Selfless Law

We met a judge at the door who wanted to pass you this. The mayor's ward can't have too many people in here, so Texas and I took it for you right before we walked in.

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Arson of Nuova Volsinii Port, Emergency Court Hearing, Defendant... Eirene?

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The driver lady's your friend, right? Relax, just flip to the back. She was acquitted on the spot.

Texas and I happened to sit in that court hearing. So exciting. The Venezias—

Haha, sorry, sorry. I mean the Venezia Trucking and Saluzzo Vino bosses both testified and vouched for her innocence, and even fought over who got to send her home after the trial...

Tsk, tsk. A popular girl to be sure!

The way she walked out of the courthouse reminded me of how the famiglie would take a courthouse trip as proof of maturity.

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Congratulations, Signorina Lavazza.

...There's nothing worth congratulating.

Signor Saluzzo, the fire yesterday was an accident, but my worries have indeed been solved, albeit in a confusing way.

I had been thinking I shouldn't cause you any further trouble, since I ended up asking you to meet with me for nothing.

But you showed up today, which means you just declared to everyone—

The Saluzzos want to help the Truckers' Union, of course.

Our present situation does mean some deals are no longer on the table, but I'm sure we both know how valuable a friendship can be in Siracusa.

Our agreement remains, Signorina Lavazza.

*ahem*—Zio Alberto, I hope I'm not disturbing you?

Signorina Lavazza helped us transport our tires, and since something has happened to them, I have to work out compensation with her.

Signor Venezia...

Don't worry. Today we've properly met for the first time, but we already have a good understanding between us.

You said nothing at all in court, which was wonderful.

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I think we have a lot to talk about, such as the Truckers' Union and many other matters.

Get in the car, I'll drive you back.

Venezia Junior—

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Lyudmila!

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What's wrong?

Let's go. I came to take you back home. There's a lot back at camp waiting for you to make the call on.

Alright, let's go.

Once we're home, we have to quickly figure out a way to send Sommer away for a time. He's not safe in the city right now.

Something on your mind, Lyudmila?

Huh...? Isn't this Sommer's?!

He did everything he could.

I should have understood long ago the famiglie will never allow anyone who might pose a threat to them to live.

Where's Sommer?

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I'm sorry, I couldn't find him...

So things did exceed everyone's expectations, and they had no choice but to come down here and protect me.

But the price paid...

They want the guys at city hall and the courts to know that the Truckers' Union and the famiglie are on the same boat.

Those two earlier... they were basically fighting over a territory.

It's not over yet, Alberto, Antonio...

When Sommer and I had just moved here from Volsinii, we really thought we left the famiglie.

...Heh. What a joke.

I'm sorry, Sommer. I'll never trust any of them ever again.

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Such an interesting scene, like it came straight out of a film. Saluzzo and Venezia fellas, truck drivers, so many people surrounding that driver lady, they took up half the courthouse square...

They called it my coming-of-age ceremony, the first time I went into a courthouse. When I came out, there weren't many people greeting me.

Texas had it even worse, haha. She came to Siracusa as a guest, and accidentally got herself involved in a lawsuit. I was the only one who greeted her after.

Stop bringing up your boring pranks, Lappland.

Signorina Lappland, thank you for coming here and for the reminder. If there's nothing else, please leave the ward.

You're welcome, Just the least I could do.

Carnevale is tomorrow, dear judge. You still have a lot to do.

I was with Lappland the whole time since yesterday noon.

By the time we reached the port, the fire was already dying. She's not directly involved with it.

She spent the entire night after that just being a taxi driver. We went to the courthouse today, and then came here to the hospital...

Right now, I'm not sure what she's planning.

—

Are you still looking through the file, Lavinia?

Judging from its contents, there was no problem whatsoever with the hearing. But the feeling I'm getting is all too familiar for my liking...

They covered everything in the trial, and the testimony and evidence are stated in detail, but other than getting someone acquitted, it didn't find out any truths or solve any problems.

In Volsinii, and other places in Siracusa, most cases can only end up with a case file like this one.

I had thought such a trial would no longer exist here in Nuova Volsinii.

Lavinia...

You don't have to console me, Texas.

What concerns me more, is when did these people actually start to care about whether a civilian outside the famiglie is innocent or not?

What's more, before this hearing, Famiglia Venezia had a near perfect record in the city you couldn't easily find a reason for criticism, but this time Venezia Junior actually showed up.

From Demetri to Ingrid—I may spent the last two days chasing in the wrong direction.

What is certain, before this trial—or because of this trial, they are now on the same side.

Leon's car accident, the hit-and-run vehicle, and the port fire. These three obviously have a deeper connection...

The Saluzzos, the Venezias, and the Truckers' Union. What are these three forces hiding from us together?

Carnevale is tomorrow, but Leon is still in a coma... I'm running out of time to figure out what kind of plans they have in store.

We can't let the situation worsen, let alone stay sitting fowls.

You mean...?

These people still think the New Urban Management Act is something they can use, but I shall show them it is the foundation of order in this city.

Hey, you! You can't go in there!

Texas?

Bursting into my winery without reason does not seem like something you would do.

Of course.

Told you we'd come find you, Signor Alberto Saluzzo.

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These are Saluzzo Vino's qualification documents submitted in the past months.

A group of employees have in the short span of two months, changed their positions in your company's registered profiles several times. First they were security personnel, then winemakers, then technical staff...

We have reason to suspect Saluzzo Vino is employing illegal methods to circumvent the standard background check procedure.

Please come with us to assist our investigation.

Didn't the constant changes happen because city hall keeps changing the requirements?

What's the big idea, digging up these old files so suddenly?

Don't waste your breath, these cops are obviously targeting us Saluzzos on purpose! Vaffanculo, we even paid so much in certification fees!

Anyway, don't let them take away the Don on our turf—

Stop. Don't get in the police's way.

If they're only suspecting Saluzzo Vino of circumventing background checks illegally, then it won't be difficult to resolve... we just need some time.

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Listen to him.

Got it, Don Alberto.

This must have been the judge's idea.

What?

Of course, she's aware she can't do much with such a trivial offense, but she can at least keep me in jail for the next few days.

She must have gone to Venezia Junior or Eirene, otherwise you wouldn't be the one standing here right now.

I just happened to be free today.

Making such a swift decision with only just the little information she has. Decisive.

I still remember her looking so weak when she rushed to my place looking for Bernardo last year—she was a completely different person.

Telling me all this won't help. There's nothing to fear if you're truly innocent.

Of course, I'll go with you. I'll do my best to aid your investigation.

I said in court today I'm simply doing my duty as a citizen of the city.

Besides, Saluzzo Vino will not pause operations because of my temporary departure.

Demetri, I'm sure you must be familiar with our work here in Nuova Volsinii by now, yes?

Certainly, Don Alberto.

Take care of my wineries for now, manager of Saluzzo Vino.

Of course.