Gun of Ashes

The sun sets and the moon rises, time flies by, fleeting as a moment.

Outside the window, seagulls fly freely, perching on the railing, savoring the lingering fishy smell. Hu ao crawls up from the messy bed, sitting there in a daze for a long time until he notices the neatly placed clothes at the corner of the bed.

Those are the clothes Hu ao rented from the clothing store yesterday. He wagered half a month’s salary on them. He reaches out to pick them up; they are clean and elegant. Thinking carefully, he realizes he has never encountered such things in his life, and he finds it difficult to imagine what he would look like wearing them.

For some reason, a silly smile spreads across his face. He chuckles for a while and carefully puts on the clothes, as if slipping into a layer of someone else’s skin, transforming instantly into another person. Even the aura of a sailor changes; it seems these clothes possess magic power, altering one’s essence, replacing the fishy smell with joy and confidence.

Today is a special day. After deciding to join Orthodoxy, Liya informed him during yesterday’s Holy Communion Gathering about the Pope’s enthronement, set for tonight. Hu ao intends to treat this event seriously.

Wearing the clothes and ignoring the peculiar glances from the other sailors, Hu ao steps out of the swaying cabin and leaves the dock.

This time, he holds his chest high, as if something is supporting him. He is no longer that humble figure.

He soon arrives at the site of the enthronement ceremony. Though it’s not yet noon, a stage and ladders have already been erected in the theater square, with many believers wandering around, looking excited in anticipation of the Pope’s enthronement moment.

”Hu ao!”

Someone calls him, and Hu ao turns towards the voice to see the girl bathed in sunlight.

Liya is still as energetic as ever, bouncing over in a lively manner. Before Hu ao can say anything, she speaks mysteriously.

”Follow me!”

”What’s going on?”

”You’ll know if you follow me.”

Hu ao doesn’t know what this girl is up to, but trusting her, he follows Liya, threading through the crowd.

The scale of this ceremony is significant; passersby in the distance can’t help but glance over. Inside the theater square, a group of believers in cassocks have gathered, kneeling and praying quietly, appearing devout.

Seeing all this, Hu ao feels a strange juxtaposition between the devout believers and the bustling marketplace, only a street apart yet like two different worlds.

Hu ao continues following Liya, wandering aimlessly. His gaze sweeps nearby where a group of people seems to be shouting angrily at something.

”What are they doing?”

Hu ao quietly asks Liya.

Liya looks over, her joyful face stiffening, looking displeased.

”Those are Evangelical Church believers.”

”Them? What’s wrong with them?” Hu ao questions, confused.

”You know, most people in Gaulunaro believe in the Evangelical Church. Many dislike our Orthodoxy, which we’ve been aware of. Previous Holy Communion Gatherings were held in secret, but this time, the Pope’s enthronement cannot be kept low-profile, thus attracting their attention.”

Liya explains, quickening her pace, apparently heading towards Yega Grand Theater on the other side of the square.

”There have been those causing trouble since early morning, calling us heretics. Luckily, mounted police are maintaining order, so for now, it’s just a war of words. But I fear that during the ceremony, any violence might erupt.”

Liya is filled with worry.

”This? What’s wrong with it? Why are they so angry?”

Hu ao clearly doesn’t grasp the concept of religious conflict. He merely feels that they haven’t affected the others, so why are they angry and causing trouble?

”I’m not sure either. Those bigwigs say it’s a conflict of faiths; their God dislikes ours... but who really knows about such things? Follow me.”

Liya regains her lively demeanor; perhaps due to her youth and energy, such sorrowful sentiments seldom hinder her.

Hu ao remains uncertain of Liya’s intention but follows her until they step into the Yega Grand Theater.

The opulence of the theater immediately overwhelms Hu ao. Surrounded by towering stone columns, he feels parched, uneasy in such a lavish place.

”This was once a church, but it was remodeled into a theater. Today, there’s a performance by the Royal Ingwig Orchestra here.”

Liya introduces the place to Hu ao, resembling a tour guide, indicating familiarity with the area.

”However, the remodel isn’t complete.”

She points upward.

”The second floor still retains the church’s architecture, including a chapel, where the Pope is waiting for us.”

”A chapel?”

Hu ao speaks while raising his gaze to the painted dome, suddenly recalling.

”Wait, the Pope?”

”Yes, His Holiness needs some assistance.”

Liya smiles and then pulls Hu ao along.

...

Yega Grand Theater, chapel.

Miguel sits in a chair, attendants preparing him. He gazes at his elderly reflection in the mirror, thinking about donning the sacred crown to become Pope in a few hours, an involuntary smile creeping across his parched features.