Gun of Ashes

Of course, the sheepfold doesn’t just have one outcast like him; there’s also the restless Eve.

”You want to associate with the rebels? This would be a great dishonor to your family’s name!” Delun said angrily.

”Are you enlisting too? But my regiment has never accepted female soldiers before.” Old Cole said oddly.

Gavin looked like he wanted to say something, but every time he was about to speak, Old Cole stepped on him, so he just kept digging trenches.

William remained as before, meditating silently.

Eve wore an awkward smile on her face; these days, she felt like she was in a kindergarten, leading a group of mentally incomplete children, though some of these children could be her grandfathers.

But Eve was a normal person; she needed to interact with normal people, and ignoring the advice of these patients, she stealthily approached that boy.

The boy became aware of Eve’s approach and slowly shifted his gaze to her.

At this close distance, Eve finally saw the boy’s appearance clearly: he looked like a severely ill patient, with exposed wrists showing obvious needle marks, suggesting frequent injections.

He appeared somewhat malnourished overall, making him look very frail.

”You... you’re normal here, right?”

Perhaps after spending too much time with those mentally unstable people, Eve extended her finger and tapped her head while asking the boy, tilting her head like a confused penguin.

The boy looked at her, slightly furrowing his brow, his gaze as if observing a fool, but not long after, he spoke, his voice sounding a bit strange after not communicating with anyone for a long time.

”Eve Phoenix?”

He asked somewhat uncertainly; Eve felt somewhat peculiar, surprised that this boy actually knew her.

”You know me?”

Upon receiving confirmation, the boy smiled without saying anything.

”Then who are you?”

Curious about the boy’s identity, Eve continued to question.

Hearing this, the boy hesitated for a moment, but glanced at his needle-covered wrists, sighed as if giving up on something, and revealed a somewhat sickly smile.

”Owes.”

He uttered his name, seeming to accept everything now.

”I’m Owes Victoria.”

...

The air inside the carriage was hot and stifling, the dim lamps overhead swayed slightly with the movement of the Iron Serpent, casting blurred shadows resembling Evil Ghosts staring silently at each other.

This was a specially modified Iron Serpent, unlike those equipped for combat and suppression; this heavy Iron Serpent was used for transporting prisoners, though these so-called prisoners weren’t the kind people commonly knew, but rather those abnormal individuals associated with Demons.

Logically, the prisoner in front of Arthur should be bound tightly, with two strong guards constantly holding guns to his head, but Arthur knew that made no difference to him.

The Purification Mechanism currently lacked the ability to contain him; the only one who could do so was himself, Lorenzo Holmes’s own will.

Lorenzo sat at the other end, with a gloomy gaze; he seemed changed, more somber, like a machine, devoid of emotion.

In the past, Arthur could somewhat sense that humorous aura from Lorenzo, but now that madness had vanished; before Arthur was a cool-headed monster.

Humans are social animals, even loners like Lorenzo are no exception, countless connections entwining his fate with others, binding him.

At this moment, it’s not the Purification Mechanism that has contained him, but rather his precaution against Moriarty’s upcoming actions, voluntarily stepping into this trap.

Lorenzo is incredibly passive; from the start, he fell into the New Order’s plot, uncertain of their next move, yet Lorenzo knew he must exact a price from them.

Within this preset script, Lorenzo must find an opportunity to turn the tables.

”Your next destination is Black Mountain Hospital, under our Purification Mechanism’s control, a psychiatric research institution. They will investigate the Pseudo Holy Grail within you.”

Arthur spoke slowly, as the command from Queen Victoria caused the Purification Mechanism to be at odds with Lorenzo. He felt troubled and distressed.

”What about the New Order?”

After a long silence, Lorenzo finally spoke, his voice low.

The New Order finally forced him into this trap; Lorenzo didn’t believe they’d let him go so easily.

”Cooperation. Actually, all of this still depends on your cooperation. We decided to join forces to study the Pseudo Holy Grail within you. Of course, the Purification Mechanism will primarily lead, with the New Order unable to intervene much.”

Seemingly trying to reassure Lorenzo, Arthur said this.

But Lorenzo wasn’t pleased; he knew clearly the New Order was definitely plotting something big, and their temporary relinquishing of power was just the beginning of a larger conspiracy.

”Then who would intervene in all this?” Lorenzo asked.

Arthur hesitated for a moment, but after looking at Lorenzo, this individual extremely harmful to society, he finally answered.

”Queen Victoria.”

...

Queen Victoria.

She’s the ruler standing atop countless powers in Ingwig, yet unlike many rulers, she rarely appears in the public eye, as does the entire Victoria Royal Family. She’s extremely mysterious, only known to reside within the soldier-guarded Platinum Palace, with everything else unknown.