Gun of Ashes

[Echo of the End].

The ultimate weapon of the old era used to combat The Inexpressible, a piece of completely self-contained information, impossible to be perceived in any way, hence the black cube appeared to allow the "perception" of such information, becoming the container for [Echo of the End] and making it perceptible.

After Lorenzo had a detailed conversation with Merlin, they confirmed one thing: this weapon can only be used within the Well of Ascension, and only it can suppress The Inexpressible within the well.

According to the intelligence from the Secret Keeper, ancient humans not only imprisoned The Inexpressible but almost completely [Exiled] it from human consciousness. Unfortunately, in the end, they fell short.

Because of this, Lorenzo had a conjecture even he found hard to believe: perhaps ancient humans were just one step away. If only the final [Echo of the End] could be released, maybe The Inexpressible could be completely [Exiled].

Merlin had also tried to study this black cube but, weighing the risks carefully, he abandoned these attempts.

Basic technology and facilities determine the height of technical achievements. Considering the steam civilization of Old Dunling now, Merlin simply didn’t have the capability to dismantle or understand humanity’s most glorious weapon. If it were to be dismantled improperly, it might even trigger an explosion. According to Lorenzo’s description, given the destructive power of [Echo of the End], it might erase the entire Old Dunling from the world’s consciousness, along with all things and events related to it.

Additionally, this weapon represents humanity’s last hope. All humankind is counting on someone to use this device to obliterate The Inexpressible at the well’s bottom. If Merlin were to ruin it, he would indeed be guilty of a grave sin.

Ultimately, Merlin reluctantly abandoned it, trusting Lorenzo to safeguard it properly. It seemed that only Lorenzo was capable of guarding it, as ordinary people could not oppose Ed and Roger’s threats, and no stronghold, no matter how fortified, could fend off their invasion.

Choosing between options, Lorenzo appeared to be the best choice.

But Lorenzo was not pleased.

He was no longer the detective brawling in the streets but rather a bearer of the world’s fate... a monster? Or a mere mortal?

Lorenzo gradually lost the clarity of his identity. Ever since returning from the Silent Sea, this issue grew increasingly severe.

The pressure kept mounting. Each time he noticed the expectant glances of these people, he would face them with a smile, then reflect in the deep night, questioning if he truly could accomplish it.

This wasn’t some casual knight novel where the protagonist roars and defeats formidable enemies with sheer passion. In the real world, burning blood is no match for the coldness of metal.

Thinking of this, Lorenzo couldn’t help but fear Lawrence, who is truly insane, pursuing his goals by any means necessary, brimming with confidence.

However, amidst this endless pressure, Lorenzo finally awaited a glimmer of a turnaround.

Turning this faint hope into something larger and fiercer.

"Jiuxia..."

Lorenzo recalled, in the Secret Keeper’s memory, it was a nation beyond his control.

At some moment, the Secret Keepers made a decision, splitting off to venture back to their Far East homeland, building a new nation there. According to records from the Purification Mechanism, the technology Jiuxia brought included Armor technology and Anti-Meme tactics. Thanks to these, they built the Forgotten Great Wall, keeping The Inexpressible’s erosion contained in the Western world.

So... why did they do this?

The Secret Keeper couldn’t remember any of it. His memories underwent countless alterations and deletions. It is believed that the parts related to "Jiuxia" were also removed to preserve the secrets.

"So you must have some way, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t appear at a time like this."

Lorenzo picked up a pen, drawing a coiled dragon across the vast sea.

"So is it stronger Armor, or Anti-Memes then?"

His thoughts surged, but Lorenzo finally stopped pondering, grabbing the coat hanging on the rack, picked up his cane, and extracted several Holy Silver Weapons from the weapon box, packing them into his sword case.

The Winchester Law Firm is, after all, just a law firm; it’s not the world nor any battlefield. Staying here wouldn’t change anything. He needed to step outside the door.

Upon reaching the entrance, just as he was about to push the door open, Lorenzo hesitated.

Once he steps through this door, he turns into the invincible Mr. Holmes, destined to avert all crises single-handedly. Yet so long as he stays within this room, he could still exhibit some fragility, screaming and pounding at the world map, tossing and turning restlessly at bed...

"You’re betting on me winning, aren’t you?"

Lorenzo muttered softly, hesitated no longer, and pushed the door open, stepping into the sunlight.

How long had it been since he last went out? As the light reflected, Lorenzo felt a momentary daze, the whole world spinning.

The cane originally used to camouflage combat intentions finally displayed its original function at this moment. Lorenzo leaned on it to steady his swaying body, gasping heavily. The pressure and anxiety from the past few days had worn him out tremendously.

"Are you alright? You look like you just woke up from a hangover and got beaten up again."

A voice sounded beside him.

"I’m fine! I’m fine!"

Lorenzo shouted twice, bending over to rub his eyes vigorously, striving to clear his muddled consciousness.

It might be a lingering effect from returning from World’s End. He always felt he might have been stripped of something by Anti-Memes, but he couldn’t remember what, as the eerie feeling followed him.

"Are you ready?"

The voice continued to ask, and Lorenzo took a deep breath, then stood up straight.

"Ready, ready."

Lorenzo’s expression suddenly became peculiar, not realizing who he was conversing with, all focus drawn to the alien sense occupying his mind.

Looking to the side, he noticed no passerby around him, causing Lorenzo to feel slightly tense.

Auditory hallucinations?

This wasn’t good.

Just as his thoughts continued, the voice sounded once more.

"Where are you looking?"

Lorenzo followed the sound’s trajectory and saw an elegant carriage parked before him, to be exact, parked outside the Winchester Law Firm’s entrance.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Holmes."

The voice used a peculiar tone, as if mocking Lorenzo. Finally, Lorenzo noticed the guy who had been talking to him all this time. This wasn’t a hallucination.

"Why have you come?" Lorenzo asked.

"Well... there’s some rather complicated matters."

The carriage door opened, Selyu sitting inside spoke to Lorenzo.

The journey back from the Silent Sea wasn’t easy; every day saw deaths and collapses. Such brutal conditions had imposed enormous pressure on Lorenzo, contributing to the nightmares over the past month.

No conflicts, no enemies, yet life perished one after another.

Lorenzo once thought Selyu might not make it, and he did struggle over whether to use Secret Blood out of selfish intent. Fortunately, Selyu endured, sparing Lorenzo from making the toughest choice.

Selyu smiled, seeming to have moved away from the Silent Sea’s shadow, while behind her, a wriggling sound emerged, another old guy poked his head out, revealing an irritating grin to Lorenzo. Lorenzo felt a bit surprised to see him here.

"Good afternoon!"

Listening to this cheerful laughter, Lorenzo noticed for the first time how ugly Oscar’s smile looked when he laughed, but he could also sense that he was genuinely happy, akin to spending the rest of his days being cared for, basking in sunlight until he died.

Lorenzo too wanted to be this happy; it genuinely seemed good.

"What..."

Lorenzo didn’t even finish asking when Selyu interrupted him.

"Anyway, many things, we’ll talk on the way."

Selyu said, patting the empty seat beside her, while Oscar behind her beamed.

"Hop in!"

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