Directing in the Ark, Success if Not Banned

Mephisto: "We have Madam Sicily's token, which is enough to prove all of this."

"Furthermore, Director Chen Qi said that if you agree to star in our movie, he will offer you a reason you can't refuse."

Alberto: "...What is it?"

After seeing the necklace Mephisto presented, Alberto confirmed it was Madam Sicily's token. His arrogance immediately deflated by more than half. While this wasn't enough to make him agree to act, it undoubtedly gave him a new understanding of the current influence of Chen Qi's film crew.

As for the reason he couldn't refuse... he was very curious about what it could be.

However, after a moment of silence, Mephisto uttered a name word by word:

"Lappland."

Indeed, Mephisto's statement immediately cast a hush over the entire scene. Seeing that this tactic was effective, Mephisto quickly added:

"Director Chen Qi said he knows Lappland and where she is. He has now invited Lappland's close friend, Texas, to star in our movie. He believes that once Texas arrives, Lappland will surely come too."

"She is your daughter, isn't she? I believe you must be very eager to see her."

"—She is merely a traitor to the family. The moment she became a traitor, she severed all ties with the family."

Upon hearing this, Alberto let out a cold snort. However, it was clear that the name had deeply affected him. After careful consideration, Alberto turned his back and said indifferently:

"I will not star in a movie for that person. As the head of the family, I cannot act on impulse."

"—This time, I am merely investing in a movie that is guaranteed to succeed for the sake of the family's interests. It will bring our family some insignificant profit, do you understand?"

"I understand." Mephisto smiled faintly upon hearing this. Just as Director Chen Qi had said... he was an tsundere old father.

"I will convey your answer back to Director Chen Qi."

"I will remember this too. Your film crew's public relations department is actually filled with such capable people." Alberto felt a sense of awe. He never expected to be cornered like this, and by someone who looked no older than a teenager.

"Child, you're an Infected, aren't you? How long have you been working in your film crew's public relations department?"

Mephisto: "Not long. As of today, just half an hour. I'm just a temporary employee in the temporary public relations department."

"..."

Meanwhile, it wasn't just within the Saluzzo Family. The Integrated Opera Troupe had been dispatched by Chen Qi to invite members of the twelve families to take on roles, including those Chen Qi had specifically requested.

At the Bellone Family, the patriarch Bernardo was somewhat surprised by his visitors. He was a great lover of the arts, and Volcini's Milan Theater was one of his properties. Therefore, when he first saw the character "Vito Don Corleone" in the script for "The Godfather," he immediately felt deeply touched.

This role was practically a reflection of his own life, as if it were tailor-made for him. It was precisely because of this that during the Grey Hall meeting, Bernardo had a minor disagreement with Madam Sicily over the protagonist of this role.

Now, people from Chen Qi's crew had visited the Bellone Family and presented their invitation list, bringing renewed joy to the patriarch who had lost out on the lead role he so admired.

"Are you saying my son (Si Ye) can take on a role in this production? And an important supporting role?"

"Yes, the role of the Godfather's eldest son, 'Sonny.' Our director believes it's perfect for your son."

FrostNova, accompanied by Patriot, had arrived here to discuss matters with the Bellone Family. The guards of the Bellone Family were startled when this father and daughter duo arrived, immediately aiming dozens of firearms at them.

Fortunately, the news brought by FrostNova and Patriot greatly pleased the patriarch. He had regretted not being able to star in what might become "Syracuse's greatest mafia film," and he was overjoyed that his son had been chosen.

"Not only your son, but also the city judge supported by your family, that judge named Lavinia (Chastisement). Director Chen Qi said she is very suitable for another main role, the strategist 'Tom.'"

"Would the Bellone patriarch be willing to lend us both for the filming? Of course, if you are concerned, you can dispatch your own people to protect them and supervise the filming progress."

Bernardo: "Of course! I'll have them go to the crew immediately. It is our honor to be able to participate in this greatest mafia film!"

Soon, Chen Qi's casting from the twelve families was proceeding in full swing. In just one day, using his memories and experience from his past life, Chen Qi had summoned almost everyone of influence in Syracuse to the film set, all for the sake of shooting this magnificent work that spanned worlds!

And as a day passed, the long-awaited members of Penguin Logistics, whom Chen Qi and the others had been eagerly anticipating, had also arrived in Syracuse after a long journey, making their way to Chen Qi's film set...

"Oh—is this your hometown, Texas? It looks nice!"

Texas: "...My hometown is in Columbia. This can only be considered the hometown of my former family, Exusiai."

The Penguin Logistics group, who had just disembarked from Penguin Logistics' landship, stopped directly at the outskirts where the film crew was located. Before Texas and the others could take in more of the changes around them, The Emperor impatiently strode towards the film crew, exclaiming:

"What are you all waiting for?! Let's go see that kid Chen Qi! I've been staring at that sheet music for a whole day, and I already know how to sing it!"

