Gun of Ashes

”Are you gloating?”

”Pretty much.”

The two exchanged a glance, then sighed together, looking out at the rain and mist outside the window. They picked up their wine glasses, clinked them lightly, and drank them down in one go.

”It seems like nobody has a perfect life,” Buscalo sighed.

”A perfect life? Does such a thing really exist? I feel it only exists in books,” Oscar said. ”And that depends on whether the author is kind enough to write one.”

”Would you write something like that?” Buscalo asked.

Oscar nodded, then shook his head, ”Who knows?”

The two of them breathed the scent of alcohol. The scene before them felt quite nice, peaceful and calm. Outside, there was a thunderstorm, but inside, they were warm with fine wine.

”Happiness is indeed relative,” Oscar murmured, then he turned his gaze to Buscalo.

Actually, Buscalo didn’t look shabby. He was neatly dressed today, with his bald hair well-groomed. If not for the smell of liquor on him, he looked like he was dressed for some important meeting.

”So, did you have other plans today? You don’t seem like someone coming to drink.”

Oscar said this as he opened his robe, revealing a set of pajamas underneath and slippers on his feet. Ever since aligning himself with the Stuart family, this guy’s attitude towards life had become increasingly frivolous.

”I... my wife recently went back to Old Dunling to visit friends. I originally planned to see her today, to try to salvage our relationship,” Buscalo said, lowering his head.

”And you’re here drinking?”

Oscar slapped Buscalo on the bald head, messing up his meticulously groomed hair.

”I’m just thinking that drinking might give me some courage.”

”The more courage, the more cowardice?”

Listening to Oscar’s scolding, Buscalo remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

”I’ve been busy with work, neglecting my family. When my wife left, she was very firm. I think maybe I shouldn’t be persistent... I don’t care about face, I just hope not to cause her any trouble.”

”So you’re hesitant, unsure whether to go?”

”Maybe.”

Buscalo looked up at the sky, his face slightly flushed, but his eyes were clear.

Oscar hadn’t expected to encounter such a situation either. He too looked up at the sky. The sky above Old Dunling was gloomy with no sunlight, streetlights lit up one after another, then diffused into the rain and mist, like an Otherworld in a dream.

There were still many ordinary people living in this city, unaware of the approaching storm.

”Go quickly, Buscalo,” Oscar suddenly said. ”There’s not much time left.”

”What did you say?”

Buscalo looked at the drunkard beside him, clearly sensing the shift in Oscar’s demeanor. He’d seemed like a wretched drunk before, but now he resembled a wolf hiding secrets, awaiting the arrival of the storm.

”I said, go quickly. Whether to mend fences or say goodbye one last time, just go. If you hesitate any longer, there’ll be no time.”

Oscar stretched his body forcefully, bones cracking audibly, and then said with a drunken look.

”I’ve fulfilled my mission. Now there’s nothing holding me back. Even if I die here, it doesn’t matter. But you’re different, Buscalo. Don’t leave any regrets.”

Buscalo didn’t quite understand what Oscar was saying. In any case, he just took it as the drunken ramblings, seeing as they’d been drinking heavily, surrounded by bottles and cans.

”You remind me of someone.”

Buscalo said suddenly.

As he looked at the bizarrely dressed Oscar, a familiar face emerged from his memory. He tried to recall that awful face, and then more memories followed.

He remembered that terrible night, right here in this tavern, when he encountered that haunting figure again, and that person seemed very familiar with the owner here...

Wait a minute!

Buscalo thought of something, and his drunkenness cleared significantly.

”Did you say this is your friend’s place?”

”Uh-huh.”

Buscalo quickly turned around, glancing at Heracles, then Oscar, and asked shakily.

”Do you know... Lorenzo Holmes?”

”Oh! That’s my best student!”

Oscar held up a thumb with pride. Just then, the tavern door burst open, letting in cold wind and rain, making Buscalo shiver.

”Ah! Saved!”

Shao Liangxi exclaimed, feeling fortunate to find a familiar place in the heavy rain, though she was a stranger here. But using Mr. Holmes’ name should at least afford her some respect.

Thinking this, Shao Liangxi looked to one side, where several pairs of eyes exchanged glances.

”Hey! Shao Liangxi!”

Oscar greeted. After transitioning from the role of a Nation-Builder, he hadn’t been involved in Purification Mechanism’s activities. But before that, he’d met Jiuxia and the other guests.

”Hey! Oscar!”

Shao Liangxi felt aligned with Oscar’s channel and held the same respect for this former Nation-Builder.

Then Rod and Buscalo exchanged glances. On a previous night, also here, they’d met and, for some reason, saw the same sadness in each other’s eyes, as if they were fellow travelers despite meeting only twice.

”Heracles! Give these two friends some drinks to warm them up.”

Oscar called to Heracles behind the bar, who then retorted.

”It’s all going on the tab!”

Despite his words, he took out an opened bottle of wine, along with two glasses, and brought them to their table.

”No... you just said there’s no time, right?”

Buscalo’s clarity of mind brought a strong sense of crisis, and his gaze was filled with terror.

”Hm? What did I just say?”

Oscar pretended to play dead, but Buscalo grabbed him, shouting with a heavy drunken slur.

”You said there’s no time!”

He looked at the others and then at the rain and mist outside Old Dunling.

”What’s going to happen next?”

Buscalo’s expression froze as Oscar’s previous words echoed in his ears. They weren’t drunken nonsense but a warning.

”Don’t try to fool me! I know what kind of person Lorenzo is, and only bigger trouble comes with him!”

He almost shouted it out.

The crackling sound of electricity broke the silence. Buscalo looked toward the source of the sound as Shao Liangxi picked up a communicator, its lights flickering. Soon, a muffled voice rang out amidst the rain and wind.

”The war... has begun.”

In that instant, everyone sobered up, their eyes sharp and filled with murderous intent.

The transformation was so sudden it left Buscalo momentarily stunned. Shao Liangxi drew her weapon from her side, Rod assumed a posture ready for conflict, and behind the bar, Heracles took up arms, loading the table with various weapons.

Even the usually laid-back Oscar focused intensely, his face serious.

”A war happening within Old Dunling, a secret war that was supposed to go unnoticed.”

Oscar pried Buscalo’s hand away, picked up a glass, and downed the remaining drink.

”Be grateful, Buscalo, for you will witness this destiny-defining battle firsthand.”

As his words faded, a piercing alarm sounded on the street. The rain intensified, as if pounding on the glass with a thousand blades. The wind roared, noise surged, as if the entire building would be shattered in the next second.

”My... my wife, she’s just at a nearby hotel. I need to find her!”

Even the alcohol hadn’t given him the courage, but now he was shouting, ready to dash out of the tavern. Oscar extended his hand, holding him tightly. Buscalo tried to break free but suddenly realized he couldn’t move Oscar; the drunkard’s arm was unexpectedly strong.

”Calm down, Buscalo.”

Oscar smiled and said softly.

”Listen, they’re wailing.”

Thousands of crows soared overhead, solemnly singing a requiem for the chaotic prologue.