Gun of Ashes

The gentle daylight pierced through the dense water mist, falling into the gap in the curtains and slightly illuminating the dim room.

Lorenzo only felt a warmth on his eyelids and slowly opened his eyes, seemingly still not fully awake. He hesitated for a moment, then let out a big yawn, stretched his curled-up body, and climbed out of the wardrobe.

His gaze carried a hint of drowsiness, and opposite him was the familiar bed, along with the ceiling covered in posters.

On the bed, there was a vague human shape, as if someone was sleeping in Lorenzo’s bed, but in reality, nothing was there. It was a deliberate shape made by Lorenzo.

The new Order’s actions against him ultimately ended in failure, but Lorenzo believed they wouldn’t give up so easily. Even though everything had become clear, this time Lorenzo stood openly in front of everyone.

He was dangerous, extremely dangerous.

Now, Lorenzo Holmes’s name had likely already spread throughout the upper echelons of the Evangelical Church. Even though they were defeated this time, as long as the Evangelical Church wasn’t completely destroyed, the pursuers would continue relentlessly.

After realizing this, Lorenzo once thought of hiding, but he gave up and instead appeared openly before everyone. It was a form of provocation and a sign of trust in himself. However, even so, Lorenzo often slept uneasily, worried that while dreaming, he might find a sharp Nail Sword piercing his throat.

After much consideration, Lorenzo moved his bed into the wardrobe. Although it was narrower, it allowed him to sleep more peacefully. His original bed was now shaped with blankets to resemble a human figure, used for misdirection.

Stretching lazily, Lorenzo casually grabbed a Nail Sword from a gap in the table nearby and swaggered downstairs.

The Winchester Law Firm was just like before, filled with concealed weapons, though more hidden than previously. These weapons were sponsored by Oscar, leftovers from his escape plan.

Living alone was truly liberating. Normally, Lorenzo wouldn’t dare carry a Nail Sword around like this.

Under his design, the area of 121A Cork Street had been roughly divided. Lorenzo’s room remained on the original second floor, while the first floor was transformed into the Winchester Law Firm. As for the other rooms... maybe to keep a memento or something else, Hig and Mrs. Van Rudd’s rooms were locked by Lorenzo, and the storage room was filled with weapons, officially becoming a legitimate arsenal.

Using the Nail Sword to cut an apple for himself, Lorenzo munched on the apple while kicking aside the clutter on the floor with his foot. He began to think he should hire a cleaner.

Finally, he returned to his seat, above him hung Winchester, his posture facing the main door, suddenly feeling like a guardian deity.

His thoughts gradually became clearer, and Lorenzo couldn’t help but recall the mysterious woman from last night. Ultimately, Lorenzo sent her away, not accepting that bizarre job.

Lorenzo was a free man now, but freedom came at a steep price. Lawrence’s remnants, the new Order, and those unknown Silencers were all Lorenzo’s enemies.

One major reason for choosing the Purification Mechanism again was Lorenzo’s realization that no matter how strong personal power was, it couldn’t combat so many unknown enemies alone. He needed a team, a legion.

Now, what he was enjoying was merely the calm before the storm, and during these peaceful days, Lorenzo did not want to stir up any additional trouble.

Once he truly entered Gaulunaro, there he would have neither the Purification Mechanism nor Nordro’s assistance. He might even fall there, especially given the woman’s shifty demeanor, indicating that the event was riddled with conspiracy.

Thus, the perfect way to handle this matter was...

Refusal.

Of course, another reason for Lorenzo’s refusal was that the work location was in that godforsaken Gaulunaro. If possible, Lorenzo did not want to go there a second time in his life.

He was someone who liked to encounter new things, but Gaulunaro was an exception. As for why...

The jingle sounded as someone pushed open the door, triggering the bell above. A girl peeked her head in through the door crack.

”Isn’t it all because of you!”

Lorenzo shouted inexplicably, tossing the half-eaten apple directly towards the entrance, just as Selyu pushed the door open, causing the apple to smack directly onto Oscar’s face.

...

It all started when Lorenzo first arrived in Old Dunling. At that time, he took on a job from the Stuart family to bring back the last of the bloodline from Gaulunaro.

This wasn’t a difficult task, but due to Lorenzo’s various actions, he himself increased the difficulty level of the work considerably.

As Lorenzo put it: ”Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, might as well teach the client how to shoot. She seems quite interested. Shooting needs a target too, huh? What? You want to fire at those bullies? Well, it’s not impossible...”

In the end, Lorenzo’s work turned into a grand escape in Gaulunaro, and moreover, his movements and work details were known to the enemy. A Duke’s descendant had entered his territory, and the Gaulunaro people weren’t so easy to let go.