Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 1/Episode 7

This is the seventh episode, "Murgin" (ムルギン), of the first chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light.

< Previous episode | Next episode >

Episode text
Catherine inspected the red orb. She knew that it was an exit portal, but she did not know where its corresponding entry portal is. She picked it up, and walked downstairs, where Louise was reading a book.

–Catherine: Louise, there's something I'd like to show you.

Louise put the book down.

–Louise: What is it, Catherine?

Catherine took the red orb out.

–Louise: That's...

Louise took a closer look at the orb.

–Louise: That's an exit portal, right?

–Catherine: I believe so. But why did one appear here?

–Louise: I think you better check out Lyra. I'm not sure who or what caused it to appear.

–Catherine: Ah, okay.

Catherine headed back upstairs, and into the guest room. Lyra was fast asleep on one of the beds, while Wakaba was lying on another bed with her eyes open.

–Catherine: Wakaba, you should really get some sleep. Even just a nap.

–Wakaba: Catherine... there's a note next to Lyra. It just appeared out of nowhere, so...

–Catherine: I'll have a look.

Catherine walked to Lyra's bed, and took the note. However, it was not in a script or language that she could read.

–Catherine: I don't think we'll know what this says until Lyra wakes up. As I said, Wakaba, you need to get some sleep.

–Wakaba: Okay, then.

Catherine left the room, and headed back downstairs.

–Louise: Catherine, how are the two girls?

–Catherine: Lyra's still asleep. I just told Wakaba to take a nap.

–Louise: Ah. So you don't know why that orb appeared?

–Catherine: No. All I got was this note, and it's in a language I can't read.

–Louise: Let me see.

Catherine handed the note to Louise.

–Louise: I see. Catherine, do you suppose that this is written in a language Lyra can understand?

–Catherine: It's possible.

–Louise: Well, we won't know until Lyra wakes up. With that said, though, do you think Natasha will be able to read that note?

–Catherine: I don't think so; while she can acquire fluency in a language with only minutes of face-to-face conversation, it doesn't extend to writing. But it is possible, given that stranger things have happened in this galaxy.

–Louise: I suppose. Anyway, let's rest and prepare for the battle ahead. Himawari's group won't arrive until at the latest only 30 minutes before the enemy arrives at Murgin, so we have to do most of the preparation.

–Catherine: Well, I'll make sure everything's ready when the time comes.

Four hours later:

At Catherine's house, the doorbell rang. Louise opened the door, to find Hiyori and Aoba at the door.

–Louise: Ah, Hiyori, you're here. Are you here to return Uzuki's device?

–Hiyori: No, I left it at the hospital on the way here. But her new device will be ready in just a day; it seems Aoba found out about Uzuki's Inherent Ability a bit too late.

–Louise: But still, why did you come here? If you left Uzuki's device with her, then there was no reason for you to be here.

–Aoba: Actually... we came here to give Wakaba a new device.

–Louise: Wait, does Wakaba need a new device?

–Hiyori: Wakaba's device is a standard-issue Zodiac Warriors magic device. As you may already know, that kind of device is best suited to normal mages, and in the hands of a magical girl, is meant to be just a training device.

–Louise: I see. Anyway, why don't you two come inside.

The girls went inside.

–Aoba: Anyway... where is Wakaba?

–Louise: She should be in the guest room. However, she's currently asleep; I wouldn't disturb her if I were you.

–Aoba: That's okay; I can just leave it here.

The girls noticed Catherine heading upstairs, carrying a cricket bat.

–Louise: Catherine, what exactly are you going to do with that?

–Catherine: Well, I intend to wake up Lyra. And if it means poking her with this...

–Louise: Catherine... that is a piece of sporting equipment, not an alarm clock. You hit balls with that, not people.

–Catherine: Anyway, I'll be upstairs for a bit.

Catherine continued upstairs.

–Aoba: Is she always like that?

–Louise: Well, my sister said that she had no issues making a sudden entrance by performing a massive ground-pounding attack.

Suddenly, voices were heard upstairs.

–Voice: Hey, hey, will you stop that, Catherine?!

–Louise: Well, it seems Wakaba's awake now.

