Gun of Ashes

”Maybe she’s already forgotten about you. After all, we encounter countless passersby every day, but few make a lasting impression in our memories.”

Recalling the passersby in his mind, Lorenzo remembers none of them. They all appear gray, merging with the background.

It’s true, you see many people every day, but very few truly connect with you.

Humans seem lively, but deep down, everyone is lonely.

Listening to Lorenzo, Red Falcon’s expression grew increasingly sorrowful.

”Pour me a drink, please.”

Red Falcon spoke to Eve. Seeing him like this, as if a dying patient, Eve said nothing and filled a glass for him.

”Would you join me in commemorating my fleeting love?”

”You’re just indulging in fantasies and the shattering of those fantasies.”

Eve said sarcastically.

”Do you think this was love at first sight?”

Red Falcon asked Lorenzo again, only to see Lorenzo had already walked to the table and grabbed the plump dead fish.

”I just think you’ve been around demons for too long, your mind might’ve gone a bit awry.”

With one hand holding the fish, Lorenzo drew out his folding blade with the other.

”Put it down!”

Red Falcon screamed, clearly unable to fight Lorenzo. What followed was a brutal scene.

Everyone gathered around the table, casting various glances at the steaming roasted fish.

”You’ve killed my love!” Red Falcon continued to scream, unable to change anything.

”But your love indeed tastes good; would you like a piece?”

Lorenzo speared a piece of fish and placed it on Red Falcon’s plate.

Red Falcon stopped screaming, looking at the steaming fish piece. For a moment, his expression was peculiarly complex. After hesitating for a long time, he picked up a fork.

”How does it taste?”

”Pretty good.”

...

That’s about it. Lorenzo decisively ended Red Falcon’s love story. To be precise, the story never started; it was merely Red Falcon’s sudden fantasy.

Lorenzo turned to Eve and whispered.

”Does the Purification Mechanism have a psychologist? I suspect Red Falcon might have some mental issues.”

”Why do you say that?” Eve asked.

”Think about it, fighting demons day in and day out, having no normal life at all, to the point where...” Lorenzo turned his head again, glancing at Red Falcon, ”sometimes I feel life is absurdly terrible, and something needs to be vented. I feel Red Falcon might be at that extreme point.”

”Then why now? Isn’t he usually fine?”

Though not acquainted with Red Falcon for long, in Eve’s knowledge, Red Falcon seemed fairly normal.

”Probably this overtime work was the final blow to bring him down.”

Lorenzo analyzed.

”Lorenzo, if you let me go now, there’s still a chance. I feel I’m near my limit too.”

At this moment, Hercules, who had been silent with a constipated expression, finally spoke. Only then did Lorenzo remember his presence beside him, seeing his face pale like he was ill.

”What’s wrong?”

”I hate the sea.”

Halfway through, Hercules couldn’t hold back anymore. He grabbed the railing beside him, vomiting toward the sea below.

”Is this a disease?” Lorenzo was curious. Compared to Red Falcon, he felt it was better to care about Hercules first, ”Seasickness? Or an allergy to sea water? Wait, is there such a condition?”

”Aftereffect.”

Hercules wiped his mouth and spoke weakly.

”What kind of aftereffect?”

”Aftereffect from the shipwreck... You know, ever since I survived at sea, this is my first time back on the waves in all these years.”

Hercules looked at the distant blue vastness, his thoughts drawn back to the shipwreck that changed his life.

This shipwreck forged the Rat King, transforming Hercules into something beyond human. He gained much... seemingly without losing anything.

But from then onward, Hercules retained a deep fear of the sea. One major reason he hadn’t returned to his hometown was that the place was far from Ingwig, requiring a boat trip.

”So, Lorenzo, you weren’t lying to me, right?”

Suddenly, Hercules asked again, clutching Lorenzo’s clothes, looking somewhat sickly.

”Of course, it’s what I owe you, and in this regard, I am trustworthy.”

The two spoke words that Eve could not understand.

With Lorenzo’s affirmation, Hercules seemed to have made a decision, tried to muster strength, and continued forward. At the end of the path was a dreadful ship, and another dreadful journey awaited him.

But Hercules didn’t care about these anymore. Compared to what Lorenzo promised him, these difficulties seemed less daunting.

”[Gap]...”

Hercules whispered unfamiliar words, feeling near trembling joy at the world’s unknowns, like a deranged lunatic.

But such joy didn’t last long. Just as he regained his vigor, Hercules walked only a few steps before collapsing at the railing, vomiting violently.

”Do you have seasickness medication?”

Though not yet aboard, as if comforting himself, Hercules weakly asked.

Hebdo paid no heed to the conversation among the few ahead; he glanced at Hercules and, realizing this guy wasn’t a threat, abandoned his observation.