Gun of Ashes

”I am indeed a patriot. I love this land, this country, but whether it’s ruled by you or the Garel family, I don’t care. What I care about is the land and my purpose.”

Corey sat back in his seat.

Lawrence was stunned. To be honest, after experiencing so much, very few things could stir his heart anymore, but what Corey just said completely dulled him.

”Are you... serious, Corey Ferre?”

”I am very serious. Do you think I am someone who would joke around?”

Corey smiled but then became serious.

”So I want to know, Dean Lawrence, what exactly do you want? Wealth, power, or something else?”

”To save the world.”

Lawrence answered.

”Oh, really? Does Gaulunaro also fall within the scope of your salvation?”

The conversation was becoming increasingly absurd. Corey didn’t question Lawrence’s so-called ”world salvation”; he seemed to completely believe him.

”Of course, for the continuation of humanity.”

”In that case, we indeed have room to talk, don’t we, Dean Lawrence?”

Lawrence didn’t speak, and after a long while, he slowly raised his hand and then slowly took off his mask, revealing a young, fair face underneath, with an overall androgynous appearance. If Corey didn’t already know Lawrence’s identity, one couldn’t even distinguish his gender at first glance.

”Oh, I didn’t expect Dean Lawrence to be so young,” Corey said calmly.

”You don’t seem surprised.”

Lawrence placed the mask on the table, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, perhaps due to having not taken it off for so long.

”I thought there would be another mask beneath the mask,” Corey said.

Lawrence smiled and replied with complex meaning.

”Indeed, there is another mask.”

”So, it seems you are also ready to seriously discuss this grand plan of stealing the nation?”

Corey sat up straight.

”No, wait a minute, Corey, I’m very curious about you.”

Lawrence wasn’t in a hurry to continue the conversation. He looked at the man in front of him, feeling a bit of joy in his heart.

It had been a long time since someone had brought him such feelings, that impenetrable sense of mystery. If it weren’t for his curiosity about Corey’s next words, Lawrence really wanted to invade his [Gap] to see what this guy was truly thinking.

”Curious about what? Such a calm response? I just feel it’s unimportant.”

Corey had been extremely calm since earlier. He knew very well that given Lawrence’s age, he couldn’t possibly look so young, and he presumably always wore a mask to conceal this from others.

Thinking carefully, it’s a very tempting ability, almost like achieving immortality, but Corey wasn’t affected at all, wholly indifferent to it.

”From the moment you showcased that technology called Secret Blood, I knew that whatever happens to you, I wouldn’t be surprised, let alone regaining youth,” Corey said. ”I also understand that it’s the power of ’miracle,’ and only that power can help me achieve my goal.”

”Then what do you want to obtain from me, Corey Ferre?”

Lawrence wanted to know, what exactly was this man determined to do?

This was a transaction, a sudden transaction.

Corey did not hesitate, as if these words had been rehearsed countless times in his heart.

He answered.

”Destroy the Evangelical Church, kill all faith.”