Gun of Ashes

The Flame Holder stood before everyone, under Lorenzo’s brief control, the demon flesh on it revived, making its steel body temporarily ”alive.”

”We have strengthened it with Pine Iron according to the original central framework, making it more resilient, and then protected it with anti-memetic technology. As for the new weaponry like hooks and wings, you’ve used them before, so I won’t elaborate.”

Merlin introduced this brand new Flame Holder to Lorenzo.

”This is a new mechanism designed specifically for you. Because of the presence of Holy Silver and anti-memetics, the demon flesh will be greatly affected. We’ve reduced its proportion, but if you need, you can increase the power of erosion at any time, allowing the flesh to become active until it completely covers the Black Angel.”

Merlin pulled a Nail Sword from Lorenzo’s sword bag, gently tapping the Flame Holder, indicating to Lorenzo the location of the demon flesh.

They are protected by sturdy external armor, like a swarm of climbing snakes, entwining the central framework, binding it tightly with each joint and limb.

”Next is the operating system. Since the previous design was meant for mortals, we made many compromises, like various safety measures and numerous constraints. You don’t have to worry about those, so we removed them to equip stronger firepower.”

”Sounds good,” Lorenzo said.

”It’s more than that, Lorenzo. We also conducted specific optimization for the Flame Holder based on your gap invasion capability.”

Merlin had read the Silent Sea report and knew Lorenzo could remotely control the Flame Holder.

”Like?”

”For example, the design concept of the Flame Holder is actually different from the previous Armor of Original Sin.”

Merlin said.

”The previous Armor of Original Sin tried to minimize the influence of demon flesh, but this time we released all the power. In other words, if you remove the Holy Silver external armor reinforced by anti-memetics, under your erosion, this flesh could potentially undergo frenzied proliferation, just like a demon.”

Merlin raised the Nail Sword, the blade piercing into the gaps of the external armor, bypassing layers of obstacles, reaching the deepest part, feeling a slight blockage in his hand. Merlin exerted a bit more force, then pulled out the Nail Sword, only to see some scarlet staining the tip.

”These armors are both protection and shackles, but when you throw all this away...”

For a moment, Merlin wasn’t sure how to describe it, as the Flame Holder had just been lifted from the Perpetual Motion Pump and hadn’t undergone any practical combat tests.

”Steel skeleton, demon flesh, ascended consciousness, and... modern civilization’s firepower?”

Lorenzo described, he began to like this thing, examining it up and down.

”What’s this?”

Lorenzo noticed several fuel canisters on the Flame Holder’s back, similar to those installed on the Black Angel. However, this time, these fuel canisters looked different; some were long, some short, distributed evenly on the back. It’s clear that these canisters are much smaller than Lorenzo’s impression, unlike before when moving around easily affected actions.

”Propulsion system, burns in batches according to priority, allowing the Flame Holder to rapidly advance, ascend into the sky when necessary, or change direction in mid-air.”

”Change direction in mid-air? Is it necessary for aerial combat?”

Lorenzo couldn’t help but ask, seeing as aerial combat was a blind spot for him.

But pondering this, Lorenzo noticed the shadow that had always enveloped him, looking up, the bulky Iron Whale hovered at low altitude, cargo doors open, several iron cables dangling, swaying overhead.

”Next, war could erupt at any moment; we’ll need to deploy forces to flashpoints at a moment’s notice,” Merlin said, ”So, Lorenzo, do you think you can always move with the Flame Holder?”

”You mean?”

”You did it before, didn’t you? Using gap invasion, influenced the Iron Whale to give you a lift. But now, you don’t have to do that; all Iron Whales are channel-connected, ready to serve as airborne barracks for rapid deployment when necessary.”

”Same goes for the Flame Holder.”

Merlin tossed a communicator to Lorenzo, its green light steady.

The surrounding technicians also came over, hooking down the iron cables and fastening them tightly to the Flame Holder. Soon, the Flame Holder was gently lifted and taken into the Iron Whale’s belly, which rose again into the sky after accommodating the Flame Holder, blending into the clouds.

”When needed, the Flame Holder will be deployed; you only need to use gap invasion to make it reach your location or remotely control the Flame Holder to combat at your designated location.”

Listening to Merlin’s words, Lorenzo couldn’t help but marvel once more; Old Dunling was completely under their control, this was the Purification Mechanism’s home turf, also the only battlefield where victory was possible.

”Is it just waiting next?” Lorenzo asked.

”Is there anything else to do?” Merlin shook his head, then remembered something, ”But indeed, some things are underway.”

”The Purification Mechanism is currently evacuating, prioritizing some necessary personnel to Death Row.”

”Priority protection, right?”

”Yes.”

Lorenzo pondered, suddenly realizing he seems to never have checked on Death Row’s progress, so he asked.