Rosanna

...

You wanted to see me, Boss?

Yeah.

There's something I want to ask you.

May I ask what it's regarding?

Do you remember

when you wiped out what was left of Anthony's gang?

...

... Yes, I do.

Right, you couldn't forget that even if you wanted to.

So, did anything turn up in that pile of corpses?

What are you... referring to?

If it's something Anthony's gang would've had...

!

No... it can't be.

...!

...

That's impossible.

If Anthony's men were behind this, we'd have investigated them over and over...

Don't worry, I'm already aware of that.

Now tell me, how many people do you think are capable of

getting past this mansion's security, making it all the way in here, and tampering with that display case?

... None. It's impossible.

No one's ever managed to get past this mansion's security.

That's right.

Anyone who tried would've ended up riddled with bullets by now.

Hoo...

This place is impossible to breach from the outside,

yet someone managed to steal the ring from the inside.

Now, what do you make of that?

...

An inside job.

Bingo.

Looks like we've got a rat in the nest.

Don't hold back. Help yourself.

Consider it my way of repaying you for everything you've done for me.

That's it. Bottoms up.

That's my man. I knew you could hold your liquor.

Don't you think so too, Mister?

Are you awake?

I have a message from the Boss.

She asks that you come to the dining room as soon as you're ready.

Why hello there, Honey.

Did you sleep well?

What, you don't remember?

Yesterday, you said you'd quit being a commander

and become my man.

Of course you did.

You were incredible last night, Mister.

I swear, you amaze me every time.

You look so innocent during the day,

but once night falls, you become a completely different person.

Hm? Still playing dumb, huh?

Then maybe I should tell everyone what you whispered in my ear last night...

Haha, I haven't had this much fun in a while.

You're always so much fun to tease, Mister.

All right, that's enough kidding around.

Come have a seat in front of me.

You're wondering why I had you brought here,

aren't you?

There are two main reasons.

First, it's simply a gesture of goodwill.

I've been in your debt more than a few times over the years, haven't I?

I figured it was about time I returned the favor.

Really? I'm glad you liked it.

I have to admit, I'm a little proud of myself.

The other reason...

...

There's an event coming up soon.

I want you to be there.

A long-standing tradition dating back to Hedonia's founding.

We're going to hold a coronation.

A truly grand one.

I figured we couldn't put it off any longer.

Haha, looks like you've got a lot of questions.

Why don't we move somewhere else?

I have a feeling this conversation's going to take a while.

Officially, yeah.

And while we're at it, we might as well hold the coronation we've been putting off.

But the real goal is to smoke the rat out.

It's a symbol of Hedonia's power.

The ring is passed down exclusively to the organization's boss.

Once a successor is chosen, it's bestowed during a coronation ceremony.

The previous boss will personally place it on their successor's finger.

... Though I guess my case was a little different.

Of course.

How could my man miss such a historic occasion?

With no former Boss around,

I'd say you're the only one who can take their place, Mister.

We can talk more about that later.

Here.

It looks like this rat has a lot to say to me.

They scribbled down a whole lot of nonsense.

What a cheap little farce.

All that talk about legitimacy? It's the same line everyone in this business trots out.

Still, there's one thing that bothers me...

...

Heh, it's nothing.

I'm just pissed off, that's all.

Some little rat actually has the nerve to send me letters saying they're going to lay their hands on what's mine.

There you are.

Looks like I'm interrupting something important.

Should I come back later?

Long time no see, Client.

I was in the area for a business deal and didn't expect to run into you here.

Doesn't matter.

Mister is involved in this anyway.

You brought the intel, right?

Of course.

After investigating,

I uncovered some fairly significant information.

Really? Then let's hear what you've got.

Does the name "Marco" ring any bells?

That's a name I haven't heard in a while.

Wasn't he the former boss's eldest son?

The one who kept making one stupid decision after another until he got himself kicked out of the line of succession.

Who knows whether he was actually a fool.

But it's true that, despite being the eldest son, he was passed over as successor.

After the previous boss died, Marco established his own independent faction,

claiming they were the organization's only legitimate heirs.

I remember him. He was becoming a nuisance, so we took care of him.

So what's he got to do with this?

What, did he claw his way out of his grave with some kind of dark magic?

Well, you could say that.

What?

After you took care of him, what did you do?

I killed the ones who resisted, and the ones who surrendered...

...

Exactly.

Right after you took over as the boss,

things started to unravel during the purge and consolidation of the various factions.

After running a full background check on everyone in Hedonia,

we found that quite a few of them came from Marco's faction.

Most of them are probably loyal enough,

but can you really say there's no one among them still waiting for a chance to settle the score?

...

Remember how they kept emphasizing "legitimacy"?

Funny how that seems to line up with what's happening now, doesn't it?

Here's the list.

Care to take a look?

...

Well, I expected as much.

Still, seeing it in person isn't exactly pleasant.

Yeah?

What's this? Asking me out all of a sudden?

It's fine, Mister.

If you're worried about me, you don't need to be.

Oh yeah?

Looks like you've thought of something.

Greenhorn?

What brings you here? You could've at least given me a heads-up.

And who's this with you?

Hey there.

!!

Y-you're...

Wait, Underworld Queen?

What's the head of Hedonia doing here...?

Hmm, is that so?

There's definitely something funny going on between you two...

So what's the story? Just what are you to each other?

He's my man.

You're not seriously going to deny it now, are you?

Hmph... I figured as much.

So it's the boss of Hedonia this time, is it?

You sure do have a knack for getting mixed up with all kinds of people, Greenhorn.

So? What brings you to the workshop in the middle of your date?

If you're about to tell me you came to this sacred workshop just to make yourselves a pair of matching rings, you're in for an earful.

