Chapter 1 The Inauguration

Frostfell. Inside the city-state governor's domed office, Tylan stood before a mirror, meticulously adjusting the medals and sash across his chest.

His one-eyed face remained stern, even a little frightening, but the brand-new governor's uniform and the glittering medals transformed that sternness into trustworthy authority—precisely what the city needed at this moment.

Tylan exhaled softly, turning to look at the two Undying Sailors hanging a new city-state banner on the wall at the far end of the domed office. Next to the banner, a line of powerful words remained deeply etched beside the doorway, just as they had been half a century ago: "Let as many as possible survive."

Tylan quietly gazed at those words, and after a long while, gave a gentle nod. He walked toward the large desk nearby. With a short while before the official ceremony began, he could use the time to recall and organize the procedures he would soon be following, or to calm his emotions. The complex lens array on the desk activated on its own, the surface of the crystal orb at its center glowing faintly.

Lucresia's figure emerged from the shimmering light, appraising Tylan. "The uniform suits you," said the Sea Witch in her black dress.

"Goes well with the eyepatch," Tylan said, tugging at the collar of his tunic and glancing sideways at his sister in the crystal orb. "Did you come here just to make fun of me?"

"I'm offering sincere praise," Lucresia said with a straight face. "You haven't been this serious about your appearance in years. That rough, deliberately intimidating pirate look didn't suit you at all."

"I might have to maintain this image for a very long time, until a more suitable governor appears or Father makes other arrangements." Tylan paused. "Sooner or later, I'll miss those carefree days of piracy."

"At least not today." Lucresia smiled slightly. "So, you're about to be sworn in as the governor of a city-state. How does it feel? I hear you're going on a motorcade tour afterward, to show yourself off to the citizens?"

"The motorcade tour is to reassure people, to make them believe that order has been re-established and that someone in the city-state's leadership is taking responsibility. Although I don't like it, it's necessary," Tylan said. "As for how it feels to be governor…"

He paused for a moment, then shook his head and continued, "I don't feel anything. The handover from the administrative office and the team building were done a long time ago. I've already been busy as governor up until now. Today's so-called 'solemn inauguration' is just a public-facing procedure."

"Is that so?"

"Then I wish you a smooth procedure, big brother," Lucresia laughed, using a nickname from their childhood many years ago. Then she paused slightly, her expression serious. "How are your preparations for the matter Father entrusted to you?"

"I've drafted several secret letters to the other city-states, but the specific details still need tweaking—I have to convey a warning, make them realize the seriousness of the situation, and avoid ambiguity, to prevent other city-states from having excessive or rash reactions. Frankly, this kind of paperwork is much harder than leading a fleet to fight the Deep Sea Spawn or other pirates."

"If you ask me, you should make things clear and serious. Anyway, those who can become governors are all smart people, or at least they should have enough smart people working for them. They know how to respond. You're just giving them a reminder, not babysitting them on how to build an early warning system," Lucresia said casually. "I'm already preparing to contact the Explorers Association—ha, I wonder how they'll react."

"A warning from the Lost Country Fleet to the entire civilized world."

Tylan's tone was tinged with emotion. "The last time something like this happened was a century ago."

"Yes, when Father first discovered the border collapse phenomenon appearing in the 'Inner Sphere.'"

Lucresia said wistfully, "I still remember the bells ringing in the churches then, and the newspapers in every city-state discussing the warning from the great adventurer Duncan Abernathy."

"So many years have passed, and he's once again watching the 'border' of the world. History seems to be returning to its starting point—perhaps, in a sense, the *Lost Country* has never been lost. Its century in subspace was just a long voyage on some broader dimension that we can't yet understand. Now it's back, bringing the light of a new sea route, like the lines left by the Mad Poet Pullman.

'They could go straight in one direction, until they went around the back of the world, returning to the human realm at a stunning angle,'" Tylan recited the historically famous absurd poem in a low voice, slowly standing up from behind the desk. Outside the domed office, the sound of a band could already be faintly heard, and footsteps were coming from the direction of the corridor—it was time to let the city see its new governor.

"Good luck, big brother. And don't forget my Spirit Realm Lens."

"Don't worry, I'll remember this time."

