilling details. Although the plan itself was strange, this retrospective view brought an even more unnerving feeling than when he had experienced it firsthand. Especially considering the recent question his father posed about the Frost Queen’s final command, Tyrian felt that this old case, which had supposedly concluded fifty years ago, might not be truly over.

But, for now, their conversation had reached its end.

His father did not intend to keep him there any longer.

A sudden sound of flapping wings came from the side, and Tyrian saw a bird-shaped phantom engulfed in eerie green flames darting through the air. Immediately after, where the phantom had passed, a surge of green flames erupted, spiraling into a vortex gate in an instant.

His father’s voice emerged from the nearby mirror: “Go inside; you’ll be transported near the cathedral. I believe you won’t tell anyone about what transpired here.”

“Of course, I’ve never been one to tattle,” Tyrian responded. He glanced at the blazing portal, hesitating for a moment before making up his mind and moving forward. Just before stepping through the gate, he paused and couldn’t help but look back at the Gothic doll standing quietly next to the mirror.

“Anomaly 099…” he murmured to himself, “She looks exactly like her…”

“It’s said that Anomaly 099 first emerged in the icy sea near where the Frost Queen was executed and fell into the water,” Duncan’s voice came from the mirror. “I share your suspicion, but even Alice herself can’t explain her origins. As you just mentioned… there’s too much in the deep sea that we can’t comprehend.”

Tyrian appeared thoughtful. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke up, “It seems this doll really enjoys being around you.”

Duncan responded indifferently, “Initially, she stayed out of persistence, but later I found she could be useful.”

Alice’s answer was much simpler. She laughed happily and said, nodding, “I like being with the captain! He’s incredible!”

Tyrian looked at his father’s emotionless face in the mirror and then at Alice, who resembled the Frost Queen but was entirely different in every other way. After a while, he suddenly laughed.

It was a genuine sense of relief and happiness.

He then turned around and confidently stepped through the flaming gateway, leaving the warehouse silent again.

Alice looked in the direction where the flame had vanished, then turned to gaze at the mirror beside her. It took her a moment to suddenly blurt out, “Captain, why did he laugh at us just now?”

Duncan replied casually, “How should I know?”

Alice, puzzled, asked, “What you discussed earlier, about the Frost Queen and the Abyss Plan… Does it have anything to do with me?”

This time, Duncan didn’t quickly concoct an answer to deceive the doll. He thought about it seriously before saying solemnly, “It might be connected.”

“Can I understand it?”

“It’s likely very difficult.”

“Well, then I won’t think about it for now,” Alice scratched her head and smiled at Duncan in the mirror. “Regardless, if there’s anything I need to do or help with, just let me know.”

“I will.”

“Great!”

…

A burst of fire flashed through the dark alley, and moments later, a groggy Tyrian appeared, spotting the grand doors of Pland Cathedral nearby.

“It really did bring me close…” The pirate muttered, raising his hand to rub his drowsy head, but accidentally touched the swollen area and immediately winced in pain.

That little girl’s strength was a bit too frightening… She was a demonic creature heavier than two or three adults combined! Remembering the cause of the injury on his head, Tyrian couldn’t help but grumble internally. Yet, simultaneously, he couldn’t help but feel curious.

Indeed, his own father was assembling a new crew. From what he had observed so far, he controlled Anomaly 099 and had a mysterious, powerful girl who could summon demonic creatures at his service. However, this was obviously not the full extent of his crew.

Even if this had happened yesterday, it would have made him extremely cautious, and he might not have been able to resist alerting the city-state and the church. But at this moment, he had no intention of “tattling” to the church.

Now, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts related to the “Abyss Plan.”

Tyrian then approached the Storm Cathedral, and within a few steps, he noticed several figures rushing towards him at the entrance.

They were the sailors he had sent back earlier.

The captain had vanished for an entire day after leaving just a message, which had clearly made his crew anxious.

In no time, the sailors reached Tyrian. One began speaking without pause, “You’re finally back! The sun is about to set; where have you been?”

Another sailor noticed Tyrian’s disheveled state and exclaimed in surprise, “Captain, the wound on your face… and how did your head swell up so much?!”

Tyrian knew he couldn’t conceal his disarray. He had hoped his faster-than-normal healing ability would help him recover before returning to the cathedral. However, it turned out that despite the girl’s questionable use of demonic creatures, the injuries they inflicted were still problematic. Half a day had passed, and his head remained swollen.

“…I tripped along the way.”

After hesitating for a moment, Tyrian could only offer a feeble excuse.

He was too embarrassed to admit to his subordinates that this was the result of “fatherly discipline.” Furthermore, it wasn’t even his father who had directly inflicted the damage, but a young girl who was only about as tall as his chest.

“You tripped?” The first sailor to speak looked at his boss in confusion, “This seems like quite an… exaggerated accident. It’s as if you violently smashed your head against the walls of Pland and the ground…”

Tyrian stared at the sailor with an intense gaze, emphasizing each word, “I tripped.”

The sailor shuddered and instantly understood, “Oh, right, right. You clearly just tripped accidentally. When we get back, I’ll help you apply some medicine…”

“Enough, I don’t want to discuss this issue for now,” Tyrian sighed and walked towards the cathedral’s main entrance. “Let’s go back. I need a good rest today, and then we’ll set off to return to the North.”

“Return to the North? Weren’t we staying here a few more days? You had planned to…”

The words “Abyss Plan” resurfaced in Tyrian’s mind, and he waved his hand, “Enough, it’s time to go back. There are still matters to attend to in the Cold Sea.”

The sailors exchanged glances and finally nodded, complying with the captain’s decision.

Tyrian suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He hesitated for a moment in front of the main entrance of Storm Cathedral and touched the swollen areas on his face and head.

“Let’s use the side door.”