Gun of Ashes

”Iron doors~ Iron windows~ Iron bars~”

Lorenzo sat in the corner, humming a strange tune, while his gaze turned to the iron window. The sky outside was gloomy, transitioning into sunset.

A few burly men curled up in the corner, facing the wall as if in a state of withdrawal... Indeed, anyone who gets beaten up like that by Lorenzo would easily feel withdrawn.

About half an hour ago, Lorenzo was escorted back to the detention room at Suyalan Hall by Eve. The location was perfect; it was visible from the workstation, and some familiar police officers would occasionally look up at Lorenzo. Lorenzo knew they were doing their best to stifle their laughter, but some couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Lorenzo immediately felt like an animal in a zoo, feeling very displeased. Upon entering the detention room, the few burly men who arrived earlier looked at Lorenzo with disgust, with some even speaking provocatively.

Admittedly, having crawled out of the sewers, Lorenzo had an unpleasant smell on him. He didn’t say anything, just curled up in the corner.

The suspect hadn’t been caught, and after being knocked several meters away by a carriage, he was brought back by Eve, only to be faced with these disdainful looks.

The more Lorenzo thought about it, the more stifled he felt, subsequently glancing over at the burly men.

”Why are you looking at me?” Lorenzo asked.

The burly men were stunned, ”What’s wrong with looking at you?”

”What’s wrong?” Lorenzo rubbed his hands together, ”You dare talk back?”

Then came the current situation where Lorenzo quickly became the master of the detention room.

He wasn’t worried about the current situation; after all, Lorenzo had connections, so the detainment was just a formality. Besides, it was a decent place to rest, and the dull pain on his body had eased considerably. Lorenzo started to reflect on the recent pursuit.

Obviously, this batch of stowaways from Florence seemed to be plotting something, considering proper folks wouldn’t go to a place like Rat Nest for information. Combined with the carriage during the escape, they seemingly had contacts within Old Dunling. Clearly, not everyone could use a carriage; the contact seemed to have some resources.

Then the question arises, why did they need to stow away? Lorenzo felt with their capabilities, they could forge proper identities to reach Old Dunling, or maybe they didn’t want to be recognized?

A secret department flashed through Lorenzo’s mind, the Purification Mechanism.

The Purification Mechanism, a colossal entity looming in the shadows of Old Dunling, likely wouldn’t relax under the tightened alert with the Mission’s visit. They wanted to avoid drawing the Purification Mechanism’s attention.

If this speculation were true, the situation becomes intriguing. Based on what Arthur said to him, the Church was secretly trying to exchange technology with the Purification Mechanism; this time, the Mission from Florence presumably had their own agenda. However, now a new batch of stowaways had arrived.

Despite the risk of the exchange failing, they still dispatch forces secretly… the allure leading them to these actions seemed to stem from one thing.

”Revelation...”

Lorenzo murmured, finding this key point allowed the whole incident to take shape in his mind.

The Demon Hunting Order had been rebuilt, and the Static Holy Temple was back online. The eerie Static Holy Temple could monitor the Demon Hunters. Perhaps during his clash with Lawrence, it was discovered, allowing them to locate Revelation.

The entire situation suddenly cleared up, yet Lorenzo couldn’t feel happy.

In his worry, the iron door of the detention room opened, and a police officer called out to Lorenzo.

”Come out, make a statement.”

Lorenzo’s old face darkened, but he still obediently followed out; he couldn’t cause a slaughter here, although he had privileges, they weren’t meant for here.

Soon, Lorenzo was brought to a small room with only two chairs and a table, where a familiar girl sat facing the table, holding a pen and notebook earnestly.

”So… long time no see!”

In the confined room, only he and Eve were left, sensing the awkwardness, Lorenzo spoke first.

”Yes, long time no see.”

Eve’s reaction was cool, as expected.

”I say, aren’t you holding a personal grudge! I admit my decision was lacking at the time, but these can all be explained…”

Thoughts whirled in his head, and Lorenzo quickly began to defend himself. This detective was glib, fooling a young girl was nothing.

Yet Eve’s expression remained calm, as if she didn’t hear Lorenzo, only speaking after Lorenzo finished.

”Are you done?”

Lorenzo nodded after which Eve smirked disdainfully.

”You think I’m holding a personal grudge?”

”Isn’t that so?” Lorenzo countered.

After cuffing him, Eve tied him and the horse together with a rope, joyfully trotting in front while Lorenzo ran behind with his hands raised… this scene was common centuries ago, after a war victory when knights dragged captives with ropes.

Eve shook her head.

”Lorenzo, I’m not a child. I’m an adult, and very rational,” Eve said. ”I’m rescuing you... at least providing cover; although those mounted police are no threat to you, in that situation you would only cause more chaos and attract greater troubles.”

Lorenzo was taken aback, surprised by her reasoning.

”Old Dunling is under martial law; I’m patrolling the streets. You know, based on the circumstances, you could have sparked street battles; I merely downplayed the situation.”