Poseidon in Arknights

Upon hearing Leontuso's voice, Texas looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes, as if he were asking a Syracusan why he said he didn't like fighting.

“Using force is the least efficient method.” Leontuso saw the surprise in Texas’s eyes. “So, if you’re expecting to leave Syracuse after completing a few assassinations for me, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.”

Texas nodded. He had never imagined that he could leave Syracuse so easily. Whether it was the wolf or its minions, they would squeeze every last drop of value out of her before they would let her leave. He was prepared for this, after all, this was Syracuse.

"...You just need to tell me what I should do."

“Karachi, the Minister of Construction of Vorsini,” Leontoso looked at Texas. “He’s in charge of the construction of the new mobile city site. He’s one of our men, and I need you to protect him.”

Texas raised an eyebrow. He had considered that his mission might be to assassinate someone or even the head of a family, but he hadn't expected his first mission to be protection.

Moreover, the person they were protecting was actually a government official. Texas was somewhat surprised that even one of their own people was involved with the government, because he had never imagined that his family members would be involved with the government. So Texas confirmed with Leontus again.

"A government official?"

“I know what you’re trying to say.” As a Syracuse native, Leontuso understood Texas’s thoughts at that moment. “The government is like the tablecloth of that round table in the Grey Hall.”

“Every member of the family remembers Madame Sicily’s remark.”

“There was a time when we never paid any attention to the tableware and vases on the tablecloth.” Leontoso looked into the distance, and Texas had no idea what he was looking at. “But now, I have to pay attention.”

Leontus gazed into the distance, in the direction of the Vorcinni government: "The Colombians have brought back some new things, and what troubles me most is not the technology they brought back, but..."

"Their methods of doing things are completely different from those of Syracuse."

Leontoso’s tone was somewhat strange: “They know that the officials of Syracuse cannot defy the old families, so they do not demand that those officials openly submit to them.”

"They just need those people to turn a blind eye at certain times, or do them a favor."

Leontuso turned to look at Texas again, spreading his hands, his eyes filled with helplessness: "And what can we do? Getting rid of those officials won't solve anything."

"Go and cause them trouble? They're not stupid enough to give themselves away. Even though we have considerable influence here, there's nothing we can do to them."

"I think that having lived in Lungmen for several years, you must have a lot to say about this way of doing things."

Texas nodded: "I even doubt that I've returned to Lungmen."

Leontuso chuckled after hearing Texas's reply: "Heh, but in Syracuse, not many people even realize how big a wave the Colombian method might stir up."

“You know what, Miss Texas, when I truly understood the logic behind this method, I felt admiration.” Leontoso looked at Texas and patted the pistol at his waist. “Their weapons are interests and negotiations, not violence and fighting.”

"They are highly efficient and stable; they can even get others to work themselves to the bone for them and still receive high praise."

Texas looked at Leontuso: "So, you've learned their methods too."

“Study?” Leontuso shook his head. “No… Miss Texas, I will do better than them.”

“And Karachi is my card.” Leontoso looked at Texas. “The recent assassination attempts targeting officials in the city, although we can’t yet confirm who is behind them, I need to ensure the safety of Minister Karachi.”

“He’s a very interesting person. He doesn’t like to ride in cars and prefers to walk. Although someone is secretly protecting him, I’m not at ease. I’ve already spoken to them. Go and take him to the banquet.”

“Understood.” Texas nodded, then, brandishing her weapon, asked, “So where do I find this Minister of Construction?”

------------

"Hmm..." Texas observed the distance, her eyes darting between various corners, finally confirming something: 'The target is passing through the street ahead; are there seven family members in total?'

Texas breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed like there wasn't a big problem. It appeared that the mission hadn't backfired on her. This person must be quite important, so she should be able to relax a bit more.

Texas looked up at the still-raining sky: 'Phew... judging by the time, the boss and the others should be here by now.'

She knew the Emperor's temper, and he knew that the Emperor would not be able to swallow the fact that he had been taken away from the Wolf Lord without any prior notice.

They're definitely coming to cause trouble, or rather, to settle scores. They might even bring Yuuki over. But if Yuuki comes over, won't things get complicated?