Well, aren't you sharp? How'd you know we came to have a ring made?

Wh-what?!

Don't worry, it's not a couple's ring.

It's an official commission.

So, think you can do it?

Hmm... Well, I should have this finished in about 30 minutes.

Now then, what're you planning to use it for?

If it ends up being used for some shady deal, I'll be the one who ends up in hot water.

Who knows? Your guess is as good as mine.

Mister's the one who dragged me here.

Maybe he's planning to propose?

...

Hmph... I figured as much.

There now! All done!

Not bad, Mister.

Didn't think you'd use a fake ring to smoke the rats out.

Not a bad plan.

If they come crawling out on their own, it'll make things a whole lot easier.

So, what's next?

Huh? What for?

Well, you're not wrong.

Here.

...

Pfft.

Haha, what's this, Mister?

You trying to propose to me or something?

No. During the coronation,

the ring goes on... this finger.

That's right.

Then you kiss the ring, and that's it.

It's a vow that you've truly become my man.

...

All right.

Now run along and get back to your room, Mister.

I've changed my mind.

You'll sit this one out and join us next time.

Didn't I tell you before?

There's nothing I hate more than seeing what's mine get damaged.

Easy for you to say.

...

The letter mentioned, "what you treasure most."

Do you really think they were only talking about the ring?

Just wait here.

I'll be back once I've taken care of everything.

What now?

Jeez, you're impossible.

Already forgot about the time

you got shot up and landed in the hospital?

...

*Sigh*

You really know how to make it impossible for me to say no.

Fine...

If that's what my man's decided, then it's my job to see it through.

Follow me, Mister.

...

What's with that look?

Heh. What, are you nervous?

How could that be?

If anything, just thinking about catching that little rat gets my blood pumping.

That's right. The trap's already been set.

Now we just sit back and trust Mister.

... Are you sure about this?

They may seem easy enough to deal with, but they're still part of the underworld.

We can't guarantee your safety.

...

I know,

but I've got to trust him.

He showed me his resolve.

...

Is everyone present?

We will now commence the Hedonia coronation ceremony.

This is a sacred ceremony. Any conduct unbecoming will not be tolerated.

Keep quiet.

Try anything funny, and you're dead.

Lemme ask you something.

You...

You're Rosanna's man, aren't you?

... What's all this commotion?

You there! Show some respect. You're in the middle of a ceremony.

It's you...!

Brothers!

Do you see this ring?

This is the real one!

The ring you swore your loyalty to is a fake!

Rosanna's been playing you all for fools!

A fake ring for a fake boss!

... I figured as much, but you've completely lost your mind.

Stealing the ring wasn't enough, huh? You even had the nerve to show yourself.

You're throwing your life away for nothing.

Are you so sure about that?

Brothers... You haven't forgotten, have you?

How the boss we all served met his end that day.

...!

That's what happens when you rule through force and fear.

People may seem loyal, but the moment doubt takes root, their trust starts to crack.

I came here today fully prepared to lay down my life just to plant that seed.

... Heh,

that's rich.

Who's doubting me? And who thinks they're bold enough to revolt?

Yes... that's the reaction I'm looking for.

Rosanna,

the ring isn't the only thing you hold dear, is it?

How does it feel knowing your man's a hostage?

...

Just for today, I'll do things your way...

...!

D-don't come any closer.

I said stay back!

Damn you!

If you take one more step...!

Sorry, Mister. I've changed my mind.

I thought I'd be fine with it, but after seeing it with my own eyes, I just can't.

Some filthy little rat actually had the nerve to lay its hands on what's mine.

S-so that's how you're going to play it?!

Urgh...!

...

... Impressive.

I could've sworn he was twice your size.

...!

Get down!

*Cough...*

Go ahead, try me.

You know how I am.

Once I decide something's mine, I never let anyone else have it.

Not my man. Not my ring.

Hedonia's no different.

And if someone takes it from me,

I'll just take it back by force.

...

Now, one last question.

Which one do you think is the real ring?

...

Ha.

To think someone with your pathetic judgment would question my legitimacy.

... Take him away.

Right away.

... How many times have I told you?

I hate it when my things get damaged,

so take better care of yourself.

...

There you go again, giving me that innocent look.

You're doing it on purpose, aren't you?

Ha,

unbelievable.

Times like this make me think you might actually be even crazier than I am.

Think whatever you like.

Consigliere.

Yes, Boss.

Please understand.

If anything were to happen to you, our lives would be at risk as well.

...

Everything appears normal.

I can't find so much as a single bruise.

Good work. Thanks.

Yeah, yeah.

...

Ha. The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it gets.

You actually wanted to be the bait and take him down yourself?

Where the hell does a mere soldier get that kind of nerve?

...

Well, you're right about that.

What are you talking about, Mister? Did you hit your head or something?

The ceremony's already over. We're not going back to the mansion...

Hmm?

What's going on, Mister?

Why bring me somewhere so private all of a sudden?

Trying something new?

I didn't realize you had a thing for jewelry.

Go ahead and take it.

The ceremony's already over, and the rat's been caught.

?

Heh,

you caught me off guard again.

Fine, I'll play along.

... Very well.

...

Mister,

you do know what this means, don't you?

... Yeah, I did say that.

... Fine.

Then care to kiss this ring,

the very symbol of Hedonia?

Heh...

This is even more fun than I expected.

To think the only man I've ever entrusted my life to

would become completely mine.

...

To be honest, I never paid much attention to this ring.

But now? I've changed my mind.

I don't think I could ever let it go.

Not this ring... and not you either, Mister.

Of course.

...

I don't think that's going to work.

Because, you see...

I don't think I can hold back any longer.

You're all mine now,

so I can do whatever I want with you, right?