Gun of Ashes

"So, what should we do next?"

Inside the carriage, Joey, Bola, and Lorenzo exchanged glances, then helplessly covered their heads due to the stalemate in the case.

No one could answer Joey's question. Lorenzo remained silent; from the recent conversation, he could deduce that the demon's targets for revenge could be any noble who employed the Exiled People. This meant an enormous target, too numerous to count. Lorenzo couldn't visit every noble, nor would time allow him to do so.

Lorenzo didn't care about the lives and deaths of those nobles; he only cared about the source of that inferior Secret Blood. But now, everything seemed shrouded in fog, with no clues to be found.

"Can we investigate the Ed couple's clients?"

"Basically no, they aren't leaders like Hughes deserving much attention."

Bola shook his head. Although he controlled the Lower City District, he couldn't monitor everyone's lives.

"If we look at the larger picture, I have interesting news. Before Hughes died, he was attacked by a group of people."

Lorenzo slightly raised his head, indicating for Bola to continue.

"Not all the Exiled People are submissive. Some have united, attempting to fight against this injustice. Moreover, a large portion of them wasn't willingly brought to Old Dunling but was deceived into coming here. Smugglers like Hughes promised them high wages, but upon arrival, they faced endless exploitation."

Bola continued to speak.

"You're aware of those merchants' cunning. Although many Exiled People are free men, they're hardly different from slaves. They've signed unfair contracts under deceit and intimidation, and before fulfilling the contracts, they can only keep working."

"Those people want revenge?"

"They just want to threaten Hughes to let them go home."

Bola shook his head, expressing regret.

"But how could they contend with Hughes... these interests stack one on top of another. Even if Hughes wanted to let them go, the nobles behind him probably wouldn't agree. This is already a warped ecosystem, like this distorted city."

Lorenzo remained silent, thoughts racing through his mind.

"I've also let out news of these people's deaths. If someone were truly guilty, they would come to us."

At this moment, Joey spoke from the other side.

Lorenzo shook his head, somewhat derisively stating.

"No, Baron Abel's attitude, you've seen it too. In their view, those people's deaths have nothing to do with them. They wouldn't even feel any so-called guilt..."

"This is the effect brought by hatred and class, Lorenzo. I know your current disgust for those people, but in reality, their actions can be understood."

Bola spoke at this moment, looking at Lorenzo. He disdained such behavior yet could understand it.

"Our hatred with the Gaulunaro people has lasted too long, the century-long Radiant War has engraved hatred into every Ingwig's blood. Some are aware it's their fathers' hatred, but some still can't let go..."

"The fathers' hatred has extended to these Exiled People, hasn't it?" Lorenzo said.

Bola nodded, then pointed to himself.

"Sometimes, the interesting thing is, we're human, yet some among our kind don't have independent thoughts, carrying prejudices of hatred, although it has nothing to do with them."

Lorenzo remained silent, understanding Bola's meaning. Sometimes the world is so interesting; although everyone is made of bones and flesh, they move forward soullessly, everyone moves forward, they follow; everyone hates, they also hate together.

Sighing deeply, Lorenzo then said.

"At least we've found some clues. Perhaps the demon isn't seeking revenge for a specific person, but for the Exiled People as a whole. Thus the scope is narrowed. The demon is likely an Exiled Person, and coupled with no one noticing his characteristics..."

Lorenzo recalled the incident at the hospital when examining Wol's corpse. The person who sealed the morgue with flames was very similar in characteristics to a demon, someone unnoticed, like a 'ladder' of sorts.

"His profession must be quite common, at least wherever he appears, it wouldn't seem abrupt."

"Continue the search according to these?"

"This is the only option now. Time will reveal everything, even if the mystery remains unsolved. That person won't hold on, as long as your Peeping Tom System isn't faulty, he will sooner or later fully demonize and then be discovered by us."

Lorenzo spoke plainly, then looked toward Joey.

"Take me home, it looks like nothing more will come of today."

...

A day in Old Dunling doesn't change much. The sky is forever gray, making it hard to see. The sunset's afterglow slightly burns the gray, spreading from the horizon to overhead.

Pushing the door open, perhaps due to today's charged and heavy discussions, Lorenzo couldn't help but feel a sudden exhaustion.

Such is the world, filled with contradictions everywhere, seemingly never reaching a so-called reconciliation. Even the God of the Evangelical Church is aware of all this, thus placing the promised Celestial Kingdom after death.

"Oh, he's back."

A sudden voice interrupted Lorenzo's thoughts. Looking up, Mrs. Van Rudd was joyfully seated on the living room sofa, the fire crackled in the fireplace, making her cheeks glow like an old witch.