Gun of Ashes

Arthur sat quietly by the window, witnessing the sunset over Old Dunling.

This is a cold city, composed only of steel and congealed cold water. Only at sunset does that fiery curtain of light spill down, warming the icy tone somewhat, though it’s merely a fleeting illusion, it brings a sense of comfort.

With a weary sigh, he downed the wine in his glass in one gulp. The past days of toil made his spirit somewhat wan, perhaps he hadn’t expected that scheming with these people would be even more exhausting than fighting demons. Though he wished he could shoot Anthony dead, for the sake of benefits, Arthur still had to warmly entertain these visitors from Florence.

Of course, beyond these were even deeper games; the Exiles had already aligned with the Purification Mechanism. Although they were also riddled with doubts, compared to the problems of the Mission, they didn’t pose much danger, and now the Mission, that Fr. Anthony, he still wasn’t aware of all this.

The Purification Mechanism was trading with both parties simultaneously, this was like dancing on a knife’s edge. Even though this was Old Dunling, the Purification Mechanism’s home ground, Arthur couldn’t help but worry if something unexpected might happen.

What worried him more was the intelligence Fr. Anthony brought him on the night of his arrival.

This Fr. Anthony came prepared, as if having planned it, he threw one significant piece of intelligence after another at Arthur. This might not change the situation, but it could sow internal discord. Regarding these matters, he had already sent Galahad to verify with the Exiles.

Slowly putting down the wine glass, his hand trembled uncontrollably, he gazed intently, his skin now full of wrinkles, he too had grown old.

Arthur watched the fiery clouds gradually grow gloomy, observing as darkness slowly consumed the city. Enchanted, his gaze began to grow dull until a sudden noise disrupted everything.

The door behind him was pushed open, Blue Jade stood panting at the entrance, holding a capsule-like object in her hand.

This was the pneumatic logistics system of the Purification Mechanism. Placing the object to be transported inside this capsule, it would be propelled by compressed air, spreading through underground logistics pipes to cover every secret base of the Purification Mechanism in Old Dunling. This was typically used to transmit crucial intelligence, often used within the Broken Dome to control personnel movement.

”News from Galahad?”

Seeing Blue Jade returning, Arthur turned his head abruptly and asked.

Blue Jade, exhausted, couldn’t speak, she just nodded vigorously.

She didn’t know what Arthur wanted to do either, it seemed some important intelligence needed to reach him quickly. For this reason, Blue Jade had been dispatched, went to the nearest base, and using their pneumatic logistics, obtained this intelligence sent from elsewhere.

Then she ran all the way back, just to let Arthur see all this as soon as possible.

Arthur also showed his urgency, rushing forward without caring for Blue Jade, snatching the capsule, and tearing off the warning seal, inside were a few reports and several black-and-white photographs.

As if some terrifying secret lay before him, Arthur grabbed those reports, upon which were Galahad’s handwriting, capturing all the crucial information from his conversation with Shermans. His pupils reflected those words and through continuous reading, they wove a story Arthur found somewhat hard to accept.

The old chap couldn’t believe it, repeatedly verifying Galahad’s records, yet those words wouldn’t change. They had been recorded, and repeatedly observing them only impressed this truth deeper into his mind. He seemed to realize this as he finally sat back in his chair a bit despondently.

Blue Jade had never seen Arthur this way, possibly due to his intense pressure, this guy had been bargaining with Anthony these past days, both using sharp words, striving to gain more benefits for their side. During this time, Arthur hadn’t visited his daughter; Eve hadn’t been heard from since being sent to Black Mountain Hospital, and Arthur was very concerned about her condition.

She was about to say something, but Arthur spoke before her.

”Anthony succeeded; should one say he is indeed the confidant of the new Pope? His methods are formidable.”

He muttered to himself, his expression complicated.

”What... what happened?”

Blue Jade asked in confusion. Although she was Arthur’s guard, many things were beyond her knowledge, and she knew nothing about the dialogue between Arthur and Anthony.

”We are a strong group, the Purification Mechanism is indestructible, any external pressure only makes us tighter, stronger, but what if the split starts internally?”

Arthur looked at those black-and-white photos and spoke slowly.

”What happened?” Blue Jade began to realize the seriousness of the issue.

”A very complicated matter... let me think.”

Arthur seemed to be contemplating the pros and cons, and after a long time, he spoke again.

”Blue Jade, do you think... Lorenzo Holmes is an enemy?”

Gazing at the man in the photograph, he didn’t wait for Blue Jade’s response; the words seemed directed at the person in the photo.

He softly murmured.

”Are you an enemy, Mr. Lorenzo Holmes?”

Night enveloped Old Dunling, and in Arthur’s soft questioning, the sound of a rapidly passing carriage came from outside the window. The horses breathed out steam, their hooves heavily struck the stone bricks, wheels spinning quickly, running over debris and mud, rushing through the accumulated water, leaving it all behind.