Gun of Ashes

Many times, the streets of Old Dunling are crowded, so once someone starts running, it becomes especially difficult, like a fish trying to move in the mud, struggling with all its might but unable to move a bit.

The great detective quickened his pace, his figure moving with eerie swiftness through the crowd, leaving those following him far behind, finally ducking into a narrow alley. He took off his deerstalker hat, vigorously tousling his flattened pale golden hair, took off his coat and put it on inside out, then wiped the dirt and muddy water from the filthy ground onto his face.

Casually tossing his cane into a nearby trash can, he promptly sat down beside a homeless man in the corner. The man, wrapped in a filthy blanket, was soundly asleep, but suddenly someone disturbed his dream. The detective squeezed into his blanket forcefully, as intimately as brothers.

Less than half a minute later, another group of people charged into the alley, brandishing guns openly, cursing out loud. Clearly, they had no intention of noticing these two ”down-and-out brothers” embracing, and continued in pursuit down the alley.

About a minute later, Lorenzo crawled out from this trash heap. The homeless man opened his bleary eyes, still a bit unclear on what had happened, but he heard a word of thanks and saw a few coins fall in front of him.

Retrieving his cane, Lorenzo made a slight effort to tidy his clothes, trying to look less disheveled as he strode out onto the street. Before long, a carriage stopped in front of him, and the door swung open.

”Honestly, Mr. Holmes, the smell on you right now is really unwelcome,”

Officer Pres looked at the great detective, frowning, as if the smell was a mix of rotten cheese and decayed fruits stuffed into a roasting oven.

Clearly, Lorenzo didn’t care about such things. He had once climbed the Furnace Pillar System of Old Dunling. To prevent a second outbreak of the historic Black Death, the entire underground drainage was engineered intricately, with timed disinfectant injections and several hundred-degree steam sweeping through.

Lorenzo almost got steamed alive by the high-temperature steam back then.

”But I suppose this thing should be quite welcome, right?”

As Lorenzo spoke, he took out an envelope, which was filthy on the outside, but the letter inside was perfectly clean.

”Proof of bribery against Marquis Balov.”

Pres’s hand trembled, seemingly not expecting such efficiency from this detective.

”How did you manage it? That guy’s very cautious.”

The investigation of Marquis Balov’s bribery by Suyalan Hall had been ongoing for a long time. The guy had embezzled a huge sum, but due to insufficient evidence, they couldn’t arrest him.

”I know. With guards protecting him 24/7, it was challenging to even meet him, let alone pry anything from his lips.”

Lorenzo exuded confidence. He enjoyed showcasing his skills, sometimes hoping these people would beg him, asking how he did it.

”But everyone has that absolutely private moment when they’re alone. Seize the opportunity there.”

”When they’re alone...?”

Pres’s expression turned slightly unpleasant, as if reminded of something unwanted, imagining himself at the mercy of a gun while in the bathroom, caught with his pants down… To be honest, if he were Pres, he would spill the beans just to put his pants back on.

”What are you thinking? It was the bathhouse.”

Lorenzo quickly interrupted Pres’s ridiculous imagination.

”Bathing is one of the few hobbies he has. With the misty atmosphere in there, I guess he didn’t even see me clearly.”

Lorenzo was incredibly smug.

Pres composed himself and put away the letter. The carriage stopped shortly after, and Lorenzo drew back the curtain; they had reached Cork Street.

”So, just like before?”

”Yes, the payment will be transferred directly to your account. Just make sure to check it.”

Lorenzo nodded, then pushed open the carriage door and left.

Old Dunling had already entered winter, everything filled with a sense of desolation, cold permeating every corner.

It had been more than half a month since his talk with Arthur. Lorenzo had thought Arthur truly wouldn’t monitor him, but the next day, people from Suyalan Hall came knocking. At that time, Lorenzo’s Winchester was ready behind the door. Had the one coming for negotiation not been Brolar in a wheelchair, he might have truly fought his way out of Old Dunling.

It was an invitation from Arthur, although in the name of Suyalan Hall, stating they had witnessed Lorenzo’s abilities and invited him to become an external detective for Suyalan Hall, paid per case handled.

In fact, it was a form of surveillance. Lorenzo wanted to loudly refuse, but the money offered was too tempting, enough that Lorenzo not only had spare for rent but could also afford to hire Mrs. Van Rudd to cook dinner for him.

He remembered Mrs. Van Rudd’s first reaction was to ask where Lorenzo had buried the money, what the specific process of robbing a bank was. Though she was old, she could still drive a carriage.

Alright, first forget about that damned old lady.

Apart from the money, Arthur tried his best to show his goodwill. The entire Old Dunling opened countless shortcuts for Lorenzo.

So, Lorenzo became a somewhat serious detective, at least having a nominal position at Suyalan Hall.

Officer Pres, whom he had met a few times, became his contact. Lorenzo thought it might be Eve, but according to Officer Pres, that unlucky kid seemed to be grounded by Duke Phoenix.

Pushing open the door of Cork Street 121A, the stench on him mixed with the fragrant indoor air, and although he hadn’t reacted in the carriage, at this moment Lorenzo almost gagged, fortunately holding back in the end, given Mrs. Van Rudd had repeatedly emphasized the carpet’s expensiveness to him.

Struggling up to the second floor, he was surprised to find a crack open in the door of the opposite room, a weak snore sounding. He finally realized his long-lost roommate was indeed still alive!

Alright, don’t disturb this 007 returning corporate slave for now. Lorenzo walked into his room, tossed his clothes into the bin, and then crawled into the bathtub.

Honestly, Lorenzo suddenly felt this period as quite normal, no need to go to the Lower City District, no need to draw a gun and kill. Going to Suyalan Hall punctually every day to punch in and investigate, it couldn’t be more normal. However, being this normal made Lorenzo feel somewhat unusual. Even now, he couldn’t quite believe his life would truly settle down peacefully.

”Ah... life is really beautiful.”

Lorenzo couldn’t help but sigh, his gaze casually sweeping around, finally landing outside the door.

He hadn’t closed the door; after all, it was his own room. But now, at the edge of his vision, on his favorite sofa, sat someone.

The habitual surprise and terror mixed together, creating a strange sense of helplessness. Lorenzo was uncertain how much she had seen. Although Lorenzo was shameless, his appearance crawling naked into the bathtub wasn’t exactly pleasing to the eye.

”When did you get here?”

He asked.

The girl thought for a moment, then settled into a comfortable position.

”I’ve been here all along.”

Ah... annoying…

Covering his face in mild embarrassment, Lorenzo slumped in the bathtub. Yet, as if to add insult to injury, the girl’s perpetually cold face twisted her lips in a mockery that was more like cold sarcasm than a smile.

”Honestly, you really stink.”