Evan and Claris did arrive late to their own meeting. No one was angry though, as they all stared at them with huge smiles on their faces once they entered the Tiamat’s meeting room. Hikaru was the only one who received them with a serious expression on her face. Sitting by a long rectangular table was Ashura at the head, Touta to the right of the opposing chair to Ashura, Yuki next to the chair across from Touta and Hikaru next to him.

“Sorry we’re late, it’s been a complicated morning.” Evan explained in his native tongue, all serious. Claris on his end also kept a calm, serious composure. On the inside he might’ve been overthinking his “heat” problem but outside he kept it cool. “Claris, you;ve met Her Royal Highness Ashura as well as Touta and HIkaru. The blond kid is my quarter master Yuki Kirishima.”

“I encountered Rikiya on my way here, we understand your tardiness.” Yuki added. The blond gave them thumbs up, causing Evan to roll his eyes and Claris to chew on his cheek nervously. He then slid the crystallum over the meeting table to Claris, who took it and asked Evan what it was. The captain told him to drive magic through it and he’d find out. Once Claris did, a green screen appeared in front of him. “Nemo’s still sleeping for now, yesterday was exhausting for him. I think it’s okay if we ask him of his captors now, he’s a tough guy… I don’t even think he has trauma.”

“We don’t think he can have trauma if slavery is all he’s known.” Evan explained. Claris was awed at how the crystal translated for them, he’d never seen anything like it. “Claris explained to me that Nemo isn’t a name, it’s a type of slave.”

“One bred and born into slavery.” Claris finished for him, the words he’d said appearing on the back of his screen translated into Akakawan. “Your new friend shouldn’t have even been able to know the difference between his condition and freedom. If he speaks of his captors, we could be putting down some of the cruelest kind of slave traders on this side of our world.”

“Nemo…” Yuki looked pained, he even pressed his hand against his chest. “Did you find any clues as to who’s responsible for this?”

Claris huffed, surprised by the change in mood in the room. One second he was amongst civil people, the next he was surrounded by vicious, bloodthirsty hunters. Just like being amongst werebreeds during hunting season.

“Ryuusei, that’s the name we got. Sounds Akakawan, I’m thinking the founders must be a small group that branched off and cut ties with the pirate lords that existed during our last war.” Evan explained.

“Their presenter seemed to have come from your lands as well. And uh, Evan named the creature on their banner, which also indicates they’re not from these waters given there’s no creature like it on Iris.” Claris continued. “We could patrol their exit route out of their current location, make sure they don’t leave without us knowing… but the thing is I’d like to make sure we get their logs. With it we can dismantle their whole operation even outside Sea Lands territory.”

“As long as we get Nemo’s keeper to tear to pieces, you can count on us doing whatever you need us to.” Ashura replied, a macabre grin plastered on her face, a dangerous glint in her dark eyes. “If they’re docked, getting on their ship shouldn’t be an issue, correct?”

“Not exactly, they’re anchored at No Man’s Land. Normally I wouldn’t have problem getting inside a ship, the problem lies in getting out of No Man’s Land alive with the logs intact.” Claris explained. “I can swim my way out but there’s weresharks and were-eels guarding the bay our target ship’s anchored at. If they realize I’ve got something on me that’s enchanted to stay dry… they’ll figure a counter spell to damage it, or one of them will before I finish eating them.”

The room stayed quiet for a small while before Evan cleared his throat.

“He’s a were. He ate people last night, that’s why he was drenched in blood.”

“What kind of were are you?” Hikaru asked, leaning into the table.

“I’m an Azure Archangel.” Claris replied.

Touta was the one to choke in surprise.

“Rulers of the Sea, Guardians of the Ocean.” Touta said out loud. “You’re dating royalty, Captain?”

“…yes. How do you know that?” Evan asked being weirded out by his First Mate’s random bit of knowledge. “Not relevant right now. We’ve got to get our hands on those logs, preferably before next week.”

