Chapter 186 Local Products from the City-State

On the first floor of the antique shop, Nina sat anxiously in a chair next to the counter. From time to time, she would get up and peer out the window, searching through the empty streets with those eyes for signs of her uncle.

Ohhh~ how can Uncle be like this Why did he go out so late into the night? Theres a curfew out Nina sat back down and moped, If the guardians on patrol find out, he will definitely be detained again

Thats already not the first time shes muttering to herself like this. But then, the slight sound of movement came from the door, followed by the doorknob turning.

Nina perked up immediately, looking up in the direction of the entrance with anticipation. Sure enough, the familiar figure had come into her view.

Nina, Im back, Duncan said as he met his nieces gaze with a smile. See? Im not too late.

Nina practically threw herself at Duncans chest as she complained: Its not too late?! What time is it? Do you know how dangerous it is to go out past curfew? You just suddenly got up and said youre going out. You left me home alone

The girls chattering complaints came out like a storm on the sea, forceful and continuous. However, her barrage swiftly halted after noticing the small figure hiding behind Duncans leg.

Shirley, carrying the small tin box, had peeked out with her head and waved at Nina nervously: Nina its me.

'

Relieved that hes found an opening, Duncan promptly closed the door behind them and slid to the side so the girls could speak.

Shirley?! You Why are you here so late with Uncle Wait, how come theres so much blood on you! Ninas eyes widen in shock at the terrible state of her friend.

Ah, dont worry, dont worry, Shirley hurriedly waved her hand to indicate its nothing. Although the injury on her back hasnt completely healed yet, she still tries to portray a bright smile, I encountered a small little problem. Im perfectly fine.

Thats not a small problem at all! Nina hurriedly took the small box from Shirleys hand and carefully examined the blood stains on the girls body. Growing shocked at the number of wounds: You you got so many injuries, we must find a doctor quickly! You

Im really okay. But, uhh, calm down! Shirley quickly grabbed Ninas hand and showed a helpless expression, Have you forgotten Im not an ordinary person

Nina wanted to say something, but her attention was interrupted by Duncans following cough.

Ahem, Duncan interrupted the increasingly chaotic communication between the two girls, dont ask so much Nina, Shirleys injury shouldnt be a problem. Go take her upstairs and shower and change out of her clothes. Ill explain the specifics later.

Ninas gaze flickered between the two before the girl nodded in confusion. Meanwhile, Shirley was rubbing her stomach with a flushed face, Umm is there anything to eat? Im really hungry.

Normally Shirley wouldnt have such a craving in the middle of the night, but perhaps its due to the effect of her rapid recovery, shes feeling empty in the belly and drastically needs sustenance.

'

Ah, yes! Nina took a second to respond, but once she did, she promptly got to work, I overcooked today so theres still plenty of leftover from dinner. Ill go warm it up!

Quickly running up the stairs, Ninas footsteps soon faded away from their ears as Shirley stood at the doorstep with a stunned face. She turned left and right, then up and down to see the familiar shelves, the familiar merchandise, and the smiling Mr. Duncan.

Im back again Shirley mutters softly after accepting this was her home from now on.

Yes, youre back, Duncan smiled and bent down to pick up Shirleys small tin box. Wed better discuss how to explain your injuries while we have the chance now. We also need to come up with a reasonable excuse to have you stay here permanently. But dont fret about it. I believe Nina would love that arrangement so you dont have to worry about her opinion.

It took a good second for Shirley to realize what just happened with her possession: AH! Its okay, I can do it myself

..

Meanwhile on the Vanished, Duncan, the infamous ghost captain, was staring at the three surviving Enders. They still hadnt regained consciousness, but the monstrous form they took had started to revert back to their human state.

These twisted guys can become normal people again?

Suddenly, a series of light footsteps rushed over from the rear. Alice was crying out happily in her gothic dress: Captain, Captain, I just heard Mr. Goathead say you are sending something to the deck again? You bought more things from the city

Alice came to a jerking halt halfway through her sentence. Whatever excitement she showed had turned into puzzlement.

'

Captain is this also a native product of the human city?

Sort of, Duncan thought for a moment and shrugged, I havent encountered anything like them before at least. They like to pop up in the city-state like sprouts during the spring season.

Alice nodded in confusion, then scratched her hair again with even more confused. She didnt know what the man meant by sprouts growing during spring because shes never seen it.

Umm they should be human, right? The puppet muttered, Captain, what are you doing with three of these things? You probably didnt buy them, right?

I didnt buy them. I picked them up from the roadside. Duncan casually coped with the fragmented thinking of the puppet while also paying attention to the three subspace believers who had almost completely returned to their human form.

It seems that Ais teleportation process is as reliable as ever. So does this mean I can use Ai to transport ordinary people to the ship in the future?

Duncan contemplated the ideas feasibility and gradually grew happy at the other possibilities this opened.

Aside from testing Ais ability, Duncan had other plans in mind for other projects. Like what the Vanisheds environment would do to others and what Alices guillotine ability would do to living people if they got into contact now.

What other better test subjects were there than these cultists, who just happened to drop into his lap tonight?

'

He could only thank nature for the plentiful gifts hes gotten

While Duncan relishing at the good harvest, one of the Enders finally showed some movement. First, it was a slight twitch, then came the groan from the one that sat up.

Youre awake, the gentle voice mixed in with the sea breeze stimulated the nerves of the alienated captive.

Here is The cultist slowly turned his head, finding Duncan and Alice already staring down at him. Due to the sluggishness of his brain, the guy had to take a second to process the image, but once he did, the hostility instantly showed. Who are you?!

Oh right, you havent seen me before, Duncan laughed as he watched the other two Enders slowly recover as well. Welcome to the Vanished. You can call me Captain Duncan.

The Vanished?! The first cultist was stunned because he obviously knew the name. This is this is the ghost ship that returned from subspace?!

Thats right, it seems that you understand the situation, then our communication will be simple. Duncan nodded, First of all, I have some questions

His words did not get far because the cultist opposite to him had already raised both hands into the air, those eyes filled with ecstasy and madness. With a loud shout: O subspace! You have finally opened the door to me and the others! Eternal life in the last days! Redemption in disaster! Annihilation for rejuvenation! The ark of promise has come The ark of promise has come!

Duncans face visibly twitched after that proclamation.

What illness does this cultist have in his brain?!