Chapter 245: 'There’s a big problem”

Chapter 245 “There’s a big problem”

Duncan fell silent as he pondered.

This was the first time Goathead had shared so much about the secrets of subspace with him, and it was also the most candid conversation they had ever had.

Before today, the wooden gargoyle sculpture had always shown great reluctance towards the topic and always diverted the subject over his indirect inquiries. The main reason was related to the Vanished’s stability and the stability of “Captain Duncan.” Yet, things changed today – the attitude had softened after he entered the other side and returned unharmed.

After pondering for a long time, Duncan looked up and thoughtfully stared into Goathead’s eyes: “...You knew so much.”

“I knew a little... but I never meant to hide it from you,” Goathead’s voice sounded a bit tense. “When it comes to subspace, the less you know, the better because sometimes knowledge itself is pollution. But it seems that the great Captain Duncan doesn’t have to worry about this...”

“Let’s just assume you’re sincerely praising me,” Duncan said casually, then looked Goathead up and down, unwilling to give up, “Is that really all you know? Are there more details, like the identity of that pale, one-eyed giant...?”

“You’re really putting me on the spot,” Goathead seemed helpless. “To be honest, my memory... has had some issues. I’ve forgotten many things ‘over there,’ and all I have left are these vague impressions.”

Duncan silently stared into those obsidian black eyes, and after a long while, he looked away.

Though unintentional, Goathead had indirectly admitted to another thing—it wasn’t an original “passenger” on the ship but came from “the other side,” from subspace! Was it something the Vanished had “brought” with it when it escaped from subspace, which then transformed into Goathead? Or did Goathead consciously hitch a ride to escape from subspace? Was this some kind of trade?

For some reason, Duncan couldn’t forget the image of the pale giant who had died at the edge of the celestial debris.

Subspace was filled with the wreckage left after the old world shattered, but those pieces seemed to be more than just debris... Goathead seemed to come from subspace, and it was intelligent, capable of thinking and even communicating. Were there more things like it in subspace? Or would Goathead change into something else if returned to the other side, into something... similar to that pale giant? Was that why it was so resistant to “going back”?

Many theories arose in Duncan’s mind, but in the end, he didn’t ask them directly because he knew Goathead would never answer questions that directly pointed to itself or to “Captain Duncan”—this involved the stability of the Vanished in the real dimension.

So he sighed gently, stood up, and signaled a temporary end to this topic.

Bright sunlight poured through the window, casting a hazy glow on the simple yet elegant furnishings in the captain’s quarters.

“I missed the sunrise today,” Duncan suddenly said. “Did Vision 001 rise as usual today?”

“Yes, the sun rose on time as usual,” Goathead immediately replied. “It seems that the previous delayed sunrise was just an accident, and Vision 001 is still operating normally.”

“Check the weather?” Nina looked up at the clear sky with confusion, “You could just look out the window from inside the shop. It’s such a sunny day... Ah, is something going to happen again?”

As she spoke, Nina suddenly lowered her voice and approached Duncan nervously. Grabbing his sleeve, “Did you think of something on the ship? Are we going on an adventure?”

“...Adventures, adventures, are there so many dangers to face?” Duncan looked helplessly at the girl, who had constantly been thinking about a “thrilling and exciting new life” since learning about the Vanished. “Don’t create chaos. Isn’t world peace good enough?”

Nina stuck her tongue out sheepishly when Shirley, who had come to the door out of curiosity, seemed a bit stunned after hearing Duncan’s words. She stared blankly for a while before turning to whisper to Dog, who was hiding in the shadows, “The captain said he likes world peace.”

Dog had no reaction.

Shirley frowned and repeated her words, then pulled the chain fused to her arm at an angle blocked by the door frame, “Dog, didn’t you hear me?”

Dog’s voice finally came from the shadows, “I’m learning the alphabet, don’t disturb my studies.”

Shirley: “...You’re really into it, huh?!”

“Of course, Mr. Duncan will check our homework later... Miss Alice is taking this more serious than you!”

Shirley was taken aback, “Homework? What homework?”

However, Dog did not answer her because Duncan had already returned to the door with Nina in tow.

“Homework is something that if you don’t do, I’ll get upset,” Duncan said with a smile, looking at the suddenly stiff Shirley, “Go and copy the alphabet ten times.”

Shirley almost burst into tears, “Then... why don’t you hit me instead...”

“Really?”

Shirley immediately shuddered, “No, no, no, I’ll go copy the alphabet right now!”

Duncan shook his head, then temporarily arranged for Shirley, Dog, and Alice to study on their own, leaving Nina to supervise them. He took one last look at the sky outside before standing in front of the display window and sinking into deep thought.

Vision 001... was really in big trouble.