Chapter 275 Invitation from the Church

The two sides stopped at a very close distance – close enough for a quick shuttle run with landing craft for large ships.

Duncan curiously observed the massive Pilgrimage Ark, taking in the academy facilities and towering structures built in the upper levels. He saw many figures moving near the walls, some possibly guards and sailors from the academy ark, but others dressed like ordinary scholars or apprentices. He even spotted steam-powered walkers – large spider-like machines climbing the ark's outer walls, appearing far more agile than the walkers he'd seen in other city-states, clearly demonstrating a higher level of technology.

Duncan knew that those on the Pilgrimage Ark were certainly observing the Vanishing Line as well.

The sea surface shimmered with glittering waves, a gentle breeze ruffled the ocean, and the setting sun cast a pale golden hue on the undulating wavelets. But within those golden highlights were faint strands of ghostly green. This green-tinged water, centered around the Vanishing Line, spread outwards until it reached the edge of the Pilgrimage Ark – where a distinct "boundary" existed. At that boundary line, Duncan could feel a noticeable "resistance."

The ghost ship and the cathedral ship confronted each other silently across the sea.

After an unknown amount of time in this standoff, Duncan suddenly looked at a shadow beside him with a hint of confusion, "What are they waiting for?"

"Perhaps they're still observing the Vanishing Line's movements?" Agathas voice came from the shadows, sounding somewhat hesitant. "But they should at least send a communication..."

The command deck suddenly fell silent. Duncan thought for a moment, then said with a touch of uncertainty, "Do you think it's possible they're trying to call the Vanishing Line by radio?"

Agatha: "...Does the ship have a radio?"

"No, but I've always wanted to install one. I was planning to do that this time at Light Wind Port..."

Agatha: "..."

Just then, a series of flashes from the upper levels of the Pilgrimage Ark interrupted the exchange between Duncan and Agatha – and along with the rhythmic light signals, Duncan noticed flags waving near the lights.

In the end, traditional and reliable lights and flag signals proved effective.

"They're inviting the Vanishing Line to dock at the Pilgrimage Ark?" Duncan deciphered the meaning of the signals, his face showing surprise. "Are they serious?"

"Captain, this could be a trap," the Goathead's voice immediately came through the mental connection, carrying its usual conspiracy theories and natural wariness of the church. "You must be careful."

"I understand your caution, but it's unlikely at this time," Duncan shook his head. "And whether it's a trap or not, my original plan was to meet the people on that ark – now they're taking the initiative to invite us, which is just as well."

As he spoke, he slowly maneuvered the Vanishing Line closer to the massive ark in the distance. At the same time, he carefully monitored the Pilgrimage Ark and the movements of the surrounding warships, using the power of flame to extend his perception further across the surrounding sea.

He would not abandon basic caution, of course. Although logically he believed this was not a trap, it was, after all, direct contact with the top military force of one of the Four Gods churches. Who knew what thoughts were turning in the mind of the Pope who served Rahm, the God of Wisdom.

And Duncan believed that those on the ark were probably experiencing the same concerns – they had extended an invitation to the Vanishing Line, but were they panicking?

They were panicking too.

From their perspective – who knew what the "Ghost Captain" of the Vanishing Line was planning.

Since the Vanishing Line returned to the real world, it had come into contact with many city-states and church forces. Duncan knew that these "contacts" were having an effect. The Four Gods churches were trying to understand this ghost ship returning from the subspace. Vanna, who had been sent to the ship, was proof of that. It was indeed a friendly signal, but Duncan was also very clear that the Vanishing Line, to this world, was still an unpredictable, enigmatic, and dangerous symbol.

The Four Gods churches were the same in Duncan's eyes.

Caution, scrutiny, testing, contact. Even after establishing a certain degree of communication, even establishing a certain degree of understanding, both sides still had to carefully take steps towards each other, confirming "safety" little by little. They needed to confirm whether the returning ghost captain possessed true humanity, whether the recent series of actions of the Vanishing Line were genuine goodwill or a disguise driven by the chaos of subspace – and Duncan needed to confirm how much sincerity and trust the other side was sending.

At the same time, he was also communicating with his followers.

Morris had studied at the Truth Academy – his mentor at the time was even the "Pope" who controlled the academy ark.

This was precisely the "tradition" that distinguished the Truth Academy from the other three Gods churches – the followers of the God of Wisdom based their core doctrines on "knowledge inheritance." Their "divine official" system was maintained in the form of teachers and students, even the Pope was no exception.