"We can't let anyone else get there first, let's hurry!"

The Emperor felt completely possessed. The more he savored the song "In the Name of the Father," the more he felt that the person who wrote it was a true genius. Before this, no one had ever thought of conveying a story through a song.

Especially when The Emperor heard from Executioner that the "The Godfather" Chen Qi was filming this time was a mafia-themed film, he insisted on singing this song himself!

A movie worthy of this song definitely wouldn't be bad! Even if it was bad, he, The Emperor, could carry the entire film with just a music video!

"Boss! Wait for us!"

Although The Emperor had the appearance of a penguin, he ran faster than the four Penguin Logistics girls. After everyone else had left, from the trunk of the landship parked nearby, a silver-white figure crawled out.

"Heh heh, this is quite interesting... I didn't expect Texas to return to Syracuse specifically for a movie..."

"Although I have no interest in that guy's movie, if Texas is participating..."

The silver-haired Lupo girl smiled slightly at this thought. She had returned to Syracuse after a long absence and initially wanted to eagerly meet some "old friends," but it didn't seem like the right time now.

"It's fine, I'll go take a look first. If it's a movie Texas is in, then I'll reluctantly give that young director a five-star review, hehe."

As she said this, after some hesitation, she suddenly spotted a surprisingly familiar figure—it was the head of the Saluzzo Family, who had been invited to star in Chen Qi's movie yesterday.

"...Why is he here? Didn't he always claim to be uninterested in movies and art?"

Lappland hadn't expected to meet her father here. However, her father's presence caused Lappland's smile to widen.

Now, she had to take back her earlier words. This movie might actually be surprisingly interesting.

Perhaps she could visit that director herself? See if she could get a role... preferably one where she could personally "kill" her own father.

Lappland smiled like this, then quietly infiltrated the film crew. She needed to keep up with Texas and the others to see what was so magical about this movie that it could attract so many powerful and influential figures from Siracusa.

Chapter 5: "The Godfather" - Act I, Getting Into Character Unknowingly

"Is this where they're filming 'The Godfather'? It's so luxurious! Director Chen Qi can afford such a huge venue?"

Led by Executioner, the Penguin Logistics group arrived at the location where Chen Qi was currently filming. It was a rather large manor. As soon as they entered, they noticed many cars parked at the entrance and many Lupo in suits gathered inside.

The sheer number of Lupo in the manor made the girls of Penguin Logistics, except for Texas, feel out of place. Sora, who had the lowest combat power in the group, timidly said, "There are so many people... are they all from the Mafia? What are they all gathered here for?"

"It looks like they're attending a wedding?" Texas, as a former member of a family, quickly assessed the situation. She calmly stated, "The decorations and everyone's attire clearly indicate that the daughter of a family head is getting married. It's a very standard Siracusan wedding."

"Really? Although there's less white lace design, there are many floral decorations."

Texas's explanation made everyone in Penguin Logistics understand the scene. Croissant found it strange and couldn't help but ask, "But why would Director Chen Qi come here? This doesn't seem like a place to film."

"Perhaps Director Chen Qi was invited to attend the wedding." Texas didn't find it strange. As a former family member, she knew that family weddings were often just a formality. Besides those truly enjoying the celebration, most were there to ask for favors.

"Siracusans don't refuse any requests on their daughter's wedding day—that's the Siracusan custom. Director Chen Qi is here either as an invited guest, as many people I know from the families like to have dealings with artists."

"Or... he's here to entrust someone from a family with a task. It's a shame I haven't been back to Siracusa in so long, so I'm not sure which family's territory this is."

"As expected of Texas..."

Texas's words sent a shiver down the spines of everyone in Penguin Logistics. Despite the harmonious atmosphere of the wedding, hearing Texas's explanation made the wedding feel devoid of joy, replaced by a sense of covering up darkness...

"...We shouldn't linger. Someone might recognize us. Let's hurry and find Director Chen Qi." Texas said calmly, leading the way after Executioner. The others quickly followed.

As Sora cautiously followed at the very end, still trembling, she overheard a Mafia member muttering to himself nearby:

"Twenty to thirty thousand in cash... filling that small velvet money bag."

"If this were anyone else's wedding... they'd be out of luck."

However, these mutterings fell into Sora's ears, who was actually a Cater. She instinctively turned her head, only to see the gloomy eyes of the Mafia member greedily staring at the gift money bag the bride was receiving.

In that instant, Sora felt she completely understood the ruthlessness and cruelty of the Mafia. If it were truly as that person said, and not a Mafia family wedding, what kind of tragedy would have occurred?!

Sora dared not think about it, lowering her head as she followed behind everyone. What she didn't notice was that the air beside her seemed to flicker unnaturally as she passed.

"This is it." Executioner led the group to a room on the second floor of the manor. Along the way, everyone in Penguin Logistics had sensed that this was likely the home of this unnamed family head.

