Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 106 [Countdown]

Aberlin was also silently counting the days of his past life.

On this New Year's Eve, he should have spent the long time in the conference room on the third floor of the Prohibition Bureau listening to "Moonlight Sonata" or "The Quiet Stream of the Solo".

But now, he can only stay in his cramped apartment, looking at the night outside the window, with nothing to do.

The only consolation might be the bottle of Napa Reserva 88 from Marvin's collection, which is the most precious batch of fine wines from Napa Winery, brewed with the best sunshine and rain over the past fifty years.

Even before Prohibition, it was a rare treasure that was almost priceless.

Let alone now.

This wine is many times better than those bootleg liquors on the market.

Aberlin opened the cork and poured himself a glass. He sniffed the aroma in the glass, but he was thinking about what Ethan was doing at the moment.

Previously, Abeling might not have paid much attention to this newly emerged mafia boss.

But after a series of failures and setbacks, and even falling to his current state, he had to admit that this young man, who was not even twenty years old, was an opponent worthy of respect and even targeting.

This guy must be sitting in the bright and grand city hall now, enjoying the singing and dancing, or dancing with some famous lady.

Of course, Aberlin was also paying attention to the recent newspapers.

Ethan's name frequently appeared in newspapers, but it was no longer negative news. Instead, it was about his good deeds, his talents, his assistance to San Quanti, and his personal emotional problems.

I heard that he was very close to the daughter of Chief Judge Ned Shire.

Perhaps, before long, he would really become Ned's son-in-law, slowly change from black to white, become a senator, or even a consul.

And what about yourself?

Those glorious resumes and those days when he once called the shots in Hongyan City seem to have become distant things.

Is there really still a chance to step onto that stage again?
After Aberlin finished the wine in his glass, he suddenly felt a little drunk.

at the same time.

Not far from his apartment building, a car was parked in the dark shadows.

Vincent was sitting in the car, also counting the time silently.

But not his old days.

Vincent rarely reminisces about the past, or rather, he doesn't like the past at all.

He was just counting the time left.

Time until New Year.

He planned to take action at the last moment of the New Year countdown.

The whole city was immersed in joy at that time, and no one noticed that a dismissed Prohibition agent fell silently in the shadows like a dead dog.

--------

There is still some time left until the final New Year countdown.

According to tradition, people will count down together in the city hall to welcome the arrival of the new year before slowly dispersing.

This year is no exception.

Ethan took advantage of the break in the dancing to go out and dance with Anya, then returned to the city hall.

At this time, Sophia finally found him.

However, the dancing session was over, and now someone was singing a toast song.

Although it is now the Prohibition era, toast songs are still a tradition.

Besides, what was provided in the city hall today was called a drink, but in fact, after everyone actually drank it, they all knew what it was.

Just don't say it.

"Ethan, where have you been just now? I wanted to dance with you, but now it's too late." Sophia said a little coquettishly.

He and Sophia were already very familiar with each other, so this kind of behavior was not the first time he had seen it.

"Sorry, I was out for a while just now. I apologize. How about I ask them to add another song and we dance for a while?"

Ethan said apologetically.

"It's okay. That would be too much trouble for me. Let's do it next time. There's always a chance, right?" Hearing Ethan say that, Sophia smiled again.

The two chatted and laughed for a while, and then Sophia was called away by Ned, apparently to toast with another important person.

Ethan didn't follow.

After all, he was not a member of that class. Turning his head, he saw Sandro who was also at the edge of the crowd.

Sandro raised his glass as if in invitation.

So Ethan walked over with the wine glass.

"It's too noisy inside, let's go to the balcony."

Sandro suggested.

Ethan nodded.

The two of them left the noisy hall and came to the somewhat cold balcony.

From the balcony, you can overlook most of Winster, which is brightly lit.

Because the city hall is built on a high slope, the view is excellent.

"Ethan, I don't know why, but looking at you now, I always feel that it was a long time ago when I first saw you." Sandro said with a smile as he looked at the dazzling city.

"That was only a few months ago."

"Have I changed so much?" Ethan also smiled, standing side by side with him, looking at Winster.

"Maybe I'm just getting old." Sandro sighed. "Actually, I've often felt this way in recent years, especially after your father passed away. I was shocked to realize that there aren't many of those old friends left."

"I still want to thank you for extending a helping hand to the Pauletta family in its most critical moment. I will remember this for the rest of my life." Ethan seemed to be answering a question that was irrelevant, but also seemed to want to settle some debts.

"Ethan, I'm afraid you misunderstood me." Sandro shook his head and turned to Ethan, his eyes flickering. "I meant to say that we have never been enemies. Your father and I have been friends for many years. I am old and have no children. I have long considered retirement. Winster is huge and is still growing bigger and more brilliant, but it ultimately belongs to you young people."

Ethan also looked at him, but said nothing.

What did Sandro mean by this? Was he admitting defeat?
When the two swordsmen were already standing facing the wind and their momentum was colliding, he suddenly admitted defeat.

Did you already sense from the energy that you had no chance of winning?

Or was I forced back by the prosperity and splendor of tonight.

"Ethan, the countdown is about to begin. Come join us. Daddy is waiting for you too."

Just then, the balcony door was pushed open, and Sophia poked her head out of the door, looked at Ethan, and shouted.

"Sandro, come on, the New Year is coming." Ethan finally said this and turned to walk into the house.

But Sandro did not go in immediately. He was still looking at the brilliant city.

New Year's Day is just minutes away.

In this city, everyone is spending their last moments in their own way.

Velen was drinking in his bar, stroking the golden scepter in his hand, and pouring a glass of wine on the ground in a certain direction, as if to offer a memorial.

Marvin looked at the sea in the dark night, listening to "To the Storm" on the gramophone, and seemed to want to do something.

Anya continued her absurd dance alone in the dim moonlight.

Vincent finally got out of the car and walked quietly towards Aberlin's apartment, with Shadow as his companion.

The last ten seconds of the old year.

reciprocal.

ten.

Nine.

Eight.

seven.

six.

five.

Four.