Ashes Of Deep Sea
Chapter 602 - Chapter 602 Chapter 601 The Growth of The Dream of the

Chapter 602: Chapter 601: The Growth of The Dream of the Nameless Chapter 602: Chapter 601: The Growth of The Dream of the Nameless It was as if only after Lucrescia’s reminder did Taran El suddenly realize the discordance in his environment. He turned his head in astonishment to look out the window, and after staring at the luxuriant tree that blocked most of the sunlight for quite some time, his face changed, and he quickly walked toward the window.

Standing at the window and gazing out at the tree, a look of confusion spread across his face. He still seemed unable to determine whether his memory or the reality before him was at fault. After a moment, he finally came to a realization, and immediately shook his head, “No, there was no such tree.”

The Scholar said, raising his hand toward the roof opposite the tree, “Remember when the sun went out? I jumped out of this window, landed on the roof opposite–there definitely was no such obstruction by a tree then.”

Lucrescia also approached the window, looking down at the base of the great tree–she saw it rooted in a corner of the courtyard, its location oddly conspicuous, yet some of its roots were exposed above the soil, merging with the nearby steps and the ground as if it had been rooted there for a long time.

She turned back and saw the serious expression on Taran El’s face.

“The Dream of the Nameless is still growing, my lady,” the Scholar broke the silence, his tone serious and low, “Some parts of it… can now spread into the real world during the daytime.”

“It’s not just spreading, master,” Lucrescia reminded him, “If I hadn’t mentioned it, you might not even have noticed the anomaly of this tree by now–and even I only realized that something was wrong after such a long time. Remember? The tree was already outside the window when I walked into this room.”

Taran El didn’t speak. He just looked out the window solemnly at the nameless tree that had taken root in the real world, at the distant streets and rooftops, at the entire City-State within his view.

“People find it hard to notice the strangeness of Dreamscape while dreaming… The subconscious rationalizes all the bizarre events in dreams to prevent us from being scared to death by our own dreams,” after what felt like an eternity of silence, the Scholar finally turned, “The boundary between reality and Dreamscape is blurring, my lady. Perhaps soon, the whole of Light Breeze Harbor may never wake up, and nobody knows if the City-State will exist or in what form… We must stop the Dream of the Nameless from continuing to grow.”

“Take your materials and a clear mind, gather your thoughts, and seek out Governor Sala Mel. He needs help now,” said Lucrescia, “You should probably also meet with Ted, that Truth Confidant is likely at his wit’s end as well.”

“I will set out immediately,” Taran El immediately said, but couldn’t help but glance at Lucrescia again, “… And what about you?”

This “witch” was not from Light Breeze Harbor, but she was clearly now intervening in the matter. Based on Taran El’s understanding of Lucrescia, she surely wouldn’t stand by idly at a critical moment.

“I have no fewer things to attend to,” Lucrescia waved her hand, her silhouette already starting to blur at the edges, “The Dream of the Nameless will reappear, and I must prepare for tonight–and besides, my sights are set on more than just Light Breeze Harbor.”

With those words, before Taran El could react, the figure of the witch Miss transformed suddenly into colorful confetti, whirling away in a gust of wind that spontaneously arose and danced out of the room.

At the harbor area, on the upper deck of the Brilliant Starship moored along the quay, the swirling colorful confetti twisted into the cabin and reassembled into the figure of the sea witch.

An ironclad sailor, cobbled together from scrap iron, bolts, and water pipes, immediately stepped forward with a squeaking, creaking step, bowing to the captain, “Mistress, Mr. Terian is looking for you. He called an hour ago.”

“I know, I felt it,” Lucresia quickly said. “Go find some helpers, move all the photo and video equipment from the storage to the deck, aim it at the docks of Light Breeze Harbor, set the timer, and record the changes in Light Breeze Harbor after nine o’clock tonight. Go.”

The ironclad sailor immediately bent over, “Yes, Mistress.”

As the rusty sailor left, the squeaking and creaking of his steps faded into the distance. Lucresia frowned, glanced at his retreating figure, and muttered softly, “It needs oiling…”

Then she shook her head, stepped forward to the Crystal Ball, and waved her hand to light up the crystal.

After a moment of patient waiting, Terian’s figure appeared in the Crystal Ball.

“It looks like you’re also very busy,” Terian immediately spoke as soon as they met. “Is the situation in Light Breeze Harbor still deteriorating?”

“Today, I saw a tree outside Taran El’s laboratory, a tree that ‘grew’ from the Dreamscape into the real world,” Lucresia said calmly, “This City-State is gradually falling into The Dream of the Nameless, or The Dream of the Nameless is slowly ‘surfacing’ from the real world–either way, the problems here are indeed getting worse. But let’s talk about your side first. You sent a message so early in the morning; it seems that what I was worried about still happened.”