This was because they saw many children running and playing, and on the other side, many women were cooking food for the wedding. They looked happy and harmonious, with both young and old, giving off a strong sense of family.

As Executioner brought them to the door of this room, she naturally stepped aside. Exusiai, with her cheerful personality, was about to knock when Texas grabbed her hand.

"Shh, someone's talking inside." Texas made a shushing gesture, signaling everyone to be quiet, and whispered, "This should be the office of this family's head. Someone is inside asking for help, don't disturb them."

"Can I listen to what they're saying?" Exusiai, always curious about the mysterious Mafia, asked softly. Upon hearing this, Croissant and Sora wore similar expressions.

Texas didn't speak, clearly giving her tacit approval. The three women then carefully pressed their ears to the door. This time, even The Emperor, whom Croissant was holding and who had been eager to see Chen Qi, fell silent, as if sensing something.

Soon, they heard voices from inside, the voice of someone seeking help.

However, the first sentence from the person inside made Texas, a former Mafia family member, frown deeply.

"I trust Columbia."

"Columbia helped me prosper. I raised my daughter according to Columbia's customs, giving her freedom but also teaching her never to bring shame upon the family."

"She got a boyfriend who isn't Siracusan. She went to the movies with him and came home late. I didn't object."

"—Is this really a plea for help? It sounds like a friend chatting about everyday life." Exusiai, after hearing the words from inside, couldn't help but look up and say softly to everyone, "But wait, isn't this Siracusa? Why are they talking about Columbia inside?"

Texas: "When Columbia first gained independence, many Siracusans went to Columbia to participate in the pioneering efforts. So, in many places in Columbia, there are traces of Siracusan families."

"I suspect the gentleman inside is one of those pioneers. His Columbian accent has a strong Siracusan flavor."

Texas's voice was light and detached. After all, she was young when her family was destroyed, and she spent her childhood in Siracusa. Compared to Columbia, she felt more of a connection to Siracusa as her homeland.

Therefore, Texas felt a bit disdainful towards people like the gentleman inside who had forgotten their homeland. She also knew that it would be difficult for this gentleman to gain the support of the family head.

However... Texas also felt something was amiss. Why would someone from Columbia travel all the way back to Siracusa to seek help from a local family? Doesn't Columbia have many families too?

Despite finding it strange, Texas remained silent and just listened. Soon, the voice of the petitioner came from inside. The person's voice seemed to become somewhat sad and angry:

"Two months ago, he and another boy took her for a drive. They tricked her into drinking whiskey and tried to take advantage of her."

"She resisted and preserved her chastity."

"But they beat her like livestock."

As the petitioner spoke, his voice began to tremble with anger. At this moment, the four women from Penguin Logistics outside could feel the suppressed rage emanating from this father.

"I rushed to the hospital, her nose was already broken—her jaw had a comminuted fracture and needed to be wired shut."

"She couldn't even cry because of the pain..."

"But I cried. Why did I cry... She was my precious daughter, so beautiful, but she'll never be beautiful again..."

Soon, the father's sobbing could be heard from the room, making everyone outside the door feel a pang of sympathy. They couldn't help but purse their lips.

"How tragic... that girl is so pitiful."

Hearing this, Sora couldn't help but speak up. Croissant and Exusiai both nodded. The three kind girls couldn't even imagine such a scene.

"If I ever see that bastard, I'll use my firearms to make sure he can never be a man again!" Exusiai, who believed in Laterano's teachings, had a strong desire for destruction, but when it came to justice, she was the strongest among the four members of Penguin Logistics. She said indignantly at that moment.

"So, this person came to ask the head of this family for help, to teach those two punks a lesson?" Croissant had roughly guessed the other party's intention.

"I'd definitely do this kind of thing even if I wasn't paid!" Exusiai chimed in earnestly, but Sora vaguely felt something was off. She subconsciously turned to look at the silent Texas and asked:

"Texas, do you think... this family head will help?"

Texas: "...I don't know. Normally, Syracusans wouldn't refuse anyone's request on this day."

"That's good." Sora breathed a sigh of relief. However, Texas couldn't bear to shatter her companions' illusions. She knew that the person seeking help would likely be kicked out—that's what would have happened in her former family.

But, there was still a glimmer of hope... Texas could only pray that the gentleman inside wouldn't say the wrong thing. Perhaps then, the family head, seeing that he didn't understand the rules, would generously help.

Soon, voices came from the room again, but the father's next words made Texas's prayer fall through.

"I, I reported it to the police, like a law-abiding Columbian."

"The two boys were sent to court for trial."

"...It's hopeless."

At this moment, even Texas couldn't help but sigh, feeling helpless for the gentleman inside who didn't understand the rules. Her sigh caused the other three companions to turn and ask:

"Hopeless? Why?"