The Families' Banquet

Even so, she underestimated Maria's keen perception.

She had only been there a short time when Maria revealed her existence.

This made her extremely embarrassed.

"Don't be so nervous... I don't mind these things."

Maria shook her head, but her words reassured the other person considerably.

Maria didn't really care whether she was being watched or not.

As long as the other party is mindful of boundaries, it's fine.

She was actually quite curious about what she had done when the Queen of the Banshee Court revealed her identity, that would make the other party so wary.

According to others, in the Gray Hall, Madam Sicily was the mastermind behind the plan, while Father Agniel was the weapon that suppressed everything.

Judging from this, the opponent's combat strength is probably not low.

But how could someone like that be afraid of himself?

While in terms of sheer strength, I might indeed be stronger than everyone else in this world combined, for those unaware of the true nature of the situation, the method of comparison still involves something.

What extraordinary thing did she do to make the other party so wary of her?

Even after I stated that I wouldn't do anything, the other party still risked sending people to monitor me...

While Maria was pondering, the Sankta woman let out a long sigh.

It's best that Maria isn't angry.

After all, she also took into account the capabilities that both sides were currently demonstrating.

Clearly, given her skill level, it would be virtually impossible for her to monitor the other party without being detected.

Being frank can actually create more opportunities for yourself.

And that is indeed the case.

If she had continued to hide, she might have really angered Maria.

But after she directly explained her origins and purpose, Maria accepted her without hesitation...

This matter has indeed become much easier.

Of course, Maria's generosity was not entirely unconditional.

She had some questions she wanted to ask the girl.

She looked at the relaxed Sankta girl and asked again.

"How's the situation in the Gray Hall?"

"Um?"

"You should be aware of the family's actions, right? How are the preparations going?"

Maria had learned from Salvadore that the family was preparing to take action against the Gray Hall.

Their operations were repeatedly thwarted simply because Laterano was not cooperative.

However, it is foreseeable that the family will not give up so easily.

These families, controlled by Wolf Pack, naturally possess wolf-like characteristics.

They will absolutely not submit to Madam Sicily's command.

The Wolf Lord that Maria encountered during the day at the Bellone Family was ultimately just an exception.

Moreover, Maria's own strength also played a crucial role in this.

Madam Sicily... certainly did not have that ability.

They will definitely retaliate.

The question is, how well prepared is the Gray Hall?

Are they capable of suppressing the family's madness?

Should I... take action?

She was very concerned about this.

Chapter 220 The Family Banquet

"The Gray Hall is prepared, but not yet fully ready."

After a moment of silence, the Sankta woman raised her head, faced Maria, and uttered a mumbled sentence.

But then, as Maria waited for the other person to say something more, she shut her mouth.

"I'm sorry, but you've become a bit too close to the family. While I personally want to believe you have no connection to the family, I can't tell you even the slightest risk."

Sankta women may seem carefree, but they are actually very thoughtful.

She only agreed to tell Maria that she was spying on them because she knew that whether she told her or not, the outcome would be pretty much the same.

The worst outcome is that you will only be affected.

But the question Maria is now asking concerns the family's and Gray Hall's most important strategic plans at present.

Even if she had a big heart, she wouldn't dare to spit it out so easily.

Even if Maria were to turn against herself because of this, the outcome would be the same!

Go ahead and hit me, I won't say a word!

"... I see."

Seeing the Sankta girl's state, Maria knew that continuing to ask would be pointless.

It's not worth ruining a relationship over a few pieces of information.

So she simply nodded and then turned her head away.

"Then let's change the subject... How much do you know about the family's arrangements?"

"Family?"

The Sankta girl was taken aback when Maria asked the question.

However, as long as Maria doesn't ask about the Gray Hall's arrangements, everything is fine.

"As for the family, from what I understand, they might not be entirely peaceful..."

The woman touched her lips with her slender, pale fingers, pondered for a moment, and then spoke again.

