Gun of Ashes

Old Dunling is an exceptionally unique city in this world; it is not only the capital of Ingwig and a technological forefront, but its most distinctive feature is being encased by several hidden systems.

Ordinary citizens are completely unaware of this. The long-term burst of technology has made people easily accept these new things, and amid such numbness, few can notice the existence of these secrets, let alone the Purification Mechanism.

Due to the existence of regulations, the information within the Purification Mechanism is not entirely open. Most soldiers only know about the Mechanical Institute but are not aware that right below is the mysterious Perpetual Motion Pump, not to mention Black Mountain Hospital, Dunling Tower, and so on.

With the advancement of ranks, more secrets are revealed to the newcomers until they reach the pinnacle.

Yet at this moment, one does not feel joy for knowing all the secrets. He will doubt, just like Merlin does now.

"After becoming the Chief Engineer of the Perpetual Motion Pump, I thought I understood the Purification Mechanism enough, but no one expected that above us, there exists the mysterious Nation-Builder."

Merlin and Arthur walked through the vast underground factory. The molten iron spread along the channels, processed by technicians into one deadly weapon after another.

These are all melted Holy Silver. The Mechanical Institute has fully taken over the mining of Holy Silver. Trains are continuously transporting Holy Silver into the furnace, and the factory is working around the clock, hastily manufacturing weapons. Soon, weapons equipped with Holy Silver will fully arm the Purification Mechanism.

"Arthur, sometimes I wonder, since the Nation-Builder exists, could there be departments or systems within the Purification Mechanism that we still don’t know about?" Merlin questioned.

"I don’t know. Just remember one thing, Merlin. If there’s something you don’t know, then it means you shouldn’t know." Arthur replied.

Merlin’s mouth twisted into a stiff smile. He had facial paralysis, and for Merlin, this counted as a smile.

"Arthur, sometimes I really don’t know if you’re loyal to the regulations or just stubbornly foolish."

"I simply believe in myself and trust the Purification Mechanism and those who set the regulations." Arthur said.

"Doubt will make us waver, and enemies will take advantage at that moment to breach."

"Alright."

The surrounding temperature began to become scorching. Restarting was imminent, and the Perpetual Motion Pump and the entire Purification Mechanism fully activated, with all unnecessary projects temporarily set aside, considering the enemy at hand as the highest priority.

The ground shook slightly, and the towering Armor of Original Sin stepped forward, guarding within the Perpetual Motion Pump. This model is also a Peacekeeper, but judging by the equipment configuration, it’s on a completely different level compared to the Peacekeepers patrolling the streets of Old Dunling.

"Old Dunling is encased by several massive systems, the Iron Whale roaming the skies, tracks spread across city corners, Dunling Tower, Furnace Pillar...

We plan to build a sanctuary at the very bottom of the Furnace Pillar, entirely forged from Holy Silver, protected by the whole of Old Dunling."

Merlin explained the prototype of the plan to Arthur.

"Old Dunling will become a war fortress. It will be the last place to fall during the apocalypse."

"What is this plan called?" Arthur asked.

"’Death Row,’ that’s Lorenzo’s name for it. I don’t really get why he would give such a name to a sanctuary. I asked him, and he said he doesn’t know, it was taken at random." Merlin said.

"Death Row, huh... Actually, it’s not bad. If we lose the battle, the sanctuary won’t last long either; it will become a death row confining survivors, only leading them into darkness."

Arthur seemed very downcast, murmuring to himself.

"I honestly feel that a sanctuary has no real significance; according to Lorenzo’s intelligence, the unspeakable completely awakens, and humanity has no chance to counterattack, at most lingering on, slowly dying."

"But he insists on doing this... I was even more surprised than you, that Lorenzo still had a day to retreat, but he said we should prepare for the worst and at least leave some hope.

As for lingering on..."

Merlin hesitated for a moment, feeling heavy and suppressed each time this dark truth came to mind.

"In his words, humanity has always been lingering; the history of these centuries is essentially just lingering, the war has never ended."

The two stopped, simultaneously looking to the side.

The track passed by, suspended above it was a broken Black Angel, like a monster hanged to death, stripped of all its ferocity, leaving only the chill of death.

Pieces of metal debris fell from it, clattering to the ground, and the Geiger Counter bound to it made warning sounds, covered with warning signs across its body, like an iron coffin sealed with spells, rejecting the resurrection of the soul within.

Without the request from Duke Stuart, the Perpetual Motion Pump will prioritize repairing the Black Angel since, after all, it is Lorenzo’s weapon, and this guy is now the ace of humanity.

"This is like a grand gambling game, where we are both the gamblers and the chips on the table." Arthur turned his head to look at Merlin, "I’ve placed all my bets on Lorenzo."

"Do we have anyone else to bet on?" Merlin responded, aligned with Arthur.

"About ’Death Row,’ Lorenzo has another reason."

Merlin’s expression was solemn, with darkness rising in his lifeless eyes.

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