Gun of Ashes

”If Demon Hunters and Demons share the same origin, does that mean Authority is the same as well?”

Lorenzo froze, as if another terrifying secret was slowly unfolding before his eyes, a direction no one had ever conceived. The [Boundary] had always restricted people’s exploration of those secrets, until someone accidentally broke through its restraints.

”Based on our Purification Mechanism’s years of collecting various types of Demons, it can be seen that those peculiar demons have similarities to your Demon Hunters’ Authority, such as the Nightmare Illusion that traps people in hallucinations, or the Stomach Chewing Grass that grows wildly like red threads... and that out-of-control burning demon.”

”What exactly are you trying to say?”

Lorenzo looked at Merlin, beginning to understand why Merlin wanted to share this with him. This Alchemist had discovered a frightening secret, but it seemed that only Lorenzo could bear the cost of uncovering it.

”The [Gap], the [Gap] traversal that Lawrence can achieve; what if that is also a form of Authority?” Merlin asked.

”Gabriel...”

Confronted with Merlin’s words, Lorenzo softly spoke. An extremely cold wind brushed across their cheeks, as if an invisible cold hand was touching them.

Merlin’s body trembled slightly. He didn’t quite understand, and quickly asked.

”What did you say? Lorenzo.”

”The [Gap] traversal is a form of Authority, named Gabriel.” Lorenzo said.

”You... did you remember something?”

Lorenzo stiffly nodded, then reached out his hand to place it on Merlin’s shoulder, warning Merlin.

”You’re right, Merlin; knowledge is cursed. You’re close to touching the [Boundary]; don’t go any further...”

He advised the Alchemist before him, but promptly felt fear because of his own words.

Indeed, this is why none of this secrecy has ever been passed down. Those who knew were not only hunted by Silencers, but they themselves refused to pass on this knowledge, for it was a curse. The more who knew, the more would die. They erased all knowledge related to the [Boundary] to protect those who came after.

So, were those who refused to reveal the secrets actually protecting us?

Lorenzo felt an unspeakable irony for a moment, but then Merlin spoke again.

”No, no, no, Lorenzo, listen to me!”

Unaware of that so-called [Boundary], Merlin fixed his gaze on Lorenzo, suppressing his emotions as he growled.

”If Demon Hunters’ Authority can manifest through the physical forms of Demons, in specific ways; just like Nightmare Illusion, or the burning demon transformed by Horner.

Then, what about the so-called Authority of Gabriel?

This strange and frightening power, what sort of demon corresponds to it?”

Merlin discovered the [Boundary], vaguely feeling that eerie fear and oppression. He had wanted to share this information many times, but instinctively felt afraid, as if doing so would trigger some irretrievable error. He could only suppress it until he disclosed everything to Lorenzo.

Everything stems from that sinful Secret Blood, from which all the evil of the worlds was born.

This is what Merlin wanted to convey to Lorenzo, who stood rigidly in place, with only the roaring storm in his ears.

His pupils constricted, and his expression was complex, uncertain whether it was fear or joy. His hands trembled slightly as he spoke, in a voice too faint for Merlin to hear.

”Silencer...”

All informed were killed, and survivors feared the curse of this knowledge, refusing to pass on this deadly information. Humanity never truly understood the current state of the world; everyone is bound like livestock by an invisible [Boundary], and those bizarre entities guard the [Boundary] like sentinels.

Maintain silence, let the quiet endure.