Gun of Ashes

This world is a haze of chaos, a land where humanity survives amidst the chaos, using all their strength to push back the of chaos, seeking more space for survival and more understanding of the unknown.

”Lorenzo, this is a brand-new discovery. Perhaps in this direction, we’ll ultimately uncover the essence of demons.” Merlin seemed very excited at this moment.

”No, Merlin… let’s hold off on this research. This knowledge is cursed; your previous intuition was correct.” Lorenzo interrupted him.

”What are you talking about?” Merlin seemed a bit confused.

”Knowledge is cursed. It seems there’s some sort of to human understanding of this world. Once we touch the , or even cross it, disaster ensues.”

Lorenzo didn’t mention the existence of the Silencers, unable to define the exact concept of the , he could only embellish his words as much as possible.

Looking at Lorenzo’s serious gaze, Merlin was silent for a moment before he asked.

”You certainly remembered something, didn’t you?”

Lorenzo nodded.

”You’ve recalled many things, many that could refresh our understanding of demons. Yet due to that supposed , you can’t tell me, because once you speak of them, I’d face some kind of unknown attack, right?”

Lorenzo nodded again, knowing the secrets hidden yet having to play dumb charades with Merlin here.

”I’m uncertain of the exact scope of the … Too many have died because of this thing.”

Reflecting now, Shermans’ death was long foretold, like a dark destiny, and had he not died from Cantrella’s poison then, would another Silencer have appeared out of nowhere and struck Shermans down?

”So… the Night of the Holy Arrival was also due to that thing, wasn’t it? I’ve always felt something was off, yet you were the only survivor, and the information you provided forced us to believe.”

Merlin suddenly had an epiphany; before the Night of the Holy Arrival, the Demon Hunting Order was far stronger than the Purification Mechanism. How could they have been annihilated by an accidental experiment?

”On that Night of the Holy Arrival, the Demon Hunting Order’s research into the touched the , thus bringing down disaster that destroyed everything…”

This was Merlin’s speculation, and he was right. As Merlin spoke, Lorenzo’s thoughts harkened back to that burning night, suddenly realizing it seemed all like the plot of Lorenzo de’ Medici.

The elderly man, unable to control the Church any longer, deliberately leaked the to his enemies, and as they researched it, he was undergoing ascension in the dry well.

A deep chill surged from within — this was no accident, but premeditated. On that night as Lorenzo de’ Medici ascended, an ascension ceremony was also underway in the Static Holy Temple, drawing the attention of the Silencers. Lorenzo de’ Medici sought to alleviate his side’s burden against the Silencers this way.

No… it wasn’t just that. At the time within the Church, only Lorenzo de’ Medici had some understanding of the Silencers. He neither abandoned the , it was a part of his counter-attack; Lorenzo could already envisage the countless Silencers suddenly appearing in the Static Holy Temple, the shock and fear in the eyes of those people.

Lorenzo de’ Medici intended to use the Silencers to directly destroy the Evangelical Church’s War Faction. After they were dead, he would descend upon the Evangelical Church in a new form, reclaiming it all on that reshuffled night.

It was a profound chill, even though Lorenzo de’ Medici had long passed, reflecting now Lorenzo could only feel terror, and his stubborn obsession with the Golden Era.

”Perhaps… this is the truth of the Night of the Holy Arrival, or at least part of it.”

Lorenzo cradled his head, pondering all that had transpired like being ensnared in a web of conspiracy, countless threads enveloped him.

His thoughts couldn’t escape the old man, he was intriguing and peculiar — despite his obsession with the Golden Era so profound, enough to lay such a terrifying plot, ensnaring everyone into his deceit. Yet upon knowing failure, this fellow wasn’t one for madness or cries.

Lorenzo de’ Medici chose himself, facing failure with barely a moment’s hesitation, as if rehearsed countless times in his mind, handing the pyre to himself…

”Merlin, what’s happening now?”

Lorenzo’s hand swept across the water pooled on the ground, vigorously wiping his face to clear his head.

No time to ponder those now; resolving this dire situation was the immediate goal.

”Demons, the demons’ invasion, we suspect it’s the remnants of Lawrence’s faction. Only they can create this mass trove of demons… All those demons were patients of Black Mountain Hospital.”

Merlin immediately said.

”Moreover, Arthur also suspects, under such circumstances, the new Order won’t overlook this opportunity, they might act… targeting you.”

”Is that so… where’s the railroad leaving Black Mountain Hospital?” Lorenzo suddenly asked.