act38side

Yes. A port, a community, a city... wherever there are people, there is power.

Whether one pursues it, detests it, seeks to control it, or grasps it like a drowning man clutching at straws...

They all end up holding power tight and wielding it with fervor.

Power is the true wolfpack. It's the game all Siracusans… no, all HUMANITY was born playing.

There is no judge, no rules... its variety is infinite, and it does not end except by death.

Like the wind on the wilderness, there is no direction, and no one knows where it comes from... but it never stops.

Interesting. Very interesting indeed.

I'll concede that you have discovered this pleasure earlier than us. Do you intend to put an end to the Fangs, and have Lappland lead us into this new game?

That depends on what Vargo, Agnese, and the ones over there who haven't spoken think.

No human has ever been the alpha of the pack in the memory of the Signori dei Lupi... nay, of the Beast Aristocrats.

Do you have a hierarchy over here?

That's a human concept to shackle their own brethren. You call yourselves the Signori dei Lupi; act like one.

If she truly does bring us pleasure...

...There's one more thing you forgot.

Look at the crystals on her leg. She's pretty far gone, and Oripathy is an uncurable disease for humans. Will we, deathless Signori dei Lupi, recognize a dying human as alpha?

True, I probably don't have much time left.

Doesn't that add to the thrill of the game?

I have a feeling.

That this is going to be the best time of my life.

Oh, and Emperor came to talk to me.

It's not just the pack that has sensed this unease... it is a crisis that has put all the Aristocrats of Beasts on guard.

Emperor and our cousins in other races wish to talk to us.

If Lappland is our alpha, then...

There is no rest for the wicked, is there?

Tell them...

The wilderness keeps its promises.

Wait for me.

Please take a look, Signorina Texas. I'll submit it if there's no issue.

There's so much paperwork to become an independent consultant for you guys?

Mi scusi.

The Carnevale drew a large number of tourists and delivered on the promotional expectations. Nuova Volsinii Port has received a large number of orders in recent days...

Moving forward, our logistics systems will reach beyond Nuova Volsinii, connecting with other cities in Siracusa, and even abroad. There is no room for negligence.

Penguin Logistics has the qualities we're looking for, but Lungmen is a long way from here. The process for bringing you on as a special consultant will be a little more complicated.

Just sign here!

Welcome to Nuova Volsinii, Signorina Texas. Things are about to get busy.

Excuse me, could you submit my application with Cellinia's?

We meet again, Cellinia.

Giovanna?

I thought you wouldn't be coming back for a while after you left for Columbia.

Has your journey for inspiration come to a close?

Sora started her second Siracusa tour two months ago, didn't she?

Did you notice the name 'Caterina Culture Ltd.' on the sponsor list?

Since when have you become so close with Sora?

She's a friend, too. One whom you introduced me to.

My injuries have healed, and I've found new inspiration. It was time to come back.

The happy times of the past may be gone, but that doesn't mean we can't create even happier stories ourselves. I needed time to prepare before...

Now, I'm ready.

And none too soon, I see. It seems like you have made a decision, too.

Yes. Things will be different between us now.

I'm looking forward to it, Cellinia.

Zzz...

Father? Father Agenir?

Oh, it's you.

I wouldn't have realized that you were in Nuova Volsinii, if I didn't see your photo in the submissions for memories of the Carnevale.

Well, I didn't tell you. Or anyone else, for that matter.

Are you planning to leave now?

I'll go back to Montelupe with you. There are certain things that I should explain to Signora Sicilia personally.

Why?

Huh?

This city is just entering its second year. Its mayor has many things to attend to.

Take it easy, young man.

I'm loath to admit that we're like concerned parents who quietly follow their children the first time they go out on their own...

But yes, I came to this city at Sicilia's behest.. to see it, deal with some people or declare a decree on her behalf, if it comes to that.

But I did nothing. The Carnevale had its little hiccups, but it's come to a satisfactory conclusion, hasn't it?

In certain ways, it's true that you haven't completely fulfilled your promise to Sicilia, to transform Nuova Volsinii into a new city that's totally different...

I can't deny it.

Well, Sicilia had so much more on her plate when she first came back to Siracusa. It wasn't easy, bringing guns and order to this country.

Of course, you're facing more resistance than she did. That's why she wouldn't pour cold water on the fire of youth... she hasn't gotten that old.

I'm not coming back with you to Montelupe to prostrate myself before Signora Sicilia and beg for her mercy.

I have some plans about the future of Nuova Volsinii, about promoting the New Urban Management Act...

Ah. Very good, then.

I want to ask, though... if you came to deal with problems, why didn't you do anything?

I saw an old friend.

How long has it been, Umberto?

...Father Agenir?

I remembered that you moved to Nuova Volsinii. Just thought I would drop by.

Are you waiting for someone?

Mafia killers? Or the Fangs?

I don't know. But death will find me, one way or another.

I'm old enough.

Sorry, it's been a long time since I walked into a church, or offered a prayer for the dying.

Some priest you are... I still remember the day we met.

It never occurred to me in a thousand years that I would be hired to kill a Sankta, a priest no less. A moment of surprise was enough for you to pull a gun from your robes...

I would never have gone back to being a tailor, if not for you.

All in the past.

Why have you chosen to come to Nuova Volsinii tonight? Is the Carnevale—

Any final wishes, Umberto? I'll see what I can do.

No, Father.

None at all?

I remember you have a grandson... Luchino, is it?

There's only so much I can do for him.

To me, he's my only family. To him, there will be a day when I'm not his only family anymore...

The future awaits the young.