Gun of Ashes

How many days has it been since Lorenzo left?

In the morning of Old Dunling, Eve stood at the street corner looking to one side, the Winchester Law Firm was shrouded in darkness.

Every time she was on duty, Eve would pass by here, sometimes barging through the door, adding plenty of trouble to Lorenzo’s breakfast, other times she would pause briefly, then leave.

As usual, after seeing Lorenzo off at Reindona Port, Winchester Law Firm closed its doors, enveloped in darkness, maintaining silence.

Despite knowing Lorenzo had already left, Eve still habitually stopped for a moment, then walked to the office door, scrutinizing its odd decorations.

Even though she helped clean Lorenzo’s messy room a bit, the exterior of the office remained chaotic. Worst was that ridiculous sign of Lorenzo’s, it seemed he never bothered to maintain it; the lights were long dead, and the steel was covered in rough rust, resembling an abandoned place.

”Such a lifestyle is really hard to describe.”

Eve lightly brushed her fingers over the worn-out sofa beside the door, covered with dust, which Lorenzo hadn’t bothered to wipe clean.

Shaking her head helplessly, Eve gradually got used to Lorenzo’s terrible lifestyle, as she was about to leave, something suddenly struck her, and she turned abruptly to look at the door.

With her palm pressed against the door, Eve pushed it open with little effort.

Eve didn’t think Lorenzo would be foolish enough to forget to lock the door, nor did she believe that guy would jump ship halfway and sneak back, so who opened the office door?

Lorenzo’s roommate? That guy died years ago, Mrs. Van Rudd? She also left a long time ago.

Who could it be then? A thief? But such a shabby-looking place probably wouldn’t attract many thieves.

Thinking so, Eve pushed the gap wider, until she pushed the whole door open, revealing the still fairly tidy living room.

She tiptoed in, her intuition told her that the intruder who entered the office hadn’t left.

Eve’s mind was somewhat peculiar at the moment, she retrieved the folding blade from her waist, gently prying the metal apart, silently drawing the blade out.

Just like a hunting leopard, she crouched down, moving silently forward.

Her face didn’t show a hint of fear but was filled with excitement.

Once, Eve was considered a lady, supposedly dressed in splendid gowns, dancing in lavish parties, but at a certain moment, her life took a drastic turn, the girl tore the dress and gripped a sharp knife, turning into what so-called Ingwig Valkyrie.

Sometimes Eve also pondered, if she hadn’t taken that step, how would her life turn out, would it become the story Arthur mentioned, marriage and kids, living out her days on a peaceful island?

Later on, Eve realized it wasn’t her choosing such a thrilling life and making the change, but rather this world chose her.

Eve possessed a restless heart, as Arthur unlocked her restraints, this restlessness intensified, at the last in Maruri Port, Eve faintly recognized this version of herself, facing danger without pressure, but rather excitedly wielding the blade forward.

This was Eve’s true self, the previous grace and etiquette were merely Arthur’s taming of her wild nature.

Eve reached the kitchen’s edge, cupboards were all left open, with leftover food scraps on the floor, it seemed that person stayed here for some time, apparently hungry, hastily grabbing things to eat.

Walking to the side, Eve remembered something, a slight smile appeared uncontrollably on her face.

During that celebratory night, Red Falcon for some unknown reason started an argument with Lorenzo, the two embraced heaps of beer, determined to drink the other under, back then Red Falcon was already somewhat muddled, with his not-so-bright mind, he actually aimed to compete with Lorenzo.

The outcome was predictable, Lorenzo hadn’t even exerted effort before Red Falcon collapsed.

Red Falcon fell to the ground, clutching a beer bottle while dry heaving, just as he lost control and was about to vomit, Lorenzo tossed him out amidst cheers.

That was a delightful night, not just for Lorenzo, but for Eve, and to say every person there.

Eve had attended those banquets too, lavish with rare delicacies, everywhere were dignitaries, but Eve didn’t fancy such, everyone dressed in their finest clothing, with feigned smiles on their faces amidst the stern and oppressive atmosphere.

This counted as her first time attending such a relaxed... banquet? Maybe it could be considered so, everyone dressing the same way, eating, drinking, and having fun together; for Eve, it was her first time realizing the concept of friends.

The living room on the first floor was soon thoroughly searched, Mrs. Van Rudd’s room preserved very well, showing no signs of tampering, which made Eve feel curious, it seemed the intruder wasn’t here for money, otherwise, the entire office would have been ransacked.

Eve started hoping the thief didn’t steal anything, as Lorenzo’s office everywhere held surprises, who knows, you might discover some firearms in some drawer, or even things related to Demon; if so, dealing with this would require troubling the Cleaner Squad.

Was the intruder motivated by hunger? It didn’t seem necessary either, if truly starving, logically one should steal from a bakery, not here, what would you steal here? Mushrooms growing out of Lorenzo’s pants?