Liberi Reader

Pizza delivery from 'One More Slice'!

Pumpkin Pepper, Cheese, Fries & Sausage, Supreme, Devil's Pepper, and classic Mozzarella.

Eat up! Can't work on an empty stomach. This one's yours, Signor Emperor... er, should I call you Consultant instead?

Mm. Not bad. Soft and chewy crust, nice meaty flavor. You got a card for this pizzeria?

I made it myself at the dock workers' kitchen.

I can write down the recipe for you, if you want.

Mm—

No need to be shy, it's the least we can do.

If not for your help, we couldn't possibly have fixed all the damaged floats before the parade tonight.

I'm just thinkin' how authentic Siracusan pizza might go over with the Lungmenites. Maybe Exusiai could add it to the menu at The Ends of the Earth.

What about that signore who's singing while working? Should I call him over?

...

Hey, Big Mouth, over here! This'll shut you up.

I don't know what's worse, the way you break into song anytime anywhere, that obnoxious singin' voice of yours, or the song itself...

I mean, what's that crap? You belt that out while clappin' together your building blocks in the jungle?

Can't find the energy to work without song.

Unlike you, who's just sitting there giving 'advice', I'm the one who has to put in the work and sweat!

You got a reason to do that, I don't.

It was your float that got its ass burned off, wasn't it?

...

It was bad enough that it didn't look cool at all, but how could they put me so close to that wolf?!

Well, all the other floats have their arms and legs stuck back in place. The only one left is the wolf that's just a pile of ash now.

If you ask me, it makes more sense to spend the time making the other floats look cooler than rebuilding one float.

There are so many floats, who would miss one wolf?

Fair 'nuff.

N-No! You can't do that!

There are many legends of beasts in Siracusa, but the wolf is special.

City Hall had already announced the number of floats and what they're based on. People will get anxious if one is missing.

You know—

Hey fatso, stop stuffing that pie in my mouth—

Do all Siracusan cops have to learn to make pizza?

Oh no, my papa has a pizzeria in another city, and I used to help out there.

We're pretty well-known. When I was little, I dreamed about having branches all over Siracusa, even our own dedicated headquarters plate.

Maybe you've heard of our ad? 'Noemi Pizza—one more slice even when you're full!'

Nope.

...

We never had the money to start a second one.

Business was good, and no one dares to not pay for their food, but paying our protection fee takes up most of our profit.

I came when I heard that the Nuova Volsinii Police Academy was recruiting. Maybe I'll be able to protect the shop once I become a cop.

Uh...

I know what you want to say. It sounds naive, doesn't it? Being a cop is much harder, and then there's all the trouble that's popped up these last couple of days.

Think of this another way.

Becomin' a cop means you can change your slogan—

'Noemi Pizza—if it isn't good, you can lock ME up!'

Oh...

You remind me of my Zumama. The young always have such simple goals and such strong motivation.

This is all YOUR fault, fatso. I didn't even have time to tell Zumama I was coming here.

Ain't many parties worth bringing us together, Big Mouth.

Besides, we got serious business to talk about after the party.

Anyway, I really appreciate it! We were at our wit's end when you guys offered to help.

As for your compensation, I'll put in an application with City Hall as soon as the Carnevale is over.

We got our compensation already.

We'll see this through to the end. This IS good pizza, after all.

Gotta admit, it gives me a warm n' fuzzy feelin' to see that wolf burn to ashes.

So you...

But it don't compare to the anger I feel when a good party gets ruined.

Oh, cruel fate!

All the other stalls are busy preparing to make a killing tonight. We're the only ones who have been given the death sentence.

I don't care, you're eating all the losses.

That's just not fair. I did what I did with good intentions! I was trying to minimize the losses when the rain hit the other day.

By getting the beer cart instead of the food drying in the courtyard out in the open?

Mistakes happen...

The beer cart is fully enclosed and equipped with a functioning thermostat. Who cares if it gets a little rain on it? But you had to push it back, and now you cost me the spot that took me so much effort to get!

No stall, no food. This ain't a Carnevale, it's my funeral!

I should have stuck to movies. Yes, I had to deal with the mafiosi who all fancy themselves filmmakers, but at least I got to make a living. I shouldn't have listened to your tall tales and come here—

Y-You again!

Zzz... zzz...

You're still here? Did you fall asleep on the spot after that ice cream?

Father? Father!

So what's stopping you?

I'll pay if it looks good.

Huh?

You said photo, right?

Yeah.

Today is the biggest day of Nuova Volsinii. Everyone will show up fully dressed.

Masks, costumes, and massive, mysterious floats. Definitely something I would want to take a few photos of, for the memories.

But I can't stop for something like that, not when the parade keeps rolling. Wouldn't it be great if there was a professional photographer who could do it in my stead?

Besides, it's better business than competing with everyone else selling beer and ice cream—and to tell you the truth, your ice cream isn't that competitive. Not sweet enough.

You heard the Father, what are you still standing around for?

H-huh, what's happening now?

Go and get the camera! And don't forget to buy a few more rolls of film!

Thank you. Can't have two furs in one tail. Looks like this guy and I just don't match.

Problems always float to the surface, and there are always ways to deal with them.

I don't think there's a church in this town... where did you come from, Father?

Montelupe.

The capital... did you come all this way for Carnevale?

An old friend asked me to see what it's all about.

It's been a long time since Siracusa has had something this big, after all.

