Gun of Ashes

When the Evangelical Church obtained the ”Revelation,” the Authority·Gabriel appeared among them. It seems that in those ancient times, there was already a large group of Immortals, yet most of them disappeared into history, known by none.

Lorenzo once speculated that something must have happened leading to the collective disappearance of the Immortals. From the information he had gathered, the one who caused this disappearance was likely the very person who sealed the Authority·Gabriel, the one named Adren Levien.

After him, there were no more Immortals, until many years later when the Night of the Holy Arrival descended. All conspiracies and desires intertwined, bringing this forbidden power back to light.

If that’s the case, then the Pioneer before him is very likely someone from Adren Levien’s era... or perhaps, he is Adren Levien himself.

Lorenzo’s thoughts raced like a runaway train. In such a deadly situation, he was actually thinking about some utterly ridiculous things.

If his conjecture was correct, then the emergence of the Apocalypse Society had sufficient reason. An entity from within the Evangelical Church, with power and credentials deep enough to possess the Authority·Gabriel, could easily incite the creation of a faith-based society with his abilities.

But immediately a new question arose.

Why, why did the Pioneer not disappear along with those Immortals, but instead walked the earth through these long years?

Lorenzo stopped pondering. The instinct of survival made him clench his fists.

”Are you referring to Adren and them? He calls himself a Watcher... Of course, not many are aware of that title now; you can call them whatever you like.”

The Pioneer spoke slowly, his voice void of any emotion, as cold and indifferent as the Northern Territory’s wind.

Lorenzo was completely frozen in place, staring dumbly at the Pioneer before him.

The clouds parted, revealing a full moon. The pale, cold moonlight spilled down, reflecting off his silver-white armor, giving off a radiant glow. He appeared as if he had stepped out of a myth, possessing an unprecedented sanctity. Yet, the light was so clear it could not pierce the darkness beneath the helmet, as if the armor encased not a human body, but an unfathomable dark mist.

”Adren... Are you saying they are led by Adren?”

For a moment, Lorenzo forgot the threat posed by the Pioneer, instead urgently questioning him.

If the so-called Silencers are the Watchers referred to by the Pioneer, then what are they watching over? And from his expression, it seemed the Watchers were led by Adren, the one who sealed the Authority·Gabriel...

So, does that mean those Immortals were all turned into Watchers? Transformed into those strange, loathsome beings, overlooking the world beyond the fence...

”This is a credential, stepping onto the path of Ascension...”

Lorenzo whispered, everything happening too suddenly. It was as if the Pioneer intentionally wanted to tell him, easily recounting these unknown stories.

”So, in the end, will I also turn into something like them?”

His body trembled slightly, but then Lorenzo calmed down. Perhaps not everyone would turn into something like a Watcher; after all, the Pioneer before him is an example. He knew all of this, yet did not become such a soulless monster.

Lorenzo looked at the Pioneer, a blazing white flame burning in his eyes.

His bodily functions were reinforced to the maximum, Lorenzo’s pupils constricted, yet he still couldn’t see through the darkness beneath the helmet.

”Then, who are you? You know all of this, have lived for so long, and you possess the Authority·Gabriel as well, right?”

Lorenzo already had some new strategies in mind. He began to decide to abandon his physical body, using the Gap to transport these secrets back to Ingwig. He didn’t know if he could succeed, but Lorenzo believed he couldn’t let these precious pieces of information die along with him.

But what comes after?

Lorenzo suddenly calmed down; the world was obviously more complex than he had imagined. The forces lurking in the darkness were far more evil anomalies than he considered. What difference would it make if he took this intelligence back? He couldn’t even guarantee his own survival; what could simple mortals like Arthur do?

Spreading these secrets would only be propagating disaster...

”So knowledge will be lost, secrets will be hidden, humanity living in an unreal history, ignorantly passing through life... This is not ignorance but a form of self-protection, protecting the continuity of a race.”

Queen Victoria’s words echoed in his ears; this is what these Nation-Builders had always faced. They could not conquer this despair and could only compromise with it, letting more survive.

”I never thought that after all this time, there would still be people walking the same path.”

The Pioneer did not respond to Lorenzo’s words. He gave Lorenzo the impression of being... God-like, unknowable and ethereal, devoid of any emotion. All his actions brought with them a sense of detachment, making Lorenzo feel as if he were conversing with a higher being.

”Stop trying to discern me. This metal was created precisely to obscure the flow of information.”

The Pioneer’s words sounded again as an icy spear rested against Lorenzo’s throat. If he applied even the slightest pressure, it would pierce Lorenzo’s neck. Lorenzo’s body stiffened, akin to a lamb detected by a predator, struggling to suppress his instinctual fear to react.

”Oh, you seem to know how it should be used, no?”

The spear was lifted and lightly tapped the silver-white crown atop Lorenzo’s head, producing a crisp sound.

”Obscuring information? So your true self cannot be revealed? Or are you avoiding something, maybe the Watchers?”

In such dire circumstances, Lorenzo was still searching for a way out. From Watson’s letter, he could see that Holy Silver could block the invasion of the Gap; in other words, the transmission of information. And currently, it seemed only the Watchers were capable of such. Thus, the Pioneer guarding himself so meticulously—was it because he feared the Watchers too?

Yes, that’s very likely the case. He didn’t join Adren but survived in another way. Perhaps they were opposed; Lorenzo could try to maneuver amidst them.

Secret Blood was poised to burst, ready to leap over the fence, calling for the arrival of the Watchers at any moment.

”In our era, it was called Forbidden Alloy, able to hinder the perception and transmission of information to some extent; it was perfect for defense and suppression against those intangible entities.”

The Pioneer appeared to answer Lorenzo’s query selectively, or perhaps he disdained conversing with Lorenzo altogether. At this moment, all his words seemed like a whim, coming across to Lorenzo as if he were talking to himself.

”So, Pioneer, what exactly do you intend to do?”

Lorenzo took a deep breath. In this situation, he didn’t know what to do. In the past, when encountering enemies, he would just draw his sword and fight; even if defeated, Lorenzo would recklessly plunge in like a mad dog.

But this time, he felt helpless for the first time. Facing Lawrence, Lorenzo had experienced a mutually destructive rage, yet facing the Pioneer, no thought could arise.

No conspiracy or scheme could sway him. The Pioneer held absolute authority.

”Nothing really, just came to take a look...” the Pioneer said.

”Take a look... at me? I must be quite important then.”

Lorenzo quipped back with some lousy humor, but this time, no amount of trash talk could ease his anxiety.

There was a gaze assessing Lorenzo from under the helmet, then it spoke.

”I’ll be waiting for you ahead.”

The Pioneer withdrew the spear and turned to leave. With his departure, the heavy oppressive feeling left as well.

Lorenzo felt as if all strength had been drained from him, half-kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily, then retching painfully.

”Ahead... waiting for me...”

He stood up awkwardly, then looked towards the distant north, the end of the world.