Arknights story · I Portatori dei Velluti
PV-ST-4 'Management Act Amendment'
Venezia Senior pays a hefty price to protect Venezia Trucking. Lyudmila bids farewell to Eirene, after warning her against her hidden thoughts. The Signori dei Lupi game ends, but humanity's power struggles persist as always. Lappland becomes the new alpha.
1 scenes, 326 lines
1. Interlude
326 lines
You're not getting away this time, bloody pup.
As the Carnevale drew to a close and the dust settled in the square last night, Lyudmila spotted a familiar red silhouette.
She followed the figure through winding alleys—sometimes hitting dead ends, other times standing still. It clearly had no direction.
Lyudmila readied for an ambush, biding her time. Her strike landed true.
She pinned the figure down, pressing her blade against its heart. Just a little more, and she would avenge her mentor and end this haunting ghost.
But the red Lupo offered no resistance. She simply knelt, muttering as she stared into space.
Lyudmila looked into her eyes and saw nothing but emptiness. The silence was brief, and the red lupo spoke—
...True wolf.
What?
Grandma was the true wolf...
I was like them, chosen by the true wolf...
We hunt for the true wolf, die for the true wolf, deliver the true wolf's victory...
The story was a lie... Grandma was a lie...
It's all a lie...
...
You're talking about your game?
So Maestro had to live in fear all her life with a limp leg, just because she's part of this stupid game?
You killed her for this 'victory'?!
I don't understand—
Lyudmila suddenly feels a force from her counterpart, and hears the sound of blade ripping through fabric.
She takes a step back.
Is this what your Kal'tsit taught you?
Violence, hatred, ideals, fate... your Kal'tsit always has an explanation, doesn't she?
Kal'tsit... Kal'tsit...
The kneeling, red-garbed Lupo searches through her clothes in the rain, eventually pulling out a tooth from where Lyudmila's knife had struck.
It's a small, sharp tooth. The knife has left a clear mark on it.
A baby tooth?
Grandma told me that this kind of tooth falls out because it can't tear the prey's flesh.
But I have always kept it... not sure why.
Kal'tsit said I should keep it safe, until I know the answer...
I didn't listen to Kal'tsit...
...
I found the girl with the bow.
She's alive. You missed her vital organs.
Did you doubt yourself in the final moments, scum?
...
Do you want to see this Kal'tsit of yours?
(Waggles ears silently)
Well, I'm going to find her and ask her what all this is about.
Don't you dare die before then.
And don't you dare get my knife dirty.
...
Is this how Nuova Volsinii's law enforcement does things?
As we have already explained to you multiple times, Signor Saluzzo...
Your request for legal counsel is perfectly lawful and reasonable. We duly notified Saluzzo Vino, but nobody has come... It's not because of any interference on our part.
I want to see your supervisor. No, I want Justice Lavinia, or Mayor Leontuzzo.
Umm...
Uh?
...
Buongiorno, Signore. Had a bad night?
Lappland?
You have been banished from the Saluzzos forever, traitor. You do not have the right to rescue me.
Oh please, old thing, still so full of yourself.
Do I look like I'm here to rescue you?
Catch.
Lappland throws an elaborate gift box through the cell door window.
Alberto does not catch it. The gift box falls to the ground, its lid coming off and revealing a new suit—briskly cut, elaborately embellished, even more so than Lappland's outfit.
How do you like it? Meant it to be a gift for the Carnevale. The work of a master Siracusan tailor.
...
We already said goodbye last year, dear father, so I wasn't planning to see you again. I preferred to spend my time on more meaningful things.
But then, it would be ungrateful of me to not present a parting gift, after all the lessons you taught me...
But the little tailor who was supposed to run errands got into a little problem, so I had to make this trip myself.
Unfortunately, the Carnevale has already come to a close...
But from the looks of things, you need something to wear for prison, don't you? Haha.
Are you trying to provoke me?
It won't work, Lappland.
How can you be so clever yet so childish? Every Saluzzo knows that Alberto Saluzzo is never wrong—
Tsk-tsk.
Well, since I'm here, let me tell you one other thing...
Let's just say... your stay will be much longer than you think.
...What?
The vote has been taken, Signorina Lappland.
Despite your mistakes, you are the don's only daughter, and the heir to Famiglia Saluzzo.
We need you to take charge of the famiglia's affairs for now. The most urgent tasks are responding to City Hall's investigation of Saluzzo Vino after the Carnevale and getting the don out.
What? I was just here for a drink.
I thought there are no famiglie in Nuova Volsinii. Are you sure you want to play this inheritance game?
...
Besides, didn't the old man pick his guy before he went in?
Do you mean...
...
If you're looking for help, you should look for it from Saluzzo Vino's primary partner.
