Gun of Ashes

This is a very quiet place, the air is filled with a faint floral scent, someone deliberately used perfume to try to cover up the smell of blood and the strong scent of disinfectant in the room.

The beds are neatly lined up, but only the bed in the middle is occupied, piled with various books beside it, seemingly to entertain the patient.

Lorenzo stared blankly at the ceiling, lying in the soft bed, his left foot wrapped in bandages, encased in a brace and elevated high, with his other hand resting casually to the side, covered in needle marks from medication injections.

A week had passed since the night Dean Lawrence appeared, that chaotic fight ended with Dean Lawrence’s escape. According to reports from personnel outside the field, Dean Lawrence seemed intent on killing Lorenzo, who had lost mobility due to erosion, but just as he was about to take action, the war airship above the night sky went out of control and crashed, burying everything on the battlefield.

Lorenzo was found in the wreckage of the airship, his entire body bloody and pierced by steel, with the left foot most severely injured as a large amount of metal debris had cut into it.

So when Lorenzo woke up again, he has been here ever since. This is a mental hospital secretly controlled by the Purification Mechanism, where the soldiers who were eroded are receiving treatment.

During this period, Arthur came once. This super warrior didn’t seem so super anymore, leaning on a crutch and covered in bandages. Dean Lawrence’s strike almost took his life. He only managed to hold on for Eve on the battlefield. Otherwise, he would have long since passed out.

Lorenzo lost this battle, and so did the Purification Mechanism. According to post-war investigations and analyses, the activation of the Secret Blood by Dean Lawrence brought about an erosion beyond imagination, with a very wide range. A war airship flying at low altitude was also affected, and most of the crew lost consciousness, followed by the airship losing control and crashing down. Fortunately, it carried only a small amount of ammunition, otherwise, under the secondary blasts, there might not have been any survivors present.

And even a week later, the post-war handling is still not over. The influence Dean Lawrence left continues to erode surrounding areas. According to investigations, residents within a few kilometers have recently started having nightmares, and some have developed severe psychological disorders. The mental hospitals in Old Dunling are almost bursting at the seams.

The battlefield is being handled by the well-protected Cleaner Squad. The entire Salicado Manor is completely destroyed, but fortunately, during the battle, Lorenzo managed to hold back most of the demons and Dean Lawrence, allowing some nobles to be evacuated, so the casualties are not so hair-raising.

After dealing with these, there are questions from the public. Most residents noticed the crash of the war airship, the flames illuminating the entire night sky.

Erosion along with panic has brought some turmoil to the public security of Old Dunling, but fortunately, this group of cleaners is quite skilled in dealing with such matters. Various reports of gas explosions and airship operation failures were made, and they even hired some writers to draft a few conspiracy theories, adding fuel and spice, making the situation even more muddled.

This feeling is not good. At the moment of falling down, Lorenzo had a familiar feeling, as if at that moment he returned to that night, the Night of the Holy Arrival.

All efforts are futile, many things are long destined.

Along with the creaking sound, the large iron gate slowly opened, and a doctor pushed a small cart filled with medical tools inside.

”How do you feel?”

”Not bad.”

Lorenzo stared blankly at the ceiling.

”Hmm... I’ll check your condition.”

The doctor said as he lifted Lorenzo’s foot from the brace. It was this doctor who performed surgery on Lorenzo, and he is likely a medical staff member within the Purification Mechanism. When performing surgery on Lorenzo, he tried to remove the fragments crushed into the flesh, but Lorenzo’s body kept self-healing, constantly hindering his surgery.

This was the first time the doctor had seen such a strong life force in a human. If it weren’t for someone reminding him that Lorenzo’s blood mixed with Secret Blood, which is toxic and lethal to ordinary people, he would have been dissuaded from collecting samples from Lorenzo.

”Such monster-like vitality, I thought you were dead already, but you got better in just a few days.”

The doctor said while gesturing for Lorenzo to get down and walk a bit.

Lorenzo didn’t say anything, slowly stood up, except for some pain when walking, there was nothing unusual.

”You look like you can walk freely now.”

”I guess... Can I be discharged?”

Lorenzo looked at the door of the ward. Since waking up, Lorenzo seemed like a changed person, or rather, he reverted to his old self, with indifferent eyes, and no one knows what he is thinking.

”I’m afraid not yet, Mr. Holmes.”

A voice came from outside the door, Arthur’s somewhat weary face appeared in sight.

These past days, the old fellow hasn’t had it easy either, not to mention the physical injuries, the aftermath of the event needs his handling, even the long-silent Platinum Palace summoned Arthur again.

This is the largest casualty incident in Old Dunling since the Radiant War, with far-reaching and adverse effects.

Lorenzo said nothing and directly stepped out. Arthur sat in a wheelchair, with Joey pushing from behind.