Gun of Ashes

Their interactions with Gareth were not frequent. He simply recognized his face, and then the man died, leaving one less familiar face. Lorenzo felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Those who fight Demons must become cold and heartless, but not everyone can be absolutely ruthless.

”Do you have anything else to say?”

Lorenzo glanced behind Left Garrison, spotting the exposed gun handle. He still remembered Left Garrison’s lethal shot. One could say that the Anti-Meme Bullet had a crucial effect, shattering Roger’s Armor, allowing Lorenzo to kill him with a single strike.

”This is to inform you that the next command will be assumed by Arthur and me together, which means...”

”I need to follow your orders, is that it?”

Lorenzo interrupted him. He looked at Left Garrison unkindly. His ammunition pouch was filled with Anti-Meme Bullets. Left Garrison was now fully armed.

Left Garrison came to see him fully armed.

”Are you afraid of me?” Lorenzo asked.

Left Garrison made no demonstration and replied with extreme honesty.

”Yes, I’m very afraid. No one isn’t afraid of monsters, let alone someone like you, a Demon.”

”What do you want to say?”

Lorenzo didn’t refute the label. From the moment Secret Blood was implanted in him, he had made the decision to step into darkness. Over the years, he had no regrets.

”The upcoming situation will become increasingly dangerous. I predict Roger’s third encounter will trigger the outbreak of war... meaning the next time.”

Left Garrison directly removed Fallen Star, wiping the gun, his gestures filled with a sense of threat.

”We need to gather all our forces. Everyone must resolutely follow every command. I can trust them, and they can trust me. Except for you...”

”You don’t trust me?”

”Well, to be precise, I trust you, Mr. Holmes, but I don’t trust your choices,” Left Garrison’s words were elusive.

”Would you turn into another Demon just to kill one?”

Left Garrison asked as he slowly approached Lorenzo, words filled with puzzlement, ”Just like when you killed Roger, abandoning everything and plunging into darkness.”

The mere thought was terrifying. If it weren’t for Left Garrison shattering Roger’s defenses, once Lorenzo and Roger fell into a prolonged stalemate, no one could predict what would happen next.

Perhaps Roger would be killed, or perhaps Lorenzo would become a second Roger.

This time Lorenzo also fell silent, recalling that bizarre nightmare, continuously ascending, reaching the same ”height” in some unknown moment, completing Ascension.

He somewhat understood Left Garrison’s words, unsure of how to respond.

”I know you’ll say this is a necessary sacrifice. I understand that. In fact, I agree with your actions. Rather than hesitating, it’s better to make a decisive move. But what I want to say is, all actions need to have a plan. Have you considered what we should do if you also become a madman like Roger?”

I don’t trust you. I suspect you’ll do something beyond our control in the upcoming actions.”

Left Garrison sighed again, displaying a helpless smile.

”The pity is, your power is indispensable. You must be involved.”

”Are you just preaching?” Lorenzo asked.

”No, I simply want to chat with you. After all, we’ll soon be living and dying together, but my understanding of you is only what’s on paper,” Left Garrison stood by the bed, looking out at the night outside the window.

”Isn’t what’s on paper enough?”

”No, that’s just your surface. I want to know your inner thoughts,” Left Garrison turned his head, looking at Lorenzo leaning against the pillow, ”I know I can’t control your will or interfere with your decisions, meaning everything I’ve said is useless and can’t change a thing.”

So I just want to chat with you, to see what Lorenzo beneath the skin is truly like.”

”But this changes nothing,” Lorenzo showed some annoyance.

”No, at least this can slightly soothe my inner unease,” Left Garrison laughed, ”You know, absolute and blind trust isn’t easy. Jiuxia has firm beliefs, and the Purification Mechanism has strict provisions, but you have nothing.”

”I want to know whether beneath that Demon carcass lies a human soul or a Demon.”

Left Garrison’s expression turned solemn as he questioned Lorenzo.

”Lorenzo Holmes, what does life mean to you?”