Gun of Ashes

Chapter 41: Chapter 29 Cost_2

”We also anticipated that, so the armor is waiting for you.”

The executor of this plan had already thought of everything, and even the armor was prepared. Bluebird was full of confidence, believing that God was favoring the battlefield.

Thus, as Bluebird spoke, the last steam tram slowly arrived. Its armored coating was matte black, reflecting almost no light. If it weren’t for the low rumble of its engine, no one would detect its arrival. Endless steam was released as the gate opened, the gray-white mist outlining a hideous silhouette beneath.

But it seemed that wasn’t steam; Galahad could only feel an inexplicable chill in that mist. It must have been cold air, as this Iron Serpent was a moving ice vault. As the gate opened, green lights illuminated within, accompanied by a faint song, as if a woman were singing inside.

The soldier gazed at the ghostly green light, perceiving a woman’s face emerging from it, fleeting and chaotic, seeming both to cry and to laugh. She seemed to be speaking, questioning him about various things. He felt nostalgic but also sorrowful, because that face was his fiancée, who had died years ago.

His breath felt heavier than ever, as though a lead block pressed on his chest. He extended his hand, taking heavy steps forward, thinking if only he could get a little closer, he could snatch her back from the hands of the Death God, if only...

”Beep——”

A long alarm bell interrupted the soldier’s hallucination. Subsequently, from the base of his neck, neural electrodes embedded beneath his flesh released a weak electric current that zapped through his brain, jolting him awake as if from a deep dream. He suddenly dropped to his knees, only to realize he had strayed off position, now bathed in that green light, with a silver-white gun barrel appearing before him.

”Soldier, you are neuro-polluted.”

Bola stood in front of the soldier against the green light.

”Child, you shouldn’t be staring at this thing.”

Bola knew what was behind him but had never looked in that direction from the start, as did everyone present, who strictly adhered to their roles.

”I... I...”

The soldier wanted to say something, but the words turned into a wailing howl at his lips, seemingly in another language, but he didn’t know it. The world before him twisted and deformed, eventually becoming a blood-red scene.

”You need to rest.”

That was the last thing he could hear. Bola drew a syringe and harshly pierced it into his body. As the anesthetic surged into his veins, the alarm finally ceased, and the soldier collapsed heavily to the ground.

”Looks like the neuro-rehabilitation facility will have new guests.”

Bola murmured as he glanced at the gun in his hand, whose silver-white surface was also tinted by the green light behind him.

”So those lunatics actually succeeded?” he asked Bluebird.

Bluebird stood turned away from the light, tightly clutching the iron cross, and slowly said,

”They succeeded months ago, but have been tuning it. They felt tonight’s operation was suitable to test this weapon.”

”They’re playing with fire.” Bola cursed. He hated that weapon, seeing it as a harbinger of misfortune.

”But haven’t we been playing with fire, fighting demons for so long?”

Galahad spoke calmly. Of the three, only he stared directly at the light, seemingly unaffected, with a complex expression in his eyes.

”The index is still rising. We need to strangle that demon in the Underground Palace. Galahad, according to their instructions, only Knight Commanders are qualified to use this weapon. Here is the activation key.”

Bluebird said as he handed over the iron cross in his hand. The seemingly smooth surface was actually filled with hundreds of tiny grooves, like the ridges of a key. It was also a key, to unlock an ominous box.

This was the true secret weapon of the night, and the reason Bluebird was here.

”Am I considered an experimental subject? Having a Knight Commander do their experiment is quite lavish.”

Galahad paused, then mocked himself, but still accepted the key. It felt cold, like holding ice. Without any hesitation, he walked boldly into that green light.

...

”So this is why you suddenly appeared here tonight? According to the mission, you should be with Lancelot on the Sailing Dawn now.”

Bola could only hear Galahad’s footsteps gradually fading away. He didn’t feel good, as if watching his friend walk into the Abyss.

”Yes, this is the first batch of armor, totaling thirteen pieces. While chasing demons on the Sailing Dawn, they distributed them to the Knight Commanders scattered across Ingwig’s territory. Arthur believes this is the weapon to turn the tide of war, and even the Queen agreed to it.”

Bluebird said with some helplessness, but for victory, it had to be done.

”I understand you, Bola, you hate that thing, but only it can allow us to fight against demons, just as Arthur said when we first became knights.

Fighting demons is a process of constantly paying the price.”

The eyes behind the mask carried a hint of fatigue, while arsonists lit a burning sun in the dark, mirroring his vision intensely bright.

”Paying in blood, in pain, in all we can until we die with nothing.”

Bluebird said, yet he laughed, looking at Bola beside him, drawing a cross on his chest.

”I think I shouldn’t be so miserable, after all, I believe in God, and I fight demons. I think I will surely ascend to Heaven after death. As for you, Bola...”

”I run casinos, commit murder and arson, even engage in all kinds of smuggling. I’ve broken virtually all of Ingwig’s laws, but I know I’m a good person. Concerning whether I go to Heaven, I don’t really care.”

Bola said directly, not believing in any God. More than praying every day, making more money gave him peace of mind.

Just then, a hoarse low moan came from the carriage behind. Bola’s hand trembled slightly, but ultimately, he didn’t turn back to help Galahad. A fuzzy murmuring sounded in his ear, as if something were awakening, from the carriage behind.

The green light finally went out, but a distorted shadow walked out from it, its steps echoing with the clamor of steel. Scalding steam surrounded its figure, obscuring any view of its form.

He walked straight past, and as he passed Bluebird, he heard Bluebird calmly say,

”Galahad, you have only ten minutes of operation time after full activation. Kill that damned demon, and then come out alive.”

The figure paused slightly, as if eyes were staring out through the scalding steam, but soon the gaze disappeared. That shadow moved forward again, bypassing everyone, and heading straight into the depths of the inferno, with no one attempting to look at the loathsome figure during this process.

”May you all turn from evil to good, dwell forever in peace, never abandoned, eternally sheltered.”

Bluebird prayed.