Chapter 169 Stepping into the Curtain

Do you see? Make the fries like this. Its very simple. Just be careful not to over-fry the potatoes or undercook them. You dont need to stick your head in the oil or taste it either, okay?

On the early morning of the Vanished, Duncan was busy pointing out how to cook up a batch of fries to Alice, who was seriously trying her hardest to learn inside the kitchen.

Remember Remember! Shes obsessed with the sizzling pot of oil, ready to make her move at the slightest signal while clutching the kitchen knife in one hand.

Duncan looked at the oil pot and then back to the doll next to himself. With a slight nod, he was ready to go do something else when he noticed the gleaming knife in Alices hand. Um can you put the knife down first? You dont have to keep holding it unless youre cutting something.

A cursed puppet standing in the kitchen with a knife staring murderously at some potatoes. The picture was unlucky and frightening no matter how he thought about it. The only missing thing now was a spooky BGM in the background. That would be the perfect horror flick.

Oh Oh! Alice came to her senses and quickly hid the kitchen knife behind herself. Waving at the captain confidently, You can go back now Captain! Ive learned how to do it now! You and Ai will get to eat in no time!

Duncan stared at Alice for a long time, trying to confirm the doll really wont mess this up. Its no longer boiling water anymore, but oil. If things go to hell, the pot would actually explode and cause a genuine kitchen fire. But as insecure as he was about leaving, everything has to begin somewhere. Heaving a light sigh, he waved goodbye and departed for the deck.

Good, I can finally have some decent food on the ship!

On the second floor of the antique shop, Nina watched her uncle with a curious gaze while keeping a medicinal bag on her forehead: Uncle, I wanted to ask this before, but why do you keep frowning in the morning? And just now, you sighed like youre suddenly relaxed or something

Huh? Was I? I wasnt paying attention. Duncan was startled by the attention and quickly adjusted himself. Smiling at his niece to keep a face, Its nothing. I merely remembered something about the account books. Im fine now that Ive solved it.

Oh, Nina nodded, that makes sense then.

Duncan didnt comment and left it at that. Hes been careless about how observant Nina has become and didnt want to rock the ship.

Shirley didnt come today Its then Nina said something unexpected as she glanced out the window.

Everyone has their own place to live, Duncan almost wanted to laugh at how readable the child was. Shes clearly lonely and wants her friend by her side. And you still have school today. Where are you supposed to find time to go out?

I should have inquired about her home address, Nina added, that way I can visit her instead of just having her come here.

Now thats something Duncan didnt think about. Softening his voice to be more relatable: Do you like this new friend a lot? I know you havent known each other for long.

Shirley is a nice person and saved my life in the museum, Nina said immediately, and and

And what?

And the place she lives in I asked Dog about it at night and their living conditions. Its in a small alley inside the slums. There are no night street lamps, and the house leaks when it rains. I

Nina, Duncan cut the girl off right away and made a stern face, friendship cannot be based on sympathy, especially for a child like Shirley.

Nina was startled by the harsh wording. Raising her head to meet Duncans gaze, she didnt speak for a good while before uttering a random remark: Uncle, how come your words are so philosophical lately?

Duncan:

But youre right Uncle. I do feel a little sympathetic towards Shirley after hearing about their background. Nina instantly returns to her old self, But I merely want her to live better. I can feel it without her telling me. Although she was always inexplicably nervous when she lived with us, I could tell she was very happy. Am I being too presumptuous by judging her like this?

Now it was Duncans turn to be startled. Honestly, he didnt expect Nina to be so thoughtful at her young age. Shaking his head: Its not our place to decide that, so lets not worry about the matter. Actually, lets ask Shirley where she lives the next time she visits Now hurry up and finish your breakfast. Its almost school time.

Okay! Nina immediately nodded obediently, and then she seemed to have thought of something else that caused her to grow excited, By the way, can I ride the bike to school?

Absolutely not, Duncan pricked his eye and answered without hesitation, Have you forgotten how bad you fell last night?

As he spoke, the scene of what happened yesterday instantly returned to him. As soon as the girl saw the brand-new bike, she jumped with glee and wanted to try it out. Then thirty seconds later, in front of the shop, she fell over, hard

Now she still has a medicine bag on her head for the bruise.

I I thought it would be easy to ride a bike, Nina lowered her head and moped, I saw my classmates

Duncan sighed.

He should have thought of that beforehand. Nina doesnt have many friends outside this antique shop, so where would she have the opportunity to learn? Thats a failure on his part.

Take the bus to school today, dont run. Our family is not short of this little bit of money now. Duncan rummaged through his pocket for a few coins and put them in front of Nina, Ill teach you to ride a bike when I come back. Its really not difficult. With your cleverness, you will learn it in a few days.

At first, Nina was a little frustrated but soon became happy again and nodded happily: YAAA!!!

After a while, Nina happily jogged out of the antique shop while Duncan watched from the small shop window on the second floor. He could see her turning at the corner and towards the bus stop not far away.

Its a beautiful morning. He had to admit this despite the various shadows lurking at night. The glistening light of the sun and the permeating noise of bustling life in the form of burning embers through his senses gave the impression of a thriving city with a golden curtain blanketing it. But then Duncans expression froze when his sight skimmed over a row of houses in the distance.

Ai! He beckoned to the air and summoned the undead bird from the ship. Next second, a tiny burst of flame materialized in front of his eye and transformed into the dove.

Hiccup Whos calling Hiccup Fleet? Ai flaps around in a circle to land on the mans shoulder.

Showing a weird face, Duncan turned and raised an eyebrow at the bird: How much did you eat aboard the Vanished?

Ai flapped her wings and cooed vigorously: The time to eat has come Hiccup!

Duncan blandly eyed his partner with a face of incomprehensible nature: No wonder Alice was in the kitchen for so long. You cleared out the storage room, didnt you? Forget it at least you didnt waste the food. Can you still fly to the sixth block?

The dove issues out a roaring chip of a commando, making sure to salute with her wings as well: Mission will be achieved! Mission will be achieved!

A fireball shot out of the small window in the next second and flew staggeringly toward the sixth block.

At the same time, two dark gray steam cars were driving through the empty streets deep in the sixth block. Sitting in front of one was none other than Vanna, who had brought along a small team of elite guardians for the investigation. She didnt want to ride a steam spider walker for this trip because that would be too eye-catching. So until she gives the signal, the main battle force would remain outside the block and await her command.

Frankly, thats a good idea on her part. She didnt realize it at first, but after coming here, she immediately picked up on the abnormal atmosphere in this area. Its very wrong and creepy a neighborhood thats too lifeless, a population thats sporadic and unresponsive to outside stimuli, and old facilities that have fallen into disrepair to an unacceptable level.

The best way to describe this place would be a world frozen in time and forgotten by its people.