Gun of Ashes

”So, what’s the price?”

Lorenzo asked, curious about what the Viking nations had given in exchange for such help.

It’s a cruel world; everything has a price, and it’s exorbitantly high.

”This has nothing to do with this commission, Hebdo, please continue.”

Arthur interrupted Lorenzo’s question in a timely manner, as if deliberately concealing something, and then gestured for Hebdo to continue.

Lorenzo did not react, only shifting his gaze to Oscar’s face. Surprisingly, this competitor did not refute Arthur but instead acquiesced to Arthur’s actions.

They didn’t want more people to know what the price was, whether it was the Purification Mechanism or Nordro.

Things were getting interesting.

Lorenzo maintained his nonchalant demeanor, as if he didn’t care about any of this, but it was just his camouflage; he was good at deception.

”But our cooperation hit a snag.”

Hebdo said.

”On the eve of our planned cooperation, Ivar Rodbrock, the son of Ragnar, was kidnapped.”

”Is there a necessary link between the two?” Lorenzo asked.

”The kidnappers are Gaulunaro people; they don’t want us to cooperate and are using Ivar’s life as leverage. However, if we are willing to open up the sea routes for them, they are willing to release Ivar.”

Lorenzo found the situation to be peculiar. He looked at Hebdo, who, as a Viking, didn’t seem like he’d be lying, and Arthur and Oscar had no objections either.

”Then, let me guess, my task is to find a way to rescue that Ivar from Gaulunaro, and if successful, you will cooperate with Ingwig. If I fail, you will agree to Gaulunaro’s proposal.”

This was a humiliating proposal, but judging from Hebdo’s attitude, if he failed, these Vikings were genuinely ready to do so.

”But... just one life isn’t it? If Ragnar is indeed as the rumors say, he shouldn’t care about Ivar’s life, right?”

Lorenzo questioned, even though he had never met the King of the Ice Sea, judging by his deeds, he was certainly a cold-blooded and crazy individual, and only such a person could unify the constantly warring Viking nations.

But how could such a person be so easily threatened by Gaulunaro, even if the hostage was his child?

His goal was the nations, the entire world; how could someone like him be easily hindered?

”The King of the Ice Sea’s intention is, do everything possible to save Ivar. If you succeed, the Viking nations will cooperate with you; if you fail, we will turn to Gaulunaro and try to exchange Ivar’s life for something.”

Hebdo said seriously.

A hint of disappointment flashed across Lorenzo’s face.

”So, that’s it? I thought it would be some earth-shattering case, but it seems it’s just to rescue his son, for which he doesn’t mind sacrificing years of efforts, is that it?”

”I know this may demean your view of the King of the Ice Sea, but in fact... it’s just artistic embellishment; you haven’t seen him with your own eyes, have you? This is what the job is all about; we can give up a lot for Ivar.” Hebdo answered.

”So, what’s so special about that Ivar?”

Lorenzo couldn’t imagine that transactions between kingdoms could so easily be swayed by one person, and he was full of curiosity about this target.

”Nothing special, just that he is very favored by the King of the Ice Sea.”

Hebdo said, and he didn’t look like he was lying.

This is the entirety of the work’s content.

Glancing around, Hebdo stood up in the silence and finally said.

”If possible, we hope Mr. Holmes can set off as soon as possible. The necessary support and clues will be provided to you subsequently.”

He departed directly, leaving the space for discussion to the people in the room.

After a brief silence, Lorenzo sighed helplessly.

”Either that King of the Ice Sea is not that great, or there’s something very special about that Ivar, right? That’s the only way to rationally explain why he would make such a ridiculous decision.”

The development of nations was so ridiculously hindered by one person, of course, Lorenzo didn’t think it was as simple as it seemed on the surface. Even though the King of the Ice Sea’s legends were artistically embellished, at least he truly managed to stop the internal chaos; there certainly was some hidden truth that he could not know.

”I can’t understand it either; when I first learned of these things, my reaction was the same as yours.”

Oscar said, and from his furrowed expression, you could tell he was indeed fed up with these Vikings.

”As for Ivar, I don’t know what’s special about him either, but... if anything, he’s disabled; he can’t stand on his own two feet, which is also a major reason he was kidnapped. Among Ragnar’s offspring, he’s considered the least threatening one.”

”Because he poses no threat, he’s favored by his father? Such a humiliating fate, he won’t be reaching the Heroic Spirit Hall after death!” Lorenzo commented.

During his time in the Lower City District, Lorenzo interacted with many Vikings, and no matter how different they were, they all shared a common trait: savage and in pursuit of honor, Odin’s honor.

He couldn’t help but recall the Viking named Sabo; they were all so crazy, born for an honorable death.

But all he just learned from the conversation made Lorenzo a bit disappointed.

”So, the price? You’re all crafty; every one of you. For the King of the Ice Sea to abandon such great benefits to reclaim his son, what’s it for? And given the Viking nations’ resources are scarce, why are you so kindly offering a helping hand?”

A bundle of questions, Lorenzo coldly looked at those present, hoping they could give him a reasonable answer.

Oscar seemed somewhat hesitant, yet he still spoke up.

”I can’t tell you everything, after all, Nordro isn’t up to me alone, but at the very least, we just hope the North remains under Nordro’s control.”

”The North...”

Lorenzo’s mind was slightly agitated, it’s as mysterious a place as the distant Jiuxia; after all, in the earliest legends, the Gospel and Revelation originated from there.

”Our reasons, these will be personally explained to you by Queen Victoria, Lorenzo.” Arthur said.

”Oh... um?”

Lorenzo’s eyes gradually filled with horror as he looked at Arthur, who was dead serious, not seeming to be joking.

”Yes, Lorenzo, this task is quite straightforward for you: just go to Gaulunaro and bring someone back,” Arthur glanced at Selyu beside him, ”You’ve done such work before.”

”But this time, the success or failure of the task is entangled with many interests, of course, you don’t have to worry about those; just do what you need to do.”

Arthur said, looking at Oscar again. Both sides were still in a competitive relationship, and the Viking nations’ commission was placed directly on these two behemoths, although they supposedly cooperated together, each wanted to occupy a stronger leading position.

”This task is international, requiring the assistance of your Nordro, but in subsequent handling, it still needs our intervention, possibly even involving the Cleaners...”

”I understand what you mean; I will report to the other members.”

Oscar said somewhat helplessly, in this situation, he could only cooperate with the Purification Mechanism. Knowing it would be like this, he should have tricked Lorenzo out of Old Dunling first.

”As for you, Lorenzo...”

”So, are you planning to meet Queen Victoria dressed like that?”

Arthur glanced at Lorenzo’s ridiculous outfit, expressing this question.

”Wait, there’s no need to be in such a rush.”

Lorenzo felt these people were rushing him as if the unlucky Ivar might die in Gaulunaro the next second.

Or, he was like some extremely catastrophic pathogen, making them wish to immediately fling him out of Old Dunling.

”The carriage is waiting for us; Platinum Palace isn’t open to the public every day.”