Ashes Of Deep Sea
Chapter 750 - Chapter 750 Chapter 747 Sunset

Chapter 750: Chapter 747 Sunset Chapter 750: Chapter 747 Sunset Seventy-two hours later, this prolonged sunset was gradually drawing to a close. At the edge of the Endless Sea, the brilliant orb of the sun now remained only as a thin golden rim and parts of the Rune Circle still lingered above the water surface. Amidst the cloud refractions, the twilight’s splendor grew even more magnificent, yet also increasingly dim.

The people of this world had no time to admire the beauty of the sunset–the grandeur of the twilight meant only the approach of night to most, and now, the entire world was slowly stepping into what might be the longest night in history.

In Moco City-State, two steam-powered walkers adorned with the emblem of the Academy of Truth strolled through the streets. Armed Knowledge Guardians accompanied the walkers on either side, scanning the street conditions while urging citizens to head home quickly, as the dwindling Sky Light stretched the shadows of the warriors and spider robots long and wavering, blending into the shadows between the streets and adjacent buildings.

In Cold Harbor, the last transfer of supplies had ended, and notices of temporary metro station closures echoed through each station. Guardians sealed off all doors leading to underground facilities and guarded various entrances–during sunset, sacred steam and incense would be injected into the pipes, purifying the entirety of the City-State’s underground, after which the metro would reopen, but operate strictly according to a new timetable and safety protocols.

After all, the night might last for one to two months; the City-State could not completely halt for such a long period. During this seventy-two-hour “preparation period” of dusk, the administrators and scholars of the City-State had devised a new “timetable” and safety system to maintain the city’s basic functions as much as possible during the prolonged night.

This new timetable and safety system had not undergone any practical tests nor had there been time for more thorough discussions–each City-State would test the feasibility of their “night plan” amid the prolonged darkness before the sun rose again.

Meanwhile, in distant Rensa, gunfire momentarily disturbed the city’s tranquility, nearly piercing through the tightly strung nerves of its people–here Sun Cultists seized the opportunity, influencing the highly anxious citizens with claims that the True Sun God would be reborn in the night, leading their misled followers to set fires in the Lower City District and attempt to seize the churches on the outskirts of the City-State.

The chaos was swiftly suppressed. The Firekeeper from the Fire Transmitter Church took immediate control of the situation, but the tension within the City-State had risen…

…

Mechanical spiders, extending their long limbs, walked through the mottled ancient streets of the City-State. A broadcast device mounted on the walkers’ heads emitted somewhat distorted sounds that echoed through the lanes:

“Attention, citizens… Thirty minutes remain until sunset. Please return to your homes promptly… The new curfew will last for twelve hours, followed by a provisional city operating timetable…

“… Steam, electricity, and gas will be supplied as usual, workers holding permits can pass through checkpoints… Various night shelters will remain open long-term, until sunrise…

“Citizens are obliged to assist in monitoring the city’s infrastructure… Should you notice streetlights going out or a disruption in the steam supply, please report immediately to the nearest church or security booth…

“… If unusual shadows appear in your home, or you hear strange noises from underground, seek help immediately from the Knowledge Guardians on the streets…

“Please remain calm, relaxed– we are experiencing a peculiar anomaly. The City-State has the strength to protect everyone. Please live according to the new timetable and safety rules to maintain your physical and mental health…”

The broadcast faded gradually into the distance, becoming a vague, distorted whisper of wind. Outside the window of the harbor inn, gas lamps were already lit, their solitary lights dispelling the malevolent darkness and illuminating the empty streets–save for the occasional patrolling guardian crossing the alley, no other pedestrian figures were visible.

It was hard to imagine that just a few days ago, this place was bustling with traffic and teeming with crowds.

Lawrence withdrew his gaze from the window, exhaled softly, and began to write lines of text in his diary–

“xx year x month x day, we are still docked at the port of Phaelon, this City-State has already prepared for the coming night, and now the sun is about to disappear over the sea…

“My crew members are not fearful; instead, they feel a daring excitement, blessed by Homeloss, believing they possess sufficient strength to face anything–this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“Phaelon is not a very wealthy City-State, but its conditions are passable. Everyone is trying their best to comfort those around them and figure out ways to stock up for the night… Before dinner, the innkeeper told me he had secured enough fuel and had stocked the storage with emergency food and medicine, enough to sustain us even if the curfew is extended…

“This City-State, near the southwestern border, seems accustomed to such ‘restlessness.’ No one knows what will happen next. People here avoid discussing the worst possibilities and instead devote all their energy to current life–a commendable quality that allows Phaelon to withstand greater pressures than the more prosperous City-States in the central sea…

“Yet, I worry about other things–the sealed entities on the ship, things sealed within the City-State.

