"It doesn't seem to be unreasonable..." Anna said softly, "I seemed to have told you that day that this ship has another name besides 'Shengming'."
"You mean 'Alecto'?"
"Yes, originally I should have told you this story when I visited the museum last time, but there are too many surprises here..." Anna turned her head, "Madam, can you push me a few steps forward?"
Rico readily agreed, and she pushed Anna's wheelchair forward, "Just call me Rico."
Hesta followed closely behind.
"Do you know where this nickname came from?" Anna asked.
Hesta thought for a moment, "Because of that ship's bow statue?"
Anna shook her head, "When we first planned the route for the Shengming, it would pass through the southern part of the Long Tail Ocean. The scenery in that area is very good, it is easy to see whales, and there are few winds and waves... However, during the first voyage of the Shengming, When I arrived in that area, I encountered a rare level nine wave... The wave height at sea exceeded 14 meters, which was a nightmare for all commercial ships.
"Ordinarily, the sea is calm most of the time in summer, and such raging waves are often seen only in winter. But even if we encounter it, there is nothing we can do. The Shengming lost contact for a whole day and night, and everyone was holding on to it. A heart, waiting for its news...
"However, when it entered the port again and appeared in front of everyone, the people on the ship were surprised by the ecstatic welcome on the shore. When asked about their experiences in the past few days, the crew members' answers surprised everyone - —They encountered no storms and sailed peacefully for the entire day.”
Rico laughed, "I've heard a lot of this kind of story in District 12. A ship sailed out and came back thirty years later. All relatives and friends have passed away... This kind of legend is not very credible. Do you believe it?"
"Maybe," Anna said softly, "but the name of the Alecto spread after that, and people talked about it. This ship was probably recognized as a relative by the banshees on the sea, especially when the ship was built. The steel raw materials used in the factory also come from District 12. These words were passed around, and in the end it became a supernatural story..."
"Then what?"
"The shipping company was originally worried that these messages would scare passengers. However, unexpectedly, after that, Alecto's story aroused great interest, so the shipping company spent a lot of money to buy it from the auction house. A prow image of Alecto - the one you see in the museum. People held a grand ceremony for the Ascension again, but the next year the prow image was severely worn by wind, waves and sun, and they returned The statue had to be replaced from the bow.
"The ocean is scary," Anna looked at the sea. "At this moment, it is calm and calm, like a mirror. The next moment, there may be stormy waves. The violent power can swallow countless lives at any time... Such an impermanent existence makes people unable to get close, and It cannot be conquered. In the end, there is only awe, but there is still an illusion that can help people avoid the anxiety behind this awe.”
"you mean……"
Anna looked sideways at Hesta: "If these violent winds and waves were your sisters connected by blood, would you still be afraid?"
Hesta was speechless, and Rico tilted his head thoughtfully: "No wonder Alecto is so popular in District 12. Maybe people all over the sea like her very much."
"Of course," Anna said with a smile, "Isn't this the charm of mythology? Alecto is the youngest of the twelve sisters. She is a cruel punisher and the little daughter of the world. Through her, some People expect protection and immunity, and some people expect courage and strength... Because she has not yet differentiated, her child's heart still contains infinite possibilities, and this is true for every Alecto born into the world."
There was the sound of metal scraping from the iron door in the distance. Hesta turned around and saw Si Lei just pushing open the iron door and looking in the other direction of the observation deck. Li Ge called her, and Si Lei turned around and trotted towards them.
"I just heard from Mantel that you guys have something to talk about, and here you are..." Si Lei stopped next to Hesta, "Did I miss anything?"
"No," Hesta replied, "Anna just told a supernatural story about the Ascension."
"Supernatural stories?" Si Lei was a little surprised, "Why do you tell supernatural stories?"
Hesta looked at Anna.
"Because I made a bet with Chiba," Anna smiled and folded her hands on her knees. She sighed softly and looked into the distance, "How should I put it, I feel like I'm going to lose..."
Si Lei was even more puzzled. Just when he was about to ask for details, Anna suddenly pressed her heart and said, "I'm tired. I talked too much. I feel uncomfortable everywhere... I have to go back. Is there anything else you can do?"
"Just a question," Hestad replied, "did you hear what I just said at the Grace Theater?"
"heard it."
"As an elder, do you have any objections?"
Anna smiled, "Of course... no more."
Rico immediately understood the implication here - these two people were just trying to make today's death list temporarily topped by Rene Brombo from last night, without adding any more.
Among the four, only Si Lei was a little confused. She frowned and was convinced that she must have missed some important information. As for the specific information, she probably couldn't figure it out now.
"Okay, then I'll send Anna back now." Li Ge patted Si Lei on the shoulder, "You came just in time, please take Jane back."
"Wait, I have another question." Anna looked at Hesta, "Have you read all of that "Guide"?"
"Um."
"Everything?"
"Everything." Hesta replied affirmatively, "...you will know."
"good."
The two of them watched Anna and Li Ge leave in the wind. Just when Si Lei was about to speak, Hesta raised his head first, "I discovered a lot of interesting things this morning."
"What?"
"I took them all out secretly, in my room." Hesta pointed to the door, "Go back and take a look?"
…
Back in the room, Si Lei looked at some plastic-wrapped documents spread out on the bed with a surprised expression.
"...So these are the reasons why you were late in the morning?"
"right."
"Where did it come from?"
"Anna's study, behind the gift storage rooms."
"I knew that Anna must have something to do with the deaths of those people." Si Lei began to flip through the documents. She read very quickly. After about a quarter of an hour, she read the interview about the survivor Heinxi. Although the book The memoirs written by those involved have been lost, but the description of the shocking deaths on board still opens a window into the past.
"It's unimaginable..." Si Lei felt more and more frightened the more he read, "The golden age could actually be a place where terrorism is prevalent..."
(End of chapter)
