Chapter 277: A New Storm

Both Vanna and Valentine were taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. Pope Helena’s “judgment” seemed less like a solemn religious decree and more like a calculated step towards a predetermined outcome—the conversation they just had appeared to be nothing more than a formality.

Vanna, the inquisitor, found it hard to accept the hasty “judgment,” and Valentine was struggling with it as well. They both began, “Your Holiness...”

“It’s alright, it’s alright. There’s no issue. Life is full of ups and downs, much like storms being the most unpredictable forces,” Helena waved her hand, interrupting Vanna and Valentine. “And don’t succumb to despair too easily, Saint Vanna—being relieved of your duties as an inquisitor is not necessarily a punishment. It’s simply that you’re not suited for this role right now. Maybe... the storm has other plans for you?”

Vanna hesitated, sensing a hidden meaning in Helena’s words. But before she could inquire further, she saw the Pope shake her head.

“That’s enough for now. I need to see some things for myself before I can make a decision,” Helena said nonchalantly. “Pland... it’s been many years since I last set foot on this land.”

She paused briefly.

“You two head back to the upper level first. The elevator is waiting. I will finish a prayer here. It won’t take long. We’ll meet on the upper deck.”

Before they could even make sense of what was happening, Vanna and Valentine were “escorted” back into the elevator. It wasn’t until the elevator reached the top, exited the cabin, and walking down the corridor to the upper deck, that Valentine finally broke the silence in a whisper, “Vanna, how are you feeling now?”

He couldn’t think of a better way to ease the awkwardness.

Vanna stopped in her tracks.

Valentine took a step back.

“Are you seriously stepping back like that?”

“I’m afraid I am.”

“Still able to crack a joke, it seems you’re aware of the odd nature of this event,” Vanna shook her head, speaking softly. “Honestly, my first reaction was disbelief and difficulty accepting this hurried, careless ‘judgment,’ which felt more like a cruel joke than something that should come from the Pope. But as I reflected on Her Holiness’s words, I can’t help but think... she might have an ulterior motive.”

Taking a deep breath, she added, “I believe I should be patient and wait for the ‘storm’s favor’ the Pope mentioned.”

“Your composure and rational thinking truly surpass those of most people. Not many would be able to remain so calm after such an event suddenly befalls them,” Valentine moved forward again, speaking as they walked. “However, I’m more concerned about something else right now.”

Vanna furrowed her brow, “What else?”

“To replace an inquisitor, a new one must be appointed, and the Pope herself must ‘test’ and appoint someone to such an important position as a city-state inquisitor. You should be well aware of this process,” Valentine said slowly. “But Her Holiness didn’t mention this at all. This ‘necessary matter’ should have been announced at the same time, or even earlier, when the dismissal was made.”

Vanna unconsciously furrowed her brow but remained silent for a moment. Valentine continued, “Furthermore, she chose to announce your dismissal in an unknown secret chamber. According to the doctrine, the Pope’s secrets shared in the secret chamber must not be disclosed to others, no matter the content of the secret. This is a sort of ‘safety code’.”

Vanna had to concede that her younger self was not as well-versed in the Storm Codex as Bishop Valentine, a senior clergyman. She hadn’t considered these crucial points at the time!

“It’s the Storm Ruler’s arrangement,” Helena said indifferently.

The raspy, ancient voice hesitated noticeably before speaking again, “...Oh, well, then I have no objection.”

Helena shook her head helplessly, “I thought you’d at least inquire a little more.”

But this time, the raspy, ancient voice did not respond at all.

He had fallen asleep.

...

Cutting through the ocean waves with relative ease, the Sea Mist had mostly healed itself and had engaged its powers by creating a thin layer of fog around the ship.

At the moment, Tyrian stood at the bow gazing out over the open sea ahead.

For some reason, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

At first, he thought it was the aftermath of the “fatherly injury he suffered” at Pland. The pressure from the incident must’ve built up from the several encounters, but as he moved further away from that Pearl of the Sea, the unease only got worse and didn’t diminish in the slightest.

This irritated him.

It seemed as if something was about to happen, or... had already happened, and this matter was very likely related to him.

He trusted his intuition as a transcendent in this regard.

Tyrian took a deep breath, placed his hand on the railing in front of him, and frowned in thought.

Just then, as if to confirm his growing unease, hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind.

Tyrian turned abruptly and saw his First Mate Aiden approaching him.

The usually composed first mate wore a look of tension on his face.

Tyrian immediately furrowed his brow, “What happened?”

“Just now, the small chapel received a psychic message from the home port. There’s been an incident in the seas near Frost...”

“Near Frost?” Tyrian felt his heart skip a beat and asked, “What’s going on?”

“...An ancient diving device suddenly appeared in the waters near Frost,” Aiden said, unable to help but take a breath, “It’s Submersible Number Three’—the eighth one.”