After entering the city they are surrounded by nothing but Peace Corps uniforms.
"This place is huge. Look at that building over there." Ouran pointed to the Peace Corps. Headquarters.
"Why are there so many people here. We should have used the under passage in the lower district. It connects through the outer district." Elle pointed out.
"If we do that then we miss out on a chance to see the city." Nero said.
"I don't get that, this is more dangerous." Elle said.
"Just keep your face covered. Besides you, none of us will be recognized. It would be the same no matter where we entered from." Nero interjected.
"But we could have gotten arrested at the gate." Frides pointed out.
"We didn't did we. I stuck to the plan." Nero said.
"Whatever!" She looked around through the slit in her face cover.
"There are a lot of people around here. I've never seen so many people before." Ouran said.
"I heard someone say that the Peace Corps graduation is today." Frides said.
"What does that mean?" Ouran asked.
"The Peace Corps Headquarters is where the Academy of Peaceful Relations is located. The training facility and barracks are over that wall." Frides explained.
"The Headquarters is located inside the old Sumar Castle. That's the thing you were pointing out earlier." Nero said.
"Who are the Sumar?"
"Why are we here on this day. All the higher ups and the royals from around the world are going to be here. We have to get to the place where the guys who's going to make us you know what, is." Elle grabbed Nero.
"Retainers?" Nero asked.
"Don't even say that word, you idiot. There are so many officers here, they're all probably on high alert." Elle said.
"Sorry." Nero regretted saying it again.
"Where are we supposed to go?" Elle asked Nero.
"I don't know."
"How do you not know? You've been traveling here for a month and don't know where you're going. What do they look like?"
"I don't know."
"Do you know anything? This is ridiculous."
"Frides took the acceptance letter from me." Nero revealed.
"You still have the Letter. You're supposed to burn that thing and just commit it to memory." Elle explained.
"Oh really? How do you know so much about it?" Nero asked confused.
"Everyone knows that."
"I didn't know, maybe they would need proof. I was the person who received the letter."
"Did you even read it?"
"I kinda skimmed it. Ya know, where I needed to go and…" Nero put his hand to his chin. "…and I was accepted. Yeah I remember that part."
"Do you know how serious this is? Frides give me the paper."
"I know what you mean but there is nothing in there about being a Retainer." Frides says as he pulled out the piece of parchment and handed it to Elle.
She snatched the parchment from him. "What did I say? Are you as stupid as him."
Frides was seriously hurt by the implication. "I'm not like Nero. When you look at it, you're going to be just as confused as us."
She opened and read it.
-Congratulations! You've been excepted to join our World Construction Project. In New Oania we will be putting together a welcoming celebration for you at our great countries capital. We're so excited to have you join the Dawn of a New Age. You can join the rest of our new employees in the middle district. Between dawn and dusk we'll be waiting where the working man goes to forget about his future and his past. The original gift given to all people is wasted, with friends of all people, and a song on their tongues. Come to where your dreams live and die. We'll be waiting.
Elle made a look of bewilderment. "What is this?"
"I told you? It doesn't say anything about who or where." Nero said confidently.
Elle pointed the letter to Nero then to Frides, pleading. "Is this a riddle? Why is there a riddle here?"
"That's what I realized when Nero showed it to me the first time. It seemed like there was nothing we could do until we got here."
"Between dawn and dusk? During the day?"
"See!" Nero looked at Frides. "That's what I said."
"I don't think so." Elle looked at Frides. "That would be too large of a window. It would mean that anyone could come during that time and leave too much time to be waiting. There is no mention of a date on there so there is no way they're going to be waiting for some one to come during the whole day."
"It would work if this is a business that's only open during the day."
"Can I see it?" Ouran reached out to Elle.
"Hold on." She looked it over again. "What the hell is this?"
"Let me see it?" Ouran asked again disgruntled. Elle read the words again.
"It seems like we should head to the middle district. Do you know where that is, Elle?" Nero asked.
"Yeah its that way, towards the east gate." Elle pointed towards the street to their right and handed the paper to Ouran.
"Okay, First thing we should do is head over there. We also need to test Ouran and see if he can join us first, otherwise he cant come. Do you know where we can do that?" Nero looked over to Ouran then back to Elle.
"I would normally say anywhere would be fine but we shouldn't draw too much attention. There are usually Glow performers in Middle District, so maybe we can try to mix in with them. I want to stop in the Market District to grab some food." Elle suggested.
"I need to go to the Oceans Bank to pull out some Cardi's, and stop by the bird cages to check for any letters too." Frides interjected.
"We don't have to go to the bank now. I don't have much money left but it should get us enough."
"You don't even know where we're going after this. We should buy as much as we can carry, and Urs eats a lot." Frides pointed out.
"If you say so, then lets go to the bank right now and then to the market." Ouran suggested.
"No." Elle rejected. "We don't know what is going to happen after we become retainers. We should be ready to leave here in a moments notice. You, Ouran and Urs can go to the mold shop to help Ouran pick out a new weapon to train. We'll meet you guys in middle District."
"But he hasn't passed the test yet." Nero asked confused.
"Then don't buy anything. Also, scope out Middle District for a way for him to practice without drawing too much attention."
"Okay good we can go there first." Nero said.
Elle looked down at Ouran. "Do you think you can do it now?"
Nero looked over at Frides. "Is he ready?"
"We'll see." Frides looked over at Ouran.
"I can do it." Ouran turned to Nero.
"I still have to find Imani so you still have time don't worry. You can do it." Elle encouraged Ouran.
"Do you know where she is?" Frides questioned, unsure of how she would know.
"No but I still have contacts here that I can check with."
Frides looked at her concerned with the uncertainty in her tone.
A few streets past Nero and the group. In a small café inside the Market District.
"Where is Icarus?"
"You're only asking cause he's the only one not here."
"Yeah we have to get to the training grounds by noon."
"We have to get to the training grounds, what a pain. That's so far away."
"We still have more than two hours."
"Who cares? Do you?"
"We said we would wait for him."
"Isn't it weird that he's late. I would expect you to be late."
"You should worry about yourself."
"I expected him to be on time, so I decided I should be on time. What a pain."
To Be Continued...
Thanks for reading!