Gun of Ashes

The winter in Old Dunling appears exceptionally severe, with rising steam condensing into dew on the metal surfaces, forming frost in the cold temperature. People wear thick clothing, and under the illumination of the night lights, faint white vapor follows their breath, rising and falling.

Amidst the cold, there is an unprecedented heat beneath the surface. The heavy gate slowly opens, followed by the Thames River’s water rushing in through the rusted passage, passing through several layers of filters before reaching several dozen meters underground. The massive volume of water pours into the scorching boiler, then the machinery rotates, and the heated gas rushes through the pipes.

This is the system spreading underground like a spider web, as the burning energy flows through its paths, finally pouring into the inverted deep well.

The dark bottom turns deep red, embodying the mighty power of technology. The next moment, steam exceeding a hundred degrees surges out, spreading through pre-set pipes across the entire Old Dunling surface. Within minutes, the high-temperature steam fills the streets of Old Dunling.

It is a human miracle, making everyone who sees it involuntarily kneel down to pray, for it is a colossal presence that only appears in myths.

The Furnace Pillar System is currently the largest steam engine system in human history, built beneath Old Dunling to power the entire city. After decades of continuous expansion, it resembles a steel tree rooted in Old Dunling, its roots continually spreading around, with few knowing its full scope.

Nikola still bears a listless appearance, but this time his demeanor is more solemn. The air carries the taste of rust, accompanied by his footsteps, and the lights above flicker and dim.

Entering the elevator, after entering the code, the rusted steel slowly closes, and the cable drags, thus he descends deeper into the darkness.

The underground of Old Dunling harbors many secrets, not just the complex Furnace Pillar, but the subway system traverses throughout. Yet, what people don’t know is, deeper within lies Ingwig’s highest research institution, home to the Perpetual Motion Pump.

Continuously descending, descending.

A light suddenly spills in the blurry darkness, as the elevator door opens, presenting a new scene to Nikola. Scholars in white coats pace back and forth before their respective instruments, occasionally lightning flashes across the high dome, striking the insulated barrier, producing dazzling sparks.

A serpent bites its own tail, entwining on the steel’s strength, transforming into the infinite symbol.

This is the emblem of the Perpetual Motion Pump, confirmed by its first director, with its highest pursuit simple, just like the symbol and its name - the endlessly moving pump, named the perpetual motion machine, an artifact of divine creation.

Thinking of this, Nikola’s face shows a trace of self-mocking smile, as everyone here knows the perpetual motion machine’s impossibility, even if it exists, only in the so-called myths. Yet, even so, they strive to attempt, using science to create the so-called divine miracle.

”Has the item arrived?”

Looking towards the nearby staff, they clearly know what Nikola wants, responding.

”It’s already been sent here by the Mechanical Institute; it’s on standby at Test Site Three.”

The essence of the Perpetual Motion Pump is wrapped within the Furnace Pillar System. Below them lies the ever-burning combustion chamber, where hundreds of tons of coal are fed through channels, and the boiler releases the mighty steam force, compelling that mechanical behemoth to serve it.

Above the Perpetual Motion Pump is Old Dunling’s Mechanical Institute. They fall under the jurisdiction of the Perpetual Motion Pump, with an enormous industrial zone at the surface operating under the name of the Mechanical Institute. Its automated factories run madly, yet all prioritize serving the Perpetual Motion Pump, and it can even be said the Mechanical Institute exists to disguise it.

The passage gate slowly opens, accompanied by a rumbling sound, as if opening a whole new world’s weight.

Nikola doesn’t directly enter Test Site Three; with the staff’s help, he dresses in heavy protective clothing, relying solely on the lenses before him to observe the world outside. There is the sound of currents, and the built-in communicator in the protective suit connects to a channel.

”I’m ready; commencing entry.”

Nikola’s voice echoes inside the isolated protective suit.

After a while, the sound resonates at his ear.

”You may enter.”

Subsequently, he steps in.

Massive high-strength glass seals the entire test site, with control personnel placed at the highest command post. In the corner, soldiers stand guard with rifles, prepared against possible incidents.

The protagonist of this experiment lies quietly at the forefront of Nikola, on the steel operating table, surrounded by individuals wearing protective clothing like him.

”How is the situation?”

”We’ve just opened his chest cavity... or rather, cut a small slit.”

The voice echoes directly inside the protective clothing, Nikola can’t discern the person’s face, as both are masked by the protective clothing, relying only on nameplates at the chest to identify each other.

”Maxwell, what do you mean?”

”You’ll understand once you take a closer look; Demon Hunters are truly peculiar.”

Maxwell steps aside from the operating table, allowing Nikola a closer observation.

It is a body difficult to discern as human-like, flesh blends with Holy Silver, resembling a grotesque mix of steel and flesh, exuding a force of abomination and chaos.

This is Ed, whose body was recovered by the Purification Mechanism’s Cleaners from the battlefield after the Ende Town operation and sent to the Perpetual Motion Pump for research.

The violent force from Lorenzo reveals the Demon Hunters’ power, essentially they are a group of demons themselves. Thus, the Perpetual Motion Pump spent days reconstructing Test Site Three to prevent the spread of Demon Hunter contamination, and these scholars, to avoid being affected, can only wear heavy protective clothing.

”It’s a strange metal. We’ve cut a small piece for chemical analysis, though the result isn’t out yet. But currently, we can affirm this metal named Holy Silver has suppressive lethal power against demons.”

The vessel rises with the machinery, clearly showing the demon’s flesh turning inert under Holy Silver’s metal. Upon contact, it’s like encountering strong acid, as the flesh twists and decays.

Maxwell continues.

”According to Bola and others’ intelligence, that Demon Hunter named Lorenzo once explained about Holy Silver; he claimed this metal was blessed. During smelting, dying saints leap into the furnace, becoming one with the metal, granting it divine nature.”

The mythology-laden production process, even listening to the narration conjures that scene: in boiling liquid metal, ancient saints whisper Holy Spirit prayers as they step in.

”Do you believe in such talk, Maxwell, this so-called faith blessing?”

Nikola dismisses it with disdain.

”The simplest way to cover up a technology is to deify it. The ignorant people adhere strictly to that sacred doctrine, yet they never ponder that the initial doctrine was also narrated by humans.”

Observing the fervent reaction in the vessel, there is only rational delight in Nikola’s eyes.

”There are no gods; everything can be explained by formulas. If we can’t achieve it, it’s merely because we haven’t understood the essence of this knowledge.”

Nikola pulls down a lever beside him, causing the vessel to slowly descend.

”I think we have a new objective: attempt to replicate Holy Silver based on these samples. This thing will be deadlier to demons than fire.”

New tasks are distributed, with voices directly transmitted to the command room, where specialized clerks record all experiment-related discussions.

Sequentially issued, new experiment sequences are added to the lineup.

Subsequently, Nikola shifts his gaze to the operating table, looking at the ruined body, gravely curious.

”Now then, tell me about the peculiarities of Demon Hunters.”