act21side

But in Wallach's hands, they are a savage and ostentatious knife.

You saw Rubio's connection with Carracci, and even took advantage of his anger. He thought no one knew his self-restraint, he never expected that you had already uncovered him.

I knew you'd be in town, but I didn't expect you to see through all my plans so easily.

It is always easier to trace back the steps in retrospect.

And your plan has already been set in motion. Even if I was able to deduce all this, there is nothing more I can do.

Even if Sicilia were to pop up right here, right now, even she would be hard-pressed to resolve everything.

Who would have imagined that the don of the most powerful famiglia would use his own people as bait to bring all the others down with him?

You don't seem particularly upset about it.

Sicilia never asked me for a Siracusa that would flourish forever.

And I was never after wealth or power.

What you've done undoubtedly breaks the rules that Sicilia established, and so, I really did come to end you.

But your father-son talk there surprised me.

Oh?

Sicilia has never tolerated any disruptions to her order because no one came with an answer that could satisfy her.

But you, Bernardo, have an excellent son.

You won't be able to shake apart this society Sicilia built with her own two hands. Not by yourself.

But, if your son came along with you, then maybe...

It wouldn't be completely impossible.

Hahahaha!

Life is full of surprises.

I thought I realized my lifelong dream and could die happy today.

Who knew that I'd change my mind, that I'd want to live to see what Leon can do.

It's too bad.

For a moment, Agenir casts his gaze in the direction of Grey Hall.

Something inhuman is approaching.

I see, I've heard of this. Is it also a part of your plan?

It's something that has to be done. That's all.

Please go, Don Agenir.

This is the price I have to pay.

So be it.

Just a moment, Reverend.

Hmm?

Don Agenir, or rather, Padre, I've never prayed to anyone, in my entire life.

And I don't think I'll find closure with anyone else.

The Lord can't answer me.

But right here, I do have some questions only you can answer.

By all means.

How did Signora Sicilia feel, when she came back from Laterano?

Conflicted.

She was distressed about the challenges she was to face.

She was looking forward to the society she was about to create.

More or less the same as you're feeling right now.

Alright, okay. I know. You be careful too.

How're Texas n' Exusiai doin'?

Uh, they're with Lavinia right now. Said they were doing her a favor.

The judge lady, huh? Least she's a bit more put together'n the Bellone family fellers from before.

Hope nothin' bad happens to 'em.

Yeah.

Ugh... Nngh...

Miss Giovanna! Y-You're awake?!

I'm... not dead?

The assassin missed your heart by a couple centimeters, and you pulled through.

I gotta say, though, it's a good thing you're in such excellent shape. Otherwise, you probably wouldn't have made it.

Wallach...

How long was I unconscious for?

A day.

I'm guessing a lot has happened over the course of that day.

Tell me what's going on.

Alright...

You're finally here, Don... Or should I say, Zaaro.

Bernardo.

What are you scheming?

Don't play dumb. I can tell you're in denial about the conclusions you've drawn.

You dare—

Why wouldn't I dare?

You've pushed into me a lifetime of power and betrayal. You're so prideful and arrogant, you never imagined that one day, I could betray you too.

Don't forget, Bernardo, I'm the one who made you everything you are!

A pitch-black mist wraps around Bernardo's neck.

But he pays it no heed.

You still don't get it, Zaaro.

The game you Signori dei Lupi are playing means nothing to me.

Siracusa is the absolute limit of your imagination.

You think that ultimate power is to control a country, multiple countries, or even to subjugate all the lands.

But I don't think so.

Real power is the power to command an entire epoch.

In my original plan, Siracusa would fall along with me.

Now, my son has shown me that he sees a bigger picture.

You should take comfort in that.

Now, take that comfort back to your mountain forest.

In this round of the game—

You... have lost.

I lost? Hmph. I still have countless ways to—

Il Signore dei Lupi has many ways to control his Fangs.

However, Zaaro immediately notices a trail of blood running from the corner of Bernardo's mouth.

Poison?!

You were planning this from the very beginning, weren't you? Bernardo!

Bernardo does not answer. He has already lost the strength to speak.

He simply lifts his head and looks at the wide-open doors of the church.

His gaze passes over flowerbeds, tall buildings, and dark clouds.

Until it finally passes through time itself.

He sees the summer of that year when he, as a cobbler, was sweating profusely beneath the scorching sun.

But he felt an unprecedented fulfillment from it.

That feeling would haunt him for the rest of his life.

He slowly closes his eyes.

Like a true king.

Imbecile.

You imbecile!

The giant wolf's roar reverberates through the church.

But no one is there to answer him.

After a while, he turns his gaze to the direction Leontuzzo left.