Gun of Ashes

The soldiers and crew moved hurriedly, hastening to repair the Morning Glow Advance, clearing the shells and debris embedded in the ship’s body, and the corpses piled in the corridors... Notar was right, their current situation was dire. Most able-bodied people were allocated to this task, while the rest lay in the infirmary, waiting for the ship’s doctor.

”The ship-mounted crane, we’re trying to use it to lift the cannon of Ascalon and get it firing again.”

Bola glanced at the crane, as massive as a mast, which was responsible for moving large cargo from the dock onto the ship, and the Armor of Original Sin relied on it to board the Iron Armor ship.

Now the heavy mechanical arm hung above Ascalon, the steel cable slowly falling, resting onto the cannon barrel.

”Did the support frame break?”

Lorenzo looked at the wrecked scene; Ascalon itself wasn’t severely damaged, but the frame supporting it had snapped.

”Yes, we’re preparing to lift it, at least so the muzzle isn’t still pointed at the sea, becoming something akin to a fixed cannon.” Bola wasn’t very knowledgeable about such matters, as these were handled by the ship’s technicians.

”I always thought it was unreliable, with such intense shelling, these things alone cannot support it.”

In memory, Ascalon, due to its huge weight, followed armored trains to move, only solid foundations could support its firing; in Perpetual Motion Pump’s design, Morning Glow Advance also had a certain level of support capability, but nobody anticipated that Morning Glow Advance would encounter so many battles along the way.

In Perpetual Motion Pump’s view, Lorenzo and others would only need Ascalon deep within the Silent Sea, yet they’ve already fired countless times on the way, and nobody knows what will be encountered next.

The two walked past the towering crane, the crew climbing up and down on it, the gigantic winch slowly rotating, pulling the steel cables, this crane not only had the ability to transport cargo but also, when necessary, was responsible for rescuing the Armor of Original Sin before it completely sank into the deep sea.

The deck was also filled with fixed cables, these things not only stabilized the Armor of Original Sin but were also their lifeline; once falling into the sea, the Armor of Original Sin needed to grip these cables to return, otherwise their own weight would slowly drag them into the deep depths of the ocean.

”You need some rest, Bola, you’re going to collapse like this.”

Lorenzo said to Bola.

”I know, I’m alright.” Bola said, but his weary eyes revealed his current state.

”However, what’s the matter with you? Are you also fearful of the Silent Sea? It’s rare to see you so serious.” Bola asked.

”I’m not afraid of the Silent Sea, after all it’s just an ’unknown’ to be discovered, by now we’ve already explored many ’unknowns’, haven’t we?” Lorenzo pushed the hatch door down, leading Bola forward.

”I just... I’m not afraid of death, but I’m afraid of others’ deaths, Bola.”

Lorenzo’s voice came from behind, Bola couldn’t see Lorenzo’s face, but he imagined his expression must be intriguing now.

”Oh, are you worried about me? Afraid several of us will die here?” Bola laughed.

”How could it be, we’re all very clear about what we’re doing, and willing to bear such costs,” Lorenzo looked nonchalantly at Bola’s back, ”at this point, is there any need to care about these?”

”But... some people are different, she doesn’t know these things at all, inexplicably dragged in, according to original plans, we were supposed to part ways at Ice Bay.”

Lorenzo’s voice grew somber.

”I don’t fear supposed wars and death, in my life, such things are everywhere and have long ceased to be something terrifying. I fear more the destruction of life.”

”Life?”

Bola didn’t quite understand, but then he remembered Arthur’s words, Lorenzo was bound by something warm that he found difficult to escape.

”I once had these things, but they were burned to ash during the Night of the Holy Arrival. I thought I would never have them again, but as you’ve seen, I somehow have them once more.”

Bola vaguely heard the laughter coming from behind, which then turned into suppression, twisted into something even Bola couldn’t comprehend.

”I’ve lost once, but I won’t lose a second time, Bola.”

The coldness from behind was faintly felt, so cold as though numerous steel needles pierced his back, bringing weak pain.

Unknowingly, Bola felt that what followed him was no longer Lorenzo, but some unfamiliar monster emitting the scent of blood and anger.

He dared not turn back to behold this hateful malformed presence.

”So, from the start, were you really ready for the bloodshed?”

Bola’s heart turned cold.

”Almost, precisely speaking, even if we all die here it doesn’t matter, as long as someone carries something out, making our deaths meaningful, hopefully ending this damned cycle, eradicating the Demons.”

This time Lorenzo wasn’t joking, he was very serious.

”That sounds terribly tragic.”

”I thought you’d already gotten used to these.”

Lorenzo turned his words, slowly speaking.

”But afterwards, I felt it wasn’t necessary to be this way.”

”What way?” Bola asked.

”That kind of blood war situation, it’s unnecessary, many people need not die, it’s just meaningless sacrifice.”

Bola didn’t quite grasp Lorenzo’s words; he wasn’t sure if it was due to his own muddled state or Lorenzo’s reluctance to express his thoughts, pursuing the topic.

”What do you mean, Lorenzo?”

”You’ll find out when the time comes.”

Lorenzo stopped the conversation, the two chatted idly without saying much until Bola’s figure was slightly wobbly, nearly falling, but fortunately, Lorenzo supported him in time.

”Ah... I really should take some rest.”

Bola held his head, needing to take a short rest, a good sleep.

But given the current situation, Bola didn’t think he could sleep, fearing something irreversible might happen while he slumbers; if he weren’t present then, he’d regret it to death.

”Indeed, no matter how you persist, you’re only making yourself more fragile, especially with me here, you wouldn’t think I’d do worse than you?” Lorenzo asked.

”Really...”

The two halted at an intersection.

”Froki and Galron along with his deputy are detained in the cargo hold below.”

Bola pointed to the staircase leading downward, he and Lorenzo parted ways, Lorenzo descended while Bola walked towards the other end of the corridor.

This path led to the crew’s living quarters, including rooms of Bola, Lorenzo, and others; he remembered Blue Jade had already left the infirmary and was placed back into her room, unclear of her condition. Bola considered visiting her first to share the current intelligence.

”Go rest, leave the rest to me.”

Lorenzo nudged Bola, leading him toward his room, Bola said no more, watching Lorenzo’s departure, then slowly proceeding with slightly shaky steps.

His vision became increasingly blurry and chaotic, the scene before his eyes had countless afterimages.

Erosion and fatigue, together with these damned news, Bola felt his body had become unprecedentedly heavy, gradually struggling to support himself.

Some regrets arose, wishing he let Lorenzo escort him to his room, thinking he wasn’t in any serious trouble, just too tired, needing some sleep, just a short while would do.

He pushed open his room door, collapsing onto the cold bed, consciousness sinking deeper into darkness.

Amidst it, Bola heard the sound of tides emerging from the depths of memory.