Anyone who encounters the Lost Homeland will inevitably establish a "connection" with Duncan. From another perspective, Duncan, an "outsider", himself does need to establish such connections extensively in this world - only by mastering as many knowledge channels and assistance as possible can he further understand this world, the extraordinary realm, and even... himself.
The reason why Morris and others were brought on board might just be because the situation was urgent at the time, but even if they did not board the ship today, Duncan himself had plans to expand his "influence" in this world, and in his opinion, the few people gathered on the Lost Homeland were actually good candidates.
Morris, an outstanding historian, polymath, and believer in the God of Wisdom, possesses valuable knowledge, which is what Duncan lacks most at present. At the same time, the old gentleman is also an "upper class person" with certain connections and status in the human world, which can be of great use at the right time.
Shirley and Agou, a controlled Abyss Demon and a summoner who coexists with the demon, have both combat power and knowledge about the Abyss and even some knowledge about the subspace. This knowledge complements Morris, the "anthropologist". In addition, this pair has special means of perception, which allows them to detect traces of supernatural powers at no cost or at very little cost.
Nina, a well-behaved and lovely niece.
By the way, it is the current carrier of solar fragments.
Duncan's eyes slowly swept across the long table. Around the table, there were several faces, some nervous, some reserved, and some with simple curiosity.
They seemed to have not yet realized that a very special "group" had been formed during this dinner, and what held this group together was their common identity at the moment:
The crew of the Lost Homeland.
"My previous promise is still valid. Your identity as a member of the Lost Homeland will not restrict your personal freedom. I do not require compulsory loyalty, nor do I need any sacrifices or support - all of this is meaningless to me," Duncan said slowly, his voice low and gentle, while the sound of waves was coming from the porthole not far away, "but since the connection between you and me has been established, this connection may be regarded as a... loose team foundation.
"To be honest, I have been away from the civilized world for many years. Morris should know that the Lost Homeland has not had any contact with any city-state in the past century. In the civilized world, there are many terrifying stories about me and this ship. I admit that these stories have a factual basis, because for many years... this ship was out of control.
"But as you can see, I have regained my humanity and stabilized the Lost Homeland, and now... I am very interested in the civilized world a century later."
Duncan spoke slowly and these were the words he had carefully thought out while fishing just now - he needed to "recruit crew members", but the terrible background of the Lost Homeland meant that the newcomers on board would not have a good attitude towards the job, so he needed a set of reasonable, gentle and legitimate reasons to calm the emotions of the newcomers, so the first step was to establish the image of a "rational and friendly" captain.
The Lost Homeland was once out of control, but now the captain has regained his humanity and regained control of the ship, which is the premise for the formation of the team.
As for whether the newcomers believe it or not...that's the other side's problem.
It has to be said that fishing is indeed a leisure activity that can cultivate the body and mind and is suitable for thinking. Duncan feels that he should really be grateful for the gift of nature... or thank the offspring of the deep sea.
After hearing what Duncan said, Morris immediately showed a thoughtful expression on his face. He still couldn't believe that what he heard was the real voice. In fact, he couldn't even believe that the Lost Homeland he saw was the real appearance of the ship. But he recalled the friendly attitude Duncan had always shown, and finally began to... convince himself.
At least, if this were true, the friendly behavior of this Warp Shadow would become a little more reasonable and credible.
Shirley was thinking, and seemed to have not yet fully understood the situation. However, Agou, who was sitting next to her, had already reacted. The Deep Hound bravely looked at Duncan and said, "In other words, you need us... to be your followers and help you do something in the world?"
"It's just possible," Duncan said with a smile, "when I need it. Besides, I don't think this kind of relationship is considered 'dependency' - you are a crew member, so you can call me captain, or you can still use the old name."
Shirley and Agou said "Oh", and Morris, who was not far away, suddenly said after a brief thought: "Then how will you contact us? Ah, of course, I know you have an incarnation in Plande City-State, but what I mean is..."
