Gun of Ashes

The dawn's faint light had just descended, and the surging steam was frozen by the cold, clinging to the buildings on the street, everything covered in tiny frost, swallowed by the cold wind.

The pitch-black carriage stopped at the doorstep of 121A Cork Street, Joey and Red Falcon sat in the carriage waiting for Lorenzo, Merlin's actions were swift, Lorenzo had only agreed yesterday and today he sent people to pick him up. Lorenzo quickly dressed, taking up his sword and gun.

"I told you there's no need to be so cautious."

Red Falcon looked at Lorenzo's undisguised Winchester, anyone unaware might think Lorenzo was going to kill someone.

"Just a little security addition."

Lorenzo replied, sitting on the other side.

The pitch-black carriage slowly accelerated, and then the horses snorted white breath as they galloped on the streets of Old Dunling.

Looking out the car window, the street patrols were clearly more than usual, fully armed, with the iron whistle signaling messages from time to time.

Though not explicitly stated, many people sensed the change in Old Dunling's atmosphere, a hint of gunpowder in the cold wind, as if on the eve of war.

"Already this serious? There are patrols everywhere."

Lorenzo withdrew his gaze, he initially thought only the Inner City District would strengthen its defenses, but now even the regular Outer City District was filled with patrols.

"After all, Divine Birthday is approaching, during which missions from various countries will participate in the celebration. If demons were to emerge at that time... the consequences would be unimaginable."

Joey answered seriously.

Divine Birthday as an annual grand festival, after many years of continuation has been endowed with many other meanings. Old Dunling hosts the celebration for Divine Birthday, with massive airships soaring across the sky, scattering endless petals and lights, people pouring into the streets, exchanging blessings and celebrations.

That is a moment to showcase national strength, and also a shopping festival for missions from various countries. According to what Lorenzo knew, on the holiday itself, for those missions, the real celebration happens at midnight, with those new steam engines available for sale, that is the main event of the festival.

"Is that so, it certainly is."

Lorenzo answered faintly, Ingwig replaced the Holy Evangelical Pope Kingdom, becoming the new giant, every year around this time countless flags enter the Platinum Palace.

"To ensure order, Bola has already prepared to commence a covert purge in the Lower City District, those with malicious intentions will be eliminated individually to ensure no accidents occur on that day."

Joey continued.

Lorenzo nodded, such solemn times indeed require serious attention.

"Where are we headed?"

When his gaze fell on the window again, Lorenzo noticed the surrounding scenery had become unfamiliar.

The carriage moved towards an unknown place, the sky still gloomy, dense black smoke like pillars holding up heaven and earth, each standing tall in view.

Below those pillars was a grey silhouette, dozens of meters high steel giants slowly moving, each turn bringing about a tremendous noise, until one giant was overtaken by the carriage Lorenzo finally saw its form clearly.

It was an abandoned giant crane, like the dead remains of an extinct giant collapsing amid rubble and mine pits, its once shiny metal covered in rust, workers tiny as ants on it, dismantling this deceased corpse, resembling vultures feasting on carrion.

"Welcome to the Victoria Industrial Zone, developed by decree of Queen Victoria during the Radiant War, Ingwig built the Mechanical Institute here, all these mineral metals serve it. The first steam engine in history was nurtured here."

Lorenzo stared in awe at the cemetery of steel, he never imagined there was such a place within Old Dunling, as if an invisible wall separated it from the ordinary world.

Abandoned gigantic machines and still-operating steel creations, large particles of dust filled this grey wasteland, brushed by the wind, cut like tiny sharp blades against the cheeks, all of this constructed this twisted-growing metallic jungle.

"Alright, Mr. Holmes, we should get off the carriage, the next place is inaccessible for it."

Red Falcon continued explaining, he seemed excited too, after all, no one can refuse these creations of steel, this thing is simply a man's romance.

"The north of Old Dunling is unpopulated and cold wasteland, but in recent years they've found abundant minerals there, hence the industrial zone's focus has shifted towards there, here mostly abandoned, only a small portion of machines are still running."

"Actually, at our current location, we're already in the suburbs of Old Dunling, merely this industrial zone is a bit too vast, you might not have felt it yet."

Lorenzo got off the carriage, a train was stopped not far on the platform, dusty, most of its carriages covered in soil and dust, clearly a train for mineral transport, but today it welcomed Lorenzo as its guest.

"How does it feel? Our industrial foundation is incredibly strong. The most bustling area is in the north, but today's tour doesn't include that, so we'll go next time if there's a chance."

