Gun of Ashes

This unexpected partnership clearly required Hebdo’s approval. Lorenzo initially thought Hebdo would strongly refuse, but to his surprise, Hebdo didn’t mind. He said the command of the actual operation was still in Lorenzo’s hands, and as long as the job could be completed, he didn’t care about Lorenzo’s various actions.

Compared to Heracles, Hebdo was more concerned about some other matters.

His gaze fell upon his side. Red Falcon looked bewildered, perhaps because everything had happened too fast, making it hard for him to accept.

”Just a woman,” Hebdo said.

Red Falcon stiffly turned his head and slowly spoke.

”Yeah, just a woman. It’s not really lust or anything, just thinking I got lucky... to suddenly find someone so compatible,” Red Falcon said.

”She also likes reading these books, loves fishing; we have too much in common, almost like kindred spirits, even like another female version of me.”

Red Falcon was still somewhat attached to that woman. ”After all, my job is terrible. I also want an office romance, but I couldn’t even remember people’s names before everyone died, replaced batch after batch.”

”If you had the chance, would you want to be with her?” Hebdo asked again. This Viking, for some reason, seemed to care about these matters.

Red Falcon shook his head firmly and then smiled.

”Just talking, like how Lorenzo likes to talk trash, I’m just doing it for fun.”

”For fun?”

Red Falcon nodded and then slapped Hebdo’s shoulder vigorously.

”Yes, I’m the Red Falcon, an Upper-Rank Knight of the Purification Mechanism. We’re going to snatch people from the Iron Law Bureau’s hands. Even if I come back alive, my job will still be chopping up Demons and such.”

Red Falcon became serious, as if all his reluctance earlier had been an act.

”My life is quite abnormal. I might have used up all my luck then and ended up as someone others talk about as dead, which is a bit too irresponsible for an ordinary person, let alone a lover.”

Red Falcon’s expression changed again, from seriousness to a mournful face.

”So, the best solution is an office romance! But this is a high-risk industry! They might all end up dead again.”

Red Falcon concluded.

”Endless loop!”

”You don’t need to force such things. Maybe one morning, you’ll suddenly find your loved one, leave everything behind, and abandon all shackles,” Hebdo said.

The sunlight poured down, making Hebdo’s figure unusually tall at that moment. He looked like a devout Priest holding a Gospel, enlightening the confused Red Falcon.

”Ah... didn’t expect you Vikings to be quite romantic.”

Red Falcon mourned, hearing Hebdo’s words, surprised by the Viking’s rough appearance concealing a delicate mind.

”No, it’s written in the book. I just think it fits well.”

Hebdo turned the book around, showing Red Falcon the line of text.

Red Falcon was stunned.

The rapid change in emotion left Red Falcon unsure of what to say. He was surprised that this rough man could say such words, perhaps Lorenzo was better than him. What was he expecting anyway?

”Forget it, forget it, let’s go,” Red Falcon urged. He didn’t want to talk more about this topic.

For Red Falcon, his life was somewhat lousy and a bit dull, so in this aspect, he agreed with some of Lorenzo’s behaviors—talking trash and telling strange jokes to lighten up the dismal atmosphere.

This was just a wonderful encounter, a perfect afternoon, but one cannot always stay immersed in it; Red Falcon had many things to do.

Everyone continued talking about Red Falcon’s fantasies, and Red Falcon kept lamenting, looking lively and cheerful, as if these people were truly preparing for an amusing trip and not ready for the next, or countless, battles and fights.

The whistle echoed melodiously above Reindona Port. The ship moved slowly, stirring up waves as it departed from the port, heading towards the other end of the White Tide Strait.