Gun of Ashes

Chapter 16: Chapter 10: Embers Rekindled

”As you know, I almost caught them.”

In a somewhat cramped room, two people sat facing each other. Lorenzo wrapped in his clothes, explaining everything that happened today.

”It’s obvious someone doesn’t want us investigating this. They tried to destroy any evidence, even to the extent of leaving no survivors. I managed to capture at least three alive to bring back for questioning, but they were all killed by those people.”

The gunman on guard duty was always at the forefront, shooting anyone who fell behind.

”Bola, this is different from those small-time hoodlums we encountered before. They have a very strict internal structure... This isn’t something simple gangs bonded by profit could achieve.”

Bola showed some rare concern beneath his half-mask; he knew a lot about this area.

”Most of the people in the Lower City District are opportunists, serving whoever’s stronger. To survive, they’d even sell out their own kin.”

Bola spoke slowly, realizing the severity of the problem.

”But aren’t these people fearless, right? People in the Lower City District aren’t this nobly brave.”

His gaze turned to Lorenzo, expecting a surprise from this detective.

”So did you find any clues? I believe you wouldn’t return empty-handed.”

Lorenzo nodded in response and then continued.

”The people in the Lower City District got the news in advance... or rather, this was part of their plan. Once the operation failed, they would slip into the Lower City District, and the gangsters would need to appear at that time to cover them.”

”Bola, you know how territorial this group is. A territory in the Lower City District represents wealth, so the gang must be local. I need to know who’s in charge of that area.”

”Sabo.”

Bola, the master of the Lower City District, instantly knew who the people there were.

”Sabo, from the Northern Sea Vikings...”

Bola’s thoughts paused, coinciding perfectly with Wol’s background.

”Do you think the goods were taken by Sabo?”

”He wouldn’t. He’s just a guy who earns his keep under your command. He simply doesn’t have access to business on your level.”

Lorenzo directly dismissed this notion.

”He’s merely a decoy. Someone paid him to provide cover. As long as the price is right, I’m sure he’d do it.”

”So what are you going to do, Lorenzo Holmes?”

Bola slightly tilted his chin, starting to find the situation interesting.

”Simple, find him, point the gun at his head, ask him who made him do this, and if he doesn’t answer, pull the trigger until he does.”

Lorenzo’s voice was monotone, like casual conversation, but the embedded menace was chilling.

”You’d kill him this way.”

”Bola, I’ve sat in on classes at the Royal Medical College. Although I didn’t understand the profound stuff, I do know how to avoid lethal human injuries.”

Picking up the gun beside him, Lorenzo tried it back and forth on his body.

”You should also take some classes—learning is a lifelong journey. Gunshots that avoid fatal wounds are handy for faking death.”

Lorenzo looked serious; this rarely serious person was earnest for once.

Bola didn’t know what to say for a moment. He found Lorenzo to be a very peculiar individual, genuinely peculiar.

For a long time, Bola had people shadow the great detective due to his intense curiosity about Lorenzo’s past, but most of the surveillance results were dull.

When he worked, Lorenzo would diligently investigate and solve cases. When not, he’d ride the steam tram around various universities attending lectures. He once stayed at the Royal Academy of Arts for so long that Bola thought the detective was changing careers to become an actor.

The reality was he studied acting to become an even better detective. As part of his graduation exam, he infiltrated Bola’s ranks.

Lorenzo Holmes truly was a genius. Without any sound, without anyone noticing, he brazenly entered Bola’s casino dressed in a black and white suit, holding a tray of drinks, and even shuffled cards for a table of guests as a dealer.

If he hadn’t signaled to Bola himself, Bola wouldn’t have realized how close the great detective had unknowingly gotten. This was merely to test his own acting skills, but what if he held a knife?

No one knows how many skills Lorenzo possesses, but it is certain that he applies these skills to his detective work.

With such intelligence, couldn’t he use it for something else?

”Are you just going to face Sabo alone?”

Bola didn’t doubt Lorenzo’s ability. He was strong, and his shotgun’s firepower was potent, but directly confronting a gang seemed a bit powerless.