The Red Falcon looked extremely proud. In some sense, mechanics are the magic of mortals; as long as there is fuel, steam can be raised and then drive one steel beast after another.

People from hundreds of years ago would never have imagined such a scene; they would probably be considered heretics just for murmuring it.

Ignorance has been shattered, torn to pieces.

"Rather than these, I wish you had used a cleaner train to pick me up."

Lorenzo replied and then boarded the train.

This industrial area is truly massive, possibly due to its connection with the Mechanical Institute. Lorenzo had never seen it on any map. As the train roared forward, more and more tracks appeared in view, like branches scattering and finally returning to the main trunk.

At the end of that trunk, a city of steel slowly appeared in Lorenzo's sight.

Lorenzo had never had a general understanding of the Mechanical Institute. The only thing clear was that they had established a university, accessible only to those with exceptionally high intelligence, to receive the gifts of machinery.

But clearly, the city before him had nothing to do with the institute, though even from a distance, Lorenzo could see the stationed troops on the city's edge. Judging from the shiny smoothbore cannons, this place was more of a military zone.

"This is the factory of the Mechanical Institute. Because of its involvement with core technology and manufacturing processes, it is in a state of isolation. There are workers' dormitories, dining halls, and recreational facilities here. Because of the vast area, many people get married and have children here. Their children have never even seen the outside world and have lived in this factory since birth."

"Did you build a small town next to Old Dunling?"

Lorenzo felt he was only now seeing the full picture of Old Dunling.

Within the city were rising fireworks. The scorching heat slightly distorted the air. The rhythmic sound of knocking came from afar, and the Red Falcon did not give Lorenzo any time to tour. After the train stopped at the city's platform, he took Lorenzo to a large elevator.

The heavy chains stirred slightly, and then it began to sink.

The elevator wasn't completely enclosed. Through the iron bars, Lorenzo could see what lay ahead. As they descended, within the darkness, rivers of gold were gently flowing. It was molten iron, pouring along the channels into molds one after another. He saw heavy iron hammers falling, assembling mechanical monsters within the confines of frames.

"This is industrialization, Mr. Holmes."

The Red Falcon aptly remarked.

Lorenzo remained silent, just continued watching. He knew he could see this because of Arthur's decision. They were allies now, and allies were supposed to showcase their strength to each other.

But in thinking that he only had himself and some knowledge of demons, Lorenzo suddenly felt a bit ludicrously apprehensive.

Suddenly, the sound of clear water reached Lorenzo's ears, yet his vision was in complete darkness. Only pale yellow light illuminated the surrounding iron walls. But then the sound of water grew louder, as if a waterfall dozens of meters high was plummeting, rushing from all directions and surrounding them.

"What is that?"

Lorenzo asked. In the darkness, there was a crisp echo, like a grand symphony.

The sound rose, and behind came the Red Falcon's response.

"We are passing through the trunk of the Furnace Pillar, which provides energy for the entire Mechanical Institute and Old Dunling. But it requires vast amounts of water, so decades ago, a group of lunatics dug through to the Thames River, diverting a channel here. Water from the Thames supplies every boiler room here, with several filtration dams along the way. If they catch a fish, it's added to the meal, and if it's a corpse, it's thrown onto the conveyor belt into the combustion chamber."

The Furnace Pillar, the Mechanical Institute, the Victoria Industrial Zone, the underground drainage, and the Midcourt Serpent—these all interlocked, relying on each other to build this mechanical ecosystem and perfect this industrial production line completely.

The darkness finally reached its end. The descent of the elevator, after who knows how long, finally stopped, and when it did, countless specks of dust were scattered in the bright light, clearly visible.

Lorenzo slightly closed his eyes; the prolonged darkness made him a bit uncomfortable with the light. But quickly, the elevator doors opened, and the light fully poured in, with a scholar in a white robe approaching them directly.

The person immediately recognized Lorenzo, extended a hand in greeting.

"Welcome to the Perpetual Motion Pump, gentlemen."

Lorenzo shook hands with him, though he wasn't clear on what exactly the Perpetual Motion Pump was, but from its location, it seemed far more important than the Mechanical Institute on the surface. His eyes glanced at his nameplate, and the person seemed to notice Lorenzo's action, and then said.

"Hello, I am Nikola Tesla, the project manager of this time."

A somewhat unhealthy face tried its best to show a smile to reassure this hard-won experimental subject somewhat.