Gun of Ashes

”The external armor of the Morning Glow Advance has been repaired quite a bit, but some issues can’t be resolved here at Willerte.”

Early in the morning, a crew member appeared in Ivar’s longhouse, bringing news from Notar.

Lorenzo sat by the campfire, looking bleary-eyed at the crew member, nodding while murmuring. Although alcohol doesn’t affect the consciousness of a demon hunter, this damn place seems to have nothing but alcohol to drink. After returning from the tavern, he drank several more rounds with Hebdo...

Wait, Hebdo?

Lorenzo looked to the side. Not to say, the insulation in the longhouse is quite good, Hebdo lay on the animal-skin carpet not far from the campfire, occasionally letting out a hum.

”Ah... is this a hangover?”

Lorenzo rubbed his somewhat muddled forehead; his eyes brightened slightly as his consciousness became clearer.

The crew member was already accustomed to Lorenzo’s peculiar state. He often saw Lorenzo’s heroic dive on the deck, creating a beautiful splash on the sea. At that time, he even scored Lorenzo’s dive with other crew members.

”Captain Notar means we need to go to Ice Bay for further maintenance. Ingwig’s technological support is there, and the Ice Bay Shipyard has the means to repair these damages.”

”Are these damages serious?” Lorenzo asked.

”Not serious, just difficult to repair. It concerns the ship’s internal structure. During the naval battle, a shell penetrated the armor and entered the cabin, affecting the lower structure.”

”Will it affect facing demons?”

”It shouldn’t have much impact. After all, demons are just flesh and blood. Their method of attack is climbing from the outer armor to the deck. However, if facing an ironclad ship, I’m not sure, as bombardments are far more powerful than demon claws.”

Lorenzo fell silent. With technology developed to this point, humans can suppress demons in terms of firepower, such as those organized Third Generation Armors, Ascalon, and even the weapons stored in the depths of the Platinum Palace.

The only thing that limits humans from fighting demons now is the bizarre corruption.

”Alright, seems we need to speed up.”

Lorenzo still felt a bit worried.

”What’s wrong?”

A voice sounded, and Bola walked over, amazed to see the waking Lorenzo.

”I didn’t expect a demon hunter to get hungover.”

”Drinking too much at once inevitably makes you dizzy.” Lorenzo replied, then pointed at Hebdo and asked, ”What happened last night? I remember coming back here with Hebdo, sitting by the campfire chatting... and then my memory blanked.”

”Oh, you were talking about random old stuff, messy things. Then Hebdo, while reading, teared up. He told you some stories, and next thing, you were hugging, crying, and shouting together.”

Bola walked to Hebdo’s side, picked up the ”Victoria’s Secret” book beside him, and kicked Hebdo with his foot. This Viking was sleeping deeply, showing no reaction.

”Seems the demon hunter indeed has a strong constitution. You actually drank a Viking under the table.”

This time, Bola was genuinely in awe of Lorenzo’s drinking capacity. With the way he drank last night, Bola thought the demon hunter was going to suffer from alcohol poisoning.

”Hic~”

Lorenzo hiccupped, full of alcohol breath.

The difference between a demon hunter and ordinary people is quite evident; while Hebdo’s consciousness is still blurry, Lorenzo is almost sober.

”But if facing ironclad ships poses risks...”

Recalling the conversation with Ragnar last night, Lorenzo felt the Ice Bay journey harbored numerous crises. Not to mention, Bola’s attitude was troublesome enough.

”Bola, if you meet Froki again, will you kill him?”

Lorenzo asked unexpectedly, catching Bola off guard.

He glanced at Lorenzo to confirm he wasn’t going crazy but was seriously asking; he then replied.

”I won’t.”

”Won’t?”

Lorenzo was surprised. He had already prepared how to comfort Bola, convincing him to spare Froki’s life; but it seemed Bola had no such intention.

”What’s the alternative? Our mission is too important to be compared to personal hatred. Besides, there’ll be many opportunities for revenge, no need to act now.”

Bola was already mentally prepared, speaking sincerely.

”Such professionalism from someone in the Purification Mechanism; truly committed to their job.” Lorenzo praised.

”And you, as a demon hunter, uphold professional ethics as well.”

Bola and Lorenzo started complimenting each other; how much of it was a joke, how much was genuine, only they knew.

”But what made you think about this matter?”

Bola asked, as there were plenty of opportunities for Lorenzo to ask on the ship, yet he chose this moment to inquire.

”I just got news that Froki is a believer in the Apocalypse Society...” Lorenzo’s voice paused, recalling Ragnar’s account of Froki; he continued, ”Of course, he may not be a devout believer, but it is certain that he is involved with the Apocalypse Society.”

”Ice Bay is like Lower City District of Old Dunling, where people from all walks come, along with the Apocalypse Society and Froki’s pursuit of the Silent Sea. I’m not sure what I’ll encounter in Ice Bay.”