Gun of Ashes

Corey has always been a sly fellow. As the director of the Iron Law Bureau, conspiracy and the bizarre are his forte, yet in that fleeting moment he felt a chill from the conspiracy.

The deal hadn’t been struck, and yet he nearly revealed Ivar’s location. This wasn’t his style.

He... had been influenced by Secret Blood.

Corey’s thoughts raced as he assessed the guests from the Nordic countries before him.

Was Hebdo doing this on purpose? Letting Secret Blood affect his mind? Confusing his judgment? Or was it unintentional?

Corey wasn’t sure, but his gaze was soon drawn to another person.

The man standing behind Erin, pressing a gun to her head.

Who was he? If he suddenly turned the gun on him, could he dodge the shot?

No... no...

How could he possibly allow anyone to meet him with a weapon, even if they were holding Erin hostage?

Suddenly, Corey smelled it, the scent of blood permeating the air.

In a short amount of time, Corey thought about many things. As the Emperor in the darkness, he trusted nothing, yet everything before him shattered his norms.

Corey realized this was a trap.

From the beginning, he had fallen into Hebdo’s trap. Layer upon layer of information scrambled his judgment—Erin’s appearance, Hebdo’s negotiation, and the mind-disturbing Secret Blood. The setup had begun from the start, causing him to overlook the most critical detail.

”Who are you?”

Corey’s gaze turned behind Hebdo, fixing on Lorenzo in the shadows.

”Who are you?”

He asked again.

A cold, nameless chill wrapped around him like vines, climbing up his spine until it encircled his heart completely.

This was somewhat an absurd plan. Corey could hardly believe anyone dared attempt such a thing. Hebdo was a mere disguise—the one in the shadows, silent and speechless, represented the will of the Nordic countries.

”Me?”

Lorenzo felt a bad premonition in his heart.

Overall, Lorenzo’s plan was actually quite perfect.

In Erin’s memory, he saw Corey—a violent and suspicious man. If he acted according to the original plan, after signing the treaty, a battle would break out. Lorenzo would tear up the treaty and take Ivar away, but there was no guarantee Corey wouldn’t notice a flaw. So Lorenzo temporarily changed the plan.

He made the events Corey found unreasonable to appear reasonable, then used the power of Secret Blood to disrupt his judgment, causing him to overlook those tiny, illogical things in the events.

Lorenzo was surprised, not expecting Corey to see through it at a critical moment. Should he say it’s not in vain for Corey to be the director of the Iron Law Bureau?

”Your plan has failed!”

Corey’s voice carried evident anger. He was somewhat unclear on Hebdo’s purpose. Was it to rescue Ivar, or did they covet the power of Secret Blood?

But in this situation, there was no need for more words. Corey had realized the danger. Being naturally suspicious, once he knew he was influenced by Secret Blood, this negotiation was over.

Lorenzo laughed, at this damned moment, Lorenzo actually laughed heartlessly.

”No, Director Corey Ferre, on the contrary, the plan succeeded.”

Hebdo and Erin had no idea what Lorenzo was up to. He hadn’t told anyone about these plans, and they could only watch his impromptu performance in shock.

Lorenzo suddenly pushed Erin aside, pointing Winchester directly at Corey, his movements flamboyant, like a dance.

”I am Lorenzo Holmes!”

He didn’t seem hurried to shoot, as if waiting for something.

The guards raised their guns at Lorenzo. With a pull of the trigger, the three of them would be riddled with bullets the next second. But in such a deadly situation, Lorenzo started rambling, spouting a list of ridiculous titles.

Then... then nothing happened.

Lorenzo held up the Winchester, his expression frozen. Erin and Hebdo looked at him like he was an idiot. Their mood was collapsing; they couldn’t believe the usually reliable Lorenzo was acting erratically in such circumstances.

Everyone began questioning their perception, even Corey was baffled. His gaze toward Lorenzo changed from vigilance to seeing a ridiculous clown.

To be honest, faced with such a lunatic enemy, Corey couldn’t even figure out what he intended to do.

”Ah...”

Lorenzo was also embarrassed by his own actions. This feeling was like passionately giving a speech on stage, only for the spotlight not to shine on you.

He awkwardly chuckled, brushing his hair with a narcissistic look, but regrettably, his hair didn’t stand up; it drooped down like it had lost spirit.

This was an unbearably awkward situation, one that even Lorenzo couldn’t withstand.

The next moment, a roaring impact swept through the room.

It felt as if an invisible heavy punch struck everyone’s chest in an instant. The guards were overturned by the shockwave; glass shattered instantly into countless points of light, ancient dust peeled from the walls, reflecting and vibrating in the air.

The air filled with whirling fragments, roaring and rolling dust obscured vision, leaving only chaos visible.

The piercing explosion sound arrived late after the shock, tormenting everyone’s eardrums. The residual echoes of music and prayers mixed with it, like a prologue to the apocalypse.

Corey was pressed down to the ground by the shockwave, leaving scratches on his face as he collided. He tried to get up, but raising his head, he saw a blinding light.

It was a sword’s gleam.

Lorenzo stood like a rock amidst the sudden explosion, not moving. He held a Staff Sword in one hand and a Winchester in the other, with a cello case filled with weapons on his back.

Gone was the previous levity; his face was solemn.

”This is the full extent of the plan. Rather than executing it fearfully, it’s better to fight our way out.”

Stepping over guards groaning in pain, Lorenzo walked toward Corey.

”Let me reintroduce myself. I am Lorenzo Holmes.”

The Staff Sword reflected Corey’s face, the slender blade twisting his features into a semblance of a pained howl.

”I’m here to kill you, Corey Ferre.”