Gun of Ashes

The pale sunlight hid behind layers of clouds and mist, and the setting sun dyed the entire sky a fiery red. Its rays reflected onto the earth, as if smeared with blood, while at the opposite end of the earth, darkness approached, like a giant beast slowly devouring human territories.

The noise on the theater square continued unabated. Under the deliberate manipulation of certain forces, conflicts in the peripheral areas grew increasingly intense, yet more prevalent was the pious sound of prayer, which surged like waves, crashing and tumbling, while countless candle flames piled up around, and the melted wax covered the ground like congealed blood.

The Royal Ingwig Orchestra had already taken their place within the Yega Grand Theater, and all the audience members had long been seated. Renette stood on the stage, energized like never before, his face illuminated by the spotlight with an irrepressible smile.

He bowed toward the shadowy audience, then turned to look at his orchestra. Everyone had found their place, but he frowned slightly, for he couldn’t find the figures of Lorenzo and the others.

Renette recalled what was said at the time; Lorenzo was a wealthy man with an extreme passion for music who was willing to sponsor him, on the condition that he be allowed to perform alongside... at least participate as a member of the orchestra on stage.

He compromised, allowing Lorenzo to pose on stage but without making a sound to disrupt the orchestra. The corner prepared for Lorenzo had several chairs cleared; they should have been there.

Could it be...

Renette looked toward the audience once more, his joy reigniting in his heart.

Could it be that his stubbornness and love for music had moved Lorenzo, causing this eccentric millionaire to forgo participating? Surely he was watching from the darkened audience.

With this thought, Renette bowed once more to the dark audience, and when he rose again, his entire demeanor changed. He was like a general, resolute and calm, swinging the baton like waving a flag, commanding his army.

A slowly rising melody followed.

Like an ancient being long asleep, finally awakening after countless ages, it gave off a deep and melodious sound, rising from the sleeping earth, overturning broken soil, toppling dense forests, until that colossal silhouette shrouded the sky.

Countless horns seemed to play alongside it, complex melodies intertwining.

The depth gradually turned into a long-lasting tranquility, and Renette shattered the silence after an unknown period of time.

In an instant, a piercing shriek broke through the melody like a sharp sword cutting through the ancient ambience, slicing firmly through everyone’s eardrums, like the toll of a waking bell.

This was like the signal of war; the orchestra furiously pulled strings and blew horns, as the clashing of arms broke the bonds of music, rushing forward; clattering iron steeds and swords clashed together.

The ancient building couldn’t contain this war, the sound spreading to the theater square, mixing the war’s tune with the tidal prayers, felt by everyone present.

War and faith, that cruel divinity.

Eve and Red Falcon moved through the crowded ranks, clad in Orthodoxy robes. But beneath the loose garments was Eve’s violin case, long emptied of its violin, replaced by a rifle modified by the Perpetual Motion Pump. It was dismantled and placed within, as she searched for a suitable spot to assassinate the Pope.

”The performance... has begun.”

Red Falcon suddenly stopped, listening to the vast melody and tidal prayers. He couldn’t help but look toward the horizon, where under the setting sun, a sense of the divine welled in his heart.

It felt like something was coming, under the holy prayers, the burning sky seemed like the Celestial Kingdom descending, as if the next moment would bring an Angel wielding a Fire Sword to cleanse the world.

”Has Lorenzo’s operation begun too?”

Eve didn’t pay much attention to this; she stood on tiptoes, finding a position beyond the multitude of figures. Though it was a bit far, it seemed there was still enough time.

She recalled Lorenzo’s plan, the explosion would be the signal, during the chaos she would shoot and kill the Pope.

”Probably, let’s hope it goes smoothly.”

Red Falcon withdrew his gaze and guided the small-framed Eve forward, keeping a low profile to avoid others’ attention. Fortunately, the Orthodox believers were devout, each with their head bowed in prayer, ignoring them.

This was the hour of twilight, where day and night coexisted under the same sky, within this day’s gap.

The Lightkeepers had already donned their attire, arriving on the streets to perform their day’s work. However, today’s work seemed odd; he lit the gas lamps, but this time the flames were much fiercer than usual...

No... intensity wasn’t even the issue; flames shot up from the pipes, instantly turning the lamp covers red with fire.

The Lightkeeper sensed something amiss; recalling his work experience, he’d never encountered such a situation before. He slowly retreated, then he heard it.

A ticking sound, as if something was flowing... like water droplets.