Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 221 [The Hall of Mirrors]

Just like the Rubins family, which was also the subject of journalists' attention.

Ethan was a key focus of the reporters' attention.

Yesterday, because Ethan had just settled in the capital, many people couldn't find his new home address.

However, after a day, the city's well-connected informants had already obtained the information through various channels and connections.

So while Ethan was having breakfast with Sofia at the restaurant, there were already faint sounds of voices outside.

"It's a reporter. They want to interview you, young master."

Anya returned from outside at that moment.

"You rejected them all, right?"

Ethan asked while looking at the newspaper.

"Ah."

Anya nodded.

Sofia looked up, somewhat puzzled, and said, "Why did you refuse? They must have heard about your solo exhibition, right? Wouldn't it be better to do some publicity?"

This young lady still hadn't figured out what was going on.

She hasn't gone to the Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing yet, so she hasn't heard about Ethan's interview.

"Shouldn't we always keep some mystery?"

"Yes, that's true."

After breakfast, Ethan didn't have any plans for the day.

Just then, the phone rang. He initially thought it was his teacher who had read today's newspaper and was furious again.

But it was Publ's voice that answered.

"Hey, Ethan, I'm back in the capital. You've got some big stuff going on lately, haven't you?"

Clearly, Pope had also read the newspaper and was now making fun of him.

"You're not going to start a debate with me too, are you?"

Ethan was joking.

“No thanks, I don’t want to be scolded by you in the newspaper,” Pope joked again, then said, “Well, I happen to be free today, how about we meet and chat? I also happen to have some new works that I’d like to share with you.”

"That's great."

Ethan didn't refuse.

Pupol had essentially saved his life; he couldn't very well refuse an invitation.

So we arranged to meet at an artists' club in the afternoon.

Just then, Ethan was taking Sophia to school that morning.

"Can I not go?"

Sofia, however, looked pitiful and didn't want to go to school.

"Don't forget why you came to the capital."

Anya spoke these words, her face expressionless.

The main reason is that Sofia goes to school, so I don't see her all day.

To avoid her pestering me all day long, wanting to go out for afternoon tea and shopping.

"Anya...aren't we already best friends?"

Sofia looked heartbroken, as if she had been betrayed.

Anya ignored her.

With everything ready and under the pressure of a large group of reporters, Anya used her agile driving skills to quickly shake them off and drive into the dense network of roads in the capital.

It must be said that Anya is indeed an absolute genius in some respects.

She learns everything very quickly and memorizes everything very quickly.

Like the Black Rose sniper rifle, Anya hadn't actually practiced much with it, yet she managed to use it to an absolutely stunning effect during the Winster rainstorm incident.

It's actually very difficult for the average person to do that.

For example, her familiarity with the roads. She has only been in Wangdu for a short time and has only been to the Wangdu Academy of Fine Arts once, but she has already memorized the entire route.

This time, escaping the reporters' pursuit, quickly merging into the traffic, and arriving at the planned route was all done in one smooth motion.

Sofia clapped excitedly from the back seat. "Miss driver, you're amazing! Can you teach me how to drive?"

Anya: "..."

------

After sending Sophia to the Kingdom Academy of Fine Arts, Ethan didn't go in to see Hughes, mainly because he was afraid of the old man.

Let's not meet for now.

After Sofia left reluctantly, Ethan took Anya to lunch first.

Around 1 p.m., he headed toward the artists' club called Gallery of Mirrors, as agreed.

The Gallery of Mirrors is a very famous painting in the world. The artist is the late great painter Sidmond. It is said that the original of this painting can make people feel as if they have entered an infinite world in the mirror the moment they see it.

It is a very famous painting that is almost legendary.

Unfortunately, after the painting was purchased, it remained in a collection and was never exhibited again, so people don't know whether the original truly possessed that kind of magic.

However, Ethan was certain that the club in front of him might truly possess some kind of magic.

He stared at the sign that looked like it was made up of countless mirrors, and as he looked at it, he had the illusion that his soul was about to be sucked in.

There's a problem here.

"Hey, Ethan, what are you standing there for? Come on, let's go inside."

Pope appeared beside Ethan at some point, greeting him cheerfully as before, and making a move to hug him.

Ethan snapped out of his daze, didn't reject his hug, and smiled as he embraced him back.

"Long time no see, Popor. How have you been?"

“That’s great. Of course, I would be even better if I could hear you praising my new work.”

Publ remained as enthusiastic and outgoing as ever.

"Of course, I can't wait."

The two of them looked again at the rather fantastical club in front of them.

"What, can you feel it?"

Publ chuckled.

"Could the original painting be hidden here?"

Ethan asked, as if joking, yet also genuinely exploring the question.

"Guess what?"

Pope acted mysteriously.

Then, before Ethan could speak, he spoke first.

"Haha, just kidding. How could that be? That thing isn't something just anyone can get their hands on. This is just some simple illusion magic. Don't be afraid. Come on, let me show you what I've got. Instantly, you'll see my masterpiece."

As if sensing Ethan's concerns, Pope offered a direct explanation.

Ethan nodded, and the two of them walked into the club together.

That is, the instant they stepped in.

It was as if they had stepped into a mirror; they suddenly seemed to have left their original world.

The entire space shattered, and that instant of shattering created an extremely strong sense of falling.

However, Ethan's mental fortitude prevented him from showing much emotional fluctuation.

The main issue is that his senses didn't indicate any danger.

When that sense of disillusionment faded, they found themselves in a completely different world.

Everything here seems to be a mirror, and you can see them in every mirror.

Welcome to the Hall of Mirrors!

Pope looked at Ethan and slowly bowed.

"Is this the same for ordinary people who come in?"

"Of course not, otherwise how would we explain it to those sheriffs and the head of the Royal Security Bureau?"

Publ, who had initially appeared solemn, lost his composure in an instant. He waved his hand, indicating that he should follow him.

(End of this chapter)