Gun of Ashes

Lorenzo stood behind the Plague Doctor, with a faint gray-white burning in his eyes.

He had been following the Plague Doctor, keeping him within view. With the blessing of Authority·Gabriel, Lorenzo could control the entire Morning Glow Advance and traverse others’ bodies in an instant to resolve any potential accidents.

But the Plague Doctor was different; he was a tricky figure whom Lorenzo must keep under his own surveillance.

The Plague Doctor turned his head and smiled at Lorenzo, yet the smile was obstructed by his mask, rendering it invisible.

He walked to the end of the corridor, then pushed open the cabin door. The room was very warm, and then saw another gun barrel pointed at him.

”I say, are all of you this cautious?”

The Plague Doctor smiled helplessly, then sat on the other side of the bed, during which the gun barrel stayed locked on him, remaining vigilant.

”Why are you here, Plague Doctor?”

Selyu pulled up the blanket, leaned against the wall, holding the pistol.

She puffed out warm air; a cold really isn’t a good thing, especially under the influence of erosion, only feeling her stomach churn, wanting to vomit but unable to bring anything up; cold yet feeling overheated.

”To say goodbye. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not here to say goodbye to you.”

The Plague Doctor’s body began to wriggle violently, making Selyu extremely nervous. She knew well the implications of such changes in the Plague Doctor’s body, almost pulling the trigger, but the Plague Doctor at this moment removed his mask, revealing a scarlet face.

He looked calmly at Selyu, meeting her gaze with blue eyes that seemed to peer into one’s heart.

Lorenzo always hated making eye contact with Selyu; under those eyes’ scrutiny, nothing could be hidden from Selyu. It’s like an innate talent—she could easily sense the emotions hidden in one’s heart through their eyes.

The Plague Doctor seemed genuinely without malice, looking calmly and tenderly. After a moment of panic, Selyu realized that perhaps it was all happening with Lorenzo’s tacit approval. With his Authority·Gabriel, he couldn’t possibly overlook these happenings.

Selyu said nothing further and continued pointing the gun at the Plague Doctor, awaiting his reaction.

Then his chest began to rise, as if something were being rejected out, revealing a mucus-covered piece of metal, which grew larger and larger until completely expelled.

The safe was placed on the Plague Doctor’s knees, its surface covered in fresh blood with an nauseating stench.

Selyu, witnessing the entire process, nearly vomited, yet the Plague Doctor’s eyes showed no signs of disgust, only gentleness, as he gently stroked the metal surface, still retaining his body’s warmth.

”Goodbye, old friend. You shouldn’t have been lost here with me.”

The Plague Doctor whispered, extending his hand again, piercing his neck, and amidst the grating sound, took out a bloodstained key, inserting it into the safe, turning the key handle to unlock it.

”Take them out, Selyu.”

He said, not wearing gloves, hands covered in blood and mucus.

Selyu, suppressing inner disgust, cautiously extended her hand into the darkness of the safe, unsure of its contents—perhaps disgusting flesh or some similar things?

When dealing with a figure like the Plague Doctor, it was always best to expect the most grotesque scenarios.

Her fingers touched something, square-shaped. Selyu stroked it, finding the surface somewhat rough, retrieving the items inside, full of surprise.

They were notes, journal after journal, each having varying degrees of wear, indicating they were written at different times; from the spine and cover, one could see the Plague Doctor had cared well for them, the belongings kept hidden within his body.

”What... is this?”

Selyu held these journals, flipping one open, seeing the author’s name and date written on the first page.

Charles Darwin.

Below the name was a line of dates, approximately a hundred years ago.

”My journals, my knowledge, my years of Truth... exploration.”

The Plague Doctor emitted a chilling laugh, akin to a demon arriving at night, extending an invitation to an awake girl.

”I hope you can take these things back to Ingwig. As for whom to give them to, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as they continue to exist.”

Sharp nails slowly descended on Selyu’s cheek, gently caressing, then departing.

”Why me?”

Selyu embraced these heavy journals, stained with the breath of time.

”Because you might be the most likely to survive, on this ship full of lunatics, you alone represent the mortal who should survive.”

The Plague Doctor gazed wistfully at these journals, almost wanting to snatch them back, but ultimately withdrew. These journals shouldn’t leave with him; they should be passed on—a scholar’s means to immortality.

Only then will Charles Darwin’s name be eternally known; the Plague Doctor proudly proving to the world that he truly grasped Truth.

Selyu seemed to understand the Plague Doctor’s intention, thus feeling the weight of these journals increase, the scarlet figure before her no longer a monster; here, in this brief instant, he was just a scholar hoping his knowledge would be passed on.

”Is there a name? If compiling these things, it needs a name.”

Selyu brushed her hand over the book’s surface, bearing only the Plague Doctor’s name and the date of writing, devoid of any standards. Perhaps after so many years, Selyu was the first to touch these journals besides the Plague Doctor.

The Plague Doctor pondered, recalling the beginning of everything, the start of the story, involuntarily smiling.

”Evolution Theory.”

”Sounds like a good name.”

”A friend of mine named it for me.”

The Plague Doctor rose, shedding these journals, feeling physically lighter, as if nothing could bind him anymore, making him wholly free for this final journey.

Saying nothing further, he turned and left, using all his strength to shut the heavy cabin door, bidding farewell to everything from the past.