Gun of Ashes

”Lorenzo!”

Arthur was calling him, but his vision was somewhat blurry, and Lorenzo couldn’t see him clearly.

”I’m fine...”

He replied, his steps stumbling.

”I just... need to calm down a bit...”

His mind was afflicted with almost tearing pain, as various fragmented memories continuously flashed before his eyes.

The pitch-black armor was shedding piece by piece, clattering onto the ground.

...

Lorenzo could scarcely recall how he emerged from that shadowy underground. He stood beneath a dim and gloomy sky, with Old Dunling’s towering buildings resembling spears piercing the sky, like ancient forest trees that overshadow all light.

Cold air surged into his nostrils, making him feel much more lucid, yet the persistent, throbbing pain in his mind continued to torment him.

Arthur was handling the aftermath of the Perpetual Motion Pump incident, a matter even more serious than the appearance of Dean Lawrence. The pump had been severely damaged for the first time since its creation, alerting everyone.

”So that damned project is going to be delayed?”

Feeling slightly better, he looked at Merlin beside him. It was Merlin who had taken him away from the Perpetual Motion Pump, and at this moment, Merlin’s complexion looked quite bad, with calm concealing rage.

”It seems so. We need to reinforce security measures and repairs... You can enjoy a short vacation temporarily, Mr. Holmes.”

Merlin said.

”Of course, we also need to thank you for stepping in. Without you, we might have paid a greater price.”

Lorenzo didn’t heed Merlin’s gratitude; his eyes were a bit hollow.

”Is that so... Merlin, do you know about the ’Gap’?”

Hearing Lorenzo’s words, Merlin frowned slightly.

”Why are you asking about this?”

”I need information about it.”

Lorenzo panted slightly, and seeing his condition, Merlin didn’t ask further, just replied lightly.

”It’s a good start, Mr. Holmes.”

”What?”

”I mean you’ve learned to seek help from others; it’s a positive sign.”

Merlin gazed up at the somber sky, almost as though talking to himself.

”Humans are social creatures; alone, one is always weak.”

”It’s really strange to hear such words from you.”

Lorenzo glanced at Merlin askew, this peculiar Alchemist, whose seemingly soulless eyes suggested that anything spoken by him would become cloaked in mystery.

”The initiation of the project will be informed separately. Of course, if you have any new findings concerning demons, please let us know.”

Now they were true allies, facing the enigmatic Dean Lawrence, they had no choice but to unite.

”Is that so...”

Lorenzo coughed hard several times, his condition looking quite poor.

”Are you injured?”

Looking at Lorenzo’s state, Merlin asked with some concern.

This Demon Hunter, after killing a demon, uncharacteristically didn’t linger and insisted on leaving, as if he feared something.

”How could I not be injured, but as a Demon Hunter, unless it’s a fatal wound, I can endure.”

Whether in self-mockery or confidence, he said.

Despite maintaining human form, Lorenzo was well aware that in some regard, he was no longer human, after all, ordinary humans couldn’t manage such feats.

Merlin, seeing this, said nothing further; he respected Lorenzo’s wishes.

”Then farewell, Mr. Holmes.”

He waved at Lorenzo, and a train came from the end of the industrial zone, it would take Lorenzo away from this armed fortress.

The Demon Hunter’s steps were somewhat slow, watching Lorenzo depart, Merlin sighed deeply, whispering.

”Gap...”

But suddenly there was a voice behind him, the gate slowly opened, and a wobbly figure came trailing intense emotion.

Merlin first experienced surprise, followed quickly by anger.

”Owes, what are you doing!”

No one could have imagined that the sickly thin boy before them was the mysterious Lancelot; he was always the ace of the Purification Mechanism, flawlessly wielding the Armor of Original Sin, hence his identity was very secretive, known only to a few.

But now he ran out openly.

”Merlin, I am ready; I am ready!”

Owes leaned on a cane, his face drenched with sweat from pain, yet he couldn’t hide his excitement.

”I can continue to wield the Armor of Original Sin!”

Merlin first supported Owes, saying angrily.

”You’ve nearly reached the third phase already! How many times must I tell you!”

”No, Merlin, my erosion has receded, I can pilot the Armor of Original Sin again.”

Owes’ eyes glimmered, seemingly trying to convince Merlin.

”You can recheck me; believe me, I can do it!”

Toward the end, his words carried a pleading tone; to Owes, this was everything to him, truly his own everything.

Looking at this somewhat crazy child, Merlin was momentarily stunned.

”Calm down, Owes... you need to rest.”

”I can do it, Merlin; I can continue to drive the armor!”

He repeated his words, his eyes bearing a hint of madness.

”You’re still young, Owes; doing this will only destroy yourself.”

He couldn’t help but say, but Owes remained with that expression, he didn’t care at all.

The gate opened again, and medical staff rushed out; it seemed Owes had escaped their grasp by some means.