–Aoba: Anyway, can I head upstairs?

–Louise: Ah, sure.

Aoba headed upstairs.

–Louise: Hiyori, are you going to head to Murgin as well?

–Hiyori: Yes, but I'll be on the Himiko. I was originally supposed to be stationed at Haralni, but Akari said that I should board the Himiko as originally planned.

–Louise: I see.

–Hiyori: By the way, how are your sisters?

–Louise: They're doing fine. Amelia has been working hard, as usual. On the other hand, Stephanie always tells me to make decisions for her.

–Hiyori: Ehehehe...

–Louise: I mean, she is literally next in line to the throne, and her Inherent Ability can single-handedly turn around a battle. And yet she's as indecisive as ever.

–Hiyori: Maybe it's because no one expects her to become queen in the first place.

–Louise: And that is why many kingdoms and empires fell. If the heir dies, and the next in line isn't trained for the job, then how will the country survive?

–Hiyori: And empires have split because each child was equally capable. I mean, it's the reason Namari gained independence from Likkra in the first place.

–Louise: The two countries split because of cultural differences, not the fact that both children wanted something to rule. Sure, Queen Emma was a unifying figure across the entire continent, but the democratisation she introduced would've led to the two countries splitting. Even now, Amelia hasn't even thought of reunification, despite the fact that she's popular in Namari.

–Hiyori: I'm aware of that. But anyway, what's your plan for when you get to Murgin?

–Louise: To be honest, we don't even know where the World Orbs are, or who will be there.

–Hiyori: By the way, Louise, I'm preparing new devices for Aoi and Benio as well.

–Louise: Wait, why?

–Hiyori: It was a request by Inori. She figured out that the devices they do have right now are inadequate for their Inherent Abilities.

–Louise: I see. Well, that was thoughtful of her, given what happened to Uzuki.

Aoba went back downstairs.

–Aoba: I see that Wakaba is doing fine at the moment. I thought that Uzuki's condition might've led her to break down emotionally.

–Louise: It wasn't that bad, you know. Uzuki would've still survived even if we took our time.

–Aoba: Anyway, I better get going. Oh, and Catherine's mother wanted to give you this.

Aoba gave Louise a small bag.

–Louise: What is in this?

–Aoba: A collection of potions. They're... well, you'll most likely need them for the upcoming battle. Anyway, I better head back to the airport. See you later!

–Louise: See you later, Aoba.

Aoba left the house.

–Hiyori: Potions... they're one way to avoid mana starvation. Anyway, I need to head to the airport as well, if only to get the shuttle to the Himiko. Bye.

Hiyori left.

At 9:45 in the evening, the girls had arrived at the airport, to wait for Himawari's group.

–Louise: Lyra, do you still have that note with you?

–Lyra: Ah, yes.

Lyra took out the note.

–Wakaba: I wonder why we were given that note?

–Lyra: It says that the exit portal which appeared at Catherine's house is our way off Murgin, and the entry portal for that won't appear until we actually arrive on Murgin.

–Wakaba: So they really are helping us. Well, I hope everything turns out well.

–Louise: Me too.

Suddenly, a voice called out to the girls.

–Voice: Hey! Over here!

The girls turned towards the direction of the voice. It was Himawari.

–Louise: Ah, Himawari!

–Himawari: Well, we're here.

–Wakaba: Ah, where's Aoi and Benio?

–Himawari: I'm not sure. They must've run off somewhere.

Benio crept up behind Wakaba, and then placed her hands in front of Wakaba's eyes.

–Wakaba: Ah! Who is it?! Who is it?!

Aoi then crept up behind Benio, and slapped her on the head.

–Aoi: Benio, cut that out.

Benio let go of Wakaba. Wakaba turned around.

–Wakaba: Benio, why did you do that?

–Benio: I wanted to surprise you, Wakaba. Anyway, what do we do now?

–Louise: We still have around 15 minutes until the Donsilan ship arrives at Murgin.

–Himawari: Then I suppose we should wait. By the way, Wakaba, how is your new device?

–Wakaba: It is a lot better than my previous one. My old device felt rather awkward to use, and I couldn't use as much mana as I wanted with it. With the device my sister gave me, I'm able to use the full extent of my power. Also my sister told me of my Inherent Ability; it appears she designed this device around it.

