Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 271 [?]

The underground hospital was very quiet.

All that could be heard were hoarse coughs hidden behind makeshift curtains.

What happened to Morma?

After a moment of silence, Einbetz asked.

"What happened in Morma?" Johnny Blackbird asked Einbeze, then laughed before she could answer.

"Don't you know? Not long ago, the kingdom launched a massacre there."

"No, no, that's not it, that's..."

Upon hearing this, Einbetz immediately retorted.

"Are you saying that it was a just trial?"

Johnny the Blackbird cut her off again.

"There was some misunderstanding. The kingdom was just helping to resolve the dispute. As you know, the kingdom even introduced a law that benefits Morma afterward."

Einbez is still trying to explain.

"Kill everyone, then give them a piece of candy? Is that what you call a benefit, my dear prince?"

"no……"

Einbeze's mind was in complete chaos.

She turned to look at Ethan, hoping for some help, but Ethan just watched indifferently.

Ethan simply watched all of this with indifference.

Was he moved?
A little.

Just like when he saw Mia in Winster.

There is too much misfortune in this world.

In particular, this world possesses so many incomprehensible, suffocatingly powerful forces and authorities that the lives of mortals are even more insignificant.

"Your Highness, do you know that for the past few decades, the kingdom has been relentlessly exploiting the Morma region—its resources, its population, and even its land. They've been squeezing every last drop of blood from the land. It's called a private reserve, but in reality, it's a blood and flesh furnace."

At this point, Johnny Blackbird laughed.

Einbez fell silent, once again.

“I don’t know these things… If they are true, then it is our responsibility.”

“Your Highness, you are a good person, and I have no right to criticize you because of your surname or your background. But, without a doubt, the kingdom is evil.”

Johnny Blackbird is practically singing a hymn.

Do you even know how they became like this?

"Because in that massacre, too much of the power of the True Names was affected, which is not something mortals can withstand. Many people died on the spot, and those who did not die became like this. Furthermore, because the kingdom stole their god, the god of the earth, they might not have been in such a bad situation if they had the protection of the god."

Einbezet fell even more silent.

"This is not all. There are more patients in Morma. We can only send the youngest and most in need of treatment to the capital because we don't have enough funds."

Hearing this, Einbetz spoke up again: "But we also make donations to Morma..."

"Do you think how much of that money will eventually reach where it's supposed to go?" "..."

"So I need Mr. Ethan's money. Although it's a bit unfair to Mr. Ethan, I think given his goodwill towards Saint Quantico, he wouldn't mind giving the money to Morma, would he?"

Johnny Blackbird finally looked at Ethan.

“I can pay for him, and I can support your cause. Let him go. Ethan did nothing wrong.”

Einbeze's expression hardened.

"Oh……"

Johnny Blackbird really started to sing.

"Your Highness, your affection for Mr. Ethan is truly...enviable and admirable." "No...no, I just..."

Einbeze's face immediately turned crimson again.

Johnny Blackbird shook his head.

“Your Highness, your proposal is indeed tempting, but Mr. Ethan, I cannot hand it over to you for the time being. You may leave now, and I will eventually return it to you.”

“If Ethan doesn’t leave, I won’t leave either. You should know what kind of trouble you’ll get if I stay here.”

Einbeze's tone also became resolute.

"Moreover, you are now suspected of assassinating my brother."

It seems that she was also listening to the radio broadcast from the trunk.

Just then, soft applause rang out from deep within the underground hospital.

Immediately following was a series of light, yet rhythmic footsteps, slowly emerging from the depths.

Finally, the man arrived nearby and, through several curtains, spoke: "Your Highness is indeed very wise and resourceful; you are not as simple as outsiders say."

Upon hearing the voice, Ethan knew who it was.

West.

"West, is that you?!"

Einbez was a little surprised.

Ethan, however, felt that this outcome was somewhat expected.

West was a completely different person after returning from her field trip to the Midwest; she had clearly come into contact with something.

Furthermore, Ethan also frequently ate at her restaurant, so it's no wonder he contracted the virus.

"It is I, Your Highness."

When West was called by name, she walked out from behind the curtain without hesitation and looked directly at Einbeze.

Johnny Blackbird walked over, grabbed her waist, and disregarding Ainbezez's presence, lifted his mask and kissed her deeply.

This scene was completely unexpected for Einbeze, and she could only turn her head away, blushing.

Ethan sighed softly, "Joseph, you're done for."

After a while, Johnny Blackbird finally let go of her and said, "Baby, you really shouldn't have come out. This is a man's business."

"No, this matter still depends on the woman."

West wasn't shy at all. She just smiled and smoothed her messy hair before continuing to look at Einbeze: "Your Highness, I came out to tell you that I want to resolve this matter with you properly. Ethan is my junior brother, and I won't harm him. I just want to talk to him about some things. Once this is over, we will let him go. So, please leave first, okay?"

"But you lied to me."

"Did I lie to you? I'm afraid not. Everything I've done from beginning to end has come from the bottom of my heart. My charity work is real, my restaurant business is real, and everything I'm doing now is for the benefit of the people of Morma."

West's tone became increasingly sincere.

"No."

Einbezem still stood in Ethan's way.

West sighed softly.

"Your Highness, why bother? I only need to call him, and he will come. Junior brother, come on, we need to talk."

She beckoned to Ethan and gave him instructions.

Ethan did receive the instruction, but this time, he didn't pretend to comply. He completely resisted the instruction and broke free from that strange influence before speaking.

"No, I think it would be better if I left with her, Senior Sister."

"?"

(End of this chapter)