Gun of Ashes

”So... you actually experienced all that during this ’business trip’? Sounds quite thrilling.”

The curtains in the room were tightly closed, and the afternoon sunlight only barely managed to cast a golden hue on the gray curtains. A faint light seeped into the dim room as Selyu put down the newspaper and spoke amidst the swirling smoke.

”More than just thrilling, I am practically the most outstanding terrorist of the last decade or so. Thanks to me, a world war engulfing the Western world is imminent.”

Lorenzo, with a cigarette in his mouth, sat at his workbench with his back to Selyu.

Although Lorenzo looked quite relaxed, his eyebrows were tightly knit, like a scar that couldn’t smoothen.

It’s been a month and a half since the Night of Suffering passed, and during this time, changes in the Western world’s situation have surged. Exchanges within the Rhine Alliance have grown more frequent, and Ingwig announced an alliance with the Viking countries, with the first batch of supported technicians having set out weeks ago.

”Wow, sounds like you might be nailed to the pillar of shame in books to come.”

Selyu sat on the sofa behind Lorenzo, surrounded by piles of unwashed old clothes, and the office table in front was cluttered with empty delivery boxes, occasionally attracting flies.

She looked down at the newspaper, her voice as indifferent as usual.

It was a somewhat dull afternoon, and Lorenzo would do something strange to pass the time during such dull moments, like making some oddly shaped items.

On the workbench in front was a finely crafted dagger, covered with intricate patterns and decorations. But upon closer inspection, a slightly raised section could be seen on the spine of the dagger, covered with brass and connected to the handle.

”The pillar of shame? I don’t really care about such things, besides, whether anyone remembers my name is still a question.”

The Demon Hunter should remain in the dark, as should the Knights of the Purification Mechanism. Here, Lorenzo paused before continuing.

”However, Her Majesty the Queen’s name will definitely have a place. That bastard used me, causing the war. Regardless of the reasons, being used by someone feels really unpleasant.”

As Lorenzo spoke, he forcefully hammered the dagger with a small iron hammer, embedding the steel into it.

”Really want to stab her.”

”Didn’t you do just that?”

Selyu raised her head, somewhat surprised, and asked.

”Upon hearing all this, I thought you would do that.”

Lorenzo shook his head and spoke with resentment.

”No, the first thing I did after returning was go to the Platinum Palace, but clearly my actions were anticipated. Arthur was waiting in the street to stop me and said he’d give me a response... No, precisely, the Queen herself would personally give me a satisfactory answer.”

”You just believed him?” Selyu asked.

”Of course not, those guys couldn’t stop me.”

Lorenzo added mentally, ”In every sense.”

Back during his first meeting with Queen Victoria, Lorenzo had already done it. He triggered the expansion of the Secret Blood Envoy’s invasion; a beacon existed on the Queen’s body. As long as Lorenzo wished, he could invade the Queen’s [Gap], controlling her life and death.

At that time, the furious Lorenzo indeed had such thoughts, but these thoughts only lasted for a brief moment before he abandoned them.

In truth, Lorenzo couldn’t quite say what feeling this was. He just felt he couldn’t do that; power shouldn’t be abused, whether speaking of inner morals or anything else.

Whenever thinking of Authority·Gabriel, Lorenzo’s mind would involuntarily conjure up the sight of Lawrence’s pitch-black iron masks, countless of them, rising from the burning Hell.

This was an invitation to Hell.

The fear and awe of Authority·Gabriel itself were just one reason; another reason was the new information Arthur brought. They revisited the Red Signal event, slowly unraveling the mysteries. Although Arthur didn’t confirm, Lorenzo could sense the scent of secrets from his words.

Arthur said there would be new answers to the Red Signal incident, hoping this would demonstrate their sincerity in tracing back the Demon... In short, due to various factors, Lorenzo temporarily gave up the idea of stabbing the Queen, though that dagger remained in his hand, waiting for the right moment.

”You definitely shouldn’t stab her; the war has become inevitable. If the Queen were stabbed or even fell at this time, I’m sure the war would break out in an instant. Gaulunaro wouldn’t miss this opportunity.”

Selyu said, with her understanding, after the Night of Suffering, the situation at the White Tide Strait had grown tense. Armies from all sides were mobilized there, resembling the eve of the Radiant War.

”A world war, indeed.”

Lorenzo sighed powerlessly; whenever thinking of this, he felt a sense of helplessness. He might be able to alter the course of a battle, but he couldn’t reverse the trajectory of a war.

A sword can rule over lives but can’t control hearts.

”You’ve learned quite a bit, analyzing the situation?”

Lorenzo turned his head, resting his arm on the back of the chair, looking at Selyu behind him.

”The Viking countries announced the death of Ivar Rodbrock, who was seized by Gaulunaro’s Iron Law Bureau and ultimately died at Maruri port. The Viking countries condemned Gaulunaro’s actions and amassed their armies, preparing for war.