Gun of Ashes

”It’s simple, you withdraw from that so-called [Gap], and while Dean Lawrence tries to control Selyu Stuart, we perform a frontal lobotomy on her. If all the theory is correct, a closed brain will completely imprison the consciousness, thereby resolving this enemy.”

”Frontal lobotomy!”

Lorenzo’s voice rose, he shouted.

”What are you thinking, Arthur!”

”Stay calm, Mr. Holmes, this is a proposal, a proposal concerning Dean Lawrence.”

Arthur maintained extreme rationality, paying no attention to what he had just said.

”Are you going to kill Selyu along with it?”

Lorenzo was well aware of what that damn frontal lobotomy was.

”No, I won’t kill her. After all, this is our first encounter with such a bizarre enemy, a mental enemy. I am not sure what would happen if we destroyed Miss Stuart’s brain, perhaps it would kill Dean Lawrence too, or it might release him.”

Arthur spoke with a calm tone, describing the most extreme cruelty.

”My suggestion is to contain her. If you fail in battle within the [Gap], we will protect Miss Stuart after the surgery and observe her for a long time to determine Dean Lawrence’s survival.”

If successful, Selyu would become the cage for Dean Lawrence, much like how Lorenzo was, only she would be without consciousness, for she would already be enclosed in darkness.

”You have no idea about the viability of this!”

Lorenzo retorted.

No one knew if this could truly trap him, and no one even knew if any of this would work. It was like an unknown battle, requiring a sacrifice to cross the minefield, but this time, the sacrificial pawn was Selyu.

”Arthur, what if Dean Lawrence also retreats after I withdraw?”

It was an elusive will, with no one able to determine his position.

”The surgery will be quick, if done roughly, it can be completed in one or two seconds.”

He said indifferently.

”Insert the metal spike, stir it forcefully, destroy the brain’s white matter.”

”This is the most rational deduction, Mr. Holmes, maintain the utmost rationality.”

Arthur shook his head, making judgments solely from the most rational perspective.

”I do not blame you, but back then, we still had room to maneuver with Dean Lawrence, but not this time.”

Back then, Arthur could replace Eve as a hostage to break the impasse, but not this time with such a terrifying enemy, leaving no room for maneuver.

”Dean Lawrence grows stronger every day. After obtaining the Holy Grail, he can even traverse the [Gap].”

He sneered.

”Think about it, though he’s old, in a normal state, his combat prowess is a pinnacle of human strength. When Dean Lawrence activates the Secret Blood, the massive erosion at least causes comas within a hundred-meter range… even a fellow Demon Hunter like you can’t resist, let alone his ability to foresee the future, traverse [Gap], or any other powers we still don’t know about.”

Arthur’s gaze swept over Lorenzo and Merlin, seemingly looking beyond to the world outside the steel walls.

”Speaking of traversing the [Gap], before we figure out the triggering conditions and how to prevent them, Dean Lawrence could potentially be anyone in this fortress.”

The voice carried a terrifying sharpness.

”Perhaps he’s already here, he’s eroded a soldier, walking through this fortress with the soldier’s body, or perhaps among our Upper-Rank Knights who often deal with demons... or even Merlin, me, or you.”

Arthur pointed at the two, he was rational yet crazy.

”In other words, any one of us could be occupied by Dean Lawrence right now. Perhaps I am Dean Lawrence, just disguised so well that you couldn’t discern it.”

That was a terrifying possibility.

”Now no one is trustworthy, Mr. Holmes.”

Arthur warned.

”So, is Selyu the answer?”

”Mr. Holmes, haven’t you realized? Everything we’re doing is meaningless.”

Arthur answered.

”This isn’t just an ordinary mission anymore. Never mind sacrificing a future Duke, even more sacrifices would be made without hesitation if it meant eliminating Dean Lawrence, this potential threat.”

”Dean Lawrence is so powerful, on the main battlefield, we are not a match for him. Just by releasing erosion, anyone approaching him loses consciousness, or even falls into the third stage, becoming vile demons.”

”Sacrificing Miss Stuart is merely one possible way to defeat Dean Lawrence, but even just a chance is worth trying, isn’t it?”

”Now, Dean Lawrence is so powerful, allowing him to develop further and we’ll lose any chance to counterattack by then.”

He continued to say.

”Stay rational, choose the lesser of two evils, that’s what you said.”

Lorenzo’s anger froze for a moment, as he blankly stared at Arthur, unsure of what to say.

Yes, using everything of a girl to exchange for the death of Dean Lawrence, it’s more than fitting. Even if it can’t kill Dean Lawrence, but can imprison him for a long term, that would be a good result.

Just need to sacrifice a girl.

Then a cold chill surged up.

Yes, just need to kill one person, just sacrifice one person, just as he didn’t care about Eve’s life at the time, what’s the difference now with Selyu and her?

He was the cold-blooded Demon Hunter, willing to sacrifice anything to eradicate demons—a meager price for him.

But why was he feeling anger and hesitation at this moment?

Or is it... he was becoming more and more like a human.

A miserable human being.

Deviating from the will of a weapon, on the cold steel once again grew fresh flesh and blood. Lorenzo’s humanity obstructed him, making him sentimental, swayed, and hesitant.

A deep breath, just thinking about it, the chaotic thoughts were about to tear his brain apart.

Yes, Lorenzo never considered these; he had been blinded by hatred and anger for too long.

He couldn’t bear to sacrifice everyone; he still had vulnerabilities, much like a ridiculous clown.

”This is your mistake, Mr. Holmes.”

Arthur seemed to understand Lorenzo’s pain, he too had suffered it.

”Emotions cloud our judgment, which is why I always wished Eve could stay far away from me, preferably never meet again, she is my only weakness.”

”You should understand this too, right? You have been trying to maintain absolute rationality, but sometimes life just mocks you... even spending enough time with a dog can generate feelings.”

Suddenly, memories of Selyu’s face replayed in his mind. Lorenzo had tried countless times to distance himself from the child; he understood well the outcome of deepening ties with a Demon Hunter. That was his flaw; without those so-called emotions, Lorenzo would be able to make rational decisions calmly.

It’s just the sacrifice of a girl, in exchange for a slight chance, it’s very worthwhile.

”In fact, you’ve already lost, Mr. Holmes.”

He keenly perceived the change in Lorenzo’s demeanor; he smiled.

”But also congratulations, you’re still not a cold weapon, you can empathize. Though disgusting, at least you’re still human.”

”All the above is built on the premise that you lose in battle, meaning that as long as you can kill Dean Lawrence in the [Gap], those cruel acts won’t happen, but your first reaction was to refuse the brutality...”

”So, do you also think you can’t win against Dean Lawrence?”

The atmosphere was cold, as if plunging into the deep sea.

”Feeling powerless, right? In fact, this is our norm in battling demons, not the easy mowing down by a Demon Hunter.”

Arthur continued speaking.

”We are all mortals, powerless and insignificant mortals, struggling to sail on the pitch-dark sea. Sometimes we break through the roaring waves, becoming overjoyed and arrogant, thinking we’ve conquered the sea.”

”But we haven’t, Mr. Holmes, we have never conquered that dreadful sea. It only gathers strength, preparing to raise a wave of despair to sweep us all away.”

Looking at those eyes gradually losing emotion, becoming like the Ice Sea.

”Now, the tide has come.”