Almost all of the outstanding scholars in this world had studied at the Truth Academy, and the luckiest among them had the honor of boarding the academy ark and becoming students of Pope Rune.

"...I think you can rest assured, I have discussed many things about the Vanishing Line with my mentor. Among the Popes of the Four Gods, his attitude towards the Vanishing Line should be the most calm, rational, and objective..."

"I'm not too worried about your mentor's 'attitude'. I'm just a little curious why the Pilgrimage Ark of the Truth Academy came to Light Wind Port in person, and so quickly," Duncan said in his heart. "You know, Pland had such a big commotion before, and the Storm Cathedral only rushed there after the incident ended. As for Frost, the ark of the Church of Death didn't even appear."

"Light Wind Port is close to the border, and the church's Pilgrimage Arks spend most of their time patrolling near the border, so it's normal to arrive quickly," Morris explained. "Light Wind Port may have sent a distress signal to the academy headquarters several days ago. Also..."

He paused suddenly, and after a few seconds, he slowly continued, "Also, more than half of the people on the academy ark are elves."

Duncan narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Pilgrimage Ark drew closer. This amazing creation floated in front of the Vanishing Line like a small city-state. A section of its "gunwale" magnified in Duncan's vision, eventually presenting a structure that could almost be described as a "coastline."

Then, guiding lights and flags appeared on that "coastline," accompanied by a series of low rumbles and the roars of large steam valves releasing pressure. Duncan saw that a section of the edge of this extremely special "cathedral ship" suddenly transformed, and a large structure extended from its outer wall, reaching into the sea.

A dock had appeared there, a dock where the Vanishing Line could temporarily moor.

Duncan released the helm.

The Vanishing Line began to adjust its position and angle on its own. It carefully "observed" the mechanical dock extended by the academy ark, and then finally slowly approached the pier.

For some reason, Duncan felt that the "actions" of the Vanishing Line even conveyed a kind of... disdain.

But Duncan's attention quickly shifted elsewhere.

He looked up, towards the sky above the academy ark.

He once again "saw" that hazy, tentacle-like, bizarre structure, like a disembodied soul. A vast and indescribable ethereal entity extended from the ark behemoth, floating like clouds above the giant ship, with countless tentacles extending from its edges and shadows changing shapes!

Duncan stared intently at the "illusions" extending from the academy ark.

He had seen something similar when the Storm Cathedral visited Pland City-State!

At that time, he thought it was some kind of "power" of the storm goddess Gormona, the god worshipped by the Deep Sea Church, a symbol of the deep sea's power, but now it seemed... the ark ship of the Truth Academy had this thing too?!

Could it be that the ark ships of the other churches also had it?

Did these four ark ships come with this thing? What the hell was it!

A huge question arose in Duncan's mind for a moment, and just then, the corner of his eye saw figures appearing on the "pier" connecting the Vanishing Line and the academy ark.

He quickly gathered the messy thoughts in his mind and focused his attention on the "visitors" coming down from the academy ark.

There were four steam-powered walkers – they escorted a small team of people onto the pier, then stopped in the middle of the pier between the Vanishing Line and the ark ship, crouching down to stand by. The small team continued to walk towards the Vanishing Line. Among them were guards wearing the uniforms of the academy's knowledge keepers, and followers dressed as apprentices. Walking in front of these people was a short, fat old man in a scholar's robe.

Duncan recalled Morris's description of his mentor.

That should be the leader of the Truth Academy, the earthly representative of the God of Wisdom Rahm, Morris's mentor – Rune.

The "Pope" had actually come out in person – with only so few followers, and heading straight for the Vanishing Line?

Duncan's mind flickered, and the next second, his figure had turned into a stream of fire – this stream of fire swept across the deck and finally fell straight to the end of the pier, re-condensing into his figure.

The team of people coming down from the academy ark were obviously startled by the sudden appearance of the flame. They instinctively moved forward to protect Rune, but the latter simply waved his hand calmly, then gave Duncan, who was walking out of the flame, a smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain Duncan Abnormal," the elven old man nodded politely and gently. "This is our first meeting."

"It's also a pleasure to meet you." Duncan also nodded politely to the other party.

But just as he was about to say something more, he suddenly noticed a trace of abnormality on the other party.

The body of this "Pope"... actually looked faintly transparent!

(End of this chapter)