Gun of Ashes

”While you were unconscious, the Cleaners made their move, but since we’re dealing with Demon Hunters, a firefight broke out between us. The enemy wasn’t looking to fight, so we suffered no casualties. However, we couldn’t stop these guys, and once they reached the port, we completely lost their trail.”

Abigail explained, as one of the key figures in this local war, she was considered the luckiest. She was sent out of the war zone by Bola right away and thus took on many responsibilities in the follow-up handling of the incident.

”Is that so? Indeed, since the enemies are Demon Hunters, without the Armor of Original Sin in the field, we’re still at a disadvantage against these humanoid monsters.”

Arthur showed anger. He hadn’t expected the enemy to escape so easily, but it was understandable. The Purification Mechanism’s attention was entirely focused on Black Mountain Hospital, and even though they wanted to focus on the new Order, given the Demon Hunters’ power, pursuing them was difficult.

”What’s the Queen’s opinion?”

”The Platinum Palace hasn’t responded at all.”

Hearing Abigail’s words, Arthur couldn’t help but sigh.

”So did we lose this war? Are we defeated by the new Order?”

”No... To be precise, we all lost. We all lost to Lawrence’s remnants.” Abigail hesitated for a moment before finally saying.

”Based on the survivors’ intelligence and our analysis, I think we’ve all been played by that guy called the Plague Doctor.”

”Plague Doctor...”

The thought of that mysterious figure brought Arthur into silence.

In this local war, countless forces intertwined, and Arthur needed time to fully comprehend it all. Just then, someone knocked on the door.

The door was pushed open, and soldiers carrying weapons escorted two people, one tall and one short, into the room.

This combination was interesting, like a grandfather with his granddaughter, or a swindler tricking a child.

”You finally arrived, Lorenzo’s good friends.”

Arthur looked at the two, regaining his composure. As he expected, too many people got caught up in this incident—so many that even Arthur felt surprised when he discovered these two through the clues.

”Duke Stuart cooperated well enough, but as for Mr. Oscar Wilde... when we found him, he was trying to escape by train,” the soldier said.

The rescue squad led by Lorenzo appeared, though missing Heracles. He might indeed be qualified as the Rat King’s caretaker, as this guy had sharp senses. Seeing the Reichenbach taking a suspicious course, Heracles packed up and ran.

The two slower reactors, however, were targeted directly. With the Purification Mechanism’s control over Old Dunling, they wouldn’t be able to hide for long.

Selyu remained indifferent, while Oscar donned a shameless grin.

”Sigh! Finally, I get to see you! I’ve been meaning to denounce Lorenzo’s crimes! He threatened us to do everything! Yes! That shameless bastard! We’re at most accomplices!”

Oscar feigned righteousness, catching Arthur off guard with his sudden reaction. Yet Arthur quickly recovered.

”Threats? So under the threat of a third-rate detective, the esteemed Duke Stuart and Nordro... just like that, you adjusted your power to help him with these tasks? Your Nordro even paid with a Reichenbach?”

”To be precise, it’s us! This time it’s a joint venture.” Oscar spoke proudly, patting Selyu on the shoulder. Selyu rarely cooperated, nodding slightly.

Seeing Oscar’s expression, Arthur felt mixed emotions, but soon killing intent surfaced across his calm face. He picked up a gun and pointed it at Oscar.

Oscar froze, seemingly unanticipated by Arthur’s directness. Meanwhile, Selyu tensed up. She expected severe consequences upon discovery, but Arthur gave them no chance for negotiation.

Selyu contemplated her next move, and Oscar suddenly spoke to her, his elderly face filled with sorrow.

”Sorry, child, this is reality. It seems our revolutionary friendship ends here.”

Selyu: ”?”

”Alright, I’ll confess. Lorenzo, that lunatic, was planning to flee Old Dunling. We only agreed to help outline an escape route, but how could I know he wasn’t planning to escape at all!”

Ignoring Selyu’s curses and fights, Oscar turned his head and shouted out without holding back.