Gun of Ashes

Lorenzo sat on the sofa where Selyu had previously been, picked up her newspaper, and began to flip through the recent news. The air was filled with the stale scent of dust mixed with a sour stench, making Lorenzo feel like a rotten apple gradually fermenting in a garbage heap.

”So you’re sure you don’t want to tidy up the place?”

Selyu and Lorenzo had swapped roles. She sat at the workbench, stabbing randomly with a dagger Lorenzo had custom-made for her. A life of wealth hadn’t made Selyu forget her past, and now holding the dagger felt familiar in her hands.

”Since it’s just me living here, if I’m okay with it, that’s enough.”

Lorenzo said lazily, but in truth, he was just being idle.

One had to admit that although Mrs. Van Rudd didn’t play a big part in his life, her presence had a substantial influence on Lorenzo, particularly regarding his living environment.

There was a time when Lorenzo was on a mission, and after locking the door of Cork Street, he hurried to Gaulunaro. When he returned, he was greeted by a room full of dust and a kitchen with food scraps crawling with bugs.

Honestly, the sight at that time disgusted Lorenzo. He cleaned up for a good while, but within a few days, it was back to its current chaotic state.

”I wonder how Mrs. Van Rudd is doing...”

Lorenzo looked at the mess scattered on the ground, speaking wistfully.

Finally, Lorenzo gave up. The once exquisite house now looked as if it had been invaded by a vagrant.

”But you’re off to the Viking lands, huh? Sounds really far away.”

Lorenzo couldn’t help but exclaim.

This world is vast, larger than anyone can imagine. Even with today’s technological advancements, humanity still hasn’t fully mapped the world.

On the yellowed parchment maps, there’s still plenty of unknown fog enveloping human territories, like viscous darkness devouring all light, leaving every explorer who steps into them unable to find their way home.

In Lorenzo’s mind, the farthest place was Jiuxia across the ocean, followed by the Viking lands at the ends of the distant northern seas.

”Yes, but I’m very much looking forward to it. After all, everyone here looks pretty much the same, so I’m really curious about what a country under such a biting winter will look like.”

Selyu seemed somewhat eager for the upcoming journey.

”Have you prepared your itinerary?” Lorenzo asked.

This wasn’t going to be an easy trip. Rumor has it that the seas of the Viking lands are freezing, with storms and thunder frequently sweeping over them, shattering the ships of cowards.

”Not yet decided. War is coming, and I suppose the King of the Ice Sea is having a headache, so I’ll wait until he’s finished with that.”

Selyu had been communicating with the envoys of the Viking lands, but she hadn’t met any of the true power-holders.

”Those who’ve been to the Viking lands say it’s a pretty interesting place, harsh and cold, but at night there’s a beautiful aurora... Have you seen the aurora?”

Lorenzo shook his head. Like Selyu, he had only heard about it.

Other people’s words could hardly describe the splendor of the aurora. Lorenzo racked his brains but couldn’t imagine the awe-inspiring beauty people spoke of.

”The Viking lands, huh?”

Lorenzo thought of Hebdo and wished he’d asked him more about the Viking lands earlier. Now that guy had returned to his homeland, and Lorenzo wondered if they’d have the chance to meet again.

Throughout the long years, these marauding Vikings were like minstrels, bringing fire and pain alongside tales from the North.

It’s a fascinating land and people, with a belief system entirely independent of the Western world. To other believers, the world is godly, and God has come to save the believers. As long as you’re pious enough, you’ll be taken to the Celestial Kingdom after death.

But the Vikings’ beliefs were different. They worshipped Odin, who did not promise them a beautiful Celestial Kingdom. The dead souls would be escorted by the Valkyries to the Heroic Spirit Hall, where they would fight endlessly, awaiting the twilight of the gods.

Even more astonishing, in the Vikings’ faith, the world’s destruction is fated, and neither Odin nor the battling spirits can reverse this hopeless end.

Lorenzo’s thoughts suddenly halted as he remembered something. He felt like he was being prompted, waiting to piece together the clues.

The North, the twilight of the gods, the apocalyptic prophecies...

He recalled what the Queen once told him about the Secret Keeper. Ultimately, his trip to Gaulunaro was to pave a route to the World’s End.

Recalling the records of the Evangelical Church, the Revelation and the Gospel, Lorenzo sensed that if these mysteries had an origin, it must be at the cold northern end.

With that thought, Lorenzo felt a bit of joy, but it was soon accompanied by a fear of approaching darkness. He could sense he was getting closer to the core of the secret, even grasping part of it already. Now he just needed someone to help him connect all these pieces, assembling the complete Truth.

Perhaps that was also the reason the Queen thought she could persuade him.

Only deeper secrets could quell his fury.

Lorenzo shook his head vigorously to clear away these complex thoughts completely.

Now wasn’t the time to dwell on these matters. As time progresses, all the answers will inevitably lay before him.