I am honored to take on this responsibility, Signorina Lappland... and my friends from Saluzzo.
So, what's the plan?
We will immediately audit all our businesses in the city, in accordance with the New Urban Management Act.
In addition to illegal registration, if Signor Saluzzo has indeed been manipulating Saluzzo Vino to engage in prohibited activities, it is our duty to gather materials and self-report to City Hall.
If necessary, I will restructure the leadership of Saluzzo Vino.
A necessary sacrifice, to protect Saluzzo Vino.
Oh my, that sounds like so much hard work. Here's a toast to you.
You...
...
How dare Bellone... did he plan this from the beginning?
You would allow the Bellones to take the Saluzzos' business in Nuova Volsinii—
Remember what you said? 'Banished from the Saluzzos forever,' right?
Or did you think I was going to come home to roost, like a migratory fowlbeast?
...
There was always a question on my mind, PAPA.
Why were you so angry when I tried to kill the Bocca di Lupo at Brunello, or when I let Texas go in Columbia?
Were you angry that I acted against the famiglia's interests, violated the rules of Siracusa...
Or were you just angry that I was telling everyone that there are certain things which are outside Alberto Saluzzo's control?
...
You should probably save your strength for the trial. I doubt the new management of Saluzzo Vino would make his legal counsel available for you.
My dear father, you're not just a fool, you're a boring fool.
It's really addio this time. But cheer up!
You'll be better-dressed than all your fellow inmates, after all...
Hey, ain't you done yet?
I don't know what the paper pushers at City Hall are thinkin'. Same points, same social service, but why I gotta sweep two more streets than you, Capone?
That's SIGNOR Capone to you, Gambino. Don't forget who saved you when you passed out in the alley that night.
Vaffanculo.
Did you hear? Half of Venezia Trucking's management are in police custody right now.
...
It wasn't just cigar and vinyl sent to Venezia Senior's room that night. There were also detailed business and personnel records of Venezia Trucking for the past year.
Anyone who was closely associated with Venezia Junior got rooted out, and the City Hall cazzi came into work the next day to a thick pile of self-reports lying on their table.
Venezia Senior cut ties so swiftly and decisively that City Hall couldn't find fault. Venezia Trucking will get a full makeover but won't be shut down. Venezia Junior's impact was reduced to a minimum.
The famiglie sure are finding new and... clever ways of dealing with traitors in Nuova Volsinii.
The don really struck like thunder, didn't he? I thought he came for the festival.
We'd've been rotting behind bars by now, if we'd listened to you and stayed there.
What's the difference?
We lost all our citizen points, and we gotta start again from scratch... once again, we got nothing left.
Well, not exactly nothing...
Capone casts his gaze at the intersection, where a familiar yellow cab is parked.
Lappland said we can have the cab... our reward, basically.
...
How long do you think it'll take before we get a taxi company started in this city? I know what we'll call it. Taxi Siciliano. Whaddya think?
...I think we should get outta here, because that judge is coming.
Wait, I don't think she's coming for us—
You're just going to leave without saying anything?
Lavinia.
I won't stay any longer. Don't want to keep you up at night.
...
Where will you go?
Rhodes Island, maybe? Haven't seen Lisa in a while.
Now that this old score has been settled, I have the time, and the mood.
I'm not here for small talk, Signora Venezia. We're not that close to begin with.
Earlier in the morning, Venezia Senior came to see me and Leontuzzo...
Whatever is going on with Venezia is none of my business—
He would pay any price for Venezia Trucking's survival, even if it's just one factory but he also had another request—to grant you safe passage out of Nuova Volsinii.
...
Given the actions of Venezia Junior on the night of the Carnevale, your efforts helped City Hall contain the violence to some extent. Therefore, leniency should be considered.
However, the charges of assault and battery still stand, not to mention that your actions were acts of revenge within a famiglia.
We will issue an arrest warrant for you, Signora Venezia.
Arrest warrant?
I have multiple mafioso bounties on me, and even Signora Sicilia's prohibition... the arrest warrant will be a nice souvenir, I guess.
Do not dismiss it so casually, Signora Venezia.
This arrest warrant is empowered by the New Urban Management Act. Unlike Signora Sicilia's prohibition, there is no room for mediation just because some famiglia comes into power or loses it.
The law is the law, Signora Venezia. We've talked about this before.
Your every move will be watched by Nuova Volsinii, and perhaps all of Siracusa in the future. The arrest warrant will remain valid until you are brought into custody.
...
I appreciate the reminder, Lavinia.
I'm not dismissing your declaration. I could tell that you're a firm person when I saw you at the winery.
In the Siracusa I knew, you didn't need a reason to kill. But that's not how things should be. Every action needs a reason—a proper reason.
It's true for judges, for mothers... even for killers.