“And those ships that are still sailing in the distant seas, even after exhausting all efforts to return, still couldn’t reach the port in time–the sun is about to set, and perhaps many captains and sailors still linger on the Endless Sea. From the midpoint of the southwest route, it takes at least seven days to reach the nearest City-State, and the situation on the remote routes is even worse… In the persisting darkness, no one knows what changes may occur in this sea…”

A chilled breeze brushed past Lawrence’s ear, and he paused his writing, sighing softly.

He lifted his head and looked towards the window facing the harbor area, his gaze stretching past the docks where two large cargo ships appeared on the distant sea horizon, honking while approaching the shoreline–several small speedboats bearing the church’s insignia darted out of the dock like arrows, heading towards the two ships requesting to dock, ready for necessary boarding inspections and port blessings.

In the corner of the window, a blurred figure emerged from the surface of the glass and waved at Lawrence, who was looking into the distance.

“Two more ships have docked, and they are big ones,” Lawrence whispered, “the docks at Pharun are nearly filled.”

“In the past seventy-two hours, ships equivalent to four times the usual number docked at Pharun, more than half of which came seeking ‘refuge,'” said the blurry figure on the window, its voice carrying an ethereal tremble, “They’re the lucky ones; those who couldn’t return in time don’t know what to do yet.”

“… Ships on long voyages all have small chapels and priests aboard, but these measures are meant for normal nights,” Lawrence sighed, shaking his head, “Sunset plus twenty-four hours, that’s the last deadline given by the Port Authority for normal docking. After that time, ships that return are not allowed to approach the City-State directly–they’ve stayed too long in the night, and it’s no longer safe.”

“… The same ‘treatment’ happened to the White Oak,” Martha said, “I remember you mentioned it was after the first encounter with Homeloss.”

Lawrence shrugged but didn’t say anything.

Martha was silent for a while before speaking again, “… If the sun continues to operate this way, people will eventually adapt. The chaos is temporary, just like those City-States that survived the Dark Age, they found new methods to continue after the collapse of the old kingdoms–as long as we survive, life always finds a way.”

Lawrence knew these weren’t words Martha would typically say–she was a distinguished female explorer and captain, not a philosopher.

But still, he felt a trace of solace and warmth in her words.

“You’re right, Martha,” he nodded gently, “there will always be a way…”

Up in the lofty sky, the pale Creation of the World was gradually appearing behind the clouds, the thinning sunlight slowly retracting from the sea surface, and a hazy mist had appeared at some point, undulating with the sea.

The towering prow of Homeloss cut through the waves, sailing into the distance through the evening mist, its tall masts carrying semi-translucent spiritual sails that bellied without wind. The Brilliant Starship followed closely nearby, its semi-real body undulating in the waves, as if it might plunge into another dimension at any moment.

The latest news from Light Breeze Harbor–the last civilian cargo ship that could return before sunset had already docked at the pier. The City-State navy was setting up outposts and navigational marks in the surrounding waters, and they were moving a mobile harbor equipped with high-powered steam cores and church facilities to the sea between the City-State and the “Luminous Geometric Body”. Afterward, ships returning to the City-State would have to dock at this temporary port, undergo strict inspection and quarantine before being allowed to approach the City-State.

Duncan stood on the forecastle deck, listening to Morris recount the situation from Light Breeze Harbor and nodded slightly, “Lawrence is currently in Pharun City-State. He mentioned that they have given a twenty-four-hour window for ships returning after nightfall. After the window closes, returnees must also stay at the temporary dock near the City-State for inspection and quarantine.”

“Every City-State is devising different response plans according to their own situation and experience, but no one knows which plan will be the most effective,” Fenna said from the side, “But regardless, most City-States should be able to safely see the sunrise just with their stockpiled supplies. What’s really worrying… is the future.”

Duncan remained silent, deep in thought.

After a while, he suddenly asked, “What about the sightings from the ‘End Times Survey Team’?”

“Just as you expected–there have also been sporadic sighting reports from other parts of the world,” Fenna nodded, “I have confirmed this with Helena. She mentioned that starting several days ago, there have been at least five incidents within the influence of the Deep Sea Church where ‘phantoms seeming from another timeline abruptly appeared.’ And after verification, three of those are highly likely to be the End Times Survey Team conducting observations at the end of time.”

Duncan pondered for a moment, then nodded faintly.

And in the corner of his eye, the last streak of twilight finally vanished over the sea.

Night had fallen.