Gun of Ashes

Chapter 518: Chapter 108 Glory

”Medanzo...”

”Please call me Mr. Lorenzo Holmes, Cardinal Shermans.”

Lorenzo carried Shermans through the corridor at a sprint. Fireworks and wailing rose outside the window, making him frantic, but when he spoke of these things, he forced himself to appear serious.

”This really isn’t a good time for a reunion, is it?”

Lorenzo flashed Shermans a ghostly smile. He needed to find a way to get Shermans out of here.

”I do miss it...”

Shermans weakly said, having just survived a terrifying assassination attempt, yet wearing a smile on his blistered face.

”What are you reminiscing about?” Lorenzo asked.

”After so many years, seeing a familiar face, it always feels like returning to those days, doesn’t it? I prayed in Saint Nalos Cathedral while you guarded me.”

Even now he thought of returning there, to Saint Nalos Cathedral.

Lorenzo was too stressed to mock the old guy’s thought process; despite nearly dying, he was speaking nonsense. Lorenzo ignored him; he was under a lot of pressure now.

The letter was indeed a conspiracy. Lorenzo wasn’t the only one looking for Shermans; Demon Hunters from the new Order were also searching for him.

”It’s the Purification Mechanism; they revealed it all,” Shermans suddenly said.

Lorenzo was startled. He looked to the side, seeing that somewhat menacing face speaking with utmost sincerity.

”Though I’m not really sure; this world is a mess, far beyond our understanding,” Shermans continued.

For some reason, upon seeing Lorenzo, Shermans suddenly felt a sense of ease. He couldn’t explain it; it was as if he had a trust given.

”You are so direct? I thought I’d need to torture you a bit before you’d say anything.”

Lorenzo couldn’t accept this sudden shift; the grand Cardinal, the Evangelical Church’s most loyal henchman, Lorenzo thought he’d have to break a few of Shermans’s teeth to make him speak honestly. Yet, he hadn’t even asked before Shermans laid everything bare.

”The Exile... I was instructed by Miguel to contact the Purification Mechanism. They interrogated me about you, and only they know I’m here. But now these Demon Hunters have arrived; they’re here to kill me. Or... the Purification Mechanism and Evangelical Church have reached some agreement; I’m their best bargaining chip.”

Shermans didn’t answer Lorenzo’s question but instead described the current situation, frustrating Lorenzo.

”Are you trying to sow discord?”

”I don’t know if you belong to the Purification Mechanism... just wanted you to understand the situation,” Shermans said, his thoughts racing.

Lorenzo took him into a room, slammed the door shut, hiding in a corner with Shermans before even catching his breath, the Folding Blade pressed against Shermans’s neck, Lorenzo looked fierce.

”Old man, what exactly do you want?”

Shermans’s words had left Lorenzo unsure of his stance, making it seem as if Shermans were a spy planted in the Evangelical Church by Lorenzo.

”It’s just the best solution for the current conditions; the only way out is the railway several kilometers away. But the way from the manor to that railway is through open grassland; you may escape, but taking me along is virtually impossible, so I must die here.”

”You have a chance to survive.”

”Captured by the new Pope? I’d rather die.”

Death was so heavy, yet in his mouth, it felt light.

”No matter who they are or who drives them, their target must be me. I’m doomed, but you still have a chance to escape.”

Lorenzo suddenly felt his thoughts couldn’t keep pace with the elderly man before him; it seemed in a moment he had planned out all future events.

”You’re not with them, then how did you know I was here? And what’s your purpose in coming to find me?”

Shermans looked at Lorenzo, laughing hoarsely, his blisters burst, yellow liquid oozing down his wooden-like face, like a mummified corpse soaked in muddy water.

This old man’s mind was made up, but whenever Lorenzo spoke, he would slowly respond.

”Regardless of your purpose in coming, I’ll satisfy you. Ask quickly, child, our time is short.”

Shermans leaned back, surprisingly at ease now. After experiencing forbidden knowledge, he no longer felt any fear, even though there were countless Demon Hunters wanting him dead. Yet, upon seeing Lorenzo, everything seemed to settle.

Lorenzo looked puzzled at Shermans, the wounded old man leaning against the wall, pulling out his exquisite flintlock gun, retrieving gunpowder and bullets from his pocket, clumsily loading the barrel.

”Was I too enthusiastic? Indeed, since fleeing Florence, I’ve rarely felt this... happy?” His voice was hesitant, unsure of his current emotions.

Shermans eyed Lorenzo; his compliance clearly made Lorenzo uneasy.

”Don’t worry, it’s just weighing pros and cons. Compared to the new Pope’s cronies, I trust you more, 047... oh no, Mr. Lorenzo Holmes.”

The Folding Blade plunged into the wall behind him; Lorenzo crouched, drawing close to Shermans, eyes locked on the cloudy gaze.

”What do you mean?”

”Literal meaning; you’re a Demon Hunter from the old Order, a survivor of the Night of the Holy Arrival, like me, at least partly. Though we’re on different sides, compared to capture or death by the new Pope, I’d rather die by your hand. You fought demons and guarded the sacred; although we’re on different sides, we both battle for the same God.”

”I don’t like this God.”

”But at least your actions truly exist.”

Shermans spoke, suddenly fearless of death, even laughing; the pitiful smile puzzled Lorenzo. He never imagined Shermans’s mindset could be like this.

He knew he was doomed but didn’t want to die by the new Pope’s hand.

”Moreover, the slaughter mandate hasn’t ended, and as a survivor of the Night of the Holy Arrival, I don’t understand how you survived...”

Shermans didn’t know the details of the Night of the Holy Arrival, yet continued speaking.

”The new Pope won’t spare you either.”

”So you intend to assist me, answering all questions thoroughly, simply because the more you help, the more trouble you cause for the new Pope, right?”

Lorenzo couldn’t believe Shermans’s starting point was this; at this moment, he seemed like the Dead, all actions and thoughts based on his impending death.

”Of course, child.”

This was Shermans’s open plot; his aim, as a powerless old man, was his only rebellion against the heresy.

He held his notebook tight, conversing with Lorenzo, his gaze sweeping the dark corners of the room.

Shermans was doomed, having touched that unknown Boundary, it too touching him, ghost-like entities watching him.

”You...”

Lorenzo had never faced such a situation; it was like a terrible play, everyone racing the plot, rushing to death.

But his words didn’t come out; sharp Nail Swords tore open the door, Demon Hunters broke in.

”Run, old man!” Lorenzo shouted.

They couldn’t get entangled with the Demon Hunters; once reinforcements arrived, even Lorenzo wouldn’t manage.

Shermans obediently climbed up, helping Lorenzo was his fight against the new Pope. Slowly climbing, he fled down the corridor behind Lorenzo.

Lorenzo met the Demon Hunters head-on; only two came, seemingly drawn by the blazing flames.

The new Order and the old Order...

Lorenzo surprisingly laughed, though he had always been filled with anger towards the Evangelical Church, he still cherished the time spent there, the time fighting alongside other Demon Hunters. Though Demon Hunters were destined to be forgotten by people, Lorenzo always felt honored.

At that time, he and everyone else were like this; everything they did was not only for that ridiculous God but for the human world, the rational world. They were deep in darkness, yet bore the glory.

So what about you? You successors, are you truly worthy of the name Demon Hunters?