Chapter 222 Shaken

As usual, Vanna calmed down and silently recited the sacred passage from the Storm Codex in her heart. Then she took out a half-burned candle inscribed with runes from the drawer and placed it at the side before lighting it.

A small bright flame jumped into life on the tip of the wick, and the calming aroma slowly spread around the room with the volatile compound of the oil its made of. Vanna wasted no time breathing in the smell, allowing the dagger blade to slit a small opening in her hand.

The blood soaked into the fine lines inscribed on the dagger due to this, as if absorbed by whatever mystical power this object wielded. Theres a brief sting from the gesture, but thats only for a few seconds before the goddesss blessing healed the ladys wound.

She stared down at the ritual dagger, not moving an inch. Vanna knew her indecision was silly when performing a ritual, but she wanted to see for herself it was not her illusion that its working. So, once done and confirmed its going as planned, she placed the blook-soaked dagger over the flame and allowed it to burn.

Please hear, Goddess of the Storm, Gospel of the Deep Sea, Maiden of the Quiet Sea, hear me, your faithful follower needs guidance

The flames crackled, and the blood on the dagger suddenly ignited with unsettled sparks- the signal that the channel had established.

Using blood as a guide, a saint could create a communication line with the higher realms. In a way, this could even be seen as talking directly to the gods.

The gentle battering of the waves sounded in her ears as she expected. Then Vanna felt the air around her becoming moist, followed by a saltiness hitting her nose before the entire scene changed around the room.

The familiar bedroom disappeared, and the surroundings turned into an endless body of water. Its faintly glowing from beneath the surface, and hundreds of mysterious light sources continuously swam around like one could imagine a swarm of jellyfish carrying out their life cycle.

But thats not what shes here for. Before long, Vanna had noticed the blurry image of a lady coming into existence within the waters.

From the initial impression, it looks like a lady in a long white dress with numerous hazy shadows spreading out behind her in multiple directions. Vanna couldnt see past the veiled face, but there was no doubt in her heart that this was the avatar of the storm goddess. Its a small sliver of the Gomonas power, and its been condensed into human form so a mortal like Vanna could seek an audience during troubled times.

Unexpectedly, despite being the one to initiate a ritual to seek help, it was the goddesss avatar who initiated the desire to speak not verbally, but an urging directly into the mind of the inquisitors head.

I Vanna slightly hesitated before seemingly making up her mind to speak bluntly, I have survived to this day because of subspace. Why did you choose me as a saint and send me your blessings knowing this?

The hazy and blurry avatar did not move, but Vanna did not dare to force a reply. She knows that although what she saw was only a projection, this projection was indeed a direct link to Gomona. Her very question was a risk, an offense to the goddess.

Eventually, after an unknown amount of time in this spatial dimension, an idea suddenly entered the inquisitors brain similar to an implant.

It makes no difference

It makes no difference? Vanna was stunned. This confusing answer was even more challenging to understand than obscure and broken prophecies given to the faithful. She instinctively felt there should be some other context in this answer, but she failed to understand the information and could not find the next clue. Finally, out of desire and reflex, she asked: What makes no difference? I dont understand why you would choose someone like me knowing Im tainted by subspace

However, Vannas sentence didnt get to finish before the illusions around her started to warp and twist violently, followed closely by a different soft bright light coming up from the depths of the sea. It pulsated like a beating heart, causing the goddesss avatar to weaken to the point of collapse. This new entry pushed the connection between the two out; however, Vanna did catch a few broken words before then: Time is limited Soon Critical

The connection completely broke after the last word.

Vanna found herself rudely thrown back to the real world, heart pounding and breathing suffocating as she convulsed for air. She looked around, finding the illusions gone with the dagger she assumed was still in her hand gone, dropped to the floor without her knowledge. The only undisturbed thing was the runed candle still quietly burning at the table, the flames beating restlessly.

After an unknown amount of time, Vannas gaze finally withdrew from the candle flame, and she picked up the dropped dagger and slowly put it back in the drawer.

Her mind was swirling with the only information that had entered her mind during that brief exchange.

There is no difference and time is limited, about to hit critical.

She still couldnt understand what the former meant. As for the latter it had a clearer meaning, but what exactly was about to hit critical thats still out of her grasp.

Is the goddess telling me that something major is about to happen? Are you warning me that I have limited time to prepare for something important? What does critical mean? Whats critical? Another crisis? Another reality invasion-level disaster?

Is it related to the crisis that Pland just lived through?

This prayer did not calm Vannas mood and caused her to become even more unsettled than during the day.

But suddenly, a strange color appeared in the afterglow of the corner of her eye, making her chaotic thoughts stop instantly.

The flame jumping on the runed candle had turned green at some point.

In the next second, she jerked, looked up at her dressers oval mirror, and met eye-to-eye with Captain Duncan.

Are you alright? The gloomy and majestic figure spoke and inquired.

Its you?! Vanna jumped and distanced herself from the mirror, You disrupted my ritual just now?

Ritual? I think you misunderstood, Duncan shook his head, I suddenly sensed your aura growing extremely chaotic. Thats why I came to check on the situation. I mightve missed some enemy hidden in the city without realizing it. It seems Ive been reckless to come unannounced.

Sensing my aura thats why he came to check?

Question marks popped up over Vannas head due to her doubt regarding the answer and the meaning behind certain words. If she didnt know better, the lady mightve assumed the ghostly captain was actually a pervert and stalking her in bed.

Dont worry, youre still in the real world, Duncan said casually, so I strongly recommend that you dont jump chop me like the last time. Youre really going to make a mess of your room.

Im not a brute who only knows how to jump, Vanna suddenly found communicating with this ghost captain was really tiring. The other partys words and deeds would always exceed the records in the archives, and whenever he appeared, it would always catch her off guard like now. Its becoming exhausting. What else are you planning besides coming to check? I thought youve left completely.

Duncan in the mirror frowned as if a little troubled by the overly wary and hostile attitude of the young inquisitor in front of him: You can relax a little, preferably a little more polite too. I have indeed left, but the distance in time and space does not mean much to me. Besides, I just protected your city-state. Dont you think you should at least say thank you?

Vanna stared intently at the ghost captain, and after a few seconds of deliberation, she suddenly took a step forward and actually lowered her head: Thank you very much for your help. At least in this matter, Pland owes you a huge debt.

This blunt thank you exceeded Duncans expectations. He thought this girls brain would be as solid as her muscles, but shes apparently more than just bronze: Its fine No need to be so serious. I was just mentioning it.

We may have different positions, but your act of sheltering Pland cannot be denied, Vanna raised her head with a serious expression. Countless people have survived the disaster today. For that, I must thank you as the inquisitor out of duty.

She paused and then spoke with a straight face: But this does not mean I have relaxed my guard against you and the Vanished. We still cant determine what your purpose is for the civilized world At least until I confirm this, Im all

Okay, I see what you mean, Duncan interrupted Vanna, who smiled at the young inquisitor like an amused senior. The other partys words and attitude were far from polite, but this kind of overly straight personality was also not dislikable, Then lets speak about something else You seem to be in trouble?

Vanna met Duncans gaze and took a few seconds before taking a small breath: Sorry, it has nothing to do with you.

Irrelevant, but Im curious, Duncan said lightly, whether you want to admit it or not, you cant dispel the imprint Ive left on you. Vanna, I can sense your bad state at the moment. Maybe I can help you.