The negotiation process was somewhat unpleasant. Both sides wielded sharp tongues, refusing to yield. The new Wolf Race of Texas was quite opposed to the old ways of the Wolf Race, even though this trip was supposedly coal in the snow—however, the coal had already been delivered ahead of time.

"Miss Valentina, you must know, although we are very grateful for your arrival, the people of Texas have already proven their power. We have the strength to resist the invaders."

Juliano clasped his hands, smiling, "Not only the first wave of attack from the United Kingdom, but also the Mexicans; news just came back that the Rangers led by Mr. Losa defeated the new Mexican army and even captured their president, Porfirio."

"Mr. Losa?"

Valentina keenly captured the key point. If the Texans could defeat the British, they could defeat the Mexicans too, which was nothing surprising: "I’ve never heard of such a character among the younger generation of the Basilicata Family."

Juliano shook his head silently: "Sorry, I cannot disclose his identity."

Valentina’s expression was inexplicable. After a while, she slowly uttered a term: "Yesterday’s Giant Ship?"

After the news of Losa perishing alongside a cleansing team within Switzerland came back, she received a message from Losa, asking if she was willing to leave everything behind and join Yesterday’s Giant Ship.

She refused.

As time went by, she gradually treated that experience as a dream.

"You know?"

Juliano was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, do you remember the sensational case in Turin and Milan twenty years ago?"

Valentina smiled, no longer continuing: "Back then, Losa invited me to join as well. Unfortunately, like you, I couldn’t abandon the family that bore and nurtured me to travel the river of time, could I?"

"Alright, let’s be even more frank. I know the Saluzzo Family is not the only partner of the Basilicata Family; there’s the Wolf Race resistance on Sardinia, the Catania Family, the Verona Family, the Siena Family... many upper-level Wolf Races have untangled relationships with the Basilicata Family. Moreover, after this battle, the strength Texas shows may even earn the favor of the French."

She paused, countering, "But the British are jackals, and the French might not be starving tigers. Negotiating with tigers is not easy. I think, compared to outsiders, it is the ’own people’ of the Saluzzo Family that are more reliable, right?"

"Of course, Miss Valentina. Your arrival has already fully demonstrated your sincerity, but the price I offer is already quite generous. Furthermore... my apologies, I do not intend to turn Texas into a replica of the old Wolf Race."

The main point of contention between the two was that Valentina wanted more autonomy, in other words, to carve out her own territory in Texas and continue being a "local lord," but Juliano clearly could not accept this.

"In Texas, one must obey Texas’s laws. I’m willing to welcome the clanspeople of the Saluzzo Family into the Texas government, but the era has changed, Miss Valentina. The era when thousands of Wolf Race ruled over tens of thousands of humans should have long passed."

Valentina furrowed her brow; the tide of the times was like a rushing torrent that no one could stop. What worried her most, instead, was not being completely swallowed by Texas, leaving only a historical symbol.

What was the difference then between being swallowed by Yakxi?

Amid the stalemate, a sudden burst of cheering erupted outside.

"What happened?"

Juliano stood up and inquired.

The guard’s tone was somewhat excited, "Mr. Losa has returned!"

"It seems we can pause our conversation for now and go welcome the legendary Mr. Losa."

Valentina proposed with a smile.

Juliano had no objections. The two walked side by side out of the Hall of Wolves to the bridge spanning between two peaks at Wolf Castle.

Looking up, they saw a Demon Dragon with three heads slowly descending from the clouds; its broad wings stirred and blew the snow on the bridge into the air. A young and agile figure jumped down from the dragon’s back.

Losa’s complexion was a bit pale; in the perspective of the Wolf Race, he seemed like a shining golden figure, with holy light almost overflowing from within him.

"Is Mr. Losa injured?"

"Nonsense, how could Mr. Losa be injured? He’s not a dark creature like us. He’s probably a powerful Holy Knight like Lady Jeanne!"

Losa’s lips curled into a bitter smile, forcing himself to stand straight, looking at the two figures—one tall and one short—approaching him.

This should be the consequence of constantly pretending.

Losa’s calm eyes blinked suddenly; his gaze fixed on the person beside the old Clan Leader, somewhat astonished.

"It’s been a long time, Mr. Losa."

Valentina approached, seriously scrutinizing Losa’s face: "From afar, you’re so golden that I didn’t dare to recognize you. Now, in comparison to before, you haven’t changed a bit."

"Why are you here, Miss Valentina?"

Losa was pleasantly surprised. Reunions with old friends are delightful things.

Compared to when they parted, her previously short black hair had grown long, her figure was more voluptuous, her aura more mature, and she seemed to possess a certain allure.

Valentina snorted lightly: "You’re not part of the Saluzzo Family, so don’t call me that, Captain."

After saying that, she seemed to find her tone somewhat ambiguous and cleared her throat, saying: "There must be a way forward for the Saluzzo Family; otherwise, seeing the French constantly expanding their military readiness is quite terrifying."

"Indeed."

Losa nodded. He’d also considered whether to cooperate with the old Wolf Race; after all, not everyone in the old Wolf Race was obsolete relics. He could win over some and allow those unwilling to progress to be drowned by the tide of the times, establishing the new Wolf Race as the legitimate Wolf Race in the world.

"Have you met with Cherina yet?"

"Not yet, I’ve been busy with business. After all, I’m now the first heir of the Saluzzo Family and the Elder Council’s chief, so business is a priority."

Valentina said as she looked towards the old Clan Leader.

...

"Losa!"

"Elmer!"

Losa looked at him with a smile. This guy was his good "partner" when he was at the Saluzzo Family, classified as a Three-star Attendant back then. It seemed that Elmer Truval’s abilities had improved significantly now.

"You’re not dead?"

"Hmm, you know, faking death to escape."

" "