Gun of Ashes

Every inch of flesh stretched freely, pain and familiar power returning to Arthur's body, his eyes fierce.

Before Jiuxia brought armor technology, to counter the pressure from the Demon Hunting Order, the Purification Mechanism was secretly established. At that time, Ingwig, who only had steam technology, struggled to suppressively kill the demons. In those difficult times, the Florun chief of the Perpetual Motion Pump developed a set of human enhancement serums combining mysterious alchemy with the traits of demons; the narcissistic chief named it after himself. Based on this, the Purification Mechanism launched the Ranger project.

Unlike the Secret Blood, the Florun Potion is fundamentally designed to enhance the spirit, to resist the erosion of the demons, allowing the enhanced Rangers to remain clear-headed before the demons, with its violent power being merely a by-product, deriving from the body itself. Or rather, under the effect of the potion, it boosts power by sacrificing some potential life force, like a stimulant burning life.

Mysterious power blessed Arthur's body, rejuvenating his physique.

In those long-ago days, using the Florun Potion came with great risk. This power was like a double-edged sword, bringing strength while also posing significant danger. Many Rangers would die from an accelerated heart rate during use.

The Perpetual Motion Pump underwent lengthy adjustments, finally remodeling the human body, etching modifications on the body. Arthur was among the last batch of remodeled Rangers. Their emergence helped the Purification Mechanism endure its darkest days, leading to the advent of the Armor era.

The soldiers contemporaneous with Arthur should all be dead; he is the last surviving Ranger. Afterward, he retired to the background, and due to the enormous human risks, the Ranger project shifted towards assisting the development of the Armor of Original Sin, with the highly risky modifications abandoned. The Florun Potion, after several deteriorations, became merely a mental enhancement potion, assisting the knights inside the armor to adapt to erosion.

Now within the Purification Mechanism, those knights fighting the demons have undergone what is essentially a specialization, a relic of Ranger technology, enabling ordinary spirits to face demons.

"Can you be considered a super warrior?"

"Not anymore, but what are you waiting for, Lorenzo!"

After his loud declaration, Arthur didn't continue his attack but instead stepped back, glancing slightly at Lorenzo, his body trembling uncontrollably.

The man before him was already a spent force. Ultimately, a super soldier's physique is still human, not to mention the primary enhancements are mental. Arthur was severely injured; he held on till now through sheer willpower. He should have fallen but must not collapse before Eve.

A new round of battle began. Arthur watched Dean Lawrence coldly while the iron ride beside him charged forward violently, without any more reservations, they could now fight to their fullest.

Dean Lawrence seemed unprepared for this outcome. In this situation, he seemed to have only one path left to take.

"Looking forward to our next meeting."

Dean Lawrence smiled, and then that silent night boiled over again, countless wails echoing all around as the flood of demons arrived once more.

How could it be?

Lorenzo stared in astonishment at all of this, able to clearly sense the demonic erosion everywhere; they were as numerous as a sea of sand.

But how did he do it? So many demons, commanding them like this...

Ed!

The deceased demon hunter Michael, during his actions in Ende Town, also had the ability to command demons.

"That so-called Holy Coffin is in your hands as well, right?"

Lorenzo's voice was as if it were extremely cold; he had never been so furious, reaching the extreme of anger, which instead manifested as a calm indifference.

Of course, he knew exactly what was inside that Holy Coffin, the remains of that "Messiah"-level containment object.

It all connected, planned entirely by Dean Lawrence from start to finish. This man, who should have died on the Night of the Holy Arrival, lived in the shadows, allowing that evil to ferment slowly in the dark.

"What exactly are you trying to do, Dean Lawrence?"

Lorenzo questioned.

From now on, Lorenzo had every reason to believe that Dean Lawrence was the mastermind behind the Night of the Holy Arrival, toying with the entire Evangelical Church.

But what did he want, ultimately?

Wealth? Honor? Or was it power?

But he was already the noble Cardinal, the fearsome Demon Hunting Order's dean; he had everything one could have, so why choose to align with demons?

Dean Lawrence maintained that kindly smile, then shook his head.

"Child, the adult world is complex, some things you will not understand."

Then endless demons surged from the night, the aluminothermic rifles firing wildly but unable to stop this tide of death. The entire scene descended into chaos once more; even the war airships overhead began to fire, heavy shells dropping one by one.

The whole Inner City District was in turmoil despite the Forbidden Guard and cavalry officers blocking the entire combat zone. Yet, the thunder descending from the clouds was still distinctly visible, a seeming divine punishment.

Dean Lawrence stood amidst the flood of demons, glanced at Lorenzo one last time, and then turned to leave.

"Don't run!"

Lorenzo roared, and the burning iron ride charged like a chariot; the wildly burning flames almost turned night into day. Demons crashed one after another on the jagged armor, instantly consumed by the rising flames, the whole bodies incinerated in the blaze, flesh and blood scattering into endless ashes drifting away.