Gun of Ashes

It was the breath of the Sea Serpent, but more like a waterfall pouring from daytime, a stream of light forged entirely from solid flames. The temperature reached its extreme, so much so that everything touched by it evaporated in an instant, arbitrarily altering the matter of reality like the might of God.

Beneath the sacred radiance, all life was dying.

The pure stream of light poured into the ocean, the extreme heat evaporated thousands of tons of seawater, and the rising steam quickly formed a soaring pillar of steam.

The wreckage of the Blood Shark was also evaporated in this collapse; most of the material was directly vaporized, with only a few metals able to withstand slightly. They first turned crimson, then melted like ice, completely disappearing into the sea.

The surviving humans and demons were also evaporated into nothingness, feeling no pain; when they saw the descending light, they were already dead.

”Oh gods...”

Hebdo watched all this, feeling as though his heart had lost all will to fight.

He wasn’t one of those mad zealots, but seeing such scenes, Hebdo’s knowledge couldn’t rationally explain them. To make sense of the bizarre scenes he saw, he kept searching for answers until he began to deify them.

This is how humans are, when faced with incomprehensible things, they can only deify them.

It was the giant serpent from the mortal world, the snake that encircled the courtyard.

He looked at the piles of corpses around him, and in a daze, Hebdo felt he had truly stepped into that sacred place.

”Endless killing, again and again...”

Hebdo struggled to move forward; his spirit began to tremble, and he couldn’t help but speak.

”You’re right, Ivar.”

On the visible sea surface floated countless corpses, human and demon alike, and fragments of ship hulls... everywhere there were bodies and severed limbs, everywhere there was dead life. Hebdo bathed in their blood, having survived to this moment.

”This is the Heroic Spirit Hall... What beautiful resting place is this?”

Having persisted until now, Hebdo was overwhelmed by the oppression and despair. He could continue to wield his blade, but faced with that God-like Sea Serpent in the distance, he lost all power to resist.

His tightly clenched hand began to slacken, and even the Folding Blade began to slip from his hand.

”Don’t let go, Hebdo; if you let go, you won’t be able to hold the weapon tightly.”

A heavy voice sounded, like a slight glimmer, pulling Hebdo out from oppressive despair.

He joyfully looked beside him; after long silence, the Black Angel began to move, slowly maneuvering, wearing its blades, coming to Hebdo’s side.

”Lo... Lorenzo!”

Seeing the Black Angel act, Hebdo’s terrified heart finally found some peace.

In this oppressive despair, every survivor couldn’t help but hope for Lorenzo; no matter how vicious and mischievous this guy’s actions were, in such circumstances, everyone regarded him as the embodiment of hope.

If anyone could lead them out of the Silent Sea, it was probably Lorenzo.

”Yes, it’s me, not an illusion, grip your weapon tight, Hebdo; if you let go, you’re dead.”

Lorenzo encouraged Hebdo; in such a terrible situation, not everyone had the courage to grip their weapon tightly.

Their condition was terrible, as was Lorenzo’s.

In just a few minutes, Lorenzo experienced multiple deaths, his consciousness shattered and reformed, as if thousands of blades were slicing through his mind’s awareness. When Lorenzo could see the world again, he was enveloped by heavy steel, warm flesh twining around him.

He didn’t know whether the Plague Doctor was alive or dead, but Lorenzo only knew the thorny situation with the Sea Serpent far exceeded his imagination. The searing white torrent, if it hit... no, even if it just affected the Morning Glow Advance, it was an absolutely fatal injury for them.

Yet amidst all this bad news, there was some good news.

After these consecutive deaths, Lorenzo felt he had grasped something.

”You... are actually the Watcher, right?”

Lorenzo gazed at the rolling Sea Serpent in the sea mist, murmuring to himself.

Like the Watcher, these evil anomalies, their most basic, primitive function was to watch over these territories that should not be touched by humans.

From the Sea Serpent’s previous series of attacks, it was evident its consciousness was primitive, like a beast, only capable of the most basic reactions. If there was a higher consciousness hidden within, controlling it, then it completely had the ability to destroy everyone while keeping Lorenzo unable to observe.

Like those Angels killed by Lorenzo, it possessed a strong body, but its governing will was utterly murky, only capable of such simple reactions.

In other words, the battle in the [Gap] might not be as difficult as Lorenzo imagined.

[Notar, adjust the route; we must kill that one first.]

Relying on the [Gap], Lorenzo communicated; in this situation, all areas of the Morning Glow Advance were completely isolated, each fighting for themselves. The fact they persisted until now was already considered a miracle.

[Notar?]

No response, Lorenzo found he couldn’t locate Notar’s [Gap].

”Notar is dead.”

A familiar voice sounded, and Lorenzo turned around to see the exhausted Selyu and Cliff.

The two were panting heavily, carrying weapons and supplies, looking like their escape to here was difficult.

”Just a few minutes ago, Notar died heroically.”

Selyu looked at the towering armor and said to Lorenzo.

”Then who’s steering now?”

While Lorenzo asked, the corrosion spread, affecting the command room turning into ruins; he connected to a strange [Gap].

In a hazy consciousness, he heard a voice responding to him.

”Hello, Mr. Holmes.”

Froki held the helm with one hand, wielding a Folding Blade in the other, slaying the last demon.