"I understand what you mean," Duncan nodded before the other party finished speaking. "If I want to find you, I will find you immediately. If you encounter any problems and need to contact me, you can call my name or the name of the Lost Homeland near the smooth mirror. I can hear it. In addition, fire can enhance my strength. If you are in danger, you can light the fire after calling my name."
Morris listened with a complicated expression on his face. After all, he was still a believer in the God of Wisdom, but at this moment he had half-voluntarily joined such a "heretic group" and was even learning knowledge from a certain subspace shadow. This made him a little uncomfortable, but what made him even more uncomfortable was... the protective bracelet with four remaining stones on his wrist had no reaction at this moment.
The Lord didn’t see it, the Lord doesn’t care, the Lord thinks you did the right thing - no matter which answer he gave, the old man felt complicated.
After hearing what Duncan said, Nina opened her eyes slightly and looked a little excited: "That sounds great!"
Duncan glanced at her calmly after hearing this: "You don't need any extra flames..."
Nina didn't react for a moment: "Ah? Why?"
Then, without waiting for Duncan to answer, she reacted and waved her hands quickly: "Oh, I understand, I understand, I can..."
"Don't change here!" Duncan interrupted Nina as soon as he saw the air around her was distorted. "Until you can master the power of the sun fragments, you are not allowed to try to change your form in a closed space or crowded place!"
Nina immediately lowered her head: "Oh..."
Duncan watched the air around the girl gradually recover, felt the heat subside, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.
With the help of this "fire usurper", the solar fragments in Nina's body have been controlled, but it is obvious that the girl herself has not fully realized how powerful the power dormant in her body is - no matter how mature and sensible she is, she is only sixteen or seventeen years old after all. For young people of this age, the novel impulse brought about by the first contact with extraordinary power is not so easy to suppress.
If there is a chance, I will let her get more familiar with her own power in this vast and empty ocean. On the one hand, it will enhance the controllability of the solar fragments, and on the other hand, it will make her realize how dangerous the fire from the stars is.
"We may have new members in the future," Duncan thought for a moment and said, "Then let's make today's dinner a standard procedure for new members to join. I think this will also help enhance the relationship between team members."
Morris subconsciously glanced at the plate in front of him, and felt as if he had seen the truth behind the warm atmosphere again.
To dine together under the gaze of the shadows of the warp, to share the flesh and blood of the children of the deep sea, to learn the rituals and spells that summon extraordinary power, this...
This set is really full of a strong sense of déjà vu.
But what else could he say? He was already a member of this ship, and had accepted Mr. Duncan's protection. The flesh and blood of the deep-sea offspring had been placed in front of him as a key part of this "ritual". He definitely couldn't quit at this time. He could only accept his fate like the pigeon next to him that had been eating French fries from the beginning...
The old man sighed in his heart and completely accepted this sudden turn of fate. At the same time, he also silently comforted himself - from today on, he would embark on a road of no return to the abyss of truth just like those legendary scholars who were worthy of being recorded in history. There was probably nothing in this world that could make him feel strange and weird anymore.
As he was thinking this, he suddenly heard Miss Alice, who had been silent not far away, break the silence. This beautiful lady had been standing quietly behind Duncan. At this moment, she seemed to realize something: "Ah, Captain, does that mean I won't be the only crew member here from now on?"
"You just realized it?" Duncan tilted his head slightly to glance at the puppet. "Of course you are no longer the only crew member here. And before they leave, you have to teach them the crew rules, just like Goat Head taught you."
Alice was stunned for a moment, and finally understood the current situation. She smiled belatedly and clapped her hands happily: "Okay! Then I will..."
The next second, perhaps because he was too excited, a familiar voice came to Duncan's ears: "Bo'er——"
A head, still wearing a blond wig, fell off beside him and rolled to the middle of the dining table in full view of everyone.
There was a moment of silence at the table until Shirley's exclamation broke the silence: "Ah ...
The scene was in chaos. Shirley and Nina's exclamations, Agou's cursing, and Alice's stammering calls for help came one after another, mixed with Ai's loud cooing. Morris watched all this with a blank expression, and suddenly felt that it would take him a long time to fully adapt to this "new team"...