Gun of Ashes

The people are familiar with the existence of the Queen, but their understanding of her is almost nonexistent. If you were to randomly ask someone, he might not even remember which reign the current Queen is. The noble title of ”Queen Victoria” simply echoes incessantly in their minds.

”The Queen... it was the Queen who made these decisions. Otherwise, we, the Purification Mechanism, wouldn’t have chosen to forcibly contain you,” Arthur said.

”So, in other words, it was not the New Order guiding all this, but the Queen, right?”

In Lorenzo’s gloomy eyes, there was a glimmer of light. After all these years in Old Dunling, he also realized the doubts hidden beneath the gray mist at this moment.

”The New Order and the Queen have reached an agreement, an agreement that allows us to risk being enemies with you.”

”What agreement?”

”This is a secret of the Royal Family, Lorenzo. You are not yet privy to it.”

Arthur did not continue to say much, just sighed somewhat wearily.

”However, we have already expressed goodwill as much as possible, Lorenzo. Otherwise, the New Order would be happy to take over in containing you... be careful of them. They carry that toxin known as Cantrella. Anthony initially suggested to me that it be used on you, in small doses, it won’t kill a Demon Hunter, just make you very weak.”

Upon hearing this, Lorenzo was slightly moved. He had personally experienced the power of Cantrella, a deadly poison originating from the Borgia family, which was later utilized by the Evangelical Church.

Lorenzo suddenly laughed and looked at Arthur, speaking with some mockery.

”Arthur, I always thought you were a hardliner, an iron-fisted dictator. I didn’t expect you to be so smooth.”

The meaning beneath Arthur’s words was very clear. He had no reason to say this to Lorenzo, yet he did. This was a warning to Lorenzo that the New Order carried a force that could counterbalance him. If Arthur’s previous actions were understandable, now Lorenzo and the Purification Mechanism had practically become adversaries.

Arthur wanted to control himself but also to appease, which was truly laughable.

But the guy standing in front of him seemed utterly unconcerned and said.

”I am different from you, Lorenzo. You are alone. You can freely hate, kill without any qualms, because you are alone. No matter what, you have nothing to lose.”

Arthur stared at him, with a solemn expression.

”But I am different. My decisions affect the lives of many people. I have to be responsible, to strive for the greatest interests of everyone.

This isn’t about being smooth, just the cunning trickery of the old folks.”

”Are you betting on me?”

”Only a desperado would put all his chips on one person.”

Lorenzo took a deep look at Arthur. Although the New Order and the Purification Mechanism were cooperating at the moment, Arthur was well aware that their cooperation was only temporary. Ultimately, they were irreconcilable adversaries. The cooperation had just begun, yet Arthur was already preparing to confront this ally.

”Do you also not trust the New Order? Do you want to use me?”

”There are no absolute allies, only absolute interests. When interests diverge, we become enemies,” Arthur’s voice was slow, yet deep, like a lesson from a parent, ”Aren’t we, Lorenzo? I thought our cooperation would be great, exploring the origin of the Demon together, but in the end... forget it, there’s nothing more to say.”

The Iron Serpent slowly came to a halt. They had reached their destination. The car door opened, and cold, damp air rushed in.

As soon as Lorenzo got out of the car, he was surrounded by guards. They had received orders in advance and knew exactly what kind of patient they were welcoming. Strange-looking weapons were held in their hands, poised to attack at the slightest resistance from Lorenzo.

”Be polite to Mr. Holmes.”

Arthur also stepped down from the carriage, walking shoulder to shoulder with Lorenzo.

”Are you coming with me?” Lorenzo asked.

”There are just a few matters that need to be dealt with, here.”

Arthur raised his head, looking at the massive iron gate, which seemed to have no one maintaining it. It was covered with rust and vines, behind which lay a continuous rise of black silhouettes, with lights shining upon them like the glowing eyes of a monster.

”It’s started.”

Lorenzo said softly. Arthur did not hear him clearly and looked at Lorenzo, asking.

”What did you say?”

The Demon Hunter gave him a smile. In a flash, he seemed to revert to that harmonious bumbling detective, but unfortunately, Lorenzo hadn’t truly reverted. His voice carried an icy and hostile tone. He said,

”The game has begun, Arthur.”