PV-1 Astray

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.

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.

...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?

...

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.

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.

...

...

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...

I've sent Pedro and the others away, so no one will be coming to the camp for now.

Eirene, you were with Judge Lavinia last night. Do you know how badly Leontuzzo is injured? Is he...?

They were able to rescue him from the crash site last night, but his condition is not good.

...

He's still so young, and such a good man... Please, don't let anything happen to him—ah, I really...!

What happened, actually?

Was it an accident?

I, I don't know. I was just driving along, and all of a sudden, my steering wheel wouldn't turn right.

I didn't have time to react and crashed the truck. By the time I came to, it was all over...

But... even if you panicked at the moment, you shouldn't have left a critically injured person by the roadside and driven away!

Do you realize that if first responders had arrived just a few minutes later, Leontuzzo would have...

I know you're not like that.

Sorry, Eirene. I really wanted to help him. I know I should have helped him. I'm not a bad guy.

But, but I had to drive off.

Why?

...

Sommer, talk to me!

What was in that truck?

I'm sorry, Eirene...

Sommer, who were you driving that truck for?

Venezia Trucking... Famiglia Venezia.

Is this because of Guri?

Don't try to justify it, Eirene. I know I made a huge mistake.

Why? Why go to them rather than seek help from the Truckers' Union?

You're the most senior trucker in the union. You know how unique our situation is in Nuova Volsinii—both City Hall and the famiglie are watching us like hawks.

Eirene, we all know how expensive Oripathy medication is.

Besides, once I bring Guri to Nuova Volsinii, between settling her in and getting her into a good school... who knows how much all of that will cost?

I'm here too, aren't I? I can help. You're the one who saved me back in Sicilia. Guri is my sister too.

Eirene, the union can't help me fix this.

So you're gonna do it by yourself...?

...No.

Goods shipped in from other cities or shipments between local merchants, every item we touch must be registered in advance.

In the past six months, I've personally reviewed every single schedule, and we've passed all routine inspections. How could you alone have managed to—could it be that...?

I'm not doing this alone, Eirene.

...

So none of you know where Sommer went?

Is it possible he already ran back to Sicilia under cover of darkness? I mean, he did hit the Acting Mayor's car, you know!

The police are going to throw everything they have at this case. Will we be exposed? Smuggling contraband is a red line for City Hall, especially since we were doing it to help you...

No, no. This has nothing to do with Venezia Trucking.

—

What? You mean, you're gonna tie up all the 'loose ends'?

'Tie up loose ends'? Spoken like a true wise guy. Haha.

But no, I'm not. Relax. Do you see me carrying any weapons? Just keep your mouth shut, and everything will be fine. Capisce?

But what if the cops start breathing down our necks?

We've been hiding this stuff from Eirene and getting sweated by City Hall all this time. If something really does happen, you can't just wash your hands of all this!

(Shrugs)

If you really wanna pick nits here, we are even less to blame.

Venezia Trucking has never violated the 'New Urban Management Act', nor has it ever tried to infiltrate the Truckers' Union or interfere with Nuova Volsinii's logistics system.

What do you mean?

Sommer wants to bring his daughter here to treat her for Oripathy, right?

He already found a good hospital, but he can't afford to pay for the treatment. Instead, he's using union trucks as private hospital vehicles to help the Logistics Department transport goods.

Venezia Trucking is at the bottom of the list, when it comes to that Hospital's financial backers. We have no connection to Sommer, apart from being in the same city.

No. That's not true.

And you, you're just a drunk who can't even sit up straight in the driver's seat half the time. You had to secretly hire someone to drive for you just to keep your job.

We signed a service agreement, I'll have you know! I'm just a driver-for-hire trying to make some extra cash.

I was sick! They had to put me on painkillers!

You got some kind of leverage over every single truck driver you approach.

Nuova Volsinii values the rule of law. We can go to court and present the evidence piece by piece. Then we'll see whose hands are clean.

You—you people are even scarier without weapons!

Really? I'm glad you say that, because I used to think I looked like a dork quoting laws like that.

...

Alright. Calm down everyone.

Enough threats. Let's just fix this. You guys go find our 'tires', and we'll handle the rest.

...How long has it been?

They found me six months ago. I reckon that they'd already dealt with a few dozen other drivers before then.

What choice did we have? Running even one shipment for them pays more than we earn in a month.

Besides, if we don't cooperate, they have plenty of ways to push us right out of this city.

After Signora Sicilia took power, she implemented all these reforms, in all of Siracusa's cities. The cunning guys adapted to the new rules far faster than we did...

Are you speaking for yourself, or for others?

...

Eirene, I beg you, help us!

I promise you! Once Carnevale is over, we'll never smuggle anything for those goons ever again!

You can turn me in, but please, you have to help the others. They really had no choice but to—

....The list of names.

