Chapter 275: The Grand Storm Cathedral

In Duncan’s view, an entity radiating an immense presence was gradually nearing the city-state of Pland.

In truth, his perception was unable to extend beyond Pland’s physical limits. However, as the entity with the immense presence continued to draw closer, he could still indirectly detect a kind of “radiance,” akin to a heat source or a brightly shining object, slowly becoming more distinct over the vast ocean.

A mere large ship would not evoke such a sensation, nor would a group of influential priests.

Duncan narrowed his eyes slightly, and the glowing and warm object progressively took form in the “darkness” beyond the city-state of Pland.

“Could what it emitted be... the so-called power of the gods?”

Moments later, a green flame suddenly sprang up from a second-floor window of an antique shop, and a plump white dove emerged, swiftly traversing the sky.

...

By now, a massive throng had assembled both within and around the southeast port of Pland.

The Grand Storm Cathedral, which patrolled the seas year-round and seldom docked, was set to anchor in the city-state. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event for any follower of the storm goddess Gomona. Whether it was to display their devotion or merely to marvel at the grandeur of the Grand Storm Cathedral, the citizens of Pland were determined not to miss this monumental occasion. Starting at sunrise, when the curfew had just lifted, residents living near the port began congregating, and by nearly noon, virtually all the available vantage points around the port were occupied.

Subsequently, traffic control was implemented near the port. The city hall no longer permitted additional spectators to approach the harbor from that point forward, collaborating with the church to disperse the crowd to various sanctuaries because numerous masses would be conducted concurrently in various churches when the Grand Storm Cathedral docked. This ceremony served not only to “welcome the glory of the goddess” but also to alleviate congestion in the port area and redirect the faithful.

Beyond the layers of the crowd, the inner section of the port area was temporarily designated as the “ceremonial area” by the church’s guardians and the city-state’s security officers. The local church hierarchy and Pland’s senior officials gathered here, already prepared to greet the Grand Storm Cathedral.

Vanna hurried along and ultimately reached the port just in time.

“You almost arrived late,” Admin Dante, waiting at the port to greet them, glanced at his niece who had hurried over, a trace of helplessness in his one eye. “On such a significant day, you, as an inquisitor, were the last to arrive.”

“There was a minor accident,” even in front of her uncle, an inquisitor could feel somewhat inadequate, Vanna’s face displaying mild embarrassment. “I had planned my time well and would have arrived at least half an hour early...”

“The goddess will forgive,” spoke Archbishop Valentine, the elderly man dressed in full regalia, holding the staff symbolizing the city’s bishop, a faint smile on his face. “There’s still some time before the scheduled moment.”

Vanna nodded, took a deep breath, and surveyed her surroundings.

“Praise the name of the Storm!”

The high-ranking priests gathered near the pier echoed in unison, “Praise the name of the Storm!”

The salute cannons boomed, followed by majestic music, and cheers thundered throughout the harbor, creating a fervent atmosphere wherever they were heard!

Vanna looked towards the sea beyond the harbor, noticing that the previously swirling seawater and the shimmering light had subsided. The majestic Grand Storm Cathedral had removed all of its camouflage and was slowly approaching the coast of Pland.

The gathered crowd was ecstatic.

Loud prayers and cheers filled the air – even the uninformed children in the crowd were excited. Along with the sound of the salute cannons and music, the noise was deafening.

On the roof of a tower near the wharf area, Duncan, who had stepped out from the flaming doorway, quietly observed the bustling celebration scene and the enormous cathedral ark, which was beyond the concept of a “ship,” making it difficult to comprehend how it could function.

Nina and Shirley were extremely excited at the side, debating the structure of the cathedral ark – the former basing her arguments on the mechanical knowledge she learned in school, while the latter fully utilized her imagination and unwavering confidence in her inventions.

Alice seemed a bit nervous, having never seen such a colossal moving object on the sea. When the steam pipes on the side of the cathedral ark suddenly released pressure and a loud steam whistle pierced the sky, she instinctively covered her head.

Duncan’s gaze moved slowly between the gathered crowd on the pier and the towering three-tiered spire of the cathedral ark. Then, closing his eyes and opening them to refocus his perception, he discovered countless gray phantom-like figures extending from the Grand Storm Cathedral like invisible tentacles or floating ribbons of smoke. These floating shadows spread from every door, window, and mechanical crevice of the cathedral ark, enveloping half of Pland’s sky like a rolling, dark cloud.

Unbeknownst to the crowds, the smoke swept over the people and buildings, gently brushing over the cheering heads like some enormous creature that had just entered this realm from the unknown.

“What are these shadows? What are these intangible tentacles emanating from the Grand Storm Cathedral?”

Duncan’s eyes gradually became more serious as the immense question formed in his heart. He instinctively reached out towards the space beyond the platform as if trying to grasp one of the illusions.

At the same time, a gray, smoke-like phantom drifted over, slowly approaching his palm.

The smoke gathered slightly, wrapping around Duncan’s fingers. In the next moment, he actually felt a faintly cool sensation, as if he had touched some tangible entity!

Then, the gray “tentacle” jolted and quickly withdrew, leaving only a cold, hollow touch behind.