Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 259 [Signature]

When Ethan arrived at West's secret garden, it was already dusk.

Fortunately, I didn't run into Einbeze this time.

Ethan successfully met Joseph in the room he had booked.

Joseph was indeed in high spirits when he saw Ethan. He was so excited that he couldn't sit still and stood up to hug Ethan.

Ethan refused him, saying, "Has Tefra been caught?"

"Not yet, but he's finished. Don't even think about having any chance of making a comeback."

Joseph paused when he mentioned this, but still spoke with absolute certainty.

"I hope so."

Ethan remained noncommittal.

"Come on, try this. I don't usually bring this out. It's a fine wine that I've treasured for many years. It comes from the Gold Coast and is from the best vintage, 1844."

As he spoke, Joseph took out a bottle of wine that looked quite old from the side and handed it to Ethan.

Ethan was aware of the claims about the Gold Coast.

He makes his own private liquor and knows a lot about alcohol. The Gold Coast does not refer to the coastline of the capital, but to the west coast of the Masvia Kingdom in the Old World, where the sun shines all year round and it is very suitable for growing grapes.

The year 1844, in particular, was blessed with exceptionally abundant sunshine and rainfall, producing the finest grapes and, consequently, the finest wine.

"This is not cheap."

Even before Prohibition, this vintage of wine was priceless and unavailable, let alone now; it is truly liquid gold.

"It's just to thank you, what's a little something like this?"

Joseph poured Ethan a glass directly.

Ethan took the wine, swirled it, sniffed it, but didn't drink it.

"Have you heard some news?"

Joseph finally realized something was wrong.

Ethan then relayed Palen's report from that afternoon.

"Does Trafford have connections with Western gangs?"

"As far as I know, Trafford has a grudge against the Western gangs. He was a law enforcement officer when he was young, and he rose to his position by cracking down on the Western gangs."

"but……"

Joseph paused, then nodded.

"This is indeed a new direction, because no one would have thought they would come together again."

"Keep an eye on the movements of the western bandits for me as well."

Ethan finally took a sip.

After numerous battles, although Vasini has now consolidated power and the Southern Mafia is now solely his voice, the excessive slaughter has not yet completely won over the various families.

In particular, Uttarakhan was not completely defeated, and the immigrants from the Old World were not truly convinced of his authority.

Of course, the most crucial point is that Vasini himself lacked strength.

Even without Uttahan in the South District, it won't be easy for him to gain a firm foothold in the short term.

If the western bandits were to enter at this time, chaos would ensue once again.

Then Ethan's head is going to start hurting again.

"Don't worry, your business is my business."

Joseph and Ethan bumped into each other.

The two of them shared a drink.

"I really don't know how to thank you. Without you, I'm afraid..."

After downing a glass of wine, Joseph's face flushed slightly, and he couldn't help but shake his head. He was indeed under considerable pressure, despite being promoted to the position of Chief of the Fourth Division of the Royal Security Bureau immediately upon his return.

That was a combination of internal and external troubles.

He has rivals like Trafford outside, and internally, not everyone in his family wants the best for him.

After all, he had suffered a humiliating defeat at Winston.

Therefore, he greatly admired Ethan's family atmosphere.

"If you don't know, just leave it at that; there will always be a chance."

Ethan already had a plan in mind.

Marvin will really be transferred back from Winston after this year, and then we can find him a good position in the Royal Guard.

The more secure Joseph's position in the Kingdom Protection Bureau, the more secure his business in Winster will be.

No matter what you say, all the Prohibition Bureau officials and Statistics Bureau members sent to local areas must be approved by higher authorities.

Most of the Prohibition Bureaus came from the Self-Government Security Bureau, a small number from the Royal Security Bureau, and the Statistics Bureau came from the military.

These are Joseph's areas of expertise.

So, there are times when Joseph thanked him.

They finished the entire bottle of wine before ending the dinner.

When Ethan was leaving, he encountered a little incident.

He met his senior, Marcel, who is now Hughes's right-hand man and disciple.

"Senior Marcel, it's been a long time."

They hadn't seen each other for a long time, ever since they had dinner here.

"Ethan, I came here to see you. I need your help with something."

Marcel said something that surprised Ethan.

"Oh? Senior brother, please tell me. I will definitely help if it is within my ability."

Ethan didn't think much of it; after all, they had met, and it wasn't anything too difficult.

As it turned out, what Marcel asked for wasn't anything too difficult; he just wanted Ethan to sign a few autographs for him.

"Actually, it's like this. Recently, the college held a competition, and we thought about the prizes for a long time. Then some students suggested that they really wanted your autograph, haha, I don't know how this trend started, anyway..."

Marcel seemed a little embarrassed.

Ethan smiled upon hearing this, realizing that's how it was. He nodded immediately, saying it was nothing, just a small favor.

After signing, Marcel said to Ethan, "The teacher said she saw the gift you gave. It was too expensive. Don't do this again next time. She'll invite you to visit the school sometime."

The so-called gift was the paper, in which Ethan added Hughes's name as a co-author.

In other words, Hughes also became a member of the new art school.

The so-called "new art school" is precisely the new classification Ethan has received since the publication of his paper.

After Ethan left, Marcel didn't leave. He took Ethan's autograph, went deep into the garden, found West, and gave her the autograph.

"Senior sister, are we really going to do this?"

Marcel seemed hesitant.

“Marcel, what are you hesitating about again? You know what kind of business we are doing. One day, Ethan will also agree with our ideas, he just hasn’t yet.”

West accepted the autograph, but her usual charm was gone, replaced by a direct and imposing air. Her brows were filled with strength, as if there was a mountain in front of her that she had to push over.

"I'm sorry, senior sister. I was too shallow. I was ultimately... I didn't truly witness those hardships. I wasn't firm enough. I will reflect on this and never do it again."

Marcel looked ashamed, but then his eyes hardened again, as if nothing could stop him.

(End of this chapter)