Gun of Ashes

The gentle light failed to rise from the horizon, and the White Tide was caught by the storm, torrential rain and thunder swirling above this sea.

Even though it was daytime, the world was still shrouded in gray, as if he had returned to Old Dunling.

However, the people on the ship were not panicked; the ballroom played melodies, people moved through the dining room with raised glasses, celebrating the new day, as if nothing outside could stop the revelry within the ship.

Lorenzo had awakened at some unknown time, leaving Watson’s [Gap] and returning here, aboard the White Tide.

His gaze passed through the window, looking at the ocean gradually boiling under the heavy rain.

”Where are you now, Watson?” Lorenzo asked.

”I’m right here.”

The voice sounded by his ear, an invisible presence floated like a ghost beside Lorenzo. He couldn’t see her, yet he could truly feel her presence.

”Do you know what to do next?”

Watson walked behind Lorenzo, and he could feel a pair of cold hands touching his cheek.

”In the end, whether Lawrence is truly dead does not matter, if one Lawrence dies, another one will appear.”

Lorenzo recalled that pitch-black mask, the blinding light boiling within the deep darkness.

”I want to destroy all those who seek to abuse the Secret Blood, or even say, to erase all traces of Secret Blood in this world, completely isolating humanity from the darkness.”

Lorenzo didn’t know if what he was doing was right or wrong, no one could tell him all this, he could only try for himself, then bear all the consequences alone.

Humanity’s contact with darkness led them to be discovered by evil anomalies; if Lorenzo could forge a wall isolating everything, could he protect everyone this way?

He was like a Shepherd, building a sturdy fence, protecting the lambs inside, preventing them from being devoured by wolves.

”Watson, where are you?”

Lorenzo asked again.

”I’m right here.”

Watson repeated again, she was a void presence, without physical form, which meant Lorenzo could only feel her but not see her. She thought Lorenzo was searching for her, but Lorenzo shook his head.

”Where is the physical entity you are controlling now?”

Watson fell silent.

The void presence needed a vessel; in Lorenzo’s [Gap], Watson had left a beacon, which allowed her to traverse long distances to be by Lorenzo’s side, but she ultimately needed to return.

”You’re silent, don’t want to tell me? Or are you doing something terrible, something you don’t want me to know?” Lorenzo kept probing.

No voice answered; if not for Lorenzo still able to feel Watson’s presence, everything he did now would seem like a lunatic talking to himself.

Essentially, it was not much different.

”I’m making a new attempt, not sure what will happen next.”

Watson finally spoke.

”An extremely risky probe?”

Lorenzo asked; he knew very well that Watson’s situation was far more dangerous than his own, as she delved deeper into darkness to touch that [Boundary].

”Yes, you understand the Orthodoxy’s purpose. If they succeed...”

”I won’t let them succeed.”

Lorenzo denied.

The voice was somewhat hesitant, Watson continued to speak.

”We have to prepare for the worst, Lorenzo, you understand too, don’t you? There’s no absolute evil or good in this world, just a murky gray,” Watson said, ”after all, we are all evil, incurable evil.”

”So are you making a so-called contingency plan now?” Lorenzo asked.

This time no one answered him; the window was unknowingly opened by someone, a chilling wind carrying rain surged indoors, the curtains flailed wildly.

Watson left.

In those faraway lands, a man slowly stood up from a bench, appearing as a traveler with a weary look.

He rubbed his head, trying to soothe the pain; long-range [Gap] traversal inevitably caused some burden.

Devout voices were praying; they were believers, one after another, merging into a sacred tide, street corners filled with red candles, gentle light illuminating the statues.

Watson was familiar with the scene before her, after so long, returning here again, she had an indescribable feeling.

She once roamed these streets, discussing trivial matters with friends, back then the time was still beautiful, everything was warm in color...

But now wasn’t the time for reminiscence; she controlled the man’s body, raising his head to look at the blurred silhouette beyond the heavy buildings.

It was a magnificent cathedral, like a mountain.

The roaring bell tolled, Watson headed towards Saint Nalos Cathedral, she had many questions to ask the new Pope personally.

Like why he was targeted by the Silencers, did he really cross the [Boundary]?

And... who exactly is he beneath the mask?

...

Lorenzo pushed open the door; before stepping out, he fiercely rubbed his face, trying to make his expression appear less constrained.

In the end, other people were not aware of these matters, Lorenzo didn’t need to put so much pressure on them.

Entering the living room, Lorenzo’s steps halted.

Erin was sitting on the sofa; she had woken up, but now there was an additional bandage around her head. Lorenzo remembered when he left, her head was unscathed.