Gun of Ashes

”At that time, I had just joined the Purification Mechanism, and soon after, I was assigned to a scientific expedition with the aim of exploring the Silent Sea. Back then, I didn’t know the purpose behind this, but now it seems it was to pave the way for Merlin’s journey to the World’s End later... though it ultimately failed.”

Amidst the sound of pouring rain, Bola began his monologue.

Outside the porthole, the sky had completely darkened; this was the edge of the storm, yet still filled with thunder and lightning, as if the apocalypse had arrived.

Lorenzo didn’t feel oppressed; the fresh air reminded him of times spent in the castle, where he had recounted past stories to Bola and others in similar circumstances. This moment felt somewhat similar, only the listeners and the storyteller were different.

”Firstly... where should I start? Maybe I’ll just say what’s on my mind as my memories are too vague.”

Bola forcefully knocked his head, feeling frustrated over the vague memories.

”Back then, I was just an ordinary Lower-Rank Knight serving as a guard on the ship. The leader of this expedition was Knight Commander Lancelot.”

”Lancelot?”

Lorenzo expressed slight surprise, the silent Blue Jade beside him mirrored the same expression, and soon they both contemplated the upcoming story.

”Indeed, because the former Lancelot perished in the Silent Sea, which allowed Owes to become the next Lancelot... but that’s a story for another time.

This expedition was extremely important, and for that reason, it was led by a Knight Commander, using the most advanced steam ironclad ship of the time, the ’Horned Whale.’

Initially, the expedition proceeded smoothly; the Horned Whale was like a fortress moving across the sea. As we sailed towards the Viking nations, we encountered many Viking pirates, and considering the timeline, back then the King of the Ice Sea was merely a pirate leader, and internal wars within Viking nations were incessant, with Viking pirates looting at will.

They attacked us, but as you might imagine, under the advanced steam and steel, their wooden longships seemed like laughable ants to us, crushed mercilessly.”

Bola shook his head with a smile.

Compared to other ships, Viking longships appeared quite petite, yet they had shallow drafts, swift speed, and could turn agilely, mainly aimed at rapid coastal raids, not sudden attacks at sea.

”Back then, it was much like now, with heavy rain blurring the sea surface. They likely saw only the shadow and lights of our ship, mistaking us for a lost cargo ship, and charged over.

I don’t know how those Vikings felt at that time; regardless, their longships were engulfed by the waves, crashing against the ironclad hull, their warriors swallowed by the furious waves before they could even unleash their battle cries. Some furiously cursed us, hacking at the ship’s hull with their battle axes, leaving only shallow scratches.”

That was a simple victory; we didn’t even need to open fire, relying on the ship’s strength and the enveloping rain to largely defeat them.”

Bola seemed to recall something, then added.

”Some Vikings survived that sea battle and spread the word of our exploits. Within a few months, Vikings all knew of the existence of ironclad ships. Having been battling in the northern islands for so long, completely disconnected from the world, some even thought our appearance led to the unification of the Viking nations, knowing Odin’s faith could no longer rule the seas; true dominance rested in steel and cannons.”

The old era faded as a new era dawned.

”After that, we successfully reached the Viking nations. At that time, they hadn’t unified; each island was controlled by different lords, previously at war with each other, making it incredibly troublesome. Fortunately, we demonstrated adequate power; they had a degree of respect for us. Coupled with wealth and resources from Ingwig opening the way, these Vikings became more enthusiastic.

Vikings held a peculiar trait. I initially thought they would resent us, yet they seemed indifferent. Mentioning those pirates we killed, they’d laugh, saying they merely returned to the Heroic Spirit Hall—a good thing, indeed—truly a strange bunch. More perplexing was them inviting me that night to bow before Odin’s statue, claiming if we did, we’d become brothers.”

The memories gradually became clearer, and as Bola recalled this, his expression unfurled into something more nuanced.

”We took a brief respite, then inquired the Vikings about the Silent Sea. This time, these carefree Vikings suddenly turned solemn, keeping silent, refusing to mention the Silent Sea. No matter how much money we threw their way, they wouldn’t budge. Only after considerable effort did we pry open the mouth of one among them.”