What?

Don't try and fool me. If you guys were doing this stuff, you had to have made a list of names. Give it to me.

...At least tell me how many of you there are. Then I'll try and see what I can do.

—!

Sommer, why do you still have that lighter? I thought you quit smoking.

It was a gift from you. I'm used to carrying it around.

Actually, I found it lying around near the supermarket. There's no way I could afford to buy such an expensive lighter.

Do you remember? After Guri's mother passed away, you took over that supermarket, managing the business while raising your child. Then one day, you found me, homeless, at your doorstep.

You always say you just took in a delivery driver and cashier who didn't ask for a salary, but I know you actually gave me a place to stay—a home.

Later, Famiglia Tocco set their sights on us. They were just a small family, but even after we stocked their products, they wouldn't let up. They threatened us, demanding we remove their competitors' items from the shelves.

We told them we'd consider their request, but then that same night, a huge fire broke out in the supermarket, which is how Guri contracted Oripathy.

That's all in the past. Why are you bringing it up now?

I found it. Here you are.

Carmelo, Gianni, Ruggiero. What a surprise.

...Sorry.

Don't say any more, Sommer. Go to the storehouse. There is a wooden crate behind that truck that's being repaired. Bring it to me.

But that's...everything you own, isn't it?

Alright... alright.

...

Sommer, what you don't know is, I found that lighter right next to the scene of the supermarket fire.

We came to Nuova Volsinii because we had nothing.

Everyone makes mistakes at some point...

But I can't let you destroy all of this.

Judge Lavinia.

I'm here to see Leon.

I need to ask you all a favor—do not disclose Leon's condition to outsiders. This info is strictly need-to-know.

Sure. I understand.

It seems I'm in the right place.

Who are you looking for? This is a special ward. You can't just barge in here!

No, it's ok. Let her come in.

...

Well then, I'll get going. Please find me if you need anything.

...Texas.

Long time no see.

Long time no see.

I just grabbed some millefoglie and macaroni downstairs. Have a bite if you're hungry—I'll keep an eye on Leontuzzo for now.

I received your invitation.

...

We never heard back from you. We assumed you weren't planning to return to Nuova Volsinii.

I was busy.

Croissant is busy pushing Bison into organizing some new international project, Sora is only halfway through her tour of Siracusa, and Exusiai—who knows where she's run off to this time?

I've been managing Penguin Logistics myself this whole time, with far fewer staff and no fewer orders.

Besides, these crowded celebrations really don't excite me. I prefer just stopping by when I'm on a delivery, assuming it's on the way.

Then what brings you here today?

What can I do? I have a boss who loves a good crowd. One night, he happened to spot that invitation and had me pack my bags on the spot.

He's very interested in the 'themed party' you're hosting. He cleared his calendar, shut down 'The Ends of the Earth' for two weeks, and dragged me here all the way from Lungmen.

...

Relax, Lavinia. You seem so tense.

Leon, he...

I've been briefed on it.

It wasn't an accident?

The police are still investigating. I just got back from the scene... I don't think it was an accident.

Persons of interest?

Yes.

The usual suspects?

Uhuh.

Why?

On the night of the Carnevale parade, Leon was supposed to officially announce his appointment as mayor of Nuova Volsinii at the front of the procession.

It's not a strange decision, per se, but he did seem a bit too eager.

Even if he abandoned his family, he is still Bernardo Bellone's son. One year is not enough for people to forget the turmoil Bernardo once stirred in Volsinii.

Staying behind the scenes makes it easier for him to keep the government functioning. This is the safest approach. It's much better than him changing clothes, putting down his defensive staff, and stepping back into the spotlight.

Nuova Volsinii has only been around for a year and he's barely managing to hold onto his position as Acting Mayor, even with Signora Sicilia's backing.

I told him all of this already.

...Right.

Lavinia, your comms device has been flashing for a while now.

...

Did they find new evidence?

No, it's a message from the court. We have a case...

That's kind of tricky?

Uhuh.

Honestly, I understand why Leon was in such a hurry.

This year, the changes in Nuova Volsinii can be seen with the naked eye. Many things that once existed only in our imagination have now become a reality.

Isn't that what Signora Sicilia wanted?

Well, but it's not enough; not nearly enough. We must show our presence to promote more changes.

So I stopped trying to persuade him, but then...

You're still the same as before—no, even more naive than back then. It's kind of nice.

Texas, do you want to come with me?

To the court?

You know I'm not interested in crowded celebrations, much less official duties involving mountains of paperwork.

I'm going to stay here and ensure Leon's safety. Right now, there's no one better suited to the job, right?

Thank you, Texas.

To be honest, if you had stayed with me in Nuova Volsinii back then—

I told you before, when my friends are in trouble, I'll come to help.

I'm here, aren't I?