Gun of Ashes

This is a secret conversation. Outside the soundproof room, soldiers stand guard. With the secret implementation of the Purification Mechanism, this operation hasn’t caught anyone’s attention. It will be a win-win. The Exile gains valuable assistance, the Purification Mechanism can confirm unknown intelligence, and Duke Salicardo can formally engage with this dark world.

People will chase danger, willing to put themselves in peril for that heart-racing sensation.

”So, this is all true, and the Evangelical Church hasn’t lied to us, correct?”

Galahad’s emotions slightly fluctuated; the worst guess was confirmed, and even he was a bit stunned.

Originally, he thought this was a conspiracy by the Evangelical Church, but he hadn’t expected it to be real.

Shermans nodded, although he wasn’t sure what the man in the photo had to do with all of this, he still said earnestly.

”Though I’m quite old, my memory hasn’t declined. I remember him. They usually guard the Saint Nalos Cathedral and sometimes protect us Cardinals. I have a deep impression of him.”

”Is that so?”

Galahad memorized Shermans’ answer in his heart. Despite experiencing so much, he suddenly realized that from the beginning, it was all a huge trap.

”I will secretly report these to Arthur. Next... Down the line...”

Whether it was the fear of the truth, as one of those informed, Galahad felt a great sense of crisis which was far more terrifying than Dean Lawrence.

”Are you okay?”

Shermans asked, looking at the slightly distressed Galahad.

”I’m okay.”

Although he wanted to express this, due to that strange feeling, Galahad’s voice was somewhat loud, almost like a shout.

Galahad tried to calm himself as much as possible. It took a long pause before he slowly said.

”Sorry, I lost my composure.”

”It’s alright, I’m used to it. In the Seven Hills, there are many Demon Hunters like you.”

”Demon Hunters?”

Galahad was somewhat surprised, ”I’m not a Demon Hunter.”

”Of course I know, I meant that many Demon Hunters are in the same situation as you.”

Shermans recalled.

”The Demon Hunters have Forbidden Blood flowing in their veins. Even with the binding of the Silver Binding Bolt, many Demon Hunters still head toward destruction.”

He looked at Galahad with some pity; this skinny man, in his eyes, was just like those former Demon Hunters.

”Demon Hunters never meet a good end. As their will gradually ages, that boiling Secret Blood only grows more intense. They are tormented by uncontrollable Secret Blood, and if left unchecked, it will only give birth to dreadful Demons.”

”How do you deal with it?”

Galahad asked, curious.

This has been a blind spot the Purification Mechanism has not addressed. As the Evangelical Church has developed, there should have been countless Demon Hunters, but no one knows their fate.

”I only know the basics. Although I’m a Cardinal, you can see that my power isn’t much. Compared to Miguel, I’m just filler, merely executing voting rights from time to time.”

Shermans continued speaking.

”I don’t manage the affairs of the Demon Hunting Order, but I also know a bit. Actually, as Demon Hunters age, their integration with Secret Blood deepens, but when they’re old, or like you...” Shermans glanced at Galahad. He could recognize the injuries; this man before him had nearly died from the erosion.

”The Demon Hunter survived, but the residual erosion will still gradually drag them into the Abyss. When their weary will can no longer control the Secret Blood, they will be destroyed.”

”How do you destroy them?”

Galahad asked. The Demon Hunter wasn’t something that could be killed just by words.

”It’s quite simple, really, as the prerequisite for creating a weapon is that we have the ability to destroy it...”

Shermans suddenly paused, his wrinkled face smiling at Galahad. After a moment of confusion, Galahad understood his meaning.

”According to Arthur’s wishes, when you confirm for us...” He couldn’t help but glance at the black-and-white photo on the table and, suppressing his internal fear, continued, ”...confirm his identity, then we can consider our cooperation achieved.”

”Oh! That sounds good, but it’s a bit unclear. Is his identity really so crucial? Originally, I thought my most valuable intelligence was the location of the Holy Hall Knight Order’s treasure.”

Perhaps due to cultural differences or maybe Shermans was old, sometimes he couldn’t understand what these people truly wanted, always considering the treasure the last card. After all, it’s the wealth accumulated by the Holy Hall Knight Order over the centuries.

”You need not concern yourself with that. Please continue.”

Galahad directly interrupted him, preventing him from continuing to inquire.

”The method of destruction is actually quite simple.” Shermans recalled those dirty knowledge; ever since he became a Cardinal, he seldom remembered these, and now, thinking back, much was already blurred.

”Demon Hunters are, after all, human. In their bodies, even in their souls, there’s a human part. All we need to do is restrict those.”

Old memories flashed before his eyes like galloping horses, crashing into the aged thoughts. Shermans suddenly remembered those, softly uttering the words laden with fatal intention.

”We call that thing Cantarella.”