Chapter 735: Subtle Changes Unfolding

In the deep expanse of space, the distant stars appeared as a static backdrop, swiftly moving past the edges of their field of vision as Alice guided them through. Meanwhile, Shirley, who had reverted to her original human form, and Dog, her constant companion, were absorbed in thought. They silently observed the interplay of light and shadows outside, a scene illuminated by the flickering flames.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly until Duncan's voice unexpectedly broke the silence, reaching Shirley's ears. "What's on your mind?" he inquired.

Caught off guard, Shirley blinked, her eyes glowing a demonic, blood-red hue. In a hushed tone, she confessed, "I just had a thought... I used to believe the Nether Lord was a monstrous, evil deity... Completely unhinged and malevolent, the worst sort imaginable..."

Duncan studied Shirley for a brief moment before looking away. "If you were to confront him now, alone, you'd likely perceive him just as you described. His voice would be incomprehensible to your mind, and you'd only witness his insanity and chaos - much like with other 'gods'. What you 'saw' of the Nether Lord today was actually through my eye," he explained.

Shirley nodded in understanding. "I get it, Dog had told me about this after your encounter with the popes of the four churches. It's cognitive deviation, right?"

Duncan simply nodded in response, falling silent. After a pause, he suddenly asked, "Do you think I should have accepted the 'Nether Lord's' offer?"

Shirley was momentarily taken aback, not fully grasping his question at first. "...Huh?"

Duncan continued, his gaze soft yet intense. "If I had accepted, the world you dream of could have been realized almost instantly. A world without demons harming people, no one disappearing into shadows, the sun rising and setting each day, the fog not engulfing people... The world you long for, where everyone can live safely, could be achieved if I took control of the sanctuary. It might last a thousand years, maybe ten thousand, or even longer. Once I assume control, every city-state will be as secure as Pland and Frost are now, and even the nights will be peaceful. As long as my flame burns, the Boundless Sea will remain tranquil, until all resources are depleted, and the sanctuary reaches its original lifespan limit... That was the ultimate lifespan the Nether Lord had planned but never actualized."

After a moment of reflection, Shirley responded softly, "And then... everyone would eventually die, wouldn't they?"

Duncan met her gaze calmly. "But that would be far in the future. Even if you were to live as long as a typical shadow demon, by then, you'd have no regrets left."

Shirley sank into a deeper silence, pondering seriously. Dog remained quietly by her side, its thoughts a mystery.

"Actually..." Shirley finally broke the prolonged silence, her voice reflecting a mix of contemplation and uncertainty. "I don't fully grasp it, to be honest. The Nether Lord's idea seems quite solid to me. A sanctuary that's safe, even if it's not forever. Isn't that worthwhile? I don't dream of grand things; to live out our final days in peace and security seems enough, doesn't it? After all, where else is there for us to go?"

In a soft, introspective tone, Duncan replied, "Yes, there's nowhere else to go. Because this world is confined to the Boundless Sea, limited to these floating city-states, and restricted to this small space enveloped in fog... But Shirley, the true 'world' shouldn't be this constrained. This is merely a... small, narrow paper box."

Shirley listened, trying to comprehend his words, her understanding partial. Meanwhile, with the faint clinking of its chains, Dog interjected, "Like you said, this cramped box can't contain the breadth of 'possibilities', right?"

"It's far too confined. The Boundless Sea is restricted, and so is the 'lifespan' of several thousand or tens of thousands of years. For the myriad civilizations destroyed in the Great Annihilation, this tiny box can only accommodate a fraction of their remnants, and even the sanctuary's limited lifespan isn't sufficient for them to reconstruct their lost history... This is not a 'new home', do you see? If the 'world' before the Great Annihilation was akin to vast, thriving forests, then our current Boundless Sea is merely a small potted plant. The aftermath of the first three long nights was merely transplanting a few surviving flora from the forest into this pot, pretending the forest still exists. But no matter how much you water and nurture it, it will never grow into a forest again. It will always remain just a potted plant, and even a minor mishap could destroy it completely."

"So, you turned down His proposal because you realized it was a dead end," Dog stated slowly, processing the information. "You already have another solution in mind, don't you?"

Duncan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he lowered his head, silently contemplating his hands.

As he blinked, in those first 0.002 seconds of darkness, he visualized a universe of twinkling stars, the resplendent galaxy shining in the vastness of space, and the immense star-forming nebulae, like a magnificent curtain unfurled across the cosmos.

Even after leaving that cave, he could still glimpse those "different vistas" in the brief darkness of each blink.

