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But is it the Bellone businesses I care for and want to protect?

No, it is our own industry! It is Don Demetri who gave us this opportunity to unite and stand against the great merchants!

Congratulations on your not guilty verdict, Signor Bellone!

Oh? I thought you, of all people, would be most eager to see me behind bars.

Just a misunderstanding!

The trial at court clearly proved your innocence, and the entire city knows of your magnanimity.

Let's put all the twists and turns that happened during the championship behind us. It is undeniable that your winery took the crown.

Saluzzo Vino now holds the title of number one winery in all Nuova Volsinii! Truly an enviable feat!

Thanks to you as well.

...Bah.

Surely you'll join the next iteration as well? Defending the crown would be a legendary achievement!

Perhaps.

But as you say, Saluzzo Vino is now the number one winery in the city—

So I'm afraid I no longer see the value in joining a so-called competition to increase the value of my products. Am I right?

...Fair enough. But Elio Fabri damaging a winery's water systems under the ownership of Golden Prairie surely impacts you somehow.

You said you'd pay his fine, or even serve his time. A noble gesture, but you don't necessarily have to follow through.

A trivial matter like that isn't worth a public prosecution in the first place. No one would've noticed the incident, had I not filed a lawsuit in the first place.

Signor Czarek, you can get straight to your point.

What is your goal here? I don't think it's just to repair our working relationship with a tiny favor.

Heh, I do appreciate frankness.

Regardless of our backgrounds, we are both businessmen now, are we not? So, Signor Bellone, I'd like to discuss a deal with you—

Let Golden Prairie invest in Saluzzo Vino. Our strong alliance will surely sweep the Siracusan markets.

And if, or when the time comes, our business empire will eventually expand beyond Siracusa and Kazimierz!

Oh, is that so?

Indeed! I know you currently do not lack for capital or production tech, and you have your reputation here.

But you must be aware of the Kazimierz General Chamber of Commerce behind me.

If we work together, our resources, like our comprehensive supply and logistic channels, and even the media channels we have ties with...

All of that will be available to you.

Surely a young, upstanding man like yourself doesn't want to stop at a single winery that doesn't even bear your name?

Have you never considered establishing a 'Bellone'—no, a 'Demetri' commercial empire?

Intriguing.

I didn't expect the trial's outcome to impact your company and judgement so much.

It did indeed leave its mark on my wine business, but Golden Prairie still retains its price advantage—

I'm thinking the K.G.C.C. was the impetus behind this effort to discuss a cooperative relationship.

We are businessmen, Signor Bellone. We are naturally driven by the pursuit of maximum profit.

It is normal for us to set aside our preferences when discussing a deal in our quest for the most beneficial result.

As your employee said, this is how Kazimierz works.

So, think about it, young man. Don't be in such a rush to refuse me.

Refuse? Did you think I would do that?

Leontuzzo arrives at Demetri's residence late at night.

The rain that lasted all day is now reduced to a faint drizzle, gradually slowing to a stop.

But his mood remains melancholic.

Security guards from city hall who are still at the estate lead him inside.

He thought Demetri would have come out to meet him, but he is mistaken.

Demetri is simply seated in a chair—a seat decided by old famiglia custom to be the don's—silently watching him.

A dim light over his head obscures his expression.

Leontuzzo suddenly realizes it has been a long time since he's read any expression from Demetri's face.

Here you are, after all.

...Yes. You asked me to come. I remember the gesture.

A glass for each of us? I can mix a ginger fizz with apple juice you like as a base.

Though it's hard to find traditionally pressed apple juice in Nuova Volsinii these days. I'm sure it's been a while since you've had any?

Fortunately, I found someone to help me acquire it.

I'm sure you didn't call me here to reminisce about the old days.

You can lower your guard.

When I arrived here, I think I spotted a Kazimierzian's car leaving.

The boss of Golden Prairie.

Czarek? What was he doing here?

He wants to work with Saluzzo Vino.

I agreed.

Why?!

Why? Is this not what you people at city hall want?

Bringing in foreign capital will help local businesses to thrive and evolve. This is how businesses here and even across Siracusa will gain access to a wider market.

Czarek was here as an agent of the K.G.C.C., and they offered generous terms. I had no reason to refuse.

...Kazimierzian businessmen aren't as nice as you might think.

You're worried for me.

You managed to gain the Saluzzos' assets with your particular methods, but this doesn't mean you will see the same results with the Kazimierzians.

We can only try and see.

Also, city hall will surely protect the interests of us local businesses, yes?

I know an amendment to the New Urban Management Act sits on your desk. Just missing your signature.

How do you...?

Just some of those so-called underhanded famiglia methods.

We should always seek all the intelligence we can to make the most beneficial decisions.

I believe I taught you this long ago when I was grooming you to be the don.

That amendment... is just a draft.

I might not even sign it.

You're hesitating, I know. You just can't make up your mind.

You fear the people will denounce you, that all your achievements will go to waste, that Nuova Volsinii will return to the old famiglia ways.

Should I not be afraid? It's too easy, going back to our familiar methods, while new sparks are so hard to start.

All the famiglie outside the city are watching our every move.

Give them one chance, and we'll be torn to shreds, never to recover.

But you have more to worry about than just the famiglie.

Besides the Kazimierzan and Columbian businessmen who exploit loopholes in the Act, there are also Leithanians trying to expand their influence in the city—

Did you know? I received some surprising news just before the competition.

Someone was dispatched here from the Leithanian border for the sole purpose of dispatching the exiled dissident Paola Memminger.

Leithanien's Eternal Grace forbids anyone from deviating from their Movement, even outside Leithanian territory.

And you used this to your advantage.

I didn't fan the flames, I simply let it be.

Fortunately, things turned out well, and you also have a chance to amend the Act.

Is this not what city hall has been waiting for, this whole time?

I believe Lavinia arranged that trial just for that.

I do intend to limit foreign capital here, but that does not mean—

Who else can you even rely on, if not us local businessmen?

Regardless of whether or not we have famiglia backgrounds, we are all at least complying with your city's rules.

We can act as your insurance.

Empty promises mean nothing to me.

I know you are skeptical of the famiglie.

But you should understand we started off as nothing but a band of whelps, powerless against the barrens and chaos of Siracusa.

We helped those around us, and hoped the day might come when we could win something in return, to improve our lives.

We Siracusans take care of our own. It is our tradition, and what I've always done.

So after the Don's death, after you left, I took the Bellones' reins.