Gun of Ashes

Lorenzo and Bola hadn't seen each other for a while. This guy, looking lively, seemed mostly healed from the injuries he sustained during the Ende Town operation.

Still maintaining a cold, iron-like demeanor, wrapped in a black scarf over his black clothes, he resembled a harbinger of death... which was quite fitting.

Bola was the observer and manager placed in the Lower City District by the Purification Mechanism. Outwardly, he was the mysterious boss of the Lower City District. Whoever saw him would tremble with fear. He usually lurked beneath that luxurious casino and only surfaced when some poor soul had angered him.

"So tell me, what's up with that Hughes? I suspect he's been smuggling something, which has provoked the Demon's revenge."

"Speculation?"

"What else? Isn't deduction essentially speculation? None of us have the power to foresee the future, so all we can do is make educated guesses."

"Then I hope your guesses are accurate."

Bola said, stepping into the carriage. It was exceedingly damp and cold in Old Dunling's winter, and he didn't want to be blasted by the chilly wind.

"Hughes, a guy from Reindona Port, seized the opportunity to annex Sabo's enterprise for rapid expansion after we settled the Green Shark affair."

"I know all that. What I need to know are the more hidden things, those that aren't recorded on paper—things only someone at your level might have heard of."

Lorenzo shook his head, showing a lack of interest in what Bola described.

Everyone harbors their most secretive side, and it's the same for anyone. That unspoken side can only be glimpsed through interactions with them. Lorenzo needed that glimpse, which was genuinely useful for the entire case.

According to the documents, Hughes had many friends at Reindona Port, the largest port in all of Ingwig. They smuggled goods from other countries and sold them through those gang members to maintain the gray economy.

Smuggled goods spanned all of Ingwig, and Hughes was the person responsible for handling the Old Dunling side of the business.

"Hmm... I might know something."

Bola pondered for a moment before continuing.

"Although smuggled goods are constantly being cracked down on, they've already become established, spanning all of Ingwig. Of course, this gray industry makes it easier for us to conduct Purification Mechanism operations, so currently, they are still under our broad control."

Lorenzo nodded, indicating he was still listening.

"However, they seem to have discovered a new industry recently."

"What?"

"I'm not sure, just heard rumors, and the source of the information came from Hughes, so it probably has something to do with him."

Saying this, Bola swallowed, seemingly thinking of how to explain this to Lorenzo. He paused a bit and then continued slowly.

"After the Radiant War, the Gaulunaros all withdrew from Ingwig. But during the hundred-year war, a large portion of Gaulunaros settled in the southern warzone. They were born during the Radiant War with Gaulunaro blood, yet they lived on Ingwig's land. Eventually, they integrated into our Ingwig way of life."

Lorenzo lifted his head, seemingly guessing the upcoming story.

"The descendants of Gaulunaros, their situation... is delicate, belonging to neither Gaulunaro nor welcomed by Ingwig."

"Most of them are concentrated in the southern region. Due to their origins, they face a lot of discrimination. Consequently, in many aspects, they receive much worse treatment compared to ordinary Ingwig people. Plus, with the wariness towards Gaulunaro, even after the war ended, the Exiled People in the south can only reside there, not allowed into the mainland of Ingwig."

Bola continued talking.

"So recently, some cases of human trafficking have appeared. Those who are heavily discriminated against become cheap labor, transferred from the south to other regions. Because they are descendants of Gaulunaro, their price is far cheaper than workers, so many factories are willing to invest in hiring such people."

"So Hughes is secretly involved in this?"

Lorenzo found it a bit hard to believe. His gaze turned a bit hostile as if looking at scum.

Bola paid no mind, finding it a little humorous that Lorenzo would look at him this way.

"Don't look at me like that; it's inevitable. The only thing we can do is ensure the stability of the larger environment and shift all conflicts into smaller chaotic areas."

This was a theory proposed by shrewd politicians, Bola remarked lightly.

Lorenzo said nothing more, as it was indeed true; even if it was him, he wouldn't know what to do.

"It looks like Hughes might have transported someone who shouldn't be moved... Can you find a list of his clients? We need to check them one by one."

"I need time; such matters are deeply hidden."

"Then in that case..."

Lorenzo pondered. If the Demon's revenge was related to Hughes' human trafficking, everything would originate from that person, the one who came from the south to Old Dunling.

If that was the main thread, then what roles did Lovedor and the Ed couple play in all this?

"Wait, Bola, if we're talking about human trafficking, is it a direct route from the south to Old Dunling, or are there stopping points along the way?"

Lorenzo suddenly thought of something.

During the Radiant War, the main battlefield was the southern warzone where the Gaulunaros landed. There were several cities between there and Old Dunling. If human trafficking was involved, there would surely be stops between these cities.

Bola nodded.

"That's inevitable, why?"

Lorenzo's notion was confirmed, and he smiled.

"I think I know part of the connection. Rowe and Doron are both from Borhans, and they are also connected with gangs. On the map, Borhans lies between the south and Old Dunling. It is likely their stopping point, where people are handed over to Rowe and Doron to be brought to Old Dunling."

The detective appeared somewhat excited.

"Then it makes sense; the Demon killed him because they were the ones transporting people."

"Are you so sure?"

"Of course not yet; it's accurately the most probable speculation."

Lorenzo kept thinking frantically. This way, the roles of Rowe and Doron as workers were explained. Presumably, they were used to hide connections with the gang. What exactly happened between them?

"What do you think could drive a person to such revenge?"

Suddenly, Lorenzo asked again, his gray-blue eyes like a calm sea, concealing a profound depth beneath.

From the beginning, Lorenzo seemed to have forgotten one thing: the Demon's motivation. This doesn't refer to revenge itself but why it seeks revenge.

Lorenzo even had a very bold speculation: is it possible that the person became a Demon for revenge?

But what kind of hatred would make someone so violent?