Gun of Ashes

At the end of the night, the Lightkeepers walked out of their warm rooms, strolled on the empty streets, extinguishing one burning flame after another.

The light did not fade away as expected. On the contrary, every flame extinguished was replaced by a more powerful light. At the edge of the horizon, the blazing sun extended its tendrils, slowly enveloping every part of the city. With its arrival, the whole city gradually awoke.

Lorenzo glanced at the city under the morning light through the gap in the window. Although it lacked the steam haze of Old Dunling, it had its own unique style, where many people lived, living for tomorrow.

Sunlight pierced through the gloom, shining on the moss along the riverbank, radiating a bright green. People busied themselves at the docks, accompanied by the melodious sound of steam whistles, countless ships docking and departing.

”How long are we going to stay like this?”

The curtains were tightly closed, even though it was already morning, the room was still shrouded in darkness.

Lorenzo sat in the middle of the room on a sofa, his cello case propped up on a corner of the small table in front of him, containing those extremely dangerous weapons.

”Soon, didn’t you say? The Orthodoxy will have a major event soon, that’s the Pope’s enthronement. They won’t keep us waiting long.”

Lorenzo said as he drew a weapon from the case, his Staff Sword. After being damaged several times, it was recast by a craftsman along with the Winchester under Lorenzo’s commission.

Heracles, sitting beside him, petting Polo while watching Lorenzo repeat an action he had done countless times, observed this guy’s meticulousness in choosing weapons. It seemed Lorenzo really valued the upcoming operation. After some deliberation, he picked up the Staff Sword.

”As we discussed before? Assassinate the Pope and rescue Ivar at the same time?”

In the living room, only the two of them were present. Heracles asked directly.

”Yes, there are too many variables in this operation. Both actions need to be arranged as closely together as possible. This way, even if an unexpected situation arises, I can rush to remedy it in time.”

Lorenzo said while drawing out the Staff Sword, removing its wooden sheath, revealing a blade forged with Pine Iron, its cold gleam piercingly bright.

Although there wasn’t a specific date for the operation yet, as time passed, everyone inevitably became more anxious. Even Eve went out in the morning to check out those gas street lamps. Judging by the time, she should be returning soon.

Lorenzo set the Staff Sword aside, noting that part of the action might require subtle infiltration. From Lorenzo’s previous experience, the Staff Sword was the least detectable kind. He decided to keep this weapon by his side.

”I just hope the timing won’t conflict with the orchestra’s performance. I’m quite curious to see it, after all, the theater looks quite nice.”

Heracles had wandered around the Yega Grand Theater a few times and quite liked the place.

”Are you treating this like a sightseeing tour?” Lorenzo asked.

”Don’t be so tense; try to relax a bit.”

Heracles took a sip from a water cup nearby and asked again.

”Have you decided to trust that woman?”

Lorenzo glanced at Erin’s room, then nodded, ”This time she can’t fool me.”

Hearing Lorenzo’s definite tone, Heracles couldn’t say much, and the conversation fell into a heavy silence. Heracles wanted to say something frivolous to lighten the mood, but unfortunately, he wasn’t talented in this regard. After a long hesitation, he finally said slowly.

”Hebdo said that the fast ship would arrive today; should I go and have a look?”

”Go ahead, as you said, you’re in charge of support... but are you sure you won’t get seasick?”

Lorenzo followed up Heracles’s words to ease the awkward atmosphere.

”Don’t worry about that, I’m not useless.”

Heracles said, but after he finished, the atmosphere sinked back into that eerie silence. Lorenzo mechanically continued his task, organizing weapons like a soldier preparing for battle.

”Is that Lawrence really that terrifying?”

Heracles couldn’t help but ask.

Upon hearing the familiar melody and vaguely guessing who the enemy was, Lorenzo seemed to transform, or rather, shed his ordinary disguise, reverting to his true self.

A cold-blooded, ruthless, and decisive Demon Hunter.

”Perhaps, I’m not sure. That guy is very mysterious. I thought I had killed him, but he came back for more... How many times has he resurrected? Sometimes I feel like the guy is immortal, even if you cut him to pieces, he’ll return on a silent night.”

Lorenzo paused his work, turned his head to look at Heracles, and gave a rather wry smile.

”But don’t worry, Heracles. If I can kill him once, I can kill him a second time. You know, there’s nothing that can’t be killed.”

”There’s nothing... that can’t be killed?”

Heracles looked at Lorenzo with concern, not knowing what else to say.

He looked towards the gap in the curtain, at the world of light outside.

Maybe I should think of something good, he mused, flipping through the drawer, knowing what he wanted was in there.

It was a stack of tickets, tickets for the orchestra performance.

Although their group was identified as accompanying musicians, everyone had made thorough preparations to cope with potential situations. Heracles had asked Chief Renette for some performance tickets. If not for that so-called Lawrence, Heracles genuinely intended to watch the performance.

The performance was scheduled for the evening after tomorrow.

”If the timing doesn’t conflict, we might still have time to see it.”

Heracles said to the tickets.

The sound of the door opening brought in a few rays of light into the dim living room. Red Falcon, looking weary, emerged topless, bandages wrapping his body, one hand in a splint, movements restricted.