–Himawari: Oh, and Mirai said that Aoi and Benio will be receiving new devices soon.

–Louise: Hiyori told me. It was Inori's decision, right?

–Himawari: That's right.

Suddenly, there was a bright glow in front of Lyra.

–Himawari: Lyra?

–Lyra: They're sending something to me.

–Louise: Again?

The glow died down. In Lyra's hands was a note.

–Louise: Another note? Lyra, what does it say?

–Lyra: Let's see... it says that even though the enemy ship has yet to arrive at Murgin, they've managed to teleport a magical girl down to the surface.

–Louise: No way!

–Lyra: However... it says that they've sent an exit portal linked to the entry portal I have to that magical girl.

–Himawari: So that means... wait, what do you mean about entry and exit portals?

–Louise: They're like one-way Portal Monoliths. They'll send us to Murgin.

–Himawari: Ah, okay. Anyway, does that mean we can go after her now?

–Lyra: Yes.

–Himawari: Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go!

–Everyone: Yes!

Lyra took out the blue orb, and began to cast a spell. A white magic circle appeared beneath her feet, and the blue orb began to glow.

–Lyra: Everyone, get inside my magic circle.

The girls walked to within the magic circle. With a bright flash of light, everyone disappeared.

Murgin was a pristine planet, largely untouched by civilisations. The faint sun of the planet bathed the landscape in an orange light. Normally, the sun would barely move in the sky; however, the World Orbs changed the planet's rotation period so that the Donsilans could inhabit the planet.

Lying on the ground was a red orb. Suddenly, the orb began to glow, and a white magic circle appeared under it. With a bright flash of light, the girls appeared around the orb.

–Wakaba: Okay... we're here. So this is Murgin, right?

–Himawari: Looks like it. It matches the pictures that the unmanned probes sent to us.

–Aoi: Anyway, what do we do now? We're kind of lost here.

–Louise: Now that you mention it... you're right! We are lost.

–Lyra: Wait... I sense someone nearby.

–Louise: Who? And where?

–Lyra: I think it's another magical girl. She is... wait, which way is north?

–Aoi: Lyra, just use the sun.

–Lyra: Ah, okay. She's in the direction opposite the sun.

The girls turned away from the sun, but they did not see anything.

–Benio: There's no one there. Looks like we should try to catch up to her.

–Wakaba: I agree.

–Himawari: Right, everyone, let's go.

The girls headed in the direction they were facing. After a while, they came across a girl.

–Girl: Hm? I never expected people to arrive here.

–Himawari: Well, whatever it is you're after, we're here to stop you!

–Girl: To be honest, I don't really care for your empty threats. After all, you might as well be insects to me.

–Benio: What did you say!

Benio lunged at the girl, only to be restrained by Aoi.

–Aoi: Benio!

–Girl: Well, then, why don't you try to stop me?

The girl turned around and fled. The party ran after her, but after a while, they lost track of her.

–Himawari: We lost her...

–Wakaba: Hold on, let me follow her. I think I can keep up.

–Himawari: You can, Wakaba?

–Wakaba: Yes. Speed is one of my strengths.

Wakaba changed into her mage outfit, and took off. After flying for around a minute, she spotted the girl.

–Wakaba: Found you!

–Girl: Urgh... you're fast. But can you handle this?!

The girl began to throw blue magic bullets at Wakaba. Wakaba took out her device.

–Wakaba: Right, let's do this.

The device transformed into a set of wings on Wakaba's wrists and ankles, allowing her to effortlessly dodge the magic bullets.

–Girl: Oh, will you just stay still for a moment so I can hit you?! I won't let a human like you best me!

More magic bullets appeared and were thrown at Wakaba. Again, Wakaba evaded the bullets.

–Wakaba: Just how long are you going to flail around like that?

–Girl: Will you stop being annoying?!

The girl fired a magic beam at Wakaba, who evaded the attack. However, the beam bent back towards Wakaba, forcing her to put up a shield in response.

–Girl: Hehehe... got you now!

