Listening to the terms Hugh laid out, Bernardo lowered his eyes slightly, appearing lost in thought. Hugh wasn't in any rush; he simply waited patiently for Bernardo's answer.
"...We can accept this deal. However, regarding the details and stakes involved, I believe we still need further discussion."
After careful consideration, Bernardo finally responded in this manner.
Thus, after a brief negotiation, the two reached an agreement: Hugh could take most of the peripheral, expendable personnel—provided he ensured Zaaro's death.
To this, Hugh easily agreed.
After all, given the formidable trump card he possessed, such conditions could practically be considered trivial...
Putting away the time acceleration device, Hugh immediately stood and headed for the door. Bernardo rose to see him out, but Hugh raised a hand to stop him.
"I still have other tasks to attend to, so there's no need to trouble yourself with sending me off, Bernardo."
Hugh spoke casually, then glanced off into the distance and exhaled lightly:
"Or perhaps, Bernardo, you'd prefer to meet the Wolf Hunter ahead of schedule?"
Bernardo's pupils contracted slightly; he waved dismissively and returned to his seat. Hugh took his hat from the rack by the door, placed it atop his head, and smoothly exited the Bellone family residence.
Second deal… done.
Hugh calculated silently, strolling leisurely through the gentle drizzle.
This round of killing two birds with one stone had always been about biting off a chunk from the Bellone family... and the outcome wasn't far from his expectations. Ultimately, he'd managed to gnaw off only a small portion from them.
As for the main courses… those were still coming later.
Judging by the time, K Corp's support should have arrived by now. Well then, on to the Venezia family.
The thought passed briefly through Hugh's mind. He stretched lazily, pivoted in the rain, and started heading toward the Venezia family.
He had prepared thoroughly in advance, after all. Previously, he'd requested a batch of regenerative ampoules from Heal at K Corp—for exactly this moment.
Now, I can indulge a little more freely.
He exhaled softly, thoughts turning casually within his mind.
He continued onward, steadily approaching the Venezia residence. Halfway there, he imagined he could already hear the distant screams echoing from within the Venezia family compound. Hugh shrugged lightly, smiling faintly to himself.
...
Meanwhile, back at the Thumb's base, Texas had only just sat down briefly before a subordinate delivered urgent news.
"…The Wolf Hunter appeared again?"
Texas muttered, mildly surprised.
"This time at… the Venezia family?"
Listening carefully to her subordinate's report, Texas's brows furrowed deeply. The Wolf Hunter had been appearing far too frequently—this couldn't help but make Texas wonder when the Wolf Hunter might target her next…
But thinking too deeply wouldn't help matters now. After a brief pause, Texas set the thought aside, returning to her work of expanding the Thumb's influence.
Currently, the Thumb had already established a solid foothold in Siracusa. Even if they eventually returned to the City, they could still leave behind a strong branch here—similar to what the Index had done in Kazdel.
By now, the Index had practically become Kazdel's sole designated religion. Countless Kazdelians lived safely under the Index's protection. The twin monarchs ruling Kazdel chose to turn a blind eye; as long as the Index didn't cross their bottom line, they allowed it to flourish without interference.
Because of this, the Index thrived considerably. Texas naturally had similar thoughts. Precisely for this reason, she'd begun attempting to build a foothold here in Siracusa.
While cutting ties with her past, she could simultaneously strengthen the Thumb's foundation.
After three or four hours of continuous work, Texas suddenly realized Hugh had already returned to the Thumb's base at some point, looking thoroughly relaxed. When he saw Texas, the very first words out of his mouth were:
"You heard the Wolf Hunter just paid a visit to the Venezia family, yes?"
Texas nodded briefly.
"Then… do you also know the Venezia family is essentially half-dead now?"
Texas's hands froze momentarily upon hearing this. She lifted her head in astonishment, staring at Hugh. Yet Hugh remained casually indifferent.
"…What happened exactly?"
Texas finally asked, unable to stop herself.
"The Wolf Hunter massacred over half their family members. After confirming something, she eventually left."
Hugh shrugged lightly as he explained:
"Most of the casualties were core Venezia members. While technically still alive, the Venezia family is essentially dead now. They've lost so much core strength that they're hanging by a thread—soon they'll likely be swallowed up by other families. Most importantly, even their family head is dead..."
As he spoke, Hugh calmly picked up the tea from the table and took a slow sip.
"…You didn't intervene this time?"
"Why would I intervene?"
Hugh smiled softly at Texas as he replied:
"T Corp isn't a charitable organization."
"But—"
Texas instinctively started to argue, but quickly fell silent as the implications fully dawned upon her.
Clearly, things had shifted. Hugh's goal wasn't stopping the Wolf Hunter; his goal was profiting from her rampage. His actions now suggested that preventing the Wolf Hunter wasn't currently his preferred way of benefiting.
Instead, if the Wolf Hunter really devastated a family thoroughly… perhaps T Corp could gain even more from it.
Realizing this, Texas sighed gently, her thoughts becoming clearer.
Yet suddenly, an inexplicable dread crept into her heart.
If Hugh treated the Venezia family this way… what about the Thumb?
If Hugh judged the Thumb's destruction as more beneficial, just as with the Venezias… then, once their deal concluded the morning after tomorrow, if Little Red Riding Hooded Mercenary arrived at their door, would Hugh truly help them?
At that moment, Texas felt a deep anxiety grip her heart.
"…By the way, Hugh, after our current arrangement concludes, will there be any further deals with the Thumb?"
Texas asked abruptly, without thinking. Immediately, Hugh's lips curled into a subtle smile.
He knew then that the message he'd deliberately planted had successfully hooked another "fish."