Gun of Ashes

Galahad continued to ask. From Shermans’ recent question, it seemed he didn’t believe Lawrence would just die so easily. This reaction was strange and caught Galahad’s attention.

”Because he is a Demon Hunter, remember Cantrella?” Shermans said.

”The position of Dean is not so easy to take. To ensure that Demon Hunters are stably controlled, they are not given any power.”

”But he became a Cardinal... as a Demon Hunter.” Galahad said.

”Yes, that’s the cause. Actually, Lawrence is older than me, but the Secret Blood extended his lifespan. I’m almost dead from old age, while he’s still vigorous...”

Shermans deliberately slowed down his speech, his voice filled with greed.

”He was a Demon Hunter during the Golden Era, a contemporary of Cardinal Medici. At that time, all of Florence was under the rule of Cardinal Medici.

The Pope was merely his puppet. His control over all of this was almost comparable to that of the tyrannical Poison Duke, perhaps even more so, since Cardinal Medici’s methods were much gentler. Under his reign, everything advanced positively, heralding the arrival of a powerful Golden Era.”

His voice paused, then sounded again.

”Saint Nalos Cathedral, Seven Hills, Florence, and indeed the entire Holy Evangelical Pope Kingdom, all were in his grasp. Do you think he would not extend his reach to the Demon Hunting Order?”

It was then that Galahad realized the connection between the two.

”Lawrence is one of Cardinal Medici’s men?”

”More or less, by now, you should understand the status of Demon Hunters. They are praised but denied power. They can only tightly grip the aid of Cardinal Medici and become his puppets. This is why Lawrence did not die. Cardinal Medici was human; he didn’t have Secret Blood, nor did he have the lengthy time to train another Dean.

So, with Cardinal Medici’s help, Lawrence became a Cardinal and was spared from death. Don’t think it’s impossible. At the time, Cardinal Medici’s power was at its peak. He could even dismiss the Pope at will. He... he was practically a god on earth.”

Shermans once witnessed the fall of that Golden Era. For that great man, he praised and admired him extremely, but suddenly his fervent expression faded, leaving Shermans looking desolate.

”But he was not a god. He was human, and humans grow old.”

He sighed, seemingly telling the story of Cardinal Medici, but mostly expressing his own discontent.

”Time treats everyone equally. Cardinal Medici suddenly abandoned power, devoted himself to faith, and distanced himself from all disputes, transforming into a devout believer. The end of the Golden Era came so swiftly that no one reacted, except for Lawrence.

This was his only chance, and the Demon Hunter seized it. He was different from mortals, still considered young then, possessing strength. He relied on his lengthy accumulation and the status of Cardinal to solidify his own position. Thus, he survived in the crevices until the Night of the Holy Arrival.”

Shermans adjusted his emotions, sat upright, with a solemn expression.

”Now, back to business. On the Night of the Holy Arrival, Cardinal Medici also died, the cause unknown.”

Galahad was taken aback, seemingly not expecting such a legendary figure to have such a quiet end. But he immediately questioned.

”Does this have anything to do with our issue?”

”Of course, it does. You could say that everyone familiar with Cardinal Medici is dead, except Lawrence. He witnessed the rise and fall of Cardinal Medici. If anyone truly understood him, it would only be Lawrence.”

Shermans suddenly hesitated, unsure if he should unveil these words, but upon reflection, taking those secrets to the grave seemed pointless, and opening up seemed better.

”Actually, this is our conjecture after the Night of the Holy Arrival regarding the cause of Cardinal Medici’s death—he was secretly killed by Lawrence.”

”Revenge?”

If it were revenge, all of this would be easily understood. After so much patience, Lawrence finally killed the one who once controlled him. This was a revenge and betrayal accumulated over decades, with all desires fulfilled in that night.

”No, we suspect he was after Cardinal Medici’s secret...”

Shermans suddenly smiled eerily, a bit madly, as if possessed.

”The truly worthwhile sacrifice, the Medici family’s treasure, his treasure...”

”Everyone was fooled by him; how could that guy possibly show weakness?

Lorenzo de’ Medici was a great man who initiated a Golden Era; do you think he would really be willing to perish in the flood of time?”

His speech quickened, as if reciting some dreadful spell, and with his murmuring, something in the darkness stirred, seeking to escape.

”For that splendid Golden Era, Lorenzo de’ Medici devoted his life; how could he willingly let it end this way?

We speculate, after the fall of the Golden Era, Lorenzo de’ Medici still ruled over Florence, only he became the emperor in the shadows. He already possessed everything a mortal could attain—gold, status, praise, power... What else could he desire?”

Galahad watched this mad old man, his mouth suddenly uncontrolled, murmuring as if someone was using his body to answer this question.

”Immortality...”

Chilling coldness covered Galahad’s body, as if this uncertain tale had become true, and somewhere in this world, those cold eyes still watched.

”Of course, it’s just a guess, merely speculation. They are all dead, Lawrence is dead, Lorenzo de’ Medici is dead, everyone is dead, and the dead don’t speak, making it impossible to verify the truth.”

The voice carried a lightness, entirely different from the cold oppression earlier, but Galahad paid it no mind, just pondering.

If... if all this were true?

He raised his head in fright, only to find Shermans gazing at him expressionlessly, like a statue, devoid of all vitality, neither pleased nor angry.

In his deeply shadowed eye sockets was pitch darkness, akin to a silent abyss.