Gun of Ashes

Arthur looked at Lorenzo. He didn’t think Lorenzo would be so kind-hearted, but it was possible since now they both held the same stance toward the Demons. Yet, knowing that knowledge, Lorenzo’s importance to the Purification Mechanism had undoubtedly increased.

For a moment, Arthur couldn’t tell if this was Lorenzo’s trick or if he truly meant it.

”This is an unsolvable problem, Lorenzo. To avoid the blow from the Boundary, I must understand what the Boundary is, what Demons truly are. But in the process of this understanding, we might die... just like the ’darkness’ you described back then.

Each of us is in endless darkness. Once we approach the forbidden, flames will ignite on us, illuminating our comrades in the dark while also exposing us to the monsters lurking within that darkness.”

”When you gaze into the Abyss, the Abyss also gazes into you.”

Arthur said slowly, accompanied by a chilling coldness.

The two briefly exchanged glances, reading the fear of the Boundary in each other’s eyes.

Indeed, it’s an unsolvable conundrum. When people attempt to observe the Boundary, the Silencers appear out of nowhere, destroying all observers. It’s the perfect confidentiality measure, keeping all the Truth locked behind this curtain.

This is cursed knowledge, with the nature of ”those who know must die.” From what Lorenzo had learned, those informed mostly ended up dead. Now, it seemed only he and Watson were the sole survivors.

Logically, he should also be relentlessly hunted by the Silencers, but it was as if something had happened, allowing him to temporarily evade their pursuit.

Was it you?

Lorenzo briefly entertained a strange thought. He looked down at his hand, vaguely seeing the blue veins beneath, flowing with Secret Blood.

Authority · Gabriel.

Is this a form of Ascension, or a sort of Qualification... a qualification to understand the Boundary?

The crisp sound of a doorbell interrupted Lorenzo’s thoughts, as someone pushed open the office door, and in the morning light, more people had arrived to see them off.

”Anyway, let’s leave it at that, Arthur. Whatever you plan to do, at least wait for me to return. I’ve personally experienced a Night of the Holy Arrival. In this world, regarding the Boundary, I can confidently say I am the only expert.”

Lorenzo smiled at Arthur, picking up the heavy violin case again as he headed towards the door.

”Bola will be waiting for you at the train station. He will inform you of the next steps.”

Arthur said. Lorenzo waved a hand, indicating he heard, just as a key was tossed over, accompanied by Lorenzo’s words.

”Lock the door for me.”

...

”Good morning, everyone. Looks like we won’t see each other for some time. Don’t miss me too much!”

As soon as he got on the carriage, Lorenzo started to joke around. As one of Lorenzo’s intermediaries, Oscar and Selyu sat opposite him, both representing Nordro together.

Actually, Oscar alone would have sufficed, but under Selyu’s insistence, Oscar had no choice but to let her join.

”You’re only bringing this one piece of luggage?”

Selyu asked, seeing the violin case on Lorenzo’s back. She remembered Lorenzo couldn’t play any musical instrument.

”Clothes and other items are on the ship provided by Nordro. I’ve arranged a special room for Lorenzo; everything he needs is there,” Oscar explained.

”This time, you’re to play the role of a musician, following the Royal Ingwig Orchestra on tour to Gaulunaro. Of course, you’re just an unimportant figure on the list. Once there, you’ll leave the group to do your own thing.”

Oscar explained various matters to Lorenzo.

”More detailed information is in your documents, make sure to check them. Don’t blow your cover.”

”Don’t worry about that! You know my performance,” Lorenzo said confidently.

With that, Selyu suddenly remembered the connection between Lorenzo and Oscar. Initially, they met because of theater performances and such, and it could be said both were cunning foxes, only one was young and the other old.

”Will we have any potential adversaries?”

Regarding these matters, Lorenzo was already aware. What concerned him was who his adversaries would be.

As an expert, creating different plans for different adversaries is the expert’s style. However, if he encounters something truly tricky, Lorenzo wouldn’t mind using the Secret Blood to flip the table.

”That’s unclear. You see, Nordro’s foundation is Ingwig, and Gaulunaro is extremely wary of Ingwig. Our intelligence network has a hard time operating in Gaulunaro. But what’s certain is that there will be some official intervention from Gaulunaro this time; you might even face the regular army.”

Listening to Oscar’s response, Lorenzo wasn’t surprised. From the Queen’s words, it was clear Gaulunaro mainly wanted to disrupt the alliance between Ingwig and the Viking nations. Perhaps Ivar is being detained in some military base and tortured.

Lorenzo suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed, beginning to ponder whether his armor could withstand the enemy’s artillery.