Gun of Ashes

The street outside the hotel was filled with carriages. As people boarded them, they roared past. Lorenzo and the others were the last to depart, unlike the Ingwig Orchestra; they had direct service from Nordro.

”Get ready to move out; before that, I’ll outline the action plan.”

It wasn’t until the action was about to begin that Lorenzo revealed his operation plan. They stood on the street, seemingly having a casual chat.

”Heracles, you go to the pier to prepare for the reception.”

Lorenzo first spoke to Heracles. Despite Heracles being so confident earlier, Lorenzo still had doubts about him, not knowing if he’d drop the ball at a crucial moment, given everyone had seen his behavior on the ship before.

”Alright, if necessary, I’ll steer it along the coast.”

Heracles was full of confidence.

Maruri is a port city, with the pier occupying only a part of the coast. The position from the theater square directly to the shore is their second plan. That undeveloped coast, full of rocks, is seldom frequented. If needed, Heracles would sail there to meet them, but it comes with the risk of being close to the navy base and drawing attention.

”I just hope you don’t pass out on the ship.”

Lorenzo still didn’t really trust him, but he had no choice. The situation was far more complicated than he’d imagined, and the existing manpower simply wasn’t enough to solve the problem.

More importantly, Heracles wasn’t suited for frontline combat. If he were to wield a weapon in a fight, even Eve could take him down ten times over. Compared to those, this was the most suitable position for him.

”Next is the division of our roles. Hebdo, Erin, and I will go for the hostage exchange. Eve and Red Falcon, you are responsible for assassinating the Pope.”

Lorenzo said to the others.

”Us? Assassinate the Pope!”

Red Falcon lowered his voice, looking incredulous.

”Just me and her? Look at me.”

Red Falcon said as he straightened his chest, revealing his arm bandaged up.

After several fights with Erin, his old wounds hadn’t healed, and new ones had been added. In fact, Red Falcon no longer had strong combat capability, and just like Erin, he could only move freely with one hand.

”Me? Can I do it?”

Eve also doubted herself a bit.

Such a major task as assassinating the Pope, it seemed like Lorenzo should do it himself. Sending herself, an intern, and the half-disabled Red Falcon seemed like too much trust in her.

”There’s only one Lorenzo Holmes. I could exchange hostages and then assassinate the Pope, but that would be cutting it too close in terms of timing, and it’s full of potential surprises.”

Lorenzo reassured Eve, knowing full well that this task might impose too much stress on her.

”However, your task is the simplest. I’ve rigged the streetlights. When the explosion causes panic, with many Believers present for the enthronement ceremony, you can take advantage of the chaos to assassinate.”

Eve listened like a student, nodding along with Lorenzo’s words.

”After all, the Pope is just an ordinary person. He’s not a Demon. As long as this much steel goes into his brain, he’s dead for sure.”

Lorenzo said, raising his hand to show the length of a finger segment, representing a bullet’s length.

”Blend into the crowd, and when the explosion sounds, aim for the Pope’s head. This is the Lacquered Antimony Flying Knife. If you miss with a bullet, you can use this to blow him up, but it’s powerful and may injure yourself.”

Lorenzo handed several Lacquered Antimony Flying Knives to Eve. Since they were extremely dangerous, Lorenzo had kept them on him, and it was Eve’s first time encountering such a peculiar weapon.

”Now, Eve, you’re the main force. Red Falcon is the assister. If you execute perfectly, you’ll pass this internship with flying colors.”

Lorenzo feigned lightness, feeling there was no need to add more pressure in this situation.

”Sounds like I’m the burden here; I’m really sorry about that.”

Red Falcon carried the blasted triangle iron, occasionally hitting it against the streetlight poles.

”Blame it on you being a mortal; it’s my oversight to view you from my own conditions,” Lorenzo tapped Red Falcon’s arm, ”Such injuries for a Demon Hunter, under the state of a Secret Blood Awakening, might heal in minutes, but for a mortal, it could take at least half a month of recovery.”

”Then it’s us, Hebdo, Erin, the three of us will head to the Yega Grand Theater to commence the hostage exchange there.”

Lorenzo said as he boarded one of the waiting carriages, which would take them to their separate destinations.

”Get the specifics from me once we’re there.”

”Oh, one more thing!”

Lorenzo suddenly called out to those who were about to leave, his gaze sweeping across their faces one by one.

”Remember, no matter where you are, when you hear my voice, you must follow my instructions, got it?”

”Voice? We don’t even have a communicator here...”

Red Falcon muttered a few words, but before he could finish, his voice trailed off.

He felt it, Lorenzo’s gray-blue eyes fixed on him, this guy wasn’t joking; he was seriously earnest.

”Okay, okay.”

Red Falcon nodded, and the others indicated they understood, seeing this, Lorenzo’s icy face finally softened a bit. He got into the carriage, and Hebdo and Erin followed suit.