Gun of Ashes

At this time, Old Dunling was also stepping into spring. The misty drizzle fell from the sky, arriving so suddenly, without any warning.

Samuel stood at the street corner, gazing at the gloomy sky, feeling the chill stirred by the wind, and couldn’t help but button up his clothing. Most of the pedestrians on the road were like him, with long garments covering most of their bodies. Old Dunling is an industrial city, with the air filled with dispersed filthy particles. Such clothing can effectively block them out.

This is a very interesting city. It’s hard for newcomers to accept these things. The industrial pollution erodes this city, but the core’s vigorous power is constantly pushing the city forward. Destruction and rebirth coexist, with obsolete parts placed into the abyss at the bottom, and new technology constantly being built upon these remains, repeating in this manner.

Samuel was full of curiosity about this city that only existed in the mouths of others, and upon his arrival, he realized its differences from Florence.

Although Lorenzo de’ Medici had died, and the Golden Era he led had also come to an end, some wealth from that bygone era remained, becoming the cornerstone of art, prompting a continuous rise in the humanities and arts of Florence.

Melodious tunes, exquisite paintings, in the poets’ chants, Florence and faith combined perfectly. Although it seems somewhat outdated from today’s perspective, that outdated sanctity turns pure, making one’s heart yearn, full of phantasmal sacred colorful hues.

But the Old Dunling where he currently resided was completely different. This city had no romance or fantasy, only a heavy iron-gray. From the sky to the ground, it was covered by such gray mist, permeating everywhere, merging with the city.

No room for any fantasies, here there was only the absolute, cold reality, suffocation, and despair, yet also filled with progress and dawning hope.

Samuel coughed a few times forcefully. As a foreigner, he still couldn’t endure the air of Old Dunling. It was cold and damp, with a rusty smell, and sometimes breathing felt like torture.

As a member of the mission, Anthony’s assistant, Old Dunling was like a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den to Samuel. Although there was nothing much now, he always suspected that someone somewhere was vigilantly monitoring him.

The Purification Mechanism was so vigilant about them. After the mission was received, it felt as if they were under house arrest in the embassy. Without any events requiring their attendance, they could only stay obediently inside. In the deep of night, a carriage would arrive, and the person named Arthur would have a private conversation with Anthony, about which Samuel was also unclear.

He really couldn’t endure such a life, of course, more so for his curiosity about Old Dunling. After gaining Anthony’s permission, he finally had the chance to come out and see, although he couldn’t go far, it was enough.

Samuel could feel those barely noticeable gazes, as those people peeked at him. After all, he was also a Demon Hunter, with dangerous Secret Blood flowing in his veins, and without the binding of a Silver Binding Bolt.

Unlike regular Demon Hunters, this new generation of Demon Hunters like Samuel had little training time due to urgent needs, and their mastery of Authority was not precise, but it sufficed for ordinary work.

However, there are always some exceptionally gifted people, just like a swordsmanship genius who can easily defeat a master upon first wielding a sword. Among the new generation of Demon Hunters, there are such people for whom this forbidden power is so docile in their hands.

Samuel had only seen that person’s name on the list. Unlike himself, he was among the first batch of Demon Hunters to infiltrate. Judging from the mission process, they had been infiltrating the city for many days, and due to the Purification Mechanism’s monitoring, Samuel had not yet had the opportunity to contact them.

Walking to a corner of the street, although this city was so gloomy and cold, there were still some places to rest. Samuel casually bought a newspaper, came to a street-side restaurant, sat down, and prepared to see what had happened in this city while dining.

”What can I get for you?” The waiter politely asked Samuel.

Samuel didn’t rush to answer but carefully looked at the menu. He always felt that an industrial city heavy with metallic elements like Old Dunling wouldn’t have any particularly delightful dishes, although that might just be his prejudice.

”Are you new to Old Dunling?”

Seeing Samuel’s hesitation, the waiter asked.

”Yes, I’m from Florence,” Samuel casually replied while looking at the menu.

”Oh, oh, oh, that’s a really nice place, sunny, right?”

Samuel thought for a moment, ”More or less, at least much more sunny than Old Dunling.”

”How nice,” the waiter sighed. It was rare to see a clear sky in Old Dunling; it was always so bleak here.

”Would you like me to recommend some specialties?”

Seeing Samuel taking a long time, the waiter said again.

Hearing this, Samuel thought it was fine, put down the menu, ”Then you help me choose, after all, it’s my first time in Old Dunling; haven’t tried many things.”

The waiter gestured to Samuel in an assuring manner.

After settling these, Samuel found a suitable spot to sit down. Through the window, he could see everything on the street, making it a rather nice place to dine.