The girl fired another beam at Wakaba. However, Wakaba only needed to stop the first beam for as long as she needed to get out of the way. She jumped out of the beams' paths, allowing the beams to impact each other. It was then that the rest of the group caught up with the girl. They had already changed into their mage outfits.

–Girl: Do you all have a death wish or something? Why do you insist on challenging a being who transcends you in every way?

–Benio: Because we can.

–Girl: And that is what I hate about humans. They always try and take on things which should be far beyond their control.

–Lyra: Tell me, why are you doing this?

–Girl: I'm not answering... wait, Lyra?

–Lyra: You... know me?

–Girl: I do. You probably don't remember, but we were in the same orphanage.

–Lyra: I don't remember a thing about my past. All I really know from then is my name, and a rough estimate of my age. And there's no need for you to refer to me by my human name.

–Girl: Lyra, there are humans here. So of course I'm going to refer to you by your human name. But what happened to you? How did you end up in the Milky Way? What made you join the humans?

–Lyra: As I said, I don't remember a thing. It was five years ago, that I found myself on Haralni.

–Girl: Let me guess... a demon. A demon who was originally a human.

–Himawari: That sounds like Gakran.

–Lyra: Anyway, what do you know about me? I'd like to know.

–Girl: I'd like to tell you, Lyra. After all, you've lost your memory in that incident five years ago. However, I'm under orders not to tell you unless you join us.

–Lyra: Just like before...

–Louise: Don't you see that Lyra wants to know about her origins?! So tell her now, instead of forcing her to join your cause!

–Girl: You should really tell my superiors that. However, since I'm nice, I'll tell her if you defeat me.

–Everyone: Eh?

Everyone stood in silence.

–Girl: As I said, I'll tell her if you defeat me. But I suppose it's beyond the capabilities of humans like you.

–Himawari: We... we'll accept your challenge. Prepare yourself!

–Girl: Very well, then.

The girl changed into her mage outfit.

In a hospital room in Sydney, Uzuki was reading a book. Catherine entered the room.

–Catherine: Uzuki, you're still awake?

–Uzuki: Yes, but... what's going on out there?

–Catherine: You mean, what your friends are going through?

–Uzuki: Yes. By the way, you haven't introduced yourself to me yet. While I know who you are, this is the first time we've spoken to each other.

–Catherine: Ah, sorry about that. I'm Catherine Allen, and I helped to cure you of the condition you were suffering from.

–Uzuki: Then I suppose I should thank you.

–Catherine: You should thank Wakaba as well. She helped me with your condition.

–Uzuki: By the way, what was I suffering from?

–Catherine: Mana starvation. Basically, you used too much of your mana. And that's why Hiyori and Aoba are creating a new device for you.

–Uzuki: Is that so. I'm sorry, for being such a burden on all of you.

–Catherine: You don't need to apologise. In fact, it is we who should apologise to you. Without your actions, the Amaterasu would've been destroyed.

–Uzuki: Anyway, where is everyone?

–Catherine: They're on Murgin.

–Uzuki: Murgin?

–Catherine: It's a newly discovered planet orbiting Proxima Centauri. They're currently trying to defend the World Orbs of the planet from the Donsilans.

–Uzuki: Then...

Uzuki tried to get off the bed, but Catherine stopped her.

–Uzuki: Catherine, let me go. I need to help them.

–Catherine: Don't, Uzuki. Please remember that you're still recovering from your condition, and you shouldn't exert yourself too much.

–Uzuki: Okay...

–Catherine: Besides, you need to head back to Tokyo anyway, to receive your new device.

–Uzuki: But... do you think they'll be okay?

–Catherine: I'm sure of it. Besides, if we find it necessary, then we can send additional people to help them.

–Uzuki: I see that you're still looking out for them.

–Catherine: By the way, Uzuki, you have a visitor.

–Uzuki: Eh? Who is it?

Catherine opened the door. It was Yayoi.

–Uzuki: Yayoi-nee?!

Yayoi entered the room.

–Yayoi: Uzuki, don't worry me like that. But I'm glad that you're all right. Catherine told me everything that happened, and I understand that you needed to do what you did.

–Uzuki: Yayoi-nee... thanks for your understanding.