The biting cold wind swept through the sparse roadside trees, over the dark, carved railings, over the silent tombstones and the empty mortuary slabs beside the paths, eventually dissipating deep within the cemetery. Two figures slowly walked along a path in the cemetery. One figure was particularly tall and burly, cloaked in a pure black coat and wearing a wide-brimmed hat of the same color. The skin visible outside the clothes was covered in layers of bandages, making him look fearsome.

The other figure wore a plain black nun's dress, with eyes covered and chestnut hair loose.

"I thought you would attend Governor Tylan's inauguration ceremony, even in this avatar," Agatha said in a low voice as she accompanied Duncan forward. "It wouldn't have been difficult to arrange a suitable seat for you."

"I'm not showing my face. He's in good shape. If I actually showed up, he might get nervous," Duncan said. "After the motorcade passes by nearby, I'll just give him a wave from afar."

As he spoke, he raised his head, looking at the rather deserted cemetery path, and the empty mortuary slabs beside the path!

"I really miss this place. In my memory… it used to be full of coffins."

"During this special period, we've had to temporarily change the spirit escorting process—the bodies from this time need to be sent to the crematorium as soon as possible. The Silent Monks are doing the comforting and farewell rituals for them right by the furnace. The cemetery, on the other hand, seems quiet."

Duncan hummed in agreement, then suddenly stopped as he neared the end of the path. The simple watchman's cabin appeared before him—and there was a special guest in front of the cabin, a twelve-year-old girl wearing thick white winter clothes and a fluffy hat, like a tightly wrapped snowball.

She was busy in front of the watchman's cabin, holding a large broom almost as tall as herself, diligently clearing the snow in front of the cabin.

"Is that Annie?"

Duncan tilted his head slightly and asked softly.

"It's her. Except for the first few days of the lockdown, she's been coming every day during her school lunch break," Agatha said softly.

"The watchman here is gone, and a new one hasn't been arranged yet. The cemetery is temporarily managed by the nearest church. There's no harm in her being here, so the church has tacitly allowed her to come and go as she pleases."

"And you tacitly allow it too?"

"Mm…"

The girl sweeping snow in front of the cabin finally noticed the movement on the path. She turned her head, surprised to see the two figures in the distance. After a few seconds of愣, she threw the broom aside and ran over happily. "Gatekeeper Sister, and Uncle Duncan!"

Annie happily greeted the two familiar faces, but after shouting, she seemed to suddenly remember something. She quickly straightened her body and looked at Agatha. "Mom said, I should call you Gatekeeper Your Excellency, or Archbishop…"

"It's okay, just call me whatever you like."

Agatha smiled and patted Annie's hat. "Are you cold?"

"Not cold," Annie shook her head, then grabbed Agatha's hand and pointed to the cabin in the distance with the other.

"Your hand is too cold, come inside and warm up by the fire. I've also brewed herbal tea."

Agatha instinctively wanted to refuse, but saw that Duncan had already started walking toward the cabin. She was surprised for a moment and could only follow helplessly. Inside the clean and simple watchman's cabin, the fire was burning brightly, the firewood crackling in the hearth, and steam was rising from the teapot next to it, carrying the fragrant, bitter smell of herbs. Annie poured two cups of hot tea and put the warm cups into Duncan's and Agatha's hands. "This is for the patrolling church guards. They'll be here in a while. If you don't drink it, you can warm your hands with it."

The girl seemed to realize, belatedly, that the 'Gatekeeper Sister' in front of her was already a corpse.

Agatha didn't mind. She said thank you.

Holding the cup in her hands, which was gradually starting to heat up.

"Are you warmer now?" Annie asked again. Cold, the whole world was cold, the teacup was cold, the fire was cold too. Agatha smiled gently. "Much warmer."

Then, she noticed Duncan looking around from time to time.

"What are you looking at?" she asked, puzzled.

"I think this is a good place to set up."

Duncan withdrew his gaze from scanning the room and said to Agatha, "After all, if it's just for housing an avatar, that house on Wood Street seems a bit of a waste."

Agatha was stunned for a moment, then gradually realized and a look of surprise appeared on her face. "You… could it be…"

"The *Lost Country* is going to continue its voyage, and my avatar staying in the city needs a place to settle down."

Duncan said calmly, "No need to worry about a new watchman. This can save you a lot of trouble!"