act21side

You're pretty used to being in this kind of situation, aren't you?

Back in Lungmen, I'd sometimes let myself get interrogated like this.

Lungmen, huh...

Anyway, I'd have no reason to do anything like that.

That's what they all say.

To be honest, though, I don't think you could've been the perpetrator, Cellinia. I can't imagine it would've done you any good.

Also, Leon contacted me beforehand and gave me a few reasons why I should trust you.

So that's why you showed up at a venue where so many important figures were present. It was originally prepared as a stage for you by Famiglia Bellone.

However, given the current circumstances, our best option is for me to keep you here.

You're protecting Leontuzzo.

I'm protecting you as well, Texas.

Also... this may divert the attention of the other famiglie. They will be speculating what Bellone's next move will be after getting hit like this.

And those suspicions... might loosen some of the fetters around my ankles.

Are you really a judge?

Why would you ask that?

You seem to know a lot about how the famiglie operate.

I am, in fact, a judge.

But to be good at this job in Siracusa, you need to know how the mafiosi keep themselves alive, even better than they do.

Even if I'd rather not know.

You misunderstood me. It's not at all surprising that a law enforcement official would know a thing or two about the people you're enforcing it on.

But what I meant was that judges like you didn't exist back in the old Siracusa.

Don't get the wrong idea, Cellinia Texas.

I didn't bring you here because of the so-called checks and balances among the famiglie. Outsiders may interpret my stance as such, but I couldn't care less.

You just arrived in this city, and you still don't understand how important Ministro Carracci really was.

He was an outstanding person. He could've made the new city under construction something far better.

It wasn't just another project to expand his business, either. He wanted to make it possible for the citizens to enjoy a new way of life.

But he's dead now.

And I will find his murderer and bring them to justice.

They think they can dispose of the people who refuse to bend the knee one after another, as if they were puppets.

But I will make them realize that they are not tossing away a broken doll. They are murdering living, flesh-and-blood people.

So, Carracci's death had nothing to do with you.

Right.

And you didn't find out who the murderer was.

Pretty much.

And the task I gave you, to investigate exactly why Bellone decided to bring back Texas? No leads there either?

You never miss a beat, my dear father.

And despite having accomplished nothing at all, you didn't even bother showing up when I called to convene a meeting.

The traffic is pretty bad this time of year.

Lappland, when I kicked you out of the house seven years ago, you lost your right to call yourself a Saluzzo. Do you understand what that means?

Of course I do. It means you won't show any mercy when you decide to dispose of a disobedient tool like me.

You've always been so self-aware, yet never have the slightest inclination to act accordingly.

Do you really need me to personally deliver a little warning to the poor little Judgie?

Why would I feel a need to warn her?

Now that the princeling pup is hiding behind closed doors, everybody's gonna think the sharp-tongued little Judgie is a Bellone puppet.

And with your personality, you aren't inclined to believe that the Bellones are as weak as they present.

So wouldn't it be common sense to use the judge's well-being to test the waters?

Seeing how you understand what to do, I want to see results.

Why naturally, I'd never disobey your orders. Assuming our interests align, that is.

My dearest father.

Salvadore! What are we to do now?!

Am I to thank you for freeing me from the clutches of my own blood relative? Am I to thank you for spilling blood so that the Infected workers may have full stomachs?

The man you killed was my father!

No, I do not need a list of his crimes. I should think I know them better than you. The scars on our bodies are proof of his cruelty. The deaths of those laborers were proof of his exploitation.

But still, despite it all!

Salvadore, I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart, for saving me and so many others.

But the stench of blood lingering about you grows stronger and stronger...

Let us be away from this place, Salvadore, just the two of us... Take me somewhere we will at last be able to find peace, alright?

It might already be too late.

Salvadore, it might already have been too late the day you first set foot in Columbia, from when you first sharpened your blade...

You say this was all destined? That it couldn't have been avoided?

I can't help but think... If I were in Vivienne's place, would I be able to forgive Salvadore?

Even if what he did could be forgiven, the grudge would follow the both of them for the rest of their lives.

Exactly right, signorina.

Huh?

That the two of them were able to get together in the end is, of course, artistic license.

In fact, the real Salvadore did not elope with Vivienne.

Also, despite the fact that Vivienne's father was indeed as callous as he was wealthy, he took good care of his family - particularly Vivienne, whom he doted on like a diamond in the palm of his hand.

Oh...

Very rarely is someone pure evil, don't you think?

Therefore, even if the perpetrator was someone you loved dearly, even if you were aware of your father's despicable acts, something like what he did is not so easily forgiven.

Signorina Vivienne ultimately chose to leave him and move to a new city, where she met someone who truly loved her and thus began a new life.

But, until her last breath, she never forgot the man named Salvadore.

So in a sense, this story can be seen as vicariously helping her dream come true.

Did you... know Ms Vivienne well?

Hmm... I suppose you could say that.

My name is Caterina. You're quite the lovely young actress.

Are you new here? I swing by frequently, but I've never seen your face before.

I am. My name is Sora, and I came from Lungmen.

Lungmen? How fascinating.

I've heard of many actors who went to Lungmen to develop their careers, but rarely the other way around.

Sometimes, there's value in bucking the trend.

Too true.

So Miss Caterina, do you know what happened to the actual Ms Vivienne?

Vivienne, huh... She never forgot Salvadore.

Maybe that's why her son chose a similar path— he became a wise guy, and gradually rose to become the don of a certain famiglia.

A famiglia that would eventually go on to clash against Salvadore himself.

Fortunately, Vivienne came forward and prevented the two rivals from becoming mortal enemies, and eventually they even became allies.

Wait, are you talking about the Rossati Family from the script?

That's right. Have you already read through the entire thing?

Yes... I also wanted to learn as much as I could about the Texas Family's history, for some personal reasons.

So what did you think of the story?

I... There are a few bits I can't make sense of.

Oh? For example?

For example, Salvadore's granddaughter...

Sora, the stylist wants you to take a look at the design of your costume!

Okay, I'll be right there!

Sorry, but I have to go.

I don't mind. We'll have another chance to talk.

Sora—

Take your time. We can always chat at our leisure some other day.