”Good morning!”

He glanced at the two, leisurely pouring himself a glass of water, then went to the dining table, looking at the empty table, and asked Lorenzo.

”Where’s breakfast?”

Red Falcon remembered this hotel offered breakfast.

The atmosphere once again descended into awkward silence, but fortunately, this silence did not last long. Lorenzo sighed somewhat helplessly.

”Just call them and have it delivered up.”

”Oh.”

As if nothing had happened before, Red Falcon seemed genuinely to be on vacation, picking up the phone and babbling away, halfway through looking over.

”Do you want me to get you guys something?”

Red Falcon looked at Lorenzo and Heracles.

”Get me something!”

Heracles raised his hand and cheerfully expressed.

After hanging up the phone, footsteps could be heard outside. Under Nordro’s arrangement, Lorenzo and his group’s residence was isolated from ordinary people, and few besides them would come near.

Before any alarm, Red Falcon looked over with suspicion, as if not fully awake.

”Food delivery so fast?”

Lorenzo looked wary, while Heracles had yet to react.

Before the words fell, a strange noise sounded from behind the door.

”The king covers the earth tiger!”

Lorenzo was stunned, not only him, but even Red Falcon, who was about to open the door, was also stunned. He then remembered this wasn’t a vacation, but a life-threatening mission, and looked towards Lorenzo for instruction with a tense expression.

”The pagoda suppresses the river demon!”

At this moment, from the other side, Heracles shouted out as if possessed, then jogged to the door amidst puzzled looks and opened it.

”What are you doing?” Lorenzo couldn’t make sense of these nonsensical phrases.

”Code! It’s a code! In such a critical situation here, we need a code to distinguish friend from foe!”

Heracles explained to Lorenzo.

”Relax, it’s a code from Jiuxia. Although I don’t quite understand the exact meaning, very few people know it!”

The door was pushed open directly, and a familiar figure stood at the entrance. Eve leapt in, panting heavily, holding a lot of things in her hands.

”Scouting mission over, I’m exhausted.”

Eve was completely unaware of the strange atmosphere inside just now. She slowly placed the bags on the dining table, which were filled with pleasant aromas.

”I brought back some bread, want some?”

She said, taking out the warm bread.

”Give me some.”

Red Falcon walked over and caught a piece of bread with one hand.

Everyone was having a great time and seemed quite happy, but Eve didn’t look very pleased. After breaking the bread for Red Falcon, she walked over to Lorenzo’s side.

”What’s wrong?”

Lorenzo noticed Eve’s unease, unsure what the girl encountered during her reconnaissance.

Without saying anything, Eve took out a folded leaflet from her pocket.

”A new flyer from the Orthodoxy, you really should’ve come scouting with me. Those guys started spreading these first thing in the morning, scattered all over the streets like snow.”

Unfolding the flyer, Lorenzo glanced at its content and then tossed it aside, taking a deep breath.

This was a bit of a bizarre scenario. Lorenzo looked up, gripping the staff sword with all his might, feeling every inch of its texture, finally revealing a genuine smile after what seemed like an eternity of suppression.

Finally, the last uncertain factor was confirmed.

”Wake everyone up,” Lorenzo said.

He drew back the curtains, letting light into the dim room, where everyone gathered in the messy living room, each harboring their own thoughts.

Eve, Heracles, Red Falcon, Hebdo, Erin... and that damn big rat.

Now the whole team was in place, and the scene seemed a bit ridiculous and laughable.

”The date for the Pope’s ascension has been set, the day after tomorrow, coinciding with Renette’s orchestra performance,” Lorenzo said.

Hearing this, Heracles spoke with a bit of delayed realization.

”Yeah, the orchestra will attract some high-society individuals then, it might conveniently facilitate their preaching and expand their influence.”

”Perhaps, who knows?”

Lorenzo said, looking towards Hebdo.

”You know what to do, right?”

”The letter is ready, just waiting for the time. Now that the time is set, I’ll contact the Iron Law Bureau to exchange hostages,” Hebdo said.

”Then the situation is quite clear, just do as I say.”

Lorenzo felt extremely relieved.

”Details? Aren’t you going to explain some of the operational specifics?” Hebdo pressed.

”I said do as I say, Hebdo.”

Lorenzo replied forcefully, leaving everyone unsure what was on his mind.

No... perhaps someone knows what he’s thinking.

Thinking this, Hebdo’s peripheral gaze fell on Erin, convinced that something must have happened during their previous conversation.

Seeing this, Hebdo couldn’t say anything either; the wheel had already begun to turn, and there was no turning back now.

”Soon this place will be engulfed in flames of war, and it might become a historic turning point... a chance to end the war, or rather the beginning of one,” Hebdo said, dressed early in the morning in attire akin to Maruri’s residents. He was adept at disguising himself, and if one didn’t already know his identity, Lorenzo would find it hard to imagine this guy was a Viking.

”Are you ready, Hebdo?”

Lorenzo stood up, leaning against the window, sunlight illuminating half of his face.

”Ready for what?”

Hebdo was somewhat puzzled by Lorenzo’s question.

”The choice, are you ready to make your choice?”

Lorenzo smiled, but the smile was so stiff, like a mask covering his face.