Gun of Ashes

The towering buildings stood like countless monstrous claws under the pitch-black night sky. The streetlamps were different from those he was familiar with. In the deformed development of Old Dunling, many areas still had no electricity. Here, it seemed to be the same, with nothing but gas lamps. In the nearby mist, a Lightkeeper progressed, and as he moved, one lamp after another lit up.

The night had deepened, but he didn't want to go home yet. He hated the stern kindness of Mrs. Van Rudd. He rarely felt the presence of warmth from others. Compared to the parents who drove him out of the house, she was like a ray of light in Hig's heart.

But he didn't want this light to be disappointed because of him. As he walked aimlessly, gigantic structures emerged from the mist, with glimmers of light sparkling amongst them. Hig was slightly startled, then he heard the faint sound of hymns.

This was a church.

Hundreds of years ago, Ingwig also submitted to the powerful Holy Pope Empire. Through those white-robed missionaries and sword-wielding Holy Hall Knight Orders, the Evangelical Church entered the world of Ingwig. Although in recent years, Ingwig had selectively forgotten its existence, many churches still remained in today's Old Dunling, hidden by later-constructed buildings. You could only hear faint hymns and prayers, unable to find the buildings themselves.

But what surprised Hig was that this church wasn't concealed at all, standing openly between the streets. Behind the iron gates lay the church's light-emitting door, adorned with countless gargoyles guarding this sacred place.

Hig seemed to remember what this place was—Saint Mary's Cathedral. In this area of the East City District, it was once a gathering place for Evangelical Church believers. Yet, as believers gradually dwindled, it fell into desolation, even its name forgotten. Hig had only read about this place in books.

The whole church was built with white stone, pure and pristine. Even under the nighttime curtain, it remained untainted by any blemish. Many have forgotten its name, instead referring to it by this distinctive characteristic.

The White Church.

While Hig was pondering, the iron gate suddenly opened. A man resembling a priest stood not far away, smiling at him. His hair was already gray, and his face was full of wrinkles, yet despite the deep winter night, under his gaze, Hig felt a slight warmth, as if basking in sunlight.

"Excuse me..."

"You must be feeling lost too, right? Do you need someone to listen to you?"

Before Hig could say anything, the priest spoke first. Then he turned his body, as if inviting Hig. The White Church's door slowly opened.

Hig originally wanted to refuse. He didn't believe in any so-called God. As a Mechanician, he believed in absolute logic and reality. Compared to the intangible God, he believed that when machines reached their pinnacle, they'd be omnipotent. What difference would there be, then, between an omnipotent machine and God?

That's what he thought, but in that instant, he didn't refuse, as if guided by some instruction. He nodded almost involuntarily, then stepped into that white church.

...

"So, where are we going?"

Lorenzo sat in the carriage, the scenery outside fleeting past. At that moment, they were racing down the streets of Old Dunling, with the rushing wind stirring up the mist like phantoms in a frenzy.

"To the headquarters of the Purification Mechanism, Mr. Holmes. If your hypothesis holds true, Old Dunling is now facing an unprecedented threat."

Unlike the laid-back Lorenzo, Joey's expression was undeniably more serious. He resembled a cold weapon, just waiting for the appearance of the enemy.

"But this is just a conjecture."

"Yet your so-called conjecture is a possibility. Within the Purification Mechanism, we've hypothesized several scenarios concerning city collapse and kingdom division and proposed different solutions to these scenarios. The final result was that some scenarios truly occurred, but with our foresight, the situation was well-controlled and resolved."

Joey spoke while looking out the window to confirm their location. It seemed he was indeed in a hurry.

"So, according to the normal historical process, your Purification Mechanism, and even Ingwig, have faced multiple potential destructions?"

Lorenzo was somewhat surprised. Joey's words resembled the Demon Hunting Order's prophecies. Those Shangdafeng branch demon hunters always cryptically predicted others' demises, not unlike what Joey described, but it felt much more real.

"Precisely, we've avoided those destructive possibilities. Since that destructive history has been avoided, it practically doesn't exist."

"Like a series of branches?"

Lorenzo remarked, choosing path after path, yet these people already knew what lay ahead and responded accordingly.

"That's about right."

He replied.

The carriage raced down the street like a speeding chariot. After an unknown duration of their charge, it finally halted. Lorenzo was greeted by countless soldiers before him. Armed with weapons pointing directly at the carriage, from Lorenzo's and the Purification Mechanism's prolonged "collaboration" and his understanding of their equipment, they were equipped uniformly with Aluminothermic Rifles. A single round could melt through anything.

"Is this your Purification Mechanism's headquarters?"

Although Lorenzo's voice didn't reveal anger, the Secret Blood had already started activating. He wasn't particularly trusting of these people.

"Please calm down, Mr. Holmes."

The soldiers dispersed, and from among them emerged Red Falcon. Lorenzo didn't expect him to arrive.

"How do you know I'm not calm?"

Lorenzo considered his emotional control adept, without the likelihood of being discovered. Yet, Red Falcon merely raised his hand, holding a Geiger Counter, its reading slightly rising.

"Didn't expect that ghost thing to be quite sensitive."

Lorenzo coldly remarked, but the reading still climbed. He wasn't planning to spare anyone's feelings.

"This is purely for safety. After all, you know, we're just mere mortals battling demons. You're about to proceed to the Purification Mechanism's headquarters. To prevent the upper echelons from demon invasion, we've put in considerable effort, and these are merely the security forces."

The Purification Mechanism differed from the Demon Hunting Order; they had no technological blessings from the Revelation. The only armor technology was exchanged with Jiuxia using precious steam technology.

In the Demon Hunting Order, the esteemed figures were protected by Medanzo branch demon hunters, the Forbidden Guard of the Celestial Kingdom. Lorenzo's power was evident, yet even among these sacred guards, he wasn't the strongest, merely average.

Historically, there were instances where demons successfully intruded the Seven Hills site, but under the protection of the powerful Medanzo branch demon hunters, the Saint Nalos Cathedral held steadfast through the demon surge. The flowing blood soaked the entire Seven Hills, and all they managed was to stain the cathedral's door red.

At dawn's arrival, the doors opened wide, and the Pope knelt unharmed before the holy cross, followed by the Cardinals. Their whispered prayers resounded like the ringing of bells.

But such events won't happen again, Lorenzo whispered to himself.

Finally, Red Falcon produced a blindfold and handed it to Lorenzo.

"Just this?"

"Indeed, we don't wish for the Purification Mechanism's location to be exposed. These soldiers are merely stationed here. I'll guide you forward."

Lorenzo suspiciously eyed him, but eventually accepted the blindfold. If the Purification Mechanism had any ill intentions towards him, they would've made their move long ago. No need to worry about that—though it might be possible they hadn't previously figured out how to deal with him, and now they found a way.

But Lorenzo didn't show any indication of this. Dutifully, he put on the blindfold. In his mind, he was somewhat curious about what the mysterious Purification Mechanism would actually look like.