Gun of Ashes

The suddenly appearing Nordro company, the exiles of the Evangelical Church...

Now, there are already enough strange things in Old Dunling, but just like they made a pact, puzzling things keep appearing one after another.

As for Shermans, Lorenzo has some impression of him. Among those powerful Cardinals, he doesn’t attract attention. Compared to other Cardinals, he seems like a true believer, doing nothing unnecessary apart from carrying out his duties and prayers. Unexpectedly, he too became an exile and came to Old Dunling.

”The Evangelical Church has already begun to split, and these exiled people can earn quite a bounty from the new Pope, but compared to the bounty, what we care more about is cooperation.”

Oscar said to Lorenzo, showing expectations for him.

”Clues? Old Dunling is so vast, you should know better than me. If Shermans is hiding somewhere, it’s really hard for me to find him.”

Lorenzo asked, suspecting these Cardinals. Being able to escape from Seven Hills already proves their caution and prudence.

”No, we suspect Shermans has help. His movement on the sea couldn’t escape Nordro’s surveillance, but when he landed, he mysteriously disappeared, as if someone is helping him.”

Oscar said, ”You’ll have to rely on your own judgment.”

Lorenzo pondered a moment, his gaze wary, ”Aren’t you afraid I’ll do something outrageous?”

”According to Ingwig’s regulations, he counts as a stowaway.” Oscar shrugged.

”However, there is something that might serve as a clue for investigation. Nordro’s inland operations are not extensive, our power is limited, which is why we employed you. A Shermans, a foreign exile, entering Old Dunling smoothly and hiding perfectly definitely has assistance, and few in Old Dunling can achieve this level.”

Lorenzo thought for a while and answered, ”I understand.”

”No need to rush, this matter for our cooperation with Florence is just icing on the cake, don’t push too hard. Yet, if you truly find him, your share of the profit won’t be small.”

”Shermans, huh...”

Lorenzo wasn’t quick to respond. Oscar’s case successfully caught his attention; with the mission’s intentions unknown, the exiles opposing the mission appeared, although from Lorenzo’s viewpoint, they don’t count as allies.

He is likely to become a target for the mission. Perhaps this time, he can exploit their disputes with the exiles.

The lost ”Revelation”, the reappearing hallucinogen, exiles, and the mission, everything seems like a chaotic gamble. Lorenzo wants to use his limited chips to win everything on the table... Winning everything might be too confident, but at least he shouldn’t lose too badly.

Lorenzo felt troubled by the upcoming events. The most prudent action now would be to buy a ticket and leave Old Dunling far behind, avoiding this dark whirlpool.

But Lorenzo is not a docile lamb; he is eager to face danger. He has a strange premonition, as if a secret that could change everything is waiting for him; once he leaves, he’ll never know its truth.

”Is that all?” Lorenzo wanted to know if there was anything else,

”That’s all.” Oscar replied.

Lorenzo got up, seeming ready to leave after the discussion.

”Don’t give yourself too much pressure, Lorenzo.”

Oscar suddenly said, with a strange implication, seeming to know everything.

Lorenzo didn’t mind that much, as he wasn’t the protagonist in this. The real focus was Selyu and Oscar. Lorenzo, after all, was just a lone wolf; interests hardly moved him. More than profits, he cared about his intentions.

This somewhat relates to the Stuart group. Although he has a good relationship with Selyu, he should still maintain some distance. After signaling, Lorenzo left, leaving Oscar and Selyu behind.

No one knows how long it was before Selyu broke the silence first.

”You deliberately sent him away first, didn’t you?”

Selyu looked into Oscar’s eyes. She had a magical pair of eyes, and few could resist Selyu’s probing.

”Pretty much, you likely understand Lorenzo more than I do. If something doesn’t concern him, it’s best not to involve him, or it’ll become even more troublesome.”

Oscar seemed to know much more than Selyu expected.

”Thanks to Lorenzo’s curiosity, otherwise I wouldn’t have known how to introduce the topic, then allow him to work and leave.”

Picking up a nearby napkin, Oscar wiped his hands, covered in sweat.

Though the conversation was calm, Oscar was extremely nervous; Lorenzo was an uncontrollable madman. It’s hard to know what he thinks, even though Oscar is on good terms with him, but one can’t predict being killed the next second for some peculiar reason.

Just like Selyu before him, even she almost died by Lorenzo’s hand. Until the last moment, you never know what action he’ll take.

”Actually, all this cooperation talk is just a guise, isn’t it?” Selyu asked.

Oscar nodded, ”Although I am a writer, I also hold shares in Nordro. To meet someone of your stature, I need some legitimate reason, right.”