Gun of Ashes

”Has your loyalty to the Queen faltered?” Galahad asked.

Arthur shook his head with a smile.

”I have never been loyal to the Queen, only to this realm. Galahad, I’ve discovered more than just that, let’s talk conspiracy theory for a moment. This is what we can find, but what about the things we haven’t discovered?”

Galahad was taken aback, his heart chilled; in this stern and complex Mechanical City, there are too many places untouched by light, just like the Furnace Pillar System rooted beneath the earth.

Through long updates and iterations, the Furnace Pillars spread underground like tree roots, the iron shell constantly advancing deeper. The accumulated plans over the years are as vast as a library, a labyrinth in the shadows hiding too many secrets.

”According to the Dunling Plan, Old Dunling should have fully entered the electrical age years ago, but it’s still only implemented in certain areas now, and even the development of technology has been restricted. You know, Galahad, it was not the nobles and merchants who truly halted this plan. If the Queen wants it, the entire nation is her machine to command; no one would refuse it, yet eventually, it disappeared like this...”

”Do you think the Queen is guiding the world’s progression?”

Galahad remembered the concept of the Dunling Plan; once successful, electricity would replace steam, and the entire world would enter a new era.

”It’s more accurately ’they’. From an absolute benefit standpoint, suppressing our rival nations and widening the technological gap, continuing the Dunling Plan while maintaining peace should be optimal, but she didn’t do it.”

Arthur looked down at the experimental field; from here, the Workshop seemed like a giant deep well.

”Did someone say something to you?”

”Hmm, Lorenzo came to see me not long ago. He feels betrayed by the Queen and vowed to strike back at her; I calmed him down, and there was also news from the Queen. She said she would explain this, but only Lorenzo could go. That’s when I became suspicious; the matter is already clear, what kind of reason will the Queen give to explain herself?”

”Her reason for controlling the progression?”

”Perhaps.”

In this dim observation room, only Galahad and Arthur were present; there was no third party, and the communication channel had been closed by Arthur earlier. Their conversation would not be known by a third person.

In the silence, Galahad’s gaze shifted slightly.

”Whether what you say is true or false, you are defying the Queen’s orders by doing this.”

”I know, but don’t worry, war is coming. As the Duke of a meritocratic family and Arthur of the Purification Mechanism, under such circumstances, no one can replace me; she needs me.”

Arthur stated his reliance.

”I never thought you were this suspicious.”

”It’s necessary vigilance, Galahad. Never forget what we are fighting against.”

Arthur looked at him seriously.

”We are fighting against Demons, these evil, unknowable Nightmares. Even the mighty Demon Hunting Order can collapse in one night, let alone us?”

”What if you’re wrong, or even deceiving me, trying to divide us?” Galahad asked.

”Then you should step forward.”

Arthur replied calmly, without a trace of emotion.

”Cruel to the enemy and cruel to ourselves.

I speak to you because of your position, Galahad. You now belong to the Cleaner Squad. As the backup plan for the collapse of the Purification Mechanism, you are the sword hanging above the Purification Mechanism. If I am wrong, you come to resolve and replace us, but if it’s the Platinum Palace’s mistake, I hope that at a critical moment, you’ll stand in a key position.”

Galahad was stunned, not expecting that Arthur said this just for this purpose; he needed this continuation, not the Platinum Palace or the Purification Mechanism, but the fight against Demons.

After experiencing these events, Arthur suspected the Platinum Palace, and now what he must do is ensure the Cleaners stay alert.

”The Cleaners will pay attention to this; we will strongly avoid a ’Night of the Holy Arrival’ event within us.”

”Then let’s watch the experiment; they’re starting.”

Eyes turned to the Workshop below; during their conversation, the first awakening attempt had begun. Lorenzo stood before William, his hands nervously hanging by his side.

”Are you sure you want to do this?”

Lorenzo was still a bit at a loss; he glanced at Merlin beside him, who responded with those hollow eyes.

”Sure, hurry up, Lorenzo. Don’t dawdle. Don’t you want to know what William discovered?”

”I... of course I do.”

Lorenzo didn’t continue speaking; instead, he looked toward William, who drooled and looked dazedly at him.

To be honest, this should be Lorenzo’s first time actively trying to alienate someone, turning them into those detestable Demons. It was hard to describe his feelings now, as if he had become part of the evil, its claws and teeth.

[Secret Blood Awakening 7%]

Without much dialogue, flames blazed under the sea-like calm eyes, igniting like a blazing flame, causing the entire sea surface to burn and boil, eventually turning into pure daylight.

These flames weren’t warm; on the contrary, they were extremely cold, as if impenetrable ice, filling everyone’s heart with a chilling coldness in an instant.

Light shone upon William’s face, like a rare gemstone attracting his gaze, as his turbid eyes gradually met Lorenzo’s.

”To invade his [Gap]?”

Lorenzo gazed at William, unable to stop thinking.

”Once you invade his [Gap], those so-called secrets will reveal themselves, but... should I really do this?”

Watson’s warning flashed before his eyes, the scarlet script revealing great fear and concern.

The blazing Purifying Flame continuously ascended, solidifying into light as if it were a solid.

”Geiger index is starting to rise.”

”The erosion is gradually spreading, open the water gate.”

”Water gate is open, beginning the infusion of Neutralizing Liquid.”

Voices traversed the channel; above the dome, Sword Dancers and Lancer Cavalry became alert, detecting the index change. Below, Lorenzo gradually awakened the Secret Blood, spreading erosion from within.

Meanwhile, the drizzle overhead intensified; Neutralizing Liquid poured down the channels along the well walls, finally pooling in ground grooves like a shrunken river.

”What is William’s status?”

Merlin, standing not far away, asked.

”Heart rate fluctuating greatly... he’s currently affected by erosion, feeling fear and dread...”

Medical personnel fed back the paper from the machine to Merlin.

”Ah! Ah!”

William let out meaningless terrified cries, like a babbling child unable to form complete sentences, but his aged face was already completely twisted, resembling a ferocious Evil Ghost.

Cold sweat slid from his neck, he struggled with effort, but his body was firmly locked in leather on the electric chair, rendering all resistance useless. Not far from him, the ghostly figure slowly approached.

This was like the blazing sun converging towards him, it burned fiercely, raising suffocating heat waves; as Lorenzo approached, William felt he could barely breathe, followed by phantom pain from his body.

He felt ablaze, roasted by the scorching sun; pain surged from every part of his body, every place illuminated by the light burned in misery, until it turned to ashes.

”It’s time to awaken, William.”

Lorenzo approached his face and said to the frightened pupils.

In the next moment, Secret Blood broke through the threshold, almost solidified erosion swept through the entire Workshop.