"Wha-, invite? Where now?"

Lucilia, flabbergasted to what Markwin said, stuttered at saying her words.

With determination to get info on the fog, Markwin once more said his words resolutely.

"Yes, we would like to invite you to our country."

Lucilia didn't know what to do. This was a first for her. Invitation? Yes it's her first invitation to such things. Even the Republic doesn't pay attention to her doings.

But ever since she said the words "Sea of fog", this happened.

She hesitated, would she accept or not, plus her side of the questions was still not answered!

She was conflicted to herself due to her own curiosity and the want to protect her people.

Slowly, she asked.

"What about my crew?"

The moment she asked him this, A reply was immediately given.

"We'll guide them through. Ever since the fog event, our waters became dangerous. There are a lot of things that we didn't expect to come to us."

Lucilia didn't said anything. He said that 'they' would invite her and her crew. Which was good. At least she would be near them.

Then she thought of the words 'waters became dangerous'. Is he implying that sailing freely on this area is not a good idea.

Thinking about this, she actually felt thankful for them stopping them from continuing to sail. If they didnt, what would have happen to them now....

She shook these thoughts out of her head, at least they would be alright.

Looking at Markwin, she said, "Alright then. I Agree to your invitation."

Markwin smiled and said, "Great, alright then please get your crew to be ready. We'll be leaving right away."

"Wait, as in now?" (Lucilia)

"Yes now, lieutenant get Ms. Lucilia back to her ship immediately."

The man in navy blue nodded, opened the door then signaled Lucilia to get out of the room.

Markwin proceeded to move out of the room. Then turned back to Lucilia and said,

"Ms. Lucilia, your knowledge about the fog would surely be beneficial for us, your deeds would be remembered by our country forever."

Then Markwin left, leaving a stunned Lucilia.

.....

Back and forth, back and forth, walking hastily in such a way.

The sailors of the La Camesa couldn't help but be dizzy.

"Sir. Mercalos, we know that you are worried. But there is nothing we can do about it."

Mercalos glanced at that sailor, after that proceeded to do the same walk pattern once more.

The sailor, seeing this sighed.

"1 hour...."

Hearing this, the sailor looked at Mercalos once more.

"It's been 1 hour."

Not understanding what Mercalos meant, the sailor gave Mercalos a "what are you implying" look.

"Many things can happen in 1 hour."

Then, it dawned on this sailor. Yes, many 'things' can happen in 1 hour. Now knowing what Mercalos meant. The sailor couldn't help but wanting to do the same walk pattern as Mercalos.

Of course the meaning Mercalos was trying to give was misinterpreted by the sailor.

What Mercalos truly meant was that, in his occupational view, was in the business way.

They didn't wait long though, soon the man in navy blue came back to the La Camesa, behind him was of course the Captain of the La Camesa, Lucilia.

Seeing Lucilia return, Mercalos and the sailors immediately rushed to her.

"Are you alright?"

"Did they do anything to you?"

"Did they blackmail you?, if they did, I'd go there and kill them!"

Lucilia was bombarded of such questions.

She smiled, this was proof that her people cared for her and it was enough to make her smile.

When all else died down, Mercalos then asked, "So how did it go?"

Lucilia took a good deep breath then answered,

"It all went well. However, they want us to come with them."

"Come with them? To where?" Asked Mercalos.

"To their country." (Lucilia)

Mercalos, not getting what Lucilia meant, gave Lucilia a perplexed look.

Lucilia sighed, then said, "I'll tell you the details later. For now get the sails ready, were going to sail soon."

.....

"I see, so that's what happened huh."

"More or less"

Looking at the destroyer, PN-Rockwell, and at the cruiser, PN-Hukdo. Mercalos sighed.

An invitation to an unknown country huh.

A completely unknown country, maybe the Republic may not know about it.

Of course this was Mercalos's own mistake in thinking. Simply because only the Marsus kingdom made contact with the Philippines. Also it was kept confidential by both countries.

(Author note: okay I am completely clueless on how to write 'Mercalos's' is this right or wrong. So is there is any kind soul out there to help me on this.)

Leaving his own thoughts behind, he then asked about those two ships.

"Those ships..... aren't they similar from those of the Empire?"

Lucilia, hearing this, contemplated on this for some moments before answering.

"I don't think so, on the Empire, it's deck is made out of wood. This though it isn't."

With interest, Mercalos followed Lucilia's answer with another question.

"Oh really? What is it then."

"It's made out of stone."

Now this time, Mercalos was truly interested. A ship made out of metal and stone? Wouldn't that be really heavy?

As knowing what Mercalos would ask next, Lucilia said,

"Don't ask me about that. Even I am clueless on how it works."

Mercalos lowered his head, how disappointing. Looks like luck won't be at his side this time.

Lucilia gave Mercalos an indifferent look. He was a business, when their is potential on a certain something, he would of course grab it. So it's better to cut that potential from his grasp if you want to stop him from going deeper on it.

She then proceeded to observe the ships. She heard from the man in navy blue that the ships can travel at speeds faster than the Empire.

As an explorer with a Keen eye. She already noticed that the destroyer and cruiser were purposely slowing from time to time.

Lucilia sighed, then said, "Perhaps it was just as what that man said."

Soon however, the destroyer and the cruiser slowed down even more.

She was confused when she saw these actions. Why slow down so much?

However, as an explorer with a Keen eye. She noticed the weird actions of some people on these two ships decks.

The destroyer's 'long nose', as what Lucilia describes, started to move. This was also what she noticed from the cruiser

She also noticed some people running and some going to these capsule like things, inserting some cylindrical things within it.

With these actions, she noticed something was wrong. She immediately told her crew to stop sailing.

Her crew were confused but nevertheless still listened.

Mercalos was confused at her sudden order, so he asked.

"Why are we stopping?"

Lucilia then pointed to the destroyer and the cruiser.

"Something's wrong."

The moment she said this, a huge wave suddenly arisen from the area in front of them.

"Wha- what is that?!"

What now stood in front of them, was once of the terror of the former Sea of fog. And the the Philippines only has one simple description about it.

It's a giant eel.