Several days have now passed, and finally Einsenheim is gone. But... Minerv and Julius are worried, after all, this is the third person who has had to leave the Dark Umbrella.
Minerv: "That won't do... We have to find a way."
Julius: "I suggest we search through every high-ranking officer and negotiator we have... That's the only way... Otherwise our image won't look so good."
Minerv: "Mhm..."
Julius: "Minervelen."
Minerv: "Minerv is enough."
Julius: "Why don't you like Ms. Valentine?"
Minerv: "Hmm?.... I do like her... She was just a little too nice..."
Julius: "Hmm... Isn't that a good thing?... I mean, the people here love her for that... especially the younger people."
Minerv: "Yes..that's true. Ms. Valentine... looked pretty.... Nice and a gentle voice....."
Julius: "Have you talked to him?"
Minerv: "Jeff?.... That monster?"
Julius: "Yes?"
Minerv: "No... I was told I wasn't ready..."
Julius: "Hmm..."
(8 Days Later)
(in San Guimereas)
(Patch!) (Patch)
Civilian: "Hehe... Be careful not to eat too much."
Child: "Hehe... I'm just hungry.... Huh?... Dad... what's that over there?"
Civilian: "Hmm?"
Child: "That... smoke there..."
Civilian: "No idea... That's not smoke.... It looks.. to me.... more like... ash..."
(Wusshhh!)
Civilian: "Huh!"
And suddenly it swallowed the entire city.
Civilians: "Aaaaarghhhh..."
Civilian: "Urk..aarghhhhhh.... I can't breathe... rrrr."
Their skin became pale and they became... dry...
(Patch!)
(Krach!)
They fell to the ground one after another.
(A Few Hours Later)
TV Presenter: "Let's quickly move on to San Guimereas... An entire city has been swallowed by ash in the city near Haven Sant Seutbel..... According to reports, at least.... 20 percent of the city's population.... has died. Sant Seutbel is the second largest city in San Guimereas after the capital, Vitoria... About.... 8 million people lived there.... 1.6 million people... died in a single day... just like that."
Sophie: "Hahhh.... What... happened there."
Hans: "Whatever happened there... this is one of the worst tragedies in the Villicia Union."
Rosalie: "That's not good at all... The nobles there will try to blame Villicia for it..."
Hans: "And then... maybe there will even be another war?"
Sophie: "Hmm... that wouldn't be good."
Fiona: "Hmm... yes."
Viola: "I really don't have a good feeling about this... What could it be?"
Sophie: "Zantanel?"
Siegfried: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "Quite possible... but this isn't really her way of... acting..."
Rosalie: "Wait... Ash?... Hmm... Ash?.... Ash..."
She took a book.
Rosalie: "Actually... here it is.... There was a case like this once..... This happened..... but in Dukewood... This is... actually a kind of... Black Hole Syndrome?"
Sophie: "Black Hole Syndrome? I thought that was just when the rain turns black."
Rosalie: "No.... There are several syndromes... but this one appeared rarely.... And..... 19 months later.... a black hole appeared."
Sophie: "Hmm... but are you sure it has something to do with this?"
Rosalie: "No... Because the number of victims is significantly higher."
Sophie: "Hmm.... The pictures are horrible..."
Viola: "Yes..."
Rosika: "Hmm."
Fiona: "Hahhh..."
Sophie: "Come on, turn it off... or change the channel.... It's breaking my heart..."
They turned it off.
Sophie: "Either way... I think the Dark Umbrella will send someone to investigate this."
Rosalie: "Most likely we'll have to work again... after all, we're nearby."
(Knock) (Knock)
Meliodas: "Hello?"
Sophie: "Master?"
Meliodas: "Hehe... I'm not a master anymore... From now on I'm simply... someone who's here for documents and that kind of work."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "...Is it true that Ms. Valentine is pregnant?"
Meliodas: "Yes."
Sophie: "Oh..you're going to be a father."
Meliodas: "Yes..."
Sophie: "Hehe... I'll just call you Grandpa from now on."
Meliodas: "Hey..."
Sophie: "Hehe..."
Meliodas: "And how are you all doing... Hmm.. oh Hans... Viola... long time no see."
Hans: "Haha... Meliodas... That's true."
Viola: "Greetings, Master."
Meliodas: "Stop calling me Master."
Hans: "Forget it... you're used to it... Meliodas... But why are you working if Ms. Valentine is pregnant?"
Meliodas: "Oh?... We're here in Villicia."
Sophie: "What?"
Meliodas: "Vacation.... That's why...."
Sophie: "Uhm.. okay."
Viola: "Hmm."
Meliodas: "Hmm?... Why are you so... down?"
Fiona: "Well... something really terrible happened in San Guimereas."
Meliodas: "Yes, I heard about that..."
Sophie: "...So many people died... The last time I experienced something like this was in Budapesz....."
Hans: "We should turn it back on to see what's going on."
They turned it back on.
Journalist: "Here... is what happened."
Sophie: "Ugh huh!"
The corpses were... mutilated.
Journalist: "Several refugees from the city are coming to Vitoria, the capital... It's horrible... We can only show you down there with an airplane and a camera.... Here you can see the bodies."
