Gun of Ashes

The loud and distant sound of the steam whistle echoed, as the Morning Glow Advance cut through the icy waters and quietly docked on the sea surface of Willerte, savoring the attention it received.

As the latest creation of the Perpetual Motion Pump, this counted as its maiden voyage, heading not for some harsh battlefield, but to an unexplored, unknown land.

”What is...that...”

The Vikings on the dock all paused their work, looking from afar at the Morning Glow Advance.

Its armor was covered in scars, as if returning from the battlefield. Under Lorenzo’s gesture, the crew used waterproof cloth to cover Ascalon, but its massive silhouette stretched the cloth into a menacing shadow, sparking imagination.

Lorenzo stepped onto the dock, observing the somewhat dazed eyes of the Vikings. He recalled Ingwig’s past; those who had witnessed Jiuxia Fleet must have worn the same expressions.

Two entirely alien civilizations collided here, with no one knowing what might happen.

”Are we waiting here for someone to receive us?”

Selyu followed closely beside Lorenzo, asking softly.

”Probably so, after all, our identities are not that of mere travelers, best not to do anything outlandish.”

Bola stepped forward, carefully arranging his attire before disembarking, hoping for the fortunate chance to meet the King of the Ice Sea; Bola did not wish to lose his manners.

”But...are you sure you can go like that?”

Bola looked uneasily at Lorenzo, who had returned to his usual clothes, a black-gray coat with a hem nearly reaching his knees.

Very ordinary, very normal, his taste in clothing marking Lorenzo as a foreigner, yet not overly noticeable, although this only applied to those who hadn’t dealt with Lorenzo before.

He held a cane in his hand, with a vague bulge at his waist, Bola could easily guess what was going on.

”Are you planning to assassinate the King of the Ice Sea?”

Bola couldn’t help but ask.

”Just always being prepared, Bola, our operation has already begun.”

Lorenzo smiled at him, Mr. Holmes was always fully armed.

”I’ll stay on the ship, this is foreign land after all, someone must guard the Morning Glow Advance.”

Notar did not proceed with the others, but stayed at the dock.

”Can you handle it alone?” Blue Jade asked, a bit worried.

”Absolutely, there’s also plenty that requires my attention, like handling trade for example; we brought three cargo ships.” Notar gestured towards the sea, where the slowly moving cargo ships were just now entering.

”Just follow the list I gave you for the trade, there are also Stuart people on the cargo ships to assist you.” Selyu said to Notar.

”I understand, so see you on the ship then.”

Notar waved to the group as they strode forward onto the cold frozen ground.

”The Viking countries, huh? Feels really different, a bit old-fashioned, makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.”

Bola breathed in the icy air, the world he saw carried a tinge of ice-blue, looking up at the dome overhead, dense clouds covered most of the sunlight.

”Are you saying this place is backward?” Lorenzo pinpointed the core.

”No, I’m just thinking about what you said before regarding faith. I feel there’s still an echo of faith here, a reverent and sacred echo.”

Bola saw the upright wooden carvings, roughly depicting the image of Odin, among the passing crowd, people had war paint on their faces.

”Feels like stepping into a bygone era,” Selyu commented. ”What do you think, Lorenzo?”

Lorenzo was silent, quietly observing everything, then responded.

”Perhaps; there is a certain subtle feeling, but if you ask me... Seven Hills is far more splendid than here.”

”But such a place like Seven Hills isn’t suitable for you; you’d be suffocated by all the rules and formalities there, while here it’s just blood and honor, the ultimate resting place for warriors.”

A familiar voice sounded from ahead, as a Viking strode forward, opening his arms to the group.

”Hei! Bo! De!”

Lorenzo also opened his arms wide, shouting loudly.

The voice shook the heavens and the earth, its drawn-out echo deliberately exaggerated, and just when Hebdo heard Lorenzo’s peculiar cry, his excited face collapsed, his steps slowed, and his gaze wandered, seemingly looking for another way out.

The joy of reunion vanished instantly, in the public eye, Hebdo really did not want to acknowledge Lorenzo, clearly underestimating the worsening of Lorenzo’s condition after just a few days apart, running towards Hebdo with arms wide open making escape impossible.

”Yo! Hebdo! Long time no see!”

Lorenzo grasped his arm, looking every bit the good brother.

”Let me introduce you,” Lorenzo began, ”this is Hebdo Aguilar, this large cold face is Blue Jade, this small cold face is Selyu Stuart.”

Lorenzo approached Hebdo’s ear, pointing at Selyu, whispering.

”The current Duke Stuart, a walking treasury. This time round, she’s the highlight of the trade.”

Hebdo could only manage a bitter smile, just minutes into the meeting, he already felt exhausted.

Looking to the last member of the group, Hebdo recognized Bola, at Maruri’s last, he and Tesla drove the boat back to Ingwig with the others.