Gun of Ashes

Chapter 967 - 28: A New Cycle_2

In short, many things have happened over this long period of time. The expansion of demons has been controlled, and with this threat weakened, people began to doubt the so-called alchemy, abandoning it, even forgetting the original history..."

It was precisely because of the emergence of the Demon Hunting Order that humans forgot the terror of demons. Sometimes even the queen did not know whether this was right or wrong; she just felt saddened by it.

"Nothing lasts forever. Knowledge is lost, techniques forgotten, even buildings will collapse, organizations will disband, and even the Demon Hunting Order will eventually return to ashes, won’t it?"

Records about Victoria’s family are scarcely few, the specifics have already become unclear. No one knows whether it was due to external forces or... self-mutilation.

"Alright, continue,"

Lorenzo said disappointedly. He thought he might complete the history or at least obtain a few clues.

"I am not clear about the precise era in which the Nation-Builder appeared, but it is known that demons have existed since that time, and the duty of the Nation-Builder was to lead humanity to live under the shadow of demons through knowledge.

We reached a consensus and claimed to be Nation-Builders. Some became merchants, some became generals, some became kings... Of course, some were more down-and-out and turned into writers, among others.

Though most knowledge was lost or broken due to various reasons, we are still the group most understanding of the world’s essence, and knowledge is cursed. We know these but cannot speak out, only enjoying this secret and experiencing the terror it brings."

The queen bowed her head, her pale, translucent skin revealing dark red blood vessels, with a bizarre curse flowing within them.

People have already paid enough for the existing world.

"Our purpose is for the continuation of all humanity, and to secretly influence the world’s direction with our own power, guiding it onto a predetermined track rather than leading humanity to destruction."

The queen conveyed the purpose of the Nation-Builders.

"We are deeply hidden, only the Demon Hunting Order somewhat knows of our existence. Historically, we have collaborated a few times; unlike them who have always fought demons, we also act only at necessary moments, maintaining silence for most of the time, allowing the world to develop freely."

The feeling of revealing secrets was so good, the queen had enjoyed this fear alone for too long; now she could finally share it with others, bearing these together.

"Like this time? A world-sweeping war... to save the world?"

Lorenzo found these matters very absurd, extremely absurd.

"To be precise, it is for the continuation of humanity," the queen said deeply, "this world doesn’t need our rescue, the only thing needing saving is us humans."

"Do you find it unbelievable, Mr. Holmes?"

At this point, the queen gave a bitter smile, her eyes filled with solitude.

"When I accepted the mission... no, when I realized I needed to do these things, my mood was similar to yours, feeling the whole world had gone mad. Then there’s the complaint, why did it have to be me doing these things, clearly this world has run smoothly for so long, why do I face such matters."

I have already borne the King’s Curse; why do I have to bear these, I have regretted countless times, regretted why I was born in the world, even thought about suicide."

These words should have been shouted out, but there was no anger left in the queen’s voice; she had already surrendered before this cruel reality, becoming a slave to fate.

"Unfortunately, I can’t find other answers, nor do I have the ability to find other answers; I don’t even have the ability to step out of this Platinum Palace, and these matters must be done by someone. If I don’t do it, another person will bear this dark sin..."

War, this is the only answer."

In this dark world, where there is only a small amount of light, Lorenzo felt the light had grown cold, he was losing temperature, this place felt like a chilly ice cellar.

"So, why launch a war? Why do you think war is the only way out? What do you Nation-Builders actually know?"

Lorenzo asked one question after another; he couldn’t understand these matters, why must it be this way?

"The reasons are complicated, partly due to the advancement of the times, partly due to us humans... In fact, I’m not clear about the specifics, but it’s like a terrifying prophecy.

A prophecy passed down among the Nation-Builders, a prophecy deeply believed, it foretold humanity’s end and gave the only way to avoid it all."

The queen looked at Lorenzo and voices a question.

"If it were you, Lorenzo Holmes, if the prophecy told you you must kill some humans to ensure the survival of another part of humanity, otherwise all humans will lead to death, would you choose to let humanity lead to death or kill that part of them?"

Lorenzo’s pupils contracted, without a trace of fluctuation.

"I faced this choice myself; I believe you can understand. The world’s rogue nature gave you the problem and also offered you the answer. What you can do is only believe or abandon."

Everyone is a slave to fate, the world throws out the problem and throws out the answer; no one tells them the truth and right or wrong of it all; what they can do is only execute the answer like a slave.

The saddest place is right here; the queen knows it is so absurd and ignorant, but she can only believe, only execute because this is the only answer.

"I also know the absurdity of war, but what I fear more is the prophecy’s realization if I truly abandon war and let the situation develop... I fear that dark future."

"No!"

Lorenzo interrupted her severely, his pupils staring straight at the queen, filled with anger.

"This isn’t right! How can you believe in such a thing?! This damn is just a prophecy! Even if it’s just a hypothetical prophecy, you can’t do this!"

Lorenzo reprimanded the queen, but within his heart, something was touched.

He thought of Lawrence, thought of Lawrence’s prophecy, that guy was also a slave to fate, paying everything for his prophecy. Lorenzo wanted to criticize the queen’s behavior, yet the end of days seen in Lawrence’s Gap kept flashing before his eyes.

Lorenzo paused; he no longer spoke but raised his hand slowly to cover his face.

The queen was right, the Nation-Builders were right, the terrifying darkness was coming... but why was it like this? It shouldn’t be! This world shouldn’t be like this!

This twisted and crazy world, Lorenzo wanted to correct it, but suddenly realized he simply didn’t know how to do it; war is the only answer.

"These are the Nation-Builders’ documents. The reason I asked you to wait a few days is for these documents; they were originally kept in an underground facility and should have been sealed away."

Arthur took the documents, which were protected meticulously, but the years of erosion still showed on the paper. He carefully opened them, then placed them between him and Lorenzo.

"Just like you see, ’prophecy’ may be absurd, but in reality, the ’war’ born because of it has happened more than once."

Lorenzo was astonished, looking at the depiction on the documents; human history’s disasters all appeared within them.

"Religious wars, Black Death, smallpox, famine..."

Some were natural disasters, some were man-made disasters, and now they all have a new common point, they were all influenced by the Nation-Builders.

"This is a new cycle, a new ’Reboot.’"

The queen said softly.

"A world war."