'I hope not…' Texas shook the water droplets off her trench coat, letting them fall to the ground. 'Hmph, maybe this rain is because of Yuuki… How could that be? Yuuki wouldn't do something so pointless.'

Although Texas had only seen Yuuki cause trouble once, no matter what, Yuuki shouldn't have caused such a commotion. If she were to cause trouble for Wolf Lord, the commotion would probably be much bigger, right?

Just as Texas was still thinking, a hand quietly patted his shoulder.

Texas immediately raised her longsword as a reflex, even though it was still sheathed. Texas was confident that even just the scabbard would be enough.

Texas could hear that the other party was not making any move to dodge, nor could she hear any sound about it. At this distance, even without drawing her sword, it was enough.

But just as Texas raised her longsword, she saw the face of the person who had quietly appeared behind her.

"..." Texas silently looked at Lappland, who appeared behind him.

"See? I told you something good would happen." Lappland looked at the wary Texas, completely unconcerned that Texas had just been about to raise her sword.

After all, this wary Texas is the Texas he knows, and the Texas in this outfit is the Texas he truly believes in.

So Lappland simply smiled at Texas, extending an invitation like that of a long-lost friend: "Texas, want some mille-feuille?"

Chapter 222: The Wilderness of Civilization

——————Syracuse Vorsini Hotel——————

"You're eating way too much, Exusiai?" Croissant pushed open the door, looked at the huge pile of pizza boxes on the table, and then at Exusiai, who was still eating a slice of pizza next to her. "Aren't you afraid of getting fat to death?"

"That's all~" Exusiai waved her hand. "That's all, it'll be fine. Want some more?"

"You don't even need to say that." Croissant picked up a slice of pizza without any politeness between them. "Seriously, you're eating so much, won't you gain weight?"

"I already said I won't, why are you worrying so much?" Exusiai shrugged, stuffed the pizza in her hand into her mouth, and said in a slightly muffled voice, "I know what I'm doing, and don't you think I'm actually a little underweight?"

"Are you kidding me?" Croissant rolled her eyes, reached out and pinched Exusiai's waist, and sure enough, she pulled out a small piece of fat from Exusiai's waist. "Look at you, and you still say you haven't gained weight recently?"

"Don't worry about the details." Exusiai slapped Croissant's hand away. "Anyway, there's no problem. You'll lose weight quickly, you have to trust me~"

"So Yuuzuki was right when she said that your Sarkaz's aura and wings of light have an extra energy consumption?" Croissant smiled at Exusiai. "Ah, if that's true, that would be such a convenient thing."

"Who knows? But I guess they're right." Exusiai didn't understand these intricacies either; she wasn't a medical student, so how would she know?

"I'm not sure either." Croissant moved over to a stool and sat down to recharge. "But have you found anything over there? Or are you just going to be searching the whole city for a good pizza place?"

Croissant patted the pizza box next to her. Almost every pizza inside came from a different pizzeria. At least someone was trying to find them, but it was hard to say how.

“If I had found it, I would have told you when you came in.” Exusiai opened a new box of pizzas. “As for these pizzas, the boss will reimburse me, so I’ll definitely eat as much as I want.”

"And what about you? Do you have any leads? Although I doubt it, let's exchange information first."

"You've already guessed everything, what else can I say?" Croissant shrugged and picked up a slice of pizza. "This pizza tastes pretty good."

"Then it seems there isn't one." Exusiai nodded. Although she had guessed it, she still had to ask, "Where did this runaway go?"

"Speaking of finding Texas..." Croissant stuffed the last bit of pizza into her mouth, "Do you think the boss and Yuuki know Texas? Where is she?"

"They probably know," Exusiai replied after thinking for a moment. "But these two haven't said a word either, so they must have gone to cause trouble for that guest."

"Looking for trouble, these two dumped us here, found us a hotel, and then went off to cause trouble." Croissant picked up another slice of pizza. "Honestly, if you know anything, just say so."

“The boss and Yuuki must have their own considerations.” Exusiai ate the pizza in her hand. “It seems that Texas came voluntarily, and they probably want Texas to resolve this matter herself.”

"But you're right, they should have told us first and then let us help her."

"Who knows?" Croissant shrugged. "Speaking of which, do you think this rain was some kind of trick by Yuuki, like a reconnaissance method?"

