Gun of Ashes

As the largest port native to Ingwig, countless ships were docked at Reindona Port. The sea breeze swept in, blowing into the coastal city, while the surging steam rose from one chimney after another, like arms slowly reaching toward the sky.

The surface of the sea gently rippled, causing the ships to sway lightly. The shouts of people and the high-pitched whistles of steamships were constant. Some ships were entering the port, while others were slowly departing.

The smell here wasn’t pleasant; a mixture of strange odors had transformed into the unique scent of Reindona Port. It was like another Old Dunling, with countless foreigners arriving here by ship to trade, and many strange and exotic faces could be seen in the streets and alleys.

The train slowly stopped, and then the doors opened. After the steam dispersed, the crowd beneath it was revealed.

At the forefront was a very strong man. Although he tried his best to put on a smile, the kind of face that seemed carved by the wind still caused a slight sharp pain for those who looked him in the eye. Behind him was a guy carrying a cello case. With a casual demeanor, he scanned his surroundings, full of curiosity about encountering new things. Behind him was a girl with impressive red hair and a rigid face, like a very unfriendly sharp knife.

Finally, under Bola’s threat, the last team member came down in great pain.

He looked as if he had eaten something he shouldn’t have. The expression on his face was twisted together. He might have had some beautiful expectations, but when he fully stepped out of the carriage onto this land, he realized everything was over.

”I’ve brought you this far. From here on, just follow Hebdo’s command for the next actions.”

Bola showed no intention of getting off the train. After kicking Red Falcon off with one foot, he shrank back into the carriage.

Not long after, the train left again. Red Falcon still had that twisted look, standing there with a triangle in hand.

”I say, are you homesick?”

Lorenzo patted Red Falcon on the shoulder with a serious expression, holding back laughter as he spoke to Red Falcon.

An empty gaze turned to Lorenzo. Red Falcon took a deep breath. After numerous cycles, he finally accepted the reality, followed the team in a dejected manner, while the triangle in his hand occasionally let out a clear sound, reflecting a sense of sadness.

This was inevitable, after all. Having come this far, Red Falcon knew he had no chance to turn back. He could only follow these crazy people all the way to the end.

But... but...

”What are you guys doing?!”

Red Falcon suddenly screamed out.

Only to see Lorenzo wandering around the station with a cello case, holding a string of souvenirs in his hand at some point. Eve was also a bit at a loss, following him and carrying several so-called local products for Lorenzo.

Weren’t they here to carry out a mission? Weren’t they involved with international affairs? Why did it look like they were on a shopping trip?

Speaking of a shopping trip, Red Falcon felt a sudden pang in his heart. He clutched his chest with one hand, wanting to curse further, but couldn’t bring himself to say a word.

”Yo! Hebdo! Do you guys in the Viking countries have these?”

Lorenzo walked over to Hebdo with a large bag, pulled out a piece of fruit, wiped it simply with his clothes, and started munching on it.

”I’ve never seen it; we probably don’t have it.”

Hebdo glanced at the fruit, saying regretfully.

The Viking countries had remote terrains, long shrouded in winter, making it hard for many crops to survive in such an environment, let alone fruits. For these reasons, over the centuries of development, the Viking countries had become nations of external plunder.

But times had changed. This was no longer an era where everything could be plundered with a battle axe; they needed to adapt.

”Then try it. Take some local specialties back once we’re done.”

Lorenzo handed the bag to Hebdo, pulled out another piece of fruit from the bag Eve was carrying, and started munching on it.

Red Falcon, wobbling a bit, followed the three of them. He wished he had Lorenzo’s darned mindset.

The Purification Mechanism and Nordro had arranged everything. At Reindona Port, a temporary residence had already been prepared for them. Opening the door revealed a spacious living room, and on the other side was a massive floor-to-ceiling window, providing a direct view of the port’s scenery.

Dumping their luggage to one side, Lorenzo collapsed onto the sofa. Eve moved between the rooms, observing the surroundings, while Red Falcon collapsed alongside Lorenzo. Hebdo took some documents and sat on the other side of the two.

”This is Erin Adler’s safe house. According to reliable information, she should be staying here.”

Hebdo spread out a map, on which Erin’s location was marked in red pen.

Lorenzo squinted his eyes, looked at the map, and, based on the direction, glanced out the window. Not far from here, within visible range, was the building marked on the map.

It seemed this temporary residence wasn’t arranged randomly; it was all part of Hebdo’s plan.

This person didn’t seem like an emissary; like Lorenzo, he was an expert.

”She’s staying at a hotel named Blue Whale, room number B524. Over here by the port, it might seem like a flow of trade on the surface, but in reality, there’s massive smuggling going on. This hotel provides accommodation for these smugglers, a ’black shop,’ and only such a black shop wouldn’t require any identification, allowing Erin to stay.”