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What was your motive? Did the owner of Saluzzo Vino, Demetri Bellone, compel you to do this?

Did he intend to disrupt Golden Prairie's business operations?

Elio does not answer immediately.

The Kazimierzian businessman in the gallery is silent, his expression now relaxed.

Meanwhile, Leontuzzo fails to make out Demetri's reaction from his calm demeanor in the defendant's dock.

No one compelled me to do anything, Your Honor.

Everything I did was on my own conscience, out of my concern as a Nuova Volsiniese, as a Siracusan.

It's true Golden Prairie is a competitor of ours. And our rivalry means I know well the methods they use.

They dump their goods here for cheap, pressuring our local wineries into a smaller corner of the market, and then acquire them when they turn unsustainable.

But they don't run the businesses properly after buying them out, much less try to preserve their unique winemaking traditions.

They fire all the old staff to increase profit and efficiency, pretend to operate normally for a while, then shut it all down, leaving the vines to waste away.

Verdi's the fourth. Before them, it was Triptych, Passadi Hills, and Drizzle...

All those wineries suffered the same treatment.

That's how Kazimierz works.

They don't care about the effort we put into tending our grapes, nor for our lives and the memories carried by the unique astringency in our traditional wines.

All they want is to clear out their weaker competitors, one by one, until they monopolize all the shelves of every store.

And we'll ultimately lose any choice in the products we buy. When that happens, I doubt their prices will stay as low as they are now.

Well said. But that does not justify your use of illegal means.

I know.

I know what I've done won't stop the Kazimierzians from trampling all over our wine and other industries.

But I had to do something. I'll accept whatever punishment I deserve.

Murmurs from the gallery only grow louder and louder.

Lavinia raises the gavel in her hand, but hesitates for a while before she puts it down without striking the block.

Your Honor, if you would allow me a few words.

...Speak.

I believe the testimonies you've heard from the witnesses you summoned are sufficient to prove I have no connection to the murder of Paola Memminger.

But Elio Fabri is indeed in my company's employ.

I did not compel him myself, and he did engage in activities deemed illegal by the New Urban Management Act, targeting Golden Prairie.

I believe his reasons for doing so are perfectly understandable, not just to me, but to every Nuova Volsiniese sitting in the gallery right now.

But a violation of the rules is a violation. I do not expect the court to make an exception for him.

Though, as his boss, I am willing to bear the punishment for his crime, be it a fine or a prison sentence.

The murmurs are now so loud that even the gavel fails to silence the crowd. Reporters in the back rows leave to contact their newspapers.

Lavinia announces the end of the trial; declaring the verdict to be given at a later date following jury deliberations.

Amidst the chaos, Leontuzzo catches Demetri looking at him.

He watches as Demetri raises his hand, puts his index and middle fingers together, and gently points them towards Leontuzzo, then himself.

He recognizes the action—a unique gesture they have both used since they were little to signal 'catch you later for a chat'.

Leontuzzo does not respond.

Yes, we've confirmed with the team responsible for guarding the Bellone estate that Elio Fabri did not visit Demetri Bellone's residence following the murder of Paola Memminger.

We have not monitored any calls between them either.

...In other words, he just spoke of his own accord at the courthouse.

That seems to be the case, as far as we can tell.

The jury has yet to reach a verdict, so we can only continue to watch the Bellone estate and keep Signor Fabri in custody for now.

I'd like to speak with him in private.

By all means.

...Zio Elio.

I didn't know you were in Nuova Volsinii.

Oh? I thought Signor Mayor and Judge Lavinia would've come across my name while scrutinizing entry applications from Bellone associates.

I... didn't notice... but why are you still with them? I thought...

After Padre's death, Famiglia Bellone lost all the power it had. You should've left then—I know you never liked having to do things the mafioso way.

Leave? I lost my fruit stand, Emma's fever left her with a lifelong need for medication, and I've been struggling...

If Don Demetri hadn't invited me to join his winery and source grapes for him, I don't know how I would've survived!

Nuova Volsinii provides job opportunities for everyone with the will to shape a future with their own hands...

Is that so? Do you think small businesses can still survive, under the Kazimierzian merchants' heel?

But your acts of sabotage... the famiglie used to do the same.

The famiglie's ways of doing things... yes, they remind us, every citizen here, of our painful past.

I do admit it was a shameful act—but fortunately, Judge Lavinia allowed me an opportunity to speak the truth in court.

...Lavinia... was the one who arranged for you to be there?

Yes.

Sometimes, we have no choice but to only do as much as we can, no?

You asked me why I was still working for Don Demetri.

It is because he still adheres to the old famiglia creed—

A pack of whelps grouping up to help each other can keep all of us from being devoured by a bigger beast.

I heard your inauguration speech too. I could feel your passion.

You asked how our neighboring nations would view us? Would they see us as a new possibility?

But now, I believe they do. They see us as a new avenue, to exploit us for their own gain!

Yes, I work for the Don.

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.