Gun of Ashes

”What were you thinking, wanting Selyu to succeed you?”

The duties of a Nation-Builder are far from easy, even quite dangerous. Lorenzo couldn’t figure out why Oscar wanted to do this.

”It’s not my idea; it’s the girl’s. When she returned to Old Dunling, she approached me.”

Facing Lorenzo, Oscar had no reason to hide anything, especially since nothing could really be hidden from him, given Lorenzo’s capabilities.

”She seemed to have made all the arrangements, weighing the pros and cons for me to consider.”

In the empty reception room, only Oscar and Lorenzo were present. He was candid, sharing things he wasn’t supposed to disclose.

”She first criticized me harshly, saying I’m an old geezer about to retire, only good at writing books no one likes, and not worthy of the Nation-Builder’s duties.”

Lorenzo’s expression stiffened a little, ”I think Selyu wouldn’t say something like that.”

”Almost, almost, something along those lines,” Oscar exaggerated, ”Anyway, I should step down, at least find a successor before I do.”

Oscar appeared deeply resentful of Selyu’s remarks back then, ”She said that I’m such a lonely old guy, that if one day I slipped in the bathroom, hit my head, and died just like that...

How could a dignified Nation-Builder die in such a way? No one would notice until the neighbors smelled my rotting corpse.”

Oscar went on and on with his complaints.

”Then she recommended herself; Selyu already knows the world’s secrets, has seen demons, and even killed a few with a blade. She’s so young, a Duke from the Stuart family, backed by a huge interest group...

She believes she’s more than suitable for the role.”

”And you agreed to her?” Lorenzo asked.

”How could I agree to that? With her criticizing me so fiercely?”

Oscar was full of grievances, but Lorenzo thought that what Selyu said and what Oscar described were definitely not the same thing.

”But now you’re staying at the Stuart family mansion, and you even mentioned on the way here that you’re going to announce it... so you did agree.” The more Lorenzo listened to Oscar’s complaints, the more ridiculous Oscar seemed.

”I guess Selyu offered you something you couldn’t refuse,” said Lorenzo.

Oscar thought for a moment, then slumped completely into the chair like a deflated balloon, sighing with resentment toward the aristocracy and a slight hint of... envy.

”I couldn’t help it, she offered too much.”

Oscar said awkwardly.

”So you’ve sold the Nation-Builder position!”

Lorenzo exclaimed, trusting not a word from Oscar.

”Oscar, you’re simply the worst Nation-Builder!”

”What could I do? I needed a successor. Since the honorable Miss Stuart is so enthusiastic, handing over this significant mission to her isn’t unthinkable!”

Oscar shamelessly shouted.

The two shouted at each other for a while, then fell into silence again. Lorenzo rubbed his head hard, not sure if he should first consider why Selyu wanted to do this or reflect on how Oscar ever became the Nation-Builder.

He glanced at Oscar, unable to fathom how someone with such a failed life could have this responsibility.

”So... how did she persuade you?” Lorenzo asked.

”The Stuart family will unconditionally support my creations, and the headlines of ’Queen’s Daily’ will be used to promote my works.”

”Is that all?”

”That’s it.”

”Oscar, you bastard!”

Lorenzo couldn’t believe that Selyu bought Oscar off with those terms. Knowing Oscar was like this, Lorenzo should have let him face some accidents or sent him to a nursing home earlier.

The two exchanged curses again, exhausted, and sat back in their chairs. Lorenzo felt a headache as the joy of the Holy Silver Mine was thoroughly spoiled by Oscar’s antics.

”Lorenzo, you have to understand, for a writer, nothing is more valuable than more people seeing their stories.” Oscar stubbornly insisted.

Lorenzo didn’t bother to argue further. Ultimately, he had no right to interfere with these matters.

”Speaking of which, ’Demon Hunting and Monster Slaying Chronicles’ was forced to conclude,” Oscar said slowly.

”What’s that?”

Lorenzo began to sense a feeling of helplessness towards Oscar. He hated this feeling.

”I’ve mentioned it to you before, a novel based on a Demon Hunter. Unfortunately, I got caught by the Purification Mechanism, so the story concluded unwillingly,” Oscar said melodramatically, ”It was only missing the final volume, where ’you’ would have reached the conclusion.”

”Oh? What was my ending?”

Lorenzo didn’t know what Selyu was up to or how long it would take. Listening to Oscar, he grew mildly interested.

Although Oscar’s writing was third-rate, some people liked it, and Lorenzo had read some before too.

”You died destitute in some dark and damp alley.”

Oscar stated bluntly, but seeing Lorenzo’s expression, it seemed he was about to burst into violence, so he quickly shouted.

”Not just you!”

”Huh?”

Oscar slowly explained, ”In fact, all the characters in my stories meet similar fates, all ending with a perfect tragedy.”

Watching Oscar’s look of indulgence, Lorenzo chimed in with disdain.

”I think I understand why your books aren’t popular.”

”I know, I know,” Oscar continued, ”I loved tragedies when I was young. Joy is all the same, but sadness is diverse and heart-penetrating.”

”I disdain writing happy endings similar to the mainstream; only sadness can make a lasting impression.”

”Yeah, your destitution leaves quite the impression too.”

Lorenzo’s words made Oscar’s face go awkward, not knowing how to continue.

”I’m planning to continue my writing after handing over as Nation-Builder. I enjoy constructing a conclusion first, but I haven’t thought of it yet.”

”So another tragic ending to be cursed by readers?”

Lorenzo sarcastically remarked; he was quite good at getting under people’s skin.

This time Oscar didn’t rebut loudly. He looked straight ahead, speaking softly.

”No, this time I want to write... a gentler ending.”

”Why?”

”It’s probably a change in mindset. Young, I thought tragedies were cool, and heroes should die brilliantly like that. Reality punched me hard, leaving me scrambling with unsold books that became firewood for warmth in winter.”

Oscar spoke while shaking his head, showing a life full of failures and countless bad memories.

”Now I feel that a gentle, clichéd ending isn’t bad. It’s also cool. Life is tough enough; people need something beautiful to cling to, warming the soul.”

Oscar looked at Lorenzo and asked.

”What do you think?”

”I’m not the one writing, so what I think doesn’t matter,” said Lorenzo, ”but it sounds good. Reality’s harsh, and people should have beautiful things for solace.”

Maybe sensing Lorenzo’s understanding, Oscar smiled, immersing himself in his thoughts.

Lorenzo sighed too. Truthfully, bantering with Oscar was quite stress-relieving.

He did want to accuse Oscar of his irresponsible behavior, but seeing his slightly stubborn eyes, Lorenzo found it unnecessary to say anything more.

Lorenzo knew many people like this, so stubborn for certain things, it was almost like their ultimate creed.

The Secret Keeper’s creed is to continue civilization, the Plague Doctor’s creed is Truth, Froki’s is the Nautical Chart, and Oscar’s seems to be his creations.

Such matters weren’t moved by words, so Lorenzo wisely gave up.

He was somewhat anticipating what kind of ending Oscar might write.

After all, Lorenzo was one of the few readers of Oscar’s work.