Gun of Ashes

The Black Mountain Hospital became busy again... To be accurate, it had never really stopped, but today was exceptionally hectic. It’s so busy that all hands are on deck, receiving the injured from the Broken Dome. Soldiers have also moved in, and the place is heavily guarded.

”How is Percival’s condition?”

Left Garrison arrived at Black Mountain Hospital with the team and asked Gawain, who was by his side.

”She fell into a coma after being rescued and just woke up.”

”Hmm, I hope she has some useful information.”

Left Garrison showed no concern for Percival, which displeased Gawain slightly, but then Left Garrison coldly stated,

”This is our second encounter with Roger. From these two attacks, he should now have a detailed understanding of the whole of Old Dunling, even the Purification Mechanism couldn’t escape.”

The kindly old man became extremely somber, his pupils hidden in deep shadows, with only a hint of glimmer visible.

”According to my predictions, this war will break out in the third encounter, and it will be a full-scale war, sweeping everyone along.”

”In the next encounter.”

Left Garrison emphasized.

”In other words, we have little time left. All life and death will be decided at Roger’s next coming.”

He stopped, his gloomy face resembling a mummy, exuding a strong air of death, momentarily intimidating Gawain, as if a vicious Evil Ghost was lurking within that frail old body.

”Are you worried about your colleague?” Left Garrison asked.

”Yes.” Gawain hesitated, then replied.

”Then from now on, don’t see her as your colleague. You are now ’pawns,’ tools to achieve victory. Tools don’t need any personal feelings, you just need to steadfastly execute all orders, understand? No hesitation, and no doubts.”

Left Garrison placed his hand on Gawain’s shoulder, imparting a heavy force that made Gawain almost unable to stand.

”I understand what you mean, but my loyalty lies with Arthur, not you,” Gawain said.

”I know, so shortly Arthur’s orders should reach you. Now the Purification Mechanism will follow my and Arthur’s commands, the Knight Commander, and the Anonymous participants as well,” Left Garrison said.

”Where is Arthur?” Gawain asked.

”He’s not here. To prevent Roger from beheading both me and him simultaneously, from now on, Arthur, I, and the Purification Mechanism’s department leaders will never appear together at the same time.”

Left Garrison turned around and continued forward. Percival’s ward was not far, guarded by several soldiers with doctors coming in and out.

”Let’s go.”

He pushed open the ward door and walked inside. Seeing Left Garrison’s arrival, the doctors sensibly left, leaving only Left Garrison, Gawain, and the just-awakened Percival in the room.

Percival looked somewhat haggard. Her body was wrapped in bandages, and her arm was in a cast, but these were just physical injuries. The true ordeal came from the torment of her soul. Her expression slightly twisted, wearily resisting the stabbing pain from her mind.

”It’s great to be alive, isn’t it?”

Left Garrison broke the silence first, sitting beside the sickbed. Percival turned her head with difficulty, her expression filled with pain and sorrow, and nodded slightly.

”Then don’t let your survival seem worthless,” Left Garrison gave Percival no time for relief, directly asking, ”What happened inside the Broken Dome?”

Percival didn’t speak but glanced at Gawain on the other side. Gawain remained silent for a moment, then nodded in indication.

”At that time, I was with Gareth, just like usual, distributing orders, controlling the city’s operations, but suddenly Roger appeared. He invaded the Broken Dome...”

The image of that moment of complete stillness flashed through her mind. Gareth slammed down the alert button, pushing her away while shouting at her,

[Unconditionally trust the Death Row.]

Why... Why, in the last moments, did he say this to me?

Percival’s thoughts swirled in confusion, her gaze slightly shifting, she saw the somber old man beside her. These Anonymous participants from Jiuxia, participants in the Death Row plan.

”And then?”

Left Garrison pressed, all kindness gone, only cold cruelty remaining.

”Then... did you find Gareth?”

Percival naively asked. Left Garrison didn’t answer, and Gawain shook his head, saying nothing.

Everyone was clear about Gareth’s fate.

After regaining control of the Broken Dome, in the ruins, they didn’t find Gareth. Everyone guessed he was dead. The blazing fire burned all the bodies to ashes. Even if he survived, the intense erosion would turn him into a Demon.

This is a sad truth, though none spoke it in the silent ward.

”Gareth pressed the alert, then told me to leave while he held off Roger. After that... Roger still came after us. He invaded many people, gaining information from their minds. The falling gates couldn’t stop him, and he advanced all the way.”

Left Garrison listened, nodding slightly, mercilessly forcing Percival to recall those terrible events, but this time, no one spoke up to stop him.

In the brief exchange, Gawain understood the current peril. He could comprehend Left Garrison’s cruelty, and Percival also knew her duty. There was no time for sorrow now.