Gun of Ashes

”You used Secret Blood to beguile the King, didn’t you? He’s been on his sickbed for far too long, so long that he fears death immensely. Even if it were the Devil’s gift, he’d accept it without hesitation.”

Lawrence neither admitted nor denied it.

”You wouldn’t want to know the true nature of this power.”

”I’ve never thought about understanding it; all I need to know is that it’s a useful enough tool.”

Corey continued.

”Steam technology keeps advancing. For the first time in a thousand-year history, science has defeated religion. The Evangelical Church is split, suffering heavy blows, unable to concern itself with us. The Orthodoxy has the support of the Iron Law Bureau and the Royal Family, and you have created a Choir with Secret Blood technology...”

His voice carried the rumbling sound of thunder, and in a trance, it overlapped with the reading voice of the Priest below, as if he were reciting divine words.

”This is a rare opportunity. We will disguise ourselves as the populace, acting under the banner of righteousness. No one can stop us; it’s like a collapsing flood, where anyone who obstructs will be mercilessly engulfed.”

”This sounds like a revolution, a religious revolution.”

One must say, Lawrence was shocked by Corey’s insane speech. Corey was far crazier than Lawrence had imagined.

”Isn’t it? We are the righteous side, Dean Lawrence, and we are for a better country.”

Corey downed the wine in his cup.

”No one will go hungry, holiness will no longer be hypocritical, good intentions will be rewarded.”

”We are the righteous ones.”

Corey reaffirmed.

”Stealing the nation, manipulating faith, stirring up waves... Many people, many people will die.” Lawrence said.

”I know, but compared to what I am going to do, it’s all insignificant,” Corey continued with his mad vision, ”Once the Orthodoxy holds dominance within Gaulunaro, it will have a kingdom as its support. At our strongest, we will launch the Eastern Crusade.”

”The Eastern Crusade?”

”That’s right, the Eastern Crusade, a holy crusade against heretics. I think you will enjoy doing this too, won’t you? Our interests are aligned, Dean Lawrence.”

Corey was completely immersed in it.

”Before marching to the holy Saint Nalos Cathedral, I will prove my faith there.”

”Prove your faith?”

”Indeed.”

Corey replied with a smile.

”I will destroy the land God cherishes most, turning it into a hell on earth, committing those acts that desecrate God the most. I want to prove that God is hypocritical and non-existent. But if God appears and casts divine punishment upon me, then I would like to ask before I die, why God never responds to the cries of believers.”

”What do you think, Dean Lawrence?”

Lawrence answered sincerely.

”Very good, very crazy, yet very worthwhile. I also want to know whether such a thing as God exists.”

In his mind, he recalled everything he had seen within the Static Holy Temple. What exactly is the Evangelical Church hiding, and what kind of existence is the so-called Silencer?

”Even if you didn’t propose these ideas, I would eventually return to Saint Nalos Cathedral,” Lawrence seemed hesitant, ”But aren’t you afraid of me, Corey? The power of the Secret Blood, you can’t imagine how terrifying it is.”

”Afraid of what? Being controlled by some unknown power of yours?”

Corey slowly revealed his collar, the pale, aged skin beneath. It was then that Lawrence suddenly remembered he never knew Corey’s age.

”I can’t afford to wait, Dean. I don’t care about those things. I only hope to see the Evangelical Church burned down before I die. That would be enough, even if it means making a deal with the Devil.”

”So, have we reached a consensus?” Corey asked.

Lawrence took a deep look at this somewhat mad man and clinked his glass with his.