Chapter 785 - 784: Shadows of the Past

Chapter 785: Chapter 784: Shadows of the Past

The Captain talked about many, many things—from the design of the void engine to the operational principles of the calibration mechanism, from the reckless attempt 3700 years ago to the lengthy experimentation he’s conducted at the world’s border over the years, from the initial establishment of this ’Boundary Land’ to its development today...

During this process, many of Yu Sheng’s accumulated doubts were answered.

But he still had many questions.

"...Erin’s current state is somewhat special; from her shell to her soul, this child has greatly diverged from our initial design," the Captain said seriously, watching the Little Puppet who was pacing back and forth on the counter, "Also, her Mind may still contain that precious calibration data... I need to think of a way, a safer one."

The Little Puppet turned her head and gave the Captain and Puppet Progenitor a carefree smile, then jumped onto Yu Sheng’s shoulder and from him into Hu Li’s tail—a puzzling series of actions, yet she enjoyed her play.

Yu Sheng hadn’t spoken since just a moment ago; he merely hung his head in thought—as he pondered many things, including the World Bridge, the fall 3700 years ago, and even about... himself.

For some reason, he suddenly thought of the illusion Erin once described to him—the black Tower punctured the sky of the Soul Wilderness and fell onto a hill at the wilderness’s end...

He recalled his recent exploration with Baili Qing, remembered the Mysterious Boundary City deep within the Fault, remembered the Great Void at the Boundary City Center, and the peculiar triangular door in the depths of No. 66 Wutong Road.

The World Bridge that fell 3700 years ago punctured the Boundary Land, but it didn’t only pierce the Boundary Land.

After pondering for a long time, Yu Sheng suddenly raised his head and seemingly without any context, asked, "That lady who met with me last time... I think her name was Agatha, isn’t she here?"

"They’re over at the imaginary number generator area; it might be a bit before they return," the Captain responded casually, "This enormous engine group usually needs little maintenance, but regular checks and inspections are still necessary. Do you want to meet her? I can notify her to come back early... I believe she also really wants to see you."

Yu Sheng thought for a moment, then shook his head: "...No need, we’ll meet eventually, let’s not delay serious matters."

The Captain remained silent, just quietly looking into Yu Sheng’s eyes, and after a while, he suddenly spoke:

"Alright then... but as we’ve been sitting here talking for so long, it’s time we take a break. Are you interested in going out for a walk? I can show you around this place."

"Sure thing," Yu Sheng replied with a smile as he stood up, "I’ve been feeling quite bored sitting here too."

"Great, let’s go take a walk, take a walk!" Erin exclaimed upon hearing about going out and immediately jumped out from Hu Li’s tail, excitedly climbing onto Yu Sheng’s shoulder, "I haven’t been home in years, the place has changed so much I don’t even recognize it..."

Hu Li also stood up, her big tail swaying: "I’m hungry, is there somewhere to eat around here?"

The Captain’s expression suddenly became a bit subtle; he looked at Erin, who had completely changed compared to when she last went out, and said, "Let Alice accompany you; there’s a restaurant in the town."

Erin blinked her eyes, understanding but not entirely comprehending: "What do you mean, isn’t Yu Sheng coming along?"

Luna couldn’t help but interject: "Master, Captain, you need to discuss serious matters. We won’t cause trouble."

Erin scratched her head: "Well, alright, it’s not the first time anyway... silly fox, let’s go, I’ll find you food～"

Then she waved towards the ceiling, summoning Freyia who was still hanging there with her upper body seemingly drilling into the second floor: "Apiao, you come over too～"

Hu Li didn’t say much, just came up to cuddle Yu Sheng’s arm, leaning in close, sniffing twice as she smiled joyfully.

Afterwards, Alice led them away—the figures walked across the long street in front of the Antique Shop and vanished around the corner.

They looked like a rather quirky and jubilant travel team.

Only the ’Captain’ and Yu Sheng himself were left on site—they stood at the Antique Shop entrance, watching Hu Li and the others leave, the scene momentarily quiet.

After a moment, the Captain suddenly broke the silence: "I can see, you’ve all been through a lot... quite a unique adventure team."

"Well... I guess so," Yu Sheng scratched his head, "It’s been quite lively anyway, they’ve certainly stirred up quite a bit no matter where we go—especially Erin, who creates quite a commotion."

The Captain laughed, his smile tinged with nostalgia: "I used to have adventurous days too; back then, Alice would create quite a stir aboard the Lost Home."

Yu Sheng listened, somewhat stunned: "You? Adventure? Does a creator go on adventures too?"