"They initially wanted to communicate with Laterano in an attempt to expel us, but the Pope refused. However, they don't seem to have given up on this idea."

"They are still preparing to drive us out of Siracusa. In recent days, we have encountered many places that have shown obvious hostility towards us Sankta."

"We've discovered that there's a strange, hostile atmosphere towards the Laterano people brewing in Siracusa."

"Our current assessment is that the family intends to provoke a war between Siracusa and Laterano, and then expel us from the country through diplomatic means."

At this point, the woman's brows furrowed.

This idea is obviously crazy, but it could indeed achieve the family's goals.

It's important to understand that while Laterano possesses formidable military strength, it never initiates wars. Therefore, even if Siracusa and Laterano go to war, the Laterano are highly unlikely to launch an attack.

Instead, they will proactively evacuate Laterano citizens.

Although those present could see that it was all a family conspiracy, the Laterano people would not refuse the orders of their nation.

This would be an extremely bad situation for Madam Sicily.

Although the Gray Hall has been working hard to recruit other non- Laterano citizens into the Inquisitors in recent years, it is still unlikely that the power they have accumulated will be enough to fight against the entire Siracusa Twelve families.

Therefore, during this period they have been trying their best to avoid taking the initiative and not give the other side an excuse to start a war.

However, this situation cannot continue indefinitely.

Therefore, relatively speaking, their situation is passive.

The only saving grace was that the Laterano stereotypes actually helped them at this time.

Although women are not very willing to accept the old-fashioned image of a serious, honest, and rigid person who is like an elementary school teacher in the public's impression.

However, it must be said that this kind of image does have a market among the general public.

After all, many people have become accustomed to the Sankta from the Laterano Notary Office adjudicating various matters for them.

But... people always change.

God knows how long this situation can last.

Thinking of this, the Sankta woman couldn't help but sigh.

Meanwhile, Maria's eyes narrowed sharply.

Where is the Wolf Lord?

"Um?!"

The Sankta woman was taken aback for a moment, but then she realized what was happening.

Someone who is valued by Father Agniel would naturally know about the wondrous existence of the Beast Lords.

Maria's question wasn't just something she said offhand.

But...

"We don't know," the Sankta woman shrugged, her face showing helplessness.

"We don't know where those Wolf Lords are, or what they want to do... Even if we did know, we wouldn't know how to deal with them."

This is also where their predicament lies.

They certainly knew that the Wolf Lord stood behind the family... To be honest, when they first arrived, none of them were very confident.

After all, no one knew how Father Agniel planned to deal with those ancient beings.

But in the end, they miraculously managed to gain a foothold in Siracusa...

Even today, many people find it hard to imagine how they got through it back then.

They had no idea what Father Agniel and the Madam Sicily had said to the Wolf Lord that kept them from getting involved in these matters.

But... one thing is certain: the situation where the Wolf Lord didn't participate is a thing of the past.

This time, the battle that will definitively determine whether Siracusa is controlled by the Gray Hall or by the family will definitely see the Wolf Lord intervene!

At that point, it will be really hard to say who will win and who will lose.

"..."

Maria didn't speak, but simply sat silently in her seat, her brow slightly furrowed.

Wolf Lord...

As night falls, the moon gradually rises.

Siracusa is destined for an unavoidable night.

As time passed, Maria's figure gradually appeared before some people, some of whom only knew that a strange fellow had appeared in the territory of the Bellone Family.

Those who know his true identity...

I'm already drenched in sweat.

And at that very moment...

Inside the Saluzzo Family estate.

The bright hall had been carefully decorated, and the younger members of the family were happily socializing, completely oblivious to the future of Siracusa.

Meanwhile, the elderly people who were actually making the decisions were on the second floor, having a meal and chatting slowly.

"Saluzzo... your foie gras is as awful as ever."

Salvadore sat at the center of the round table, lightly wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

Although he said some harsh things, in reality, he ate the cleanest food on his plate.