Chapter 464: The Future of The White Oak

In Duncan’s perspective, what was once a tumultuous sea of dark shadows within the mirror had once more taken the form of a confident female explorer. As he observed, the erratic movements of the shadows deep within the mirror settled, and there was a peaceful moment of stillness.

For a long while, Duncan remained silent, simply taking in the unfolding scene.

Within the reflection, once the woman, Martha, had fully formed, she remained still, reminiscent of the dramatic pause before a film started. A few seconds passed, and then vitality surged back into her features. She looked down at herself, a hint of bewilderment evident, before slowly lifting her gaze. “What... what did you do to me?” she inquired.

Duncan, roused from his thoughts, shook his head gently. “Not much, just offered you a welcome.”

Taking a moment to form his words, he then posed a question, “If you decide to stay as ‘Martha’ permanently, will you ever reveal the truth to Lawrence?”

Martha hesitated for a beat, “He might... be aware,” she began slowly. “I’ve subtly mentioned to him that my identity mainly stems from Martha, but it’s also pieced together from his own recollections. Knowing Lawrence’s keen insights and his extensive exposure to the mystical, and considering the vast amount of information I’ve inadvertently shared, he might deduce that if ‘Martha’ can encompass one memory, she can certainly contain countless more. I mean...”

She halted, a nuanced smile gracing her lips. “In this mirror city, I did seem unusually knowledgeable.”

“And his reaction?” Duncan probed.

“He seemed... unaffected,” Martha replied with a slight shake of her head. “But I’m unsure if he’ll always remain that way.”

Duncan studied her briefly, then unexpectedly chuckled.

“It’s comforting to see you’re concerned about this,” he remarked lightly. “Let’s set all these matters aside for the time being, my dear. In this immense ocean riddled with obscurities and oddities, any shred of warmth becomes even more valuable. Lawrence is well aware of this.”

As the reflection displayed a contemplative Martha, Duncan, in the real world, took a moment before adding, “What insights do you have regarding the deep waters below Frost?”

Pensively, Martha replied, “The deep waters...?” Her face contorted as she sifted through her extensive memory bank. “I do possess some ‘recollections’ of it... but they are mostly shadowy and ambiguous, intertwined with the dread of submersion and the bizarre delusions sparked by icy suffocation. It’s doubtful these memories would be of any solid use, yet...”

Curious, Duncan interjected, “Yet?”

Within the reflection, Martha seemed lost in thought briefly, then made a wide gesture.

Suddenly, her image within the mirror began to scatter, reminiscent of a swift splash of ink. The inky streaks quickly expanded, covering the entire mirrored surface, and indistinct figures began to rise from the abyss.

“It might be,” Gus responded, his face showing relief. “Before, these flames would unpredictably surge, seemingly triggered by unknown factors. It was unnerving. Several crew members even expressed concerns about our next port visit. Not every place is as accepting as Frost and Pland...”

Pensively, Lawrence’s gaze drifted to the vast sea beyond. “The future...” he whispered, the weight of leadership evident in his voice. The ethereal flame’s energy pulsated within him, a symbol of the change he and his crew were undergoing. “We must decide our path.”

Lawrence’s contemplation was interrupted by a firm, resonant voice, “Having fun, are we?”

Both Lawrence and Gus reacted instinctively, flames flaring up around them in surprise.

Within a heartbeat, Lawrence contained his flame and pivoted to face the voice. There stood Captain Duncan, observing them with a cryptic expression.

His initial view upon emerging was of anomalies 077 and 099, casually squatting on the deck, amusing themselves with insects. Following that, he observed the White Oak’s captain and first officer, his new subordinates, engrossed in their newfound flame-controlling abilities. For those familiar with the lore of the seas, this was the infamous Vanished Fleet. To the uninformed, it might appear as if Duncan had embarked on a voyage with a group of mischievous children. He couldn’t help but wonder what sort of crew he had inadvertently assembled.

“Ca... Captain Duncan!” Gus reacted immediately, quickly snuffing out the last of his flame and smoothing his attire. He started, “We were just... exploring this flame phenomenon to ensure the Frost incident doesn’t repeat itself...”

“By the ‘Frost incident,’ do you refer to when Captain Lawrence led a marine squad only to end up detained by the local authorities?” Duncan interjected, rubbing his temples. “And required my emissary to secure their release?” He waved his hand dismissively, “As long as you’re enjoying yourselves...”

While Duncan spoke, Alice dashed over with her skirt fluttering. Her voice, bubbling with excitement, pierced the atmosphere. “Captain! You’ve returned! Have you completed your tasks?” She reached him and began shaking his arm energetically.

Duncan responded, attempting to free himself from her animated grip, “Yes, Alice, I’ve finished up. Careful there, you might end up yanking my arm off with all that vigor.” He gently steadied the animated doll. Glancing over at Lawrence, he nodded, conveying a silent message, “Everything’s fine with Martha. She’s now officially a member of the Vanished Fleet.”

Lawrence hesitated, seemingly searching Duncan’s eyes for deeper implications. “You... realized she’s not just a...”

Duncan interrupted, a soft, knowing glint in his eyes. “If you choose not to dwell on her true nature, she won’t either. As for me, it hardly matters. The Boundless Sea is immense and filled with mysteries. The Vanished Fleet has always been accustomed to the bizarre and inexplicable. The addition of a ghost ship doesn’t really shift the balance.”

Lawrence seemed to grapple with Duncan’s words. He opened his mouth as if to articulate his thoughts but ultimately said nothing. Instead, he drew in a deep breath and extended a profound bow of gratitude toward Duncan.

Duncan grinned, placing a reassuring hand on Lawrence’s shoulder. “It’s good to have you as a part of the fleet,” he said warmly. Changing the topic slightly, he added, “Earlier, I overheard you pondering the future. What’s on your mind?”

Lawrence seemed caught off guard, his face revealing a tapestry of emotions. “The future is... uncertain,” he confessed. “Given everything that’s transpired, do you believe we can still dock at regular ports like old times?”

Duncan perceived the inner turmoil that was reflected in Lawrence’s words. He sighed deeply, his thoughts wandering to the intricate fate of the White Oak and its crew. Indeed, the future was an enigma.