level_act38side_01_beg

<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—

That's enough, shut your face! Get outta here!

Scusa, Antonio...

Don't worry about it. Not your fault.

Here's our shipping invoice for this month.

Antonio quickly scans the invoice and puts an 'X' on the signature line.

A batch of 'tires' is arriving at the warehouse today, and you're in charge of inspection, aren't you? Why are you still at the estate?

I'll head over right away. Don't worry, nothing will go wrong.

Where are we...? Wait...

Lemme go! Why did you bring me here?

Quiet, ragazzo!

Keep yellin' and I'll color the rest of your face to match that black eye!

Capone, keep an eye on him. I gotta go tell the boss.

Boss, we got a problem.

There was a car accident at the port last night. Leontuzzo got hurt.

The Acting Mayor! That's big news, but what does it have to do with us?

The truck that hit Leontuzzo was hauling our 'tires'.

It drove off before we could even answer.

The man paces the room, his heavy footsteps drowning out the sound of his labored breathing.

He walks over to the large oak cask and quickly downs three cups of brandy.

Antonio, right now you should be...

Wait, wait, wait. I despise impatience. It clouds our judgment.

Were there witnesses at the scene?

Just one. Capone and I brought him back here.

Good work.

Now, listen to me carefully:

First, keep an eye on everyone in the household. If anyone goes somewhere they shouldn't be going or is doing a job they shouldn't be doing, bring them to me immediately.

Keep a close watch on the other famiglie in the city—the Saluzzos, the Medicis, the Leotis... Figure out which famiglia seems the most nervous. They're the ones who made the move on Leontuzzo.

I want to know who, at this particular moment in time, is so eager to upset the apple cart.

And the truck from the accident... are we just not gonna look for it, or?

Go look for it, but don't do anything too drastic.

As long as the truck itself wasn't defective, what does it matter who was driving, what cargo was being transported, or how it's connected to Venezia Trucking?

Go and reassure some of our other 'friendly' truck drivers. Those long-haulers are more prone to losing their composure than the average man.

Alright. I'll get right to it.

Wait a sec, Carle.

Gambino, you handle this. Bring some of the boys with you.

You got it, boss.

Antonio, I—I'm sorry. It was my mistake.

No one could have predicted that sort of thing would happen.

You're supremely talented, Carle. You've been in this famiglia longer than I have. You oversee half the vehicle repair stations in Montelupe.

If I were you, I'd probably be wondering myself: how ever would that Perro, Antonio, get so many opportunities, getting to manage the business of the new city on his own, if he hadn't married the old man's daughter?

I... don't...

Listen to me, Carle. All the cities, including Nuova Volsinii, have to follow the rules. Those who do not follow the rules... well... they don't get to walk away with decency.

This is what the Don told me, and now I'm telling it to you.

Please give me another chance, Antonio.

The Don should arrive in Nuova Volsinii in the next day or two. I don't want him to be bothered with this nonsense, got it?

O—Of course, Signore! Thank you!

Wait a second. There's one more thing we need to discuss.

That grooming specialist I had just now. I really don't like him.

I got it. I'll fire him at once.

No, no. I don't mean that I dislike his work. I don't like him, personally.

...I got it. You won't see him again.

Did you find it?

Nope. We looked through several parking lots but didn't find any trucks that looked like they had been in an accident.

The Truckers' Union owns thousands of vehicles, and almost none of them have been idle these past few days. If we checked them one by one, we wouldn't finish until after Carnevale was over!

Boss, Judge Lavinia asked you to help find clues, but now you're targeting the Truckers' Union? It's almost like you think one of us hit the Mayor's car...

When it comes to big box trucks in Nuova Volsinii, who is more involved than us?

There are plenty of other groups involved! There are the vehicle factories, the repair stations, the Nuova Volsinii Port...

Besides, none of our trucks passed through that intersection at the time of the accident!

Alright, Pedro. Obviously, I do not believe the folks from the union would do something like that. This is just for peace of mind.

Signor Bellone and Judge Lavinia are both good people, are they not?

Proving that we had nothing to do with this will save them a lot of time and effort. It'll help the police solve the case faster and find the real culprit!

That's true...

By the way, have you gotten in touch with Sommer? He's covering several districts in the south, so having him check things out would be quicker.

Not yet.

Strange... Never mind, let's focus on what's at hand first.

Alright, we'll keep searching.

Who is it?

Eirene? It's... it's me.

Sommer, you've been here, in the camp?

Didn't you hear what we were talking about? Why didn't you come out?

I, I...

Why are your clothes all torn... and what's with the scratches on your face?

What's going on?

Last night...

That truck that hit Leontuzzo last night.... don't tell me...

Yes... I was the driver...