Gun of Ashes

This was a rare storm; the harsh weather drove everyone to hide in their homes, while the strange creatures wandering the streets were completely concealed by the wind and rain. Though only a short distance apart, those in the warm houses were entirely unaware of their presence.

Families were joyously chatting, while outside the torrential rain flowed like a river of blood.

This seemed to be a microcosm of the history between humans and Demons. Those who stood against the Demons were humanity’s rational ”Boundary,” keeping these hateful Evil Anomalies firmly outside the doors.

The Iron Serpent broke through the rain curtain, heading towards the place Lorenzo had planned, an escape route prepared for him by Oscar—a civilian airship named Reichenbach.

Lorenzo remembered it. Back then, Mrs. Van Rudd eagerly anticipated its operation, hoping to once again ride it into the skies. However, this wish was unlikely to be fulfilled, or at least delayed, as Lorenzo had commandeered it.

This was a day of conspiracy and desire, as the Plague Doctor carried Lawrence’s orders to assassinate Lorenzo. To them, Lorenzo possessed the same mysterious Authority·Gabriel as Lawrence, and since he had survived the hellfire before, they made their own explanations.

To Lawrence, Lorenzo was Lorenzo de’ Medici, the survivor of the Night of the Holy Arrival thanks to his Authority·Gabriel.

The Plague Doctor launched a massive attack, trying to capture Lorenzo at this critical moment, while the Order’s Demon Hunters also joined in, yearning for the unknown Pseudo Holy Grail in Lorenzo’s possession.

Lorenzo was like a bright flame in the night, drawing everyone’s attention.

Chaos whirled outside the car window, and during the rest, Lorenzo couldn’t resist glancing towards Black Mountain Hospital. It seemed an endless fire was burning atop it, signaling the nearing end of another battle at the storm’s other end.

Lorenzo was unsure of what was happening there, but he could somewhat feel the heavy grief beneath the rain.

On the other side of the storm, a few minutes ago.

The cold rain washed over the armor stained with foul blood, with pale steam rising from it, as the eerie Steel Body slowly undulated like it was breathing. With each breath, the steam engine pushed to its limit, amidst the roaring noise, hooks shot towards the ground.

”Lancelot...”

Everyone watched incredulously at the swiftly moving ghostly blue shadow, unable to fathom that the mysterious Lancelot was Owes, nor that under the terrifying armor lay such a fragile body controlling it all.

”Arthur... he is Lancelot?”

Swift looked on in disbelief at it all. During the days at Black Mountain Hospital, she had been caring for Owes, knowing the boy harbored secrets. After all, his surname was Victoria, but she never imagined there was yet another layer beneath these secrets.

”You’re letting a child participate in such a war!”

To Swift, Owes was a pitiable child, shackled to a wheelchair by the King’s Curse during the age of reckless running. Yet, this pitiful child was in fact Lancelot, the Lancelot fighting the Demons.

”What have you done, Arthur.”

Arthur ignored Swift and stared instead at the figure speeding through the rain curtain. Old memories emerged upon the current canvas.

It was a long time ago, in the garden beside the Platinum Palace, when Arthur first saw Owes, a somewhat dull boy sitting in a chair gazing at the green grass, a hints of longing in his vacant eyes. He seemed to want to stand up and run, but the King’s Curse had already corroded his body, leaving him relying on the servants to move.

Owes appeared to know Arthur’s identity. He saw Arthur and shakily stood up, staggering before Arthur.

”Purification Mechanism? That organization fighting Demons, I know you; you are Arthur.”

”You don’t need to know how I know this, but... I want to join you. I’ve discussed this with the Queen.”

”Why? Just thinking perhaps there might be... a miracle?”

”Yes, a miracle. You know the King’s Curse, with age I will only become weaker until I’m completely dependent on others for survival. They often say this is a curse from the Devil, one that’s beyond mortal dispelling... at least mortal power can’t achieve it, but what about miracles? Those mysterious and unpredictable miracles.”

”You have miracles; yes, miracles. After all, you are fighting those hateful Demons. Humans cannot resist monsters, unless a miracle happens.”

”I believe in these.”

It was a brief conversation, with Arthur unable to persuade the child still showing innocence on his face. Ultimately, under the Queen’s signal, they let this stubborn child join the Purification Mechanism. Arthur initially paid him no heed, as neither did the Victoria Royal Family, or they’d never agree to send him to such a ghostly place.

Yet, after the routine Mental Specialization, everything changed. This child possessed unimaginable willpower, with a terrifyingly high mental strength, allowing him to wield the First Generation Armor.

The child donned the solid armor, sealing his fragile body and the vile curse together.