“Three cases of ‘sleeping sickness’ have been reported in the elf community near Cemetery No. 2,” Terian didn’t beat around the bush. “Three elves are in a comatose state and no other diseases can be detected, closely resembling the case that appeared in Plunder City-State you mentioned before. However, the difference is that this time, the psychic doctors’ hypnosis and Dreamscape intervention methods are ineffective.”

“Hypnosis and Dreamscape interventions ineffective…”

“Yes, according to the psychic doctors’ report, the conditions of those three elves are very much like ‘dreamless’–you should be aware of this particular ‘congenital defect’ among elves,” Terian nodded. “The psychic doctors can’t find the entrance to the dreams of the three ‘patients’; their minds seem to have fallen into an endless void, already disappeared from the real world… If all awakening methods are ineffective, then we can only rely on nutritional sustenance to maintain their vital signs for now.”

Lucresia’s brow furrowed tighter, and she didn’t speak for a while, lost in thought.

Terian’s voice continued to come through, “I’m not worried about the situation now; three comatose patients won’t put too much pressure on the City-State. But what concerns me is if the situation continues to develop–Frost is located at the northern border, and elves have always been fond of the borderlands. There are thousands of registered elves in this City-State, distributed throughout various districts. If this ‘slumber’ spreads rapidly, then Frost, which has just barely stabilized, may face another challenge.”

“I know, but you’d better prepare yourself mentally,” Lucresia finally said. “Dad’s trying to find the source of The Dream of the Nameless, but it takes time–from what you’ve mentioned, the influence of this Dreamscape doesn’t seem limited to Light Breeze Harbor, but directly affects the ‘elf’ race…There are indications that it points to the elves’ original faith, involving ancient gods; you should know how troublesome that is.”

Terian’s mouth twitched visibly, and after several seconds of silence, he spoke cautiously, “If, I mean if, in the worst-case scenario, you really have to confront an uncontrollable ancient god over there, one that isn’t a Scion of the Sun or a Replication from the deep sea but a deity trapped in race memory… do you think Father…”

Lucresia knew what her elder brother was trying to say.

They hadn’t worried about their father in many years–or rather, they used to, but it was an entirely different kind of concern.

Now, discussing the matter felt somewhat unfamiliar to them.

After several seconds, Lucresia finally let out a gentle sigh, “I’ll cheer him on and then stand back to watch.”

Tyrion: “…”

“What else?” Lucresia glanced at the Crystal Ball that showed her brother, “Like you, rush in and get casually beaten up by Dad? How many poisonous mushrooms would I have to eat to even consider stepping into a battle of that caliber?”

Tyrion’s expression was quite subtle: “…I know, but can you please not always bring up the time father beat me up…”

“Like the time he discovered you watching those erotic dances.”

“…let’s change the subject.”

Lucresia casually ended the communication.

The sea witch’s face bore a pleased expression.

Her brother seemed to be in good spirits on the other end; that was good.

She sat in front of the Crystal Ball for a while, organizing her thoughts before raising her hand to tap the surface of the Crystal Ball again.

“Rabi, I know you’re listening.”

A faint light flickered deep within the Crystal Ball, and after a moment, Rabi’s sharp, child-like voice emerged, “Mistress~ Shh~ Rabi is on a secret mission…”

“It looks like you’ve found their hiding place,” Lucresia spoke calmly, “Are you able to confirm which City-State it is?”

“It doesn’t seem to be a City-State,” the faint light in the Crystal Ball gradually fluctuated, and Rabi’s voice sounded rather smug, “Peeking through their memories, this place appears to be a ship…”

“A ship?”

“Mhm~ these Heretics have made a ship,” Rabi proclaimed proudly in a dragging, irritating tone, “There’s a smell of blood everywhere~~!”

Lucresia paused, not minding Rabi’s intentionally annoying tone, but her face slowly revealed a pleasant surprise–

Rabi had found one of the Heretics’ sea bases?!

…

Waves lashed against the ship’s hull, steam from the pressure valves hissed within the compartment dividers, and from the direction of the engine room came noises that caused great unrest– the gaunt man sat up from the bed, his already dour mood darkening his gloomy face even further.

He sat on the bed in a daze for a while, then casually picked up the cup beside him and drained its contents.

Last night’s operation had not gone smoothly. The carefully planned strategy was interrupted by an unexpected turn of events; the girl who was operating with the Abyssal Hound suddenly unleashed a terrifying and bizarre power from within her body. In an instant, she destroyed those Scions of the Sun–something no one had anticipated.

The terror and pressure brought on by those wildly spreading flames still haunted the hearts of the church brethren who were close to the scene.

With a sigh, the grim man put down his cup and rose from the bed.

Resting in the room all morning had not alleviated the pressure. Perhaps it was time to check on the others.

He shook his head, gathered his thoughts while standing by the bed, then turned to walk toward the door.

But just then, something caught his eye in his peripheral vision, and his steps involuntarily halted.

He bent down to look at the clump of white, fluffy material at the end of the bed–

“Cotton?”