Gun of Ashes

The wild wind and cold rain poured into the chaotic command room. Under the invasion of demons, it was almost reduced to ruins, but fortunately, the main functions had not been destroyed. Froki then grasped the blood-stained helm, commanding the Morning Glow Advance to forge ahead on the stormy sea.

Galron lay to one side, unable to move long distances due to an injury on his ankle. Therefore, under Froki’s orders, only Cliff and Selyu left via the damaged long ladder, while Galron remained with Froki, accompanying him on this final journey.

Looking at the hunched but tall figure, the fear in Galron’s heart vanished completely. He gripped the folding blade scattered to one side, ready to confront any potential danger.

Froki stood at the helm, facing the raging wind and rain.

This turbulent sea brought nothing but endless fear to people, but in Froki’s eyes, it was so beautiful, like golden wheat fields, intoxicating.

Froki devoted his life to the exploration of the Silent Sea. To build ships capable of penetrating the Silent Sea, he fully supported the establishment of the Ice Bay Shipyard, allowing trade between territories, greedily plundering wealth to create one massive ironclad ship after another.

Because of these many reasons, Froki was actually very proficient in controlling ironclad ships, even this unfamiliar Morning Glow Advance under his feet. He began learning this after surviving and leaving the Horned Whale.

”Old friend...”

Froki murmured softly.

The earthly python protruded its body in the storm-tossed sea mist, as the rust-covered Horned Whale sailed out of the storm waves.

For a moment, Froki felt as if he had returned to ten years ago, still trapped in that seemingly endless storm. Everything he experienced during those ten years was but a fleeting dream.

Nothing had changed, the only thing that changed was himself.

The magnificent body had become hunched, the strong muscles began to shrivel and wither, his gray hair hung down in disarray, disheveled, still stained with the smell of urine, yet his gaze remained bright, the soul within burning fervently.

”Sir... Ice Bay...”

Seeing Froki resurrected, Galron finally came to his senses from ecstatic joy, then he sorrowfully lamented.

”Don’t be sad, Galron, at least not for Ice Bay.”

Froki looked ahead, his gaze had never shifted away since the beginning.

During the long days affected by corrosion, Froki dreamt of wandering over this silent sea, this silent and silent sea.

Sometimes he could see reflections of the present in the surface of the sea, at times the breeze would bring the words of many.

Throughout this journey, though Froki fell into madness, he was well aware of what happened around him— the Ice Bay battle, the demons’ slaughter, the journey of the Silent Sea...

Froki was keenly aware of the current situation, he was fearless and without attachment.

”Although to you, these words may seem cruel, but this is the truth.”

Froki held the helm, the piercing cold wind gradually numbing him, but as his body slowly altered, it exploded with an extremely strong vitality, allowing him to stand firm in the midst of it.

”Ice Bay means nothing to me, Galron.”

Galron felt his breath hitch, his eyes frozen.

”What has driven me all along is this mysterious sea... Whether it’s Ice Bay, or the shipyard, or anything else, it’s all for now.”

Froki’s mood was absolutely wonderful.

Galron’s breathing became somewhat rapid, hearing Froki’s harsh words, he only felt his mind being torn apart, this was more loathsome than the erosion of demons.

The things he guarded, the things he persisted with, were all just Froki’s tools, a means to achieve his goals.

Froki never cared about territorial power, all along, he thought only of the Silent Sea in his heart.

Or rather... that incomplete nautical chart.

Froki slightly clenched the folding blade, sensing the breath behind him, Galron’s complicated emotions, and many indescribable matters.

Finally, a sigh emerged.

Galron propped up on the folding blade and stood up, his expression downcast, but there was a bright light in his eyes.

”It was you who gave me a second chance, if this is what you desire, then it shall be mine as well.”

He gripped the twisted iron, making himself stand steadily, the other hand holding the folding blade, guarding beside Froki.

Froki laughed heartily, caring not for his grotesquely transformed body.

”Holmes! It’s nothing but a beast! It follows only instinct, devoid of any wisdom!”

Lorenzo on the deck heard Froki’s reply, it was similar to his speculation, the sea serpent before him, like the watchers, had no trace of wisdom, only acted according to certain rules.

[Adjust the ship, I’ll bombard it with Ascalon.]

Lorenzo’s voice echoed in Froki’s mind, both were similarly mad, requiring no redundant dialogue, Froki immediately controlled the Morning Glow Advance to turn, while Lorenzo promptly steered the Black Angel to sprint across the deck.

[Everyone, seek cover.]

Sprinting along, Lorenzo issued orders to all survivors.

The battle at this point was no longer something mortals could partake in. It was a war between pseudo-gods, like knights charging at each other in a jousting arena, both raising heavy lances, awaiting the moment of crossing paths to decide victory or defeat.