Chapter 1449 Duty (2)

Lorenzo, as if he had guessed what Red Falcon was thinking, spoke coldly.

“Red Falcon, don’t entrust your life to the elusive concept of luck. I once had a friend who did just that.”

After so many years, Lorenzo was about to return to the Seven Hills again, and his mind couldn’t stop revisiting past scenes.

“He was a lucky guy, but he never abused his luck. As he put it, everyone has a finite amount of luck, and when you run out, bad luck comes to take your life.”

Upon hearing this, Red Falcon’s expression froze. He opened his mouth and asked dryly.

“That friend of yours… what happened to him?”

Red Falcon regretted asking after he did—most friends residing in Lorenzo’s memories were no longer alive.

“He died in the great battle on the Night of the Holy Arrival. A shrapnel pierced through a gap in the armor, struck his vital organs, and delivered a fatal blow to his already heavily injured body.”

As Lorenzo spoke, he ran a hand across his neck, imagining streams of blood gushing out.

“That’s how it is; the lucky guy just died like that.”

After hearing this, Red Falcon said nothing more, but his eyes revealed a dismal state.

“But, when it comes down to it, isn’t all this still too elusive? Some say it’s luck, some think it’s fate, or… coincidence?” Lorenzo patted Red Falcon on the shoulder, comforting him, “Don’t worry too much; what if you really do survive until retirement?”

“Thanks for the blessing, thanks for the blessing.”

Red Falcon nodded repeatedly, then dodged Lorenzo’s hand and moved aside.

He didn’t want to talk to Lorenzo for the time being, at least not until he regained his composure and stopped dealing with this lunatic.

The clanging of steel echoed between the towering buildings. Although Old Dunling was also filled with steel, it still retained some vitality, unlike here, where only cold metal remained.

The heavy land supported the massive industrial district. Silent workers could be seen busy at work, molten iron glowed as it poured down like a waterfall, filling the molds, waiting to solidify.

Despite it being winter, it was as hot as a furnace here. The winter snow couldn’t encroach, and between the red-hot sparks, black exhaust filled the sky, like a diffuse gas shield enveloping the industrial area.

The scene was heavy on the heart, as if people were being assimilated, their flesh and blood turning as solid and stiff, equally gray and white.

“Are you all ready?”

Lorenzo looked at the others on the platform. Eve and the others seemed in good spirits, in contrast to Bola and his group.

Sleeping in the carriage was indeed quite tormenting; they seemed somewhat listless. However, unlike the broad-minded Red Falcon, they maintained their professional composure, each one enduring their discomfort with determination.

“Mm.”

Bola responded silently, picked up his heavy suitcase, and walked towards the industrial area, followed by the others.

After unloading all the passengers, the train started moving again, heading deeper into the industrial district.

This train was not only carrying Lorenzo and the others but also the Armor of Original Sin. The train needed to proceed to the depths and unload. As for where the Armor would be unloaded, Lorenzo didn’t know.

The gray-white steam rolled, engulfing the people on the platform. With effort, they waved to disperse the steam, and Lorenzo saw the last person staying on the platform.

“Are you coming along too?”

Lorenzo walked over and picked up Selyu’s luggage.

He realized he had just asked a redundant question; if Selyu didn’t want to accompany them, she wouldn’t have boarded this train.

Lorenzo didn’t want Selyu to be involved, at least not this time.

“I am a Nation-Builder; I have the responsibility to see it to the end.”

Selyu had already guessed Lorenzo’s thoughts and was prepared with a response for him.

“Nation-Builder, huh? That’s a great position, perfect for exerting pressure on people.”

Lorenzo picked up the luggage and walked with her.

“It’s merely a duty.”

“Oh? Do you think I’d believe that?” Lorenzo’s tone was serious, “Not this time, Selyu, not this time.”

Even Lorenzo himself was confused, becoming anxious and unsure. He didn’t want to drag more people into this.

“Not this time, Lorenzo, not this time.”

Selyu looked forward, repeating Lorenzo’s words.

Lorenzo was stunned, then couldn’t help but ask.

“Are you going through a rebellious phase?”

“I’ve been an adult for a long time.” Selyu replied coldly.

Lorenzo was silent for two seconds, then said.

“Could it be that your rebellious phase came a few years late? I’ve heard of such cases.”

Lorenzo’s seriousness vanished, becoming animated.

This guy was always like this; when you thought he was talking seriously, he’d suddenly tell you a cold joke. And when you were casually chatting, he’d suddenly bring up something serious, making you uncomfortable.

Unpredictable, hiding his true intentions deep inside.

“Don’t say, Selyu, you’ve probably got this situation.”

Lorenzo scanned her from head to toe, observing Selyu’s slender figure with a greasy gaze.

“Maybe you’re just a late bloomer?”

Selyu stopped; she looked up, slightly exasperated, then sighed.

“Lorenzo, if you really don’t know where to divert the conversation, you can just shut up.”

“No, I’m serious.”

Lorenzo grew serious again, determined to keep up the comedic act.

Seeing this, Selyu glanced at Lorenzo, then raised her foot and kicked hard at his shin. At her height, the angle was just right, not even needing to lift her leg excessively.

“Being a late bloomer does have some advantages.”

Confident, Selyu kicked him and walked on, not waiting for Lorenzo.

Lorenzo pretended to be in pain, grimacing, and as Selyu walked away, his expression gradually calmed down, and he sighed helplessly.

He began to understand Arthur a little; facing such a disobedient and disturbing person, creating an island as a refined birdcage seemed the best solution.

The regret was that Lorenzo wasn’t as rich as Arthur, not to mention Selyu had even more money than him. He might end up being the one locked up in the circus.

“I won’t step onto the battlefield.”

At that moment, Selyu’s voice came from afar, as if to reassure Lorenzo.

“But I will be very close to the battlefield, very close.”

The industrial area roared with loud sounds, forcing Selyu to raise her voice.

“I need to witness it all, Lorenzo. It is the duty of a Nation-Builder.”

Duty… duty…

Lorenzo picked up the luggage and followed Selyu, pondering the weight of that word.

“You should understand, right? Just as you, being a Demon Hunter, have duties to fulfill.”

Selyu walked alongside Lorenzo again, speaking softly.

“I know, I know, but remember to stay in the safe zone. We make quite a ruckus when we start fighting.” Lorenzo instructed.

“Are you compromising? So easily? I thought it would take a long argument.”

Selyu was a bit surprised; this time, Lorenzo gave in much quicker than expected.

“What else can I do, force you to do something? That’s not my style.”

Lorenzo grit his teeth, saying so, but if he had the ability, he would gladly throw Selyu back to Old Dunling in a heartbeat.

“Mr. Holmes is indeed quite generous.”

“Thanks for the compliment, thanks for the compliment.”

The pitch-black clouds gradually shrouded the two, and the scorching heat waves came upon them from beneath the shadows.

The two remained silent for a while, until Selyu asked.

“What are you thinking about now, Lorenzo?”

“I’m thinking about that damn Oscar. He’s really inadequate for his job.”

Even now, Lorenzo still doubted how this old fool became a Nation-Builder and whether time truly could corrupt someone to such a degree.

“Do you want to punch him?”

“Probably not; this old fool would die,” Lorenzo said, lazily looking up, “Wonder what that guy is doing right now.”

“Probably sleeping.”

“Ah? That’s quite enviable.”