”Yes, but I have my own methods. Besides, even if I didn’t, you wouldn’t be able to help me, would you? As you’ve said, this merchandise concerns a Duke, and you can’t leave any trace.”

Bola nodded. He became the master of the Lower City District by navigating through various powers. A Duke wouldn’t cause him to lose his throne entirely, but it could shake his rule. After all, the Lower City District was just a trash can compared to those who truly hold power, and Bola still fell short.

”Take this; with it, you are my envoy.”

Bola threw his Revolver, the weapon he often used to threaten Lorenzo.

”Sabo knows this gun. When he sees it, he’ll understand what’s going on.”

The Lower City District was more complex than anyone thought. Bola was the leader, but he merely led a ragtag bunch, all there for personal gain. Bora led because his fists were the strongest, making him the regulator of benefits.

Since Lorenzo had his thoughts, Bola felt more at ease and seemed ready to leave.

”Then goodnight, Mr. Holmes.”

The door slowly closed, and this uninvited guest finally left.

Lorenzo looked out the window, wiped the mist off the glass, watching the dark carriage merge with the night, eventually disappearing from his sight.

Witnessing Bola’s departure, Lorenzo drew the curtain tightly and then put on a nightgown, completely covering the black tattoo.

Facing an entire gang alone was truly a daunting task. Lorenzo had the confidence to infiltrate Sabo’s side, but not to escape from a group of furious thugs. Yet, as Bola thought, Lorenzo was a genius, never missing any opportunity to capitalize on.

He retrieved something he had kept hidden in his trench coat. In the light, the ruby on the necklace emitted a mesmerizing glow of purity.

This item was beyond being described as a luxury; its quality was immaculate, almost as if it harbored blood, beautifully unsettling, with silver decorations edging it. Its most crucial part was the words engraved on the back.

”Ashes rekindled.”

Lorenzo murmured softly, and as he spoke, the ruby seemed to come alive in his hand, emitting a warm vitality.

This was Eve’s necklace, which Lorenzo had torn off when she dashed away in panic. Fortunately, the girl hadn’t noticed the loss in the chaos.

Ashes rekindled.

This was a proverb from a noble family. Lorenzo carefully recalled the knowledge he accumulated over the years in Old Dunling, soon confirming the target, leaving him slightly shocked. Perhaps he hadn’t expected this either.

Vosar wasn’t Eve’s real surname; that should be her mother’s. She used it to conceal her true identity, or else her superiors would have at least sent a squad of mounted police when they saw her surname.

Eve Phoenix.

That was her real name, a descendent of the esteemed Phoenix Clan.

Eve’s real identity was an unexpected delight. Initially, Lorenzo took the necklace merely to leverage Eve later, considering how important it seemed to her. To investigate the goods, he needed a mole inside Suyalan Hall, a spy that belonged solely to him.

Lorenzo had been fretting about how to extract the information he wanted from Sabo, but now everything was falling into place.

The situation had changed; a brand new scheme appeared in Lorenzo’s mind. From planning to execution, in just a few minutes, he had already envisioned several raids in the Lower City District. All the conclusions pointed to the right outcome: Lorenzo would get what he wanted.

Meanwhile, in that distant suburb, within the Duke’s estate, the girl had just finished bathing and sat in a bathrobe, staring out the window blankly.

Today wasn’t a good day. She experienced her first case but also received her first reprimand. Officer Pres was very dissatisfied with Eve’s reckless actions. On her first day at work, she’d already been given a vacation.

Though unhappy, the thrill of the investigation was real, bringing some vitality to her otherwise dull life. New life, new experiences, and she’d met some special people... Eve tried to define her encounter with Lorenzo as ”acquaintance.”

Her hand habitually moved to her neck, but the familiar warmth was absent, leaving a hollow sensation.

The girl’s expression turned to shock, and then panic set in as she realized her precious necklace was missing.

Where had she lost it?

She tried hard to recall, but ultimately, it was a blank. She couldn’t remember anything.