I approve of your reason, which is why I approve of your action. Besides, as I've told you, I don't have anything against your profession.
I'm just thinking... if you issued a warrant for me...
Should I look forward to when we meet again?
...
Well, I should go.
...Hello, Eirene.
Are you feeling better, Signor Bellone?
Yes. Thanks for asking.
There is something I need to give you.
...A resignation letter?
I-I would like to resign as president of the Truckers' Union.
One year ago, I promised you and Judge Lavinia that no mafioso would infiltrate the Truckers' Union... but I failed to keep the promise.
I stopped them from putting their people in the union, but it didn't prevent them from achieving their goal at all.
Sommer, and all the others whom they used... it's my fault. And I tried to coerce Judge Lavinia when things were exposed.
It's not your fault. Not all of it, at least.
No one can stay calm when they see their best friend die and their family, along with themselves, backed into a corner.
In the end, little harm was done.
But I just can't forgive myself...
I received a joint letter just before you arrived.
It was signed by two hundred full-time drivers of the Truckers' Union, plus several hundred more temporary and contract staff, asking for amnesty towards your actions during the Carnevale.
Th-They shouldn't have...
Rethink your resignation, Eirene.
City Hall will hold an internal hearing next week to discuss integrating the Truckers' Union as a government department alongside City Development and the police.
Together, we will build Nuova Volsinii's logistics and the city itself, Eirene. I look forward to a long and productive partnership with you.
I still trust the decision that Lavinia and I made that day. You may or may not be the best person to lead the Truckers' Union, but you're a decent person.
...
In the two days since I woke up, I've learned about what I missed, and thought about many things.
Finding the direction is easy. It's the journey that's hard—a long, long journey.
...
How did it go?
The association will need to cooperate with the investigation and face penalties. However, City Hall won't pursue what happened during the Carnevale or those who helped with the smuggling.
Good.
I thought I asked you to wait for me at the camp.
I came to say goodbye. Didn't want to deal with the commotion if I said it at the camp.
Y-You're leaving?
I found the red one. She's not in great shape...
I thought she was your sworn enemy.
Yes. She needs to go back to somebody, and that somebody is my other sworn enemy, whom I'll have to visit sooner or later...
It's a long story. Anyway, if nothing much is going on with the Union for the time being, I want to visit this place called Rhodes Island.
...
There's something I want to ask before I leave.
That night, when you ordered us to point our weapons at the Venezia mafiosi... what were you thinking?
That all of the Union's problems will go away if we kill those bastards?
And who smuggled what will remain a secret forever?
Were you confident that it could be done, with so many people behind you, and so many weapons in our hands?
Were you confident that you wouldn't be held responsible?
Were you thinking about protecting the people behind you, or how, like the bastards on the other side, you held the fates of so many in your hands?
Was it the gunshot that made you stop... or was it your judgment from deeper down?
...
No need to tell me, Eirene. You know the answer.
I told you the story of Talulah, a respected leader who became an evil dragon. I failed to see it happen, and I didn't kill her.
I won't make the same mistake again. I'm watching you, Eirene. I'm the sword that hangs above your head.
If that's what you become, I will come for you, no matter where I am... and I will kill you.
I hope that day never comes. I hope we can truly, sincerely, give each other our blessings... friend.
...
Eirene is alone. The Reproba with the furrowed brows has vanished without a trace.
The night wind of late autumn is chilly, but Eirene just stands there, lost in thought.
It's me, Sandro.
About the joint letter... thank you.
...
I thought you promised Texas to take us away from Siracusa.
Haha, I lied.
...
The old wolf of Venezia has hidden his fangs and claws, blending back into the pack. The pup named Eirene has learned the tricks of hunting on her own...
That's why I said you guys are stupid.
You set all sorts of dumb rules, but you can't resist breaking them.
The game becomes increasingly boring with each cycle. The all-powerful Signori dei Lupi are reduced to petty worries, like humans.
From one wolf to another, tell me, Zaaro, what set the revelry beneath us into motion.
Power, obviously.
Yes. A port, a community, a city... wherever there are people, there is power.
Whether one pursues it, detests it, seeks to control it, or grasps it like a drowning man clutching at straws...
They all end up holding power tight and wielding it with fervor.
Power is the true wolfpack. It's the game all Siracusans… no, all HUMANITY was born playing.
There is no judge, no rules... its variety is infinite, and it does not end except by death.
Like the wind on the wilderness, there is no direction, and no one knows where it comes from... but it never stops.
Interesting. Very interesting indeed.
I'll concede that you have discovered this pleasure earlier than us. Do you intend to put an end to the Fangs, and have Lappland lead us into this new game?
That depends on what Vargo, Agnese, and the ones over there who haven't spoken think.
