Gun of Ashes

Lorenzo sat on the sofa that Mrs. Van Rudd usually occupied, the seat that should be considered the main seat, directly showcasing his position within the family.

”So, what’s going on?”

Lorenzo frowned. He didn’t even need to think about it; it was definitely some damned troublesome matter that had come up, non-stop, causing annoyance.

”Have you forgotten about the task Nordro entrusted to you? That Shermans.” Oscar said.

Looking at Selyu, then at Oscar, Lorenzo remembered this, that mysterious idealistic organization focused on the commission related to Evangelical Church exiles.

Lorenzo didn’t rush to answer Oscar, but instead turned to look at Selyu.

”Has the Stuart family formally cooperated with Nordro?” Lorenzo asked.

”She hasn’t decided yet; after all, things like this are very important. As for why I brought her along...” Oscar suddenly became serious, putting away his smile, ”Although we are good friends in private, we cannot let personal matters interfere when representing our respective positions. Like how nations have diplomats, Duke Stuart is very suitable to become the bridge of communication between Nordro and you.”

Lorenzo stared at him skeptically, his eyes sharply fixed on Oscar, who seemed a bit evasive, and he continued.

”Of course, this matter is also related to her, because that letter was sent to the Stuart Mansion.”

Lorenzo was somewhat puzzled.

”What letter?”

Selyu directly took out the black letter in his hand and handed it over.

Lorenzo’s pupils contracted, like a beast facing an enemy; he could clearly sense the eeriness of the letter, as if it contained some hateful knowledge, merely looking at it caused a strange, inexplicable sensation in his heart.

”Sent to the Stuart Mansion a few days ago,” Selyu said, ”I can now be considered a duke. There are so many letters every day that I can’t possibly open them all. It wasn’t until last night’s check by Yawei that this letter was found, and then Oscar was notified immediately.”

Lorenzo took the black letter. It had already been opened, but Lorenzo didn’t hurry to look inside; instead, he carefully examined it.

A very ordinary letter, except that it was filled with a strange feeling that kept Lorenzo vigilant.

”So you don’t know when it was sent either?”

Selyu nodded, ”The envelope was blank, with no information at all. If it weren’t for its pure black color and that strange sensation...” It wasn’t just Lorenzo; Selyu had sensed it too, ”This made Yawei somewhat concerned, otherwise it might have directly been thrown away as junk mail.”

Lorenzo lowered his head and took out the contents from inside. It was just a paper, with a line of brief words written in red ink. As Lorenzo stared at it, the red text seemed to possess a magic power, like a slowly rising vortex, engulfing Lorenzo’s mind.

His gaze turned grim as he slowly lifted his head to look at Oscar.

Oscar, as if knowing what he would ask, helplessly waved his hand.

”This has nothing to do with us; I also got this letter from Duke Stuart.”

”Who sent the letter?”

”I don’t know, but there’s a name on the signature.”

Lorenzo looked at the letter in his hand, where an elegant script was written in the corner.

”Your old friend.”

His gaze shifted upward, and above the brief text, an address and a name were written.

”Shermans...”

Lorenzo murmured the name that brought a hint of nostalgia. Lorenzo remembered him; in those uncertain memories, Lorenzo had once been the guardian of this old man. Within the Cardinals, he seemed to be the most devout, neither seeking wealth nor coveting power, instead wholly devoted to faith.

”Is this Shermans’ location?”

This sheet of paper undoubtedly disclosed this information, yet Lorenzo couldn’t help but ask again.

It’s very strange; at this moment, a letter with an anonymous sign-off, and with such a peculiar signature.

”Your old friend...”

Lorenzo muttered as he raised his head, looking at Oscar and Selyu.

”This is probably not meant for me; I don’t have any old friends.” Selyu fiddled with the black envelope, trying to see if there was something overlooked.

”But this letter was directly sent to you...”

Lorenzo noticed the odd detail. Selyu had spent his childhood in Gaulunaro, and after coming to Old Dunling, he was completely under Stuart’s protection. It could be said that, apart from Lorenzo, all of Selyu’s friends were meticulously selected by the family.

”Where do you live, Oscar?” Lorenzo suddenly asked.

”I am an unpopular writer, living humbly in the Outer City District like you.”

Oscar had the look of someone whose talent was buried, but Lorenzo wouldn’t believe his nonsense. As a member of Nordro, Oscar’s life definitely wasn’t that bad. No, precisely because he was a member of Nordro, this unpopular writer probably didn’t starve to death.

”Alright, joking aside, perhaps I have many old friends outside of Ingwig, but inside Ingwig, I certainly don’t have any. Nordro mainly deals with the world outside of Ingwig, you know, our influence at home is pathetically small.”

”You deliberately weakened your presence in Ingwig.”

”There’s no choice; a trade group spanning multiple countries will inevitably scare those gentlemen, won’t it? The best approach is not to appear in front of them.” Oscar said.