Gun of Ashes

”For example, I have seen another similar, yet completely different world, where there are no demons or Demon Hunters. There, humans are not bound to the earth; they use steel and flame to break through the sky’s barrier.”

”The sky’s barrier?”

Heracles was startled by Lorenzo’s recollection; no one had ever described the sky like that or talked about things concerning the sky.

Currently, humanity’s understanding of this world remains shallow. Regarding the familiar sky above, humanity only built the first War Airship a few decades ago, heralding the start of conquest. Yet, after so many years, humans still do not know the sky’s end.

Whenever a certain altitude is reached, extreme cold covers everything; the airship loses control and crashes. Over time, no one challenges that unknown place anymore.

”Yes, the sky’s end is pitch black, but in that darkness, there are countless stars, each a shining sun. They gather like glowing dust, which mysterious forces sweep up and pull into brilliant vortices...”

Listening to his words, Heracles seemed entranced, his eyes full of greedy curiosity. But Lorenzo seemed to think of something, and a bit of sadness appeared on his face.

”Just like you said, humans can’t imagine what they’ve never seen; perhaps that’s the curse of knowledge. No matter how I describe and explain it to you, you can hardly glimpse one percent of its splendor.”

Heracles paused, seemingly realizing his rudeness, but he didn’t continue questioning; instead, he signaled Lorenzo to go on.

”The priests forbid us from discussing what we have seen, but like that curse of knowledge, even if I told them, they couldn’t imagine it, could they? But privately, I still exchange these stories with 047. Unlike me, he seems to have seen some intriguing stories.”

”What stories?”

Heracles suddenly became serious; though Lorenzo’s world beyond the sky was tempting, he needed first to help Lorenzo solve the puzzle of who he was, which concerned the memories of 047, real but dislocated memories.

”A detective story.”

Lorenzo said casually, yet suddenly he felt a sense of vagueness.

In an instant, all silenced sounds came alive again, someone tearing at his memories, dragging him into that long-forgotten world, all colors stretching into brilliant light, until returning to pitch black.

Heracles disappeared, along with the Polo he held, as did the room around. 042 rubbed his eyes forcefully, seemingly unable to believe everything in this daze. Then someone walked over and sat on the vacant sofa.

”Did you just wake up, 042?”

That person spoke, then continued speaking to himself.

”Where were we last time... Oh, yes, a detective story.”

047 looked at the drowsy 042, then added.

”Mr. Holmes’s story.”

”You like this story so much?” 042 still seemed sleepy and wasn’t very interested in responding to 047.

”Of course, do you remember what the priests said? It’s a unique story, solely belonging to me.” 047 was extremely excited.

In fact, the ”Divine Favor Baptism” held another meaning: during future battles, Demon Hunters were bound to encounter extremely dangerous moments. In those illusory hallucinations, the information obtained from the ”Divine Favor Baptism” would guide them like Venus.

It was a unique star, belonging only to them.

”And it’s really interesting. If I can, I hope to become him after retiring.”

”Who?”

”The person in the story, Mr. Holmes.”

047 said while putting aside the book he held, yet in reality, it was blank. He picked up a pen and continued writing the story on it.

”What are you writing?”

”Those stories, poems. Human memory isn’t reliable; though the priests say we’ll never forget them, what if? I need to write them all down.”

042 looked at 047, sighed helplessly, and after the ”Divine Favor Baptism,” he had become like this. 047 used to be a wild kid, wilder than 042, and the priests always said everyone was God’s sheep. If so, 047 was the most unruly one, who wouldn’t mind knocking over the Shepherd and leaving cheerfully. But now, this unruly sheep was working hard, writing with all his might.

”Knowledge is the ladder to progress!”

”No, you just love this story too much,” 042 said.

”Love can change a person... I also brought some other books, want to see?”

047 said as he picked a book from the pile and tossed it to 042.

”What’s this?”

”’Henry V’... That’s what 016 said.”

042 looked at the appearance of the book; it was extremely rough, with no name on the cover. Opening it, he saw row after row of crooked handwriting.

”Did you write this?” 042 exclaimed.

”Strictly speaking, I copied it.”

Another voice came from behind 042, startling him. If the priests discovered this, punishment would be unavoidable.

But when he turned around, a familiar girl was smiling at him. She was half a head taller than 042, wearing the same priest uniform.

042 looked at the suddenly appearing 016, briefly pondered, and was surprised.

”Is... this book your ’Divine Favor Baptism’?”

”Yes, to get this story, 047 begged me for a long time,” 016 said with a smile.

”It’s a great story, 042, about a king.”

047 didn’t look up, just continued copying that precious story from his memory.

042 glanced at the book in his hand, then at 047.

”So do you want to become a king, 047?” 042 asked.

”Impossible, I told you, I want to be a detective.”

This time 047 looked up, seriously telling 042.

”As I told you, after retiring, I’m going to Ingwig. They say it’s wonderful there, far better than this stiff city, Florence. No nagging priests, no cumbersome doctrines, but instead advanced technology and a vibrant city.”

047 fell into his own beautiful imagination.

”I want to open an office there, just like in the story, solving cases and catching culprits, how great that would be. The priests said we’re getting Secret Blood implanted in a few days to become Demon Hunters. Those robbers and bandits wouldn’t stand a chance against me. I will become an excellent detective... 016 is very interested too; we’ve agreed she’ll be my assistant. How about joining us, 042?”

042’s eyes moved back and forth between 047 and 016 before speaking.

”Sounds pretty good.”

”Exactly, it’s wonderful.”

047’s eyes were full of excitement and aspiration for the future.

”But there’s one more thing before that, 042.”

”What?”

”We need a name because numbers aren’t names.”

042 hesitated.

”The priests absolutely forbid this, 047.”

”Just don’t let them find out, I’ve already named myself, and so did 016.”

047 said, pointing to 016 behind 042, who looked incredulously, as if not expecting 016 to do such silly things with 047.

”Quite fun, isn’t it?” 016 said, ”My name is Watson, though it’s a man’s name, it feels quite nice.”

042 then looked at 047, only to see him put down his book and pen, saying seriously.

”From now on, please call me...

—Mr. Holmes!”

That might have been one of the few happy moments in Lorenzo Holmes’s life, as he nestled in the sofa, quietly narrating, always staring out the window. Although the story seemed joyful, Heracles felt an indescribable oppression, as if the story hinted at some vicious curse.

An icy liquid slid down his cheek; it was unclear if it was sadness for the past or rain splashing inside, but everything was so dark and unknown.