Gun of Ashes

Old Dunling was protected by complex systems and institutions. Although the storm obscured the view, Black Mountain Hospital maintained communication with the Broken Dome until a few hours ago when the communication was cut off. According to one of the disaster emergency protocols, the protocol was initiated after losing contact with Arthur and the entire Black Mountain Hospital, and the Cleaner Squad was deployed.

Just like their name suggests, Cleaners are responsible for mopping up the actions of the demons, and in certain special situations, they also tidy up the failed actions of the Purification Mechanism.

Based on the Peeping Tom System’s assessment of the erosion intensity at the Black Mountain Hospital, the communication between Arthur and Gawain before contact was lost indicated a demonic outbreak inside the Black Mountain Hospital. Given the importance and geographical location of Black Mountain Hospital, the Cleaners temporarily considered Arthur to be deceased and the entire Black Mountain Hospital as a fallen zone.

Rather than say they are a special unit fighting demons, it would be more appropriate to say they are an army, composed mostly of personnel retired from the main forces of the Purification Mechanism, no longer capable of direct confrontation with demons. Hence, the Cleaners fired Ascalon toward Black Mountain Hospital to clear the way for subsequent forces.

Fire rained from the sky, destroying the demons while systematically demolishing the buildings. Countless Iron Serpents bounded along the tracks in the storm, forming an encircling net, wrapping around the entire Black Mountain Hospital, determined not to let a single demon escape.

”Are they trying to kill us too?”

Under the cover, Red Falcon screamed in agony. He had considered he might be killed by demons, but under the current situation, it seemed he would most likely be killed by his own people before the demons got him.

”This is the style of the Cleaners, and they’ve also given us a chance.” Arthur replied.

”What chance? An evacuation warning?”

Red Falcon couldn’t help but curse, but this time Arthur didn’t have the time to respond. A violent explosion sent a heat wave surging; moments ago, it was frigid rain, now it was as though they were thrown into boiling water.

The Cleaners did indeed give them a chance, but it wasn’t an evacuation warning. As soon as Black Mountain Hospital lost contact, the protocol’s initiation entered a countdown, and after so long without a response, the Cleaners made this decision.

In a way, though the Cleaners belong to a subsidiary institution of the Purification Mechanism, they differ from Black Mountain Hospital and the Perpetual Motion Pump in being completely independent, beyond Arthur’s control.

This sounds strange, even shocking, but that’s the reality because the Cleaners themselves are an emergency protocol. When the command echelon is completely eroded and fallen to demons, the Cleaners become the new Purification Mechanism, fully cleansing the corrupted old entities.

They are the last safety measure of the Purification Mechanism, the sword hanging high above the head. For this, they must minimize their presence to avoid being struck or destroyed by a corrupted command echelon, which is why the Cleaners are the sole institution within the Purification Mechanism authorized to use the Anti-Meme.

As a commander, Arthur’s understanding of the Cleaners ends there. After all, their existence is precisely to limit the command echelon, with more intelligence firmly protected by the effects of the Anti-Meme.

Fierce to their enemies and equally ruthless to themselves, this aligns with the actions of the Purification Mechanism. Others couldn’t quite believe the descending rain of fire, but Arthur understood, not even feeling surprised.

Blocking demons outside human cognition, the Purification Mechanism stands as the wall between the two. This is the ultimate credo, an inviolable bottom line. To prevent demons from spreading, the Cleaners might resort to more insane measures.

The roaring tremors continued. No matter how many demons or survivors remained on the surface, they would likely perish in the firestorm. Waves of mournful wailing echoed as the iron-clad demons were struck by heavy shelling. Even clad in iron armor, it couldn’t withstand this level of firepower.

The iron armor shattered, searing heat spreading molten iron across its body, and beneath the huge wound, the grotesque, malformed flesh was visible.

”Lancelot!”

Someone shouted, and amidst this chaotic doom, heavy footsteps resounded.

In the curtain of descending rain and rising steam, a jagged knight broke through the barriers. A steam engine ran in overload, the red-hot glow like the sun was visible through the cracks in the armor. The hot white steam was pulled into delicate threads before it could dissipate into the air, whipped by the body’s swift movement.

In this apocalyptic moment, Percival, grasping the great sword, charged out of cover. Bewilderment, fear, sorrow… all emotions were diluted to nothing by the rational downpour.

This was a perfect opportunity. If they didn’t seize it to completely kill this formidable demon, relying on the Secret Blood’s dreadful vitality, this demon would become even more troublesome.

Thunder responded to her, grappling hooks pierced through the chaos, directly hitting the soft flesh beneath the wound. Previously protected by iron armor, Lancelot’s hooks had struggled to embed into the demon’s body, but this time he had the opportunity to strike.

In an instant, the armor turned into a ghostly blue shadow and fell, and the sharp dual swords pierced into the wound. The iron armor could protect against attacks from the outside but couldn’t fend off the internal tearing.