Gun of Ashes

”What do you think of this place, Hebdo?”

Lorenzo’s bold demeanor was like someone picking out a house by its feng shui.

”What’s wrong with it?”

Hebdo looked at the spot Lorenzo pointed to. It was a place not far from the theater square, with a straight road leading directly there. It was the traffic hub for the nearby neighborhood. Upon closer observation, Hebdo realized it was located right in the middle of their escape route.

”Poor traffic is a disadvantage for us, but it’s the same for the enemies, isn’t it?”

Lorenzo began to babble nonsense.

”The crowded people will also block their way. Wireless communication technology only exists in Old Dunling, and they can’t communicate in a timely manner. Not to mention the sky has no roaming Iron Whale, so a red Aerial Cavalry won’t suddenly fall from the sky and blow our heads off.”

Lorenzo became more excited as he spoke, suddenly finding it quite an advantage that the area was technologically backward.

”What do you mean?”

Hebdo vaguely suspected Lorenzo was talking about something awful, but he couldn’t figure out precisely what it was.

”Look, if we’re going to be terrorists, let’s do it thoroughly. This is a traffic hub. If we blow up the underground gas pipeline, we can paralyze the traffic directly. Even if they send people to intercept us, they won’t catch up. And since we are in the shadows, they can’t possibly have defenses set up in advance, right?”

”But the gas pipelines are underground. How are you going to blow them up? Dig them out in front of everyone? Besides, we don’t have that kind of firepower!”

Hebdo retorted but hesitated when he saw Lorenzo’s earnest expression.

”No way... you really do, don’t you?”

Lorenzo replied with a smile.

”Have you heard of Lacquered Antimony? I brought a whole can of it.”

...

Under the night sky, the streets of Maruri were still bustling with many pedestrians. Carriages and mounted police crisscrossed the streets, and conversations filled the air.

”Is this a recon?”

Eve followed behind the two, asking quietly. After hearing Lorenzo’s plan, no one could remain unmoved. This lunatic really intended to fully embrace being a terrorist.

”Sort of, it could also be considered a sightseeing tour.”

Lorenzo leaned against the wall, watching the busy street while looking at the map.

This was the main traffic artery, bearing all the traffic pressure of the surroundings. To quickly reach different areas, one had to go through here.

”We blow this place up and then make a quick getaway.”

Lorenzo reiterated his simple and crude plan.

”Honestly, I should try to talk you out of this deadly action, but...” Hebdo seemed to want to say something.

”But you’re excited too, aren’t you?”

Lorenzo could no longer be described as simply excited. He was almost ecstatic.

”Hebdo, there’s not often a legitimate chance to carry out a blasting operation. Are you sure you want to turn it down?”

Hebdo didn’t answer but pointed to the street and asked,

”How do you plan to blow it up? The gas pipelines, being hazardous materials, must have been reinforced many times during their design.”

”Yes, and not only that. A gas explosion requires many preconditions. It’s not as simple as we think, just making a hole in the pipe doesn’t trigger an explosion.”

Lorenzo displayed a professional demeanor.

These insights into gas pipeline explosions were thanks to the Purification Mechanism. Those guys frequently used gas pipeline explosions as a cover-up for the truth. Over time, some in Old Dunling began to suspect this, and they founded a scientific magazine to explain to the public that these things don’t just blow up. Even if they did, it wouldn’t be so exaggerated.

Lorenzo had the opportunity to read that issue of the magazine.

Of course, with the collaboration of the Cleaners, the scientific magazine didn’t last long before changing ownership. Although it still published issues, all doubts about Old Dunling’s secrets were completely erased.

”The pressure inside the pipeline is very high. Gas quickly gushes out of any rupture at high speed, preventing air from entering to ignite an explosion. Even if there is an open flame, what you might see is only a continuously erupting pillar of fire.”

Lorenzo spoke earnestly, like an expert in explosives.

”Additionally, gas needs to accumulate in a confined space. If ignited then, the explosion will consume all the air, creating a brief low-pressure environment. More air will then rush in, releasing more gas to fuel continued explosive combustion.”

”Wait a second, Lorenzo, isn’t this a terrorist attack?”

Hebdo turned pale as he listened. In comparison, assassinating the Pope seemed trivial. If it were as Lorenzo described, the explosion might overturn the entire neighborhood.

”Just explaining. Our goal is to escape, not to cause casualties. There’s no need for such a large-scale explosion. All we need is to cripple the traffic.”

”But you’ve already planned it out, haven’t you?” Eve asked nearby.

”Oh come on, is thinking about it illegal?”

Lorenzo countered confidently, but he didn’t dwell on this topic. He continued,

”Lacquered Antimony is a liquid inferno in essence, just not yet ignited.” Lorenzo pondered the quantity, raising his hand to indicate a rough height.

”Just a small amount of this Lacquered Antimony is needed. The gas lines in the street lamps, destroying the lamp posts might spark an explosion of these,” Lorenzo paused, ”And destroy the protective valves along with them.”