Gun of Ashes

”You don’t still... believe the intelligence from the new Order, do you?”

Arthur stiffly nodded, somewhat dazed—not sure if it was from exhaustion or something else.

”Lorenzo, sometimes I feel humans in this world are like a lone person walking in the dark night... we have to believe in something to keep going, and whether what we believe is correct often doesn’t matter.

You’re like this too, aren’t you?”

”What are you talking about?”

Lorenzo found Arthur’s state odd, Arthur chuckled, and replied.

”Just stumbled upon some old records, recalling past troubles... actually, when I look back now, everything we’re doing is just a repetition of all that.

Just like when I first got involved, this is a heavy issue; with the spreading of demons, human sanity is precarious, the only solution is to kill all demons.

Do you believe this, Lorenzo? That exterminating demons will end it all?”

Lorenzo remained silent, as he delved into the past he realized demons were far more complex, and Arthur didn’t give Lorenzo a chance to respond, continuing.

”There’s no choice, we can only believe, because only then can we unleash the hatred and fury demons have brought, like the only light in the night, we can only move towards it, we can only believe, even though there’s a deeper mystery and flaw behind it all... but we can only believe.”

Arthur propelled his wheelchair forward as he talked to Lorenzo.

”Many years ago I made such a decision, my wife and daughter were dying, but the only way to save them was absurd and forbidden... yet I could only believe it was the only way, in fact, I was avoiding reality, didn’t consider what failure would mean. At that time, I was nearly mad, just wanted something to deceive myself, so I could keep moving forward, luckily, it worked in the end.”

”Just like the new Order, I know they’re up to something, but with our current understanding at its boundary, I can only believe in them. Don’t blame me, Lorenzo, I believe if you were in my situation, you’d make the same decision, just like the anger constantly driving you.

You believe exterminating demons will bring revenge, you believe exterminating demons will end it all, you believe exterminating demons will stop your suffering...

But all of this has been your own imagination, nobody told you exterminating demons would end it. It’s just self-deception, a reason to keep yourself motivated to move forward.”

Arthur’s voice echoed in the empty corridor, a glimmer appeared at the far end.

”This world is downright awful,” Lorenzo said.

”Yes... but...”

Arthur didn’t continue, while Lorenzo felt a chill, the touch ran down his wrist; he tried to move his restrained arm, feeling a slight sting in the process.

”Arthur...”

”Shhh...”

Arthur covered Lorenzo’s mouth, whispering in his ear.

”She’s going to restart the Ranger plan... nobody is absolutely trustworthy, even her. Many years ago, Eve survived because of her orders, but now, to break free from the King’s Curse, I can’t guarantee what she might do to Eve.

It felt truly awful then, I couldn’t do a thing, but now it’s different.

Let me use you one more time, Lorenzo—if the upcoming enemy is the new Order, then destroy them; if it’s Lawrence’s remnant, then finish them off; if it’s the Queen’s command, then take Eve and leave.”

Lorenzo maintained his silence, slightly wriggling his wrist, adjusting the Willow Blade Arthur had slipped into his sleeve to a suitable position.

They reached the corridor’s end, Arthur pushed Lorenzo into a cage and left without looking back, but a quiet sound arose, seemingly laughter.

”You don’t seriously think I’ve lost, do you, Arthur.”

Lorenzo looked at Arthur with an eerie smile.

...

Today’s rain was exceptionally heavy, dark clouds enveloped the sky; so dim that streetlights lit up during daytime, the wind and rain swept leaves and debris, battering everyone it covered.

The parked carriage shook from the wind, inside, the girl glanced out the window, then at the old man sitting opposite her.

”So Lorenzo says we’re supposed to wait here?” Selyu asked; a few days ago she suddenly received a letter from Lorenzo, yet when she went to find him, he and his roommate mysteriously vanished.

”Anyway, that’s what the letter to me said.”

Oscar looked at the damned weather outside, his tone uncertain, unable to comprehend Lorenzo’s intent.

Suddenly, the carriage door swung open, a wet shadow crashed inside, mounting the carriage while cursing.

”Wow, why is this rain so heavy! Little darling, are you alright?”

He muttered, but soon two guns were pointed at his head, making the cramped cabin atmosphere somewhat awkward.

”Judging by your strength, I’d recommend this lady’s gun.”

Oscar said, handing Selyu a smaller pistol, and right after, two guns of different sizes were aimed at the man’s head; his expression was awkward, but he proceeded to speak.

”Uh...Selyu Stuart? Oscar Wilde?”

He seemed to be identifying them, Oscar now found the drenched fellow somewhat familiar.

”Ah, you’re the close circle Lorenzo mentioned in his letter!”

”What close circle?”

Selyu thought the person before her was peculiar, but soon he got serious.

”Let me introduce, Heracles Christie, this is Polo.”

With Heracles’ words, a large rat jumped out of the corner; to Selyu, this pair seemed overly odd.

”Oh, Lorenzo is such a troublesome guy, leaving so much for us, though it’s the best solution, as he diverted everyone’s attention, allowing us to secretly plot...”

Heracles vigorously brushed his drooping mustache, drenched from the rain, then with a smile said.

”Now let’s start implementing Lorenzo Holmes’ script, the protagonist has taken the stage, the curtains draw open! Music plays! ...Wait, supporting characters! You should be ready, right?”