Gun of Ashes

The Bluebird said in a deep voice, after the storm, the Purification Mechanism overloaded, dealing with Black Mountain Hospital while also hunting the new Order and liaising with the Evangelical Church.

This was a heavy blow to the Purification Mechanism, but fortunately, they gained a lot in this disaster. More luckily, the storm obscured everyone’s view, and the demonic secret remained hidden backstage, maintaining human sanity.

It’s no longer the era of centuries ago when going out relied entirely on carriages and communication only on letters. In this old era, information control was convenient, but now the events in Old Dunling would spread rapidly through telegraphs and trains. If not controlled properly, the entire Western world would know about the demons within days.

This is also one of the disasters the Purification Mechanism worries about. If the demonic invasion spreads through widespread information, the whole world will plunge into Hell.

More despairingly, the Purification Mechanism has yet to have a good response plan for this disaster. Even though the Cleaners have mastered some degree of Anti-Meme, the deployment is still a big problem.

Lorenzo nodded, since he had shown up, it meant he was ready for everything.

”How did you survive?”

Before the Bluebird could continue asking anything, the Red Falcon interrupted, saying he had also later inspected the crash site of the Reichenbach. The entire ridge burned fiercely at that height, and he couldn’t understand how Lorenzo survived.

”Simple, I didn’t die from the fall.”

”That’s it?”

”That’s it. Or what do you think? That I rolled perfectly upon landing to reduce force? How could that be.”

Lorenzo recalled the scene at the time, in a state of Critical Breakthrough, the demon hunter’s physique was elevated by Secret Blood to a dangerous edge. As the Black Angel glided to decelerate, Lorenzo landed heavily.

He remembered lying there for a long time before getting up, with ruptured organs and broken bones, injuries that could easily kill a human. But for demon hunters, as long as there’s breath, they stubbornly survive.

”About what happened on the Reichenbach...” the Bluebird asked again.

Lorenzo paused for a bit at this question, then after a moment, he countered.

”Actually, with your Purification Mechanism’s capability, you could certainly find out what happened through subsequent inspections, right? It’s just that now you need someone like me who experienced it firsthand to confirm everything.”

Lorenzo thought for a bit, concealing some parts of the story he didn’t want to tell.

”As you know, I lured the demon hunters from the new Order, choosing Reichenbach as the battlefield, where I killed them all... You owe me thanks, my actions reduced your pressure at Black Mountain Hospital back then, otherwise, the chaos there would have been far worse than you imagined.”

”Is that so...”

The Bluebird started to ponder. The Purification Mechanism indeed had mostly figured out everything in their investigation, and from what Lorenzo said, it matched the findings.

”Are there any other questions?”

Lorenzo asked again, looking impatient.

His current demeanor was somewhat peculiar, and the Bluebird couldn’t find the right words to describe it at the moment. Meanwhile, the Red Falcon chimed in at the right moment.

”You... now have the aura of a household head.”

”Oh oh oh! You think so too!”

Lorenzo suddenly became extremely excited, sitting up from the sofa with a cunning grin.

”Ah, this feeling is nice. From now on, I’m the one calling the shots here.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a pistol from his jacket and fired directly at the target on the wall.

After the deafening gunshot, a dark bullet hole appeared in the bullseye, with swirling white smoke, leaving the Bluebird and Red Falcon somewhat dumbfounded. Though familiar with Lorenzo’s style, actually dealing with him was still challenging.

The door was pushed open, and a worker stared suspiciously in the direction of the gunfire, while Lorenzo waved the gun at him and shouted.

”How much longer till it’s done?”

The worker looked at Lorenzo and then at the composed Bluebird and Red Falcon, swallowing hard.

”Almost done, sir.”

After speaking, he shut the door without looking back, indicating to others to speed up. Although it’s work for pay, encountering such strange clients always adds psychological pressure.

Their gaze still lingered by the door, when suddenly, Red Falcon thought of something and asked Lorenzo.

”What are they doing?”

Lorenzo’s expression changed slightly, like a cunning fox, mysteriously saying.

”You’ll find out soon.”

The chaos outside continued, no one knew what this great detective, missing for so long, was secretly doing, but Red Falcon suddenly felt a bit nostalgic, reminding him of how Lorenzo was when they first met.

A particularly reliable lunatic, rather than a revenger driven by hatred, though these identities weren’t contradictory. Clearly, this slightly insane fellow was more comforting, especially when he tells those not-so-funny dry jokes.

”If possible, I’d like you to return to the Purification Mechanism with us, Arthur has a lot to ask you face to face.”

Unlike the Red Falcon, who seemed like he was on an outing, the Bluebird knew what needed to be done. After the chatter, the conversation turned to the main point.

They weren’t fully aware of the previous conflict between Lorenzo and Arthur, but vaguely sensed some insider information, making the Bluebird a bit nervous. Though this guy looked kind, the most frightening thing about lunatics like this is the unpredictability.

Perhaps the next moment, the smiling Lorenzo would pull a sword from nowhere and slash everyone present, and thinking about it, it indeed was something he could do.

”I know, I know, but please wait a little while.”

Lorenzo gazed expectantly at the door.

In the noise outside, suddenly the doorbell rang, and a courier walked in with confusion. He was curious about what the workers outside were doing and more curious about the three odd people inside, but he knew not to ask too much due to professional ethics.

”Is Mr. Lorenzo Holmes here?” he asked.

”Here! Right here!”

Lorenzo got up excitedly and ran over.

He placed the signed package on the small table, and under the curious eyes of two people, began to open it.

It was a gun, a finely crafted shotgun, and Bluebird and Red Falcon remembered it clearly as Lorenzo’s favorite weapon. Although it was blown to pieces in the life-and-death battle on the train, today it reappeared crafted by an artisan.

”Winchester...”

Lorenzo whispered, stroking it, just like in the memory. At Lorenzo’s request, the artisan engraved the same small poem on it.

It seemed like Lorenzo would shoot at the target with this gun the next second, but he didn’t. After some nostalgia, he picked up the shotgun and hung it on the wall.

It was then the two onlookers noticed subtle changes within Cork Street 121A, Lorenzo had installed several brackets on the main wall and hung the shotgun high, so any visitor would see this elevated firearm upon entering.

Before the two could ask anything, the worker opened the door again to Lorenzo saying.

”Sir, we’re done, please take a look.”

”Okay!”

Lorenzo ran out giddily, his nightgown flared like a cloak, and amidst this, he gestured for the Bluebird and Red Falcon to follow him out.

Cork Street 121A.

The three stood before the newly finished exterior, each with different expressions.

Lorenzo was full of excitement, while the Bluebird was stunned, and Red Falcon stared at the plaque hung by the door absent-mindedly.

Wire bends into the shape of a gun, with random scribbles of crude writing on it, and with the workers fitting the glow tubes into the gaps, the dazzling brightness nearly blinded Red Falcon.

Lorenzo seemed very satisfied with everything, walked up to the two, leaned against Cork Street 121A, and reached out to hand a business card to the still befuddled Bluebird.

”This is the Winchester Detective Agency, taking on all work that can be taken on, but if it involves demons, please double the price.”

Lorenzo’s smile gradually became mischievous, while the strong light behind him lasted less than a few seconds. Probably due to quality issues, the glow tubes flickered repeatedly, leaving only scattered parts glowing, with a flamboyant appearance.