Returning to the Saluzzo Family?
For a brief moment, Lappland froze upon hearing Texas's request.
Then, she gently closed her eyes, seemingly contemplating the terms laid out by Texas…
After a short pause, she slowly opened them again.
"What? You don't want to go?"
Texas, smiling, watched Lappland as she asked. Lappland, however, broke into a grin—one carrying a hint of madness—as she responded:
"How could that be possible…?"
"Although I wanted to escape from the family a long time ago… Right now, if I don't complete the task you've given me, I'm afraid I won't even have freedom, right?"
Not to mention heading to that city Texas spoke of, to see with her own eyes what lay there.
Lappland thought quietly to herself. Instinctively, she also realized that once this was done… the Saluzzo Family would likely suffer a huge blow.
"Fine, I'm in."
Thus, Lappland lifted her chin defiantly and said without hesitation. Seeing this, Texas's smile became somewhat more genuine. She then moved behind Lappland, untied her bindings, and placed her left hand onto the Thumb's special firearm mounted on the wall, softly saying to Lappland:
"Then… Please. The next stretch of time will be your mission."
"Heh… You're releasing me just like that? Aren't you afraid I'll just run away and abandon this deal of ours?"
Lappland flexed her wrists, slightly numb from being tied up, then turned to Texas and asked. Texas only gave a faint smile before responding:
"I know you… You wouldn't do that."
"…Tch. How irritating."
Lappland turned away, expressionless, muttering under her breath as she swaggered out of the room. Before stepping through the door, she called back casually:
"Well then… off I go!"
The door closed behind her. Texas watched Lappland's departing figure and shook her head slightly, quietly sitting back down in the room.
Next, all she had to do was calmly wait for the flowers to bloom.
Lappland had barely exited the room when she bumped headfirst into a familiar figure… Standing right before her, Kali shot Lappland a single glance. Instantly, a chilling sensation crawled up Lappland's spine…
But luckily, Da'at gently tugged at Kali's arm, urging her to hurry along for shopping. Thus, Kali only silently stared at Lappland for one second before following Da'at quietly down the hallway, leaving behind a shaken Lappland.
"…What's with her…?"
Lappland mumbled irritably, breathing a sigh of relief deep inside as she quickly—and cautiously—scurried away.
Anyway, next up—back to the Saluzzo Family…
During the brief window when Kali and Da'at went out shopping and Lappland returned to the Saluzzo Family, the entire situation in Siracusa began to change dramatically.
Perhaps due to the severe casualties sustained by the Venezia Family, the existence of the Wolf Hunter was now receiving unprecedented attention.
And naturally… it had drawn the attention—and intervention—of Signora Sicilia.
But regarding Signora Sicilia's involvement, Hugh merely took note, then calmly set it aside, not particularly concerned.
There was no need for too much attention. By the time Signora Sicilia noticed, everything would already be finished…
After all, changes were about to happen—and they would end just as quickly.
Hugh thought casually to himself.
Of course, Signora Sicilia might sense something and perhaps even act against them because of it… but who cared?
T Corp. hid in the shadows, only emerging to reap spoils; Texas's Thumb was currently laying low. Until they openly declared their madness, no major attention would be drawn to them.
Right now, the only ones openly exposed… were Da'at and Kali.
As for them… Hugh figured Signora Sicilia would most likely prepare to do something. But whatever she did was irrelevant now.
Rather, if Signora Sicilia really did order something against them—that would fall precisely into what Hugh was hoping to see.
He wasn't going to take action against Signora Sicilia directly, but if she acted first, he'd have a perfect pretext to let Kali deal with both the Saluzzo and Bellone families… allowing T Corp. to reap even greater benefits from the impending conflict.
At this very moment, Da'at and Kali were strolling along Siracusa's famed gourmet street.
Siracusa's cuisine was remarkably authentic—especially its pasta dishes. Da'at wandered here and there excitedly, occasionally calling out to Kali with joyful surprise. Kali followed behind Da'at at an unhurried pace, occasionally accepting portions of food Da'at handed her.
As Kali swallowed another bite, she couldn't help but think:
How nice it would be if these peaceful days could continue forever, just like this…
She had fantasized countless times about a tranquil everyday life in the original City…
But right at that moment, a sudden intuition surged within Kali's heart. Abruptly, she frowned and stopped walking, a fierce gleam surfacing in her eyes as she scanned their surroundings.
"Kali…? What's wrong?"
Da'at turned around, noticing the unusual look on Kali's face, and asked nervously.
"…We have a small problem. Da'at, come stand behind me."
Kali spoke in a low voice:
"It appears… we've been surrounded."
Hearing this, Da'at seemed slightly startled, raising a hand to cover her mouth. Just as she took a step toward Kali, an arrow shot straight down, embedding itself deeply into the ground before Da'at's eyes, leaving a thin line of blood across her cheek… In an instant, silence engulfed the bustling market—then people began scattering in panic as assassins emerged one by one from the dispersing crowd.
"Don't move…"
The leader of the assassins spoke in a hoarse voice, simultaneously pressing the tip of an arrow against Da'at's neck as he looked towards Kali.
"Otherwise, we'll—"
But just as he started issuing threats, a crimson greatsword came hurtling out of nowhere, instantly shattering his skull without warning. Blood erupted violently, splattering everywhere. Da'at, somewhat blankly observing the burst of blood beside her, calmly stepped to her left, avoiding the spray of gore.
But precisely because of this movement, the remaining assassins sprang into action, rushing to seize Da'at…
Yet at that exact moment, Kali's chilling voice cut sharply through the chaos:
"…Did I permit you to move?"
Pulling free her Mimicry, Kali turned toward the assassins, her voice calm yet threaded with an unmistakable terror.