The snow continued to fall into the night and was growing heavier.
It’s foreseeable that by tomorrow, the entire city of Wenster will be wrapped in a silver cloak, not needing even half a month.
On such a cold, snowy night, the Bolita Family Manor was warm throughout.
Because the fireplace in the house was already lit, and the dining table was filled with steaming hot food.
Today, the main dining room had more people than usual, rather than just Ethan dining alone.
Sitting to Ethan’s left was Virel, on his right was Vincent, and Palon sat next to Vincent.
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The war had ended more than an hour ago.
At that time, the darkness had just engulfed the sky.
The result of the war was, of course, a complete victory.
The Prohibition Agent invading the crafts factory was nearly annihilated by the ambush Virel had laid in advance.
The Prohibition Agent, after this one time, would again suffer a major blow.
Moreover, Lewis was dead.
As for the Cabreya Clan, Ethan was well prepared; most of those who died were formerly from the Cabreya Clan, and only a few from the Bolita family were injured.
By the time Ethan returned from Winster University, Vincent and Anya personally led people to suppress it.
Soon, there were no waves left at all.
In fact, because of Big Beard Gary’s rebellion, Ethan instead completed the cleansing of the old hands of the former Cabreya Clan.
There were very few surviving elders of the Cabreya Clan left, and in the future, once Ethan placed newcomers into those vacant territories, he would truly complete the annexation.
There would be no more problems of internal rebellion.
This, in fact, was Ethan’s first thought when Palon reported Lewis’s defection to him.
Killing two birds with one stone.
"Ding ding ding——"
Ethan stood up, holding a spoon, gently tapping his wine glass to signal everyone to look over.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us first welcome my second brother, Vincent Polleta, back home. Vincent, welcome home."
With the last sentence, Ethan looked at Vincent and raised his glass to him.
Virel and Palon hurriedly raised their glasses as well.
Vincent downed his drink in one go, then leaned back in his chair, appearing extremely relaxed and satisfied.
That was the expression of being home.
Next was Virel. Virel performed as usual today, without any issues.
The tasks entrusted to him would never go wrong.
Virel was also savoring this; it was his first operation since obtaining his true name, the feeling was indeed different from before.
It was as if his whole being had soared.
He was intoxicated by that feeling.
"Unfortunately, Lewis died."
This was the only regret.
He had hoped to kill that brat with his own hands.
He couldn’t help but glance at his slightly empty left foot.
Lastly, there was Palon.
Palon was still somewhat disoriented. He was actually daydreaming a moment ago.
It seemed as if the sound of gunfire was still continuously ringing in his ears.
The gunfire interwove, making him recall that night, as if seeing the old figures of his family falling at his feet.
Although he hadn’t actually fired a gun today, killing anyone.
Yet indeed, today the Cabreya Clan was truly and utterly destroyed in his hands.
"Palon..."
Ethan’s words startled him awake.
Unbeknownst to him, Ethan had already walked behind him, lightly placing his jade-like hands on Palon’s shoulders.
"This time you’ve really made me see you in a new light."
"So, you have two choices now: one, I give you a sum of money, you can go anywhere you want, and I’ll never seek you out again. Two, stay and genuinely assist Virel."
Ethan’s words were very clear.
He had completely trusted Palon, and now was willing to give him freedom and also accept him as a real family member.
Palon was still somewhat in a daze.
If it were before, he would have probably chosen to leave without hesitation, leave this nightmare.
But now...
After a long silence.
Palon slowly stood up, turned his head, grabbed Ethan’s left hand and then bowed his head, deeply kissing that emblem entwined with black mud and thorns.
"Ethan, I am willing to offer you... my heart."
To offer one’s heart.
This is a very ancient phrasing.
Long ago, the Fengcui people once established a mighty empire in the Old Continent, those battle-hardened, swift and agile Imperial Knights, when seeing the king, would strike their chests and utter this phrase.
"Honor... will travel with you."
Ethan uttered the corresponding words.
The atmosphere turned solemn and sacred.
Vincent smiled contentedly from the side.
The dinner began, and everyone ate heartily.
Throughout the banquet, Ethan casually asked Virel about his thoughts, mainly regarding the affairs Vincent would be responsible for afterward.
Ethan’s idea was to let Vincent be in charge of the crafts factory for now.
Previously, Virel had to manage the Cabreya Clan’s territories while overseeing the crafts factory, making it seem as though he was stretched too thin.
Virel naturally agreed.
As for Vincent, he just nodded.
"As long as you want, I’ll go wherever you need."
Near the end of the banquet, Anya came back from outside and said to Ethan, "Master, those things have arrived."
Ethan understood, they were the alchemical creations he ordered from Huoyan.
Since Virel was also present, he simply had Anya bring them in.
They were two very exquisite wooden boxes, carved with intricate patterns.
Just from the packaging, it was quite impressive.
The first box naturally contained the guns for Ethan and Anya.
Opening the box, inside on red silk cloth lay two peculiarly designed guns.
Their barrels were silver, and the grips, one was pure black made of ebony, the other was made of an unknown pure white material.
Exceedingly elegant.
The barrels were engraved with words, the black gun bore an inscription for the Godfather, followed by what seemed to be the craftsman’s initials, marked with the letters AL.
As for the white barrel, naturally, it was inscribed for Tanya.
"Anya, give it a try."
Ethan tossed the white gun to Anya, holding the black gun himself.
As the gun entered his hand, there was an immediate sense of connection, as if of flesh and blood.
It was indeed a good gun, with an excellent feel.
Anya was also somewhat reluctant to part with it; evidently, Huoyan had made subtle adjustments; comparatively, Anya’s white gun was slimmer, more suited for females.
The others, Virel and Palon, half understood what they were seeing.
Vincent, however, remarked: "A very fine alchemical creation, surprisingly it’s of the third level."
Ethan nodded, realizing that his second brother’s knowledge was higher than he had imagined.
Next up was Virel’s prosthetic limb.
When Ethan took out that technologically advanced prosthetic from the box.
Virel was almost in tears.
"Master, is this... is this for me?"
"Of course, Virel, it’s what I owe you."
Ethan held the prosthetic with both hands, handing it to Virel.
Virel took it, trembling, unable to speak.