Gun of Ashes

”You saw the enemy cannon fire too, didn’t you? Do you think with the range of that artillery, and in the current state of the Black Teeth, we have any chance of retreating?”

Despite being seriously injured, Zeus’s mind was still quite clear.

”Such a powerful weapon must have some drawbacks, probably a slow reload, which means the enemy is reloading. Do you think once they finish reloading, they’ll just let us leave, or will they fire again to completely end us?”

Zeus clutched the steel with force, trying to stabilize himself as he spoke to the sailor through the iron.

”This isn’t just an attack; it’s also self-preservation. Their target will be distracted by other attacking ships, giving us a breather. Besides... Aren’t you enticed by that Ironclad ship, child?”

The sailor gulped. He and Zeus were separated by charred wreckage, with thunder’s glow illuminating Zeus’s burnt, ferocious face, like a detestable demon trapped in a cage.

At this moment, the demon was painting a beautiful future for the sailor, tempting him into action.

”Did you know? Ragnar Rodbrock, now the King of the Ice Sea, was once a pirate. He gained a kingdom through plundering.”

”What? Are you curious why I know so much about it?”

Zeus’s voice carried a magical allure, calling to the sailor.

”Because I once plundered with him, I watched him become the King of the Ice Sea step by step... Don’t you long for such achievements? Once we capture that Ironclad ship, it would be just the beginning. When we die, even Odin would be moved by our glory.”

The sailor stared straight at Zeus, his breathing quickened. The stormy sea pushed the Black Teeth towards the Morning Glow Advance, as if driven by fate.

”Moreover, even if you die, do you want to die fleeing or to die heroically in battle?”

Zeus’s voice was slightly weak. He didn’t have much strength left to climb the mast; now the sailor was his only hope, the extension of his ambition, promising an illusionary beauty in exchange for his soul.

The sailor’s body trembled slightly. He looked deeply at Zeus with reddened eyes, then shouted aloud.

”Attack!”

...

”We can’t let them get any closer!”

Notar shouted loudly.

Everyone understood his concern: if those six Ironclad ships surrounded the Morning Glow Advance, even the sturdiest armor would collapse under successive bombardments, not to mention their ram tactic.

No matter how much trust there was in the craftsmanship of the Perpetual Motion Pump, Lorenzo didn’t dare let the Morning Glow Advance take even one hit from a ram.

The course of this battle far exceeded his expectations; it was nearing a small-scale naval engagement. He wasn’t worried about the Morning Glow Advance sinking, as their chances of victory with the current firepower were still good.

Lorenzo was concerned that if the Morning Glow Advance sustained too much damage here, they would have to stay longer in the Viking regions for repairs, possibly affecting their mission in the Silent Sea.

Compared to taking down a bunch of pirates, saving the world seemed much more important.

”Notar, you handle the counter-fire! Bola, come with me!”

Lorenzo handed over command to Notar and motioned for Bola to follow him.

The two rushed through the swaying passageway. Bola had no idea what Lorenzo was up to, so he shouted at him.

”What are you going to do?”

He thought Lorenzo was taking him to the deck to fight off the pirates climbing aboard, but Lorenzo led him downward instead.

”Since it’s a combat exercise, let’s make it thoroughly combat-oriented!”

Lorenzo spoke words Bola didn’t understand, but soon Bola realized his intent. The two stopped before a massive circular hatch.

At that moment, his anxious heart calmed down, only to be covered by an indescribable dread. It seeped through the hatch’s seams and gently knocked on their hearts.

”In an age where Ironclad ships and artillery prevail, are you interested in trying a primitive, thrilling boarding battle?”

Lorenzo smiled as he looked at him.

With Lorenzo’s finishing words, the circular hatch slowly began to turn, rolling to one side, opening the door.

Beyond the door was murky darkness, with menacing outlines looming within.

Bola held his breath momentarily, looking to the other side where Lorenzo, now serious, said with a straight face.

”Come on, Bola, you provide support, I’ll handle the surprise attack.”

The two stepped through the hatch. As the lights flickered on, cold yet vibrant armor stood tall within, flesh entwined with steel, agitated further as if they had sensed the presence of living beings.

The black Iron Feathers reflected the room’s scenery. On a tall weapon rack were new weapons from the Perpetual Motion Pump.

Lorenzo finally stopped in front of the armor, looking up to gaze at it.

”What’s the matter?”

Bola asked while organizing his equipment.

To facilitate using the armor, the Perpetual Motion Pump had been optimized for easy fuel management, enabling use without technical assistance.

”Nothing, just realizing it’s been a long time since I’ve seen this armor.”

Lorenzo gently stroked the sharp Iron Feathers, saying nothing more.

Since the Fall of Reichenbach, he was finally reunited with the Black Angel. Before him stood this twisted creation of flesh and steel, but Lorenzo knew it was the vessel of his friend’s final resting place.

Lorenzo put aside these messy thoughts, climbed the ladder to the back of the Black Angel’s neck. The armor was already open, revealing its inner structure wrapped in flesh.

Having sensed Lorenzo’s presence, the flesh pulsated even more. Generally silent when not activated, it was now showing signs of growth, with thin limbs raised, as if welcoming Lorenzo back.

”Wait a minute, Bola, what’s this thing?”

Lorenzo was halfway inside when he suddenly noticed something new on the Black Angel.

”New equipment, installed by Merlin. It was originally for Owes, but he died. Merlin didn’t want it gathering dust, so he thought of you.”

Bola stood on the Weapon Master’s shoulder. This Second Generation Armor was covered in plating, with a massive lance mounted on the shoulder, resembling Lancer Cavalry armament.

”He analyzed it, saying the Black Angel is well-suited for this equipment. You would use it to remarkable effect... Those were his words.”

”Is that so...”

Lorenzo glanced at it, then at the blackness below him, where the flesh had already awakened, seemingly wanting to devour him.

Owes.

Lorenzo vaguely remembered this person, with not much interaction between them, and he wasn’t even sure if they had met.

Yet now Lorenzo was donning his equipment, which felt a bit odd.

”I’m going ahead.”

Bola said before activating the Weapon Master. Indicator lights turned on one by one, and the platform beneath began to ascend slowly, sending the Weapon Master onto the deck.

”Weapon Master joining the combat sequence.”

This voice echoed within the Morning Glow Advance.

Watching the departing Weapon Master, Lorenzo stopped thinking too much, squeezing himself into the armor. The flesh guided the armor’s closure, with various indicators resuming their parameters.

Authentication successful.

The massive cables connected to the armor snapped with a sound.

Fuel injection complete, auxiliary fuel tanks filled.

Lacquered Antimony began to burn, engines roared to life, the armor’s scales gently undulated as if alive, breathing.

Upon sensing the armor’s activation, gears began to turn, surrounded by a complex series of clicks.

The Black Angel was lifted by the mechanical platform below, with structures above unfolding one by one until revealing a cloudy night sky. Cold rain poured down, soaking the armor.

Lorenzo awaited changes in his vision, feeling the connection between his body and the armor, softly speaking.

”Black Angel joining the combat sequence.”