Gun of Ashes

The pitch-black carriage traveled back and forth in the Lower City District, leaving tracks on the wet, muddy roads, converging beside a twisted building. The esteemed guests wore masks and, accompanied by attendants, entered the dark doorway.

The building opened its deep mouth, from which a breath of desire emanated. They flocked in, full of joy.

Bola leaned against a seat, from his vantage point able to see the entire casino, where coins clashed with a clattering sound.

He liked this, and quite enjoyed his job. Unless necessary, Bola rarely appeared on the front lines; his main duty was to maintain peace in the Lower City District and secretly control everything.

The room temperature was warm and gentle. People were gasping urgently, clutching their chips tightly in hand.

A massive fortune circulated here, and most of it eventually went to the Purification Mechanism. After all, such a large organization was costly to maintain.

Attendants came from behind to refill the empty glasses.

Bola picked up a drink next to him. Although he had run the casino for so long, he hadn’t picked up the bad habit of gambling. As the behind-the-scenes owner, he was well aware of the rules here. The casino itself was cheating. No one could win forever, but the casino could.

He lifted the glass and drank, but the familiar taste was gone. What he tasted was a strange spicy sensation, and Bola immediately spat out the liquid, simultaneous with the sound of ridicule.

”If that had been poison, you’d be almost dead.”

The person laughed, sitting next to Bola. Bola didn’t look at him, instead pulling a silver revolver from his chest. At this range, the caliber of the Funeral Bell could penetrate an enemy even through steel plates.

As the controller of the Lower City District, Bola had faced many assassination attempts; he was used to and wary of them. But as he pointed the gun at the man, Bola finally saw his face clearly.

”Can’t you walk in here openly?”

Bola looked at Lorenzo. He was dressed in an attendant’s outfit; he was the one who poured Bola the drink, but Bola hadn’t noticed at all.

This lunatic, after perfecting his acting, especially liked to play this way — sneaking around. He probably did the same working for those noblewomen.

”I was testing your security; this could save your life in the future.”

Lorenzo explained, but Bola was more inclined to believe he simply wanted to see him embarrassed.

”Speak, what brings you here?”

”Long time no see; just checking on an old friend, what’s the matter?”

Bola rolled his eyes at Lorenzo, ”Do you think I would believe that?”

The kind of person Lorenzo was, he wouldn’t show up for no reason. Like a walking disaster, Bola steered clear of him.

”Alright, there are indeed some matters, more complex ones.”

Lorenzo said as he looked at the somewhat noisy casino, then shifted his gaze to Bola, indicating, ”You don’t intend to discuss these here, do you?”

Hearing this, Bola’s relaxed mind tensed. It seemed this detective had some genuine business with him for once.

”Follow me.”

Bola stood up, leading Lorenzo to the office deep underground.

”Haven’t been here for a while; I feel an unusual... joy!”

Pushing open the door, Lorenzo acted as if he were at home, directly sitting on a sofa beside him, with Bola across the wide wooden desk.

”I think we should establish a stable connection between us,” Lorenzo said first.

”A connection?”

”Yes, every time something happens, you Purification Mechanism folks come to me proactively, and yet it’s quite difficult for me to reach you guys,” Lorenzo said.

Lorenzo still didn’t know where that mysterious Broken Dome was located. Every contact was initiated by someone from the Purification Mechanism visiting. Although Joey counted as a stable contact, this contact had mysteriously disappeared for a long time.

Everything about the Purification Mechanism seemed like a dream, suddenly losing all traces.

”Actually, you guys are quite impressive... or rather the strength of those Cleaners,” Lorenzo praised. ”Such a large and powerful organization has existed in Old Dunling for so long, yet no one knows of your existence. Maybe some do, but they were perfectly handled by your Cleaners.”

Bola returned a somewhat indifferent gaze, answering, ”The Cleaner Squad is a very special existence. Of course, its efficiency is terrifyingly high. Thanks to them, we’ve managed to hide in the shadows.”

”But you’re not here to discuss the history of the Purification Mechanism with me, are you?”

Lorenzo shook his head, ”Of course not. It’s just that after going through some events, I’ve become more curious about this city.”

Old Dunling was more than what was seen on the surface. It was a vertical city, extending from the ground to the deep underground. In those dark corners were things Lorenzo had never known.

Lorenzo then fell silent, seemingly thinking about which angle to approach the problem from. After a brief pause, he asked.

”Have you found the whereabouts of the ’Revelation’?”

Bola’s expression became serious. The ’Revelation’ was extremely important. Possession of it could create that strange and terrifying Secret Blood. Since Lawrence’s death, they had been searching for its whereabouts.

”No, it’s very strange. Actually, Lorenzo, haven’t you noticed something?” Bola said, ”Since Lawrence first appeared in our sights, he has always operated alone.”

”Currently, the Purification Mechanism has put a large amount of effort into searching for anything related, yet to no avail. Someone proposed maybe Lawrence really was a lone wolf. Before the battle, he hid the ’Revelation,’ and after his death, no one else could find that forbidden treasure.”