Gun of Ashes

A few hours remain before the action begins, and for Renette, these are also the hours before his performance begins. His face is slightly flushed, and he’s filled with a sense of excitement and exhilaration.

He looks at Lorenzo and the others. Although they haven’t said much, Renette can sense a deep seriousness from them.

Indeed, they should be serious. In a while, the fate of two countries will be decided by them. No matter how you think about it, it’s overwhelming, and in Renette’s understanding, he finds it a bit strange.

”Everyone sure does love music!”

Renette excitedly grasped Lorenzo’s hand. To him, this wealthy patron genuinely loves music and is just as excited and serious as he is knowing the performance is about to start.

Lorenzo was completely unaware of Renette’s whimsical thoughts. If he knew, he might also think Renette is a bit of a lunatic.

His gaze turned toward the hall. At this moment, the hotel lobby is filled with members of the orchestra. Everyone is dressed in formal attire, checking their instruments, and outside the hotel, rows of carriages are ready, waiting for everyone’s departure.

”Alright! Smile everyone!”

The photographer’s voice rings out, accompanied by a blinding flash, and then the clicking stops.

Group photos have already started in the lobby. The orchestra members are being photographed one after another, and seeing this, Renette explained.

”The other members have already finished their photos, it’s just you guys left.”

He tried to pull Lorenzo and the others for a group photo.

”No need, that’s too kind.”

Lorenzo tried to politely decline. Although there was no express prohibition, he also understood that if possible, people like him should avoid leaving behind any photos. Just like urban legends, it’s best just to hear about them and not leave any tangible evidence.

Lorenzo forced a fake smile.

Thinking carefully, each member of this hastily assembled team has an extremely special identity: an Upper-Rank Knight of the Purification Mechanism, the heir of the Phoenix family, an envoy from the Viking nations, the mysterious Rat King and its caretaker, and Erin, who is being hunted by the Iron Law Bureau.

This situation... If the photo were taken, it would probably be worth quite a bit.

”Oh, oh, oh, I get it, I understand!”

Renette cried out like a rooster, sneaking glances at the people behind Lorenzo as he shouted, then he grabbed Lorenzo, trying to pull him aside.

A comical scene unfolded. Renette tried to pull Lorenzo, but Lorenzo stood like a statue, steady and unmoved.

Lorenzo looked at Renette in puzzlement.

”I mean, I know you rich people are like this, you don’t want your image out there.”

Renette didn’t care why Lorenzo was so unmoved and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

Complex emotions surged inside Lorenzo; this guy’s guesses were way off.

”But don’t worry, I’m tight-lipped. If you’re worried, we could just take a picture with a few of us.”

Renette said.

”No need...” Lorenzo wanted to refuse, but Renette interrupted him directly.

”Don’t be like that, Mr. Holmes.”

Renette said earnestly.

”Think about it, opportunities like this don’t come often. At least for me, it’s a memento, right? This performance is a realization of my dream, and you as a witness must be in it.”

Listening to his words, Lorenzo, who had been firm, suddenly hesitated. He didn’t answer immediately but turned slightly to look at this quirky team.

Eve was fiddling with Red Falcon’s triangle, and Red Falcon looked reluctant. Heracles was still educating Polo, and from his angry demeanor, it seemed he was ready to give Polo a third generation. Hebdo and Erin were occasionally exchanging cold glances; the grievances between them weren’t something that could be resolved by a few words...

The time they’d spent together wasn’t long, nor had they truly gotten to know each other deeply. And now, in just a few hours, they were about to execute that difficult task.

To be honest, for a moment Lorenzo recalled his past, during that Night of the Holy Arrival.

Many people had died, and as time passed, Lorenzo gradually forgot their faces. Perhaps human memory isn’t very reliable. Even steel corrodes into dust, and mortal bodies eventually age into bones.

Now, Lorenzo felt a bit of fear, a bit of worry.

Based on the current information, Lorenzo was acutely aware of the danger in the upcoming action. The Choir, the Iron Law Bureau, Lawrence... perhaps someone would stay in Gaulunaro forever this time.

So who would it be?

Faces flashed before his eyes, and Lorenzo found it hard to accept no matter who it was.

Emotions are a human weakness. They make people hesitant and lost, but also make them more human, more alive, rather than a cold weapon.

”Let’s take a memento, Mr. Holmes.”

