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<i>Once upon a time, there was a strange pink Nightmare that roamed the wild west.</i>

<i> Its hide was black charcoal, its hair charred clouds, its horns twisted briar.</i>

<i> Many were deceived by its beautiful mask, mesmerized by its sweet scent, falling into deep dreams, becoming its nourishment.</i>

<i>The Nightmare targeted Lupo children, once luring thousands of children away from a city in a single night.</i>

<i> But the wise Siracusans came up with a way to fight the terrible pink Nightmare—</i>

<i> The Nightmare was afraid of wolves. When you saw it, you'd simply cry 'Wolf!' three times, and the Nightmare would disappear without a trace.</i>

That is QUITE enough! I can't listen to any more of this!

No need to get excited, Dolly. The musician isn't wrong; that's what Siracusan legends say about sheep.

If you're not happy about it, you could always jump on top of his head from your sheep float. After all, no one would be surprised about anything that happens tonight, no matter how out of this world it is.

Look, I just like getting chased by wolves. Playing hide-and-seek with them was one of the few hobbies I had during my time in Siracusa.

How could they twist the story like that? Blasphemy, I say, blasphemy!

That ain't the word I'd pick for it.

Stop throwing cold water on our fun.

How do the Siracusans see YOU, Emperor?

Tell 'im about the black-robed singer, Big Mouth!

Well... once upon a time, there was a mafia Don who loathed music and banned it in his city, until a penguin singer dressed in a black robe arrived many years later.

When he started singing at the town square, the citizens, having no concept of music, found it too noisy and tried to catch the singer and hand him over to the Don.

But the singer was too quick and slippery, even for the most athletic young man.

He continued to sing as more and more people joined the chase, which eventually turned into a great dance that engulfed the entire city.

The singer sang for three days and three nights until the furious Don had enough and came to catch him personally. But the Don was caught in the revelry as soon as he walked out of the door, and was never seen again.

Why does Emperor get to sound like a brave, clever hero when he's not half as wise as I am?

It ain't about wisdom, it's about Graf Pangwen's attitude toward music! Freedom n' struggle! You never did listen to the albums I signed for you, did you?

Let's go, we're getting in the way.

(Plays excitedly)

(Juggles excitedly)

(Plays even harder)

(Shows off skills)

Achille? Where's my Achille?

Did you just realize you had been walking with a stranger for half-an-hour, Signora?

Oh, I recognize your voice! You're that judge from Terni... I'm so sorry, the Leica famiglia made me lie in court—

(Taps mask) All water under the bridge, Signora. Remember the rules of Carnevale?

Look around at the sea of smiles around you! Fool and king, queen and priest, all are the same in their masks. Forget the scores of the past, and let us toast to the future of Nuova Volsinii!

The crowd passes by three Aristocrats of Beasts, as Dolly's clones meander through the sea of people. All can see them; no one shows any surprise.

In this ocean of revelry, not a single sea spray feels out of place.

A dozen massive floats form an orderly row, carrying the visages of wolf, sheep, penguin, cat, dog... legendary beasts that have come together in this city to lead the procession.

The streets are brimming—nay, overflowing—with plays and improvised performances. Musicians and acrobats seem locked in a competition to outdo one another, forcing food cart owners to raise their voices even higher to peddle beer, pizza and ice cream.

This is even more exciting than an active volcano.

Better than the old Carnevale. Even fatso didn't enjoy that kind of party.

Please don't dirty the word 'party' by usin' it on a mafia-masked murder-fest.

One tree don't bear two fruits. The Siracusans are just like those wolves.

Thousands of years ago, we left the wolves out of our parties because those dumbass pups didn't know nothin' but fighting and killing. So they came up with their own game.

Lucky the Siracusans are smarter, and they decided there's things worth celebrating besides killing and fighting for territory.

As for the wolves that don't know how to change—

They sense the same thing that we do. They know something is not right.

We're 'kindred', after all. There are certain things that we need to talk about.

I've met the ones that are less stupid, but they won't listen to anyone until their stupid game is done.

Well, they got a sayin' in Yan, and it means basically 'When in Londinium, do as the Londiniers do.'

Now, if this is a party, the Siracusans better not let me down!

<p=2>November 9th, 1100 9:25 P.M.</>

Wind brushes against Demetri's cheeks.

The windows of the ward were closed when he left yesterday, and Lavinia had instructed the nurse to keep a close eye on the temperature in this autumn season. But he sees only an empty bed when he looks up.

It's been a while, Demetri.

I'm sorry, Signor Bellone, this man insisted on coming in. I tried calling City Hall and the courts to reach Judge Lavinia, but I couldn't get through...

It's okay. You can leave.

When did you wake up?

The bright lights illuminate the skies and shine upon the hospital ward. The noise of the crowd can be clearly heard even through the window. Leontuzzo stands next to the window, gazing down at a city in revelry.

He has changed out of his patient clothes, and there is no hint that he was in a coma not so long ago.

A few hours ago.

You know, I thought we were meeting up at a restaurant, not a hospital.

Good, you still remember what you were doing before the accident. Looks like it didn't damage your brain.

Tsk.

You sure didn't lose any time to get dressed as soon as you woke up. Don't tell me you plan on attending the festivities.

Surely the nurses have told you that you need to lie down and get some rest... you're still wrapped in bandages underneath those clothes, aren't you?

Just a little light-headed. Got some pills for it, and I feel much better now.

Hundreds of thousands of citizens will be on the streets tonight, celebrating the one-year anniversary of Nuova Volsinii.

The original plan calls for the parade to start from the expansion plate, travel through twenty-three streets across nine plates, where it will be joined by various festivities.

At midnight, they will arrive at Court Square, where I will address the crowd and welcome a new day together with them—

City Hall has contingency plans.

Your inauguration can surely wait until you're in better shape.

Do you really think that, Demetri?

Leontuzzo turns around.

Lavinia has yet to announce the cancellation of the speech. I don't think it's because she forgot to.

I have a rough idea of what's been going on these few days.

The car accident at the port district, then the fire at Nuova Volsinii port... what will the citizens think if the mayor misses tonight's scheduled event?

If Carnevale concludes without a hitch, then the worst thing that comes out of my absence is that I lose a few approval points.

But if there is something hidden under the bright lights outside the window, I need to be at the scene.

Let's reschedule our dinner to another day.

Today.

The Carnevale has begun. The whole city is busy. Didn't you hear the doctor? Neither City Hall nor the courts are answering phone calls.

I'm afraid they have their hands full, right now.

I brought some people with me. We can escort you to the scene.

You don't have a choice, Leon.

If you know what's been happening the past few days, then you have at least an inkling of what's going on between me and Saluzzo, but you didn't bring it up.

I have some things I have to tell you. Today is the chance.

Leontuzzo gazes at his old friend.

The threat in Demetri's words are thinly-veiled. After a brief moment of silence, Leontuzzo extends his hand.

I'll be counting on you, then, Demetri.

Just like old times.

How are you feeling, Grandma?

You're lost, my child.

I am looking for the last true wolf. I have wasted too much time.

Easy, my child. It's not your fault.

Grandma has taught you how to tell the scent of a true wolf's pelt.

But the last true wolf is clever. He is a weaver of pelts, hiding his scent perfectly. He is a...

...Tailor.

Grandma guides me.

I will find the true wolf. Wait for me, grandma.

...de Montano.

Oh, xuj!

Wh-What is it, Lyudmila?