Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 302 [Revisiting Familiar Places]

How is Joseph?

Joseph survived, and the charges against him were dropped; he was even reinstated as the Fourth Commander.

Because news has arrived that the second prince is returning to the capital.

This news alone is enough.

People knew that the prince was not going to abandon the matter.

Despite the fact that rumors of the prince falling out of favor and rapidly declining in status have been circulating through some channels.

But none of this has actually happened yet.

In a place like the capital, anything can happen.

Therefore, you should think things through before you do anything.

The people in the Royal Guard had clearly figured it out; Joseph could no longer be moved.

It's not just that he's the second prince's man.

Or perhaps it's because Trafford is most likely in his hands.

There are no secrets within the Kingdom Guard; everyone knows that Trafford disappeared in the South District that night with a large group of elite troops.

The offensive and defensive strategies have shifted.

Emerging unharmed from the Kingdom Security Bureau, Joseph felt a long-lost sense of relief; the sunshine was also quite nice today.

However, he then let out a slow sigh.

He lost a lot in this war that swept through the storm.

Family, relatives, lover.

Of course, if West could truly be considered his lover.

In fact, from beginning to end, she never revealed any intention in that regard; it was all Joseph's own expectation and desire.

He wasn't without women in his life; in fact, he had many women after adulthood, but none of them could stir his heart as much as West.

Unfortunately, I probably won't see him in this lifetime.

A car was already waiting for him outside the Royal Guard Bureau.

A man in a black trench coat stood beside the car, waiting quietly.

This person might be a stranger to others, but to Joseph, he was extremely familiar.

His former second-in-command, Captain Steve.

Of course, now we should call him Major Steve.

He was transferred back to the capital, but he did not bring his trusted confidant back with him, because he arranged a better position for Steve.

Director of the Winster branch of the Kingdom's Statistics Bureau.

This also served as a bridge between him and Ethan, ensuring that Ethan's business in Winston would not be affected.

In this incident, the bridge played a truly crucial role.

He enabled Ethan to contact Joseph through the most secretive channels, and also indirectly to find the fifth-level decapitator, the God of War, to help him.

Otherwise, it would have been really difficult to keep Trafford there that night.

"Director, you've worked hard."

Steve opened the door for Joseph.

Joseph nodded and sat down in the back seat.

The car starts.

As Joseph looked out the car window at the scenery, he whispered to Steve, "Thanks, Steve."

"It's all what I should do."

This time, he was able to fool Jonas entirely because of Steve's connection.

He knew in advance everything that was happening outside, including the fact that West had not been captured and that Trafford was under Ethan's control.

That day, in the interrogation room, his acting was quite good.

"Steve, have you ever thought about coming back to the capital to help me?"

The reason Steve was left in Winston's was because they trusted him and wanted to promote him, and the same applies this time.

After this incident, Joseph's status will definitely be different.

If he was previously just one of the less prominent men under Prince Adrian, then this time, with his speech in the Golden Square and the Trafford card in his hand, he has changed dramatically.

Considering the second prince's current situation, he will be the most dazzling one.

At times like this, he didn't want to be alone. He definitely needed help.

His family had abandoned him.

From then on, he was all alone.

"Chief, where do we go now?"

"Let's go to the West District. I want to see the West District."

Joseph was taken aback by the question, then he glanced westward.

Joseph stopped asking questions and started driving towards the West End.

Finally, the car arrived at West's secret garden.

Joseph had nowhere else to go, and the only place he could think of was here.

Stepping out of the car and looking around this place, even though not many days have passed, everything has changed beyond recognition.

The entire West's Secret Garden had been sealed off. Joseph stepped forward and casually shook his hand, and the sealed gate opened.

The place was in complete disarray, which was to be expected, given that West was a traitor who attempted to assassinate the royal family. This place was undoubtedly the most important den of thieves, and it must have been thoroughly searched inside and out.

Joseph stepped over the shards and remnants scattered on the ground and came to the depths of the ruins.

He sat down in his usual private room and laughed: "How did you know I'd come here?"

He wasn't talking to thin air, but to the man opposite him.

Ethan.

Ethan had been waiting there for some time now.

“I guessed you had nowhere to go, so you came here. I came ahead of you and brought you some wine to wash away the smell of prison.”

As Ethan spoke, he picked up a bottle of wine, opened it, and poured Joseph a glass.

"Thanks."

Joseph picked it up, took a sip, and nodded.

"new goods?"

"Yes, it was just shipped from Winston. How is it? It tastes good. You can take two bottles with you later."

Ethan poured himself a glass too.

"So, she went to Winston?"

However, at this moment, Joseph asked a question he shouldn't have.

Then he spoke first: "No, don't tell me, just pretend you don't know either."

This is right.

After the assassination attempt, he was destined never to see West again.

Having won the previous covert battle, he had no way out.

From now on, he will be a solitary traveler, forced to run alone on the path to power fraught with traps, poisons, and dangers.

No family, no friends, no lover, all I have is myself—ruthless and incapable of showing any mercy.

"So, shall we celebrate our victory?"

Ethan clinked glasses with him.

"To you."

Joseph nodded.

Even with Steve's storyline, Ethan wouldn't have survived without him.

"We should pay tribute to that typhoon."

The two of them drank the wine together.

It's more like some kind of oath.

Joseph looked at the young man in front of him and thought, perhaps this man could be considered a half-friend.

How much of his self-rescue was for the sake of his future?

“In a couple more days, I think His Highness will be back in the capital soon, and he will definitely see you then, Ethan.”

But he ultimately didn't ask.

This is an unsolvable answer.

"That would be perfect. I'd love to see what the legendary Second Prince is all about."

(End of this chapter)