Gun of Ashes

”Is it really like this...”

Arthur slowly lowered the communicator. The only ones who could create artificial demons were those with the Revelation. Coupled with Lorenzo’s previous pursuit in the inferior Secret Blood incident, Arthur felt a foreboding shadow that had been long prepared approaching.

Merlin also heard this and asked.

”Lawrence’s remnants?”

”Correct, but how does he know about everything happening now, or is it... we have someone inside?”

Arthur looked at Merlin, revealing a murderous intent beneath his calm tone.

Everything seemed too strange, if it was done by the New Order, Arthur would not be surprised. But at this moment, it appeared these events were caused by the remnants of Lawrence. Arthur believed that after Lawrence’s death, it would be a great blow to them, but now it seemed the power behind Lawrence was much greater than imagined.

But there was no time to resolve this now, Arthur gave his commands.

”Gawain, hold the line, kill all the demons. Percival, lead your team directly to the top of the research area and protect it.”

”But the demons...”

”That’s an order, the demons are Gawain’s problem, you protect the research area!” Arthur shouted.

”Arthur, Percival is behind the demon horde, she and Gawain can jointly annihilate the demons.” Abigail didn’t understand Arthur’s instructions.

”Then who will fight against the Demon Hunters?” Arthur asked with reddened eyes.

”What... Demon Hunters?”

”The New Order.”

Arthur drew a firearm filled with bullets from beneath his clothes, his gaze stern.

”The New Order would never easily give up Lorenzo. Losing the Revelation means they can’t afford to lose the Pseudo Holy Grail. But here is Old Dunling, they can’t confront us directly, yet now it’s different.

This is an open conspiracy, a collaboration. Though unclear of the remnants’ purpose in their attack, do you think the New Order would pass up this opportunity?”

Abigail was stunned; as a scholar, she knew little of such intrigues.

”The New Order has been hesitant, but now the chance has come. Not only can they take back the Pseudo Holy Grail, but perhaps even...”

Arthur, realizing the terrifying truth, shifted his gaze from Abigail to Merlin, his voice trembling.

”Perhaps even decapitate all the elite of the Purification Mechanism right here.”

...

All the long-prepared foreshadowing erupted here due to various coincidences.

Anthony looked up at the roaring, rolling clouds, slowly released his hand, allowing the letter written with Secret Blood to drift away in the wind, until it was completely torn apart by the storm.

”So who actually sent this letter?”

Samuel tightened his raincoat and shouted loudly at Anthony.

”I don’t know, but one thing is certain... they didn’t lie.”

Fireworks ignited at the edge of the rain curtain, the demons’ roars turning into a scene like an apocalyptic storm.

”Are we prepared to attack? This is a suicide mission, even if we succeed in killing Arthur and others, it will incite war between the Evangelical Church and Ingwig,” Samuel said.

”I know, so we just need to observe, leave the rest to Moriarty,” Anthony replied expressionlessly.

”And if he fails?”

”What does his failure have to do with us?” Anthony retorted, repeating what he once said to Arthur and Lorenzo.

”The New Order has no Demon Hunter named James Moriarty, it was so in the past, and it remains so now.”

Samuel suddenly felt a chill; looking at Anthony beside him, he suddenly felt he was so unfamiliar, yet it seemed he truly met him for the first time.