Chapter 275: The Grand Storm Cathedral
In Duncan's view, an entity radiating an immense presence was gradually nearing the city-state of Pland.
In truth, his perception was unable to extend beyond Pland's physical limits. However, as the entity with the immense presence continued to draw closer, he could still indirectly detect a kind of "radiance," akin to a heat source or a brightly shining object, slowly becoming more distinct over the vast ocean.
A mere large ship would not evoke such a sensation, nor would a group of influential priests.
Duncan narrowed his eyes slightly, and the glowing and warm object progressively took form in the "darkness" beyond the city-state of Pland.
"Could what it emitted be... the so-called power of the gods?"
Moments later, a green flame suddenly sprang up from a second-floor window of an antique shop, and a plump white dove emerged, swiftly traversing the sky.
...
By now, a massive throng had assembled both within and around the southeast port of Pland.
The Grand Storm Cathedral, which patrolled the seas year-round and seldom docked, was set to anchor in the city-state. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event for any follower of the storm goddess Gomona. Whether it was to display their devotion or merely to marvel at the grandeur of the Grand Storm Cathedral, the citizens of Pland were determined not to miss this monumental occasion. Starting at sunrise, when the curfew had just lifted, residents living near the port began congregating, and by nearly noon, virtually all the available vantage points around the port were occupied.
Subsequently, traffic control was implemented near the port. The city hall no longer permitted additional spectators to approach the harbor from that point forward, collaborating with the church to disperse the crowd to various sanctuaries because numerous masses would be conducted concurrently in various churches when the Grand Storm Cathedral docked. This ceremony served not only to "welcome the glory of the goddess" but also to alleviate congestion in the port area and redirect the faithful.
Beyond the layers of the crowd, the inner section of the port area was temporarily designated as the "ceremonial area" by the church's guardians and the city-state's security officers. The local church hierarchy and Pland's senior officials gathered here, already prepared to greet the Grand Storm Cathedral.
Vanna hurried along and ultimately reached the port just in time.
"You almost arrived late," Admin Dante, waiting at the port to greet them, glanced at his niece who had hurried over, a trace of helplessness in his one eye. "On such a significant day, you, as an inquisitor, were the last to arrive."
"There was a minor accident," even in front of her uncle, an inquisitor could feel somewhat inadequate, Vanna's face displaying mild embarrassment. "I had planned my time well and would have arrived at least half an hour early..."
"The goddess will forgive," spoke Archbishop Valentine, the elderly man dressed in full regalia, holding the staff symbolizing the city's bishop, a faint smile on his face. "There's still some time before the scheduled moment."
Vanna nodded, took a deep breath, and surveyed her surroundings.
The area surrounding the pier was open and expansive, with guardians and security officers having cordoned off a sizable "ceremonial area." However, beyond this open space, one could see countless spectators in the distance, their heads bobbing in a sea of people.
Nearly three-quarters of Pland's entire population were baptized followers of the Storm Church, and the remaining quarter, even if not baptized, still maintained a shallow faith in the Storm Goddess Gomona under the city's influence. This city-state was the largest gathering place for deep-sea believers in the vast ocean, and the grand spectacle at this moment powerfully demonstrated this fact.
"The arrival of the Grand Storm Cathedral can actually help us resolve numerous issues," Dante's voice reached Vanna's ears. "With this grand event, the unstable atmosphere in the city-state can be quickly pacified, and news about the 'visions' can be disseminated more smoothly. To be honest... I am truly relieved."
"For believers, being 'under the gaze of the gods' is a more effective comfort than anything else," replied Archbishop Valentine. "With the protection and witnessing of the goddess, we can display the greatest unity and resilience, and we can calmly accept all kinds of extreme situations, including the 'city-state becoming a vision.'"
"The arrival of the Grand Storm Cathedral may be to aid us through this challenging time," said Dante, "although Her Holiness did not explicitly mention it."
"Her Holiness has her own reasons - not to mention that the information she shares with the outside world is guided by the gods..."
