The two little girls argued until their faces were flushed, showing every sign that their verbal dispute was about to turn physical.
Longinus smiled and said, "That's called a griffin."
"Griffin? Why not call it a lion-bird?" Nami asked angrily.
Nojiko had gotten the "lion" right, but not the "bird." Didn't that mean she had lost out?
"Are you really not an animal trainer? If you aren't, why would such a huge beast listen to you?" Nojiko couldn't help asking.
"I'm indeed not an animal trainer, but a Marine. As for why Minos listens to me, that's because I saved it when it was still young," Longinus explained.
"Oh, oh! Then you're really lucky, Uncle," Nojiko said enviously.
"Huh? A Marine?" Nami was stunned at first, then suddenly realized. "You're a Marine just like Aunt Bellemere? No wonder your clothes looked so familiar. They're just like that coat Aunt Bellemere has always treasured and never lets us touch."
As she spoke, Nami fearlessly rubbed her little dirty hand against Longinus's clothes, then said indignantly, "There's nothing special about it! She won't even let us touch it. So stingy!"
"The Bellemere you're talking about is a retired Marine, right?" Longinus shook his head and said. "To a Marine, this coat represents something truly special. You could even say it represents an entirely different life."
"To treasure a Coat of Justice like that is proof that she's a soldier with firm convictions. So you should be proud of her."
Nami nodded as if she understood, but it didn't matter. As long as she could tell that this uncle was praising Aunt Bellemere, that was enough.
"It's still a little different. His clothes look much more expensive than Aunt Bellemere's!" Nojiko reminded her softly.
"I knew it. Aunt Bellemere has never had any