"Probably not?" Exusiai thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I checked the weather forecast a few days ago. It said it would rain then, but Yuuki was still on Rhodes Island at the time and didn't know about it."

"It's impossible for Yuuki's spells to be cast across time, but I guess Yuuki can definitely do something with this rain, right?"

"Who knows?" Croissant picked up the last slice of pizza from the pizza box. "But speaking of which, has Kong sent any information?"

"It seems not." Exusiai shook her head. "He should still be at the opera house right now. It's amazing that he could come up with the idea of ​​getting Zephyr Records to help him out."

"It's all thanks to the boss's influence." Croissant nodded. "The boss's influence is top-notch; he arranged it right away."

"Sora is pretty powerful too." Exusiai swung her arm. "As the saying goes, a fine sword is for a hero, right? Wait, is this the right time to use this?"

"Who cares?" Croissant stuffed the pizza in her mouth and mumbled, "Should we go check what Kong is doing?"

"Or should we go out and look for someone again?"

"Is it fine?" Angel stood up, picked up the pizza box from the table, and walked towards the door. "It's on my way. Hopefully, someone won't see us and hide."

"Once we catch her, we'll definitely demand compensation from her."

——————Syracuse Volsini Opera House——————

“Texas.” Sora, dressed in a formal gown, stood on the opera house stage, raised her hand, and looked into the void before her. “Salvadore Texas. How am I supposed to face you? Should I believe you?”

“You are a Syracuse, they say, and violence and ambition are ingrained in your very bones. You and your family will devour this place... devour Colombia.”

Kong gazed deeply into the air before her: "Is the person you present to me the real you? You seem so elegant, so poised..."

"But I've also seen you throw a punch, blood flowing between your fingers, and your opponent can no longer utter a curse."

"Which side is the real you, Salvadore?"

"Will there come a day when you finally realize that these two things are incompatible? Will there come a day when the bloodstains behind you will catch up with you?" Kong's tone was neither a question nor an accusation. "At that time, what will you choose?"

"By then... will you still stay by my side?"

As soon as the last verse was sung, applause immediately erupted from the audience.

Bernardo clapped and praised, "Beautiful performance, Miss Flight Attendant, you have once again surprised me."

Hearing the applause from the audience, Kong breathed a sigh of relief and walked down the steps from the side of the stage: "I actually have to thank a Mr. Wen in the troupe. If it weren't for his guidance, I wouldn't have been able to adjust myself so quickly."

“Wen?” Bernardo found the name Kong mentioned strange. “I’ve never heard of such a person in this Milan theater.”

"Huh?" Kong looked at Bernardo with some surprise. "He knows a lot about musicals and gave me great guidance. I thought he was an important figure in the troupe."

Bernardo shook his head: "I don't recall. However, there are countless people who are knowledgeable about musicals, and perhaps he is just one of them."

"Moreover, Miss Kong, I have a question that arose when I saw your resume. I wonder if you could answer it for me?"

Kong nodded: "Sure."

“You’re pursuing an idol career at Lungmen.” Bernardo leaned on his cane, looking into the sky. “Our collaboration with Lungmen is becoming more and more frequent, but our respective acting careers are now in competition due to our different backgrounds.”

"Under such circumstances, the audition clips that Siren Records sent me proved that you were not without talent in musicals."

"This means your ambitions aren't limited to Lungmen." Bernardo looked at him with scrutinizing eyes. "What drives you to work so hard?"

“There are many reasons,” Kong replied after thinking for a while. “But at the beginning, my thoughts weren’t very complicated. I just hoped to catch up with someone. Of course, it’s still the same now.”

"Oh?" Bernardo looked at the sky with apparent interest. "Did you catch up with someone?"

“Actually, it’s all the same.” Kong smiled. “Although I had thought she might leave Lungmen before, I didn’t expect her to actually do it.”

“At first, I didn’t know what I should do either.” A hint of determination flashed in Kong’s eyes. “But now, at least we have to find her. After all, we’re family.”

——————Syracus Vorsini——————

Texas watched as Lappland moved towards the people he wanted to protect without hesitation, and he didn't think it was a coincidence that Lappland was here.