As Kwitwaka pursued the guards with unmatched determination, Grant received care from the Siren family and began to recover. Meanwhile, Asukem and Kittienia found themselves in a part of the city teeming with guards, yet civilians were banding together to flee the city's corruption.

Upon arrival, they touched down with a jolt, causing water to engulf them completely, leaving them drenched. Kittienia expressed her displeasure with a whimper, "Ugh, my fur is soaked!" she grumbled, "I despise getting wet!" she continued to shake herself dry and groom herself, being the feline that she was. She stole a glance at Asukem, her cheeks turning crimson as she gazed at him. The sight of Asukem drenched in water stirred strange feelings within her, causing her heart to flutter.

Asukem playfully tossed his hair back, attempting to inject some humor into the situation by exclaiming, "Ah, refreshing!" The water droplets flew from his hair, a clear indication that he already longed for his mischievous friend, Gimp. Although his antics drew the attention of the Cilivian girls, who eyed him up and down with pink blushes forming on their cheeks, the scene took a sudden turn when the guards abruptly aimed their spears at both Asukem and Kittienia.

Kittienia assumed an attack stance, but Asukem raised his hands, realizing that none of the guards were corrupted. He spoke calmly, "Woah! Woah, hold on! We are not here to fight!" A siren emerged from the crowd and exclaimed, "Then what do you want Demon!" Asukem glanced at the siren, noticing the coral armor, shells, and fin-like design on his helmet. The siren captain carried a trident and a shield, which was as large as the siren himself. It was clear that he was the leader of the guards.

Asukem grins, concealing his intimidation as he introduces himself, "I am Asukem Seikage." Gesturing towards Kittienia, he adds, "And this is my friend, Kittienia Coveringrock." Turning back to the captain, he states, "We are here to assist Princess Aquatina in reclaiming the city." The captain of the Guards squints angrily at Asukem and asks, "What is your connection to Lady Aquatina?"

Asukem glances at the captain, but before he can say anything, Kittienia interrupts and beats him to the punch, "She is a friend, how do you know her!" she glares at him, showing she doesn't trust him. The captain retorts, "I am her royal personal guard and her true friend!" He needs no more reason to act and charges at Kittienia, yelling, "I will teach you a lesson about respect and the true power of friendship!" Kittienia meets his charge and repeats his actions by charging at him while stating her own statement, "Fine, but you will lose!"

Asukem seemed to emerge from the shadows before their encounter. He gripped the trident, stopping the captain in his tracks, while glaring at Kittienia with a mix of anger and frustration. His outburst filled the air with negativity as he shouted, "Enough! Both of you, stop!"

The captain of the guard steps back in shock as Asukem snaps at them. The other guards are now concerned and frightened, as they had never seen their captain show fear before. Asukem continues to glare at Kittienia as he snaps, "What has gotten into you, Kittienia? This is not like you at all!" Kittienia hears the wolf-like growl in his voice and his sinister tone. He then turns to the captain of the guard and snaps, "And you! If you were a true friend of Aquatina, you would keep the peace for her, right!?" The captain of the guard lowers his spear and says, "For a demon, you're right."

The head of the guard then bowed apologetically, "Pardon my impoliteness, I am Triton, the leader of the guards. Could you kindly inform me of Aquatina's whereabouts?" Asukem's gaze fell in disappointment, responding, "I regret to say that we became separated, I am unaware of her location in the city." Triton's eyes widened in alarm and surprise as he exclaimed, "She's still in the city! We must locate her immediately!" With that, he instructed the guards to prepare to depart, as they were leaving.

Asukem and Kittienia surveyed the scene with bewilderment, witnessing the guards abandoning the helpless civilians. As panic ensued among the civilians, Asukem and Kittienia made efforts to reassure them. While the foolish guards embarked on a futile pursuit of the princess without any knowledge of her whereabouts, Asukem and Kittienia remained with the city's people.

Asukem and Kittienia collected intel from the city residents about the situation. Apparently, Aqilus had bribed the guards to assist him in taking over the entire city as a form of retaliation against the Siren nobles. Surprisingly, they discovered that he was receiving aid from a sea witch, previously believed to be a mere legend used to scare children into obedience, but now proven to be a tangible threat.

As Asukem and kittienia discovered what was happening, the city guards were approaching the castle to check if Aquatina was there. Unfortunately, a woman blocked their path. Triton ordered, "Move aside, we the royal guard are on an important mission." The woman laughed like a madwoman and asked, "Oh my, you men must be important to march down this pathway." He looked at all of them and then inquired, "How do you know my sweetheart? Do you have an important meeting with my darling Aqilus?" Triton declared, "We have no interest in that traitor!" He pointed his spear at her and demanded, "Move aside or this will get ugly!"

The woman's furious cries echo through the water as she conjures a warrior crafted from coral and water, shouting, "You are all blind to his intentions! Every single one of you is an enemy of my beloved Aqilus!" The coral and water soldier lets out a powerful roar, sending ripples of intimidation through the sea as it confronts Triton and his guards.