Gun of Ashes

”Pioneer, what are you trying to do?”

Lorenzo stood still, pondering the departing figure in his mind.

He thought the Pioneer was going to stop him from leaving, but after drawing Lorenzo to a halt, the Pioneer silently left, as if his actions had led to this current situation.

The situation where Lorenzo meets the Plague Doctor.

He lightly shook his Staff Sword, which, despite being forged with Pine Iron, appeared battered and worn from several rounds of combat and exposure to high temperatures. Lorenzo was uncertain how long it could withstand high-intensity battles.

There was still a lot of ammunition left under his coat, but Lorenzo doubted these could kill the Plague Doctor. He had learned about the Plague Doctor’s existence in the Purification Mechanism, recognizing him as a mysterious Scholar conducting medical research on Demons.

On the surface, he seemed like a decent individual, even eligible to join the Purification Mechanism and dance with the lunatics at Black Mountain Hospital. But the problem was, as a Scholar, the Plague Doctor had no ethical boundaries.

He conducted brutal human experiments, each resulting in numerous failed experimental products, most of which turned into extremely dangerous Demons. He claimed he pursued Truth, and these were merely necessary sacrifices, yet each aftermath of his experiments threatened human survival.

”The flesh of the Holy Grail, the Secret Blood legion... These are your doing, aren’t they? Lawrence lacks such capabilities.”

Lorenzo cautiously observed his surroundings, suspecting that Lawrence might also be here, hiding in the shadows and ready to deliver a fatal strike.

”Sort of, but primarily, thanks to the Demon Hunting Order’s ’Revelation,’ without its knowledge, it would take me at least decades to achieve this,” the cheerful voice beneath the bird-beak mask said. ”Oh, right, thanks also to Lawrence’s sacrifice for Truth; most of my experiments were conducted on him.”

A chilling laugh emanated from beneath the bird-beak mask, suggesting a distorted and mad soul lurked beneath.

”He truly is a perfect experimental subject, always lucid, able to share his feelings with me. The best part is, damaging him doesn’t matter; I’ll simply replace him with another body.”

The Plague Doctor was extremely excited, having come to the Northern Territory with the purpose of pursuing Truth, yet he was unsure where this so-called Truth existed until he encountered Zeus, heard tales of the Silent Sea, and arrived here to meet Lorenzo.

Lorenzo’s presence here was the strongest evidence that Truth existed here.

”Plague Doctor...”

Lorenzo didn’t act recklessly, able to see the writhing bulges under the Plague Doctor’s coat, as if something was crawling on his body. Lorenzo wasn’t sure what they were, but considering the Plague Doctor’s current ”achievements,” these must be some kind of Evil Anomaly.

He had never confronted the Plague Doctor before and was unaware of his abilities, but judging by his research results, the Plague Doctor likely had some Authority awakened from Secret Blood.

Was the Plague Doctor Ascended?

This seemed extremely crucial at the moment. If the Plague Doctor also wielded Authority called Gabriel, he’d be as hard to deal with as Lawrence. Not only would Lorenzo find it challenging to kill him, but his body would also harbor multiple Authorities, posing a significant threat to everyone.

”You’re here; I suppose Lawrence is here too? Interesting, what exactly do you want?”

The agitation of the Secret Blood caused Lorenzo’s body temperature to rise significantly, his body like a furnace, surging with intense flames.

”Compared to me, what do you all intend to do here?”

The Plague Doctor didn’t answer Lorenzo’s question; instead, he asked him. The situation was tense, both on edge, seemingly ready to wield their weapons against each other at any moment.

Given Lorenzo’s wariness of Lawrence, the Plague Doctor could use Lawrence’s presence to intimidate Lorenzo. Before confirming Lawrence’s presence, Lorenzo’s battle would be constrained.

”On the eve of this world war, the top combat power of the Purification Mechanism isn’t preparing for war, but has brought such an elite force to this remote location.”

With the Plague Doctor’s words, Lorenzo couldn’t help but feel a little anxious, though outwardly still composed.

Indeed, all clues were interconnected, the origins of different forces overlapping. Lorenzo was uncertain how the Plague Doctor obtained this information, but it was clear he also realized there was something at the edge of the Northern Territory.

Now, during the Silent Sea journey, Lorenzo faced competition.

”Lawrence isn’t with you, is he?” Lorenzo asked coldly.

”Why do you think so?”

The Plague Doctor slowly approached, the bird-beak mask concealing his expression. At this moment, beneath the mask, his crimson face was not crazy but rational, contemplating his next move.

”Lawrence is preparing for war; that’s what he wants. In such circumstances, he wouldn’t dare leave Gaulunaro,” Lorenzo suddenly realized he understood Lawrence quite well, which nauseated him. ”More importantly, if Lawrence were here, given his style, I’d likely already be fighting him, and Ice Bay would have turned into a sea of fire.”