Gun of Ashes

”What does Lorenzo de’ Medici want from all this?” he asked again.

”To eradicate the demons.”

Watson answered.

”Is that so... Is that why you willingly became a ’sacrifice’?”

Sainy Loter pondered, the Nail Sword hanging low to the ground, and he seemed to have no fighting spirit at the moment.

Perhaps... perhaps the two could cooperate.

Though everything happened so quickly, both of them understood that, for now, they could only trust each other. With the threat of that mysterious Silencer looming, all intelligence seemed precious.

It’s unknown how long this calm lasted, and Watson didn’t disturb Sainy Loter either. She just stayed where she was, watching the Pope wearing the Thorn Crown.

Sainy Loter, like a knight of an old era, lowered his head, leaning on the Nail Sword, occasionally oozing sticky blood from the thorn scars, dripping onto the ground.

In this prolonged tranquility, Watson also took a closer look at this familiar friend; no one could have imagined that the once handsome guy would end up looking so grim. It was through this subtle observation that Watson realized the source of Sainy Loter’s power.

He was corrupted. Although he maintained clarity with monstrous willpower, his body had long undergone demonized mutations, granting him power far beyond a Demon Hunter’s.

Looking at the exposed arms, marked by circular scars like the Holy Marks of Saints in the Gospel.

Watson vaguely guessed that these scars must be spread across Sainy Loter’s body. Only this way could he extract the dissolved Silver Binding Bolts from within. She imagined the scene, a demonized body offering immense vitality, while he carved deep scars into himself to expel the molten Holy Silver.

The mere thought of it sent chills through Watson, who had no idea how Sainy Loter endured with this body up to today.

”Eradicating demons... Sounds like an ideal worth pursuing.”

Sainy Loter broke the silence, his voice tinged with humor.

”I have little interest in eradicating demons, but... I also want to know what all this is really about, what the true face of this twisted world is.”

He put away the Nail Sword and said.

”Looks like we have more to discuss, 016.”

Hearing this, Watson’s tense thoughts finally eased. She sighed in relief, although slightly relaxed, she didn’t completely lower her guard. From the previous conversation and battle, it was clear that Sainy Loter’s mind had been impacted to some extent during this long suffering.

”I can tell you everything I know, but I also hope you’ll be honest with me.”

Watson said as she approached Sainy Loter, raising a hand toward his head.

”What are you planning to do?”

He seemed unafraid, only a bit puzzled.

”This is a power named [Gap], somewhat similar to the Silencer’s.”

”Invasion of consciousness? I’ve encountered it,” Sainy Loter said.

”Yes, I can show you my memories directly through this. Compared to my words, this would be more authentic, wouldn’t it?” Watson said.

”Peering into memories directly? You’re willing to go this far for that successor... Will I see him in your memories?”

”Maybe.”

Her hand touched Sainy Loter’s head, caressing the shriveled skin and the sharp crown.

”You’ll also see yourself as you once were in my memories,” Watson said.

”Is this one of the reasons for your easing?” he asked.

”Pretty much...”

With that, Watson found herself somewhat lost. Sometimes she wondered if she was truly Watson or 016, just as she should regard the man in front of her as Sainy Loter or the former Raphael.

That burning night changed everyone’s destinies, setting them on different paths.

”Whether you’re Raphael or not, at least part of him remains with you, and I was once good friends with him.”

The burning flames surged from their eyes.

Their proximity made it easy for either to kill the other, fortunately, Watson was in Anthony’s body, unafraid of physical death. In front of her, Sainy Loter shared her confidence.

Scarlet eyes reflected the firelight, [Gap] invasion, thoughts surged to touch Sainy Loter, yet as before, Watson encountered an unseen wall, barring her way, refusing entry into the man’s thoughts.

After a brief moment of confusion, Watson cautiously stepped back.

”Don’t be tense, your ability is being blocked.”

Sainy Loter extended a hand, gently tapping the Thorn Crown.

Seeing Watson’s puzzled expression, he smiled, then turned towards the Well of Ascension.

”Sure enough, you don’t know much either.”

What had just happened was his facade, once again testing Watson, confirming his suspicions.

”What’s going on?” Watson asked.

”That would be a long story, but to put it briefly...”

Sainy Loter paused at the edge of the Well of Ascension, looking down into the viscous darkness, turning to Watson.

”Many years ago, after becoming the new Pope, I gathered a lot of intelligence about the [Truth], which undoubtedly attracted the attention of those Silencers. Back then, I didn’t know what I was up against, I was running for my life until one day I nearly got killed.”

”What happened after?”

”After that? I fell into this deep well, I thought I would die in the darkness, but surprisingly, I survived. The Silencers didn’t pursue further, but when I left the Well of Ascension, they reappeared.”

Sainy Loter gently stroked his thorned crown.

”I experimented with myself many times, finding a way to oppose this power.”

”It’s the Holy Silver, it obstructs the invasion of thought. The entire Well of Ascension is a large construct built with Holy Silver, becoming a barrier at that time. The non-corporeal Silencers couldn’t breach it, it protected me.”

Watson’s expression turned icy. This was crucial intelligence, yet Sainy Loter freely shared it.

”Come with me, 016, I want to show you something.”

”Sounds like something important.”

Watson didn’t move, instead speaking vigilantly.

”Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t share this information. Ultimately, we’ve all changed beyond recognition, past memories are just ridiculous souvenirs... We share a mutual value, and until that value is exhausted, we can trust each other.”

In the silence, mechanical twisting sounds arose, along the black well walls, step by step, spiral stairways extended downwards, leading into the infinite darkness below.

”Come with me.”

Sainy Loter said again, this time stepping directly onto the old steps, heading down into the Abyss.

Watson hesitated for a long time, understanding his implication, though merely guessing, it was enough to make her wary.

She possessed a physical form, able to enter, but if she were killed below, the barrier would become a cage, and might she be jailed by the Holy Silver within that she wonders?

Uncertain of the answer, she knew a choice had to be made.

Watson swallowed, she hadn’t felt such tension in a long time, hesitated briefly, then she stepped forth, following Sainy Loter, the darkness gradually swallowed her, swallowing them completely.