Gun of Ashes

”Ah... true peace, it’s been a long time.”

Bola lay on the hospital bed, wrapped in a big quilt.

Old Dunling had entered winter. Due to the heavy rain combined with the low temperature, the steam pipes continually had issues, and heating everywhere started becoming unstable, even Black Mountain Hospital couldn’t maintain warmth.

To avoid freezing to death, he could only curl into a ball, dozing off on the bed.

As a combatant, Bola’s every holiday was after a great war. But usually, even during breaks, he had to stay in the Lower City District, mingling with those foreigners.

Now the Lower City District had become a pile of ruins, the brutal floods flattened all the forces and conspiracies, leaving only broken walls and foul-smelling mud.

In front of this grand power, everything human seemed extremely insignificant, wiped out without any resistance.

The Lower City District was destroyed.

Naturally, Bola had no reason to return, so he simply recuperated peacefully at Black Mountain Hospital.

As for the Lower City District, the Cleaners were handling matters over there. They excavated the muddy land, dragging out the consumed bodies, while some survivors were organized together, establishing temporary dwellings near the outskirts.

Everything was proceeding orderly, yet disorderly chaos also appeared.

The echoes of the heavy rain still entwined the city. Under such disaster, many of Old Dunling’s functions hadn’t yet recovered. Coupled with destruction everywhere, various disturbances arose recently, prompting the police to intensify patrols, yet still unable to stop crime.

For this reason, the Purification Mechanism again deployed the Peacekeepers, who wandered the streets like heavy stones pressing on people’s hearts, submerging the restless souls back into cold water.

Bola let out a big yawn. Perhaps he was accustomed to a busy life, such peace actually made him feel a bit uncomfortable. On reflection, he had been lying here decadently for several days, presumably recuperating, yet no one came to disturb him, saying there’s something for him to handle next...

This feeling was like being disconnected from his familiar life; they no longer needed Bola.

Bola’s mood was strange. Logically, such a holiday was worth celebrating, but staying too long, he felt his body was about to rust.

Sometimes he would ponder, not just himself, but others too—what do people actually want, a peaceful life or the thrill between life and death?

At this moment, there was a knock at the door, and someone pushed the door open.

”You seem well.”

Blue Jade brought some fruit to visit this patient.

”It’s okay, just a bit cold.”

Bola said as he tried hard to wrap the quilt tightly, bundling himself up securely.

”How are the wounds?” Blue Jade asked with concern upon seeing his appearance.

”Fine. I’m mostly okay. Mainly observing the effects of erosion, the doctors are quite reluctant to let me go.”

Bola sat up, murmuring.

These doctors cared greatly for Bola, seemingly aware that excellent employees like Bola couldn’t just die abruptly, so he had enjoyed comprehensive care in these past days.

”Should be out in a few days.”

Bola looked out the window, speaking absentmindedly.

”Perhaps I’ve been idle for too long, staying here makes me more nervous.”

Blue Jade chuckled, then said, ”Is this what they call a workaholic?”

”Probably, but an active workaholic is not too bad, at least much better than Red Falcon, that passive unlucky fellow.”

Bola joked about Red Falcon.

Sometimes it’s true; people’s sense of happiness comes from comparison. Whenever Bola felt terrible, thinking of Red Falcon made everything seem reasonable and happy.

”No rush, there will be plenty of work for you later.”

Blue Jade added.

Bola lifted his head to look at her, curious.

”What’s up?”

”Gawain died in duty, you know that.”

Blue Jade said.

”Mmm.”

Bola’s eyes dimmed a bit, the recent heavy rain had taken too many lives, this time even the Knight Commander couldn’t escape. This was the first time in the history of the Purification Mechanism to suffer such a heavy blow.

”Now the Knight Commanders are constantly dwindling, the Purification Mechanism needs a new batch of Knight Commanders to fill the vacancies.”

”Hmm?”

Bola raised his eyebrows, unsure what this had to do with him, but then realized something, appearing a bit uneasy.

”Could it be...”

”Yes, you are probably getting promoted, Bola, congratulations.”

Blue Jade smiled and clapped her hands.

”No, no, this is just your speculation, right?”

Bola quickly waved his hand, he had never considered such matters, and now upon mention, it still felt very distant.

”No, it’s very likely. Command forces need to be replenished, inevitably choosing from the Upper-Rank Knights, but you’ve seen the current serving Upper-Rank Knights.”

Blue Jade mused over the familiar names in her mind.

There were actually many Upper-Rank Knights within the Purification Mechanism, but most held positions elsewhere. Knights like Bola and Red Falcon were frequently directly commanded and thus active on the front line.

”No matter from qualifications or achievements, you guys who have braved life and death are the first choices.

Who else could it be besides you? Red Falcon?”

At this point, Blue Jade couldn’t help but laugh.

”It’s not about mistrusting Red Falcon, it’s just that having him in such a position seems a bit off.”

Bola also showed a helpless smile. Thinking of a Knight Commander without a sense of seriousness, full of random chatter and complaints, he felt Red Falcon being a Knight Commander was an exceedingly unreliable idea.