Gun of Ashes

The appearance of Dean Lawrence can be said to mark the first time since the establishment of the Purification Mechanism that a near full-scale war against the Demon was initiated. Under this factor, the Mechanism captured many things beyond imagination with full operation.

The two stopped, pulled the valve, and a containment block below slowly rose-up, accompanied by the swaying neutralizing liquid, in which a ferocious silhouette flickered indistinctly.

”Its name is Horner... If nothing unexpected happens, the previous murders in Old Dunling were mostly done by him. According to subsequent investigations, he was also a member of the Exiled People. Perhaps resenting the oppression of the nobles upon the exiled, he united with Dean Lawrence, drank inferior Secret Blood, and transformed into this current form.”

Arthur slowly spoke, explaining the demon within the container to Merlin.

Horner... or the demon that Horner once was.

Only a small portion of human traits remained on that twisted body, which was tightly bound by metal restraint devices. Joints were pierced by lethal steel needles, making basic movements impossible, and most of the body was submerged in the neutralizing liquid.

As the containment block rose, a faint cold air seeped from below. Research shows demons possess biological characteristics, and low temperatures can inhibit their actions. Though not close, one could still distinctly feel the low temperature inside the container, with most of its flesh and blood frozen with the neutralizing liquid.

Horner was contained during the appearance of Dean Lawrence. It attempted to assassinate Duke Salicardo but was stopped by Arthur, then suppressed and captured by the arriving follow-up troop.

Clearly, it had an extremely complex relationship with Dean Lawrence, but once everything ended, Horner had already entered the third stage of erosion, making communication difficult and remaining highly aggressive. Arthur had no choice but to temporarily set it aside here until he returned.

”Perhaps you could research something about inferior Secret Blood from it.”

This was Arthur’s goal. Currently, the primary mission of the entire Purification Mechanism is still Dean Lawrence.

”Is that so? Defrost it and prepare a laboratory for me.”

Merlin nodded, and under his command, the hum of machinery was heard overhead. Only then was it noticed that there were tracks here, and the descending mechanical arms extracted the containment block entirely, as the cold air dispersed along with it.

The security team, armed with lethal weapons, closely followed the movement of the containment block, seemingly having a well-established protocol for actions inside the Perpetual Motion Pump.

As the temperature rose, the dormant flesh and blood began to stir again, until a faint, bewildered voice sounded.

”Horner...”

”Wake up, child...”

It seemed someone was calling him. He tried reaching out a hand, only to touch an overwhelming coldness.

Digging tirelessly with force, accompanied by panic upwards, the voice grew louder until the first ray of light illuminated his face.

Horner crawled out of the cold snow, naked, seemingly confused by what had truly happened. He tried as best as he could to cover himself, preventing exposure to the chilling wind.

But it was still too cold, so cold that his limbs gradually lost feeling until he considered long resting beneath the snowy shroud a reasonable choice.

Dazed, he heard that echoing voice again, familiar and affectionate, constantly calling to him.

In an instant, all wind and snow disappeared; that person slowly walked over from afar, dragging a red shadow.

”Truly... I never thought I could see you again.”

Seemingly recognizing the visitor’s visage, Horner knelt on the ground, emotions complex.

”Child, you’ve done very well, truly.”

Dean Lawrence leaned forward, gently stroking his hair. The sight before him was of a malnourished child, emaciated.

”Is it? Are you here to take me away? It’s too cold here.”

Horner’s eyes gleamed with light. He spontaneously gripped Dean Lawrence’s calloused hands, as hard as metal.

Looking at this pitiable child, Dean Lawrence shook his head.

”No.”

”Wh... why?”

Horner looked at him, puzzled.

”Because you have to leave on your own power.”

”But I have no strength left; it’s too cold here.”

”So, I will grant you power, one last time.”

Dean Lawrence said softly, as if discovering a final hope. Horner, momentarily stunned, finally lowered his head, seemingly perceiving an impending event but indifferent to it.

Mysterious power surged, melting snow and ice, revealing the dry ground. The soil cracked apart, exposing the crimson lava beneath—a force to alter the world. The extreme cold transmuted swiftly into scorching winds.

”Am I... standing at the center stage?”

For an unknown reason, Horner inquired so for the final time, followed by an affirmative response.

”Indeed, Horner, you did it.”

Like a benevolent priest, he murmured repetitively.

”You did it.”

As the temperature rose, the demon within the containment gradually awakened but remained within control. It was transported by the tracks, with the security team shadowing beneath in the corridor. Before leaving the central containment room, those heavy weaponry sentinels shifted their barrels following the target’s movement.

Everything was normal, just like numerous times before. Yet, unnoticed, the demon’s body temperature was steadily rising, resembling a burning sun, accelerating the ice’s melting, with mild water beginning to drip onto the surface, transitioning cold to normal temperature, further climbing.