Sophie: "Ughh..."
Fiona: "Hahhh."
Sophie: "Huh?"
Meliodas: "That really is a lot."
Journalist: "Here we have some survivors."
Child: "Dad... where is Dad!!!"
Journalist: "Among them... is this poor child here... The father tried to protect her with his body... but.... The child has some pretty terrible wounds......"
The journalist approached.
Journalist: "It... looks terrible."
Sophie: "Mmm."
Rosika: "Oh no."
Fiona: "Ughh..... Hmmm..."
Sophie: "Hmm?"
Fiona went into her room.
Sophie: "Huh?"
Viola: "Did something happen?"
Meliodas: "Hmm?... Is something perhaps wrong with this situation?"
Sophie: "No... I think... it's because this is very similar to Budapesz.... Back then... the Grazburgers dropped a lot of... radioactive bombs... ones that melted the skin.... very similar to the child here.... I think that's why she didn't want to see it."
(Meanwhile)
Fiona: "Mmm!"
She held her head.
(Memory)
(Corpses!)
(Blood)
(Organs)
Fiona: "Ghhhhhh........"
(Dieetttt)
Her ear had a loud ringing sound.
Fiona: "Mmm...."
She went to her cupboard, took a couple of pills and swallowed them.
Fiona: "Hahh....."
She sat down on the chair.
Fiona: "...I didn't expect the events in Budapesz to still be in my head....."
Herold: "...Hey... Fiona... what's wrong? Is everything alright?"
Fiona: "Hahh.... Yes...."
Herold: "Hmm."
(Meanwhile)
Rosalie: "Alright... enough TV. Turn it off... before Hosenträger and Oliver wake up and see this."
Sophie: "Yes."
Meliodas: "Hmm?..."
Sophie: "Master... How about you go to Fiona?"
Meliodas: "Hmm."
Sophie: "Fiona was really sad when she heard that you wouldn't be coming anymore... Go to her..."
Meliodas: "Gladly."
She walked away... He, on the other hand, went toward Fiona's door and knocked.
Meliodas: "Fiona... It's me... Meliodas."
The door opened.
Meliodas: "Hey."
Fiona: "Ugh... Master, is everything alright?..."
Meliodas: "Yes.... I just wanted to check on you for a moment?... Hehe..."
Fiona: "You mean?"
Meliodas: "Huh?"
Fiona: "If you're already doing something like this... don't do it so loudly... I heard you... I'm not a child."
Meliodas: "It's not about that... Fiona... You still have that trauma..... Hehe... even though you always act cold, I know it hurts you... when people get hurt."
Fiona: "Not really."
Meliodas: "Hahhh... If you say so... And why did you swallow those pills then?"
Fiona: "Hahhh..."
Meliodas: "Hehe... Sophie was also shocked, so she wanted me to come to you... May I come in?"
Fiona: "Mhm."
Meliodas: "Okay."
She let him in... She closed the door.
Meliodas: "Hmm... Nice little room, really..."
Fiona: "Hmm."
Meliodas: "So... where is Sophie's room?"
Fiona: "Her room is next to mine..."
Meliodas: "Oh... I see..... Hey... I heard about Remy... I'm sorry."
Fiona: "It's okay... I was the stupid one who thought she could fall in love with someone."
Meliodas: "Don't be so hard on yourself....."
Fiona: "Hahhh.... Master, what exactly do you want?"
Meliodas: "Hehe, am I talking too much for you?"
Fiona: "Indeed, you talk a lot... but don't say what you want."
Meliodas: "...I'm sorry that I just left like that...."
Fiona: "..There is no reason to apologize for that."
Meliodas: "I mean... the others probably took it badly... but you more."
Fiona: "..No."
Meliodas: "Hmm..... Really not?"
Fiona: "..Yes..."
Meliodas: "And why did you look at me so... sadly then?"
Fiona: "Am I not allowed to miss my Master?"
Meliodas: "Oh... oh... I see... mmm.... Wow... you like me that much."
Fiona: "Yes."
Meliodas: "Hmm... It's nice that you at least say it... hehe... I'm glad that you still think about me."
He stroked her head.
Meliodas: "Hmm... To me... Daisy and you... are like my daughters. You know that... And Sophie too, of course, lately."
Fiona: "Hmmmm (Blushes)..."
Meliodas: "Hehe..."
He took his hand away.
Meliodas: "So..... Should I continue?"
Fiona: "Mmmm...."
Meliodas: "Shouldn't you go to a doctor soon because of your trauma?"
Fiona: "Hahhh... No, I don't want a doctor...."
Meliodas: "Why?"
Fiona: "Because I don't want to..... I don't trust the Dark Umbrella doctors... The last time I went there, one of them stuck a device into my arm and caused me more pain."
Meliodas: "Hahh... Hmm... I see..."
Fiona: "....My doctors are my friends...."
Meliodas: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "And you."
Meliodas: "Okay... I understand... If that's how you see it... Hehe... but take care of yourself, alright.... I have to go now..."
(Still)
(Calm)
He held her cheek and gave her a kiss on the forehead... and left.