Duncan was aware of some transformation occurring within him. The emergence of these previously unseen visions in his sight was just one aspect of this change. But as for when exactly this transformation began, he was uncertain. But Duncan was acutely aware that as long as he kept pursuing the truth and continued to delve into the mysteries within himself, this transformation would persist, evolving and accelerating with each discovery...

He wasn't sure if he was ready for what lay ahead, but he also knew there was no luxury of time for preparation. Just as Navigator One had pointed out, neither he nor this world had any time to spare.

Finally, the ephemeral dance of distant starlight drew to its conclusion as they exited the special tunnel.

....

In a burst of vivid imagery, a field of flowers erupted, forming a vibrant illusion. In the midst of this, Lucretia's short baton gently descended in her hand, releasing a few clear, crisp notes amidst the blossoming flowers. The fear demons, engulfed by the sea of flowers, silently turned into drifting ashes.

Nearby, amidst the hiss of pressurized pipes and the resounding clang of metal, Morris delivered a powerful punch to a dark hound charging towards him, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness. "These demons lack any respect for knowledge and wisdom. Fortunately, I still have a few punches and kicks up my sleeve."

"The number of demons is on the rise," Lucretia observed gravely, her gaze fixed on the black gate that continued to expand and contract. A rare look of fatigue crossed her face as she added, "This rift is widening. More demons are becoming aware of this place. The entire island is sinking into the ocean."

Morris's voice resonated with a metallic timbre characteristic of vibrating reeds, "The captain should have returned by now. Considering the commotion above, Vanna might demolish the entire valley if he doesn't show up soon."

Lucretia, slightly frowning, listened to the continuous, deep sounds emanating from the cave's dome. She shook her head slightly, "It's unlikely that Miss Vanna is responsible for this. The noises seem to be originating from Holy Island itself... It's about to be 'awakened' again."

Before Morris could respond, a brilliant green flame erupted from the fluctuating black gate. In a split second, the flame burst forth, transforming into a swirling fire door on the cave floor. Then, several figures emerged from the gate, led by the captain's familiar and authoritative voice: "That's correct, this place is about to 'wake up' again—notify everyone, evacuate the Holy Island, our mission here is complete."

Lucretia, initially startled, quickly grasped the situation. Without wasting time on formalities, she nodded in agreement, "Alright, Papa!" Immediately, she began efficiently marshaling her toy soldier troops.

After saluting the captain, Morris turned and noticed Shirley and Dog standing nearby. Catching sight of Shirley's blood-red eyes, reminiscent of a shadow demon, his own eyes widened in surprise: "Shirley, what happened to you...?"

Shirley's eyes widened in astonishment, even more so than Morris's, as she stared at the esteemed scholar in his metallic state. After a lengthy, stunned silence, she finally managed to exclaim, "Old man, how in the world did you transform into that form?"

Duncan, too, gazed at Morris with a hint of surprise, nodding subtly in acknowledgment of the transformation: "...Quite a unique form indeed."

It was then that Morris seemed to realize he was still in his metallic state. He quickly focused his mind, silently reciting Lahem's prayer and invoking a divine spell to reverse his condition. The copper-like texture that had enveloped his body began to fade, astonishingly replaced by flesh and blood. The complex machinery within him - gears, bearings, pumps, and copper tubing - transformed back into human organs. Ruby focusers that had taken the place of his eyes retracted, and his human eyes returned. Blinking to readjust, he removed an intricate and complex brass mechanism from within himself, then smiled and nodded, "...The power of knowledge."

Shirley looked on, completely dumbfounded. "...You and the captain never mentioned that the power of knowledge involved this when you were teaching me?"

In such a brief span, Shirley's understanding of the phrases "knowledge changes fate" and "the power of knowledge" had been utterly redefined. It was an interpretation she would likely never forget for the rest of her life.

Suddenly, a strange whistling and murmuring sound filled the cave.

The writhing, undulating black gate stirred once more, and new demons began to emerge into the real world through this rift. Sinister skeletons, adorned with numerous limbs and tentacles, squeezed out from the gate's writhing surface, crawling and wriggling towards them in the cave!

Lucretia instinctively raised her short baton, ready to act, but before she could, Duncan gestured towards the gate and commanded, "Go back."

The sinister skeletons and their numerous limbs and tentacles began to hastily and chaotically retreat back through the gate.

"And close the door behind you," Duncan added with an air of authority.

The previously expanding and contracting "black gate" gradually calmed and stabilized.

Lucretia stood in silence, momentarily lost for words.

Duncan then turned his head, signaling to the Sea Witch to snap out of her daze: "Let's go, we still have much to do."