"Why the hell are we here? We didn't do anything wrong! We were the ones that got attacked... Shit. This thing hit the Captain much more than it did us," one of the crew members spoke with an ill tongue, cursing their foul luck as he pounded the stone floor with his fist, which now bled by its knuckles.

"Just keep quiet for now. Who knows what they'll do to the Cap if we make them angry," one of them said, cradling his legs as to try and warm himself up.

Laruse and the others kept quiet for the most time as they had their backs to the walls, not really having anything to argue about, nor the energy to argue with.

They were prompted to the cells upon reaching the port, bound and shackled for insurance, then left without much concern as they were put behind the cold, dark confines of the iron bar, forced to feel the freezing atmosphere that it emitted without an inch of warmth except for the cramped presence of each other.

Their cells had little to no furnishing, with only two worn-out beds, which looks like they've been overused. There was no light strong enough to let them see anything, yet there was a candle, which looked like it was always on the verge of dying out, serving no real purpose other than to attract flies.

But seeing as they had been given no help, they laid down the injured on the beds, forcing them to rest as no one had any experience for healing wounds with magic except Laruse, who used an improvised method of keeping scars and wounds closed with a cloth ripped from the blankets of the worn beds and neatly wrapped around the injured part.

Andersen could have used his magic as he was learning how to cast healing spells, yet his instrument-- which allowed him to cast him own unique form of magic-- was now at the bottom of the sea, along with everyone else's equipment.

"So this is what being imprisoned is like. Who knew it'd be dreary," Remuil laughed wryly, speaking as to make his mood a bit lighter.

"If you travel with me, you'll get used to it. Not that I do things to get me imprisoned. Most of it's because of misunderstandings like this one," Laruse said to him, not making it look like a joke, but something that indeed happens to him from time to time.

"Laruse, what will happen to us then?" asked Andersen.

"Who knows. It's different every time. Don't worry I won't let them do anything to you. Marco will get mad at me if something does happen to you guys. Besides, Cecil, Beatrice, Robin, Julia, and Claire still needs to be saved. I'll do it even if I have to break out of here. That's if they're planning to keep us forever," Laruse announced his plans to those around him.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps could be heard becoming louder and louder, as if someone was drawing near, closing the gap with a rhythmic step pattern.

The one walking towards their cells had a light, seeing as a flare from a candle was getting slightly brighter and brighter by the second until the man's frame came into view, enveloped by a shadow.

There were four of them, all armed with weapons and armor, looking cautious as they organized themselves in an orderly manner, standing tall by the side with one of them takes out a key from their pockets, rifling through it until he found the right one.

"Don't do anything rash. I'll need all of you to come with me," the man said, looking at those inside the cell with suspecting eyes, those that said distrust all over it.

Having been replied with silence, he unlocked the gates, proceeding to usher them out, making them form a straight line so that the shackles could hold them together, preventing escapes.

Leaving the holdings of the underground cells, they were greeted by a bright light, one that they knew of, but were unaccustomed to, as if they saw light for the first time in years, forcing them to shield their eyes, adjusting to the view as best they could.

Seeing clearly, the sight of a wide training ground could be seen, where several soldiers trained with each other through many means, running, sparring, building up strength.

"Man, there's a lot of them. An entire army maybe," Remuil looked around him in surprise.

They were led to the side, where an open corridor made of bricks stood, serving as a means for shade under the bright gleam of the sun. It led towards a wide looking structure that seemed to span farther out, yet having only two floors from the looks of it.

The latter part to where they were led to was much more orderly than outside, carrying the image of an officer's quarters where the more miscellaneous tasks like political matters are handled by the high rank soldiers.

Guards stood on side of the neatly kept corridors, keeping the peace as Laruse and the others were guided through the clean carpeted floors.

After getting to the second floor of the structure, they came face to face with a double door with a rather imposing aura behind it, giving off unease to those that came near.

"Behind those doors is the regional commander's office. Please think of your words before you speak them. Your leader is with the commander as well," the man leading them spoke up, ordering the others that were with him to undo the group's bounds.

Opening the door, they came to the sight of a desk where a strict, but charming looking woman sat behind a desk. And beside her is a familiar man who Laruse remembered to be named Felix Morgan, the one who took them in. And in front of the two was Julius, looking to be unharmed.

"Ah, Laruse, everyone, you've come. I am glad to see that you are all well," Julius met the group as he stood in the organized room filled with stacks of papers, maps, books, and many other important looking things.

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"Captain! Are you alright?" his crew met him with speed, ensuring that he was safe, not trusting the words of the man that said so himself.

"Are these the men that you speak of, Captain Providence?" the woman behind the desk asked with a commanding voice, taking the attention of those around her and suppressing it, making hers the most influential out of the bunch.

"What's this about, Julius?" asked Remuil, looking around him in confusion.

"I have cleared the misunderstanding between us and those pirates that attacked us. We are free to go on our way."

"If I have this correctly, you are the regional commander, correct?" Andersen stepped forward, clearly concerned about something.

"Yes. What of it? I have many other things to take care of," she answered bluntly, keeping a straight face that couldn't seem to be read.

"I know this is too much from someone that you don't know of, but just who were those pirates? And where could they be?"

"Those scourges have been attacking our territorial seas for months now. They're hardly any challenge except that they've quick on their feet. Why do you ask?"

"Some of our companions have been taken by them, and I, along with my friends are very concerned about them. We want to rescue them. Please help us. There were already too many of them to deal with, and now we don't have any idea as to where they are."

