Gun of Ashes

”What did you say? Iron Law Bureau?”

It seems this guy knows what this term represents.

”Erin belongs to the Iron Law Bureau, and thanks to her, Ivar was taken away by the Iron Law Bureau. If there’s any connection, it must be them... I remember mentioning this in the mission archives.”

Hebdo paused mid-sentence, sensing something was off; he looked suspiciously at his team members... Honestly, when the Viking’s resolute face showed a puzzled expression, Lorenzo found it extremely funny, like a bear staring at you in a daze.

But Lorenzo didn’t dare laugh; who knows if the bear would eat him out of anger.

”I’m just an intern, I don’t have that much clearance.”

Eve shrugged; this was the truth. She only learned the full picture of the mission before departure. Red Falcon shared the same expression; this guy was completely tricked into coming.

As for Lorenzo, he showed an awkward smile,

”Is this... the case?”

Perhaps feeling guilty, Lorenzo stammered, his hands fumbling on the sofa, remembering that the archive was left here.

God above.

Looking at Lorenzo’s damned appearance, Hebdo’s vision went dark.

He had just thought Lorenzo was a reliable guy, but now he was pondering if he was deceived by the Purification Mechanism and Nordro. This guy seemed utterly ridiculous.

”Iron Law Bureau, Gaulunaro’s intelligence agency. Our counterpart is the Cleaner. Although the Cleaner belongs to the Purification Mechanism, with the growing control over Anti-Meme forces and the inherent connection to ’information’, it has gradually become our Ingwig’s intelligence agency in recent years, along with its unique role as a ’backup’, it’s slowly becoming independent from the Purification Mechanism.

Both sides engage in overt and covert battles, sometimes even requiring the Purification Mechanism’s strength. I previously took on such a task while cutting down Demons and have some understanding of it.”

Red Falcon explained to Lorenzo, but as he spoke, his expression twisted more and more. He lunged forward, grabbing Lorenzo’s collar.

”So how did we end up involved with this thing!”

Getting tricked into overtime was already painful, but halfway through, realizing you’re dealing with a hugely tricky project, Red Falcon felt his world was about to collapse.

Why is it me doing this job?

But on second thought, it seems the heavy burden can only be borne by him.

Joey’s life and death were still unknown, but from the doctors’ words, Red Falcon’s colleague was doomed. Even if not dead, he would end up like many patients in the Black Mountain Hospital, becoming a living corpse.

Honestly, knowing this made Red Falcon sad for quite a while. Due to work, he had no friends outside of work; even his hobby of fishing was thwarted by the damned water quality of the Thames River, never catching anything... precisely, anything alive.

In work, because of these damn Demons, he frequently changed colleagues. Sometimes, before he even recognized everyone, they were replaced by another batch.

There’s a real sense of fleeting colleagues, but a steadfast Red Falcon, even Blue Jade sometimes praised him for still being alive, saying he has unbelievably good luck.

But after all... Joey was one of his few friends.

As for the other colleagues, they all had their own work to do, and at this crucial moment, Red Falcon was the only one on vacation.

So is it my fault for taking a vacation?

Or was my performance in the Black Mountain Hospital incident too good? Did it catch the attention of the higher-ups?

But at that time, I was about to die, Red Falcon thought, better to go out as a hero, fighting fiercely before dying. But who would have thought he’d survive with only minor injuries.

Various strange thoughts surged, as if there were a dozen little Red Falcons in his brain clattering away incessantly.

Lorenzo once again realized the complexity of human expressions. He had no idea what the Red Falcon in front of him was thinking but could closely observe the rapid changes in Red Falcon’s expression, from anger to sadness to confusion and a bit of shameless smile.

Red Falcon slowly released his grip and slumped back on the sofa.

Fortunately, he was aware that he was already on a pirate ship, and nothing could change the situation. Grabbing Lorenzo would do nothing; he couldn’t beat him.

”So Ivar was captured by the Iron Law Bureau, and we’re trying to figure out a way to get him back from them on Gaulunaro’s soil?” Red Falcon’s voice was filled with pessimism.

”Is this Iron Law Bureau that terrifying?”

Lorenzo asked somewhat puzzled. If the group of assassins they had just encountered were from the Iron Law Bureau, then they were too weak; he didn’t understand Red Falcon’s pessimism.

”They were just peripheral members, a bunch of expendable cannon fodder... maybe even outsourced assassins. Those genuinely capable and considered formal members are people like Erin.”

Recalling the previous operation, Red Falcon began to speak slowly.

”Although they are mortal, you must know, Lorenzo, not everyone is a big guy like you. We are also mortals.”

His glance touched Eve, and Red Falcon continued.

”You’re half of one.”

”In short, it’s a very tricky organization. If we were fighting on Ingwig’s land, we’d have the advantage. Taking out the Armor of Original Sin, they wouldn’t stand a chance. But this time it’s different; we need to sneak into the enemy’s stronghold and outsmart them.”

Red Falcon again sighed at human vulnerability.

”You can think of us as a group of Gaulunaro’s assassins, planning to sneak into the Platinum Palace under the Purification Mechanism’s watch and assassinate Queen Victoria, then figure out how to escape.”

He gestured a beheading action with a fierce look.

Perhaps noticing the strange looks from others, Red Falcon coughed and added.

”I greatly respect the Queen, just an analogy.”

”I see...”

Lorenzo pondered again and came to a conclusion.

”So, you guys are the burden!”

Looking at it this way, Lorenzo could directly charge through as a big guy, perhaps even destroy the Iron Law Bureau. Although acting so boldly would have severe consequences, thinking negatively, it could even be the spark for another war between both sides, potentially triggering a second Radiant War.

To this, Red Falcon showed a disdainful look.

”Lorenzo, you are strong, but many things cannot be resolved by force alone.”

”Like what?” Lorenzo countered.

”Like...”

Red Falcon was momentarily at a loss for words.

Alright, taking a closer look, this detective in front of him is indeed disproportionally over-the-top, as if nothing he cannot achieve. Although nonchalant, when facing danger, this unreliable guy is the most reliable.

”But you’re right, Red Falcon, force can’t solve everything.”

Lorenzo suddenly reflected, unexpectedly undergoing self-reflection.

This is indeed true; if force could solve everything, this world wouldn’t be this complicated.

Relying on Lorenzo’s experience, he was well aware that forgetting fear and humility towards the unknown would bring death closer.

”At least we know who we’ll be dealing with next. It seems the plan needs rearranging. We have to spend some time at sea, right? So time is still ample.”

Lorenzo’s speech was filled with confidence.

”Then, to mention... the next question.”

Lorenzo glanced at the people in the room. Compared to what he mentioned, Lorenzo was more concerned about this matter he had in front of him.

He asked.

”So, are we going to sleep four people in this one room?”