"What did you just say?"
After hearing Hugh's words, Texas's pupils shrank slightly, and the question slipped from her lips almost subconsciously.
She knew the identity of the man in front of her. "Harbinger of Destruction"—that's what they called him here in Siracusa these days. Because he'd always appear beforehand, visiting the organizations or families the Wolf Hunter intended to target, announcing in advance the destruction soon to follow—that was, the Wolf Hunter's visitation.
Besides this, Texas also knew he was the founder of a rising company from the City, T Corp. In the hierarchy of the Thumb, his position wasn't too different from her own.
But right now… the words Hugh spoke made Texas particularly uneasy.
Yet Hugh just waved his hand casually, replying with composure:
"Before finding the true 'Wolf,' the Wolf Hunter will systematically visit every family currently active. But because of her wolf-hunting instinct, even after confirming the true Wolf isn't in a certain family, she'll still initiate a massacre."
"…Such a rule actually exists?"
Texas fell silent for a moment after hearing this, gaze drifting elsewhere, brows tightly furrowed, as if deep in thought.
As for Hugh, he couldn't be bothered dealing further with Texas's current state, merely glancing elsewhere and immersing himself in his own thoughts.
At this moment, Kali and Da'at were chatting idly in another room, leisurely sampling Siracusan cuisine. Every now and then, Da'at would feed Kali a bite or two, continuing to grind a favorability score that had long since maxed out.
Thinking of how leisurely those two were, Hugh couldn't help but sigh quietly.
Even though we're all "Obsidian"… some have to slave away overtime until death, while others get to relax and take it easy…
Feels just like being a mecha pilot.
Inwardly poking fun at himself without realizing it, Hugh raised his head to look back at Texas. Coincidentally, at the same moment, Texas turned toward Hugh again and asked seriously:
"So… you mean if we want to avoid further bloodshed, all we have to do is locate the true 'Wolf' and lead the Wolf Hunter there, and the problem would resolve itself?"
"If she finds her true prey, it's highly unlikely the Wolf Hunter would bother with the rest of you."
Hugh explained calmly, a faint smile on his lips. Texas lowered her head again, seemingly lost deep in thought.
Actually, as the Thumb's boss, due to her experiences in the City, Texas had gradually grown detached from much of her past.
Only upon returning to Siracusa did she discover just how much of her real heart no longer lingered here… instead, her mind was filled mostly with matters relating to the City.
Her life was mostly left back there now. This return to Siracusa was merely to settle those past issues once and for all, enabling her to commit fully to her life in the City.
Yet… what she hadn't anticipated was that besides those past matters she'd already planned for, her visit to Siracusa would also involve another calamity—the crisis of the Wolf Hunter.
And now, upon learning the Wolf Hunter's rules of engagement, Texas felt certain ideas faintly rising within her heart… thoughts about how to resolve this crisis brought by the Wolf Hunter.
Based on the situation of the already-annihilated families and what she'd learned from Hugh about the Rossatis, Texas assessed that facing the Wolf Hunter head-on would not be an easy task.
Frankly, it seemed almost hopeless—even counting the Thumb, it would be exceedingly difficult.
Therefore, after some careful thought, Texas finally made her decision:
Since facing it directly won't work… then let's find another way. We'll track down that Wolf. The 'Wolf' the Hunter is truly after.
"Whew… Regarding that Wolf, how much do you know?"
Thus, exhaling softly, Texas asked Hugh this. After a short pause, Hugh calmly answered:
"The Saluzzo family."
At hearing this name, Texas's pupils contracted slightly.
The Saluzzo family…
This was a name Texas knew all too well. She was keenly aware that much of her complicated past would eventually conclude with the Saluzzo family.
Thus, after briefly sorting through her thoughts, Texas lifted her head again.
In just this brief interval, she had reviewed her goals upon returning to Siracusa once more. And now, there was something extra added on.
Since most of her past had gradually become things she could let go… what remained to resolve on one hand was Lappland.
After settling matters concerning Lappland, she would sever her lingering ties with the Siracusan families… from this angle, she would then just need to deal with Zaaro.
That was, the Bellone family.
Finally, there was the issue with the Wolf Hunter. Texas needed to find a way to handle this crisis—or at least ensure her own safety amid the chaos.
In short, the remaining issues involved were the Bellone family, the Saluzzo family, and the Wolf Hunter, whose status remained unclear…
Quietly planning everything out in her mind, Texas exhaled deeply.
Only after reaffirming this did she raise her head once more, returning her gaze to Hugh, waiting patiently for him to elaborate further.
"Recently, the Saluzzo family has been behaving strangely. For example, extremely unnatural actions and sudden aggression… According to current speculation, even if the true 'Wolf' isn't there, it's still influencing them somehow."
Hugh spoke casually. At the same time, Texas shut her eyes, again seemingly lost in contemplation.
"By the way…"
Suddenly, Hugh spoke softly again, pointing a finger casually outside, asking quietly:
"That sentry hiding in the shadows outside… was she arranged by you?"
Sentry?
In an instant, a slight look of surprise crossed Texas's face as she turned towards the direction Hugh indicated. Just then, from that direction came the faint rustle of movement. Immediately afterward, Texas caught sight of a flash of white fur—and in that same instant, Lappland crashed through the window, appearing directly inside the room…
At that moment, acting almost purely from reflexive instinct developed in the City, Texas swiftly drew her gun. Hugh, meanwhile, merely let out a gentle sigh.
Looks like it's time to call Kali over…
Hugh quietly thought to himself.