act21side

I met with that judge, Lavinia.

From the way people talk about her, I imagined someone like Carracci, a righteous person who wasn't willing to throw away her integrity.

Meeting her only confirmed that.

There's no way she's unaware of the futility of what she's doing, in our current landscape.

There's no way she's unaware of the fact that should she ever cross any of the famiglia, her life would be in grave danger.

The irony of all this is, the rights of ordinary people that she strives to protect as a judge mean nothing in the eyes of the famiglie.

They mean so little to them that she has not been snuffed out on her path forward.

Talking to her was torture, because I had to hold back my admiration for her and treat her like I would anyone else.

Carracci once joked that my position made him feel at ease because even if he died, he knew I would be there to pick up the torch.

But... what if I also died?

It's not as if I haven't cultivated and won over a number of youths, but they've never had a leader with any real sway like Carracci.

And undoubtedly, Judge Lavinia would make an ideal successor.

Of course, I can't push my ideas on her.

But, I'm afraid I don't have much time left either.

There is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in front of me. I don't have time to convey each and every one of my thoughts to her.

I do believe, however, that if my plan goes well, Judge Lavinia will at least be willing to look after my daughter.

Alas... Carracci, my old friend, let me put your death to good use.

If our souls can meet once more, I'll have to apologize to you again.

—But, a noble soul like yours probably won't end up in the same place as mine, haha.

Ugh, I knew we should've relocated as soon as we could.

But we're just gonna have to work with this, considering everything that happened yesterday.

Gah, that Sankta's a pain in the ass.

It's just one woman! Surround her!

My trusty partner here is trying to relax, so mind keeping it down?

Ugh, you guys sure love raising hell, don't you?

Oh, if anyone else was here, they'd probably be like, 'But Exusiai, you also love raising hell too!'

It sure sucks having to do this alone.

What's this? Someone need a helping hand?

I've been wondering, do you, like... have way too much time on your hands?

I'm just like you. We're all waiting for an answer.

What do you mean by that?

Does it make a big difference to you whether or not Texas goes back to Lungmen?

Absolutely.

And as of right now, I want her to go back.

Hmm... Does that mean you're on our side?

Sure does.

Great. Can't party alone.

Sorry, sorry. I shouldn't have said all that depressing stuff.

However, it should be clear to everyone by now that I'm not here to give an inaugural speech.

I came here to speak from my heart.

Carracci, as bold as his vision was, never mentioned anything to me about his outlook regarding the new city.

The reason for that is, when he took up his position, he was already prepared to die.

We've all borne witness to what he did over the past two years.

And just when I thought he might make it long enough to see the birth of the new city, he suddenly died a few days ago.

As for me, that was the last straw.

So, I cozied up to Famiglia Bellone, recommended myself to them, and obtained this position.

In that process, I discovered a shocking conspiracy the Bellone and Saluzzo famiglie have been brewing—

From the very beginning, they plotted to plunge this city into chaos and seize the newly-built nomadic city.

Then, they will seek to leverage it against Signora Sicilia.

Don Alberto, this—

Any news from Bernardo yet?

No, Don Alberto.

What's the meaning of this, Bernardo?

Danbrown.

Danbrown!

...I'm here.

You're near Rubio's location, right?

Yes.

Whack that lunatic.

Yes, Don Alberto.

Alright... I guess I can't keep you out, if you really want to come in.

You're an idiot.

What's the point of all this?

The way you're dressed... Are you an ordinary worker?

I work at a carwash. It's called 'Auto Lavaggio Danbrown.'

Oh, that rings a bell.

Yes.

So, you must be Danbrown then?

That's me.

Do you have any particular concerns about your job?

No.

Siracusa's gotten soggy and stale. I've had nothing to do, so I found some work for myself.

That's a shame. You should've looked a little harder.

You arrogant wise guys think you can lord over us forever.

You think your only enemies are each other, you never take any of us seriously.

But, the times are changing. Nothing stays the same forever.

No matter how nice your words might sound, they're just words.

Can words overthrow the famiglie, or Signora Sicilia?

No, but I've taken this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and said what I needed to say.

As for who'll win between the Bellones and Signora Sicilia, I don't know, or care.

All I know is—this new era has no room for the likes of you.

If the next chapter of Siracusan history is about to be written, the heroes of that story won't be the famiglie.

We may have no power. We may indeed be weak.

But we know that civilization rose to overcome this savagery.

We pursue a form of equality, an order not rooted in violence.

Violence is in our nature.

Really now? Why, then, are all the famiglie moving in the same direction?

Why are they chasing money and power instead of violence and conflict?

Is killing me today just a cathartic release of this violence?

Or is it because... I got in the way of the people behind you taking power?

See, you already know the answer.

And, if you don't mind, I'd like to be the one to finish myself off.

Do you know what this is?

A gun?

That's right. I purchased it from Blacksteel a few years ago, through my connections.

It's hard to use, and it's not very useful against a pack of wise guys lunging at you.

All it can do is offer a little protection to one as weak as myself.

By the looks of things, I already figured out who I should be pointing it at years ago.

Rubio slowly raises the gun's muzzle to his temple.

Oh right, Danbrown.