Gun of Ashes

Under the pitch-black night sky, a few raindrops fell, followed by a torrential downpour that once again dragged the entire Old Dunling into a hazy world. In this hazy darkness, the Iron Serpent sped forward, and after passing countless buildings and guards, it slowly came to a stop.

”So why has Arthur summoned us?”

Red Falcon was the first to step down from the Iron Serpent, opening an umbrella, followed by Bluebird and Bola.

”Defense,” Bola answered succinctly.

Although they were all Upper-Rank Knights, Bola possessed far more authority than Red Falcon and the others.

Bluebird turned back, gazing at the thunderous clouded sky. Accompanied by flashes of blinding white, War Airships left one black silhouette after another against the night sky, resembling those giant whales gliding through the heavens.

This harsh weather greatly affected the War Airships, any misstep could lead to a crash. Usually, during the rainy season, War Airships should dock at air harbors for maintenance. Yet now, they appeared en masse, flying at low altitudes to reduce risk.

”Defense? Defense against what?” Red Falcon asked.

This was Old Dunling, and now they were inside Black Mountain Hospital. Although Red Falcon quite disliked this place, as a research institution of the Purification Mechanism, it was secure enough. He couldn’t figure out what they needed to defend against.

”If something really happens, you’ll know what you’re defending against. For now, you need to assign work and stand guard.”

Bola said, gesturing for them to follow.

He didn’t plan to say much more, but the damp night breeze carried a murderous chill, as if something was coming, piercing through the curtain of rain.

Red Falcon turned to look at the night sky; with a flash of lightning, one terrifying armor after another was hoisted into mid-air, descending from the War Airships into the darkness below.

For a moment, Red Falcon felt suffocated. How many armors were there? It seemed like the entire armor force of the Purification Mechanism had been deployed here. He couldn’t begin to imagine what they would face next.

Bola, meanwhile, moved forward without looking back. He knew more than Red Falcon about the information and understood how swiftly the Third Generation Armor could be produced with industrial technology.

In the never-sleeping furnaces of the Mechanical Institute, they forged an army of steel.

”Is everyone in position?”

Gawain emerged from the darkness, accompanied by Percival, who wore a smile as if oblivious to any notion of seriousness or fear.

”In position.”

Bola reported, in this short time, Black Mountain Hospital had been transformed into an incredibly fortified stronghold. In the shadows, steam engines ran at low power, hot steam emanating from the gaps in the armor. They remained as still as sculptures, yet these lifeless sculptures could spring to life at any moment, wielding heavy swords against the enemy.

”What are we defending against? Lorenzo Holmes?”

Bola suddenly asked, not because he didn’t want to answer Red Falcon, but because he himself was also confused. A few hours ago, he was dealing with a brawl in the Lower City District, and in the blink of an eye, he was transferred here, along with elite forces from within Old Dunling.

”The New Order,” Gawain replied.

Bola’s expression showed some surprise; he had believed that the New Order and the Purification Mechanism were already in a cooperative relationship, yet the current situation seemed like the brink of war.

”The New Order lost the Revelation; under such circumstances, they no longer have the ability to recreate Secret Blood, which means their Demon Hunters are limited. If I were that new Pope, no matter the cost, we would need to regain the ability to recreate Secret Blood, or alternatively, find another power that can replace Secret Blood,” Gawain said.

”Pseudo Holy Grail.” Bola couldn’t help but feel a chill.

”Yes, exactly like that. The current behavior of the New Order is peculiar; they helped us contain Lorenzo Holmes but demanded nothing in terms of research. Do you think they would give up this Pseudo Holy Grail? Impossible, and we at the Purification Mechanism will never allow the Pseudo Holy Grail to return to the Evangelical Church.

The best outcome is negotiation; the worst is the New Order forcibly regaining the Pseudo Holy Grail.”

”But this is Old Dunling,” Bola found it hard to believe that the New Order would be crazy enough to start a war with the Purification Mechanism inside Old Dunling.

”But they are the New Order; they are Demon Hunters, similar to Lorenzo,” Gawain’s voice was somewhat cold.

”Previously, our interests were aligned, both focusing on containing the unstable existence of Lorenzo. But now that Lorenzo has been contained, we absolutely cannot agree on how to divide the benefits regarding him, so it can only be resolved by force. I really hope Arthur’s speculation is wrong; starting a war within Old Dunling will only lead to a bloody tragedy.”

Gawain sighed. It was already late at night, as knights from the Purification Mechanism silently took over the entire Black Mountain Hospital. One could faintly hear the sound of metal grinding, as large Geiger Counters were transported by the Iron Serpent and installed in various corners, strengthening the surveillance.

”Black Mountain Hospital has many defensive facilities, but most of them are meant to fend off ordinary people... actually, Bola, you’ve noticed it too. Your impression of Black Mountain Hospital is very strange. You know of its existence, yet can’t recall its exact location,” Gawain said.

Bola nodded. Every time he came, he was transported by the Iron Serpent. It was as if there was an unknowable mist here, and only by following the tracks beneath his feet could he avoid getting lost.