Gun of Ashes

The chapel on the second floor is large, and it’s not the only room. They are spread throughout the Yega Grand Theater. Originally, people planned to renovate it into theater facilities, but due to the Evangelical Church’s believers’ insistence on faith, it was preserved as a historical monument. No one expected it to be occupied by the Orthodoxy many years later.

”Why is Corey here?”

Miguel sat upright, asking in a deep voice.

”Him? It has to do with the alliance of the Viking nations. They set the location for the hostage exchange here.”

The metallic hum sounded as Miguel looked at the mirror in front of him. Not only did it reflect him, but also Lawrence, standing in the shadow, wearing a pitch-black mask.

”Don’t worry, he won’t affect us. You be your Pope, and he’ll negotiate with the Viking nations.”

Lawrence added.

Even though Lawrence said this, Miguel still felt uneasy. Honestly, looking at Lawrence’s cold and merciless iron face, he often doubted himself.

Although all kinds of information proved that the Lawrence in front of him was indeed the real deal, Miguel had never seen the true face under that mask. He would occasionally ponder whether he was still facing the familiar Lawrence... or if the Lawrence in front of him was some monster disguised with Lawrence’s memories and voice.

Miguel forced himself to look away from that pitch-black mask. Today was a good day, the day of seizing power; there was no need to dwell on such troubling thoughts.

”I still find it hard to believe you’re willing to let me become the Pope so easily?”

Miguel asked again. His progress in Gaulunaro had always been unsuccessful until Lawrence joined, changing everything. He brought unmatched force, and with the blessing of the Revelation, the monster group named Choir appeared.

Everything went smoothly ever since, up until today.

”What else? We pursue different things. Power means nothing to me; I only care about the world’s future.”

As Lawrence spoke, he walked out of the shadows, and the attendants gave way.

”There’s... at least no conflict between us for now. You take what you want, I take what I want, and this collaboration is quite good, isn’t it?”

His hands rested on Miguel’s shoulders. Despite the clothing, Miguel could still feel the coldness from those hands as if he was touched not by a living person but a long-cold corpse.

”I hope so.”

Miguel replied.

There was a knock on the door. Lawrence turned around, and Liya pushed the door halfway open and peeked inside. Upon seeing Lawrence, she warmly called out, ”Dean!”

”I’ve brought the person. We two should be good, right?”

Liya said as she brought Hu ao over.

Hu ao was completely stunned. He wasn’t very knowledgeable, but based on the attire of these people in front of him, he could feel their extraordinary status. He felt like his throat was blocked and couldn’t make any sound.

”You finally arrived. This is your badge.”

When seeing Liya, Lawrence’s laughter came from under his mask as he handed a badge to Liya.

”Then, as I mentioned, you’ll be needed to lead the singing when the time comes.”

”It’s a great honor!”

Liya felt greatly honored by the task Lawrence assigned her.

”Lead singing?”

Miguel in front of the mirror was somewhat puzzled. He didn’t understand what leading the singing meant.

”I contacted the band performing tonight and entrusted them to play hymns during the performance. I need some children to lead the singing.”

Lawrence explained.

”You didn’t tell me any of this.” Miguel’s expression changed slightly, unaware of these matters.

”I thought you were only concerned with the ceremony of crowning; haven’t I always been responsible for the rest?”

Lawrence turned around to stare at the mirror. Although Lawrence’s eyes were invisible, Miguel could always feel that unsettling gaze.

”Okay... fine.”

Miguel said nothing more, but his peripheral vision remained fixed on Lawrence.

Lawrence is powerful, powerful enough to easily solve the long-standing problems of Miguel. And because he’s so powerful, Miguel always feels that he can’t control Lawrence... no, he simply cannot control Lawrence. Even though he is about to ascend as Pope, Miguel sometimes feels like just a puppet with a crown, a toy in Lawrence’s hands.

He doesn’t like it this way.

”So you are Hu ao. Liya often mentions you to me.”

As Lawrence spoke, his gaze returned to Hu ao. Being watched by such a prominent figure for the first time, Hu ao couldn’t describe the feeling and could only nod stiffly.

”Hello... Hello.”

”Don’t be nervous. We’re all God’s children, we’re siblings.”

Lawrence gently patted Hu ao’s shoulder.

”I selected many children for the lead singing, but I’m afraid there might be disorder, so I’d trouble you to protect them.”

”Okay... okay.”

Hu ao was entirely stunned. Suddenly, he felt his whole body trembling, not from fear, but from excitement.

A sense of inexplicable recognition.

When he came back to his senses, he was already led out of the chapel by Liya. There were many rooms nearby, some prepared for them. For the grand ceremony, Liya needed to prepare a bit more.

She was talking about how she got this job. Liya said Lawrence noticed her last time she hummed a hymn, and she talked more, but Hu ao couldn’t hear any of it.

”We are... God’s children, we’re siblings.”

Hu ao kept repeating this phrase. Looking at Liya, then at the people praying softly in the distant square outside, he felt a strong sense of belonging that made him want to shout joyfully.

...

In the messy living room, Lorenzo dressed in his performance attire, holding a staff in one hand and a cello case in the other, stood in front of the members who were also ready, donning gifts sent by Renette, each holding instruments they couldn’t really play.

A few hours remain until the onset of action, the last calm before the storm. Yet everyone seemed like nothing had happened.

Eve was testing the violin, Hebdo reading that knight novel, Erin gazing at the scenery outside the window, Red Falcon idly tapping the triangle, while Heracles tried to convince Polo to stay quietly in his arms and not run around.

”So, are you all prepared?”

Seeing everyone acting so fearless, Lorenzo spoke out.

Responding was not a voice but a series of glances, everyone looking death in the face, eager and ready to try. After all, such thrilling work isn’t something encountered daily.

”Then shall we go?”

Lorenzo rose, lifting the heavy cello case, unlike his calm demeanor, a bit pressured internally. He was the strongest among them and didn’t wish for anyone to perish during this mission. He wanted to try to protect everyone.

”And like I’ve said, follow my orders. If I tell you to retreat, you must retreat immediately, understand?”

Standing by the door, Lorenzo warned once more.

The group nodded, seemingly obedient, but Lorenzo had met many such outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant characters before. He only hoped they truly listened.

Just as he was about to push the door open, someone forcefully opened it from the outside so quickly that it frightened Lorenzo into almost pulling out the Staff Sword to take down the individual.

But thankfully, it wasn’t an enemy, it was Renette.

Renette, already dressed in performance attire and holding a baton, looked at Lorenzo excitedly and said.

”Hurry, we’ve been waiting for you for ages!”

”Waiting... for what?”

Lorenzo couldn’t make sense of what this guy was talking about. Renette knew nothing of the underlying situation; he wasn’t aware the beginning and end of war are today, just an unfortunate music enthusiast manipulated by these scheming characters.

Thus, Renette joyfully said.

”For a group photo!”