Gun of Ashes

Sure, here is the translated excerpt from the novel:

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Selyu retorted, and her words stunned the old butler, whose expression looked as if he didn’t understand what Selyu was saying.

”Yes, in fact, I made this decision merely because of my... some personal motives, but decisions made out of personal motives will determine the future of the Stuart family.”

Selyu’s eyes were filled with hesitation.

”This decision of mine might satisfy me at the moment, but it could also drag the Stuart family into a dire situation in the near future.”

Hearing her words, the old butler’s eyes lit up slightly.

”Are you worried about the Stuarts?”

”What else? I am the Duke, and while I possess power, I should also fulfill the duties I ought to fulfill.”

The old butler smiled, happier than ever before.

Due to Selyu’s past experiences, he was very worried that Selyu might never truly integrate into the Stuarts; after all, this large family was, in the end, somewhat unfamiliar to her. But now Selyu considered herself part of it and would ponder even amidst her personal motives.

”You are the current Duke; your decision is our decision.”

The old butler smiled, but his face quickly grew serious. He reached into his bosom and pulled out a loaded pistol, his demeanor turning fierce.

”However, can I know what personal motive prompted you to make such a decision?”

He asked as he pointed the gun towards the parlor door, looking as though he would charge in the next second.

Selyu was silent for a while, not answering, but this made the old butler even more certain of his inference.

”Although I have no right to interfere with your intentions, I feel I am capable of dealing with the problematic source before all this happens.”

The old butler said fiercely, looking at Selyu, ”Are you doubting I can’t beat him?”

”No, it’s just that this thing can’t kill him anymore now. I think you’d have to stuff him into Ascalon’s cannon at least to turn him to ashes.”

Selyu spoke the truth.

This trip to Silent Sea had shown her too many bizarre things, and more absurd was Lorenzo’s strength which had gradually exceeded the bounds of normal understanding, with white flames burning as fiercely as the sun, high up in the sky.

”He’s like a blazing fire.” Selyu said softly.

”And in his eyes, mortals are like moths to a flame; getting close means getting burned, even though that’s not his intention.” The old butler sighed deeply, putting away the gun, and said.

”So this is your personal motive?”

Selyu didn’t deny it, her eyes fixed on the contract inside the briefcase.

”After all, I am just a mortal, too timid to walk alongside the scorching sun... but perhaps I might become ’strong’ in other places, for instance, becoming a Nation-Builder.”

”Is it worth it?”

”If I think it’s worth it, then it is, so this is my personal motive.”

The old butler thought for a moment, moving closer to Selyu, and whispered.

”Actually, not everything needs a noble reason to begin.

”It’s not impossible to do it for personal motives,” the old butler continued, ”just like these new technologies, at first, these guys just wanted to make money off them, advancing technology was merely a by-product.

For instance, the third-rate writer in the room, don’t listen to him going on about writing, he initially just didn’t want to clock in, hoping to earn through words. As to literature, that came later.”

”Ah? How do you know that?” Selyu asked.

”With such a big thing, I ought to check the other’s identity, right?” the old butler laughed as he spoke, ”In truth, I feel the Nation-Builders cannot wait for you to replace him, Oscar staying in this position is just a waste of resources.”

”So, although I have many objections to him, there’s no way around it, as the one making the decision is you. Your decision is our decision.”

The old butler comforted the girl.

In a daze, he seemed to see Selyu’s appearance when she arrived in Old Dunling at that time, and who would have thought so much time had passed in a blink.

”Not everyone can foresee their decisions and the consequences they bring about.”

The old butler chuckled.

”Just like I never expected that the decision back then, would leave behind you.”

Selyu smiled slightly, maybe also recalling the past. It was then that the bickering voices of Lorenzo and Oscar echoed again from the parlor, seeming like the two had rested enough to begin the second round.

Hearing this bothersome noise, the old butler was again reminded of Lorenzo and Oscar. Both of these guys had very special identities and bore important responsibilities, yet they were so casual, like guys escaped from an asylum.

”If no decision is made, then nothing will happen.”

Amid the background noise of the two men’s bickering, the old butler said.

Selyu nodded, her hesitant expression turning resolute as she picked up the pen.

Many things follow this pattern, one peculiar decision after another resulting in all of this, if only Yawei hadn’t hired Lorenzo, if Lorenzo hadn’t found her, if...if...

There were no ”ifs” anymore.

Selyu directly pressed the contract onto the briefcase and signed her name.

The ink penetrated the paper, engraving the name ”Selyu Stuart” firmly into it, binding her with a dark fate, continuing with the family’s legacy until the Stuarts were utterly destroyed or a new successor arrived.

Thus, it ended.

This ought to have been a solemn succession, in Oscar’s imagination, he would be dressed in a resplendent outfit, watched by onlookers with power, solemnly handing over the contract to Selyu and witnessing her sign her name.

But the grand ceremony did not exist; it only happened in the hallway outside the parlor, with Selyu signing it over the briefcase on a small table for vases. Only she herself and an old butler bore witness... she wasn’t sure if Lorenzo and Oscar on the other side of the door counted.

Releasing the pen slowly, Selyu felt a sense of relief, but soon it was being pulled and bound by unknown chains.

”So, can I shoot him once too? Anyway, I can’t kill him, venting some frustration should be fine, right?”

The old butler took out the gun again, inquiring.

Selyu glanced at the old butler, her cold face couldn’t help but smile.

”You really know how to ruin the mood.”

”It just feels too oppressive...thinking like this, I understand those lunatics inside.” The old butler chuckled as well.

He handed the pen back to Selyu.

”Go ahead.”

Selyu nodded, taking the pen and contract, the old butler opened the door for her.

The smell of strong liquor came wafting from behind the door, the liquor cabinet was open, and empty bottles with residual liquid were spilled on the carpet, the table overturned to the side, further ahead, two boozy guys were grappling on the sofa.

It wasn’t exactly a brawl; accurately, one side was one-sidedly beating the other.

Even though Oscar had depicted himself overwhelmingly in his ”The Life of Oscar Wilde,” in reality, this old guy was pinned down by the young and strong Lorenzo.

Lorenzo’s strikes were still ”gentle,” afraid that he might accidentally break Oscar for real.

”Lorenzo, you bastard, you insult my work!”

”But no matter how you hype it, its sales really are terrible, there’s so many in my house that I use them as table props!”

”You dog!”

The two continued to swear at each other, not noticing Selyu’s arrival, who was probably used to this, going straight to Oscar’s side. He was pinned under Lorenzo, unable to turn his head.

”Gentlemen, excuse me.”

Selyu said, taking out the contract and handing Oscar a pen.

Perhaps due to the alcohol combined with his rage towards Lorenzo, Oscar’s mind hadn’t caught up yet, doing as Selyu instructed, just wanting to finish her thing quickly and continue cursing at Lorenzo.

”Sign here.”

”And here.”

”Okay, it’s signed.”

Selyu collected the contract, wiping a corner slightly with water stains she wasn’t sure if it was their saliva or alcohol, tidying it up, stuffing it back into the briefcase, handing it to the old butler.

”Go give it to him.”

”Okay.”

Having completed everything, Selyu sat on the other side of the sofa, crossing her legs, as if watching animals.

She felt a bit of a headache, wondering if anyone would believe it if she spoke about this. The succession of the Nation-Builder ended in such a bizarre manner.

It was then that Oscar came to, staring blankly at Selyu, his voice trembling as he asked.

”What did I just sign?”