Gun of Ashes

But now he’s about to die too, and such simple things can’t be realized anymore.

042 is in too much pain, and in the face of such agony, the searing Holy Silver within him seemed to have turned cold.

”This is really too exhausting, wishes, duties, death...”

Countless thoughts surged in 042’s mind, like a swarm of snakes, emitting a chilling sound that wrapped the cold around every part of his brain.

The painful expression turned indifferent in the end, almost as if it had become numb.

”I really wish I could become a stray dog, a stray dog wouldn’t think about these strange things. It would just run wildly, find something to eat when hungry, drink from the river when thirsty, sleep anywhere when tired, and then die one day for some bizarre reason...”

042’s wishes shattered, everything he had shattered on this burning night, and the sharp fragments cut him to pieces.

”But you’re still alive, as long as you’re alive, my wishes aren’t over. Although the beautiful life ahead only leaves you, with your strength, you’ll live well, won’t you, better than me?”

Whether due to the successive blows or the invasive corruption, 042’s gaze grew mad, and he looked at the man, asking expectantly.

This was just a simple, laughable, and trivial wish, without deep hatred or grand ambitions, just an extremely ordinary wish.

Yet it seems that what is called fate is so cruel, not even willing to let this humblest wish come true.

Thus, the man replied with some regret.

”Is that so? But I may disappoint you, I might not make it to Old Dunling either.”

He scratched his messy hair helplessly, trying to speak lightly.

”Ah, this is really unlucky, so it looks like we’re both going to die.”

Though very sad, to liven up the sorrowful atmosphere, he still forced out a smile, but that smile looked so distorted at the moment.

”You... what are you saying?”

042 stopped crying, looking at him with disbelief.

”I said, at this rate, we’re both going to die. After all, in your current state, you probably can’t beat the demonized me either, right?”

After the armor peeled off, blue bulging veins surfaced beneath the exposed skin, with deformed bones piercing through, as if some monster was hiding within this flesh shell, ready to break through and descend upon the world.

The man was about to die; in the Static Holy Temple, he faced the Pseudo Holy Grail that triggered the Night of the Holy Arrival. He should have been devoured by the corruption then, but perhaps mortal willpower was at play, and he held on until now.

The darkness shrouding the man’s face dissipated, revealing the deathly pale skin beneath.

042 was slightly dazed, then his indifferent expression twisted, unsure if it was in anger or grief.

”No, no, 047, you can’t die, you’re different from me!” 042 grabbed 047 assertively.

047 cannot die; he is different from himself, he has long-anticipated wishes, the courage to continue living. They have already escaped Florence, his wish is about to come true, he cannot die here.

Countless scenes flashed in his mind. Dying here would be too cruel for 047; 042 cannot accept this.

But... but what can he do?

Confronting the devoured yet uncorrupted 047, 042 only then realized his own powerlessness; he could do nothing, only watch 047 slowly transform into a demon.

042 could do nothing, he couldn’t even save himself.

”My fault... if I died, if Lorenzo de’ Medici could live... maybe... maybe everything would be entirely different.”

More cruel pain tormented 042’s mind. If he were stronger, if this world had no demons, if the Golden Era could arrive...

047 ignored 042’s madness, just gazing at that beautiful night sky, speaking softly.

”Do not go gentle into that good night...”

047 took the shotgun stained with blood, gently stroking the engraved characters upon it.

”I like this poem; it’s a poem that curses death. But death is inevitable, everyone will die.”

”Yes, I’m going to die, my wishes are shattered too, but for something like wishes, if one disappears, can’t you just make another one?”

047 struggled to move his body, the armor shielding him from most of the damage. His flesh had no serious injuries, but the sturdy armor couldn’t resist the corruption, couldn’t protect the gradually maddening mind.

”If there must be a wish...”

He grabbed 042’s head, their foreheads pressing together, their gradually clouding gazes meeting each other.

”Live, 042, even if just for me, for all of us.”

042 was momentarily lost, and then he felt it, as if something was about to happen.

A woman’s voice echoed in the wind, as if she was saying something, then a massive hunger surged from 042’s heart. He didn’t understand why, but as if instinctively, he was driven by some invisible force.

Fear covered over the will, and it seemed that 042 was about to do something terrible.

”Don’t be afraid, 042, we will live in your memories.”

”No... it can’t be like this!”