Symbol

Group 2 (Anya and Esme)

Unlike Group 1, Anya and Esme did not exchange a single word until they reached the camp. Suddenly Anya stopped, looking distressed.

Esme: "Did something happen, Anya?"

Anya: "This place… it gives me a very bad feeling…"

Esme glanced at the nearby encampment but felt nothing unsettling.

Esme: "Really?"

Anya (serious): "Yes, so be careful. I feel something is wrong around here."

Esme: "Alright!"

They approached the camp entrance and were met by a merman guard in a military uniform bearing a strange smiling emblem.

Guard: "Who are you? And what brings you here?"

Esme stepped forward while Anya studied the emblem, trying to place it.

Esme: "We're from the navy. We've come because of the conflict here."

Guard: "Hmmm… Ah! You must be the ones the boss asked for! Follow me—he wants to see you!"

They followed the guard down a dusty path, whispering as they went.

Esme: "What were you staring at?"

Anya: "That emblem on his uniform… doesn't it look familiar?"

Esme: "I only caught a glimpse, so I can't tell."

Anya: "Never mind. Let's focus on meeting the boss."

Soon they reached a large tent.

Guard: "Here we are. The boss is waiting for you."

Esme: "Thanks for the escort."

Guard: "Just doing my job."

Inside the Tent

Fourteen mermen sat around a round table discussing guerrilla tactics—until the guard announced their arrival.

Guard Martin: "Boss!"

A towering man—nearly four meters tall, light-brown skin, bald, with a majestic mustache hiding part of his tusks—rose to greet them. His uniform also bore the smiling emblem.

Leôncio: "What is it, Martin?"

Guard Martin: "The navy has finally arrived, sir."

Leôncio turned to Anya and Esme.

Leôncio: "Only two of you? You must be the reconnaissance team."

Anya: "Correct. I'm Anya, and this is my partner, Esme."

Leôncio: "A pleasure. I'm the camp leader—Leôncio Walrus."

Anya: "Mr. Walrus, may I ask you a few questions?"

Leôncio: "Of course. Would you like to know how the war began?"

Anya: "Yes, but first I have a different question."

Leôncio: "Go ahead."

Anya pointed at his chest.

Anya: "What does this symbol mean?"

Leôncio retrieved a cloth from the table and tossed it to her.

Leôncio: "This?"

Anya unfolded it to reveal a larger, more detailed version of the crossed-out smiling face.

Leôncio: "That was the city's flag. Does that answer your question?"

Anya: "Yes…"

(That symbol… I know I've seen it before… but where?)

Seeing Anya's intense focus, Esme pressed on.

Esme: "Since you've answered her question, I have one too."

Leôncio: "Go ahead."

Esme: "I want the whole story—from how you built the city to how the war started."

Leôncio: "Very well."

Leôncio's Account

Leôncio: "Since you want the beginning, let's start there. The idea for the city came from me and two of my best friends:

– myself, leader of the mermen;

– Paul, leader of the skypians;

– and Nobunaga, our mediator.

We built the city to fight the discrimination and slavery our peoples endured."

At the word "slavery," something clicked in Anya's mind and she drifted into a brief flashback.

Esme: "I see. But when did it all fall apart?"

Leôncio: "A few months ago. Nobunaga changed—he favored Paul, and then they tried to kill me. But I suspected it. On the day they attacked, my soldiers and I cut them down. That's how the war began."

As Leôncio finished, Anya turned to Esme.

Anya: "I remember where I saw that symbol."

Esme: "Really? Where?"

Anya drew her Romphaias and leveled them at Leôncio.

Anya: "In Vice Admiral Tsuru's special class on the underworld."

Esme dropped into a fighting stance—this time not her usual Peek‑A‑Boo style, but ready for combat.

Leôncio, confused at first, recognized the name Tsuru.

Leôncio: "That old hag! Always meddling in our affairs! Men—kill them!"

At his command, the mermen abandoned their discussion and charged at the two officers.

To Be Continued…