Gun of Ashes

”We have turned bullets into carriers of anti-memes. When these bullets penetrate their bodies, the Demons hit by them lose cognitive functions due to the anti-memes, such as bodily actions, muscle tension, breathing, and even self-awareness.”

Left Garrison gently stroked the firearm, feeling the bumps and scars on the surface.

”The strength of the anti-memes isn’t high, so the cognitive impairment of the Demons isn’t complete. They can start to regain their cognition within minutes. Therefore, to defeat the Demons with such weapons, we need firepower suppression, to not give them a chance to breathe, channeling power to utterly destroy them while they’re still being suppressed.”

”Did you bring the technology to process the bullets?”

”Of course,” Left Garrison said, ”We brought many Scholars. As long as we connect with the Perpetual Motion Pump, given your industrial base, you can quickly start using anti-meme ammunition.”

”Not only that,” Merlin spoke up at this point, ”The Holy Silver Mine is already taken over by the Mechanical Institute, and Holy Silver will soon cover our entire weapon system.”

”What else?” Lorenzo asked.

”In fact, anti-meme weapons do not have much classification, aside from differences in strength. We’ve brought the ’Wangchuan’-level anti-meme weapons, which are currently Jiuxia’s highest-strength anti-meme weapons. Although it cannot compare to the old humans’ ’Echo of the End,’ I think this weapon should be effective against Roger and Ed.”

Left Garrison pondered for a bit and then spoke again.

”When leaving Jiuxia, we were informed of the importance of this operation. It’s safe to say that if we don’t solve the issues caused by The Inexpressible, we wouldn’t have much reason to return to Jiuxia, anyway, wherever we are, we’d face the fate of darkness.”

”So?”

”So I’m very worried our firepower is insufficient. Aside from protecting Jiuxia’s stability, we brought over all the ’Wangchuan’-level anti-meme weapons that could be deployed.”

Left Garrison’s words were calm, but their content made everyone present somewhat uneasy. He probably noticed the subtle changes in their expressions, so he chuckled softly and said.

”We were worried upon arrival, wondering if we’d exert too much pressure on you, so we were rather vague. Please rest assured. As for those enemies, if one weapon isn’t enough, we’ll add a second, and a third, until we drive them to extermination. I think, Mr. Holmes, you can understand this, can’t you?”

”I agree.”

Lorenzo responded, walked to the side, and sat back in his chair, giving Left Garrison a thumbs-up.

”So many anti-meme weapons? Without these enemies, I’d suspect you’re here to start a war.”

”The war has never ended, Mr. Holmes.”

Left Garrison smiled and made eye contact with Lorenzo.

There was a moment of silence as everyone contemplated the next moves and what changes these weapons might bring to the situation. Only Lorenzo was rubbing his hands, pondering the deaths of his enemies in his mind.

As he thought about it, Lorenzo felt a bit disappointed, realizing that if they were defeated by anti-memes, he too would forget the faces of his enemies, and the thrill of victory would likely dissipate.

Finally, Lorenzo broke the silence, his voice carrying a twisted tone.

”I’m starting to like these guests.”

He slammed his hand on the table, the sound was deep, like a monster crawling out of its lair, speaking to everyone.

”So, ladies and gentlemen, what are you waiting for?”

Lorenzo climbed onto the roundtable, stepping amid this century of history, brandishing his sword.

”It’s time to act.”

...

Furnace Pillar, Land of Sorrow.

In the dimness, machinery roared, red-hot metal advanced along conveyors, disappearing into unknown darkness, leaving only specks of dark red.

This was the Central Tower of the Land of Sorrow. More than a tower, it was a giant pillar connecting the base of the Furnace Pillar, with several large vertical elevators ascending along it, reaching the surface through secret passages.

Watson sat quietly in the corner of the Central Tower. From this elevated round platform, one could see most of the areas illuminated by lights below.

She observed this silent world, watching Galahad approach with curiosity, asking.

”Why is this place called the Land of Sorrow?”

Upon first hearing this name, Watson found it somewhat surprising. Based on current knowledge, the various areas of Old Dunling were mostly named based on their functional nature, yet this place seemed different.

”I thought you knew,” Galahad said.

”A gathering place for the forgotten? Looks like you too don’t want to be forgotten.”

”No one wants to be forgotten,” Galahad answered coldly.

Cleaners passed through here, appearing devoid of emotion, executing orders mechanically with no one looking this way, as if without a command, there’s no need to act.

But such a cold group still feels sad due to being forgotten.

Something dropped again in the darkness, descending slowly on an elevator. It appeared to be a large object, covered with a cloth, its identity obscured.

”The ’Wangchuan’-level anti-meme weapons from Jiuxia, they’re also part of the ’Mechanical Deity’ program,” Galahad remarked.

”What about those people from Jiuxia?”

Watson’s sharp eyes captured the figures guarding the concealed weapon.

”Like us, they’re also part of the narrative, and they’re somewhat special, sharing a unified name, known as ’Mr. Cai.’” Galahad explained.

”Mr. Cai?”

”Yes, they’re very similar to us,” Galahad chuckled hoarsely, ”I’ve been affected by corruption, so I can only hide in the darkness, while they, due to anti-memes, only hide in the shadows.”

”Interesting.”

Watson was intrigued by this so-called ’Mr. Cai,’ curious as to why they abandoned their name to become ’Mr. Cai.’

At this moment, another footstep sounded emerging from the darkness towards them, yet another person in black.

Having not spent much time around the Cleaners, Watson had vaguely grasped from her knowledge the tiers within the Cleaners.

Primarily, they seem divided into two types: enforcers who are armored and silent, hiding beneath thick clothing, and returnees responsible for operating the Cleaner department, capable of speech and communication.

White-hot flames flickered beneath a mask, with the hooded darkness failing to block Watson’s scrutiny, though the person in black never intended to prevent Watson’s observation.

”Never thought... it would be you.”

Watson exclaimed in surprise.

”Do we know each other?”

The person in black was puzzled, their voice hoarse, breathing heavy, with scars visible in the dim light on their skin, metal mechanics sprawled across the chest.

”I know you, though you likely don’t recognize me. I thought you perished in that storm.”

Upon reaching this point, Watson understood something, laughter resonated beneath her mask. She looked at Galahad.

”Is this why you’re called Returnees?”

”No, not everyone is a Returnee; it’s a term for certain individuals,” Galahad clarified, nodding, ”But indeed, he and I are Returnees.”

”Returnees from the realm of death...but that doesn’t mean you’ve truly escaped death.”

Watson approached the person in black. It was her first time being so proactive.

”You’re alive. I think Lorenzo would be thrilled.”

Upon hearing Lorenzo’s name, the person in black paused, unsure how this individual before them knew these details but remembering her role in the Mechanical Deity project alleviated doubts, realizing the universe was full of secrets unknown to them.

Just like they never imagined such a place within Old Dunling, let alone becoming part of it.

”Lorenzo... heh...”

The person in black chuckled without adding more.

”Well... pleased to see you again.”

Watson’s hand rested upon his shoulder, reflecting the days spent with Lorenzo, whose experiences felt like her own. Although rarely revealed, this moment’s feeling of returns from loss filled her cold heart with rare delight.

These familiar faces.

”Joey Joshua.”

Bloodshot eyes gleamed faintly with recognition, as Joey realized, in this dark depth, it had been ages since anyone had addressed him so.