Gun of Ashes

”My name is Owes Victoria.”

”I came here because of some physical illness...”

”What exactly? I can’t really say.”

”And you?”

”I...”

”...”

Opening her eyes, it’s the familiar pure white ceiling again, the scent of disinfectant lingering at the tip of her nose. Maybe it’s because she just underwent testing yesterday, Eve feels her head is somewhat heavy and aching. In a daze, she recalls the boy she met yesterday.

His name is Owes Victoria. Hearing the name gave Eve quite a fright. As the heir of the Phoenix family, Eve’s status in Old Dunling is considered extremely noble. Yet, she never imagined she would encounter the surname Victoria here.

Owes did not reveal his specific identity, but the surname clearly indicates that he is a mysterious member of the Royal Family. To know that Eve, despite having grown up, has only seen Queen Victoria from afar once at the Platinum Palace.

The Victoria Royal Family has implemented strict secrecy measures about themselves. People only know that the Queen of this land is Victoria, but hardly anyone knows who exactly are the members of the Royal Family, even nobles like Eve.

But Eve doesn’t care about these things. After having gone through various demon times, such seemingly strange situations can’t even spark her interest.

Sitting dazed on the bed, seemingly waiting for her yet-awake soul to wake up, she then reaches into the fruit basket, grabbing an apple and starts munching.

He’s a somewhat gloomy boy, always carrying a hint of sadness in his expression. Whenever Eve looks at him, she feels he’s like a little dog soaked in rain, shivering in the cold wind.

Perhaps it’s some form of human empathy, or perhaps just the thought that Owes is younger than her, Eve is very curious about Owes.

Daily life at Black Mountain Hospital is monotonous... more precisely, Eve’s life here is monotonous: taking medication, undergoing examinations, and then having outdoor time. The other patients have it far more enjoyable than Eve, one can sense from the occasional electric shocks and screams.

Alright, this is perhaps the girl’s way of self-comforting.

Thinking back carefully, a year ago Eve was an idealistic, upright girl, longing to become a detective. In just one year, society has dyed this pure white paper with vivid colors. But fortunately, Eve still managed to become a detective, partly realizing her dream, albeit the process was somewhat convoluted, like slaying demons, like slaying demons, like slaying demons...

Ah, what a colorful life! Compared to her peers, Eve feels exceedingly outstanding, in various aspects. After all, the best her peers can do is excel at ballroom dancing, while she dares to fire a gun at demons.

She’s not just an Ingwig captain, she’s virtually an Ingwig Valkyrie.

”Old Cole, where did you hit?”

Out in the grassy area, Eve sits on a bench, asking old Cole who was observing the enemy.

”Almost at Gaulunaro! We’re preparing to raid their base at night, steal those ships, bring the gunpowder and cannons, and counterattack Gaulunaro!”

Old Cole says excitedly to Eve, who responds nonchalantly. However, old Cole’s voice grows weaker, like a thief, his gaze wandering, then suddenly sits beside Eve, leaning in to whisper.

”Shh, Sergeant Phoenix, I’ve discovered some problems.”

Eve maintains that polite yet awkward smile, filled with perfunctory politeness, like a kindergarten teacher playing a role-playing game with children.

Old Cole’s mind is already unclear; his way of addressing Eve always changes. Just a few days ago, she was still a rare female general in his eyes.

”We might have a traitor within. I need to find out the mole.”

With a vigorous swipe of his neck, old Cole says seriously.

”Gavin saw it too, that group of traitors brought in an Evil Ghost, Black Mountain Fortress is about to fall from the inside!”

Old Cole screams, the trench-digging Gavin also looks up, nodding vigorously.

”Those rude things are becoming more and more frequent.”

Delun also agrees, while William pauses a bit, then starts gnawing on bark.

Alright, judging from these reactions of these mentally ill patients, indeed something seems to have come to Black Mountain Hospital, but it’s likely not exactly as they describe.

Although these mentally ill individuals appear somewhat intimidating and bizarre, after such a long association, Eve has roughly figured out their habits. They’re just a bunch of childish fools with mental issues; they’ve lost their sense of normalcy, only able to use vague murmurs to describe those things.

Probably a patient they dislike arrived; that’s how they initially described Owes.

Speaking of Owes, Eve looks around, but the boy who usually sat in a wheelchair is absent; he hasn’t shown up today.

Looking around, Eve suddenly sees a familiar figure at a distant end, surrounded by guards, walking towards another building.

Eve can hardly believe it, rubbing her eyes vigorously, not understanding why he would be here.

”Lorenzo Holmes...”