Gun of Ashes

”And then there’s the weapons configuration... you all come over here too.”

Merlin noticed the people behind him and called out to them.

Lorenzo also looked behind Merlin, where a few colleagues who were traveling with them were ready. However, due to a shortage of manpower, the Purification Mechanism only assigned two companions to Lorenzo for this mission.

Bola and Blue Jade stood like guards, not far from Lorenzo, with stern expressions, looking as if they were protecting their employer.

”I’ve already obtained intelligence from Arthur about these things, like that Silencer,” Merlin now knew everything.

”Don’t be too surprised; the Queen allowed it. She said the Silencers’ focus had been diverted to something else, so we could share information during this brief time.”

This was a rare moment to catch their breath, the only chance to fight back amid the long despair.

”So, do you all know as well?”

Lorenzo knew the Queen would do this, but who knew she would act so quickly. He looked at Bola and Blue Jade and asked.

”Yes.”

Bola and Blue Jade nodded together and then said.

”On this voyage, only the three of us know the truth. We will assist you in reaching the World’s End.”

Just like the journey to Gaulunaro, others were deceived by one lie after another. Members of the Purification Mechanism thought they were going to the Viking nations for technical exchanges, and Selyu thought Lorenzo was here to protect the shipping route. These were secondary; reaching the World’s End was the primary goal.

”There’s no telling what’s out in the open sea, not to mention the Silent Sea,” Merlin continued. ”According to the intelligence, a fleet suddenly departed from Maruri Port recently. We don’t know their destination, but departing recklessly under these circumstances... worst-case scenario, you might encounter them.

Plus, those damn pirates—the Ice Sea King ended the civil war, but a significant number of pirates remain out of control. Their whereabouts are mysterious and will be a major obstacle to your mission.”

Merlin coughed a few times, pulling a wry smile on his otherwise expressionless face.

”That’s why we equipped you with the Armor of Original Sin. One set is the First Generation Armor Black Angel that you’re familiar with, Lorenzo; another set is the Second Generation Armor Weapon Master once driven by Bola. There’s also a new Third Generation Armor, but since Blue Jade lacks driving experience, it’s being carried as a backup. All the specifics are written in the equipment manual—make sure to take a look.”

”Do we really need such things just to deal with pirates or in Gaulunaro?” Lorenzo understood firsthand the power of the Armor of Original Sin; if used properly, such weapons could cause great harm.

”Indeed, it’s mainly to counter some of the ghostly things of the Silent Sea. I’ll spare you the details here—let Bola explain later.”

Mentioning the ghostly things of the Silent Sea, Bola’s expression was noticeably tense, haunted by those terrible memories.

”Don’t let your guard down, Lorenzo. The outcome of this voyage will determine the world’s course.”

As he spoke those final words, Merlin reached out, intending to pat Lorenzo’s shoulder, but being confined to a wheelchair, he couldn’t reach. He just grabbed at the air and then helplessly withdrew his hand.

”Do you have anything else to say? You came in person; it feels like you take this more seriously than anyone else.”

Lorenzo asked. Arthur and the Queen were nowhere in sight; he understood this might be to keep things low-key, but it seemed overly discreet.

Just as Merlin said, the outcome of this voyage will determine the world’s course.

”Of course, it’s the World’s End after all—the place where the legendary Golden Dawn once existed. Perhaps the world’s ’Truth’ is hidden there.”

Merlin recalled his own voyage, unable to forget it.

”I walked on that vast glacier with overwhelming excitement, being so close to the ’Truth’... but in the end, it rejected me. I couldn’t find any clues, and nearly everyone else died, turning into hard ice sculptures in the cold wind.”

Merlin sighed deeply.

”I almost didn’t make it back, nearly dying there, disheartened.”

Merlin could no longer go himself; sending Lorenzo here was the end of his journey.

”Don’t worry; I’ll bring back what we need. Maybe I’ll even capture a Secret Keeper for you—whether you want to dissect him or interrogate him is up to you.”

Lorenzo replied with a smile. It was a terrible joke, but it seemed to amuse Merlin, twisting his expression into a grimace before he calmed down and sternly said to Lorenzo.

”We’ve all walked into a dead end, betting our lives on the game, and you know that very well, right?”

Lorenzo nodded stiffly. Currently, the Silencers couldn’t attend to this matter, allowing those who knew the cursed knowledge to survive peacefully. But this peace couldn’t last forever. Once the Silencers finished their work, if the mission failed, and the cycle couldn’t be broken, all those aware would be hunted and killed.

Whether it was Merlin, Arthur, Bola, or Blue Jade, knowing the truth meant they had already begun a slow death. This voyage was not only to break the cycle but also to save themselves.

”Trust me,” Lorenzo said.

Merlin shook his head, a bit pessimistic, and said.

”Don’t mind my pessimism; we must plan for everything... Lorenzo, don’t let more people know; otherwise, they will be drawn in.”

Lorenzo paused.

Merlin had nothing more to say, having covered everything. The medical staff came over and wheeled him away.

Lorenzo thought of someone and turned to see the busy Selyu. He figured this was Merlin’s warning; Selyu knew nothing about any of this, and she shouldn’t know.

”We’ll part ways with her in the Viking nations. She will stay there for negotiations while we head to the World’s End.”

Bola seemed to notice Lorenzo’s concern and came over to say.

Lorenzo remained silent, not responding to Bola. He paused for a long time before slowly saying.

”Indeed, shall we board the ship?”

Everything was moving on track. As the command ship, Lorenzo, Bola, and others boarded the Morning Glow Advance. The crew smiled and nodded at Lorenzo, most of them members of Nordro, with the rest being well-trained soldiers, all from the Purification Mechanism.

Selyu also boarded the Morning Glow Advance. Her loyal but aging steward intended to accompany her, but time eventually made him yield, entrusting everything to Lorenzo.

For safety, Lorenzo also had Selyu board the same ship as him. Not only did it keep her close, but on these vast seas, should a naval battle occur, this ship, modified by the Perpetual Motion Pump, would become the safest bastion.

In this dark ship hold, perhaps there wasn’t a fully prepared army, but Lorenzo knew it hid creatures far more terrifying than an army.

”We’ll be at sea for a long time. Are you mentally prepared?”

Lorenzo asked Selyu as she leaned on the railing, looking down at the port below. Thick fog rolled out as the ship awakened and prepared to depart.

”It’s easy; we’ve had worse experiences before, haven’t we?”

Selyu rarely smiled, causing Lorenzo to momentarily lose his focus. Then he remembered what she referred to.

Long ago, when Lorenzo rescued Selyu from Gaulunaro, they returned on a ship, hiding in the dark hold, living with a bunch of stinking dead fish, enduring the cold and hardship before finally reaching Ingwig. Compared to then, the current conditions were undoubtedly much better.

”Then... it’s time to depart.”

As Lorenzo spoke, a loud horn sounded, followed by more noise. Amidst the thick fog, the ship sailed away from Reindona Port.