Gun of Ashes

”So I’ve realized, I’m still really afraid of dying! I’ve already witnessed the world’s dazzling chaos, and even for that messy chaos, I have to survive!”

Folding Blade hacked wildly, and for a moment, Red Falcon was as fierce as a War God. Eve didn’t quite know how to describe this guy, with no noble ideals, only some ridiculous reasons sustaining him till now.

”So hang in there! Lancelot! The commander is coming to save you!”

Red Falcon said as he advanced towards Lancelot, the survivors behind were protected by Bluebird and others. Although everyone was exhausted beyond measure, under the Demon’s assault, mere survival was still achievable.

He had already envisioned the following scene, first cutting down that bizarre Plague Doctor, then rescuing Lancelot. As for what to do afterward, Red Falcon hadn’t figured that out yet.

Of course, Red Falcon was also a mortal, an extraordinarily ordinary person, and he was still very afraid of death, but now he was the commander appointed by Arthur.

So sometimes job titles really can give a person a lot of motivation, but more of it was Red Falcon’s self-requirements.

Lancelot, a child who fought so hard for everyone’s survival, how could he allow death to arrive just like that!

After cutting down another Demon, Red Falcon’s steps halted. His hands, numbed from the cold and battle, gradually lost their tactile feeling. He tore his clothes’ straps, tying his hands and the Folding Blade tightly together.

”Does he intend to save you?”

The Plague Doctor looked at Red Falcon trying to approach, the mortal figure seemed so insignificant in the storm.

”Just a fool.”

Lancelot said softly as the Plague Doctor turned his gaze towards him, only to see him kneeling in the puddle, holding up that cup of Holy Grail’s blood with both hands.

Under the bird-beaked mask, possibly because of excitement, the face was twisted into a mess.

”This is really a good human observation, he wants to save you, yet doesn’t know you’re preparing to betray them all.”

The Plague Doctor emitted a twisted chuckle, truthfully, that feeling of dragging someone into despair was really quite nice, like some kind of wicked pleasure taken for fun.

Lancelot remained silent, answering with actions. He wiped his forearm without a trace of hesitation, then, like a cold machine, stabbed the needle beneath the skin.

The Plague Doctor was extremely satisfied, once again proving his point, that humans are merely creatures filled with vices, and once their rage dissipates, upon recognizing this cruel reality, even the noblest will make the most despicable decisions.

Thus, humanity needs an evolution, a great evolution, to rid itself of all sorts of vile nature, ascending to a better existence.

He turned his gaze towards Red Falcon, whose hands were bound tight with clothing straps, with the Folding Blade firmly attached. He was already starting to gasp for breath, yet still maintained the visage of an Evil Ghost.

The Plague Doctor walked towards Red Falcon, as it was time to end the battle here. Although he was unsure where Lorenzo de’ Medici had escaped to, this action had still yielded substantial rewards for the Plague Doctor.

The distance between them gradually closed, Red Falcon sprinted forward with all his might, charging towards death.

The angrier he became, the happier the Plague Doctor was. He was curious, when Red Falcon saw the Lancelot he wanted to save standing on the opposite side, what expression would he have?

With that thought, in the curtain of rain, another running sound emerged. It seemed too long since he exerted himself to run like this, his steps staggering.

A pale hand gripped the Plague Doctor’s mask firmly from behind, and soon after, the Willow Blade pierced into the Plague Doctor’s throat.

”Well done! Lancelot!”

Red Falcon shouted, two blades thrusting directly into the Plague Doctor’s chest. Immediately, like a frenzied butcher, he continued his frenzied slashing, spraying blood and chunks of flesh.

The momentum was intense, momentarily pressing even the twisted Plague Doctor back, but they were ultimately just mortals. With its monstrous strength, the Plague Doctor directly extended a hand to grasp the falling Folding Blade. No matter how much Red Falcon exerted force, it was like cutting into iron, the Folding Blade did not move a bit.

Then, Red Falcon was directly lifted by the Plague Doctor and hurled away, rolling several times on the ground and collapsing into a puddle, no longer making any sound, while around him, the bloodthirsty Demons all turned their gaze towards him.

”So what are you trying to prove, Lancelot? And who are you trying to prove it to?”

The Plague Doctor turned towards Lancelot, bearing the King’s Curse he virtually had no hand-to-hand capability, the previous ambush was all he could muster.

After removing the Willow Blade from the neck, the Plague Doctor forcefully slammed Lancelot onto the ground. There was no more blood to spit out, he curled up, dry-heaving.

The terrifying wounds were healing rapidly while the Plague Doctor’s body slightly twisted, seemingly something bizarre was squirming under those clothes.

”Are you angry, Plague Doctor? You, high and mighty, treat us as laughable lab rats, but the lab rats didn’t follow your script and bit back.”

Lancelot’s voice was weak, he tried to let out a hearty laugh of victory, but he no longer had the strength.

”I know, those guys from the Perpetual Motion Pump, instead of scolding them, it’s the experiment not proceeding as planned that would make them furious. You’re the same, right?”

The Plague Doctor said nothing, lifting Lancelot’s head high. The boy’s eyes had already started to wander. He was about to fall into a deep sleep when the Willow Blade sliced his eyelids open, forcing him to look forward.