Fiona: "Hmm?..."
Sophie: "Oh... there you are... Hey, hehe...."
Fiona: "What is it... Sophie... Is everything alright?"
Sophie: "...Mmm..."
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Sophie: "Not really..."
Fiona approached and placed her hand on Sophie's forehead.
Sophie: "Huh?"
Fiona: "You don't have a fever."
Sophie: "That's not what this is about... I... I'm just a little traumatized because of the pictures of the dead... It reminds me of Budapesz..."
Fiona: "Mhm... Me too."
Sophie: "Hahh... I guess we have to wait until the Dark Umbrella says something."
Rosalie: "Hmm?"
(A Few Minutes Later)
Searcher: "My goodness.... What a horrible sight."
Searcher: "The whole city is empty.... Collect everything necessary.... Human remains too, maybe there is something.."
(Searching)
Searcher: "Hmm... Hey... look... what the hell is that!"
Searcher: "Ugh... hahhh....."
A... black liquid.
Searcher: "Ugh."
And something flowed from above... They looked up.... It was.... a flower.... A sunflower... that was completely dark.
Searcher: "Hahh....."
Searcher: "Let's collect some. Maybe we'll find something."
Searcher: "Don't... don't touch it!"
The moment he touched it, it penetrated through his body.
Searcher: "Aaaaaaarghh... help... help... help..aaaaarghhhh..."
His skin became gray.... And a black liquid came out of his mouth.
Searcher: "Woooohhhh...."
And suddenly he stopped.
Searcher: "Hey..... Are you alright...."
Searcher: "Huh?"
They looked at each other and one of them approached... The moment he did, a sharp claw pierced through him.
(Splach!)
Searcher: "Ughh!"
Monster: "Rorrrr... roaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr!!!"
Searcher: "Let's get out of here... get out of here!"
The monster was made of black liquid.... But it also had gray skin..... A sharp, grinning mouth.
Monster: "Roaaaaaaaaarrrrr..."
(The Next Day)
Journalist: "Breaking news, breaking news.... The authorities have decided that the city of Sant Seutbel will be closed... No one is allowed inside except the authorities or detectives conducting the investigation...."
(Tssssss)
Rosalie: "Hmm...."
Minerv: "I want you to see this... Rosalie."
Rosalie: "Yes."
Minerv: "Take care of yourselves."
Rosalie: "....Yes..."
Hans: "I'll take care of it."
Minerv: "Please don't send Hosenträger and Oliver... They aren't ready for a mission like this..."
Hans: "Yes!"
They hung up.
Hans: "Good.... Well, my first mission with you."
Rosalie: "Then... let's go, boss."
He went outside.
Hans: "(Cough).... Everyone, listen up?"
Sophie: "Huh?"
Viola: "Hmm, Boss?"
Rosika: "Did something happen?"
Rosalie: "They decided that we're going to San Guimereas."
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Sophie: "Oh..."
Hans: "The Searchers who are there... One of them returned... and reported about a black liquid...."
Sophie: "Hmm?... Huh.... Wait a second, a black liquid... like in Titia back then?"
Hans: "Exactly."
Sophie: "Huh."
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Hans: "Hah."
Sophie and Fiona looked at each other.
Fiona: "That means... it's probably serious."
Hans: "Indeed... very serious..."
Sophie: "Okay... When are we leaving?"
Hans: "I'll form a group.... Sophie and Fiona, you're going of course, you're the Crows... With you will go... Rosika... Siegfried... Viola... And by the way... Rio is there too..."
Sophie: "Ohh... We'll finally meet Rio again. What about Colleta?"
Hans: "She'll come a little later."
Sophie: "Oh, okay."
They stood up.
Hans: "Alright... I want you to take care of yourselves... Don't forget the masks... Don't touch this black liquid."
Sophie: "Mhm."
Hans: "Good luck."
They got ready and put on their work clothes.
Sophie: "Hahh.... Here we go, huh."
Fiona: "Yes."
Sophie: "Hehe... We'll finally see Rio again."
Fiona: "Hopefully he's alright."
Sophie: "Hmm... I don't know them very well... Hehe... but you do. You were once with them in a Black Hole."
Fiona: "Yes."
Sophie: "Hehe... I'm curious how they're doing... I know Rio... he's even good friends with Marcus... Colleta is more... quiet."
Fiona: "She's a sweet girl."
Sophie: "I know.... I see how often she likes taking care of the children."
They got into the car.
Viola: "Hmm."
Sophie: "Your first mission with us."
Viola: "Yes."
Fiona: "Welcome to the trauma days."
Viola: "I'm ready."
Sophie: "Hehe."
They set off.
Sophie: "Rosika and Siegfried are in the other car.... And of course the coachman."
Viola: "Yes."
Sophie: "Heh."
Fiona: "Maybe we should really check our supplies too?"
Sophie: "I already did... hehe... I even packed food. It'll take a while until we get there. Hehe."
Fiona: "You can always be relied on... huh?"
Sophie: "Of course."
Viola: "You'll become a great mother and wife if you keep going like this."
Sophie: "Ahhh... I've pretty much given up on that... Anyway."