Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 553 - 329: Mission_2

"Elaborate?"

"Do you remember Lorenzo? That muscle-headed guy, last week during a mission, he made too much noise, involving a few civilians, and the judge leveraged it to put him in the Turin prison."

"Has the family’s name fallen so low that it can’t even handle such trivial matters?"

Losa frowned.

In the Apennine Region, the various states appear to have their own governments, but in reality, they are infiltrated and controlled by the Wolf Race families. Many politicians are puppets of the family, and even if family members are imprisoned due to public opinion, they are treated well and once the commotion is over, they might just change names and continue their business as usual.

Gangs and families are like the roots of the Tree of Life, deeply rooted in these Apennine City-States, extracting nutrients, strangling any threat or assimilating it.

The average citizen sees no way out in this life. If they provoke someone from the family, at best they lose money, at worst the whole family dies. Either follow the family’s rules, entering into their system as the lowest slaves, working for the family’s industry and receiving its protection; or take a ship and set sail for the New Continent.

It’s an era where America is in urgent need of manpower.

Take Texas, occupied by the Basilicata Family, as an example. Its land is vast, equivalent to ten times the size of the Piedmont Region, but has a population of less than 100,000, merely a fraction of the latter.

Elmer mumbled, "Seems like that judge also has family backing."

"Which family? Do they have support from other prominent families?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Losa asked.

"I wouldn’t know, we are just pawns exploring the path, if everything was clear, what use would we be?"

He shrugged and nodded towards the exit, "Come on, let’s have a drink, I heard something about Miss Chelina, don’t you always admire her? You’ll be very interested."

Losa couldn’t help but laugh, "Indeed..."

"Let’s go to ’Ilona’, I heard they’ve got a new skilled pianist?"

Losa knew Ilona was the name of a tavern.

He smiled and said, "Your treat?"

"No problem, I can handle the cost of just a couple of drinks."

"Besides, once this is done, we might get a bit extra for our hard work. Don’t forget you haven’t received territory after getting promoted to Corner, if you perform well this time, and some Centurion notices you, might reward you with a vineyard, you’d be set."

Elmer chuckled, complimenting.

The territory actually refers to gang turf, akin to a sort of tax lease, where the family grants tax collection rights, and the leaseholder’s taken amount is none of the family’s concern, as long as a specified dividend is paid yearly.

Their relationship was quite good, in truth, Losa’s original self had a pleasant rapport with everyone, but merely that.

They left the Saluzzo Family stronghold together, boarded a public carriage, heading towards Ilona Tavern.

Upon entering the tavern, Losa could feel the change in atmosphere that day.

Everyone was speaking in hushed tones.

The corner he favored was almost entirely occupied, as advanced members of the Saluzzo Family, often assassins, preferred staying in less noticeable areas, as was their custom.

Losa and Elmer sat in the tavern’s center, an unpopular spot, their ears perked, occasionally twitching to catch snippets of conversation.

"The Wolves of Basilicata actually defeated the Expedition Army, they now claim to be this ’Wolf Race Federation’, announcing the establishment of the Republic of Texas, inviting wandering wolves worldwide."

"Even Master Fiore reportedly died in Texas, at the hands of that traitor Chelina!"

"Damn traitor!"

The tavern, messages from the distant New Continent seemingly just wafted over with the ocean breeze, crossing the vast seas, reaching the Po River Plain.

"Impossible?"

"It’s true as can be, those escaping Expedition Army troops confirmed it themselves!"

"Surely, Miss Chelina must have had her reasons."

"The Expedition Army actually lost, so many Elite Centurions, even including the Ripper! When did Basilicata accumulate such formidable power?"

"I heard Basilicata allied with the French, some even saw the Knight of Radiance in the Basilicata wolf camp, if it weren’t for her, those rebels would’ve been annihilated."

"And the Cepesh royal family from the Blood Royal Court also got involved."

"Really?"

"Isn’t the Cepesh Family a bunch of sleep-lovers, reclusive types?"

"Can’t be false, the news made it on Turin Daily, took the biggest spot, clearly stating the Wolf Lord personally handed a diplomatic note to Count Dracula this morning, war might break out soon."

"Another war?"

"In my opinion, we Saluzzo should never have meddled in the Two Sicilies Wolf Race’s affairs, staying safe in Piedmont would’ve been good enough. Now look at this mess, the Two Sicilies wolves move north, occupying the Milan Region, Liguria Region, and what did we gain from it? Piedmont is originally our territory!"

"What can be done, refusing the demands of the Two Sicilies wolves, the Frankish Holy Knight Order would’ve put us on trial long ago. Back then, news of the French conspiring with the Habsburg Family to split Lombardy and Piedmont was rampant."

"Will we, as former allies of the Basilicata Family, be affected by the Yakxi Family’s massive loss this time?"

"Probably not, Master Fiore... we lost him too..."

The wolves whispered among themselves.

They deliberately lowered their voices, typical in their behavior, yet for someone like Losa openly eavesdropping, they’d often let it slide, never discussing truly important matters in public places.

Losa idly listened while silently awaiting his target, this ’Ilona Tavern’ being the largest and most bustling tavern of Saluzzo, specifically welcoming family members.

Compared to last time in Saluzzo, the ’Fist and Babe’ Tavern he awakened in, just the name hints at its inferior quality.

It’s also supposedly one of the places Valentina frequents, according to Chelina.

Uncertain if Valentina might appear tonight.

Yet even if she did, what would he say to approach her?

Elmer teased, "Stop staring, come have a drink. Miss Valentine won’t be here tonight."

"How do you know?"

Elmer shrugged, "Every time you come here, you’re constantly eyeing the entrance—I initially assumed you had a fondness for Miss Chelina, but it’s evident she won’t be appearing, leading me to believe the person you’re waiting for is most likely Miss Valentine."

Losa couldn’t help but laugh, "Can’t I like both?"

"You like both?"

An icy voice suddenly sounded behind Losa.