Gun of Ashes

Thinking of this, he saw a familiar piece of paper in the corner of his eye. Hu ao knelt down to pick up the flyer, but at that moment a shiny shoe stepped on it, and Hu ao could faintly see his own reflection in it.

Hu ao slowly raised his head. It was a man, impeccably dressed, with a silver cross hanging around his neck and a golden watch chain peeking out from his chest, his hand clutching a bunch of crumpled flyers.

The man looked at Hu ao, and for some reason, Hu ao felt a sting from his gaze.

The man didn’t say much, just laughed with an unfathomable expression, moved his foot aside, and walked to a nearby trash can, throwing the flyers in.

During the whole process, neither of them spoke a word. There was no exchange between Hu ao and the man, but somehow, Hu ao felt an indistinct ache.

He picked up the flyer, wandering desolately to a corner of the street.

He had seen that kind of look before, many times. Sometimes those wretched people would use status to mock him. Back then, he felt it was nothing, for he had grown accustomed to it. But this time, the man said nothing.

For a moment, Hu ao wished the man would say something, whether it was mockery or ridicule, just say something.

But he said nothing, as if Hu ao didn’t exist, wasn’t worth ridiculing.

It was a strange emotion, one Hu ao didn’t know how to describe. Though he could read the words, there was still too much the teacher hadn’t had time to teach him.

He was wearing filthy clothes that radiated an inescapable fishy smell. Every time he docked, Hu ao would scrub himself vigorously, but he could always catch a whiff of some lingering odor, as if this damn scent had penetrated his body like a dagger, branded him for life.

Hu ao didn’t want to stay here any longer. He lowered his head slightly, not daring to look at anyone, but still, he could feel the invisible stares, as if everyone was scrutinizing him with the same gaze as the man’s.

He started to run.

Hu ao dashed back to the docks, once again hugging the fishy sea breeze, merging with it.

After an unknown amount of time, he slowly looked up, gazing at the world once more. The dock was as busy as ever, sailors moving up and down, tirelessly loading cargo.

Hu ao suddenly felt that everyone else was awake too. They knew that this path only led to endless exhaustion, but they were powerless to change anything and became numb.

A melodious horn sounded as the creation of human industry slowly entered the harbor. On the dock, Hu ao felt the sky darken. Looking up, a giant shadow gradually shrouded his body.

He recognized the script on the ship.

White Tide.

Hu ao remembered this cruise ship. Some sailors who had been lucky enough to board it said it was a Celestial Kingdom on the sea, with luxurious food and drink, and soft, comfortable beds...

The gangway was lowered, and Hu ao saw people coming out, each exuding confidence, a stark contrast to himself, an enviable presence.

In the crowd were some slightly unusual figures, each carrying case after case, seemingly instrument cases. They chatted and laughed all the way, and the orchestra quickly disappeared from Hu ao’s sight.

Though physically close, Hu ao felt worlds apart from them.

...

”It’s been so long... Gaulunaro.”

Descending the gangway, Lorenzo stopped.

The noon sun was so blinding he had to squint as he tilted his head, observing the familiar city.

”A few years ago, it was here that I hijacked a freighter, trying to return to Ingwig, but I was intercepted before even leaving Gaulunaro waters.”

Seeing the familiar scenery, Lorenzo couldn’t help but reminisce about the past.

”And then?”

Eve asked. Like the others, she had changed into the Royal Ingwig Orchestra’s uniform, carrying a violin case.

She was curious about Lorenzo’s adventurous past, following him and asking.

”Then? Then I commandeered their ship. To be honest, it was much faster than a fishing boat.”

Lorenzo reminisced.

Eve was momentarily stunned, but upon reflection, it made sense.

”So that’s how you brought Selyu back?”

”Pretty much. Oh, I almost forgot, you should have met her, right?” Lorenzo said.

”Of course, after all, I am to inherit the title later, I’ll have the chance to meet her.”

”Gaulunaro! Gaulunaro!”

A joyful voice came from ahead, like a child excited to see something new, though the voice didn’t belong to a child.

”Why is he so happy?” Lorenzo couldn’t help but frown.

”Conductor Renette always wanted his music to reach the entire world. He applied for a tour a long time ago, but it was only recently approved. Gaulunaro is the first stop.”

Hebdo explained from behind.

”So Nordro financed the whole tour?” Lorenzo raised an eyebrow, as it was quite a gesture.

”Currently, yes, but the orchestra will help promote Nordro in return, a kind of partnership really.”

”Feels like Nordro’s at a loss,” Lorenzo said.

”Gaulunaro!”

Another cheerful voice rose, this time from behind.

Red Falcon eagerly looked around, unable to hide his excitement.

”Oh! This is Maruri Port! It’s so huge!”

He seemed genuinely there for a trip.

Red Falcon’s excitement was certainly understandable. After all, he’d never left Ingwig before, not seen the landscapes of other realms.

”Indeed, I remember this used to be a naval base. Maruri was expanded on that basis. Want to get some souvenirs together?”

Heracles’s voice chimed in, indicating there were more than just one traveler.

Since leaving the ship, Heracles’s backache and fatigue had vanished, feeling entirely rejuvenated and energetic.

Though they were partaking in a dangerous task, there was no need to put undue stress on oneself.

”Should we proceed directly with the plan?”

In the center of the crowd, Erin asked. To avoid detection, she had made some disguises and changed into the orchestra’s attire.

It seemed Nordro had provided conductor Renette with a substantial budget. With no complaints about adding new members to the orchestra, they even went so far as to strip a member for suitable attire for Erin.

”No, we’ll move with the orchestra. For now, we’re musicians.”

Lorenzo reminded.

This was their cover. In the planned scenario, after Lorenzo took care of everything, they would pretend nothing happened and leave with the orchestra. But of course, this was merely a plan, as in Lorenzo’s mind, there was no existence of a choir.

”Here! Over here!”

Ahead, Renette waved and called out. Carriages ready for their arrival awaited on the street.

The man was brimming with enthusiasm, waving his hands as if conducting an orchestra, humming to the melody of ”Joyful Song.”

”Seems like quite a nice city. However, the hidden aspects beneath this beauty are somewhat unsettling.”

Heracles remarked, his gaze fixed on the rows of berthed warships.

”Don’t worry, those are already museums now. I visited once before, there’s nothing significant,” Erin explained.

After their defeat, Gaulunaro removed the armaments from these yet-to-be-commissioned warships, converting them into one floating museum after another. Some had worried they were preserving military strength, but with the rise of steam technology, these warships were now outdated relics.

”I see? Then visiting isn’t a bad idea. I’ve never been on a warship,” Heracles said.

”Alright, enough chatting, it’s time we moved.”

Ahead, Lorenzo spoke up, though despite his words, he showed no intention of moving.

Lorenzo watched the shadow rise with the wind, swiftly catching it as it passed by.

It was a flyer, with a summary of Orthodoxy’s teachings, meeting locations, and the Pope’s ascension...