Renette winked.

Lorenzo looked ahead blankly. After a moment, he nodded.

”Alright.”

...

”Then, everyone stand a little closer.”

On the staircase of the hall, a few people stood scattered. Due to Lorenzo’s request, in the end, he couldn’t take a group photo with the orchestra members; it was only Renette who joined in, to satisfy that strange mindset of his.

”So, what’s all this about, Lorenzo?”

Eve asked softly from the side. She was standing next to Lorenzo, ready for a fight, but suddenly it turned into something like a tourist souvenir.

”Something for remembrance, Renette said so anyway,” Lorenzo replied.

”Isn’t this against the rules?” Red Falcon said quietly, ”I remember the Purification Mechanism has rules about this...”

”Forget about those, it’s a rare chance, maybe this is your last photo ever?”

Erin placed a hand on Red Falcon, acting friendly in a casual manner. Red Falcon couldn’t figure out what she was thinking. He wanted to react but felt it would spoil the rare harmonious atmosphere, so he just took it helplessly.

”Stay away from me!”

Red Falcon used his only free hand to push Erin away, while Erin teasingly grinned as if flirting with a housewife.

”Oh, oh, is the Moon shy?”

Hebdo watched ahead as if the fleeting joy had nothing to do with him. He asked,

”What exactly are you trying to do, Lorenzo?”

”It’s just for remembrance, that’s all. It’s a rare trip abroad! Whether our next mission succeeds or fails, I’m afraid we won’t have another chance to come to Gaulunaro for many years, right?”

Lorenzo replied, then extended his hand and pressed down on Red Falcon and Erin standing on the step before him.

”Everyone, quiet down.”

The boss had spoken, so the two fell silent. However, from Red Falcon’s eyes, you could tell he was still quite annoyed.

”Alright, I’m ready, everyone.”

After communicating with the photographer, Renette dashed over. Essentially, he wasn’t just there for the photo memento, but more to cultivate a better relationship with Lorenzo. After all, an artist needs a patron, and with Lorenzo’s backing, maybe he could even bring performances to the Viking nations.

”Okay, smile.”

Called the photographer, and with a click, their somewhat awkward smiles were frozen in time.

Then it was time to disperse.

The carriage was ready and waiting for departure. Eve and the others loaded instrument cases hiding weapons into the carriage, leaving only Lorenzo and Erin lingering for some reason.

”I’ve always wanted a photo with Ivar, but you know our unique situation, these things just aren’t possible.”

Erin watched the busy others, speaking slowly.

”And over time, I’m afraid I’ll forget what he looks like.”

Turning to look at Lorenzo in confusion, Erin asked,

”You’re not usually sentimental, are you? Why now?”

She had peered into all of Lorenzo’s facets and knew what kind of person he was. He deliberately avoided emotional entanglements, maintaining as much of his cold detachment as possible.

”Instead of fearing loss, better not to accept it at the start.”

Erin placed her hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder. She meant to reach up and tousle his hair, but due to her injury, she could only lift it so high, looking like a close brother.

”Think about it, you’re even more pitiful than me. So how will you face them? Embrace them? Or reject them?”

Erin hinted.

Lorenzo thought for a while but did not answer Erin’s question. Instead, he spoke of something else.

”I’m just afraid of forgetting their faces. You know, human memory is unreliable.”

He looked hesitant and sad.

”I’m very scared, Erin. It’s like the Night of the Holy Arrival, a sinful ceremony. To calm the fury, a sacrifice is needed... This time, too, it’s a ceremony—to stop the war; ceremonies require sacrifices, living sacrifices.”

Lorenzo involuntarily clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white, and his nails pressed deeply into his skin.

”I don’t know what will happen. I’m strong, but I can’t protect everyone... Maybe someone will remain here forever—it could be you, it could be me, or it could be that guy who keeps yelling for good luck.”

”I don’t want that. I don’t want anyone to die.”

Lorenzo began to understand Arthur’s feelings and also those of Lorenzo de’ Medici. Perhaps one wrong decision could cost many lives, and they had no time for remorse, only to chew on their guilt and keep moving forward.

”You can run away.”

”But some things must be done by someone.”

Hearing this, Erin laughed. She leaned back slightly, raised her hand as high as she could, and pinched Lorenzo’s face hard.

”Then do what you can, Mr. Holmes, save whatever you can save...”