Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 258 [Strike While the Iron Is Hot]

The hottest newspaper in the capital recently is undoubtedly the Kingdom Deep Observation News.

And the most sought-after figure in the capital right now, without a doubt, is Ethan.

Today, the two joined forces once again, creating another media frenzy.

Having just emerged unscathed from the Kingdom Protection Bureau incident, the Kingdom Deep Observer seems to be striking while the iron is hot, suddenly promoting Ethan's new work.

This time, however, it wasn't a painting, but rather his academic paper, which was published in the art journal Gallery of Mirrors.

Yes, it's that Hall of Mirrors.

Pope and his gallery of mirrors.

Here's what happened: Ethan originally asked Jackson to handle this matter, but halfway through, Pope found out and immediately called to say that it absolutely could not be published anywhere else, only in Gallery of Mirrors. He also said that Ethan, as a member of Gallery of Mirrors, was being too distant by not thinking about his own magazine.

The truth is, Ethan had no idea that this journal existed.

Popper said, "You're right not to know. This is our newly launched journal, and this is the first issue. We'll use your paper as the inaugural issue; there's absolutely no problem with that."

So, while everyone was still asking each other what "The Gallery of Mirrors" was, the first issue of "The Gallery of Mirrors" had already sold out in the industry.

For a time, a strange phenomenon appeared in the capital: although no one was a professional artist, they were all asking around where they could buy a copy of the professional art journal "The Gallery of Mirrors".

As a result, the first issue of "The Gallery of Mirrors" became a huge hit and immediately became a top-tier journal. Similarly, Ethan's paper also received a lot of attention, and even "Kingdom Deep Observer" benefited from it.

Triple win.

No, it's a win-win-win situation.

Ethan's auction also caused a stir once again.

While everyone was discussing Ethan's thesis, it was hard not to talk about what Ethan had been up to lately, so naturally his auction came into everyone's view.

So everyone knew that Ethan was going to hold an auction.

Just a few days later.

There is no doubt that this campaign was a huge success.

Besides those who were originally scheduled to come from other places, many high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital who might not have been interested before also rushed to attend this grand event.

One of the most important figures is Crown Prince Havenius, who has confirmed his attendance at the auction.

Jackson has received the message.

This greatly excited Jackson, not only because the selling price would increase, but also because the entire auction's prestige would be elevated.

Most importantly, Ethan's artistic value rose again, and from then on, he became an artist even royalty valued.

This further elevates Ethan's status in the art world.

And Jackson's status in the industry has also changed.

He used to be a successful art dealer, and his family had been in the art business for generations. He had some influence in the art world and knew some old nobles, so he could be considered one of the celebrities in the capital.

But the real high-ranking officials, the royal family, and those big families and surnames are not so familiar to them.

This time, everyone's here.

In particular, Ethan brought him some good news.

That is Azeratu, the electricity inventor who usually lives a secluded life, who will also be present.

Jackson began to reflect that deciding to go to Winster and represent Ethan's paintings was the best decision he had ever made. Meanwhile...

Ethan's arms deal has also made new progress, with Shark Jason requesting that Ethan discuss the details.

However, Ethan did not choose to handle it himself this time. He had too many things to do, and he really couldn't manage it all if he did it all himself.

This kind of thing should be left to Palen. After all, since he came to the capital, he has spent most of his time socializing and getting to know people. He hasn't actually done many things, which is not his purpose for coming here.

Palen himself had become somewhat rusty from staying there, and he readily accepted the situation.

He also brought Haska with him.

As for the other personnel, after they settled down, a group of people were transferred from Winston.

After finishing his business with Palen, Ethan suddenly realized that if they were really going to make a movie, wouldn't they have a lead actor by now?
Given Palen's image, and the relationships he's built in the capital, especially with those noblewomen and young ladies, these are all hidden assets.

And then there's Haska.

Haska may not be a good mafia member at all, and he's not successful in any way, but he really has a handsome face. As long as he doesn't act freely in front of others and performs entirely according to a script, his charm is probably even greater than Palen's.

It can be regarded as waste utilization.

Thinking about this, Ethan became even more motivated.

He wrote until evening, then received a call from Joseph.

"I haven't thanked you for what you did last time. Let's have dinner together tonight. I've already made a reservation at our usual place."

Joseph's voice couldn't hide his joy. It was hard to tell whether he was so happy because he had finally gotten rid of his competitor and secured his current position, or because he could see West again.

Ethan was also hungry, so he agreed.

From his words, he could also tell that Joseph probably had something else to discuss.

Otherwise, he really wouldn't want to put down what he was doing and go out.

Just as he was about to leave, he received another call from Palen, who said that the business deal had been finalized. They had closed a big deal today, worth nearly a million gold Ryan.

He also said that the people in the capital were rich and extravagant, far surpassing Winston's wealth.

His words suggested he felt very fortunate about his decision to come to the capital.

"But actually, that person is probably not from the capital, but a Westerner, a member of a Western bandit gang. I really don't know who they're going to fight with after buying so much stuff."

Palen sighed again and prepared to hang up.

Ethan, however, became interested after hearing the term "Western bandits" and asked, "How do you know they're from the Western bandits?"

"Because he has a deep love for revolvers."

"Oh?" Ethan asked, puzzled.

“Haha.” Palen chuckled and said, “There’s a saying that goes, there are only two kinds of people in this world who will always love revolvers: cowboys and… cowboys who die in duels.”

"Try to find out whether the other party is actually a Western bandit gang in subsequent transactions, but don't reveal your intentions."

After listening, Ethan remained silent for a moment before speaking.

If they really are a Western gang, why would they suddenly buy so many repeating guns?
The answer is actually quite simple: just find their enemies.

The Western gangs' daily enemies, or rather, their daily targets of encroachment over the past few years, have been the Southern Mafia.

(End of this chapter)