Deep Sea Embers

The Petrel stopped.

When this terrifying charger stopped, it had almost turned into a pile of fragments under the continuous bombardment of artillery fire. The original hull structure had long been gone, and even a complete deck or building debris could not be found. The torn hull and internal contents spread like a splash on the sea. Black mud floated slowly and spread among the fragmented wreckage. The remaining flames burned between these fragments, creating a thick and dirty smoke. Rolling and rising.

The path that the Petrel once charged was covered with strange mud-like substances - the ominous black outline of a strip of more than ten nautical miles in the seawater, as if some kind of soft-bodied creature had crawled ashore. It's like the disgusting mucus left behind, slowly floating and rising on the sea surface with the wind and waves, and it doesn't disperse for a long time.

The roar of the coastal defense artillery stopped, and the strong smell of gunpowder smoke filled the entire coastline. Lister stared intently at the burning wreckage on the sea in the distance. It took him a long time to be sure that the thing had really stopped completely, and he hesitated to break the silence. :it's over?

····It may be just the beginning. Agatha's voice was slightly hoarse, and a pale light flashed through her eyes from time to time. Even though the Haiyan had stopped moving, she was still uneasily observing the scene in the spiritual world. To confirm whether there is anything in the wreckage moving towards the city-state. Don't forget that the problem occurred after the Haiyan returned from Dagger Island.

Liszt's expression became very ugly.

When was the last time news came back from that island?

Just a few hours ago, the telegraph message stated that everything was normal on the island, Liszt frowned, and there was always no problem with the church's spiritual communication.

····Block the Dagger Island, Mr. Colonel, from now on, don’t let any news come from this island, Agatha exhaled slightly, I will return to the cathedral now to confirm the further blockade order. It will be issued soon.

Thanks for your help, Ms. Agatha.

Everything is for the peace of the city, Agatha said softly, reciting a short motto from the Holy Book of Death, and everything is in order.

What is this sound? Morris held his head a little nervously and looked at Duncan helplessly. Was it thunder?

Duncan had a thoughtful expression on his face. The first thing he thought of was the report letter he handed over to the old guard. The next thing he thought of was the direction of Dagger Island - he was really beaten by him. Got it?

Thunderous sounds came from far away, one after another, even louder than the last. Judging from the direction of the sound, it seemed to be far away from the coast on the east side of the city-state.

Duncan raised his head and looked at the sky in the direction of the sound, and vaguely saw clouds rising over there.

The soldiers running back and forth on the port and the black oil stains spreading on the sea were reflected in its eyes that were slightly dancing with green fire.

It sounded like the movement of a giant cannon, but Duncan's expression on the other side changed slightly. Coast defense artillery?

What happened? Why was there a volley of coastal defense artillery fire...

Duncan retracted his gaze from the distance and nodded slightly to Alice and Vanna. There was an invasion, but he was still stopped by the Frostman.

Alice's face changed slightly: Invasion? !

If the guess is correct, the Frost people from Dagger Island should now realize the seriousness of the problem. It should not be so easy to think of things on this island, but Duncan's tone is quite calm. Now Tirian also Coming near Dagger Island, his sea fog fleet will further tighten the mood of the Frost authorities - no matter what, when the entire city is aware of the martial law, the Annihilation cultists hiding in the city will definitely take action. It will be much easier to find them at this time.

Alice was stuck for a moment, as if she was thinking carefully about whether the combined number of words she and Ai knew was greater than that of Agou. At this moment, the faint roar that kept coming from the distance finally gradually faded away. cease.

Duncan listened to the sounds in the distance.

The sound stopped...

Don't worry about it for now,

After such a long period of adjustment and adaptation, the connection between him and Vanna is now much closer and clearer than at the beginning. When her attention is concentrated enough, she can even share Vanna's vision and some other perceptions. And using Fanna as a springboard, part of the power can be transmitted without moving the main body.

Duncan didn't speak, but used the vague spiritual connection to perceive the situation that Vanna detected in the distance.

In the eastern port area of ​​​​Frost, a chubby white pigeon is standing on a tower, one of its round eyes looking at the smoky sea, and the other looking at the port.