–Yayoi: Uzuki, please hear me out.

–Uzuki: What is it, Yayoi-nee?

–Yayoi: Once the crisis on Murgin is solved and you have recovered from your condition, you and your friends must return to Tokyo.

–Uzuki: Eh, why?

–Yayoi: It concerns the Donsilans, and their intentions regarding the galaxy. It has become apparent that the threat which faces us is far greater than anything we've ever faced before. Or, at least that was what Akarin said.

–Uzuki: I understand. I'll tell everyone when they get back. By the way, wasn't Chiru-chan with you?

–Yayoi: Ah, she's waiting outside. You know, as much as I was worried about you, she was even more worried.

–Uzuki: Ehehe.... That sounds just like her.

–Yayoi: Anyway, Uzuki, get better, okay?

–Uzuki: I will.

–Yayoi: Well, see you later, then.

Yayoi left the room.

–Catherine: After seeing you speak to your sister, I feel like I want a little sister of my own. I have an older sister, but...

–Uzuki: Catherine, sometimes I feel lucky I have such caring older sisters such as Yayoi-nee. Doesn't Chelsea treat you the same way?

–Catherine: Not really; if anything, she's closer to Natasha than to me. Anyway, I better go now; it's getting late.

–Uzuki: Ah, okay. See you later, Catherine.

–Catherine: See you later, Uzuki. And get some sleep.

–Uzuki: I will.

Catherine left the room.

End of Episode 7

Next episode preview
–Uzuki: Well, everyone, I'm back! Did you all miss me?

–Wakaba: We did. I had to do the next episode previews in your absence.

–Benio: Well, we're all glad you're back.

–Aoi: Anyway, looking to what's coming up, it seems we have quite the battle.

–Uzuki: And I'm not even participating in this battle... and I'm supposed to be the main character!

–Benio: Uzuki, you still need to recover from your condition. Besides, there'll probably be an even bigger battle later on.

–Wakaba: Benio's right, you know. We aren't even close to the end of the chapter. Wait, Aoi, are we?

–Aoi: Why are you asking me, Wakaba? How am I supposed to know all of this? Anyway...

–Uzuki: Next time on Innocence Seekers: April Light, Episode 8: "The Donsilan Magical Girl". Be sure not to miss it!

–Wakaba: Ah, about the girl we're going to fight...

–Aoi: Wakaba, everyone's leaving now.

–Wakaba: Ah, wait for me!

< Previous episode | Next episode >

Commentary
From the moment Lyra senses the mysterious girl, her speech patterns actually change. This is not apparent in English, but is meant to be more apparent in Japanese, which is used by the characters in this part (Lyra normally speaks in a polite register, but in this case switches to the plain register; she also stops using nicknames). I'll elaborate on why this occurs in a later episode.

When discussing her sister's inability to make decisions for herself, Louise mentioned her ancestor Emma (who is also the ancestor of Erika and her sister Himawari, and Akari). Emma was one of the very few ruling queens of Likkra in its history, and a central figure of the Sunflower Revolution. Her ascension to the throne, while it served to unify the entire continent, had several major roadblocks as a result of the Radicals wanting a male monarch (at one point, Emma herself fled to Japan after the Radicals went as far east as Namari's former capital Chiyohara). However, with the support of the people of Namari (who fiercely fought back the Radicals) and some assistance from the Japanese, she managed to defeat the Radicals. It is often mentioned throughout Innocence Seekers: The Black Rose that Amelia resembles Emma a lot, especially since they ascended to the throne at similar ages.

Normally, a planet orbiting in the habitable zone of a red dwarf would be tidally locked. However, the World Orbs actually have the power to change the rotation period of a planet, allowing potential habitation by the Donsilans.

At one point in the episode, Catherine went upstairs to wake up the sleeping girls with a cricket bat. Her house has plenty of sporting equipment lying around, as a result of her general interest in sport. What may confuse many readers is the fact that she was carrying a cricket bat, as while cricket is popular in Australia (which is where Catherine lives) and India, very few people in America and Japan know about this sport.

If you're wondering what happened to the entry portal at the airport, Jacinta collected it right after it was activated.