Gun of Ashes

”Do you think I’d hold us back? How could that be possible!”

Heracles seemed to be trying to ease the tension, as he picked up the firearm and repeatedly wiped it down.

He used to be a police officer, but that doesn’t mean Heracles is good at fighting. After becoming the caretaker of the Rat King, he rarely ventured into such dangerous places. Now, faced with danger he hadn’t in a long time, he felt his heart pounding rapidly.

”No, no, no, I’m not nervous, I’m really not, just a little excited, wouldn’t you say so.”

Heracles sat on the dock’s coast; according to Hebdo, this was where the speedboat would meet them.

Though he said those words, Heracles was indeed extremely nervous. He was soaking wet, due to the recent gas explosion impact reaching here. Despite its downfall, it still gave Heracles a fright, and he fell into the sea.

Night had fallen completely, but perhaps due to explosions and chaos, the lightkeepers hid away in fear. Most of the city was shrouded in darkness, with the firelight barely illuminating anything, only bringing panic and lament.

”Whew, just as I thought before. I’ll wait on the boat for Lorenzo and the others, and provide some fire support when necessary.”

”Aren’t these few handguns considered fire support?”

”You say it’s waterlogged? Damn it!”

Only then did Heracles realize his handgun was also waterlogged. He struck it hard, only to see more water stains on the ground.

Perhaps due to one blow after another coupled with psychological tension, Heracles seemed somewhat deranged at this moment.

”Enough, you idiot! I know! I know!”

Heracles muttered to himself, apparently unable to stand it any longer, and cursed angrily.

”Shut up, you damn rat, you’re driving me crazy!”

Unable to bear the squeaking beside him, Heracles turned his head and yelled at Polo.

”But it’s the truth, you’re incredibly nervous, and Lorenzo and the others’ lives are in your hands. If you don’t pick them up, they will die surrounded by enemies.”

Polo said expressionlessly... or to be precise, Heracles really couldn’t discern any expression on this big rat’s face, as it hopped around, pacing beside Heracles.

”Lorenzo was right, Heracles, you should’ve just left immediately back then. This situation isn’t suitable for you. Perhaps you once held a gun, but you’ve put it down for so long, it’s unfamiliar now.”

”But what can I do now? Desert?”

Heracles asked, looking troubled.

”Would you do that?” Polo asked.

”How could I!”

Heracles immediately refused Polo’s words. He couldn’t help but clutch his hair, as if something was squirming in his head, causing a faint ache.

This was a terrible journey, an extremely terrible journey.

Originally, Heracles wasn’t as unsettled as he is now. In Lorenzo’s eyes, he always seemed composed, as if everything was under his control.

Indeed, in Ingwig, Heracles possessed an incredibly detailed information network, countless safe houses, and secret pathways.

He was like a mouse, hiding in his fortress. Heracles believed, even if Lorenzo wanted to kill him, amidst his complex tunnels and intertwined information, Lorenzo would find it difficult to accomplish.

But now, it’s different. Heracles found himself in this unfamiliar Gaulunaro, and finally discovered the anxiety he’s had all along. Here, he has no information network, no safe house, and after Lorenzo’s action begins, all of Gaulunaro is his enemy.

A rat cannot expose itself to the sunlight; that fierce light would burn him to ashes.

”Wait a minute... Polo, you’re talking!”

At this moment, Heracles suddenly realized this matter in astonishment. Perhaps due to being too shocked, he momentarily forgot the inexplicable suppression in his mind.

”What’s the problem with rats talking?”

Polo didn’t understand why Heracles reacted so big. While speaking, he licked his fur, as during Heracles’ fall into the water, quite a bit splashed onto him as well.

”Problem? It’s a huge problem! You are a rat! A chinchilla! How could creatures like you possibly talk!”

Heracles felt his head was about to explode.

”So here’s the problem: Can you hear me talking, Heracles?” Polo asked.

”Yes!” Heracles answered.

”Then the problem is solved; Rats can talk.” Polo said.

”No, no, no, wait a minute! Wait a minute!”

Heracles hurriedly halted this damned conversation, he suddenly felt a faint familiarity as a breeze swept by, carrying the ocean’s scent.

For a brief moment, Heracles recalled the past, that utterly dreadful experience.

Maritime disaster.

Since returning from the sea alive, Heracles has always resisted coming back here. Now, many years later, due to Lorenzo and various reasons, he has once again set foot on this roaring and tumultuous sea.

Because of that nightmarish experience, after returning alive, Heracles developed many strange aftereffects, like the terrifying memory, becoming seasick when on the ocean, and of course, the conversation with Polo.

”I remember this isn’t the first time I’ve talked to you.”

Heracles suddenly became calm, during the maritime disaster, he also talked to Polo. But in reality, that was just his hallucination, as that rat had long died exposed on the sea.