Gun of Ashes

Chapter 21: Chapter 15 The Dark Side of Old Dunling

The pitch-black steam tram silently moved through the city shrouded in gray fog. This was the time when the night fog in Old Dunling was thickest, with a visibility range of no more than ten meters. The ghost tram chose this time to set off, making no noise as it advanced along the remote track, cleverly avoiding all patrolling mounted police. It stopped and started, picking up numerous mysterious passengers along the way, everyone sitting in the luxurious carriage, with soundproof compartments isolating each seat from one another.

Eve looked out the window, seeing nothing but blackness. This was an isolated tin can, and the enclosed space made her feel anxious.

”Where exactly are you taking me?”

Eve began to feel a bit of regret. The detective in front of her was not to be trusted, at least not entirely, and she should have been more cautious of him.

This was the compartment inside the carriage. Lorenzo sat opposite Eve, appearing very familiar, and said slowly.

”To attend Sabo’s ball.”

As he spoke, Lorenzo handed Eve a mask.

”Sabo primarily deals in smuggling. He has a group of cooperating Viking pirates in the northern seas, who are responsible for plundering and delivering goods to Reindona port, after which Sabo fences them.”

”Those are all things that can’t see the light of day. Ordinary citizens can’t afford them, but the high society aristocrats are an exception, so he regularly hosts balls. Although called balls, they are actually trade fairs where money and goods are exchanged hands.”

Listening to Lorenzo’s words, Eve felt a slight calm wash over her.

”The threshold for attending this ball is very high. I only got the tickets by pulling some strings.”

”That coin?”

Eve was deeply impressed by that coin. It came from the heart of a country, yet features a currency she had never seen before, making Eve wary.

”Yes, they usually call it the Butcher Coin, minted by Bola, the ruler of the Lower City District. It bears the image of a shrike.”

Lorenzo explained the complexities of the Lower City District to Eve.

Where there are people, rules and hierarchies emerge, and the chaotic, filthy Lower City District is no exception.

”To govern a region, you need to standardize the currency. Now everyone knows that coins and banknotes bearing the image of a lion are hard currency internationally, but in the Lower City District, the coins with the shrike image are what dominate. Each Butcher Coin can be directly traded, and in the black market, you can exchange it for any currency.”

”You can think of the entire Lower City District as a gigantic casino, and the Butcher Coins in your hand are your chips.”

Lorenzo said as he took out a few more coins and handed them to Eve. They felt heavy, made from some unknown precious metal.

”Sabo is a very cautious person. His business is very lucrative, and everyone wants to replace him. Usually, he hides in a well-guarded bunker, but this time he will attend the ball, which is our only chance to meet him directly.”

”He won’t let anyone know the location of the ball. Each time there’s a ball, messengers are sent to the aristocrats to inform them of the station point, departing at midnight.”

Lorenzo, speaking as he put on his mask, which was a brass mask adorned with sporadic gears on its edges for decoration.

”So, we don’t know where we are going either?”

Eve also put on her mask, which had feathers at the edges, resembling an alert bird. She looked out the window, seeing nothing but the same darkness.

”Yes.”

Lorenzo nodded.

”Though Sabo is a Viking, he’s never reckless, so cautious that it borders on excessive.”

The image of Vikings comes to mind as a group of brutes; they saw dying on the battlefield as an honor, their souls being taken by the Valkyries to the Heroic Spirit Hall to join in the endless feasts with gods and ancestors. In those ignorant times centuries ago, such beliefs were strong, and these fearless Vikings once reached the gates of Old Dunling.

But unfortunately, times have changed. Under the continuous bombardment, all beliefs wavered. When the war airship, loaded with ammunition, flew over the kingdom’s airspace, everything from the old era was swept into the grave.

”How do you know all of this?”

Eve suddenly asked, her blue-green eyes watching Lorenzo under the mask, the brass mask concealing a mysterious identity.

”You, a detective, possessing Butcher Coins and knowing so many secrets, how do you manage that?”

Eve had reason to suspect Lorenzo was a turncoat. From the beginning, this guy acted like a mafia boss, more like a wanted leader than a detective.

This couldn’t help but make Eve vigilant since Lorenzo’s weapon was on her. She completely held the advantage.

