act38side

<p=2>November 7th, 1100 8:30 A.M.</>

Judge Lavinia, the Vulpo was just sighted in this area.

She's a sharp one. Practically stays in a new place every day. We investigated every place she's been and only figured out her approximate location.

<i>Ingrid Venezia.</i>

Back in law school, my jurisprudence professor mentioned the name once, but it didn't even come to my mind last night.

She told us Siracusa's cruel and conflictive atmosphere stems not from the local races here, but originates from the land itself...

Her rationale for how a gentle Vulpo could turn into a 'Vulpo even more ruthless than a wolf' after coming to Siracusa—and our laws are to rein in this sort of inevitable evolution.

Ingrid has more than twenty criminal records spread out between five nomadic city courts, each one corresponding to a spike in the Venezias' influence in the area...

The famiglia has also always tried their best to keep her away from any revenge killings or court trials.

Rumor has it that Venezia senior even favored her more than his actual daughter.

But in 1094, Ingrid suddenly left the famiglia.

Left?

More accurately, she defected.

Venezia Trucking expanded their business to Terni then. Famiglia Tancredi was actively provoking the other side so they could plunder the local alloy deposits. The conflict intensified and eventually escalated into a gang war.

The two Grey Hall famiglie were practically locked in a cycle of violence, and they even tried to put a hit out on Venezia senior...

Ingrid went into a killing spree, taking down more than ten of the Tancredis' made men.

Strange thing is, when Signora Sicilia personally came down and the two famiglie finally managed to start negotiations... Ingrid ignored the don's order to stop and continued her slaughter.

I saw the records. The stuff she did... freaks me out even now.

Motive?

Unclear.

Anyway, Ingrid basically challenged Signora Sicilia's authority with her actions, but vanished without a trace after that...

The entire Famiglia Venezia was blamed for this, and they almost met the same fate as Famiglia Texas.

The young judge imagines the Vulpo taking lives in the city, along with the smile that never left her face while they were at the winery yesterday.

Judge?

A top killer from a famiglia, with many murder cases under her hands, suddenly appearing in Nuova Volsinii... right in time for Carnevale. We can't let her move as she pleases.

You mean...

The famiglie here have all passed their background checks. Every member and weapon is registered and strictly regulated...

Someone like Ingrid is likely to act as another person's blade, regardless of whether she knows it or not.

We need to capture her first at all costs.

Yes. But... this area is huge. We still haven't managed to nail down her exact location yet.

If the information about her and her daughter is accurate, I'm sure she's headed towards a certain place.

Lavinia looks toward an inconspicuous sign not far away from them—'Rhodes Island Branch Office'.

*sigh* The shop I often go to source materials is about to close for Carnevale.

We'll need to update our reserve count on the terminal in advance.

How's Vigil's doing? The landship dispatched a doctor to the hospital, but we haven't gotten any news since.

Dunno. The support mission this time has a high confidentiality level, and I don't have enough clearance to check his latest data.

I looked for Penance earlier, and she seems hesitant to share too much to us.

Let's trust our colleagues. We just need to complete our support logistical work.

Erm... There's a new notice on PRTS: 'Approved: Application to increase security level of Nuova Volsinii branch office', requested by...

Penance?

There's a Rhodes Island safehouse here too... I see these Rhodes Islanders are like tuskbeasts. Dig many hideouts for themselves.

*huff*... Don't attract any attention... Focus on recovering my strength—

*stomach groans*

Lunacub huddles between the ceiling and a ventilation duct, rubbing her empty belly with some frustration.

...I smell something sweet. Like honey.

No, I need to focus. Got to sharpen my arrows while time is on my side—

I can eat first? But Agnese, didn't you say I have to be patient while I'm out hunting—

My stomach can wait. I don't want you to lose.

Yup, I'll do everything else as you say, except for this. I don't want to let you down.

Lunacub hides in a corner, grabbing her bow and taking aim, almost instinctively.

(Not a wolf. It's the kind of smell that Agnese hates.)

My nose isn't sharp enough to tell which one you are.

But I know one of you is hiding in here.

You have ten seconds to leave this place. I'll wait for you outside.

Of course, it won't be hard for me to get around Rhodes Island employees to deal with you, but I'd rather not take the risk.

So do me a favor. I'm trying my best to avoid leaving a bad impression on Lisa's coworkers.

I guess there's no more room for discussion—

A timely response. Interesting.

I suggest everyone put their weapons down.

We've sealed the exits and activated all defense systems, so let's not make it any worse.

You set a trap for me?

Um... trap?

It's just our regular security system at work.

Rhodes Island truly does not disappoint.

I assure you we're just protecting our own assets, miss.

If the two of you could just wait a moment. The government will soon take things over from here.

(Agnese, any ideas to get out of here? Agnese? Agnese... where are you?)

We meet again, Ingrid.

An unregistered visitor using a deadly weapon inside the city and vandalizing assets belonging to a legitimate company.

This time, you <i>will</i> have to come with me for an investigation.

And her?

Ingrid points at the girl who is still warily observing the situation developing around her.

*sigh* We'll bring her along too.

Agnese needs me.

My hunt hasn't ended yet—

*stomach groans*

Everyone present turns to look at the source of the sound in unison.

We'll get some food for you.

Please, Signora Venezia. I don't wish to have the police act.

You want to protect her?

That is something for us to consider.

Alright, I'll come along. Only because you have my respect, Lavinia.

Judge Lavinia, we're done with their pre-registrations.

The rest of the process will be a breeze.

I said I'd cooperate, didn't I?

Leon told me about the game. You're in it too? Like her?

Lavinia looks at Lunacub.

Um, grazie mille for the honey biscuits.

Lunacub gobbles down her food as she keeps her eyes on everyone around her.

So can I leave already? I have important things to do.

I'm no Fang, Lavinia. I told you, I'm just a mother in search of justice for her daughter.

Hands off my bow!

Judge, shouldn't we take her in? What if—

Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.

Remember me, Lunacub? Don't be rash, the police have already locked down this area.

Stay by my side. It'll be good for all of us. You can trust me.

I only trust Agnese.

Bernardo trusted me too.

...He's dead.

But his heir still lives.