act21side

That just leaves... the Rossatis?

One more.

What do you mean?

Remember those poor suckers you took out early on? They were originally targeting people from il Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici.

Don Bellone's son's been working there, so another way of putting this is that the folks you dealt with were trying to get in Bellone's way.

So... what you're saying is, we helped the Bellones put down a threat, but then turned right around and hit 'em even harder.

...So what? We see famiglie doing that kinda power jockeying stuff every day.

That... He's got a point. The first hit we made might've just been on some unlucky, short-sighted bastards.

But don't forget, you were specifically sent to 'shut them up.'

Wait, are you serious?!

Are you suggesting... there's a double agent inside the Bellones?

Just another possibility.

Hahaha, but hey, that's what makes things interesting.

Let's assume that's true and do a little thought experiment here.

Carracci, il Ministro dei Lavori Pubblici, is dead. And before that, several more people in the ministero were killed.

Naturally, most people are going to see those things as connected, especially that poor judge.

But. The perpetrator who carried out the hit has already been silenced, and she can't find their leader either. She's at a complete loss, so what does she do next?

If only some kind of clue would appear.

And what do you know, isn't that assassin you dumped out there the best possible lead?

So that's why they waited until now to throw that guy out...

It does make sense, when you put it that way.

Then, they set up a little ambush, and make sure the judge has an 'accident'...

Kaboom.

Lappland stretches out her hands and falls back onto the sofa, as if knocked back by the blast.

Everyone's gonna get pulled in.

Ahh, what a great idea.

It's so great that even if this is all bullshit, I'd <i>want</i> to make it reality.

So... lemme get this straight, you two are sayin' that the Bellones are puttin' on a whole goddamn opera?

It's definitely possible.

After all, nobody understands the Bellones better than themselves.

Hmph. I don't buy it.

These are the famiglia's plans for the future we're talking about. There ain't a single wise guy in all of Siracusa who'd attack his own famiglia at a time like this.

Gambino, you should've realized by now that kinda blind confidence is what brought down the Sicilians.

You—

But I gotta say, I think I agree with you this time.

Aha! Then maybe they're putting on this show to feign weakness, so everyone thinks they're vulnerable and—

But they were already on the cusp of victory.

Do you seriously think that the Bellones just decided to give up on a city that was right at their fingertips, just to turn this whole place upside-down?

Are they crazy or something?

Who knows? There are more lunatics walking this land than you might think.

Haha, but I guess our merry mealtime needs to wrap up.

I hope you have a jolly ol' time out there.

You stopped by just to say hello?

What, are you that eager to be my henchmen?

I wouldn't say it's high on my priorities.

But at least tell us which side you're on.

Last thing I want is to end up fighting against you without realizing, and dying without knowing what hit me.

Me? Naturally, I'll always be Texas's most loyal supporter.

Is everyone in position for the ambush?

...Yes.

You seem like you want to say something.

I was just thinking... I feel bad for Signorina Lavinia.

Whatever the case may be, she's a friend to the famiglia.

If only the one she befriended wasn't Leon, the next don of Famiglia Bellone—

Look, I don't want to be the villain either.

So she wants to play her little game of justice. Sure, that we can allow, to an extent.

But she thinks she has the backing of one of the bosses. What she's done over the years has had a larger and larger impact on Leon... No, on our entire famiglia.

The Bellones don't need softness like that.

She must be made crystal-clear of this fact, and so must Leon.

Otherwise...

We'll never be able to seize ultimate victory from the chaos that's about to ensue.

But, the young master, he—

I know many of you are still conflicted about this. I will assume full responsibility for whatever happens. When Leon eventually comes asking who to blame, I won't get any of you involved.

...*sigh*.

Cellinia, I need to send you to stay in Siracusa for a while.

You have to go.

The Columbian famiglie changed into opulent attire, took up residence in luxurious mansions, and stepped into the so-called upper class, thinking they had clearly delineated a boundary between them and Siracusa.

'Siracusa is barbaric, while we are not.' They spoke those words, thinking themselves superior to our homeland.

Your father's been captured by this line of thinking too.

As for you, I need you to see for yourself.

See the place we came from. See if we're any different from them.

...Who's there?

I've brought you some chocolate. Want some?

I see prison security in Siracusa is as shoddy as ever.

You know, they call this one impregnable, at least compared to other cities.

Texas lets out a tiny sigh, and takes a bite out of the chocolate in Lappland's hand.

It's her least favorite flavor.

Hah. And here I thought you'd be chasing me out instead.

That takes a lot more effort than just ignoring you.

So long as you don't get in my way, do whatever you want.

Aw, I'm almost moved to tears here, Texas. Even you're gradually figuring out how to get along with me.

I never get in other peoples' way. I'd much rather clear the fog for them, so they can better see where they're going.

How much do the Saluzzos know?

No more than you do.

The Bellones were pretty much a shoo-in to win, but to keep the Rossatis down, they even brought you back from Lungmen, as a precautionary measure of sorts.

But right at the critical moment, yesterday's assassination took place.

It's so blatant that people can't help but think it had to be intentional. Is the perpetrator even trying to stay hidden?

So what about you? Planning to sit in this cell reminiscing about every little thing that happened in Lungmen until that judge lets you go?

Weren't you in a hurry to get back there?

If you consider the wait as just another leg of the journey home, then I can be pretty patient.

But what if that judge is in danger?

Where is he? Has he woken up yet?

Good to see you here, Your Honor! We've already taken full control of the scene.

The suspect is still unconscious, but he was tied up and stuffed into a trash can over by the corner. We've already notified the hospital.

Who found him?

A group of actors from Compagnia dell'alba. They already left because they had a rehearsal to get to.

Compagnia dell'alba... Bernardo's people?

He really is cursed with bad luck.

Your Honor, the people murdered in the witness elimination case you reported last time were this person's accomplices, right?

Yes, but we couldn't find anything on them to identify them with.