Chapter 1

Since Anomaly 004 conveyed the first "list" to the mortal world, all anomalies and apparitions have had their own numbers, regardless of how their positions change, how their characteristics evolve, or even if some anomalies and apparitions disappear while others transform into each other. This list always has corresponding vacancies.

For thousands of years, this pattern has never changed. Therefore, people believe that the essence of Anomaly 004 is a "focal point" that transcends the order of time and space. All anomalies and apparitions, whether from the past or the future, have already left their mark in this space-time focal point, even if they have not yet been born… their positions are already destined.

But today, this pattern has been broken.

An anomaly without a number has appeared before the eyes of the world.

Even more unsettling is that this anomaly's name is Pland – the pearl of the Boundless Sea, the most prosperous station on the ocean trade network, and the largest gathering place of believers of the Deep Sea Church. But for some reason, Vanna felt that the calm and reserved Pope didn't seem too worried. When she saw Pland become an anomaly, she was only slightly surprised—

Her concern for "Pland becoming an anomaly" seemed to be even less than her concern for "Pland not having a number."

Vanna looked at the Pope with some anxiety. The latter was thinking about something. After a few minutes of oppressive silence, she suddenly raised her head: "How is Pland doing after that 'disaster'?"

"The city-state's order is being restored. Everyone who died and every place that was damaged due to historical contamination has been restored, except, of course, for those who actually died eleven years ago," the Pland Bishop said immediately. "We checked every corner of the city-state, including every sewer, every factory, every machine, and even every pipe, and found no traces of extraordinary distortion. The city-state is in a... very, very 'normal' state. Oh, except for..."

"Except for the french fries issue, right?" Valentine said faintly. "I saw it in the report."

"To be precise, it's not that there is no possibility of communication, but that we have not yet established communication—although the beginning of the matter was within the plan," Pland nodded slightly and said in a deep voice. "Although I don't know why, this ghost captain pays special attention to Helena's situation and has chosen Vanna as the contact person, he has not yet shown hostility towards the civilized world."

"A coin facing heads up, rolled in the air for a turn, and fell down still facing heads up."

Vanna opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but saw the Pope gently wave her hand, interrupting her action.

Valentine nodded and turned her gaze to Bishop Shi Tingfa: "I saw a statement you mentioned in the report. You believe that the famous 'Captain Duncan' has regained his sanity and humanity, and there is a possibility of communication?"

Valentine pondered slightly: "...It's not that important. Let's talk about it in detail when we meet."

"The flames of the Lost Township once burned throughout the city-state?" Valentine then asked.

"But what's so bad about that, Saint Vanna—compared to the distorted appearance of most places in our world, what is a coin that still faces heads up after a roll?" Valentine said faintly. "At least in fact, Shi Tingfa still exists. This coin has rolled for one circle or several circles... It's not something you mortals should be concerned about."

For some reason, Vanna felt that there was some deep meaning hidden in the Pope's words, but she couldn't understand it yet. She just frowned: "Then how should this news be announced? How should we explain to people that we live in a huge anomaly—and let them maintain a normal life after learning this fact?"

The two Saints left. Shi Tingfa subconsciously felt a little relieved. She guessed that the Pope would ask her about this sooner or later, after all, she had written everything in the report, except for the part about the wavering of faith: "She... doesn't actually have any special feelings, no mental contamination, no distorted thinking. Bishop Shi Tingfa specifically did several examinations for her, and the conclusion is that this is just a simple 'connection'."

The huge plaza.

On the field, only Valentine's figure remained.

But only half a minute later, wisps of flickering light and shadow emerged from the darkness in the distance. Then Banst, the tall and thin leader of the Church of Death with an aged face, and Rune, the amiable and slightly fat leader of the Academy of Truth, walked out of the darkness and came behind Valentine.

The shadows gathered in the plaza heard this.

