Gun of Ashes

Yage felt like he was fighting a monster, his arm went numb from the shock, and he started to fall backward, losing his balance.

Lorenzo stepped forward, his face menacing.

Yage didn't struggle, instead, he went with the momentum and fell, but immediately rolled on the ground and got up, slashing back at Lorenzo as he turned.

This unexpected strike almost hit Lorenzo, but fortunately, he stopped his advance just in time and didn't follow through, yet Lorenzo cursed angrily next.

"You dare fight back?"

These words made Yage freeze, even his panicked heart paused for a moment.

What's with this guy? Is counterattacking not allowed?

He really wanted to hurl insults back at Lorenzo, but instinct drove him to flee, yet as he took a step, severe pain shot from his ankle.

The staff sword had precisely injured his ankle, and Yage fell powerlessly, blood gushing out.

As long as it incapacitated the suspect, Lorenzo didn't care if he used a gun or a sword. He was very precise, only severing the muscle; otherwise, this vicious strike might have taken Yage's entire leg.

Lorenzo walked over leisurely, revealing a victor's smile, though he reeked terribly.

"From Florence?" he asked tentatively.

But Yage didn't respond at all, only clutching his injured ankle and groaning in pain.

Lorenzo crouched down, then punched Yage in the body, causing him to curl up in agony.

Previously, he used to mix in the Lower City District, where everyone was a thug, bloodthirsty maniacs. Sometimes, to get information, Lorenzo had to torture them brutally, but still, some would die rather than speak.

Lorenzo had pondered for a long time on how to deal with them, and finally, he found the answer.

It was fear.

The detective revealed a cruel smile and spoke slowly.

"Finally caught you, don't worry, we have plenty of time to get to know each other."

His expression was like that of a man-eating psychopath, just by looking at Lorenzo, one would know that falling into his hands meant no good end.

Yage's gaze was filled with horror, Lorenzo's hand reached for his throat, the intangible pressure hammering at his heart, the so-called God and faith couldn't save him at this moment, compared to death, the prolonged torture was terrifying.

But just as that hand was about to clutch his throat, the urgent sound of hooves arose, Lorenzo guessed it was the mounted police. He didn't care about these; they couldn't affect the current situation much. But the next moment, Lorenzo was lifted into the air.

In this instant, even the great detective was stunned, but what followed was intense pain all over his body, his vision rapidly shifted as he was knocked several meters away, finally crashing into a lamppost, the heavy impact making the entire pole wobble.

The carriage stopped by the roadside, the wheels only a few centimeters away from Yage; a bit more, and he would've been crushed to death by the wheels.

"Still alive?"

The man pushed open the carriage door, looking at the battered Yage.

When Yage saw him, his frightened expression turned to joy, but before he could say anything, the man directly lifted him and dragged him into the carriage.

Everything happened quickly, in less than a minute, the still-stabilizing carriage started to accelerate, the driver vigorously whipping the horse, trying to leave the scene quickly.

This collision would've been fatal to an ordinary person, but Lorenzo was not ordinary. He managed to stand up, his whole body filled with sharp, throbbing pain, but all he needed was a little time, just a little time, and this detective would be up and about again.

But the carriage didn't plan to give Lorenzo time; it was already beginning to speed away, Lorenzo's figure staggered a little, but he quickly suppressed the pain and gave chase.

"Damn it!"

Lorenzo swore, clutching his chest with one hand.

This sudden strike took him completely by surprise; he didn't even have time to unleash Secret Blood.

Though not fatal, it significantly lowered Lorenzo's condition for a while; his mouth tasted like iron, making him extremely uncomfortable.

But the carriage was getting further away, and in a rage, Lorenzo threw the staff sword in his hand. The blade flashed past, firmly nailing itself to the carriage.

In impotent fury, Lorenzo was already unable to catch up, kneeling halfway on the ground, breathing heavily.

Soon after, the carriage disappeared from view, leaving no trace.

The sound of more hooves resounded, causing Lorenzo to tense up. He rose abruptly, but what came into view were the long-overdue mounted police.

"Stay where you are!"

The mounted police shouted, as the Mission was visiting and to prevent accidents, Old Dunling was under high alert, yet even so, there was still unrest today.

"Don't get in the way."

Lorenzo said in a low voice. Although it wasn't long, in that short time, it was enough for the carriage to escape far away; he couldn't catch up.

He needed to return to the Lower City District, hoping the information broker would stay put as he said; he had to catch that guy.

"First warning!"

The mounted police also said angrily, bullets chambered, guns pointed at Lorenzo.

This guy looked battered, but gave off a peculiar oppressive aura, making them exceedingly vigilant.

Lorenzo's actions came to a halt; though he wanted to quickly knock these few guys over and continue the investigation, he lived in human society, sometimes you had to abide by some rules, so he said.

"I am Lorenzo, Lorenzo Holmes! An external detective for Suyalan Hall, I'm in pursuit of a case, got it!"

As he spoke, a dull pain throbbed from his chest.

The police seemed surprised; they exchanged looks, but the guns didn't lower.

"Got any proof?"

Proof? Lorenzo increasingly regretted not taking Pres's officer badge; he shook his head.

"Then please just cooperate a bit."

The mounted police didn't want to provoke Lorenzo either, their attitude softened a little.

Lorenzo was silent for a while, but just as he was about to say something, someone spoke up in his defense.

"He's the external detective for Suyalan Hall, I've seen him."

The sound of hooves gradually drew closer, the voice somewhat familiar.

Lorenzo turned his head, the girl approached triumphantly on horseback, and suddenly, Lorenzo felt a rush of familial excitement.

"Eve... Eve?" Lorenzo said.

The last time he met Eve was the night with Lawrence, when Lorenzo had to sacrifice her to kill Lawrence... honestly, his mindset back then was totally different from now, at that time he was just an efficient weapon, as long as Lawrence was killed, he didn't even mind dying there.

But it was different now, Lawrence was dead, and Lorenzo became more and more like a person, retaining humanity, so often when recalling that time, he inevitably felt guilty.

He was not prepared to meet this girl, though this situation of reuniting wasn't bad either, seeing Eve actively intervening for him suggested she wasn't mad about his decision back then, such a broad-minded... understanding girl was truly wonderful, she must understand why he did it, right!

Lorenzo's mind ran wildly, or maybe he was just justifying his decision, acting as if the friction between him and Eve had already vanished, he walked over openly.

"Did you hear? I really am!"

Meeting an old friend again, Lorenzo shamelessly sidled over, but when he looked up, he saw Eve's face somewhat cold, the joy that had welled up inside him suddenly froze.

The girl stared at him, her icy face forming a smile... more accurately a sneer.

"Causing chaos, financial loss..." Eve glanced at the street behind, the chaos left by the chase still present, with some people crushed under the overturned carriage.

"Wait! I'm investigating a case!"

Lorenzo felt a hint of distress, defending himself as he was indeed investigating a case, though the suspect had escaped.

"What's the use of telling me? I'm just a peacekeeper on horseback!"

Eve shrugged, then tossed a pair of handcuffs.

"Cuff him up!"