Gun of Ashes

Chapter 481: Chapter 89 The Gate

The dense raindrops pounded against the window, as if countless palms were striking at one’s spirit.

The fireplace was already lit indoors, though it was spring, the rainy season of Old Dunling brought people back to those cold winter nights once again.

Anthony was clearly not accustomed to Old Dunling’s strange weather; compared to it, the beauty of Florence seemed heavenly.

He furrowed his brows, reading the telegram from Florence with unease. The content was sparse, but it all came from the mysterious new Pope, who, though miles away, issued new instructions to Anthony.

The scant content made him repeatedly check, fearing he had misread something. After mechanically repeating the process, he leaned back in his chair, sighing wearily.

”Can someone who’s been dead for so long still wield such power?”

He was puzzled; Cardinal Medici had been dead for several years, his legacy and power long devoured by greedy men. Yet now, that name had returned, with the stench of death.

The initial plan was to retrieve the ”Revelation,” so Anthony dispatched a large number of Demon Hunters to secretly infiltrate Old Dunling, using their skills to penetrate different departments. But now, all this had been disrupted as a mysterious opponent suddenly emerged on the chessboard.

”The Sword Scabbard Treaty...”

Anthony pondered this. Though he had not been the new Dean for long, he had read extensively on the knowledge of the Demon Hunting Order and browsed through these sealed secret projects. Yet this project, named ”The Sword Scabbard Treaty,” was one he had never encountered. In fact, the new Pope was also unaware of it.

This project seemed deliberately forgotten, only discovered today in some corner after so many years.

No records existed, just a few charred remnants. Many such projects existed, and during the Night of the Holy Arrival, a vast number of materials had been permanently destroyed in the fire. But it was different; the executor of this project was Lorenzo de’ Medici.

Lorenzo de’ Medici once dominated all Florence, wielding all its power, participating in numerous secret projects. Yet, according to the dates on this one, Lorenzo de’ Medici had already retired, no longer involved in any affairs of the Evangelical Church.

But now, this name appeared on these burned remnants. Even while in seclusion, he was secretly plotting something, and those in the know died on the Night of the Holy Arrival... even he did.

Suddenly, Anthony felt an eerie chill, as if he had glimpsed something monstrous, and that monstrosity returned his gaze.

He inhaled deeply. The sensation was as if he was being eroded, sharp and chilling, piercing his mind. In an instant, he felt on the brink of death, like a toxin spreading through his bloodstream, permeating his entire body.

Was the cause of the Night of the Holy Arrival really as simple as Lawrence’s betrayal?

It was at this moment that Anthony realized the strangeness in the matter. Previously, the Church’s assumption was that because it was the most logical explanation. Now, new clues have emerged, shaking the previous conclusion with fine cracks.

Perhaps the crisis of that night was not just Lawrence’s doing; there might have been others aiding him. This was the true purpose of that night, and everything else merely camouflaged it. The disguise was so perfect that only years later had someone slightly glimpsed its edge.

Anthony had no evidence to prove all this, but he felt it strongly, that thing called intuition hinting at him. Perhaps the cause of the Night of the Holy Arrival was this project called ”The Sword Scabbard Treaty.”

It seemed like an unseen force was attempting to conceal its existence, and so everyone connected to it died that night, including Lorenzo de’ Medici himself.

A sudden knock at the door dispersed the bone-chilling cold. Anthony remained stunned, until the knock was repeated several times before he shouted.

”Come in.”

Then the door was pushed open, and Samuel walked in.

”What’s the matter?”

Anthony returned to his calm demeanor, as usual.

”It’s about Lorenzo Holmes,” Samuel said.

Hearing the name, Anthony thought of a profound conspiracy. He had thought the name was just a coincidence, but now it seemed Lorenzo Holmes was far less simple than he imagined. Considering he was a survivor of the Night of the Holy Arrival, and carried the Pseudo Holy Grail, he must have some connection to ”The Sword Scabbard Treaty.”

”Still haven’t found him?”

Anthony maintained a facade of indifference, his voice still cold.

”No.”

Samuel reported the current situation. In truth, they should have felt an urgent danger, but with Old Dunling’s rainy season arriving, everything seemed to slow down. Due to these sudden circumstances, all plans had to be prepared anew.

”Our secret piece, Moriarty, has successfully influenced Lorenzo’s roommate... everything’s been too smooth,” Samuel said.

”Moriarty is an extremely uncontrollable guy, and he himself possesses that kind of eerie talent.”

Samuel spoke with some distaste. Though they were both Demon Hunters, Samuel was full of caution against him. He even thought, if he could, he would directly eliminate Moriarty.

That chilling talent.