Gun of Ashes

Amidst artillery strikes, the Cleaners and Mr. Cai emerged from the shadows, eradicating the wandering Demons and sweeping the battlefield.

Perhaps witnessing cruelty for too long in the dark, their actions were swift and decisive, aiming to quickly end this seemingly endless nightmare.

”Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Bluebird watched as the celestial fire fell to the world, whispering softly.

”Stop summoning your God, Bluebird, even God is powerless.”

Arthur said with a hint of disdain; there’s no God in this world, only real monsters, a truly dire situation.

”I know, but I can’t help comforting myself this way.”

Bluebird said helplessly, witnessing the fiery ascendancy ahead.

The artillery sound of Ascalon was like thunder, each discharge bringing intense vibrations, as if the entire world was collapsing in the artillery fire.

”The feeling of returning to Hell is truly awful.”

It’s such a radiant scene, yet amidst beauty lies ultimate destruction.

Even far from Old Dunling, everyone could clearly see its trajectory, charging into the depths of those dark clouds, illuminating all darkness.

The fire descended from all directions, delivering judgment upon the mortal realm.

In the countryside far from the artillery positions, all important personnel and documents were secretly evacuated from Old Dunling by the Cleaners, avoiding Roger’s attention.

Some sacrificed, becoming bait, while others survived, ready to rebuild high-rises on the ruins.

The survivors were busy too, and amidst the busyness, some couldn’t help but stop and gaze into the intertwining of fire and storm.

Nikola looked toward a corner where a girl was staring in the direction of Old Dunling, her apathetic expression revealing a hint of sorrow.

The two had a less than pleasant encounter on the train before, Nikola noticed her change and walked over to ask.

”What’s wrong?”

Selyu was silent for a moment without shifting her gaze.

”There are still many people left there.”

Listening to her words, Nikola also fell silent, glancing at Selyu, and recalling the end of the communication, that somewhat ridiculous, expressionless face from memory.

”Yeah, seems like you have friends left there too.” Nikola said.

”Yes, many will die.”

Selyu appeared profoundly sad.

”How long will this sacrifice continue?”

No one answered her, hardly anyone looked at her. Everyone hurried with files and equipment, loading them onto the next train.

This was an escape; they had to flee far away, as far from Old Dunling as possible. Once their fortress, now it’s merely a vortex of death.

At the vortex’s center, Eve and Shao Liangxi moved swiftly, Rod ran somewhat slow, dragging himself behind, but maintain a fitting rhythm between them; they wouldn’t leave Rod completely behind, nor would Rod give up, standing in the rain.

Chaotic sounds resonated around them, both appeared worried, then looked at each other.

”Did you... hear it?”

Shao Liangxi’s expression turned slightly frightened when Watson’s voice echoed in her mind, she vaguely felt something crawling out of the shadows.

Those surging memories.

”A voice from the [Gap], there’s another Ascended One hidden in this Old Dunling.”

Eve keenly realized the problem, just like Shao Liangxi, as the voice resonated, she began to recall something.

”This...this is the trigger, the triggering mechanism.”

Shao Liangxi’s pace gradually slowed, a torrent of memories emerged, fleeting flashes of forgotten scenes coursing through her mind.

Then her body started trembling.

Eve looked at her, only to see this usually neurotic girl exhibiting sadness this moment.

Maybe their time together was short, Eve didn’t truly understand Shao Liangxi, or possibly Shao Liangxi’s usual impression was too deep, seeing her now, instead brought some discomfort.

”He... he’s dead.”

Shao Liangxi murmured to herself.

In that secret Military Port, during that unrecorded meeting.

Numerous faces flashed in Shao Liangxi’s mind, finally stopping on one person.

He slowly stepped off the carriage, carrying a decadent expression with harbored madness in shadows, and another consciousness within the husk.

That was Shao Liangxi’s first meeting with the man known as ”Lorenzo Holmes,” and at that moment, he crafted this dual-layered plan, someone’s fate already decided in his scheme.

”First, deception; we absolutely cannot expose ourselves to Roger’s sight.”

”Then restraints; given Roger’s ability, escaping is too easy for him. We need enough sacrifices, stimulating him to attack, affecting his reasoning, driving him mad, losing judgment, until we grasp him tightly.”

The man spoke to himself, expressionless, treating everyone’s lives as chips, pushing them onto the gaming table.

”But this is still inadequate.”

He finally said.

”These are merely prerequisites, even in the final showdown, we still don’t have an absolute chance.

We need to exhaust Roger, constantly weakening him... as for the ultimate blow, leave it to me.”

This was a magnificent gamble, with countless deaths, wagering on the chance for victory as void as it was. Shao Liangxi then felt these Westerners might have some brain issues; they came to aid but not to die.

Then... then he stood up.

”Perhaps we can optimize it; bait and exhaustion, indeed they can overlap.”

Emerging mist dispersed, Left Garrison sat at the lead, expression benevolent.

”Young folks have a bright future; this kind of task better left to old fellows.”

Shao Liangxi gripped her Folding Blade, her voice slightly trembled; during earlier battles with Demons, she never revealed such emotion.

”Teacher, he... he died.”

Left Garrison’s death was the trigger for retaliation, it also marked that when Shao Liangxi... all participants of that meeting recalled the layered plans, Left Garrison had already perished.

”Are you... alright?”

Eve extended her hand, attempting to touch Shao Liangxi, but stopped mid-air.

Shao Liangxi raised her head, the sadness vanished from her face, replaced by chilling coldness.

She is rational, as an Anonymous, it is the required professionalism.

Repeated deep breaths allowed herself to calm down the turbulent emotions, then Shao Liangxi said.

”Nothing, let’s continue.”

She returned to tranquility, as if forgetting everything that just transpired.

”Fooled the enemy, fooled myself.”

Shao Liangxi said coldly, then revealed a hint of helpless smile.

”Really crazy, Holmes.”

It’s a sorrowful and bad plan, but fortunately, it seems indeed tearing some starlight amidst darkness.

What a pity, Lorenzo couldn’t hear her praise, amidst storms, Armed Iron Serpent accelerated, heading for the Mechanical Institute.

Watson stayed atop the board, controlling everything. She watched Lorenzo’s advance, her gaze traversing the road, finally resting on the burning ruins, at the darkest depths, monsters were battling fiercely.

Continuous [Wangchuan] impacts forced a monster like Roger, to shed blood as well. Amidst agonizing thoughts, he was devoured by the collapse, falling toward deeper darkness.

Land of Sorrow.

In this boundless darkness, Roger fell; it only took seconds for him to stand again, but a monster hidden in the darkness wasn’t going to give him that opportunity.

The monster evaded the preset [Wangchuan], and at this crucial moment, dragged Roger into the Death Row.

It swung the cold Nail Sword, piercing Roger’s heart while the blazing white storm rose, its consciousness struck Roger’s [Gap], attempting a final blow along [Wangchuan]’s inflicted wounds, to utterly break Roger’s [Gap].

”Ed...”

Roger uttered low growls, while the monster wielding the sword smiled.

”This is a fitting burial ground, Roger.”