“Did you leave a good impression or did His Highness eat the pirates publicly?” Touta asked, tapping his fingers on the table.

“They were following us after we left the meeting place, had to eat them. We got a card from the presenter, he seemed like he’d have no issue with having me back.” Claris explained, producing said card from his pocket and placing it on the table.

“Before I met Evan, I used to deal with pirates all the time. What they gave you is a VIP invitation.” Touta explained. He took the card and fiddled with it in his fingers. The card changed color and white words appeared on it. “Must’ve left a good impression, that’s your in to their ship.”

Claris took the card from Touta and read the white words on it. He immediately felt disgusted, passing the card to Evan.

“They’re auctioning their top-bred Nemos…” Evan mumbled, rage boiling up inside him. “This will happen in five days. It’s too much time to wait.”

“Five days is okay. I’ll rally up my Sin Hunters to help us, in the meantime we can ask Byul and Nemo if they remember anything that can help us.”

“If the Ryuusei are Akakawan, I can assure you those two were high on Rose Blood the whole time they were on the ship. Traders don’t like to sell them high, so they give them an antidote to get the mist out of their eyes. If they confirm that, you got yourselves something else to worry about on that ship. If they suspect you, if they so much as think you’re not there for their slaves, they’ll make you smell something nice and after that, no one will ever see you again IF you’re lucky.” Touta further explained. “It is imperative that in that situation you carry the antidote with you and you pretend to be influenced by the drug. They’ll lock you up while the auction is done with and you’ll take that time to escape.”

“All that’s left is talk to our guests.” Evan continued.

“I’ll go talk to Byul.” Claris announced. “Maybe I can also figure out where Nemo’s lineage is really from. Perhaps Yuki can tag along?”

“Of course, Your Highness.” Yuki rose from his chair and looked at Evan for approval.

“We’ll pause the pirate conversation until you two return. Hikaru should tag along with you as well. In the mean time, Ashura, Touta and I will discuss other matters.” Evan allowed, Hikaru getting up and asking both Claris and Yuki to follow her.

Once the three of them had left the room. Evan sat on his chair, across from Ashura, and leaned back on it, throwing his head back and making an exasperated sound.

“You sound about as frustrated as when we couldn’t get Cheoljuk to back off the Hebi pass.” Ashura crossed her arms and looked at Evan with a sympathetic smile.

“I have no idea if what we’re doing is okay or if it’s too fast. You took your time with Tokiri, I just don’t want him to think he’s a fling. I don’t want him to be.” Evan explained, not changing his position. “He says it’s okay, I tell myself it’s okay… but what if it’s not? What if we end up in bed and he gets the wrong idea?”

“Cap, I married my wife a week after we met. To this day I love her with all my heart and soul, and she loves me. Sometimes the love of our lives appears before us and we just know it. It may seem like going too fast but in the end, if it was meant to be, all the preamble won’t matter. You like your royal fish boy, right?” Touta spoke up, shaking his head amused by his captain’s situation.

“He’s Thirteenth Prince of Luna… and yes. I really do. Terrifyingly so.” Evan admitted, straightening up on his chair.

“Just let it happen. Fast, slow, it won’t matter if you two like each other the same way.” Touta gave him a shoulder squeeze for reassurance. “You can kill men without batting an eye, I’m sure you can let yourself like someone without having to worry so much about it.”

“Let this be the last time we see you so frustrated over this “too fast” issue okay? We’re all convinced it is not a problem, this time at least.” Ashura stepped in. “Now, let us give you the summary of the new amazing trade agreement Touta and I signed yesterday with June Ocean! Oh! Lady Blanche also said she’s drafting an agreement for the trade of her coffee beans for our armor silk. She’ll show it to Touta and I over our stay at her estate!”

“That’s very good news, please, tell me all about it.” Evan replied, his anxiety having calmed down slightly thanks to his friend’s encouragement.