"Hmph, even if we are being bothered everyday about taking care of those lesser bandits, I'm too busy with many other matters such as kidnappings. I have no obligation to help you find someone. You are dismissed, leave while you can," she said, destroying the group's hope for trying to find them, deflating their resolve.

Zafra and Remuil came forward as well and petitioned, pleading for information about the mysterious pirate's whereabouts.

Julius-- who told his men to retreat back to their second ship in order to rest-- watched them calmly, not saying anything.

As this went on, nearly getting out of hand, Laruse stepped forward, looking down on the commander, making her flinch for a bit, creating a crack in her character that Julius definitely noticed, smiling inconspicuously.

"W-Who are you and what do you want? Just know that I can have you killed just with words if you do not step back at once," she challenged his stare, seemingly creating an unsettling rift between the two.

"Don't think I'm afraid of threats. I'm just here to make a statement. We'll find them without your help, not that we need it in the first place. Who needs help from cowards that hides themselves behind the banner of an army anyway? The people I hate the most are those who're all bark but no bite," Laruse silenced those around him, making the woman he faced look at him with hostility.

Laruse then turned his backs on them, gesturing for Remuil, Zafra, and Andersen to follow, giving a slight bow to Julius saying, "Thank you. I'll see you when I do," then exiting the structure and heading towards the commercial area of the port city, making for the inn.

On the way, Remuil asked Laruse nervously, becoming cautious as he saw a different side of him, one that he never thought the aloof Laruse could possess.

"Uh, Laruse, are you alright? You seemed a bit more, different, than usual."

"I'm fine. I just got too ahead of myself and made a decision on my own. I'm sorry," he released a heavy sigh as he placed his hands behind his head.

"That's alright. We'll be sure to find them. Perseverance and luck is all that we need," Andersen backed them up, leading them to stare at Zafra, who remained silent during most of the discussion.

"You don't need to ask me, alright?!... I'm already in it form the beginning," he said timidly and irritatingly.

"Now that that's settled, where do we actually start?" asked Remuil, looking around as they entered the commercial district of Helia, filled with people roaming here and there, where women could be seen mingling with one another as they carried baskets and bags of newly bought things from the various establishments.

"At the place where information flows the most. The Inn, and second is the markets. But it's still pretty early, so why don't we try the former?"

They proceeded to the crowded markets where people bought fresh produce and neat items sold by wandering merchants.

The noise each one emitted overflowed, forcing one to should if he or she were to communicate with each other.

The group designated a spot to meet up after asking around, separating the work right away as they picked places of interest to begin with.

After half an hour's worth of questioning, they came up empty, only being met with the same answer as everybody else, "Nothing. Not a single thing."

"How's this possible? For pirates that were notorious for having harassed the city successfully each time, there was bound to be something about them?" Remuil said, exhausted after navigating through the crowds, which have now seemed to thin down.

"It's the same with me. The fishermen said that they mostly avoided sailing not unless there were naval ships patrolling the waters. But merchant ships and passenger ships attracted them most of the time, saying that it's when they appear the most," Andersen added, having more insight than the last.

"No one's seen them, only their flag. They'd be gone by the time the naval guards mobilize. It seems that they're also faster, able to outrun the most advance ships that Helia threw at them. Nothing other than that," Zafra concluded, crossing his arms and leaning against a nearby wall.

"I think I did get something," Laruse said, drawing their attention as he continued, "Whenever they attacked, the seas seemed lower and calm, whenever they didn't, the waters looked dangerous for normal ships, forcing fishermen to stay near the docks. They said it only began the previous months when their attacks started. It might mean something, but it's not useful at the moment, sorry," Laruse sighed as well.

"Well we can't give up. Let's head to the Inn and rest for a bit. We might be able to find success there," Andersen encouraged them optimistically.

Returning to the office of the commander, the woman behind the desk looked stressed, fuming as she suppressed her anger.

"Who do he think he is?! Calling me a coward!" she pounded the desk, creating a loud banging sound.

"Please calm down, Commander. Don't mind the words of those locals. They obviously don't know who you are," the man named Morgan calmly said, desperately trying to get his superior back to her normal state.

"Well then, it seems that he caught your attention, but in a different way. Like I said, he's an interesting man. One that seems to succeed at everything he does. Not to mention that he possesses an inhuman amount of strength. You can learn a thing or two from him, but you can't seem to be made to see reason, my stubborn daughter," Julius said, laughing to himself.

"Just get out of here, will you?! I don't need your help. I can take care of this problem on my own," she arrogantly stated, trying her best to forget the face that made her fidget for even a second.

"Felix, send a message to the Captain and tell him to approve a scouting mission under my direct command. We will find those pirates and put a stop to them once and for all. I'll show that arrogant man what happens when you belittle me."

"Yes, Commander. Right away!" the man ran outside, heading somewhere, leaving Julius and the female Commander alone together.

"What are you still doing here?" she pointed at Julius.

"Can't I be here for my daughter? If the need for me ever arises, I want to be able to help you out. Not every day do I get to do that," he said smiling confidently, "Besides, you might realize something that I've been wanting you to realize for the past few years."

"And what is that?"

"You'll find out soon enough. I won't need to tell you since you might learn yourself. The possibility-- however small-- exists at least," he said, hiding a cunning motive from behind her, anxious to see what might happen now that she has met someone that could test her mettle.