Gun of Ashes

Lorenzo placed it on the table and used the Nail Sword to unseal the package. The box was filled with crumpled newspapers, among which lay an exquisite crown.

Describing it as a crown was somewhat inaccurate; it wasn’t so lavish, rather quite plain. The metal surface bore the marks of forging, with dents and dimples, like a simple craftwork, twisted metal entangled together, resembling coiled branches and tree roots.

Lorenzo picked it up; the cold touch held a familiar sensation he could hardly forget.

Holy Silver, this was a crown entirely forged from Holy Silver.

In an instant, Lorenzo grasped the significance of the package, then he picked up a card buried in the crumpled papers, with lines and lines of addresses written on it. Most of the addresses were within the Holy Evangelical Pope Kingdom, with only a few involving other regions such as Ingwig.

”The address to the new pope, Sainy Loter’s safehouse, containing weapons and supplies, as well as the crown to prevent the ’Gap’ invasion.”

Lorenzo read the handwriting above.

This was all the information, but its significance was profound.

Lorenzo picked up the crown, playing with it, eyes lowered, thinking carefully.

According to Watson’s intelligence, as long as Lorenzo had this crown, he could resist the ’Gap’ invasion to a certain extent.

This was material from the so-called new pope. If all these safehouses belonged to him, then the new pope must also be privy to this information, likely understanding it earlier than anyone else, which explains why he could establish so many safehouses sooner, embedding them with the precious Holy Silver Crown.

These safehouses exist to combat the Silencers, scattered across every piece of land outside the Seven Hills.

Lorenzo thought backwards, a bad feeling in his heart about what the new pope had encountered, leading him to set up so many safehouses... Perhaps he had long been targeted by the Silencers, trapped in endless pursuit.

In this case, everything seemed reasonable. Why the new Order had not continued any actions and the Seven Hills had remained silent in the face of harsh circumstances.

They were entangled by something, without the strength to concern themselves with other matters.

Lorenzo felt a headache, as if the world was truly approaching a new era, where all outdated things would be settled, everything advancing so abruptly and aggressively, leaving no time for any preparation.

He was trying to think more when a knock at the door distracted him. Lorenzo instinctively hid the crown, tucking it into the pile of old clothes.

”Mr. Holmes, I’ve come to pick you up.”

Blue Jade opened the door, looking indifferent, eyelids drooping, seemingly sleepy, yet also appearing unconcerned about everything around.

”Hmm, let’s go then.”

Lorenzo didn’t say much, put on his coat, picked up his cane, his gaze catching the calendar pinned to the wall, today’s date circled in red; today Lorenzo was to meet the queen.

He got into the carriage, pulling up the curtains. As the wheels rolled, the black carriage started moving swiftly towards the Platinum Palace.

”Good morning, Lorenzo.”

The fellow sitting across from Lorenzo greeted him, somewhat unexpectedly, but not entirely surprising; Lorenzo responded.

”Good morning, Arthur, why are you here?”

”Why do you think I’m here? Naturally to prevent you from killing the queen with a single sword stroke.”

Arthur said while lifting his coat, revealing a pistol strapped to his waist. Despite the close range offering no threat to Lorenzo, Arthur insisted on showing his weaponry.

”The plan has changed last minute, Lorenzo.” Arthur said.

Lorenzo frowned, sensing something ominous.

”What’s wrong again?”

”Nothing much,” Arthur smiled, signaling Lorenzo not to be nervous, ”but this time you’re not the only one meeting the queen.”

”Who else?” Lorenzo asked.

”I’m going with you. You know, Lorenzo, you’re not the only one dissatisfied with the situation; I too was taken aback by these damned orders, and I want to ask the queen what she truly intends to do.”

Arthur said, it turns out this time he was unexpectedly Lorenzo’s ally on the same front.

”Just like that, starting a war for no reason, although we are loyal to the queen, there always needs to be a proper reason. As for maintaining supremacy, such a reason is ridiculous; we just need to continue researching technology to remain dominant, without any need for something like war.”

Although from a meritorious family, Arthur’s words revealed a deep disdain for war, reminding Lorenzo of the books he read, briefly introducing the renowned Phoenix family.

The family was powerful and fearful, yet in reality, few bore the Phoenix surname; most had perished in the Radiant War. Lorenzo vaguely remembered, Eve seemed to be the family’s last bloodline.

Viewing Arthur’s aversion to war this way made more sense. During the century-long Radiant War, the Phoenix family lost too much; Arthur couldn’t, nor could he allow further loss.

”Besides, Merlin wanted to come too, but he’s too injured, and don’t be deceived by his youthful appearance, that’s just a failed experiment; his actual age might be older than mine.”

Arthur said somewhat sentimentally, Merlin counted as someone who had worked with him for the longest time.