act38side

<p=2>December 5th, 1099</>

What are you shipping?

Wine.

Waybill number?

SZ990183.

What's the company?

Sorry. Don't know what you mean.

The goods you're hauling there. What corporation owns them? How's that hard to understand?

Haha. You must be new. Doesn't understand how things work around here.

S'alright. Listen and learn. You should ask, 'What famiglia are you with?'

You...

Sorry, signore. What's the company?

...Saluzzo Vino.

Right. Your information checks out. Go on ahead.

Don't look at me like that, and don't try to bring the old ways over here. Look at the sign above the port.

You're in Nuova Volsinii.

The Metropolitans

<p=2>November 6th, 1100 7:00 A.M.</>

Boss, you came just in time. I got something to discuss with you.

We're not taking any trucks out today. We're gonna fix up the roads around camp.

If Sandro blows another tire next time he backs up, he'll have no one to blame but his own bad luck, haha.

Also, the custom-made tent has arrived. We're planning to set it up near the western exit.

The new campsite is huge. There's room for the awning, water purification system, and barbecue grill. It's in a relatively quiet area, which should help the new recruits adjust more easily.

I also added an outdoor projector screen so that the people in the camp can enjoy a little entertainment.

When I have time, I'll go rent some Wrankwood films... I know what you're gonna say—no mafia flicks.

By the way, I heard city hall has already started building a new resettlement area?

Haha, well, they'd better hurry up—otherwise, I might not want to move out when the time comes.

Right now, the trucks can only park in the camp. Everyone has to live in the trucks. It's really inconvenient, especially for guys with families...

But at least we don't have to deal with those big Families anymore. These trucks belong to us. Standing together to protect them gives us a sense of security.

Right.

Sometimes I look at the camp over there and think, 'Who would believe that this was a barren wasteland just a year ago?'

By the way, boss, why didn't you come back last night?

You all distracted me. I almost forgot what I was doing here!

Bring me the district heads—Sandro, Ginter, Sommer...

Sommer isn't here.

Huh? Isn't he off work today?

I told him so many times already, I get why he wants to bring Guri to Nuova Volsinii for treatment as soon as possible.

Guri is my little sister too. I told him I'd do my part to help. I told him to stop taking extra long hauls all the time.

Boss, don't get mad. It's probably not what you think.

What about the unlucky loner?

She isn't here either. I haven't seen her since last night.

That's weird. Whatever. Gather up everybody still in camp. We need to help Judge Lavinia investigate some things.

The sun is shining brightly.

The cordoned-off area has turned the bustling street quiet. Bloodstains mingle with the tire tracks on the ground as police officers rush back and forth.

Nuova Volsinii is not as rainy as the other cities in Siracusa. Without the rain to obscure it, the accident scene stands out all the more strikingly.

...Have you made any more progress?

The surveillance around here is broken, so we could not obtain any video footage. We were forced to scour the area for physical evidence.

Here you can see the tire marks left by Signor Bellone's car and the other vehicle that has since left the scene.

The collision occurred at a corner where there's a bad blind spot. There's also a traffic light there though, so the two cars shouldn't have collided. And yet, both veered oddly at almost the same moment—

That's when Signor Bellone's car was struck by the other vehicle, which quickly fled the scene.

It may have been a routine traffic accident, but we cannot exclude the possibility that it was...

Yes.

Have you learned anything new about our mystery vehicle?

It's just as we concluded last night—a large box truck of some sort.

I see. Delivery trucks, shuttle buses, fire trucks, specialized construction vehicles... 'Box trucks' of this size are rare in Nuova Volsinii.

I've already asked Eirene to help me investigate. The truck drivers are much better equipped than we are to find clues.

Judge Lavinia, Signor Bellone...

The fractures and internal bleeding have been addressed through surgery, but the severe concussion has left the patient in a coma, at least for now.

In a sense, we can't say the patient is out of mortal danger yet.

Will... will he recover?

As a doctor, I will not promise anything... However, as a citizen of Nuova Volsinii, I sincerely hope Signor Bellone makes a full recovery, and I'll do my best to make that happen.

I wish you the best of luck, Judge Lavinia.

They did it. They made a move...

Judge Lavinia, should we go grab some of the mafiosi, and then—

Don't even think about it.

That's the famiglie's way; it is not our way.

Forgive me! But I think if anyone had a reason to harm Signor Bellone, it would be one of those famiglia bastards!

We shall find the culprit, no matter who they are. They must be brought to justice.

But who could it be?

The Saluzzos?

The Venezias?

The Medicis?

The Leotis?

Lavinia turns her gaze to the restaurant on the corner.

The restaurant is small, and the seats by the window face the middle of the road.

Demetri invited me to dinner tonight and I promised him I'd be there. I can't keep avoiding him forever, Lavinia.

Leon, what is wrong with all this...?

Signor Antonio, I've already trimmed the stray fur on your ears and tail. The next step is applying the conditioner.

This might take a little while. Feel free to close your eyes and rest for a spell.

No problem. You just do your thing.

Is this your first time here?

Yes, yes it is. Carle said if your own personal nurse had not fallen ill... well, in any case it's my honor to serve you today.

Don't be nervous. You're doing a great job.

Thank you. Heh.

Our family has spent generations studying Lupo fur. We started as traveling craftsmen and eventually opened the first grooming center. It's been hundreds of years, and we've gathered plenty of expertise along the way!

Lupo fur is generally coarse with inner and outer layers, while Perro fur is much finer and softer. At first glance, they may seem similar, but in reality, they're worlds apart.

That's why I specially formulated this conditioning treatment for you. Its blend of rich botanical essences can help firm up the fur while still retaining key nutrients.

What do you think? Do you like it?

Of course. You've put so much care into this whole thing. Why wouldn't I be happy with it?

Signor Antonio, you are kind and gentle. You're not at all as scary as Carle said...

I think there must have been some misunderstanding. I'm just a simple businessman. Who would do business with a scary man?

Haha... By the way, Signor Antonio, would you like to try a semi-permanent styling for your ears and tail?

That way, their shape will be more defined and look better. Plus, no one will be able to tell you aren't a Lupo—

Oh... hold on.

It sounds like you have strong opinions about my ears and tail.

Well, I heard Carle say you wanted to look more like a Lupo.

Hah. You mean to say that I, as a lowly Perro, should rather look more like my own race?

What kinda beastshit are you talking?!

Carle?

I... I just wanted to show Signor Antonio here—