The sound of flapping wings suddenly sounded, and an inconspicuous-looking fat pigeon flapped its wings and took off from the shadow of the building next to it, flying quickly into the distance.

Don't worry, I asked Vanna to check the situation, Duncan said, then raised his head and looked at the house in front of him that seemed to be a little old, and continued to talk about the situation of this house.

It was indeed the right choice to arrange for Alice and Vanna to solve the problem of accommodation - it was something that no one else on the ship could handle.

This house is No. 44 Oak Street, next door is Hearth Street. The landlord has another residence on Hearth Street and will not disturb him on weekdays. There is a path connecting the two blocks, and the cathedral is located on the large road between the two blocks. In the square, some distance away from here, Vanna took out the key from her pocket and opened the door, followed closely by Duncan and Maurice.

Duncan listened to the old gentleman's careful introduction and at the same time looked at the temporary residence in front of him.

Entering the door is the entrance hall where you can take off your shoes and change clothes, and then there is a pretty good living room. The walls are covered with slightly yellowish light texture wallpaper. The dining room is connected to the living room. Another bedroom is located next to the dining room, leading to the second floor. The stairs are facing the door, and it seems that most of the bedrooms are on the second floor.

It's not an exquisite residence, but it's more than enough as a temporary residence - it's even a little more spacious than the two-story building in Puland that functions as both a shop and a residence.

This is a single-family building with typical characteristics of a northern city-state. The gray-white exterior wall is slightly smooth and coated with porous mortar with excellent heat retention. The house has two floors, with relatively spacious windows. There are wall lamps and mailbox openings next to the black door. , its roof is high and steep, covered with black tiles to facilitate snow melting and falling off, and steam and gas pipes extend from thick pipes above the block and are sent into the building along the gables.

Alice on the side immediately coughed twice and continued the annoying introduction that had just been interrupted - although the faint roar from the distance continued, but since the captain was so calm, there was obviously nothing to worry about: this house is Fanna and I picked out two rental houses - the other three were either too close to the city center and inconvenient to move around, or the house itself was in too poor condition to be suitable for living. Although this one is also old. A little, but the landlord has maintained the house very well and it's quite clean inside.

We have a short-term lease, and the average daily rent is more expensive than a long-term lease, but you can check out at any time. We have paid half a month's rent temporarily - Duncan and I have met the landlord, who is relatively easy to talk to and knowledgeable. A well-educated lady, she generously sent me some daily necessities after learning about my status as a traveling scholar.

The floor is slightly loose when stepped on, making a slight creaking sound symbolizing the passage of time. The simple tables and chairs glow in the sun, and there is not much dust. A bouquet of brightly colored flowers can be seen on the dining room table. One is obviously a fake flower made of cloth or plastic.

This was also sent by the landlord. It is said to be the rule here in Hanshuang. The landlord prepares a bouquet of flowers that will not wither in winter for the new tenant, which indicates good wishes.

...But every place has wonderful rules. Duncan said with a slight smile, this place is not bad...and it is far away from the main road, so it should be quieter.

Half an hour later.

The corner of Duncan's mouth suddenly trembled: ...Ai may indeed be complaining about boredom, but I guess its purpose is not to come to the city to do homework.

As he spoke, he raised his head and looked towards the second floor: It seemed that he had brought Nina and Ai over to do their homework, and they did not complain about having nothing to do on the boat.

Chatted.

Duncan's face was expressionless: I didn't praise you - it's not something to be proud of that you and Ai combined can't know more words than a dog.

Morris, who was not as strong as Alice, scratched his hair and showed a harmless smile: Hehe...

Duncan waved his hand: It doesn't matter, you should work hard - now Agou can even roughly read the newspaper, and Aiyi is still struggling with the spelling of twelve common vegetables. I am deeply worried about your future, if you continue like this You can't even catch up with Alice.

At that moment, a knock on the door suddenly sounded, interrupting the conversation outside the living room.

Duncan looked at the door in surprise.

Have guests just moved in?

I went to open the door. Alice said something and walked to the door. After opening the door, she made a surprised sound, "Are you..."

A little girl wearing a thick black coat and a woolen hat was standing at the door.