Gun of Ashes

What terrified her even more was that this time, the mysterious Demon Hunter seemed to align with demons. She had witnessed Lorenzo’s terrifying power; if there had been a sliver of hope for survival before, with the man’s arrival, that last bit of hope was shrouded in darkness.

But, why? Why would a Demon Hunter stand with demons, and why would the Nail Sword coated with Holy Silver end up pointing at her?

”Phew... finally found you.”

Lawrence said casually. Horner did well; he attracted everyone’s attention. The Purification Mechanism’s forces all went towards him, while here, they went unnoticed.

Eve’s expression was almost frozen; she remembered those words, originating from the monster she saw during her Spiritual Vision. Back then, it also said this to her; they had found her.

”Looks like our roles need a switch.”

Eve said awkwardly.

Lawrence’s target was herself; Selyu didn’t need to wait here to die with her. Yet Selyu shook her head. Those demons continued lurking in the shadows, leaving no one able to escape alive. Although Lawrence’s ultimate purpose was unclear, judging from the grand scale of tonight, his target was herself or Eve.

Neither had any chance of survival.

Watching Lawrence close in, Eve took a deep breath, seemingly calming down, then sincerely spoke to Selyu.

”It’s truly a pleasure to meet you, Miss Selyu Stuart.”

Then Lawrence arrived, though his body aged, Secret Blood flowed within him. That burgeoning power dragged the mortal flesh to the forbidden realm, causing the dying blood and flesh to rejuvenate once more, tracing a crimson path, rushing straight at Eve.

The sharp Nail Sword transformed into blazing white thunder, and the spirits beneath the sword screamed to welcome Eve’s addition, then continued to magnify in her view.

The time of death approached.

In that instant, memories scattered like shattered crystals in Eve’s vision, each fragment mirror reflecting scenes from her past, from childhood to adulthood, from her first horseback ride to her first day joining the police force.

For that fleeting moment, Eve seemed to comprehend Duke Phoenix’s intention. That island given as her dowry would be her paradise, Duke Phoenix would be the strongest shield, blocking all dangers outside, allowing her to live happily in that paradise, rather than dying here.

Duke Phoenix loved her, though that love was hard to understand, like a cloying candy, beautiful yet sometimes unacceptable for Eve.

But suddenly, heavy footsteps sounded; someone was rushing here, bringing a vast army.

No time to wonder who was coming, a sonorous voice rang out, accompanied by a thunderclap-like explosion.

As if realizing something, Eve instinctively hugged Selyu beside her, and in the next moment, the entire wall behind them shattered. On the black Armor burned blazing white flames, it soared over the heads of the two, like a falling white star.

Without a pause, the Black Knight swung that heavy Great Sword directly hitting the speeding Lawrence, swinging him away like a baseball, sending the crimson figure crashing backward, eventually submerging into the ruins.

Dust scattered with the rising flames; the jagged Armor resembled piled-up bones, breathing deeply. With each breath, flames rose and fell within the Armor’s seams.

[Warning, Secret Blood Awakening at 26%, approaching critical threshold.]

The Black Knight raised his head, looking towards the direction of the ruins, gripping tightly the burning Great Sword, and then a ghostly laugh emanated from beneath the Armor, as if celebrating this long-awaited reunion.