Gun of Ashes

The eerie laughter continued until the throat was hoarse, and finally stopped when the strength was completely gone.

"You demon hunters are truly strange, aren't you?"

The Plague Doctor marveled, picking up a robe nearby and draping it over Lawrence.

"As per your request, the body cultivated using the Holy Grail Flesh, to ensure stability, only a tiny part consists of the Grail's flesh, but the price is that you're not as strong as you once were."

"None of that matters. Strength and such, I can reclaim as long as I'm still alive."

Lawrence's voice was hoarse; it seemed he had not yet adapted to this new body.

Although the body was reborn, that terrifying combat experience was long engraved in his will. After briefly losing control, Lawrence could already stand firmly on the ground.

"No, it's not considered a failure. I've finally figured out who that demon hunter is, and this faked death successfully deceived the Purification Mechanism."

Lawrence recalled the final moments, the explosion causing the protective face armor to fall off, allowing him to see Lorenzo's face, finally realizing his identity, though he hadn't expected it to be him, as he remembered Lorenzo should have died on the Night of the Holy Arrival.

"But that doesn't matter anymore. We've already become ghosts; whether it's the Evangelical Church or the Purification Mechanism, they'd regard me as the Dead. From now on, we are truly immersed in the shadows."

Despite it being painful, this cost was acceptable. Lawrence attempted a few steps; though somewhat stumbling, he quickly steadied himself, his strides now solid, looking completely different from before.

"It's hard to believe, isn't it, that such a miracle is really done by that so-called Authority?"

The Plague Doctor circled around Lawrence, his concerns not lying in what Lawrence intended to do within the shadows now.

He observed Lawrence closely like scrutinizing a perfect specimen, pondering where to begin dissecting him.

It wasn't some medical miracle. It was a miracle that could only be achieved by God.

"This is the power of the Gap; the so-called possession is exactly like this."

Lawrence spoke slowly, though he soon seemed to exhaust himself, leaning against the wall and slowly collapsing, clutching his head with a grimace.

"You look like you have a headache."

The Plague Doctor inquired as if he were a proper doctor, "Need painkillers?"

"No, no need, it's merely a side effect of possession. After all, I invaded someone else's body with my will."

Large beads of sweat fell; the pain seemed far heavier than Lawrence let on.

"Of course, this body doesn't inherently possess any will, but during the leap between bodies, my will would be slightly fragmented... If there were will within this body itself, it would be worse."

"For example?"

"For instance, amnesia, or chaotic memories."

Lawrence explained.

"You killed the original will and replaced it; his will fragments merged with yours... like impurities in pure water. The more possessions occur, the murkier the water becomes, and your will gets polluted by more fragments of will that do not belong to you, until you're utterly lost in chaotic memories."

"Sounds quite dangerous."

The Plague Doctor responded, this was a slow death, no blood, no wounds, but the name Lawrence would gradually disappear over time.

"So we have certain markers to determine ourselves, like Venus in the darkness."

Lawrence replied plainly.

But the Plague Doctor seemed to realize something suddenly, asking warily.

"If this Authority were truly as bizarre and powerful, the Western world would have belonged to the Evangelical Church long ago…"

Rather than possessing one's body, it was more like occupying one's "identity."

The Plague Doctor stepped back, his gaze shifting to the shriveled head on the operating table.

"So, 'Lawrence', how many bodies of yours is this?"

He had just saved Lawrence from the brink of death, yet tensions flared up again, the sleeves of the Plague Doctor's garment stirring, as if the monster beneath the clothing wanted to burst out.

But Lawrence seemed aware of the Plague Doctor's reaction, sneering disdainfully.

"If I told you this was indeed my first body, would you believe it?"

He continued speaking.

"Don't be tense, Plague Doctor, I'm not some immortal monster, even I myself am curious about this Authority."

Lawrence slowly raised his hand, youthful and tender flesh; this was an illusion that only appeared in dreams, now integrated into reality.

"I'm the Dean of the Demon Hunting Order, yet during my tenure I was unaware this Authority existed… It was discovered in Revelation, powerful and strange, but what's stranger is the Church seemingly deliberately concealing its existence. If not for my betrayal, perhaps I'd never know about it in my lifetime."

This was also why Lawrence revered this power; he didn't understand why the Evangelical Church sealed it away, but a force that could curb even the Church's greed must have its reason.

He whispered that sacred name.

"Gabriel."

As if hearing a long-awaited call, countless shadows in the deep darkness slowly raised their heads, gazing at the sacred light on the dome.