Regarding Eve’s question, Lorenzo was silent for a few seconds, then smiled openly.

”I said I have a really strong buddy, and these are all things he told me, do you believe it?”

Who would have thought that the esteemed Bola would become Lorenzo’s backup? After all, the class gap between the two is too vast; one is the Emperor in the dark, and the other is an unknown detective.

”Actually, no matter how I answer you, you will always have doubts about me, right? We are merely allies united by interests. Such alliances are the strongest, yet also the most fragile. When interests diverge, we become mortal enemies.”

Lorenzo calmly narrated, rational unlike an ordinary person.

”Eve, the Lower City District is like a giant casino, or rather, life itself is a gamble. Aside from yourself, you can only hold onto the cards in your hand and nothing else.”

His gray-blue eyes gazed at her, his voice steady and powerful.

”The first gamble is whether I am worth trusting. If you find me trustworthy, the action continues; if you find me untrustworthy, it’s still not too late to leave now.”

He raised a finger, and Lorenzo said this last point.

Eve remained silent, caught in her dilemma.

She was the princess of the Phoenix family, just as Lorenzo said, with a distinguished identity. If Lorenzo had sinister motives, she was like a lamb heading to the wolves’ den. Yet, if she achieved nothing, her father would definitely find a way to transfer her from Suyalan Hall.

One side offered safety, the other her dreams. Eve decided without hesitation.

”If you dare deceive me, I swear I’ll kill you.”

The girl spoke fiercely, then leaned back in her chair, waiting to arrive at the ball.

A stubborn person indeed; if not for her background, Eve could have really become a fine detective.

Lorenzo didn’t say much, tonight everything was incredibly smooth. From the moment this girl accepted Lorenzo’s invitation, he knew she wouldn’t easily give up. It was just because she was a child of the Phoenix family.

Only a Phoenix arises from the ashes, not a mere chicken.

The carriage gently rocked, and faint sounds of conversation came from nearby compartments, then everything disappeared.

Finally, a servant knocked on the door, notifying them that they had arrived.

According to Lorenzo’s script, they would appear as a couple tonight, though Eve didn’t understand why she wasn’t posed as a lady with her male attendant. However, amidst such an odd atmosphere, she didn’t say anything and was led away by Lorenzo.

White fog of steam slowly rose, making the air comfortably warm.

The small platform was already crowded, most in lavish attire wearing different masks. They were tonight’s ball attendees; with masks on, no one could recognize each other, but even if they did, they would remain silent. This ball was like a beautiful dream; after waking, nothing should be remembered.

The lights were dim; Eve could only see murky fog and darkness around her; she knew she was in the Lower City District but didn’t know the exact location.

Looking up at the sky, the familiar shadows still hovered among the clouds, reassuring her somewhat.

”If you don’t understand, keep silent; tonight, our identities are as a newly joined couple. Sabo will be cautious of newcomers, don’t give anything away.”

Eve nodded without speaking. At that moment, the servant emerged, bowing and leading the guests to the ball.

It was a winding and intricate path, accompanied only by dim lights along the way; besides these, there was nothing else. Armed men followed behind the group, preventing anyone from leaving.

Suddenly, Eve smelled a strange scent, followed by more lights illuminating.

Beneath her feet was the red welcoming carpet, yet under the weak glow, the surroundings appeared like ruins. The faint glimmers came from candles, and behind that dim light were old, withered faces, looking like dead craving the light.

Lorenzo pulled her closer, and Eve saw more. An unpleasant odor emanated from the darkness as if something was trickling, and faint sobbing whispers emerged.

Then, the tightly shut doors swung open.

It felt like the gates to the Celestial Kingdom; endless light streamed from the doors ahead, mingling with the scent of wine and songs, coins clashing to create a captivating sound, lazy moans echoing endlessly, carrying a restless spirit. The guests gasped in awe and then hurried towards the paradise of the Celestial Kingdom, fervent like devout believers.

Mead and cheese, wealth and beauty—these are forbidden temptations that can satisfy anyone, if only you’re willing to indulge.

”Lorenzo... what is this?”

Eve stood before the doors, her soul seemingly shaken into a stupor, but Lorenzo offered no comfort, merely whispering in her ear instead.

”Welcome to the dark side of Old Dunling, Miss Eve Phoenix.”