Gun of Ashes

”Perhaps Shipbuilder Froki also understands this, which is why he has no ambition and only pursues the secrets of the Silent Sea, bringing peace to Ice Bay.”

”Is Ice Bay really peaceful then?”

Listening to Hebdo’s description, Lorenzo felt the place called Ice Bay was somewhat familiar, as if he had been there before. Not that he had actually visited Ice Bay, but somewhere similar to it.

”Peace... my foot. As a shipping hub, Vikings from different territories all dock there, some carrying the secret orders of their lords, or even lives... It’s a mess, with all sorts of people. This has also led to the proliferation of the Apocalypse Society. But everyone adheres to the rules of the land, so it’s not too chaotic yet.”

As Hebdo was speaking, he noticed that both Lorenzo and Bola’s eyes had a slight change, as if they were shining.

”You guys...”

”You should have said so earlier!”

Lorenzo slapped his thigh. Initially, he was anxious about actions in Ice Bay, after all, it was a foreign place. Previously, they had blown up Maruri, who knew what might happen here?

Just as Lorenzo and Bola unexpectedly stood before Hebdo, the two exchanged a smile, as if they’d been brought to the same conclusion.

”Let me introduce you, this is the boss of the Lower City District of Old Dunling, Bola!”

Lorenzo bragged to Hebdo.

”And this one here is my thorny brother who takes care of the stabbing!”

Bola then praised Lorenzo, even giving him the strange nickname of ”Thorn Brother.”

To these two, Ice Bay was nothing more than another, more complex, Lower City District. When they arrived in Ice Bay, it was as if fish finding their way into water.

If these two stayed here for a while, Ice Bay might be turned upside down by them.

”What kind of combination is this?”

Blue Jade seemed to understand their intentions but found it very odd.

”Probably... a gang boss and his top enforcer.”

Notar, who was steering, looked at everyone, uncertainly said.

”A true big brother can carve out a piece of land even in a foreign land.”

Bola said proudly, acting a bit mad with Lorenzo, but Lorenzo knew that Bola was actually very serious.

You could see the silver revolver at his waist, polished to a gleaming shine. Lorenzo guessed it was fully loaded.

For Bola, this was not a conquest, but a long-awaited revenge. Lorenzo even began to suspect whether Bola was deceiving him, that his trip was actually to kill Froki, and saving the world was just a bonus.

”We should be arriving soon, right?”

Selyu staggered over, wrapped in layers upon layers, like a penguin.

”Soon.”

Notar looked ahead; the clouds were growing heavier and gloomier. Though it was daytime, the sky was covered in a heavy lead-gray, and along the coast were countless rising shadows like clawing monsters.

Ice Bay was within reach.

...

”How is he doing now? Still in a stupor?”

Seeing the doctor come out of the room, Galron immediately went up to him, eagerly asking.

The doctor glanced at the room behind him, the door wasn’t fully closed, and through the gap, a figure could be seen on the bed.

”There’s nothing I can do; I can’t cure him.”

The doctor sighed, said nothing more, and left with his head down.

Galron tried to stop the doctor, but after a moment of hesitation, he gave up, leaning slowly against the door, his face full of worry.

He had consulted many doctors, even a few of those mysterious shamans, but none could cure this ailment... They didn’t even know if it was an illness.

With forceful inhalation and exhalation, Galron knew he couldn’t collapse now. Ice Bay depended on him, with lords from all over trying to claim a piece here because of frequent population movements, filling Ice Bay with their spies and forces. In such circumstances, who’s to say these lords wouldn’t act?

Galron had to stabilize the situation. He ordered the room to be guarded and left himself, stepping out of the shadows. His attendants came to him, discussing various matters.

”How is the master’s condition?” Galron’s lieutenant asked.

”Still no improvement, and these doctors cannot find a cause.”

Said Galron, a sense of resentment rose in him, but there was no outlet for such negativity.

”Rumors in the city have started, saying Froki’s repeated encounters with the Silent Sea finally angered the Gods...”

”Shut up!” Galron silenced his lieutenant.

”What’s the current situation?”

Galron suppressed his anger. He still had matters to attend to and couldn’t let emotions cloud his judgment.

”Those guys are getting increasingly arrogant, but we still don’t have a way to handle them. Technically, they’re the henchmen of various lords, coming to Ice Bay for trade... Now their reach is growing ever further,” said the lieutenant.

”I hold a knife, yet I can’t cut off their hands, right?”

Galron asked his lieutenant, who was startled for a moment before nodding with difficulty.

The legitimate ruler of Ice Bay was Froki, not Galron. He was responsible for managing Ice Bay, but against these representatives of the lords, he still lacked enough power to confront them. If he rashly cut off these people’s hands, who knows what these lords might do... Especially as they were now aware of Froki’s condition.

The civil war among the Viking nations never ended; as long as a lord existed, it would never end.

”At least these guys are motivated by profit; enough profit can temporarily shut their mouths... Have you figured out the movements of the Apocalypse Society?”

Asked Galron, as this was far more important than other matters.

”So far we only know they’ve infiltrated Ice Bay, mingling with the lords’ subordinates, making screening difficult,” the lieutenant said.

”Then enhance security, add more patrols; the lord absolutely cannot come to harm.”

Galron worriedly glanced at the darkness behind him, where Froki lay beyond the door.

”The lord was always devoted to the Silent Sea, never had any offspring. If he dies, Ice Bay genuinely becomes a land without a master.”

Galron muttered, suddenly something came into his view, capturing his attention. He looked up, eyes on the sea.

A scarred ironclad ship cut through the waves, calmly nearing Ice Bay. It was an ironclad ship never seen or possible in the Viking nations. Though heavily scarred, its heavy cannons still struck fear, and most importantly, the ram at its bow.

If it charged towards Ice Bay, no one would doubt its destructive power.

”As for it, if I’m not mistaken, it should be the Morning Glow Advance reported recently, carrying guests from Ingwig. They’re here to discuss trade with Lord Froki.”

The lieutenant looked at the approaching ironclad ship. Perhaps because of the overwhelming troubles, he was already somewhat numb.

”They shouldn’t have arrived this quickly... They had just reached Willerte a few days ago.”

”Do you think Ingwig’s ironclad ships compare to the ones we produce?” Galron looked at the Morning Glow Advance. In comparison, the Viking’s ironclad ships looked like toys. ”Bear in mind, the Ice Bay Shipyard was built with technical support from Ingwig.”

”What do we do now?” the lieutenant asked.

”First, go welcome the guests. With them here, I guess the lords won’t act recklessly.”

Galron thought this as he walked forward.

At this moment, Ice Bay had gathered too many forces that didn’t belong here. They interwove together, uncertain when they might be fully ignited. Meanwhile, farther away in the sea, ironclad ships silently sailed on.

”So, continuing along this route, we will reach Ice Bay in several days?”

The Plague Doctor put down the nautical chart and looked through the dense clouds.