Gun of Ashes

”The feeling of coming home... isn’t too bad.”

Red Falcon slowly opened his eyes, looking out the window by the bed. The summer sunlight, like liquid gold, evenly blanketed the ancient trees and stone bricks. The crisp bird chirping echoed continuously, making everything seem very peaceful.

It’s been half a month since the night of suffering. Since returning to Old Dunling, Red Falcon has been living here, in a branch of Black Mountain Hospital.

It’s not really a branch, though. After the Black Mountain Hospital incident, since the original site needed restoration, with Dean Abigail’s approval, Black Mountain Hospital was temporarily split while waiting for the rebuilding of the original site.

This is a branch located in the countryside. According to its designated function, it’s quite normal—a sanatorium specifically for knights who were injured. The severely injured Red Falcon received comprehensive treatment here.

Red Falcon still remembered what the doctors said to him. They said Red Falcon was really lucky; there were no serious fatal injuries—just some blood loss and mental and physical exhaustion. After treatment and recuperation, apart from some bones that haven’t yet fully healed, Red Falcon was almost fully recovered.

His body still felt somewhat weak, but not to the point of hindering movement. Leaning on his arm, Red Falcon slowly sat up. His other arm was in a cast, which the doctor said would need another half month before it could be removed.

Picking up the mirror on the cabinet, Red Falcon looked at his face, his eyes showing a pained expression.

”Boo hoo hoo, I still got a scar.”

Red Falcon looked at the scar on his cheek, left from the battle at the theater square. Logic would suggest a scar on the face would make someone look fierce, but on Red Falcon, there was a mysterious comical effect, for reasons he couldn’t comprehend.

”Scars are a man’s testimony; only cowards fear them.”

The voice came from the side; not far from Red Falcon was another bed, where Hebdo turned over, resting his head on the pillow, speaking to Red Falcon.

”That’s why I think you Vikings have something wrong with your heads.”

This clash of values was something Red Falcon still found hard to accept.

After returning to Ingwig, Hebdo’s injuries weren’t severe; in fact, they were relatively minor, but he was also taken to Black Mountain Hospital for erosion testing.

Thinking of this made Red Falcon’s relaxed demeanor turn serious. Although his memory had begun to blur due to his injuries at the time, he still vaguely recalled that scene.

In that burning hell, Angels descended.

Countless pure white steel wings unfolded, slicing through all living beings they encountered. Flesh and blood crumbled before them, with fresh blood staining them red.

What were those things? Red Falcon couldn’t make sense of it. They just appeared out of nowhere, like nightmares breaking through dimensions.

Thinking about it, Red Falcon glanced at Hebdo. Everyone had seen that scene, and they all feared these bizarre entities.

Even more terrifying and puzzling was Lorenzo Holmes. Although no one spoke it aloud, and he never admitted it, everyone vaguely guessed that these eerie entities appeared because of Lorenzo.

However, everyone maintained a tacit understanding. Until their return to Ingwig, no one asked Lorenzo about it.

”Speaking of which, Lorenzo has been gone for quite a while now.”

Red Falcon mused to himself, continuing his train of thought.

”It must be about a week, right?”

Hebdo glanced at the calendar beside him.

After being taken in, Lorenzo was given a separate room and had to report various information daily, undergoing tests. It seemed quite serious. Red Falcon saw Merlin walk past his room several times.

Lorenzo occasionally came to see them, saying he lived next door and always brought with him what doctors referred to as contraband.

”Ah... Living such a peaceful life for so long feels a bit unsettling.”

Red Falcon probably didn’t want this room to fall into peace, so he said again.

”What’s wrong?”

Hebdo asked, holding a knight novel borrowed from Red Falcon. This peaceful time had given Hebdo ample opportunity to finish these stories.

”It’s just... unsettling. The conflict from not long ago feels like a dream—like how you Vikings don’t end up in the Heroic Spirit Hall after death, but in a place much like this: warm and comfortable, with no fighting or killing, where everyone just lies around idle, wasting time.”

Red Falcon rambled on, a smile appearing on his face.

”Come to think of it, such an ending isn’t bad.”

The conversation faded again, and Red Falcon thought for a moment, suddenly saying to Hebdo,

”But still, I have to thank you, Hebdo. If you hadn’t carried me out, I would’ve really died there.”

Hebdo’s expression remained unchanged in response to Red Falcon’s gratitude. He continued reading, casually replying,

”It’s nothing.”

”It’s good to be alive...”

Red Falcon felt content as he glanced out of the window.

With a bang, the door swung open. Both Red Falcon and Hebdo were drawn to the sound, looking towards the door to see Eve standing there in hospital attire, slightly panting with a newspaper in her hand.

”There’s big news!”

Eve caught her breath and cried out loudly.

”What is it?”

Red Falcon was full of confusion as Eve quickly walked to his bedside, spreading open the newspaper she held.