Gun of Ashes

Chapter 59: Chapter 43 Extinguished Torch_2

”Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith.”

Low murmurs of prayer mingled with the roar of bullets, strong stones crumbling bit by bit, revealing the sinister object inside. A strange and bizarre illusion swept over Lorenzo, as if he had unleashed a demon, but he didn’t care anymore, there was nothing left to fear.

Until the last bullet was fired, the strong barrier shattered completely, and the dark box was fully exposed before Lorenzo. It had been sealed inside for many years, yet its surface was as smooth as if it had just been placed there.

Dark golden patterns spread over it, layers of holy words inscribed upon it, celebrating God and the holy. Thus, Lorenzo picked it up and placed it in the familiar groove, and it opened with a sound.

”Long time no see.”

Cold gleams covered Lorenzo’s vision, sparkling like diamonds under the light, but upon closer look, they were rows upon rows of exquisitely crafted sword blades, simply composed of blade and handle, slender like silver nails.

Reflected in the smooth blade were Lorenzo’s pupils, with intricate patterns etched upon it. Should it encounter blood, it would be the most crimson of canvases.

...

It was a dark hall, illuminated only by the skylight in the middle of the dome, casting a bit of light on the enormous round table.

Looking up at the azure sky beyond the skylight, sometimes Red Falcon couldn’t tell where he actually was. This was the most secretive location of the Purification Mechanism, and even though he was an Upper-Rank Knight, every time he came here he would be blindfolded.

He hadn’t moved much, so he was surely still in Old Dunling, but Old Dunling didn’t have such a blue sky.

Bola next to him shared the same confusion, having been with the Purification Mechanism for so long, yet visits to the Broken Dome were still few and far between. Sometimes he truly wished to defy the rules and rush out of the conference room to see other places. If possible, today would be a good opportunity, but his injuries hadn’t fully healed, and he was here in a wheelchair.

”Our situation now is dire.”

A voice sounded from the other end of the round table. Following the table of sword marks, although there was only darkness, both knew who was sitting there.

The total head of the Purification Mechanism, the Knight King, Arthur.

To be honest, both felt a sense of trepidation now, just two mere Upper-Rank knights, how could they possibly be invited to the Round Table Conference Room to speak face to face with Arthur.

”What exactly is the situation? For you to personally summon a few of us... and a patient, it must mean the situation is about to spiral out of control, right?”

A reckless voice rang out, and it wasn’t until that person spoke that Red Falcon realized there was another person not far from him.

That person made no attempt to hide, bathed in the faint light, with a graceful figure draped in a splendid blue-purple dress. If not for the familiar mask she wore, Red Falcon would have thought it a noble lady mistakenly wandered in here.

”Blue Jade?”

Bola was somewhat surprised to encounter her here.

”Alright, let’s not catch up just yet.”

Arthur’s voice came through, although seemingly cheerful, the three immediately became serious.

”Most of the knights stationed in Old Dunling have been dispatched, leaving our forces very thin, while the enemy remains elusive.”

”Since the entry of the Holy Coffin into Ingwig, territories across Ingwig have experienced varying degrees of demon anomalies, with each Knight Commander frantically trying to address them. This is evidently a form of interference, as those hidden enemies attempt to protect the Holy Coffin.

For that purpose, Lancelot has already set sail aboard the Sailing Dawn with the Armor of Original Sin in pursuit, yet despite the time passed still no leads have emerged. According to predictions, we have roughly a week left, and after that, there is a high probability the Holy Coffin will be transported out of Ingwig. We must find a way to keep it here!”

The eyes in the dark seemed to burn with fire; the voice was calm, but all three could sense its gravity.

”No matter how many ordinary people there are, I need knights who have undergone neurological specialization to withstand demonic erosion. Unfortunately, our loss in manpower is greater than expected, and at the moment the only ones available in Old Dunling are you three.”

”What about Galahad?”

Recalling his friend, Bola quickly asked. Under usual circumstances, Old Dunling had three Knight Commanders, and currently two of them had been dispatched to investigate the whereabouts of the Holy Coffin. After that night, Galahad too had lost contact.

The voice in the darkness paused before answering.

”Originally, this mission was to be led by Galahad, but he has been detained by the Perpetual Motion Pump, unable to act due to his physical condition and erosion level.”

”So this mission will be led by you, Bola.”

”Me?”

Bola was stunned, being tasked again while still recovering from injuries?

”I understand this command puts you in a difficult position, but you are the one most aware of the situation here, so I need you to lead them. I will provide you with comprehensive support.”

”Isn’t this...a bit too urgent?”

Red Falcon also spoke up from the side; they didn’t even understand the mission’s objective.

”I don’t wish this either, but we truly have no time left. According to Lancelot’s report, he has traced clues leading to the general location of the Holy Coffin. I don’t need you to kill the enemy, I only need you to go there and trigger a commotion, delaying the enemy as long as possible, while Lancelot handles the follow-up engagement.”