Gun of Ashes

Chapter 1061: Chapter 73: God Walks the Earth (Part 2)

Lorenzo had always felt an indescribable... oddness about the Nation-Builders, an organization that had excised technology and relied purely on ideology to sustain itself for thousands of years. How did they ensure such longevity?

Even the Demon Hunting Order, an organization of extreme purity, ultimately succumbed to decline. How did they manage to persist?

Authority·Gabriel.

Over the long years, one body after another was replaced. They were like mere passersby, witnessing the world’s changes and intervening only at critical moments, influencing the course of history.

If Lorenzo’s suspicions were correct, then the World’s End Ingwig mentioned coincided with the Evangelical Church’s land of revelation. They were of the same origin.

"Then... where is Froki?"

Lorenzo turned to look at Galron behind the door. Although he wore a smile, his words were full of threat.

Now Ice Bay was a place fraught with troubles. Perhaps what Lorenzo had just dealt with was only the first wave of the Apocalypse Society’s assault. There might be a second and a third wave, along with the kings and lords who stood by the sidelines.

Galron’s heart sank. He thought he had been saved, but didn’t expect the others’ target was also Froki, and moreover...

The melodious chime of a bell rang as Bola pulled the trigger of the Funeral Bell, the bullet landing in front of Galron, his expression sour.

"Where is Froki Willgardson?"

Bola repeated.

Amidst the scorched earth, faint flickers of firelight persisted. The two instilled in Galron and his people a sense of despair even greater than the Apocalypse Society, for the latter’s members could at least be killed. But after witnessing Lorenzo’s fiery brilliance, no one believed they could contend with him.

Galron let out a wretched laugh, his gaze fixated on the Funeral Bell in Bola’s hand, his voice shaky.

"I remember that gun, so it’s you, right? You really did come back."

This revolver, only existing in stories, had been mentioned to Galron by Froki. He said one day, someone would come looking for him wielding this gun. He just didn’t expect it to be today.

"Old friends?"

Lorenzo asked, implying that Galron was familiar with Bola, or at least his gun.

"I don’t know him. During that voyage, only Froki and I survived," Bola said calmly. "Perhaps Froki shared the tale of the Silent Sea."

"Is that so?"

Lorenzo did not continue to inquire. From Bola’s storytelling, he realized that Bola was hiding something. His story was composed mostly of truths and a small part of lies. The overall narrative was real, but Lorenzo suspected some parts were fabricated.

Like how he survived.

There was no need to press further. Neither Lorenzo nor Bola could be considered good people. Deep in their hearts lay a dirty, muddy corner, waiting for the day of judgment to be exposed under the burning sunlight.

Lorenzo felt that day was fast approaching.

"Are you going to resist?"

Bola, holding the gun, aimed it at Galron’s head, this time not joking. The earlier shot had been a mere warning.

Galron shook his head, and with the support of his deputy, struggled to stand. He glanced around at those surrounding him, some consumed by despair, others gripping their weapons, still wanting to try.

"It’s pointless. We couldn’t even withstand the Apocalypse Society’s assault, let alone you two."

Galron sighed deeply, motioning for them to follow.

A few soldiers were left at the door while the rest followed Galron back into the building. Everyone took a moment to rest and reorganize their gear. It was a long night ahead, and no one knew what might happen next.

They cast wary glances into the darkness.

Gradually, one soldier after another was dispatched by Galron, leaving only him, his deputy, Lorenzo, and Bola.

"Why are you sending others away? Are you leading us into some sort of trap, planning a counterattack?"

Lorenzo followed closely behind Galron, asking bluntly.

"You’re very cautious," Galron paused and looked at the intimidating foreigner. "Indeed, I am sending them away, but it’s not about a trap. Besides, could a trap really kill you?"

Lorenzo did not respond, continuing to follow Galron through the maze-like corridors. As they passed some forks, Lorenzo could sense something at the end of these paths, but Froki was the priority now, so Lorenzo paid little attention, continuing after Galron.

"You don’t want others to see Froki. What’s wrong with him?" Bola discerned Galron’s intentions.

"He’s ill, with a disease I’ve never seen before, and it’s quite severe."

Galron staggered forward, his ankle wound only lightly dressed, leaving a trail of blood as he moved.

"So it’s true? Not a ruse."

Lorenzo felt a bit surprised, realizing Galron was speaking the truth. Froki was indeed sick.

"What else? And what need do I have to deceive? I’m merely his servant, his vassal... Perhaps decades ago, I might have had a chance to seize this territory, but now, if the lord dies, this place will plunge into chaotic conflict. Surviving would be a blessing," Galron said.

"Loyalty indeed."

Though he verbally praised Galron, the Funeral Bell remained pointed at Galron’s head, with Bola trailing behind, wary of any sudden moves.

"Partially. I need the lord alive. Should he die, Ice Bay will fall into strife. Where could I go then?" Galron said calmly.

"During the ongoing civil wars, Vikings exiled from their lands wander, not accepted by other territories that have also exiled their own. Usually, they band together, becoming rogue pirates. Some survive within the nations, others venture out into the world, eventually coming to Ice Bay."

"Why come here?" Lorenzo asked curiously.

"Because the lord here doesn’t care. Long ago, Ice Bay was already a trade port among the nations. The lord welcomes any newcomers and allows them to live here, as long as they follow his rules. Many exiles come here to start anew, and I was one of them."

Galron seemed much older, attempting to preserve Ice Bay amidst various power struggles, but tonight’s sudden assault had ended all of that.

"Rather than for Lord Froki, I’m more inclined it’s for this land. If he dies, this land will cease to exist."

"He wasn’t a qualified lord."

The previously silent deputy spoke up. "If he pursued power, if he weren’t so obsessed with the sea, things could have changed."

"Then he would have met a terrible fate."

Lorenzo coldly interrupted the deputy. "Yearning for power in such a crucial place?"

"Rather, because Froki doesn’t care about such things, it puts the external nations and lords at ease. Otherwise, Ice Bay would have long been engulfed in war."

The deputy remained silent.

"So, is this your plan, Lorenzo? Was this your intention from the start?"

At this point, Bola asked, seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the corridor, torches quietly burning, along with a gentle breeze. A blurred door stood there, awaiting their approach.

"What else? I remember saying on the ship: find Froki, capture him, then leave. Forget the external countries and lords. We’ll do our thing, let them fight theirs."

This was Lorenzo’s plan, straightforward and blunt. Even without the Apocalypse Society’s attack, he had already prepared a scheme of his own, aligning his thoughts with those madmen of the Apocalypse Society.

"After all these reasons, I still don’t understand... Why are you so compliant, Galron?"

As they were a few steps from the door, Lorenzo suddenly stopped, his staff sword lightly resting on Galron’s neck, his curiosity apparent.

"Why?"

Galron did not look back. After a brief pause, he laughed.

"You’ll understand when you see him."