No human has ever been the alpha of the pack in the memory of the Signori dei Lupi... nay, of the Beast Aristocrats.
Do you have a hierarchy over here?
That's a human concept to shackle their own brethren. You call yourselves the Signori dei Lupi; act like one.
If she truly does bring us pleasure...
...There's one more thing you forgot.
Look at the crystals on her leg. She's pretty far gone, and Oripathy is an uncurable disease for humans. Will we, deathless Signori dei Lupi, recognize a dying human as alpha?
...
...
I have a feeling.
That this is going to be the best time of my life.
Oh, and Emperor came to talk to me.
It's not just the pack that has sensed this unease... it is a crisis that has put all the Aristocrats of Beasts on guard.
Emperor and our cousins in other races wish to talk to us.
If Lappland is our alpha, then...
...
There is no rest for the wicked, is there?
Tell them...
The wilderness keeps its promises.
Wait for me.
Please take a look, Signorina Texas. I'll submit it if there's no issue.
Mi scusi.
The Carnevale drew a large number of tourists and delivered on the promotional expectations. Nuova Volsinii Port has received a large number of orders in recent days...
Moving forward, our logistics systems will reach beyond Nuova Volsinii, connecting with other cities in Siracusa, and even abroad. There is no room for negligence.
Penguin Logistics has the qualities we're looking for, but Lungmen is a long way from here. The process for bringing you on as a special consultant will be a little more complicated.
Just sign here!
Welcome to Nuova Volsinii, Signorina Texas. Things are about to get busy.
...
Excuse me, could you submit my application with Cellinia's?
We meet again, Cellinia.
Giovanna?
I thought you wouldn't be coming back for a while after you left for Columbia.
Has your journey for inspiration come to a close?
Sora started her second Siracusa tour two months ago, didn't she?
Did you notice the name 'Caterina Culture Ltd.' on the sponsor list?
Since when have you become so close with Sora?
She's a friend, too. One whom you introduced me to.
My injuries have healed, and I've found new inspiration. It was time to come back.
The happy times of the past may be gone, but that doesn't mean we can't create even happier stories ourselves. I needed time to prepare before...
Now, I'm ready.
And none too soon, I see. It seems like you have made a decision, too.
Yes. Things will be different between us now.
I'm looking forward to it, Cellinia.
Zzz...
Father? Father Agenir?
Oh, it's you.
I wouldn't have realized that you were in Nuova Volsinii, if I didn't see your photo in the submissions for memories of the Carnevale.
Well, I didn't tell you. Or anyone else, for that matter.
Are you planning to leave now?
I'll go back to Montelupe with you. There are certain things that I should explain to Signora Sicilia personally.
Why?
Huh?
This city is just entering its second year. Its mayor has many things to attend to.
Take it easy, young man.
I'm loath to admit that we're like concerned parents who quietly follow their children the first time they go out on their own...
But yes, I came to this city at Sicilia's behest.. to see it, deal with some people or declare a decree on her behalf, if it comes to that.
But I did nothing. The Carnevale had its little hiccups, but it's come to a satisfactory conclusion, hasn't it?
...
In certain ways, it's true that you haven't completely fulfilled your promise to Sicilia, to transform Nuova Volsinii into a new city that's totally different...
I can't deny it.
Well, Sicilia had so much more on her plate when she first came back to Siracusa. It wasn't easy, bringing guns and order to this country.
Of course, you're facing more resistance than she did. That's why she wouldn't pour cold water on the fire of youth... she hasn't gotten that old.
...
I'm not coming back with you to Montelupe to prostrate myself before Signora Sicilia and beg for her mercy.
I have some plans about the future of Nuova Volsinii, about promoting the New Urban Management Act...
Ah. Very good, then.
I want to ask, though... if you came to deal with problems, why didn't you do anything?
...
I saw an old friend.
How long has it been, Umberto?
...Father Agenir?
I remembered that you moved to Nuova Volsinii. Just thought I would drop by.
Are you waiting for someone?
Mafia killers? Or the Fangs?
I don't know. But death will find me, one way or another.
I'm old enough.
Sorry, it's been a long time since I walked into a church, or offered a prayer for the dying.
Some priest you are... I still remember the day we met.
It never occurred to me in a thousand years that I would be hired to kill a Sankta, a priest no less. A moment of surprise was enough for you to pull a gun from your robes...
I would never have gone back to being a tailor, if not for you.
All in the past.
Why have you chosen to come to Nuova Volsinii tonight? Is the Carnevale—
Any final wishes, Umberto? I'll see what I can do.
...
No, Father.
None at all?
I remember you have a grandson... Luchino, is it?
There's only so much I can do for him.
To me, he's my only family. To him, there will be a day when I'm not his only family anymore...
The future awaits the young.