”That guy said the Silent Sea is a forbidden sea. It is silent because something that must not be disturbed lurks beneath it. It’s so terrifying that there are no fish, no strong winds or waves, only a near-eternal silence in this sea.”

”So that’s why it’s called the Silent Sea?” Lorenzo said calmly.

”It has many names: the Land of Silence, the Sea of Death, the Domain of Storms and Silence. Some Vikings call it the Realm of the Dead, which is the Land of the Dead in their mythology. However, the exact location of that realm is beneath the Silent Sea, in the dark seabed. They believe that all who die at sea have their bodies carried by the currents to this dark seabed, gaining eternal silence.

Of course, the silence of the Silent Sea is relative. Once a ship enters the Silent Sea, you’d better pray not to make any sound and disturb anything. If you do make a sound and are discovered by what sleeps beneath the Silent Sea, then storms will rise above the sea, and you and your ship will be destroyed in thunder and lightning.”

”What is ’that thing’?” Lorenzo asked.

”I don’t know, and no one does. Perhaps someone has faced it, but those people are all dead.”

”In short, the Vikings who are usually outspoken fear and revere it to this extent. Even with our advanced technology, we have to take it seriously. Another issue is, we contacted the Vikings to find a navigator who knows about the Silent Sea and can take us there. However, no Viking is willing to help, even if we offer all our resources and wealth. To them, it is an absolutely dark place. If you die there, you will be swallowed by darkness, and even the Valkyries cannot save your soul from it. They can only wander between the dark seabeds, never reaching the sacred Heroic Spirit Hall.”

”Doesn’t anyone at the Purification Mechanism know about these things?”

”Not anymore. Our first expedition to the World’s End was during the mid-Radiant War, decades ago. It was forced by circumstances, and Ingwig obtained the knowledge regardless of cost, you could say it was entirely with lives. The survivors gradually fell ill and died one by one. The only ones left were the Victoria family, but they were also troubled by the King’s Curse.”

”Knowledge is cursed. Someone doesn’t want more people to know about the World’s End,” Lorenzo said.

”Pretty much. Actually, looking at it now, most of the world’s mysteries and oddities have traces to follow,” Bola said, ”They’re all protecting something: a person, a figure, or a secret.”

”But unfortunately, people themselves have many traits, possibly virtues or vices, like curiosity, adventurous spirit, and quest for knowledge. These drive us to touch things that should not be touched...”

Bola murmured softly.

”We eventually got some useful clues. The Vikings told us we could find Lord Willgardson, an eccentric and enigmatic lord. Unlike other lords who were eager for plunder, he was more inclined towards navigation. In his youth, he traveled through all the Viking nations by ship. It is said that he possesses the most complete nautical charts of the Viking nations.

In the following years, he sailed away from the Viking nations, wandered through every sea of the Western world, but he was not satisfied because he knew his charts were not complete.”

”Silent Sea.” Lorenzo whispered.

”Lord Froki Willgardson, the first among the Vikings who set sail for the Silent Sea and returned alive, but his voyage seemed to have encountered an accident. Most of his crew died, and his nautical charts remained incomplete. Some say he was cursed by that sea, but he did not succumb to the curse and continued to challenge the Silent Sea.”

”Then we set sail to find Lord Froki Willgardson. Everything went smoothly. The lord received us warmly in his longhouse, and it was then that I first learned detailed information about the Silent Sea.

The Viking legends were correct. Beneath the Silent Sea is the Realm of the Dead, but this is somewhat misleading. Rather than saying it’s the Realm of the Dead, it’s more like... the Realm of Demons.”

Piercing thunder fell, pale light pierced the sky and earth, casting a ghastly pallor over everyone’s faces in the cabin. In the damp air, the unknown and eerie slowly fermented.

Lorenzo’s eyes appeared a bit dazed, then immense joy released from them.

Yes, that’s right, there are no so-called gods or demons. This world only has one mystery after another, and they are cursed by a plague named Erosion. When you realize its existence, it proves you are not far from the truth.

”Continue, Bola.”

Lorenzo sat up straight, listening intently.