Gun of Ashes

Although the eerie face on his chest hasn’t opened its eyes yet, Lawrence knows very well that the Holy Grail Flesh has developed its own instincts.

It knows that Lawrence is its host, and until the Holy Grail Flesh fully occupies Lawrence, they share each other’s fate.

”How could it be possible? There’s nothing left that can trap you now. It’s just my dying counterattack.”

Lorenzo steadied his sword stance, and a somewhat desolate voice followed.

Even though he said that, his eyes burning with scorching white flame were fixed on Lawrence.

A brief high-temperature explosion indeed seems feasible, but due to the factor of Holy Grail Flesh, it can’t completely kill Lawrence. Lorenzo needs a more sustained explosion until the speed of destruction surpasses the Holy Grail’s self-healing.

But clearly, Lorenzo knew that such information wouldn’t help him now, as Lawrence was already on alert. He wouldn’t give Lorenzo a second chance.

Thinking of this, Lorenzo couldn’t help but laugh again, and the situation seemed a bit clearer now. He was no match for Lawrence in direct combat, while Lawrence was wary of potential risks.

”You... feel afraid, don’t you?”

Lorenzo said slowly.

Lawrence was afraid. He feared the trap that almost ended him just now; he feared Lorenzo might have other tricks up his sleeve. This immensely arrogant man finally felt... fear.

Lorenzo had already won. He had planted the fear of the unknown within Lawrence’s mind.

However...

”But I still can’t kill you, it seems.”

Lorenzo suddenly laughed bitterly, lowered his sword, and charged at Lawrence once more.

The two figures crossed paths in an instant, but this time Lorenzo did not attack, allowing Lawrence’s sword to strike his armor. He leapt past Lawrence, racing toward the back of the train.

Lawrence was momentarily stunned, then hurried in pursuit, but was blocked by the reactivated explosive rounds. Flames surged; Lorenzo had no more methods left—he needed to escape.

His steps were swift, bypassing several carriages to reach the train’s end, violently pushing open the door. Then Lorenzo shut the door, piercing it through with a sharp nail sword.

Lorenzo seemed unafraid; though he was escaping, he appeared relaxed, as if strolling at home.

”Little Nightingale, Little Nightingale.”

He howled.

A true student taught by Oscar; even now speaks stupidly foolish words.

”It’s such a pity that I couldn’t defeat him; he’s such a monster.”

Lorenzo was distressed, and soon he found the Little Nightingale at the end of the carriage.

Selyu hugged herself in terror, the horrific corruption had long enveloped the area. She remained lucid solely due to the Florun Potion injected by Lorenzo.

Yet even such clarity was Hell, the endless barking echoed in her mind, the deepest fear within her, continuously resonating.

This is Demon, this is corruption; they will find your vulnerabilities and repeatedly tear them apart before your eyes.

”Lo... Lorenzo.”

Selyu slowly raised her head to look at the blood-soaked Demon Hunter.

Lawrence was outside the train door, fearing that the compartment inside could be another trap like before, he didn’t rashly enter.

Lorenzo didn’t care about any of that, he sat right next to Selyu, appearing extremely exhausted.

”Got any candy?”

He suddenly asked, the iron taste in his mouth made Lorenzo uncomfortable.

But looking at Selyu trembling slightly from fear, Lorenzo shook his head, directly reaching out to search, finding only a few remaining oddly-flavored candies.

”You ate them too fast, didn’t you.”

He tapped Selyu’s head lightly but then paused shortly; the armor on him completely shattered, revealing the bloodstained body.

Rising steam appeared white in the cold, like overheated machinery, exuding like steam.

Selyu almost choked on her breath.

The injuries of the Demon Hunter were far worse than they seemed. Lorenzo lacked the Holy Grail Flesh, and his self-healing was far inferior to Lawrence’s, with countless wounds on him. The most severe was the strike to his waist and abdomen, with armor fragments piercing deep like sharp knives.

”You’re right, Selyu, I indeed live by the flames of anger... Can’t help it; revenge is truly intoxicating.”

”It’s like hallucinogen, you feel most alive when immersed in the flames of anger.”

He chewed the candy, the peculiar taste spreading in his mouth. Lorenzo didn’t even look at Selyu, gazing into the pitch-black steel like talking to himself.

”His target is you... Actually, there’s still one plan left.”

Selyu’s voice slowly emerged, ”Kill me, right?”

Lorenzo nodded earnestly.

”Lawrence’s time is running out; the more the Holy Grail heals him, the deeper he merges with it... he’s about to be swallowed by the Holy Grail. If I can severely wound him once more, it might succeed.”

This was one of Lorenzo’s plans to kill Lawrence, but from the current situation, it’s already quite difficult to execute.

”But he’s already on alert; the entire operation has failed. Now I must focus on minimizing losses.”

He looked down at Selyu, the remaining face armor covered his expression, leaving Selyu with only the emotionless flames to see.