Gun of Ashes

The air seemed to vanish, the heavy pressure made it difficult for anyone to breathe, as if a war was imminent, this was the last tranquility before battle.

A few people exchanged glances, Arthur noticed that Yawei seemed uneasy, and he whispered.

”He shouldn’t be here, the fewer people know, the better.”

Lorenzo shook his head.

”I... at least Selyu needs him as her steward, I think he can be trusted.”

The two exchanged briefly. Although there was still some wariness, Arthur decided to trust Lorenzo, as Lorenzo’s opinion held weight, being the only combatant capable of opposing Dean Lawrence.

”We currently have a rough plan that can be used to counter Dean Lawrence.”

Lorenzo spoke first, and he and Arthur entered the room, causing it to become crowded.

”What plan?”

Yawei asked directly, as Stuart’s steward, his primary responsibility was Selyu.

”This cannot be disclosed.”

Arthur said, a stern look on his face.

”If our speculation is correct, this time our enemy possesses the ability to jump between consciousnesses.”

He used terms that the two could understand, actually, he was indirectly protecting them.

Combining the knowledge of the Purification Mechanism with that of the Demon Hunting Order in Lorenzo’s mind, the demon’s erosion has a memetic pollution method, it is not only the demon itself but also related words, objects, art pieces, even humans who are heavily eroded, and bloodline connections are highly likely to cause the spread of erosion.

Against this bizarre power, what the Purification Mechanism can do is make the public’s perception devoid of the concept of ”demon”, transferring those mysterious phenomena elsewhere rather than associating them with demons, establishing an unbreachable barrier between madness and sanity.

”In other words, before this enemy truly manifests, he is invisible and intangible.”

Arthur explained to the other two.

”Because he can jump between consciousness, he might have already invaded here, maybe even in this very room.”

This was the first time the Purification Mechanism came into contact with such an enemy, no degree of caution was excessive.

”How... is that possible?”

Yawei exclaimed, the existence of demons had already caused a huge shock to his worldview, let alone this power of [Gap] traversing, under his traditional concepts, he found it hard to believe such an existence, or this seemed more like... a ghost.

A ghost wandering the earthly world.

”Quiet.”

Arthur said in a deep voice, one major reason he hated explaining these things to others was because he had to endure their amazement, if there were stubborn believers, they might even call him a heretic and start a fight with him.

”Because of this reason, our secrets are hard to keep from him.”

Lorenzo continued where Arthur left off.

Based on Lorenzo’s own inference from infiltrating the [Gap], after destroying the original owner’s consciousness, one would obtain certain memories, meaning that the plan against Dean Lawrence must be kept in the minds of a few, absolutely preventing combat soldiers from knowing what they are doing to avoid the plan’s leak.

”So after discussion, only Arthur and I know the complete picture of this plan.”

Lorenzo continued, speaking slowly.

”Then what are you doing now, notifying me?”

Selyu asked. There was no room for negotiation with her.

”This requires your cooperation.”

”Because his target is me, right?”

”Yes.”

”Then... why, why is Dean Lawrence’s target me?”

This point left Selyu puzzled to this day, she was targeted by such a terrifying enemy, or was some so-called curse quietly at work.

”This we do not know.”

The purpose of Dean Lawrence was still unclear to this day, Lorenzo saw him as a madman who caused the tragic events of the Night of the Holy Arrival for some purpose.

”So, I’m the bait now, right?”

Lorenzo silently nodded, saying nothing more.

”Wait, I disagree!”

Yawei shouted, obviously considering the immense danger involved, Selyu being the last bloodline of the Stuart family, he couldn’t tolerate these happenings.

But Arthur directly refused.

”Sorry, this matter is no longer something a family bloodline can affect.”

Once Dean Lawrence grows stronger, it might be disastrous for the entire Ingwig.

Now possessing the Holy Grail’s power, Arthur dared not give Dean Lawrence more time to grow, such an enemy should be swiftly eradicated.

”But...”

”No need to say anymore, I already understand.”

Selyu interrupted directly.

”But... Selyu!”

”Haven’t you realized, Yawei?”

Selyu looked at him and slowly spoke.

”Here, power and wealth have no use.”

Have no use, Arthur wouldn’t care about these, nor would Lorenzo, they shared the same goal, to eradicate demons.

”But at least there’s Lorenzo, right?”

Selyu looked at the Demon Hunter, gazing into those gray-blue eyes.

”You’ll protect me, right?”

The ice sea stared back at him, a dazzling light spread across the sea’s surface, causing Lorenzo to avert his gaze.

He knew the plan, the train was coming again, but this time Selyu was pushed onto the tracks.

”Prepare first, no one knows what form Dean Lawrence will appear in.”

Lorenzo said faintly, the Purification Mechanism had already prepared weapons for him, this was the Mechanical Institute, countless top military weapons were available.

But Selyu seemed unheard, she looked at Lorenzo.

Actually, many words could be seen in one’s eyes, like the things that might happen next, as if Selyu knew everything, she suddenly felt a strange sensation, indescribable happiness, nor sadness.

Lorenzo turned and walked out of the room, at this moment Selyu could still be saved, so long as he could kill Dean Lawrence within the [Gap].

No one could figure out a Demon Hunter’s thoughts, but in the not-so-distant place, soldiers guarded the end of the corridor, feeling somewhat nauseous and mentally exhausted, yet still holding their post, eyes involuntarily drawn to the opposite direction, towards Lorenzo.

”Who exactly are you?”

Because he was a step behind, the soldier didn’t see Lorenzo’s face, feeling displeased, followed by a peculiar chill seeping into his heart, accompanied by a mild aching in his mind, he began to fear involuntarily.

He didn’t understand why he said those words, obviously not knowing Lorenzo at all.

Just like...

Just like in that instant, he became someone else.

Breath becoming hurried, he looked at the soldier next to him, but that soldier was looking at him with a strange gaze, familiar appearance gradually collapsing, face unchanged, yet clearly felt, he was no longer himself.

An unseen ghost departed his body, entering this soldier’s body.

”Shh.”

He said, following with a palm pressed on the soldier’s forehead, such close-range minimal invasion barely avoiding detection by the Geiger Counter.

Looking at the unconscious soldier, Dean Lawrence gently leaned him against the wall, eyes directed to where Lorenzo vanished.