Gun of Ashes

Once again, Ed was remembered, perhaps that’s just how it is for him regarding the Church, something that has occupied his entire life only to be mercilessly abandoned one day.

”So, you were born in such... a place?”

The man thought for a moment and asked tentatively.

Lorenzo nodded, then continued.

”In the outskirts of Florence, a monastery built along the Tiber River. The nuns there were very kind and took us in, but later, to keep the monastery running, we were transferred to the Church headquarters. We thought it would be a pleasant life, after all. It was Florence and not that damned suburb.”

He said, smiling self-deprecatingly.

”So what are you doing all this for? Redemption or confession?”

The man asked, having seen people like this before—a cold-blooded killer on the surface, yet the most loyal believer behind the scenes, trying to explain their atrocities with so-called faith. In his eyes, Lorenzo was the same, with hands stained with blood, yet trying to wash it away with acts of goodness.

”Just sympathy.”

He answered the question again, using the same reason.

”A happy childhood is very important. When you’re sad, those memories are the only solace worth having.”

There was a faint sound of laughter nearby. Those little rascals had defied the nun’s orders and secretly ran back to play.

”Just that?”

”Just that.”

Lorenzo said as he pointed at his own head and then spoke to the man.

”Human memory is very unreliable. We always forget something, even the most precious memories will fade over time. If there’s any reason at all, it’s that here I can barely recall some of the past, the only beautiful times.”

For a moment, the man seemed to understand Lorenzo’s words, as he too gazed at the colorful statue, lost in thought.

”I...”

”Invite me to join the Purification Mechanism? Or arrest me? After all, I am a Demon Hunter, a loss of control would mean an extremely dangerous demon.”

”If that’s what you mean, then don’t bother, Arthur. I quite enjoy my current life.”

Directly interrupting Arthur’s words, Lorenzo refused him outright.

Like taking a mute loss, Arthur hadn’t expected this Demon Hunter to be somewhat troublesome.

”Why are you so confident?”

”Because you need me. I think I’ve already demonstrated my value in the Ende Town operation, and that value is my bargaining chip. Is that acceptable?”

”Indeed, then speaking of partnerships, Mr. Holmes, I think to some extent we could become cooperating partners.”

Arthur picked up the files he carried with him and handed them to Lorenzo.

”An exchange of value, this is our sincerity.”

”Oh... That seems to be really troublesome.”

Lorenzo did not take the file, looking somewhat worried.

From his understanding, Arthur should be the head of the Purification Mechanism, and he had directly turned him down on his own turf. Coupling that with his own dangerous nature, if Lorenzo guessed correctly, that damned Sailing Dawn should be hidden above him in the clouds, where a wave of Arthur’s hand could flatten this place.

But now Arthur is still so friendly, even willing to show sincerity, then something troublesome must have happened, troublesome enough that Arthur is willing to negotiate with Lorenzo.

”Can I hear the whole story?”

Arthur packed away the files, showing a bit of delight. He enjoyed negotiating with clever people, openly marking terms.

”You should be aware that the Demon Hunting Order has been disbanded, right?”

Lorenzo nodded silently.

Arthur noted his flawless expression, then continued.

”Then have you heard about their attempts to rebuild the Demon Hunting Order?”

”Rebuild the Demon Hunting Order?”

Lorenzo found it hard to suppress his astonishment, facing Arthur directly for the first time, like two beasts showing their fierce teeth.

”Several days ago, during the Ende Town operation, we received a telegram from Seven Hills. It was from a new Pope, his name is Sainy Loter.”

Arthur spoke slowly.

”He proposed intelligence exchange and technology sharing with us. For centuries the proud Church bowed its head for the first time, which is certainly a cause for vigilance, and it’s not just that.”

”Following that telegram, we activated a piece within Seven Hills, which we planted over a decade ago, one of our intelligence department’s most valuable assets. From his reports, many old departments and projects have been restarted by that new Pope.”

The entire Holy Hall Knight Order was mobilized as if preparing for war, the old forces within Seven Hills were dealt with overnight, that Pope cleared all opposition in the span of days in the name of God, firmly grasping the whole Church.”

Even in recounting you could smell the scent of blood in the air, the complete eradication of the old force, an almost impossible feat, achieved in one night. Then how long had that new Pope been secretly preparing?

”Those who submit call him the Emperor of Emperors, singing his praises, God’s name will once again hover over the Western world.”

With danger in his eyes, yet Lorenzo was still indifferent.

”What does such a lofty person have to do with me?”