Without hesitation, they saluted the Pope, and then disappeared one by one. In less than half a minute, only Valentine, Vanna, and Pland remained in the huge plaza.

"No," Bishop Pland lowered his head. "I will discuss this matter with the city hall and see how to announce this news in the most stable way."

Vanna and Pland immediately responded: "Please instruct us."

Valentine nodded. His gaze inadvertently swept over Vanna, and then said: "There are also some other things."

"A shocking fact born from a cataclysm, either never announce it, or announce it while the aftermath of the cataclysm has not subsided, while people's acceptance ability is strongest," Valentine said in a deep voice. "Now the citizens of Helena should not have completely escaped the aftermath of this disaster, and have not completely immersed themselves in the daily life of restoring peace... So announce it as usual."

Vanna didn't react at first, but after two seconds she suddenly realized something: "Meet... Do you want to..."

Valentine stopped and quietly looked at the two Saints in front of him.

"...It can't be said that this flame contaminated the entire city-state and contaminated the city-state into a state that was once contaminated," Valentine looked into Pland's eyes and said in a steady tone. "In that matter, the boundary between 'contamination' and 'non-contamination' is actually very blurred."

Shi Tingfa subconsciously exchanged a glance with Vanna next to her. Shi Tingfa's expression was slightly awkward: "It's indeed a bit strange to write that in the report..."

"...No one can fathom the storm's intentions," Valentine shook his head gently, and then changed the subject. "Let's not talk about that. Let's first discuss the information released by Anomaly 004 this time—an anomaly without a number, which is much more puzzling than the anomaly itself."

Rune, who was slightly fat and had an amiable face, thought for a moment and said with curiosity: "But why did the master of the storm choose you?"

"It's not strange. When an extraordinary event occurs, all clues should be taken seriously," Valentine said with a calm expression. His gaze fell on Shi Tingfa, "So what about you, Saint Vanna, do you feel anything is wrong?"

"The Anomaly Helena, a city completely burned by the flames of the sub-space. The power of Duncan Abnomal shaped this anomaly into an abnormal appearance. Its distortion lies in its distorting its own distortion. The entire city-state is operating as if it had been contaminated. The only fact left by the contamination is that the contamination does exist."

Then, they heard Shi Tingfa's voice continue to come: "Perhaps that's not the reason why Helena became an 'anomaly'. The parchment didn't mention the specific characteristics of this new anomaly, but we can boldly describe it like this:"

"The Storm Cathedral has been cruising for many years, and it's about time to dock once," Shi Tingfa looked at Shi Ting with a smile. "Make some preparations. The Storm Cathedral will arrive in Helena within a week—then I will also be able to use my own eyes to confirm what this coin looks like after rolling."

"But the master of the storm chose me," Valentine said faintly. "That is the goddess's will."

Valentine clenched his fist slightly and pressed it against his chin, as if thinking seriously for a moment, and then suddenly said to the gathered Saints in the distance: "Everyone, please disperse—I have some things to talk about with Shi Tingfa's two Saints."

Shi Tingfa took a light breath to make her voice as steady as possible: "...Indeed, as you said."

"But pay attention to guidance. Make people realize that this 'anomaly' is extremely ordinary—not all anomalies are safe. Always remember that our world is still able to be maintained to this day under the illumination of Anomaly 001."

Pland nodded again: "Yes, this flame

expelled the historical contamination created by the heretics and reset the city-state to its pre-contamination state."

"He is a bit silent, young Saint—relax a bit," After the surroundings were clear, Shi Tingfa turned to Shi Ting and opened his mouth with a smile, "You are walking on the right path. The goddess's illumination and favor to you is as always. Don't be uneasy because you have come into contact with some 'weird' powers—as defenders of order, dealing with all kinds of dangerous forces is our duty, isn't it?"

Banst first turned his head and glanced in the direction Vanna had just left, before turning his gaze to the Deep Sea Pope in front of him: "Not me? Doesn't seem to be... anything special about her."