Gun of Ashes

Most of them undergo treatment at Black Mountain Hospital for a period of time. Those who recover are reassigned to work, but for those who don’t improve, their outcomes vary.

People from the Purification Mechanism are quite repulsed by it, calling the hospital a graveyard, as most who enter never return.

”Yes, I recuperated there for quite a while.”

Joey replied slowly, his gaze reflecting on the past.

”At that time, I was just a rookie, following my family’s will, becoming a member of the Purification Mechanism. I thought I was part of a state secret agency, combating spies from Gaulunaro and other countries.”

Thinking back to his somewhat naive self at the time, Joey couldn’t help but laugh.

”But later, they started talking about some damn demons. I was unprepared, scared out of my wits, but without any time to prepare, I began my work, rushing everywhere, carrying an aluminothermic rifle, shooting one demon after another.”

”I liked this job.”

Lorenzo was forever so enthusiastic about slaying demons.

”I didn’t like it. At the time, the Armor of Original Sin wasn’t widely used yet, and we could only rely on modern weapons and numbers to suppress the demons. Our casualty rate was very high; I watched my teammates slowly descend into madness, then point their guns at their own people. I couldn’t save him, only shoot him, then continue killing demons.”

Joey’s voice was calm, maybe accustomed to such slaying, now recalling it with no emotional fluctuation.

”Did you get addicted to hallucinogens at that time?” Lorenzo asked.

”Sort of, maybe it was the influence of erosion and my own stress. I intercepted a lot of hallucinogens during an operation, held onto some strange hopeful mindset, and tried it out, seeking some dreamlike escape in this hellish world.”

Joey shrugged.

”Next came what everyone was familiar with: I consumed hallucinogens, leading to my unstable mental state, causing a mission failure. I was penalized and isolated, then sent to Black Mountain Hospital for compulsory treatment. That’s truly not a pleasant memory.”

It might have been an unbearable memory, but in Joey’s words, it turns ordinary.

”So, fighting demons, the mind always has some problems. I developed a cleanliness obsession afterward, unable to tolerate filthy blood splattering on me.”

Indeed, Joey’s clothing was always so pristine, compared to Lorenzo, who looked like a wild dog rolling in a mud pit.

”Are others like this too?” Lorenzo asked curiously.

”Sort of, everyone’s personality flaws become magnified under the influence of demons. We usually disguise it well, appearing as fit patients despite being precariously unwell.”

As Joey spoke, his eyes turned to Lorenzo. This detective seemed indifferent to the conversation just now; words like sickness and madness had become as commonplace in his life as leaves by the roadside.

Thinking about it, Joey couldn’t help feeling a strange sensation: his life involved madness, but at least he hadn’t fully succumbed to it. Joey still maintained some semblance of normal life, but Lorenzo was different; growing up in this crazy world, to him, this terrifying madness was as ordinary as everyday life.

Joey couldn’t help but ask.

”Lorenzo, don’t you have any... flaws or dark sides?”

”Flaws... dark sides?”

Lorenzo thought carefully for a moment, then laughed.

”I, Lorenzo Holmes, am invincible. How could I have such things?”

Flaws and dark sides; Lorenzo really seemed not to possess them, always maintaining absolute rationality in any situation, even when facing strong foes like Lawrence, devoid of fear.

”No, it might be that you’re just used to them, like being stuck in a quagmire unaware,” Joey said.

In his eyes, humans aren’t invincible; anyone has flaws, even the most formidable demon hunter. Perhaps Lorenzo just hasn’t realized his own flaws yet.

”Maybe you have some peculiar psychological disorder; you just haven’t noticed it.”

Listening to Joey’s words, Lorenzo considered in silence for a moment before responding.

”Slaying demons, perhaps?”

”Oh, actually I used to feel each time slaying demons was exhilarating. If demons had human emotions, they’d probably see me as a mad killer.”

This person became inexplicably proud.

”But... Joey, where are we really headed?”

Looking out the window, the street scene gradually grew bustling, apparently heading towards the Inner City District. Joey mentioned a conversation awaiting him, yet didn’t specify who was coming.

”You’ll know when we arrive.”

Joey seemed to be hiding something.

The carriage finally stopped before a hall, with guards nearby. This appeared to be a significant place. Then a waiter opened the door, guiding Lorenzo and the others forward.

Passing through towering archways, beneath the steel and glass dome, massive pillars fell behind one by one, until Blue Jade and Bola appeared at the end of sight, dressed quite formally, surrounded by soldiers holding aluminothermic rifles.

Lorenzo started feeling something amiss, his subconscious warning him as he reached into his pocket, gripping the shotgun under his coat. But Bola, already familiar with this maniac’s routine, came forward and grabbed Lorenzo’s arm.

”You can’t bring weapons inside, Lorenzo.”

”Why are you here?”

Lorenzo retorted.

Bola manages the Lower City District, leaving there only for urgent matters. Clearly, today’s events were unusual.

”Please cooperate, Mr. Holmes; it’s best for both of us.”

Blue Jade added, ”We seldom reach such cooperation.”

Lorenzo fell silent, hesitated for a long time, and then handed over the shotgun.

”And there’s more.”

Knowing Lorenzo too well, Bola continued.

Lorenzo glared at this bastard before handing over a short knife and his staff sword.

Once done, Bola let him through, stepping aside as the door slowly opened.

Sunlight streamed in; behind the door was a meeting room, seemingly those people had awaited Lorenzo for long, seated already in place, Lorenzo slowly advanced and recognized their identities.

Arthur and Merlin, and the two Knight Commanders he encountered at the Perpetual Motion Pump, Gawain and Percival. On the other side sat people unknown to Lorenzo, yet he felt an eerie familiarity, compelling him to take a few extra glances.

Clearly distinguishing two factions in the meeting room: one led by Arthur from the Purification Mechanism, the other those mysterious individuals.

Lorenzo sat on a chair near the door, maintaining a safe distance from both factions, till Arthur spoke.

”Long time no see, Mr. Holmes.”

Lorenzo lazily leaned against the chair back, though his casual demeanor sensed the current situation’s peculiarity.

”What now, Arthur?” Lorenzo asked.

”Nothing much, just a short meeting. We want to confirm some things. Explaining everything instead of cooperating with doubts is more reassuring, isn’t it?”

Arthur said, glancing around, then continued.

”Someone wants to meet you, to personally confirm some matters.”

After Arthur finished, a man from another faction stood, gestured to Lorenzo, then introduced himself.

”Hello, Mr. Lorenzo Holmes.”

The Priest smiled at Lorenzo, then spoke some words that made Lorenzo feel suffocated and tense.

”You may call me Fr. Anthony, currently the new Dean of the Demon Hunting Order.”

Lorenzo first froze, then all his muscles tightened up; he scanned around Anthony, looking at those expressionless waiters. At this moment, he finally realized where that familiar feeling came from.

Demon Hunters, they were all demon hunters.

The Secret Blood slightly stirred, as if jubilant and excited.