"Captured?" Ercole laughs. "Oh, piccolina, you misunderstand. There's no reward for capturing sea monsters. There's a reward for killing them!"

Luca, Giulia and Alberto are grateful for the intervention, but just continue to glare at Ercole. They're not surprised by this revelation. This isn't news for them. Some of the people in the crowd look ashamed of their reaction to the boys, others still look like they might be interested in the prize. Ercole, of course, looks just as eager as ever, only seeing Luz as an obstacle.

Ercole continues, "Besides, look at them? If they aren't monsters, then what are they, then? Hm?"