Gun of Ashes

”Do demons behave this way too?”

Lorenzo found it unbelievable; demons do indeed have a certain instinct to seek benefits and avoid harm, but what could possibly make so many demons fear it?

”Yes, what I’m about to discuss is the mystery in my memory, though it’s not really a mystery. I just can’t confirm whether it’s reality or an illusion.”

Bola coughed forcefully a few times, then spoke in a deep voice.

”Before I fell unconscious, in my last memory, I saw a shadow beneath the ice. In the reflection of the light beams, it was so clear, like an enormous serpent moving under the ice. I think the ice cracking and the demons fleeing were all due to its appearance, and from what I could observe, that giant serpent was at least several hundred meters long.

I saw pitch-black shields tumbling within the ice cracks. Those weren’t shields, but massive scales one after another...”

Lorenzo’s expression became grave; such a serpent couldn’t possibly exist in this world. Even the crystallization of human industry, the Morning Glow Advance beneath his feet, is only about eighty meters long; how could a creature be so large?

No, it might not be a creature...

Bola’s words paused, and he looked into Lorenzo’s eyes. Without direct speech, both read something from each other’s gaze.

Creatures can’t be this enormous, but that doesn’t mean demons can’t be. They’ve encountered giant demons before, and with this bizarre force, anything is possible.

”Do you think there’s such a giant serpent lurking beneath the Silent Sea?”

”I don’t know. Perhaps it’s just my illusion?”

”What happened after?”

”After?”

Bola’s words paused for a moment before continuing.

”When I woke again, I was lying on a Viking longship, covered with layers of animal skins. There were few people left on the ship; Froki was alive too, saying I was lucky, as only I survived among the Horned Whale’s crew.

I was very weak at that time, feeling like I’d been unconscious for several days. Froki didn’t tell me how I survived from that ghostly place, but he kept mumbling about sacrifices.”

”He didn’t kill you but saved you?”

Lorenzo felt something was amiss and stared at Bola, sensing Bola might be hiding something.

”Yes, it’s very strange, isn’t it?”

Bola muttered, repeatedly stroking the revolver’s metallic surface, feeling its coldness.

”Froki said he needed someone to get the word out about this place. I understood his meaning; his operation failed, and he needed another Iron Armored ship to draw more attention to this sea area.

I’m not quite sure what gives Froki such confidence. He rescued me just like that and let me return to Ingwig.

That’s the end of the story.”

The atmosphere in the cabin fell into a prolonged silence; under the rocking of the waves, no one spoke, still seemingly lost in the story Bola had told.

”Was that all of it? You’re not hiding anything, are you?” Lorenzo asked.

”Some minor details that don’t significantly affect the story’s direction,” Bola replied calmly.

”But there is more to this incident, when Merlin set off for the Silent Sea, bringing enough weapons and ammunition, ready to avenge Froki. However, that guy disappeared, and it’s unclear where he went. With time pressing, Merlin didn’t linger. They successfully ventured into the Silent Sea based on my information, but encountered challenges from demons and nature along the way, with only a few people seemingly surviving in the end.”

”And then comes our next action.”

As the advisor for this mission, Bola felt it was time to explain the upcoming journey to Lorenzo.

”We’ll temporarily stay in the Viking nations for supplies and engage in trade talks with the Stuart family, and then...”

”And then we go to see the Shipbuilder Froki, right?”

Lorenzo quickly interjected, feeling he had guessed correctly from Bola’s earlier reactions.

Bola hesitated, then replied helplessly.

”Yes, we have to see the Shipbuilder Froki. It’s undeniable he surpasses us in understanding the Silent Sea; the Purification Mechanism once suspected that Merlin returned without success precisely because there wasn’t a navigator sufficiently familiar with the Silent Sea... After all, he indeed brought me out alive from there.”

”Will you kill him? I sense your hatred.” Lorenzo asked again.

”No, I separate work and personal vendettas very clearly,” Bola replied, ”I’ll protect him with my life until the mission ends, and after it ends, I’ll shoot him without hesitation, just like that.”

”Sounds good.”

In this aspect, Lorenzo still trusts Bola; now he’s no longer that ridiculous record-keeper. Over the years, Bola has transformed into the ruler of Lower City District, the Butcherbird Bola.

”And besides, this time our Iron Armor ship is more advanced than before, using revolutionary fuel, not to mention those ready Armor of Original Sin... and you.”

Bola seemed much more invigorated, not even realizing the deep yearning within himself for the Silent Sea; he wanted to know what lay at the end of the light beam.

”Me?”

”Yes, with so much technological iteration and the inclusion of you, the Demon Hunter, we might just push directly into the Silent Sea.”

Bola slapped the Funeral Bell on the table with great momentum.

”Once we only had Iron Armor and swords, facing the evil anomaly’s unknown, we were forced back step by step. But now it’s different; the flame of hope burns fiercely. Every advance of human reason and technology forces ignorance and evil anomaly back until we drive it away completely.”

”You want to push right through, fighting endless demons and that possibly non-existent giant serpent?”

Lorenzo thought Bola was insane, yet he also felt a slight... delight. Lorenzo was nearly persuaded by Bola.

”Why do you think we’re carrying so many weapons?”

Bola’s eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, and the anger and hatred from his memories overlapped. He rarely showed his emotions, but now he did without reservation.

”This voyage will determine the direction of the world; the Queen’s intention is... by any means, at any cost.”

Blue Jade aptly added, the words brimming with the scent of gunpowder.

”Is that so?”

At this point, Lorenzo had a moment of realization; he suddenly understood this was not a fleet searching for hope but rather an elite army. Their purpose was clear, allowing no obstacles, be they demons or whatever serpent, to get in their way.

The torrential rain poured down; the storm seemed to be chasing the Morning Glow Advance. So much time had passed, yet the storm still lingered nearby as if the ship hadn’t moved at all, staying in the same place.

”Well then, let’s call it a day. Everyone rest up.”

Lorenzo stood up; he had heard enough stories for today and should attend to other matters.

Pushing open the cabin door, the biting wind hit him, dispelling the notion of taking a stroll. Being swept into the sea under such conditions would be challenging for him to climb back up, even as a Demon Hunter.

Blue Jade nodded to Lorenzo; she rarely spoke and soon disappeared down the corridor. Next was Bola, who tightly gripped the revolver, ready to leave but stopped by Lorenzo.

”Did you get this gun from the Silent Sea?”

Lorenzo asked. Based on the story and Bola’s reactions, he sensed a connection.

”More or less... a memento.”

Upon being asked, Bola seemed tense, like a little secret had been uncovered.

”Does the part you’re hiding relate to it?” Lorenzo’s intuition was sharp in odd places.

”More or less, are you very curious?”

Lorenzo nodded without hesitation, his eyes sparkling. As his old employer, Lorenzo was deeply curious about Bola’s tragic memories.

”Better left unsaid; everyone has a dark corner in their heart, hiding those utterly filthy things.”

Bola bluntly refused Lorenzo.