Gun of Ashes

Time moves forward, Anthony reaches out his hand to lift the curtain, his gaze cast out from the carriage, carefully appreciating the night of Old Dunling. Although he holds a high position, it is his first time in Old Dunling, and every corner here is a novelty for him.

It is like a strange new continent, each place capable of bringing surprises to a foreigner.

Towers emitting hot steam, furnaces blazing furiously, steam seeping from beneath the surface, and the giant whales circling the sky.

These are things unseen in Florence, even Anthony cannot help but feel a slight tremor of reverence for this advanced city.

”How does it feel?”

Arthur asked the newly arrived traveler; after receiving Anthony, the carriage headed straight for the embassy. This was the first contact between the two nations in many years. Arthur tried to act assertively and did not allow Anthony any time for rest, pulling him directly onto his carriage.

”Very impressive, it’s hard to imagine these are human achievements.”

Anthony did not hesitate in his praise, with towering buildings rising in rows, and under the hazy mist, they stack up, forming a cold oppressive iron jungle.

”Then how about I get straight to the point?”

Arthur said directly, although Anthony’s attitude was fairly good, Arthur didn’t want to engage in too much pleasantries with this guy.

”Getting straight to the point? Very well, this matter is extremely urgent for our Evangelical Church.”

Anthony showed little expression, the fierce scar on his face also appeared calm as he spoke, raising the box he carried with him and taking out documents that had been prepared long ago.

”According to the report from the Static Holy Temple, we have detected Lawrence’s whereabouts. He is active on your Ingwig land, and we hope to cooperate in capturing him.”

Arthur remained silent, withholding the intelligence that Lawrence was already dead.

”The main purpose is for the ’Revelation,’ right?”

Arthur asked directly, comparing to a traitor, this was the more concerning issue for the Evangelical Church.

”Of course, but not just that.”

Anthony seemed unsurprised that Arthur knew these things and continued speaking with an impassive expression.

”According to our investigation, the Holy Coffin once appeared on your territory.”

That Taboo Coffin stored the remains of the Holy Grail, according to the Evangelical Church’s handling, it was supposed to be submerged into the deep sea for temporary storage. However, during this period, it was contested between the Purification Mechanism and Lawrence, ending with Lawrence emerging as the victor.

”Yes.”

Arthur replied, but disclosed no further information.

Seeing this, Anthony seemed somewhat troubled and then said coldly.

”Arthur, we have come here with the intent to cooperate, not to go to war. Such action benefits neither of us, only allowing those demons, those traitors to profit.”

”Blame the issues left by history, after all, your Demon Hunting Order once was so powerful, even we could only eke out a living in the shadows.”

Arthur’s words carried a hint of hostility. What the Purification Mechanism once feared was not some demon, but the Demon Hunting Order beyond the sea, which monopolized the technology to combat demons. They refused to allow the emergence of a second Demon Hunting Order until the influx of armor technology and the development of the Armor of Original Sin gave them some confronting power, allowing the Purification Mechanism to improve from its dire predicament.

Yet quickly, his attitude shifted and he continued as if showing sincerity, saying.

”The Purification Mechanism did not obtain the Holy Coffin, it was taken by Lawrence.”

”It shows, if you had obtained the Holy Coffin, perhaps a few months ago, Old Dunling would have fallen... You simply lack understanding of what they are.”

Anthony appeared to know everything, maintaining his high-and-mighty demeanor, which irked Arthur.

”It is the source of all chaos, where all sins are hidden.”

”Are you here this time to recover it, along with the ’Revelation’?” Arthur asked.

”Certainly, it is the property of the Evangelical Church, and has always been our responsibility, which is why we need the whereabouts of Lawrence.”

With a rough estimate, the Static Holy Temple had determined Lawrence’s location, but here on Ingwig land, further action required Anthony to have the assistance of the Purification Mechanism.

”Is that so... But he is already dead, the trail has gone cold.”

Arthur surprisingly didn’t conceal and said directly.

The Purification Mechanism had searched for a long time; after Lawrence’s death, both the Holy Coffin... or rather the remains of the Holy Grail inside the Holy Coffin and the ’Revelation’ had mysteriously vanished. Both items posed a great danger. They had attempted to search for them, but still to no avail. Moreover, after this, Secret Blood emerged, mixed into a new type of Hallucinogen.

Lawrence had a team, and that team was hidden deeply. The longer they evaded capture, the more dangerous it became. Rather than searching alone, it would be better to accept the assistance from the Evangelical Church.

”He is dead?”

Anthony also appeared somewhat surprised; he never imagined that the terrifying Demon Hunting Dean would also meet his demise, and soon after, he thought of something, asking with a hint of doubt.