Gun of Ashes

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way, cutting off all ties and attachments with others, completely becoming a fugitive with no support. It sounds a bit sad, but it also means that, whether it’s the Plague Doctor or Froki, they can all abandon everything.

The Plague Doctor glanced at Lorenzo standing at the end of the corridor. He leaned against the wall, looking down and pondering something.

”Aren’t you going to say goodbye or something? Or are you going to keep following me and monitoring endlessly?”

Upon hearing the Plague Doctor’s words, Lorenzo raised his head and spoke indifferently.

”No need.”

”No need for what?”

The Plague Doctor found Lorenzo’s demeanor quite interesting. He was different from these fugitives, a difference that made one envious.

”I won’t die here; I’m destined to come back alive. I never left, so where’s the need to say goodbye?”

Lorenzo turned around, gesturing for the Plague Doctor to follow. He was prepared, donning a thick coat, with a sword bag filled with Nail Swords slung on his back, like a porcupine bristling with sharp spikes, clinking as he walked.

This is the difference between Lorenzo and these fugitives. There are still too many things in this world that Lorenzo is fond of. He won’t fall lightly into the Silent Sea like them. No matter who dies, he won’t die. Just like he once told Queen Victoria, Lorenzo will return with hope.

The Plague Doctor remained silent. The words, as he heard them, didn’t seem to be addressed to himself. It sounded more like Lorenzo talking to himself.

Lorenzo was cheering himself up, encouraging himself, declaring war on himself.

The engineers and ship doctors were busy, preparing a large amount of supplies, bundling them together, and packing them into heavy weapon boxes. Black Angel raised its hand, shouldering these weapon boxes, with Watson inside controlling the Armor of Original Sin.

Her body was temporarily seized, essentially still a mortal body, vulnerable for Watson. So she chose to use this body as a medium to control Black Angel, utilizing the huge size of the Armor of Original Sin to take on the role of a porter.

”In about a few dozen minutes, we’ll be departing.”

Lorenzo closed his eyes and then slowly opened them, the bright white flash in his eyes flickering, ”The ice layer is getting thicker. The icebreaking of Morning Glow Advance has become laborious. Forcibly breaking through will only accelerate the consumption of Lacquered Antimony.”

Thanks to Authority·Gabriel, now everyone on the ship is Lorenzo’s eyes. Using them, Lorenzo could observe the surroundings in real time.

The temperature had fallen to a terrifying level. Apart from these heated areas, other places on the Morning Glow Advance were covered with solid ice. From a high altitude, looking down at the Iron Armor ship, it had donned a thick coat of snow-white, with only the chimneys occasionally expelling hot air, like the breathing of a steel giant, indicating it wasn’t dead yet.

”Leaving at this position is just right; otherwise, even our retreat path will be sealed by ice... But these matters probably have nothing to do with you, right?”

Lorenzo spoke halfway and then stopped.

The Plague Doctor smiled and said, ”Indeed, nothing to do with me, knowing it is enough.”

Soon, Froki also arrived. Just like Lorenzo, he was wrapped in a heavy coat, armed with guns and sharp swords.

”You might need this.”

Lorenzo tossed something over. Froki caught it, examined it carefully, his expression changing slightly, seemingly surprised to see it again after so long. But thinking about it, if it didn’t appear here, Froki would feel surprised.

”It’s been a long time, indeed.”

Froki gently brushed this silver Revolver, which was once left with Bola, and after many twists and turns, it finally returned to Froki’s hand.

Opening the cylinder, it was already filled with bullets. Froki smiled and then carefully put it away.

”I’m ready.”

Lorenzo then looked at the Plague Doctor, who also nodded, ready to leave at any time.

”Let’s do it now.”

Lorenzo said, looking at Black Angel. Through the gaps in the armor, a bright white flame flickered. It was fully equipped with weapons and supplies, as bulky as a fully armed Weapon Master. It signaled the three to follow, the entire exploration team stood on the elevator, awaiting its activation.

An unknown journey is about to begin, but there was no grand farewell. In reality, apart from the busy engineers and ship doctors, most people were unaware of this operation. The only one somewhat informed, Bola, was also lying heavily injured in bed.

The Plague Doctor looked around. Strange faces were blessing them, while Lorenzo stood aside, holding the remote control hanging on the elevator. As soon as he pressed the red button, they would all be lifted onto the deck.

”There’s still time to say goodbye, Holmes.”

The Plague Doctor spoke again.

Black Angel also lowered its head. Watson didn’t expect that during this time, Lorenzo did nothing but roam this big ship, witnessing its scars and the dead bodies.

Lorenzo shook his head firmly once more and said.

”I will come back.”

He pressed the button, without any forewarning, without any farewell words. The elevator shook a few times, then slowly lifted the few of them and Black Angel to the upper deck.