Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 165 [Use the Other’s Way]

In the western part of the kingdom, cowboys usually choose a sunny day to duel.

That way, when the sun reaches its highest point, the light is most fair to everyone.

It was noon, the byword for justice in the western part of the kingdom.

Now, it's Ethan's turn to fight back fairly.

"Oh? What evidence?"

For the first time, Joseph looked directly at Bob, the only helper Ethan found.

"We also have a recording to show."

As Bob spoke, he took out a silver box and put it into the speaker, as if he turned on the play button.

"...I was staying in the Northern Fortress, and I was trying to figure out how to trick you. I found out you didn't have a bank, so I gave you one."

"Ethan, I actually really admire you. I'm also a soft-hearted person. I can't bear to see a talent like you buried. How about this? You go to jail for a few decades and hand over all your businesses to the Evans family. I guarantee that your family will be fine."

"Ethan, you are now a famous painter, a great philanthropist, a big businessman, a well-known celebrity in Winster, and even your reputation has spread to the royal capital. If I kill you directly, what achievements will I have? So don't worry, I will give you an explanation in the most fair and transparent place."

These words were recorded at the clearest angle, and people could clearly hear the speaker's voice.

There is no need to distinguish.

Because this voice just kept talking.

Joseph.

Joseph Evans, Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Army.

The fire originally started by Joseph was now completely ignited.

The crowd was in an uproar.

Is all this Joseph's conspiracy?
Did he frame Ethan?
"Fake! It's all fake! You are forging it!" Joseph shouted angrily, he was already a little out of control.

Because he never thought that while he was eavesdropping on Ethan, Ethan was also recording what he said.

And, most importantly, he released the content exactly as it was, but Ethan shamelessly tampered with what he said.

Indeed, he was the one who said all those words just now, but many of them were obviously pieced together.

These words may not mean anything if said separately, but according to this version, it is completely clear that he was plotting and framing Ethan, abusing his power for personal gain, and using Ethan's crimes to make a name for himself.

"Just now, Lord Ned believed that Mr. Joseph's evidence might be forged. Mr. Joseph guaranteed it with his name and reputation. Now, I, Ethan Pauletta, also guarantee it with my reputation, my name, and everything I have. The evidence we presented is true and has not been tampered with in the slightest."

Ethan practically replicated what Joseph had just said.

Joseph's eyes twitched wildly.

He never expected that his unexpected victory move would eventually become a counterattack by his opponent, especially since the words he said before completely became Ethan's endorsement at this moment.

It was just that Joseph was too naive. His understanding couldn't possibly compare to that of a time traveler like Ethan, who had experienced the information explosion and knew how to use it to fight. That was wisdom beyond his time.

"That's what it feels like."

Marvin, who was watching and listening to all this from a high-rise building not far away, couldn't help but sigh. He couldn't help but think of everything that had happened in the courtroom before.

When he thought he was sure to win and had everything under control, suddenly, all the moonshine turned into water, leaving him feeling helpless and frustrated.

So, Joseph, where is your pride?
Now, you have tasted this feeling, right?
Originally, Marvin thought that Ethan had little chance of winning today, but when the reversal in the recording appeared, he suddenly felt that Ethan was going to win again.

A very strong feeling.

"Okay, actually, there's no precedent for recordings like this being used as evidence before, right? There's absolutely no precedent for that. Let's get back to the point. Aren't we trying Ethan Porletta for money laundering and tax evasion today?"

Just when the situation was at a stalemate, Osvaldo came out and said something.

After all, he had been in charge of Winston for a long time and still had some prestige. The originally agitated crowd gradually calmed down.

But, again, the seeds of doubt have been planted.

Joseph quickly calmed down. He coughed and said, "Indeed, let's continue discussing money laundering. Kevin, you tell me the details."

Originally, Ned stopped Kevin from testifying, but because of the recording, Ned was unable to speak.

So Kevin finally spoke up: "Look, I'm just an ordinary, hardworking clerk. I just want to do a legal job and get paid legally. But after Mr. Eugenides came, he started asking us to do some suspicious-looking business. The accounts also became suspicious. He also suddenly gave us a lot of bonuses. I was very scared, so I carefully checked it out, and then... sure enough, there was a problem!"

After saying that, Joseph's men brought out a huge machine. As they operated it, a light curtain appeared and hit behind Joseph and his men, above the boundless sea and under the dazzling sun.

The amazing thing is that under such scorching sunlight, the text on the screen is extremely clear.

That's a contract.

At this time, Kevin can leave, and he will be replaced by the audit team from the Kingdom’s Ministry of Finance that Joseph invited from the royal capital.

At Joseph's signal, they stood at the front desk, and before speaking formally, all of them slowly put on exquisite navy blue gloves that matched their dresses.

This is also the origin of their nickname, Kingdom Blue Gloves.

"Ladies and gentlemen, before we officially begin, we must first introduce ourselves. We are Audit Team 3 of the Kingdom's Ministry of Finance. I am Team Leader, Thomas Jurgen. We swear by the Supreme Scales and the Kingdom's Code that every calculation, every notarization, and every verification we perform here today will be based on numbers and data, without any personal emotion, and without any bias or position."

As he spoke these words, an indescribable and invisible wind seemed to pass over everyone, as if some kind of contract had been reached.

Then, the man named Thomas pushed his glasses and started his official work. He raised the contract in his hand.

Of course, copies of this contract were also distributed to the nearest five hundred people present.

Even Ethan got a copy of that.

Joseph looked at Ethan, who was also holding the contract and raised it gently, like a cowboy with his gun drawn at noon.

(End of this chapter)