Like Leithanien's Empresses' Celebration, which takes place every year and involves the entire country, and it just gets bigger every year...

Yes, it's been a long time since Siracusa has had something this big.

I hope it doesn't rain. It would make it so much harder to keep the peace.

What are you doing, Signora Venezia?

You're not using this cloth anymore, right? Picked it out of the discard pile. Just right for wiping my blade.

I could get a piece of softer cotton cloth for you.

No need for that.

There will be festivities on every street tonight. There's no need for you to stay at Tailor de Montano.

I promised Vargo to solve your problem.

You found Luchino and accompanied me to the Villa Venezia to bring him back. You've already helped so much. Thank you.

There's no need to thank me, Umberto.

You saved Luchino yourself, by convincing Venezia Senior to not pursue the matter any further.

Is he still shutting himself in the room? I haven't seen him. Don't tell me he's ran away again.

If he runs away, just let him. So much has happened over the past couple of days, and he's still young. He needs time to process things.

Perhaps I've been too strict.

Maybe he's just struggling with how to view you, his own grandfather, an old tailor, and once the terror of Siracusan dons.

Well, that's not important. What's important is how he views himself after he stood at death's door and learned about all these things in the past.

And he needs to figure it out. I don't have that much time left.

Well, Signora Venezia, I bid you addio.

...

You already know, don't you?

What?

The culprit who hurt your daughter.

And why would you say that?

Did you forget I was once a killer too, Signora Venezia?

Your weapon is sharp. It needs no honing, and you are not in the habit of doing so.

When a killer starts polishing their blade, they're either planning to put it away forever, or planning to put it in someone.

Fair point.

More conjecture than proof at this point... but at least I have something. That's why I said you don't have to thank me.

You came to Nuova Volsinii and stayed here at de Montano to learn about the truth—who planned the assassination, and hurt Signorina Lisa.

This was your agreement with Vargo, but if you have learned the answer, there's no reason to continue it.

Besides, I don't have any troubles left to deal with.

The game is not over yet. The Fangs are still in the city. I've crossed blades with them. They may be young, but they fight well.

If I can find them, they can find you.

You're old and frail, Umberto. There can only be one end.

It's an end that already looms large. There's nothing you can do.

...

Tonight, at least, I wish to be alone, and have a moment of quiet to myself.

Alright, we'll be going—

...Shift changed half an hour ago. He's probably in rehearsal right now.

Huh?

Didn't you know? He used to be a saxist at the Teatro di Milano. They recruited him for the parade.

I see. He's keeping you in the dark so he can show off tomorrow when his face is in the newspapers!

Stronzo!

So you're on duty tonight?

Yup, I'm the new guy. On the bright side, the harbor's gonna be rather quiet because of all the festivities.

I'll turn the radio up and feel the festive spirit from here.

I would go now if I were you... if you want to get a good place in the procession.

Alright, be seeing you.

Phew...

You almost let it slip.

How about you do it, then?

Hey, I don't got the acting experience. You're the one who's an extra in the mayor's promotional video.

It ain't the same thing. I was just being myself in the promo, and we could always do another take. Screw up just now, and all of Antonio's plans would've been blown.

This is an important night for you, for me, and for all of Venezia.

Once this city is firmly under our control, Antonio will be as good as his word. He'll support you in... what's the wording? Restoring the glory of Sicilia?

I just hope I don't end up like Carle...

Playing his saxophone in hell. In that container over there. We'll deal with the body once the dust settles.

You got the dispatch station, then.

Don't worry.

Every vehicle that goes in and out of the port has to go through special checks. Venezia Trucking's trucks have been added to the list.

The nomadic city's positioning system has been turned off, with the exception of a single encrypted channel. Other than the famiglia's landship, no vehicles will approach the city tonight.

The rest of the boys are outside. Once the landship approaches the city and starts docking, everybody in Nuova Volsinii Port who ain't part of this is gonna disappear.

What about Antonio?

You think the boss needs us to worry about him?

A few hours left... enjoy the night, Nuova Volsinii. Enjoy the true Carnevale.

Bit trite for an opening speech, don't you think?

—!

Who are you? Have you been here all this time?

Do her in, Gambino!

Gotcha.

I thought you said it was trite. But you're clappin'.

You just gave me the first twist, didn't you?

You know, I was kind of hoping you would try to—how did he put it? 'Do me in.'

I wanted to, but I ain't about to do somethin' doomed to fail.

Fair enough. Where's your little friend?

Capone? Helpin' Venezia Junior with some other stuff.

Sicilians been busy, eh?

Whaddya want, Lappland?

We've done enough for you. I can't—

Hm?

Uh, I mean...

Venezia Junior has put everything the famiglia's built over the past year into this. At this point, even if you wanna sabotage it, there's not much I can do to help.

You still think you know me, Gambino. Why would I make things hard for an old, er, friend?

Just do the job that your boss told you to.

What he's trying to do doesn't conflict with what I'm trying to do. Maybe I'm even trying to help him?

It's Carnevale, after all. The night when all the wonderful dreams we have about this city come true.

That's why you didn't even need to kill this guy on the ground—oops.

You really shouldn't be so eager to prove that you're a villain. No wonder Capone's racking up citizen points so much faster than you.

...

*Sigh*

I dropped something at the Villa Venezia. Bring it to me.

What is it?

A gift box.

You mean, the one that the little tailor was—

Uh-huh.

And get me a bunch of ribbons, balloons, spotlights, that kind of stuff. Hurry!