"’Creator’ is just the title they gave me, to describe the arduous and lengthy work I completed, but personally, I still prefer the title ’Captain.’ As for adventures... indeed, there were some, that was a long, long time ago."

Yu Sheng thought for a moment: "Long ago like the previous world?"

"Yes, long ago like the previous world."

The Captain spoke softly and then let his gaze fall on Yu Sheng. After a moment of observation, he spoke again, "Yu Sheng... is that the name?"

"Yes."

"Who gave you that name?"

"Who else but my parents?" Yu Sheng said casually.

But the Captain continued to ask, "So... what were your parents like?"

"Parents..." Yu Sheng said and suddenly paused, a vague impression seemed to flash through his mind but quickly turned into indistinguishable shadows. After two or three seconds, he shrugged indifferently, "How should I know what they’re like? Maybe they only exist as background settings to make me seem more reasonable."

The surroundings were very quiet, perhaps suddenly falling silent at this moment, or perhaps enveloped by a death-like silence from the beginning.

The Captain didn’t speak, just raised his eyebrow, seemingly unsurprised and thoughtfully.

Yu Sheng noticed the other’s reaction but didn’t care. He spoke with a cheerful smile:

"... Among my friends, there is one named Baili Qing, always with a stern face—she has many worries every day, bearing the burden of thousands of people and Exotic Realms across the Boundary Land, pressing on her like a weightlifting champion, yet she still devotes energy to worry about me—not worrying about me as a person, but worrying about when I might not be like a person anymore...

"Well, in my view, her reaction is quite obvious, and those guys from the Special Service Bureau, how should I put it... it’s not that I have some great insight into the human heart, but when people fear death, they reveal everything to it.

"Of course, things are much better now, they’re carefree around me, and anyway, they’re all pretty good folks, I like being around good people...

"But some things I still dare not say in front of them. After all, they deal daily with mechanical monsters that might explode at any moment, the strange things of the Boundary Land constantly keep their nerves taut. If Baili Qing heard what I just told you, at least a week of sleepless nights ensues—then she’ll concoct a bunch of intricate but actually unnecessary contingency plans, it’d be better if she took a nap..."

Yu Sheng rambled on like this, speaking whatever came to mind, as if finally finding someone to casually talk to without worrying about exploding, babbling on for a while before he stopped and looked at the Captain standing by, who had listened for a long time without speaking.

"...So after that contact with ’Black Star,’ I’ve been thinking I must find a way to connect with Lost Home, ideally chat with someone like you, the legendary creator—no one in the real Universe can answer my questions, whether finding a way home or understanding ’where I’ come from, it seems all hopes can only be pinned on the source of this world’s birth."

The Captain quietly looked into Yu Sheng’s eyes, and after a while he suddenly spoke, "I’ll take you somewhere."

Yu Sheng raised his eyebrows, and the next second, he saw a swirling vortex of flames appear abruptly behind the Captain—the vortex edges were entwined with eerie green flames, while its center had brilliant stars undulating like a water surface.

Upon seeing this scene, Yu Sheng couldn’t help but feel sentimental, "To be honest, I really envy you folks with skill effects, it’s really awe-inspiring just to look at..."

"Yet the simplicity and silence of death are more fearsome—it plans the end equally before life even notices." The Captain said casually, then turned and walked into the vortex.

Yu Sheng hesitated for a moment, then followed him in.

He felt a momentary daze, as if briefly dozing, skimming above a short and vague Dream Realm, and then everything before him quickly became clear, transforming into a desolate wilderness of monochrome tones.

Yu Sheng blinked.

He saw dark chaotic clouds covering the sky, an endless field stretching to the edge of sight, with a small hill standing before him, shrouded in dim, unclear twilight.

"Wait a moment, this place... this place looks..."

Looks very familiar.

In an instant, Yu Sheng was reminded of his own "Soul Wilderness," but soon he realized this place was somewhat different—there were no nameless tall grasses seen everywhere, nor were there pale flowers swaying among the grass; there wasn’t even wind, the silence between heaven and earth felt like a tomb.

The Soul Wilderness was also quiet, but within the silence of "deathly stillness," there was a peculiar sense of tranquility and "life force," yet this place gave Yu Sheng entirely different feelings.

Here only death remained, only death awaited, only death was expected.

"...What’s going on, this place is so dead," Yu Sheng muttered with furrowed brows.

"This is an instance," the Captain’s voice came from the side, "generated by my memories—if you feel oppressed, then that’s how it felt when I first arrived here."