Gun of Ashes

Bola stood in place, his gaze met Hebdo’s, and for a moment, they seemed to understand each other’s expressions.

”Are you used to it?” Hebdo looked at Bola.

”What else?” Bola responded sadly.

Strangely enough, the two remained silent, and only through their gaze deepened their friendship significantly.

...

”It feels good to be on solid ground.”

Lorenzo reclined in a soft chair, utterly relaxed.

This place is completely different from Ingwig, with chairs piled high with animal skins, enveloping Lorenzo’s body, a fire burned in the center, warming the surroundings.

This is a longhouse in the dense forest, compared to other buildings in Willerte, it seems very secluded but also very peaceful, only Lorenzo’s group exists nearby.

”You can stay here for the next few days.”

Hebdo arranged everything for everyone, the journey by sea was exhausting, and everyone slumped in their chairs, listening to Hebdo’s explanations.

”Who used to live here?”

Lorenzo casually observed and found all living necessities present, although most were dusty, seemingly unused for a long time.

A Viking longhouse being idle, it doesn’t quite add up.

”Ivar, this is his residence. Because it’s secluded, he was quite fond of it,” Hebdo replied.

”I see...ah.”

Lorenzo didn’t expect this, he felt like he asked the wrong question.

”It’s okay, most of his personal belongings are packed, although some areas haven’t been cleaned yet, it’s been busy recently.” Hebdo gestured for Lorenzo not to mind.

Selyu observed the two, she roughly understood the situation.

”Is it because of the impending war?” Bola asked something else.

”Yes, war requires not only military strength but also logistics, we’re hastening the allocation of supplies and gathering personnel,” Hebdo sighed, upon returning to the Viking nations, he hadn’t had a chance to rest, ”the Viking nations have more than ten Lords, and starting a war needs their soldiers.”

”What’s their intention?” Lorenzo asked.

”It’s okay, although there’s resistance from Ingwig and some dissatisfaction, it’s unavoidable, this is the King’s order, if they don’t comply, it will once again plunge the Viking nations into civil war.”

Hebdo looked troubled but quickly shifted the conversation.

”But it’s not all bad, the King promised benefits to the Lords, as long as the war is victorious, everyone is able to share the spoils.”

Lorenzo frowned, he wanted to say something but decided against it.

”Then concerning the upcoming itinerary, I’ve looked over it too. First is Duke Stuart’s task, someone will coordinate with you later, the trade will be settled here, then it’s off to Ice Bay to discuss internal transportation matters with Lord Willgardson, and maintaining the Morning Glow Advance.”

Hebdo wrote and jotted down notes in his book.

”Then, regarding the Silent Sea...”

”Let’s talk about this later, Hebdo.”

Before Hebdo finished speaking, Lorenzo interrupted him, saying.

”Rare chance to rest, let’s not talk about work for now... Hebdo, come over here.”

Lorenzo stood up, walked to the side, flipping through the package brought from the Morning Glow Advance.

”What?”

Hebdo asked in confusion as he walked over, Lorenzo seemed secretive, then suddenly jumped and shoved the book in Hebdo’s face.

”Victoria’s Secret sequel!”

Lorenzo shouted excitedly, while Hebdo looked startled, he tried to grab the book and quickly threw it out the window, but Lorenzo was thrilled, shaking and muttering nonsense.

”Red Falcon entrusted me to bring this for you, said you’d love it!”

”Enough, Lorenzo!”

Hebdo shouted too, unable to bear Lorenzo’s antics.

”Victoria’s Secret? Is it the one I know?”

Selyu asked those around her with suspicion, previously, Oscar had given her many books to pass the time, including this kind.

”Should be.”

Bola somewhat understood this type of Knight novel.

Things lowly to take the stage are common in Lower City District, and thus Bola always encountered odd things, some were interesting enough for Bola to want to collect. Under jurisdiction, he knew about a secret printing press, from which most such books originated.

”So pitiful.”

Blue Jade couldn’t help but say.

”Pitiful who? Hebdo?” Selyu asked curiously.

”No... I just feel sorry for him knowing Lorenzo.”

As Blue Jade spoke, amid Hebdo’s cries of agony, Lorenzo began reading the book aloud.

...

”I thought you’d like the novel.”

Lorenzo observed the street scenery as he walked.

Willerte is the capital of the Viking nations, yet it still appears old and dilapidated, but that’s inevitable, letting these Vikings who have chopped for hundreds of years suddenly invest in city building is quite a challenge for them.

The construction here is good enough, at least there’s a complete city system, although most roads remain muddy, it’s much better than a wild, overgrown outpost.

”Liking also needs to be timed, Lorenzo.”

Mentioning the novel made Hebdo appear irritated, so-called public execution is probably like this, the way others looked at Hebdo completely changed.

Initially, they saw Hebdo as an angry bear filled with arrows, but after Lorenzo’s antics, Hebdo seemed like a harmless seal to them.

”Consider this helping you quickly integrate into the team, we’re going to Silent Sea together, getting to know each other on the road would be too late.”

Lorenzo showed no signs of regret.

”Silent Sea... you’re hiding something aren’t you? We should have discussed about Silent Sea in the longhouse.”

Hebdo would have mentioned Silent Sea, bluntly interrupted by Lorenzo, and now it seemed Lorenzo’s later public execution of him was intended to cover up that interruption.

”That’s correct, Selyu Stuart, she doesn’t know our later plans, nor should she,” Lorenzo said, ”she’s just our cover for action, the operation regarding Silent Sea, the fewer know the better.”

”Why?”

Hebdo wasn’t aware of the matters regarding Silencer, among the nations, Viking nations are peculiar, in the nearby sea are countless demons and precious treasure, yet they’re immersed in civil war, over the years, they discovered little.

”Some things, knowing can lead to death, remember those Angels that suddenly appeared at Maruri port? It’s like that,” Lorenzo said.

”So am I going to die too? I’ve seen them.”

Lorenzo’s words shocked Hebdo internally.

”Not yet, your exposure wasn’t deep, nor was hers, but continuing like this we’ll face it, eventually,” Lorenzo retorted, ”are you afraid?”

”You ask a warrior if he fears death? Such a question is boring, when I’m willing to represent the Viking nations, accompanying you to Silent Sea, I’m not afraid.”

Hebdo replied indifferently.

”Not afraid? Is Odin so trustworthy, every one of you willing to die?”

Lorenzo found Hebdo’s words incredible, but having seen many Vikings, nothing surprised him anymore.

”This has nothing to do with Odin, it’s a debt I owe you,”

Hebdo looked at Lorenzo, that face was incredibly punchable, yet still has commendable parts.

”According to the King’s intent, I should’ve died in Maruri’s action.”