Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 3/Episode 43

This is the nineteenth episode, "The Weakening Seal" (弱る封印), of the third chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light.

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Episode text
On board the Spica, Lyra explained to the others what had happened to the fire-elemental World Orb.

–Aria: How... how could the World Orb be shattered like that?

–Kanade: I'm not sure myself. I had sensed something wrong at the location of the World Orb in question, but I didn't think it would lead to this.

–Melody: Kanade, what about the seals at that location?

–Kanade: They seem to be unaltered. Whatever happened, it must have occurred from within.

–Melody: What could've caused such a thing?

–Aria: Melody, you should remember that the World Orbs are supplying the energy needed for the seal in the Cave of Illusions.

–Melody: Ah, that.

–Lyra: But if one of the World Orbs has shattered, then could it mean that Gallurum is breaking out of its seal?

–Kanade: Ah...

Kanade left the room.

–Lyra: Did I say something bad?

–Melody: Don't worry about it, Lyra. Anyway, Aria, how long do we have until the seal is broken?

–Aria: By Earth reckoning, about three months. But that is assuming the World Orbs aren't shattering, like they are now.

–Lyra: But since one has already shattered...

–Melody: It would be reasonable to conclude that we have less time now. However, the seal has been weakening for quite some time, and it's possible that the timeframe calculated before reflects this.

–Aria: We were told that we could no longer ensure the seal within the Cave of Illusions. Could this be a reflection of that fact?

–Melody: It's possible. It is inevitable that Gallurum will break free from its seal, and there's nothing we can do to stop or even delay it.

–Lyra: So you're saying that Gallurum itself is shattering the World Orbs?

–Melody: That is correct.

Kanade returned.

–Aria: So, what brought you to simply leave us like that?

–Kanade: I contacted our superiors, and they confirmed that the seal within the Cave of Illusions has weakened considerably. So far, our timeline hasn't changed, but we need to be quicker in our search for the April Light.

–Lyra: We know that. Anyway, can the World Orb be repaired?

–Kanade: The World Orbs use technology that has long been obsolete. So far, the only known way to repair one is to gather all of the World Orbs of a planet into one specific place and invoke the White Orb. While I have reason to believe that a shattered World Orb can be repaired in the same way, it may only be able to be done if every single fragment is gathered.

–Lyra: Then, if we gather all the fragments...

–Kanade: That is easier said than done. How do we know if we have gathered all fragments?

–Lyra: Umm...

–Aria: Then maybe we should use my pendant to gather the fragments.

–Kanade: That could work. But are you actually going to be accompanying Miho and the others?

–Aria: Why not; it's the World Orb after all. And besides, you two should go as well.

–Lyra: Ah, okay.

–Kanade: Well, I guess I don't see the harm in that. Melody, remain on the Spica.

–Melody: Ah, okay.

Suddenly, the door opened. The girls turned towards the door, and saw Akari.

–Aria: Ah, Akari, what brings you here?

–Akari: My mother wishes to speak to you four. Can you please come with me?

–Kanade: Ah, what does Akane want to speak about?

–Akari: It's about the seal within the Cave of Illusions. She'll tell you more when we meet her.

–Kanade: Ah, then we should go.

The girls exited the room.

The next day, everyone gathered at the Miyana residence.

–Miho: So our plans haven't changed, right?

–Himawari: That's right. Miho, even though the fire-elemental World Orb has shattered, you should still try to retrieve it.

–Miho: I understand, but how? And should we gather all fragments?

–Tamaki: I presume so. Anyway, who will go in which group?

–Louise: I suppose we should split into groups based on our relationship to the royal family.

–Himawari: I don't think that will work. For starters, the only representative of my line that I know of who is here is me. So it'll just be me and Kanade who will head to the water-elemental World Orb.

–Uzuki: And what about matching the World Orbs' respective elements? Himawari, you and Kanade use fire magic.

–Aoi: Uzuki's right. Without water or ice magic, Himawari's group wouldn't be able to deactivate the World Orb.

–Louise: Well, why don't we send a member of the Miyana lineage with you, Himawari?

–Tamaki: Sorry, but I'm not going.

–Wakaba: Eh? Why not?

–Uzuki: Ah, well, Akacchi wants to speak to us while you're gone.

–Louise: I see. Well, that complicates things.

–Eun-Yeong: Umm, can I come instead?

–Himawari: Ah, wait, who are you again? I recall your face, but...

–Eun-Yeong: It's Eun-Yeong. I'm a student of Mutsuki Miyana.

–Himawari: Ah, that's right. Wait...

–Louise: Himawari?

–Himawari: Eun-Yeong, what is the name associated with your mother and her lineage?

–Eun-Yeong: It's "Mae". It's a name that has been passed down from mother to daughter for quite a while, and I also possess this name.

–Himawari: If I recall, there was a Korean branch of the Umehara lineage that went by that name. Per chance, was your matrilinear ancestor Queen Emma?

–Eun-Yeong: Now that you mention it...

–Uzuki: So does that mean Eun-Yeong and you are both descended from Queen Emma?

–Eun-Yeong: That is correct, Uzuki.

–Benio: But why would a Japanese royal family have a Korean branch? Aoi slapped Benio on the head.

–Aoi: Didn't you listen in school? They said that Queen Emma had the blood of the eight nations of Likkra. So saying that the current royal family is Japanese is rather inaccurate. It's like saying that the Likkran royal family is Blylandic, even though the kingdom itself is Guruni.

–Benio: Right, right.

–Louise: Aoi, I'm impressed that you've figured out where most of my lineage comes from. Indeed, my sisters and I are more Blylandic than any other race in Likkra. Anyway, back on topic, Eun-Yeong, I guess you should accompany Himawari to the World Orb.

–Eun-Yeong: Okay.

–Louise: Aoi, Benio, you're coming with me and Lyra. Wakaba, you'll be accompanying Miho and Aria.

–Wakaba: Right.

–Himawari: Well, I guess that's everything sorted. Uzuki, I don't know what Akari wants with you and Tamaki, but if there's something amiss that Akari wants you to deal with, then please be careful.

–Uzuki: We will.

–Louise: Anyway, let's go.

The girls left the house, only to find the four pendant holders outside.

–Kanade: Ah, are you ready?

–Louise: We are. And we've organised our groups.

–Kanade: Well, let's hop on board the Spica. Melody, please stay here.

–Melody: Ah, okay.

The girls, except Uzuki and Tamaki, gathered around the pendant holders. In a flash of red light, they disappeared, leaving behind Melody.

–Uzuki: Um, Melody...

–Melody: I already know, Uzuki. