[N/A: New arc, a bit shorter than usual but very important]
– POV General –
While the motley crew sailed quietly towards the city of Gaze, in Belfort the atmosphere was quite different after what had happened. Two days had passed since the opera house had caught fire and yet the city was not letting up, especially Lord Hamilton Von Kokosnuss who had not slept since. In one night a large part of his fortune and his own daughter had vanished and he didn't know what to do.
He was in his office at the manor, long hair and blond beard pacing, unable to stay in place. He wasn't alone, because on the couch across from him was Lieutenant Commander Billy Black, who had been at the Opera House that night. Overall he was fine except for a huge burn on the right side of his body and even on his face, leaving him with only half a mustache.
"Calm down, Lord."
"DAMN IT !!! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND LIEUTENANT COMMANDER BLACK !!!"
Lord Hamilton was all red, his hair was matted even though he had tied it in a ponytail and he was sweating profusely. Nothing like this had ever happened to him in his life and the thought of criminals running loose with his treasures and daughter was horrible. More than that, he had lost his precious map, one of his most beautiful buildings was destroyed as well as a large part of his mansion, and with what money was he going to fix it ?
"Couldn't you have done your job ? That's what the Navy is for, right !?"
"Look, the intruders who destroyed the Opera House took us by surprise, you're the one who said you didn't need a lot of men to guard it since the city was generally quiet. We have our work cut out for us, it's not the Navy's habit to let individuals who have committed such serious crimes get away."
Lieutenant Commander Black owed the Lord respect due to his status as a nobleman but was not directly and completely subject to his orders. In the Western Seas, the Navy was an independent institution that hired out its services dealing with Royalty and nobles. Thus, Billy Black was not obliged to suffer the bullying of the Lord, although his anger was quite understandable and as great as his own frustration.
As Lieutenant Commander, he had let loose some criminals who had caused a massacre among his men and guests. It was a disaster, but what haunted him more than anything else were those five figures disappearing behind a wall of flames before he was injured. The pain in the entire right side of his body was still sharp but what was even more so was his mad desire for revenge for what had happened.
"So why do you want from me, Lord Hamilton ? Something to tell ?"
"Two Commodores usually living in Albion were on a mission on our continent and were sent here to deal with finding my family and belongings. They are supposed to arrive this morning with their men, luckily they were not far from Belfort."
"TWO COMMODORES ?? Aouch !"
Lieutenant Commander Black at the man's words had stood up hurriedly forgetting that his wounds though treated still hurt. This was crazy news not only because a person of that rank was moving on a case like this but also because it was not one Commodore but two. Billy couldn't believe his ears at all and couldn't help but be excited like a little boy.
The great main capital of the Navy-owned Continent was called Albion, and it had seen the Navy's heroes grow up and evolve, some dead, some still alive. Going to Albion as a Navy officer meant being part of the elite and either serving under a hero or becoming one. If two Commodores residing there were coming to take care of Belfort City, it was a bigger deal than it seemed.
"What families are they both from, do you know ?"
Hiding his excitement, Billy Black wished he could mentally prepare himself by knowing the last names of the two high ranking Navy officers who were about to arrive. Technically available to all, however, the highest ranks had been held by four families and their offshoots for years. Thus, within the Navy itself four surnames, four clans, were the best known and most respected in the world.
The highest rank in the Navy was Admiral, and to this day it was held by only four people who were the heads of the four great families. No one had yet received this title from a completely different clan, not because it was too difficult, although it was necessary to dedicate oneself to one's work. No, it was simply because the heirs were almost all born with incredible gifts to carry on the traditions.
"Aoi and Kano Manahime"
"I-I see..."
Although a Lieutenant Commander for a short time, Officer Black knew this clan as well as any Sailor and had felt his heart jump at the thought of meeting two members of this illustrious family. Deep down he hoped he had been called here to work with the two Commodores in their manhunt and felt more and more excited that he had become speechless as Lord Hamilton continued, still pacing.
"I don't know what these two sisters are worth but I trust their father so if he sent them here and from the looks of their rank, they are the ones I need."
"W-Wait, did you say sisters ? Commodores are women ??"
Once again Billy Black fell bare upon hearing the kind of ones he had adored for several minutes without even meeting them yet. It wasn't that uncommon to find women in the Navy, but generally they were all considered weak by their male counterparts. That's how it was, the mentality was based on pure strength and unfortunately women were always low rank.
So, the Lieutenant Commander's excitement dropped at this simple piece of information when gender did not define merit...rank did. Suddenly, that admiration was broken as he thought they had earned that title because of their clan name and nothing else. Billy Black had exclaimed so loudly that it could be heard in the hallway and as Lord Hamilton was about to respond, an unfamiliar voice did so in his place.
"Because the Navy only employs men now ? That's new."
In the doorway appeared two women dressed in traditional Navy uniforms and a coat to prove their status. One had long, straight black hair that reached her waist and the one standing slightly behind had hers of the same color cut to her shoulders. Their eyes were a deep dark blue and their faces were the same as the two young women were twins.
Long navy blue coat with epaulets and at the heart was attached the number of stars used to identify their rank wherever they went. They had two gold stars which could only mean one thing, the twins were the Commodores they were waiting for. One silver star for the rank of Lieutenant, two silver stars for Lieutenant Commander and three silver stars for Commander.
At the higher level, called superior, it was one gold star for the Captain, two gold stars for the Commodore, three for the Vice Admiral and finally a single red star for the Admiral. The man with the burned face did not know what to do or what to answer, he stared at the two newcomers from top to bottom trying to get an idea of their value. However he didn't have time to answer their question as they were already coming forward to introduce themselves.
"I am Kano Manahime from the family of the same name, Commodore of the Navy and this is my older sister carrying the same rank as mine, we work as a duo."
The first one to step forward was the one with the longest hair, she had a slight smile on her face but didn't look any friendlier for it. On her belt were two thin, sharp daggers and a pistol that never left her side under any circumstances. The young woman had this noble aura emanating from her especially when one looked into her eyes which were always cold despite her friendly face.
"I am Aoi Manahime."
The second one seemed to be the most distant, more silent, always observing everything with her piercing eyes never missing any information. Like her sister, straight hair as black as night but stopping at her shoulders giving her a more strict look. Aoi wore two sharp katanas on her waist, same noble aura but somehow she provoked a feeling of constant danger that could not be ignored.
The twins may have been women, but there was one thing they unquestionably possessed and that was that rare nobility. After all, they had grown up in a great family recognized all over the world and in addition to their rank, had the unique title of heiresses. It was as if Aoi and Kano were from a different world, possessing a beauty and grace worthy of princesses, enhanced by a presence and an aura of warriors.
Billy Black and Lord Hamilton were both hypnotized by the two beautiful young women by their elegance, their presence, their status but also by their appearance. They were speechless, not knowing what to think, so much so that they forgot to introduce themselves. This time, it was Aoi who came forward to stand in front of the man belonging to the Navy before speaking, showing her impatience.
"Well ? Officer, introduce yourself."
"AH UH Y-YES SORRY ! Lieutenant Commander Billy Black, Ladies"
*CLACK*
Snapping his heels, standing tall despite the pain of his wounds and raising his left hand to his forehead, Billy Black finally introduced himself. He felt ashamed that he had failed in his duty and had not greeted the Commodores as he should have. Yet his narrow mind whispered that as women they would be more accepting, but Aoi was quick to shatter that hope with a cold, authoritative voice.
"Not 'Ladies' but Commodores, if you are a misogynist at least respect the rank of your superiors, Lieutenant Commander Black. At ease."
"Y-Yes Commodore !"
"Good."
At her command, Billy spread his feet slightly and placed his hands behind his back with his head still upright but in a slightly more comfortable position. At that moment, more than ashamed he felt humiliated in his pride as a man who had experienced this for the first time. Manahime or not, he was clenching his teeth against the women who, according to him, had humiliated him on purpose when in reality the twins were only applying the rules of the Navy.
"Commodores, thank you for coming so quickly and...and above all what an honor ! I am Lord Hamilton Von Kokosnuss, ruler of this city, and I am the one who requires your help. But please, before we begin, sit down, you must be exhausted after this long journey."
"Thank you."
Bringing the attention back to himself, the father of Achi pointed to two sofas placed face to face in front of a small table so that everyone could sit and talk. Yet there were only three of them to do so since Billy Black was still in the resting position as Aoi had ordered earlier. Now that the twins had appeared, he was directly under their command making the Lord's authority null and void, if they didn't say anything, he wasn't to move.
"A missive informed us of the situation when we were on our way to Belfort City and when we arrived we went to see the damage in the Opera House and the basement ourselves. There are a lot of victims, not to mention your losses, the toll is ....
...indeed catastrophic"
The twins sat on the sofa facing Lord Hamilton and did not wait to get to the heart of the matter and talk about their presence here. They didn't need to hear what they already knew and waste time in useless chatter. At this moment, what Aoi and Kano needed most was to gather information from potential witnesses in order to have all the pieces of the puzzle of that famous night.
"I-it is indeed. Since you already know the whole story, from your presence here I guess you agree to find the two groups of criminals. May I ask how you will proceed ? On my side I will help you with all the authority I have."
Sitting in front of the two Commodores, Lord Hamilton was still trembling with impatience, with stress although their arrival relieved him a little. To him they were his only hope of seeing his fortune and his daughter again and it hadn't taken him long to trust them. After all, on their left shoulder hung the brooch of the Manahime clan, an eastern dragon emerging from a river, and more than the young women, he trusted their name.
"It's simple, we would need to question anyone who has noticed or experienced anything unusual, even the smallest thing. Have your men find that for us so we can get as many witnesses as possible to get a more detailed idea of what happened. We also need a record of the entries and exits from the port for the last five days and with that we can really get started."
"Oh, well...the Lieutenant Commander here was on guard duty with some of his men when the Opera House caught fire and exploded, hence his injuries. He is already a good witness by himself, I advise you to let him help you with this research."
At Kano Manahime's indications, Hamilton suddenly turned to Billy Black who was still waiting a little further away and in silence. The father who had lost his daughter had a small smile on his face, proud to have brought the officer before the Commodores arrived. The sisters would then turn their heads towards him, their cold, commanding eyes making him shiver as Aoi was the next to speak in response.
"Oh but that was expected my Lord, if he's standing here despite his injuries that's why isn't it ? If he can stand, he can take orders. Lieutenant Commander, see to it that you gather the witnesses and write down on an official document what you remember"
"Aye, Commodore !"
With his words, the two young women suddenly stood up heading for the front door ending the conversation after saying everything. The back of their coats flew behind them elegantly to the rhythm of the clacking of their black, polished boots. The scene was mesmerizing because although different, they were the same and as Aoi and Kano were about to leave the room, Hamilton couldn't help but ask the question.
"W-Where are you going? "
"We made it here before our own men who won't arrive until late afternoon, we need to rest. You have our instructions and I'm sure the Lieutenant Commander will follow orders to the letter so if you'll excuse us we'll retire for a few hours."
"Very well, we will continue the discussion when we have more information."
Without another word, simply nodding her head, Aoi left the room followed by her sister Kano, both with a serious and closed look on their faces. They had said all they had to say and they didn't want to stay, especially if it was to be talked about like every time about their clan. Their journey had lasted two days and two nights where they had not slept too busy trying to arrive on time as ordered by their father.
Hiro Manahime, one of the four red star officers in the world, current head of the Manahime family, Navy Admiral and father of Aoi and Kano. Known for his strict and harsh practices, his titanic size and colossal strength but also for the incredible number of pirates arrested by his hands. He was the father of the twins, but in their eyes he was nothing more than a superior whose orders had to be respected.
Yes, in the Manahime family, blood ties were important, but more than a real family, the main branch and the secondary ones functioned like in the army. All were born, lived and died for the clan, ensuring that its traditions and fame endured through the ages. Thus, the sisters' destiny was set even before they were born, chaining them to their fate and constant pressure.
Behind their strict air and orders, their mostly inexpressive eyes and their princess-like ways, were two young women puppets. Indeed, growing up with the pressure and expectations of a whole clan on their shoulders was not easy, even exhausting, but it was their daily life. At the age of 22, Aoi and Kano aspired to a future where they would be totally free and relieved of the burden of their prestigious name.
Yet, they had arrived in this city to find Achi Von Kokosnuss, arrest the criminals who had wreaked havoc and return the stolen goods. No matter how much the twins dreamed of a free future, away from responsibility they would do everything to fulfill their mission. Thus, Aoi and Kano Manahime, Commodores of the Navy, were going to go after Hestia Hellfire and her crew without knowing it yet.
[N/A : Official illustration of the Manahime twins on discord (link in synopsis)]