Gun of Ashes

"Although it’s said to be a civil war among humans, the other side can no longer be considered human. They’ve ascended to higher beings, becoming void-like, conceptual existences."

The Pioneer disregarded everyone’s shock and continued his narrative.

"You can perceive them as true gods, and we call them the Inexpressible Ones.

Not to be heard, not to be seen, not to be spoken of.

As soon as you become aware of their existence and come into contact with things related to them, terrifying erosion spreads like wild vines, entangling you and paving the way between you and them."

Regarding erosion and demons, it’s like the wind; you cannot see the wind’s presence, yet you can perceive it through the rustling leaves and the cool touch on your skin. Erosion is similar; it is merely the outflow of the Inexpressible Ones’ power, the medium they use to intervene in the material world."

The Pioneer’s words completed the speculation of a few before setting sail towards the Silent Sea. Lorenzo realized the root source of the erosion, the reason for the incessant appearance of demons was the existence of the Ascenders. But clearly, someone like Lorenzo wasn’t the crux of the issue. The true cause of the world’s madness was the existence known as the Inexpressible Ones, who reached the pinnacle of ascension.

Lorenzo murmured to himself.

"Much like the anti-memes, erosion is similar, and the Inexpressible Ones are thus; essentially, they are all forms of ’information,’ the ’information’ of life’s continuance."

"Indeed, roughly so. You must have sensed it too. Only those who have ascended can barely accept such ’information.’ The so-called demons are just mortals unable to endure such ’information,’ crushed into twisted, loathsome monsters. It distorted the ’information,’ becoming undying flesh."

Lorenzo panted, struggling to discern whether this was a war or the continuation of life.

From a human perspective, the Inexpressible Ones are humanity’s greatest foes, this mad existence bent on plundering and continuation, destined to eventually transform all humans into demons. But from a natural science perspective, only this way can one abandon the weakness of flesh and turn into nearly eternal beings.

"They are completely higher beings... To kill a monster, one must first become a monster, just like how Demon Hunters implant Secret Blood to battle demons. We, striving not to be crushed by ’information’ and distorted into demons, many have also entered ascension but never reached its end, stuck in an in-between, neither human nor void beast."

The Pioneer softly intoned, thus retaining a remnant of humanity in his heart, defying the very essence of ascension, standing on humanity’s side against the Inexpressible Ones. Yet, the time has been too prolonged, prolonged enough that sometimes he forgets why he does this, why not submit to ascension?

Towards becoming greater beings, ascension.

"But you were still driven away by the Secret Keepers," the Plague Doctor slowly said.

Hearing this, the Pioneer laughed. It was perceptible; from initial mechanical coldness, he became more humanized after talking with Lorenzo and others, as if the conversation melted the spirit encased in ice.

"Holmes should understand this, right?" The Pioneer turned to Lorenzo.

Lorenzo nodded. He understood profoundly how similar he and the Pioneer were. For a more magnificent goal, they transformed into bloodthirsty beasts, and beasts require shackles.

"Once we touch ascension, someday we will also completely lose all ’shackles,’ becoming the same existence as the Inexpressible Ones."

"Yes, so after the No. 13 Fortress battle ended, the Secret Keepers excluded all who touched ascension. We may stand on humanity’s side, but we remain a potential threat. Every Ascender is a beacon, an unopened door through which the Inexpressible Ones can attack Secret Keepers, or anyone at all."

The Pioneer glanced at those silent-standing obelisks, with names familiar to him etched upon them. But when he thought carefully, he could no longer recall their faces.

"I don’t remember much of the war details, it was just too long ago. Simply put, after the war we fell into silence. Some chose to become Secret Keepers, staying here, safeguarding the seed of humanity. To prevent any chance for the enemy to conquer this place, the Secret Keepers preserve human purity, rejecting any ascension. To prolong life, they put themselves into hibernation, replacing most of their organs with machinery.

Others left, carrying knowledge and technology, rebuilding world civilization..."

"Then they failed, as in cycle after cycle, the civilization they built was destroyed time and time again by demons."

Lorenzo continued the Pioneer’s words, and this is the duty of the Nation-Builders.

"Yes, I said, the war has not ended; it exists in shadows, extending to the present. The Inexpressible Ones have not been completely exterminated. The continuously emerging demons are the best proof. This entity still survives, influencing the world, but we have not lost... at least not yet."

"But aren’t we getting close to losing? The Secret Keepers are dwindling, and Nation-Builders are progressively forgetting the past. Humanity’s history is riddled with holes, with mysteries everywhere, technology, and knowledge continuously regressing, leading to this present ignorance."

Lorenzo spoke, having witnessed human glory in the Divine Favor Baptism, everything in the current reality seemed laughable by comparison.

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