As her uncle and the elderly archbishop conversed, Vanna's attention gradually shifted away from them. She gazed at the Boundless Sea in the distance, waiting for the towering cathedral to appear in her line of sight.
The appointed time was almost upon them, but there was no indication of the astonishing colossal ship on the serene sea.
However, in the next moment, the corner of Vanna's eye suddenly caught a glimpse of the distorted scene on the sea's surface.
The seawater swirled, the sky quivered, and the light reflecting on the sea abruptly rippled, transforming into layers of cloud-like curtains. A massive structure nearly the size of the entire port area suddenly materialized on the sea's surface as if it had directly traversed dimensions to appear in Vanna's field of vision!
It had not yet fully manifested, still exhibiting a faint, illusory quality at this moment. However, the overwhelming presence had already swept over, leaving the soul stunned.
Despite being the city-state's inquisitor, this was Vanna's first time witnessing this ark-like giant ship with her own eyes.
In an instant, emotions of excitement, joy, and admiration welled up within her.
She subconsciously held her breath, then glanced to her side.
The high-ranking officials of the city hall eagerly awaited the arrival, and Archbishop Valentine and her uncle stared intently into the distance with wide eyes.
Was it the immense astonishment and awe that made them momentarily forget to make a sound? She didn't know, nor could she ask.
After another two or three seconds, Archbishop Valentine's eyes lit up. He raised his staff high and forcefully struck it down, the sound of the staff's end hitting the ground echoing like a thunderclap throughout the entire dock square.
"Praise the name of the Storm!"
The high-ranking priests gathered near the pier echoed in unison, "Praise the name of the Storm!"
The salute cannons boomed, followed by majestic music, and cheers thundered throughout the harbor, creating a fervent atmosphere wherever they were heard!
Vanna looked towards the sea beyond the harbor, noticing that the previously swirling seawater and the shimmering light had subsided. The majestic Grand Storm Cathedral had removed all of its camouflage and was slowly approaching the coast of Pland.
The gathered crowd was ecstatic.
Loud prayers and cheers filled the air - even the uninformed children in the crowd were excited. Along with the sound of the salute cannons and music, the noise was deafening.
On the roof of a tower near the wharf area, Duncan, who had stepped out from the flaming doorway, quietly observed the bustling celebration scene and the enormous cathedral ark, which was beyond the concept of a "ship," making it difficult to comprehend how it could function.
Nina and Shirley were extremely excited at the side, debating the structure of the cathedral ark - the former basing her arguments on the mechanical knowledge she learned in school, while the latter fully utilized her imagination and unwavering confidence in her inventions.
Alice seemed a bit nervous, having never seen such a colossal moving object on the sea. When the steam pipes on the side of the cathedral ark suddenly released pressure and a loud steam whistle pierced the sky, she instinctively covered her head.
Duncan's gaze moved slowly between the gathered crowd on the pier and the towering three-tiered spire of the cathedral ark. Then, closing his eyes and opening them to refocus his perception, he discovered countless gray phantom-like figures extending from the Grand Storm Cathedral like invisible tentacles or floating ribbons of smoke. These floating shadows spread from every door, window, and mechanical crevice of the cathedral ark, enveloping half of Pland's sky like a rolling, dark cloud.
Unbeknownst to the crowds, the smoke swept over the people and buildings, gently brushing over the cheering heads like some enormous creature that had just entered this realm from the unknown.
"What are these shadows? What are these intangible tentacles emanating from the Grand Storm Cathedral?"
Duncan's eyes gradually became more serious as the immense question formed in his heart. He instinctively reached out towards the space beyond the platform as if trying to grasp one of the illusions.
At the same time, a gray, smoke-like phantom drifted over, slowly approaching his palm.
The smoke gathered slightly, wrapping around Duncan's fingers. In the next moment, he actually felt a faintly cool sensation, as if he had touched some tangible entity!
Then, the gray "tentacle" jolted and quickly withdrew, leaving only a cold, hollow touch behind.