Gun of Ashes

”In fact…the Night of the Holy Arrival is related to a Messiah-level containment. You should know what this is.”

After pondering for a long time, Lorenzo seemed to have made some decision. He looked at the Demons around, who were too afraid to approach, and spoke slowly.

Ed’s dim gaze brightened slightly, and he said.

”So is this the reason why you refuse to reveal the answer?”

Lorenzo nodded stiffly.

”Exactly, that thing carries almost unstoppable meme contamination. Even talking about it with you now carries the risk of spreading it.”

”Then why are you willing to speak now? Demon Hunter? Is it because I’m about to die, that knowing it doesn’t matter? Or is it because of my ability to control demons?”

Ed laughed hoarsely, his deformed face slightly shook, exuding an indescribable terror.

Lorenzo said nothing, merely nodded.

”So is this pity for me?” He laughed even louder, shook his head forcefully, the friction of metal emitted a spine-chilling sound.

”It’s not enough, Demon Hunter, it’s not enough.”

This answer did not satisfy Ed. He was dying. Many things didn’t matter anymore. Whether that damned thing broke containment or the survival of humanity, in the eyes of a dying person, these were all worthless.

As if anticipating such a response, Lorenzo merely bowed his head sadly, recalling past dreams.

Actually, the whole event was a fragmented mess in his eyes. He experienced the Night of the Holy Arrival, but not the Divine Birthday. Only the one living in the Gap understood everything, yet the real him was already dead.

Nonetheless, he could still guess some things, as Lorenzo was at least a detective in Old Dunling for six years.

Sitting slowly atop the now-solidified Holy Silver, Lorenzo looked at the head within and said.

”Ed, have you ever thought about the fate of us demon hunters? Is it retiring peacefully, or becoming the Pope’s guards, living openly in the Seven Hills?”

He seemed to be speaking to Ed, yet also to himself, voice filled with poisonous resentment and hatred, he loudly rebuked.

”None of it! Ed, none of it! Yes, the demons are dead, but there are still humans in this world!”

Recalling Dean Lawrence’s words, it all became so clear.

”Ingwig possesses advanced steam technology, the Far East’s Jiuxia is so vast, even using weapons outdated by an era, they can easily overthrow a kingdom with sheer numbers. Even those endlessly war-torn Viking countries have begun to unite.

The era has changed! Ed, the Holy Spirit Pope Kingdom was once the center of the world, but now we are no longer, more powers are emerging in the new era!”

Lorenzo looked at Ed, his expression filled with sorrow.

”So what do you think is the final fate of demon hunters? We possess combat abilities surpassing ordinary soldiers, the Order holds the most detailed techniques concerning demons. How do you suppose we catch up with other countries, having lost so many advantages in the new era?”

Lorenzo couldn’t help but laugh.

”We fight demons, kill demons, and in the end, enslave demons.”

With a forceful breath, he tossed the burnt-out cigarette butt aside, looking at the now dazed Ed, it was all so absurd.

”So this world is really quite meaningless, isn’t it?”

With a roar, Lorenzo seemed to have vented enough, looking at Ed, but Ed had long fallen silent, tobacco ash lingering on his grim face. He was already dead, yet Lorenzo didn’t know when he had died, or even whether he heard Lorenzo’s final rebuke.

Slowly standing up, his expression gradually turned cold as he gripped the Nail Sword, looking at the demons slowly drawing near, Lorenzo mocked himself.

”It’s really helpless...”