Gun of Ashes

”Although he is clueless about life, he is quite obsessive about music. He certainly wouldn’t allow us to participate in his orchestra performance, even if we are his sponsors. However, he is willing to let us be present on-site, and even said we could join in the final photo.”

”Just for show?”

”Yes, it fits our needs perfectly.”

Lorenzo didn’t expect it would turn out this way. Watching the closed door, he remembered those lunatics singing and dancing before... it was a real spectacle. Those guys truly sang and danced, and one of them even brought a triangle. At the height of their cheers, they just kept on banging it.

His gaze returned, ignoring Heracles who was still sprawled on the floor, this rescue team was truly about to embark on their mission.

”Compared to going to other places, crossing the White Tide Strait isn’t too far. We’ll arrive at the port city of Gaulunaro, Maruri Port, in three days,” Lorenzo finally looked at Hebdo, ”So you should tell us all about the task now. Only you know the full details, and if you die, we won’t be able to proceed.”

This sounded like a discussion, but more like a threat.

Hebdo didn’t show much emotional fluctuation, as if he didn’t understand the other layer in Lorenzo’s words, he responded directly.

”Ivar is currently at Maruri Port, protected by the Iron Law Bureau, and those stationed troops, their warships are docked there.”

”How are you so sure?” Lorenzo asked.

”Another team arrived at Gaulunaro a few days ago. They plan to negotiate with Gaulunaro, the negotiation is about what I mentioned before, the Viking nations abandoning their alliance with Ingwig and cooperating with Gaulunaro. As a deal, Ivar was transferred to Maruri, after signing the alliance he will be released,” Hebdo said.

Winchester suddenly raised it up, pressing against Hebdo’s neck, quick action left Hebdo no chance to resist.

The atmosphere instantly froze. Although usually, they would hit and curse Lorenzo and talk weird nonsense, in such a situation, Eve and Red Falcon knew what to do.

The Folding Blade was against Hebdo’s neck, while Red Falcon raised a handgun hidden behind him.

In the end, Lorenzo was the real teammate.

”You better explain, Hebdo. I know how you’d want to spin it, that other team doesn’t really want to negotiate, but to lure Ivar out, then we’ll be responsible for the rescue.”

Lorenzo speculated about the whole plan, that negotiation team was just a Viking nations’ delay tactic.

”But what’s fake can become real. At that time, maybe you’ll actually want to negotiate, and we’ll become your tokens for allegiance?”

Lorenzo originally didn’t want to get angry now, his peripheral vision caught Eve, he started to feel this situation was getting stranger.

The Phoenix family was a meritous family during the Radiant War, compared to Lorenzo’s head, Eve’s head was much more valuable. Now Lorenzo was also puzzled, why Arthur dared to send Eve on this mission, if it was indeed as he thought, Eve was simply the best token of allegiance.

Everyone harbored different thoughts, from the beginning Lorenzo never trusted Hebdo, he was like a beast roaming the jungle, surviving only through vigilance.

The atmosphere reached the peak of oppression, but amidst this, Heracles barely recovered a bit, he groaned climbing out of bed.

He felt somewhat embarrassed.

”Carry on.”

Heracles said and fell back down, feeling his timing of waking was off.

Ignoring this guy with the bad vibe, Lorenzo stared at Hebdo interrogating.

”I’m a very skeptical person, you better find a convincing way, like explaining everything clearly, not bit by bit like squeezing toothpaste.”

Flames of rage rose in his eyes, this glimmer was faint, only Hebdo could see upon gazing within. In an instant, Hebdo seemed to witness Heaven, the image of resentment flying across his vision.

The erosion lasted only briefly, but in this short span, Hebdo felt his heart almost stopped.

This was his first time facing such a presence.

”Is this the power of a Demon Hunter?”

Hebdo took several deep breaths to calm his heartbeat.

”Yes, just as you said, Ivar was hidden away, we only negotiate. When signing the alliance to redeem the hostage, that’s when we’re closest to Ivar.”

Hebdo continued.

”I also understand your concerns, indeed, this could lead the fake to become real. But you don’t need to worry, when we set off, Bjorn already represented the King of the Ice Sea and signed the alliance with Queen Victoria, we won’t ally with them.”

Lorenzo didn’t expect things to unfold this way, meaning he didn’t need to rescue Ivar at all. The alliance was signed as soon as they set off.

”I need to know the full story, Hebdo.”

Lorenzo’s words were cold.

Hebdo hesitated, but he realized through these days’ contact, he roughly understood what kind of person Lorenzo was, perhaps he wouldn’t actually kill himself, but he would definitely jump ship and swim back to Ingwig, anyway, the ship had just set sail, the Demon Hunter’s stamina was more than adequate.