Gun of Ashes

The Gaulunaro side responded afterwards, pushing the Night of Suffering event onto the Viking nations, claiming it was a unilateral terrorist attack by the Vikings and merely an attempt to shift blame after the attack failed; Gaulunaro absolutely refuses to acknowledge this and is prepared for war.”

Selyu said as she raised the newspaper.

”I just read the newspaper often, that’s all. Such messages are everywhere on the streets now.”

”So what does this world war have to do with you? Are you so concerned just to kill time? If it’s to kill time, I recommend you read those knight novels, honestly, they are quite interesting.”

Lorenzo pointed to a corner of a book exposed from beneath the pile of old clothes.

”How could it possibly not be related to me? Lorenzo, not everyone is like you, who after eating alone is worry-free.”

Selyu said as she looked up at the miserable Winchester Law Firm.

Everywhere was dust and clutter, piles of old clothes and delivery boxes formed little mounds one after another; how long ago did Mrs. Van Rudd leave? This place has turned from the Platinum Palace into the Lower City District, yet Lorenzo felt no discomfort at all, seeing him skillfully retrieve forks and dinner knives from the mess, he has adapted to such a lifestyle.

”I am at least Duke Stuart; our group’s industry spans various sectors, and the war is undoubtedly a blow, but it’s also a lucrative opportunity.”

Selyu set down the newspaper and yawned.

”Unlike you, this guy who’s worry-free after eating alone; although I’ve only recently become a duke, as the Duke, I must fulfill my responsibilities, there are many new aristocrats within the Stuart group, not to mention more people below them; I need to think about their bellies, can’t let them go hungry.”

”It sounds quite stressful,” Lorenzo said, nodding.

Indeed, living alone vs. living with many people, the difference is quite significant.

”Luckily, most of it is managed by Yawei; I’m just learning how to become a duke.”

Selyu leaned back, sighing somewhat helplessly.

”Ah, actually becoming a so-called big shot is quite difficult too.”

”What’s so difficult about it? I see many people yearning to become such a big shot like you.”

Lorenzo turned around and continued to work on that exquisite dagger, under his craftsmanship, the thing transcended the category of weaponry, like an expensive piece of artwork.

”How could it be? Only when you reach this level can you feel this way; like this war, no one truly likes such things unless he’s a psychopath, but that’s the regretful part; everyone dislikes this, yet for various weird reasons combined, the war is inevitable.”

Selyu shook her head helplessly.

”Just like our upcoming plan within the Stuart family, we’re going to trade with the Viking nations, it’s about earning so-called war profits. I know it’s not a good thing, but many families within the group need these benefits; although I am Duke Stuart, I must think about the overall interests.”

”It does sound quite awful.”

Listening to Selyu’s complaints, Lorenzo understood her discontent, and new doubts arose in his heart.

Lorenzo was looking forward to meeting Victoria the Queen no matter what. Surely at that time, it would be very interesting; he really wanted to know if the Queen would give an answer similar to Selyu’s.

But more than these, what most made Lorenzo apprehensive and caused him to hold off acting rashly was the scene Lawrence showed him.

The apocalypse.

An endless stream of demons surged from the shadows, one grand city after another fell in the face of darkness, bloodthirstily devouring everyone, consuming all life entirely.

Lawrence formed the Secret Blood army precisely for this day, joining this apocalyptic holy war.

So what should Lorenzo do? He felt he shouldn’t stand by and watch this happen; he should do something… starting with Ingwig.

”In a couple of days, I’m going to the Purification Mechanism; according to Arthur, the source tracing of the Red Signal incident is nearing its final steps, perhaps I can find something from that, then it’s the audience with the Queen…”

”And after that?” Selyu asked.

Lorenzo shook his head; regarding the matters afterward, he hadn’t yet thought them through.

”I haven’t thought about things that far; for me, it’s always been one step at a time; sometimes losing the target isn’t scary, what’s scary is knowing what the target is and not knowing what to do.”

Lorenzo stopped his current work, looking somewhat perplexed at the gap between the curtains, beyond which lay the familiar street.

Now Old Dunling had entered late summer, and the actions of Gaulunaro allowed him to dodge the hottest season in Old Dunling; he still remembered the state of this ghost place in previous years, the smell of the Lower City District was stiflingly bad, the Thames River emitting nauseating odors.

To adjust the water quality, the Furnace Pillar daily poured in strange agents, though with little effect.

The world was about to face its apocalypse, although Lorenzo was reluctant to believe it, from Lawrence’s crazy actions and the prophecy in his memory, it was true, it was destined to come.

Despite the world being so harmonious and beautiful, even demons had gradually declined under the rise of humanity, everything moved in a positive direction, but suddenly someone said the beauty of all this was just a false skyscraper, about to collapse.

Lorenzo didn’t know why the world would face its apocalypse, nor did he understand how to deal with this catastrophe; he was different from fanatics like Lawrence, incapable of committing such brutality, even though he was of similar misdeed to Lawrence.

However… however, what if he could unlock the mystery of the demons?

Lorenzo pinned his hopes on this; if he could find the essence of the demons and ascertain the {Truth}of this world, perhaps he could find a new solution, to save this world and reverse that dark hopeless future.

”It’s done, give it a try.”

Lorenzo stopped thinking about these complicated matters; he picked up the dagger from the workbench and turned to hand it to Selyu.

Selyu got off the sofa, accepting the dagger.

The marks Lorenzo had struck during crafting were still on it like a crudely made weapon just out of the furnace, though some simple functions had been set up; he needed her to test them.

”Hmm, very exquisite, looks quite nice.”

Selyu fiddled with the dagger; ornate carvings covered its surface, mixed with brass and gold inlays, held in hand like a nouveau riche.

”As an artwork, it should suit your status.”

This was the weapon Selyu commissioned Lorenzo to craft for her, into which Lorenzo added some personal playfulness, seemingly yielding a pretty good result.

”Give it a try? Remember to hold it tightly.”

Selyu nodded, turned the dagger in her hand, walked to the side, where a log-like piece was placed; originally, this spot held a dining table, but as Cork Street 121A housed only Lorenzo, he could eat anywhere, so he dismantled the table.

The log was marked with several deep scars as if someone had tested a weapon on it.

Selyu took a deep breath, as she had done previously, without hesitation, swiftly swung her arm to stab the dagger into the log; the sharp blade pierced the wood, Selyu lifted her fingers and pressed the decorative patterns; there was a faint metallic sound, under the brass blade edge, a slender spike emerged, further penetrating the wood.

”Succeeded this time, looks like my craftsmanship still holds up.”

Lorenzo said, drawing the dagger out; the embedded spike mechanism extended its range by twice, a lethal strike unbeknownst to the enemy.

”Hmm, very nice, suits me well.”

Selyu toyed with the dagger; except for some rough detail workings, everything else was quite impressive.

”But… Selyu, what do you want something like this for?”

Lorenzo asked with a curious tone; this question needed backtracking a few days prior. A few days ago, Selyu suddenly brought a heap of materials and payment to him, requesting the crafting of a dagger, preferably with some special features. Lorenzo had been too lazy to ask her intentions for the item until he finished it, only then wondering.

”I am to represent the Stuart family and negotiate cooperation with the Viking nations; they say that place is cold and dangerous, bringing a weapon is always prudent, don’t you think?”

Selyu replied.