Gun of Ashes

Just like the apocalypse.

No warning could be issued in time. When Miguel noticed these things, the disaster had already arrived right in front of them. All sounds were replaced by that deafening roar, as if a storm had descended here. Under the darkness, the candlelight extinguished in an instant, and the world plunged into darkness.

The stage collapsed, and the crowd toppled over.

Eve leaned against the stone pillar as the shockwave surged past her on both sides. She had thought that Lorenzo’s explosion would alarm many people, but she didn’t know the power would be this strong.

The meteor swung back and forth in the chaotic air currents. Eve struggled to barely control it. Her gaze pierced through the scope, trying to find Miguel’s figure in the dim blur.

This explosion, far beyond expectations, disrupted everyone’s plans. From behind the scope, Eve saw Miguel’s position; the future pope was extremely distressed, grasping the remnants of the stage that had not yet collapsed, desperately preventing himself from falling.

”Farewell.”

Eve said, pulling the trigger.

Suddenly, another hand grabbed Eve’s finger, preventing her from pulling the trigger, and at the same time, Eve was tackled to the ground.

”What are you doing, Red Falcon!”

Eve cursed angrily, but before she could inquire further, Red Falcon covered Eve’s mouth with one hand, using the violent air currents to roll her down the circular stairs.

Here was a similar mess, many scattered items pushed over like a makeshift cover, temporarily hiding their figures.

”What are you doing!”

Eve was almost furious. If she had pulled the trigger, their mission would have been over.

”Shh...”

Red Falcon looked at her with utmost seriousness, then pointed towards the believers.

Eve didn’t react further but followed his finger to look over.

Many people had fallen in the impact, groaning in pain, but strangely, many believers had not fallen. They stood firm like pillars in the shock, revealing the glint of steel beneath their tattered robes, fluttering in the wind.

”Observe carefully, Eve, this is your internship, and a life-and-death trial.”

Red Falcon, no longer behaving crazily, began imparting experience to Eve like a veteran.

Eve listened to his words, her pupils gradually solidifying.

”After all, the Purification Mechanism is fighting demons, and this thing is quite mysterious in itself, so sometimes the most inscrutable intuition can save our lives. Feel it carefully, what do you think they are?”

Red Falcon’s voice echoed in her ears.

These believers were different from the others; they watched the surroundings like sentinels, with a metallic scent of blood emanating from them.

They moved slowly, and as they advanced, one could see bloodstained blades beneath their robes, with corpses being handled in the corners.

This group of misfits didn’t belong here, clashing with everything around like emotionless beasts. The explosion’s shock had no effect on them... no, it did affect them.

One after another, the believers climbed up from the ground, carrying the same indifference, soon more and more of them appeared before Eve.

”Choir...”

Eve’s voice froze. There was not only a gathering of believers but also an army blessed by Secret Blood.

She could barely imagine what would happen if she had pulled the trigger, fearing she wouldn’t even have a chance to escape before being shredded into pieces.

”Abandon the mission, this is beyond what we can handle.”

Red Falcon whispered, pushing Eve’s violin case over.

”No, we might still have a chance,” Eve rejected Red Falcon’s proposal, tightened her grip on the gun, and hid it under her robe. ”Our disguise hasn’t been seen through yet, maybe there’s still a chance.”

”If we get exposed, we’re dead!”

Red Falcon thought this girl was a bit too dedicated... wait, is the Purification Mechanism owned by your family or something? Are you that desperate?

Wait a minute... from a certain angle, it seems like it might really be her family’s business.

Eve wasn’t aware of Red Falcon’s scattered thoughts. He got serious, but then involved himself in it again.

”Wait for Lorenzo, now all we can do is see if Lorenzo can kill the pope too once he’s done with his mission. After all, that guy is ridiculously strong. These choirs, although numerous, aren’t the real threat.”

With that, Eve was about to leave the cover.

”What are you doing?”

Seeing this, Red Falcon grabbed her.

”What else? Continue pretending to be a believer.”

Eve said, pulling Red Falcon out from behind the cover too.

”The scene is definitely chaotic right now, maybe we still have a chance to assassinate the pope.”

A chill spread from her arm as Eve flicked her hand lightly, a willow blade slipped into her palm.

Ever since the Black Mountain Hospital event, Eve had fallen in love with this weapon—small, exquisite, and perfect for assassination.

”Wow, you’re really crazy.”

Red Falcon wasn’t sure whether to admire Eve or marvel at her insanity.

The two of them, pretending to be believers, gradually moved towards the collapsed location of the stage.

The deafening explosion had startled everyone nearby. The singing in Yega Grand Theater ceased, and distant police sirens sounded continuously in the city.

Renette, with the orchestra, walked out of the dim Yega Grand Theater. Due to the aftermath of the gas pipeline explosion, the Lightkeepers didn’t continue lighting the street lamps. Everyone was filled with fear, and no one lit this dark world.

Gradually, there was light rising in the theater square; believers reignited candles, making them the sole light source.

”Ah...”

Renette looked at this peaceful world with awe. The believers were moving debris, taking care of the wounded, and praying softly.

Beside him, a troupe member, looking at their leader whose much-anticipated performance had been interrupted, was about to offer comfort, but heard Renette murmur.

”It’s destined...”

He became excited.

”Even the heavens want me to perform this great piece.”

”Huh?”

The troupe member couldn’t understand what his leader was thinking.

He saw him shouting excitedly.

”Come, let us compose for this divine scene!”

Hu ao and Liya were aiding the wounded, helping everyone up, yet they still couldn’t figure out what caused the explosion, but from the direction of the street, they saw blazing flames.

”What’s going on?”

Hu ao muttered, then a voice came from the nearby wreckage.

”Hu ao!”

Liya called out his name, standing by the wreckage, waving for Hu ao to come and help.

As a sailor, he was quite strong, so he quickly walked over, barely making out the person in the dark gap.

”Your Eminence!”

He exclaimed in surprise.

The orchestra was set up, and under Renette’s direction, a melodious piece played in this rather makeshift setting under the night sky.

Everything seemed beautiful, until dark figures rushed towards them against the blazing fire from the street’s direction.

They grew more and more, until they completely blocked out the burning flames, resembling absolute darkness. The believers of the Evangelical Church raised their weapons high, shouting loudly.

”Heretics!”

They were enraged. They needed to vent; they despised this new sect. They wanted to destroy it.

No one knew who gathered these people, but they appeared vividly in this way. In the eyes of these fanatics, many reasons couldn’t be comprehended, and they saw the explosion as God’s will.

God was angry. To appease the wrath, they aimed to destroy this Orthodoxy that was ascending the throne.

The mounted police tried to stop them, but only then realized that they were fewer in number than they thought, unsure when their comrades vanished.

Where did they go? Nobody knew.

The mounted police blew their whistles desperately, but it changed nothing as they were gradually swallowed by the crowd.

The pitch-black night and unlit city concealed this act of violence. Some keen individuals sensed the sweetness of blood, but looking into the darkness, they saw nothing. At this time, the choirs began to move, prepared for moments like these.

Two faiths were about to collide, igniting that frenzied holy war.