Gun of Ashes

As soon as the door was pushed open, Hig could smell the aroma of food; Mrs. Van Rudd had already prepared breakfast downstairs. At the same time, another door was pushed open forcefully, and Lorenzo, dressed in washed-out pajamas, came out.

These days have been exceptionally relaxing... Actually, not relaxing at all; Lorenzo still has a lot to do, like the mission from Florence, the exiled Shermans... So many things are waiting for him, not to mention the secrets of the new Pope at the Static Holy Temple.

But Lorenzo is human, and humans get tired. When tired, they just want to lie down and remain still.

After driving the Black Angel, for reasons he couldn’t count, he felt inexplicably fatigued. Even today, he felt utterly unmotivated. If possible, Lorenzo suddenly wanted to take a good rest for a day.

”Hey, good morning.”

Seeing Hig beside him, Lorenzo took the initiative to greet him.

In the past, Lorenzo wouldn’t have done this. He knew Hig was afraid of him, but from yesterday’s conversation, it seemed that Hig’s participation in the Mutual Aid Association had an effect, as this guy rarely perked up.

”Morning...”

Hig still looked somewhat resistant but forced himself to act ”cheerful.” Lorenzo didn’t notice this, and walked downstairs briskly.

After becoming a contracted detective for Suyalan Hall and earning credited achievements, Lorenzo pocketed quite a bit of money from the Purification Mechanism. Though it wasn’t a windfall, after paying rent and daily expenses for the orphans he supported, he still had some money left.

He used this surplus to improve his life. Although a Demon Hunter can endure a tough life, creating hardship for oneself is somewhat foolish.

The result of improved living conditions was that Mrs. Van Rudd was willing to prepare three meals for Lorenzo, provided he was on time.

Imagine battling demons and monsters outside, weathered with hardship and pain, only to stumble through the door to find a meal meticulously prepared for you.

Lorenzo immediately teared up and embraced the kind yet somewhat temperamental landlady. Though she didn’t quite like it.

”Lorenzo, are you not going out today?”

Mrs. Van Rudd, busy in the kitchen, glanced at the living room. Normally, Lorenzo would grab a quick bite for breakfast and rush out the door. But today, he lay lazily on the sofa, in pajamas, holding a dinner plate.

”Today, I’m resting.”

Lorenzo replied, perhaps from the aftereffects of traversing the Gap, even after a night’s sleep, he still felt mentally exhausted.

She asked curiously.

”In your line of work... do you even have vacations?”

Although Lorenzo claimed to be a detective, living together for so long, Mrs. Van Rudd didn’t believe his story.

”I give myself a break.”

Lorenzo said, which is the advantage of being a freelancer; you can rest when you want, though sometimes this may label you as unemployed.

Mrs. Van Rudd carried the remaining dishes into the living room and yelled at Lorenzo next.

”Eat at the dining table!”

Her voice was deafening; this old lady was quite rigid. Lorenzo had no choice but to sigh, climb off the sofa, and carry his plate promptly to the dining table.

Hig had been seated for a while, eating quietly though they didn’t exchange words. Whatever Mrs. Van Rudd needed for seasoning, he handed it to her knowingly.

Lorenzo chewed his spoon, watching their interaction with a peculiar thought.

”Hig, how long have you lived here?”

Lorenzo suddenly asked.

Hig was taken aback, not expecting Lorenzo to raise such a question. He wanted to answer but couldn’t recall immediately.

Instead, Mrs. Van Rudd, after a brief pause, replied.

”It’s been nearly ten years, I think. I recall when Hig arrived, he could barely reach the tabletop.”

She said with a smile, also gesturing to the height of the table.

Lorenzo nodded as he responded.

”It’s been quite long...”

Almost like mother and son. Perhaps Mrs. Van Rudd thought so too, despite her intriguing and somewhat eerie romance stories she often shared with Lorenzo, she never mentioned the fate of her partners, and Lorenzo knew better not to ask.

But perhaps it’s human empathy at work; at times, seeing Mrs. Van Rudd’s solitary figure can evoke sorrow. This once-aerial cavalry old lady is much stronger than the average person, but that’s no excuse for enduring sadness.

It may even be humans’ instinct for self-preservation; she felt lonely and needed emotional solace, even if it was just someone talking to her, to make the house livelier. That’s why she took in young Hig.

”Hurry up and eat, so I can clean up.”

Mrs. Van Rudd said while eating.

”Why the rush, do you have something planned?” Lorenzo picked up today’s newspaper from the doorway and asked casually.

”Going to see Selyu.”

Mrs. Van Rudd said, raising her head to see Lorenzo’s peculiar look.

This... this old lady is quite a flirt, having a godson and still wanting a goddaughter.

”Ahem.”

Lorenzo coughed a few times, pretending to act normal, knowing better than to voice such thoughts.

Like every other morning, Lorenzo passed the newspaper to Mrs. Van Rudd.

Social hierarchy among humans often manifests in peculiar ways, like seating arrangements and daily newspapers; Mrs. Van Rudd always insisted on being the first to read to assert her position in the household.

The city, still drowsy, gradually woke up as pedestrians appeared on the streets, carriages raced by, and thick steam rose.

Everything is so serene; Lorenzo even felt a little mentally relaxed—no demons, no fighting, and no one suddenly knocking on the door while holding a black suitcase and saying, ”Mr. Lorenzo Holmes, the world is now in peril, and we need you,” in some bizarre twist.

It’s good, really.

He glanced at Mrs. Van Rudd, then at Hig, harmonious like an underwhelming family drama.

”Hmm? Very soon, civilian airships will be put into use.”

Mrs. Van Rudd said with much anticipation.

”Why, do you wish to go?” Lorenzo asked.

”Of course, I was an aerial cavalry; my first half of life was spent in the skies.” Mrs. Van Rudd rarely showed interest in anything.

”Since retiring, I haven’t boarded an airship; I really want to go again.”

Hig put down his knife and fork and raised his head, ”Is it Duke Salicardo’s one?”

”Yes, actually quite a few are competing, but Duke Salicardo’s seems to be progressing quickly... They’ve already started naming the first civilian airship.” Mrs. Van Rudd said.

Lorenzo lazily stretched his waist and then said, ”I’m finished!”

He looked at Mrs. Van Rudd with the newspaper and continued to ask.

”What’s it called? The Great Salicardo Airship?”

”Of course not; they say it’s a very commemorative airship. It will travel from Ingwig to Beiser and establish stable trade in Beiser, acting as a node between the Holy Evangelical Pope Kingdom.”

”Indeed quite commemorative,” Lorenzo said.

”Its designer happens to be from Beiser, and the official naming rights were given to him. He said he always fondly remembers playing under the waterfall in his childhood and intends to use his hometown’s name for its name.”

Listening to Mrs. Van Rudd, Lorenzo used a fork to pick his teeth.

”So?” He asked lazily.

”Reichenbach... that’s its name.”

”Reichenbach? Sounds pretty nice.”

Lorenzo replied simply, tilting his chair and swinging the fork in hand.

The doorbell rang suddenly, calling Lorenzo back from his wanderings. He looked nervously at the shadows outside the door and window, hoping his rare rest wouldn’t be disturbed by any strange visitors.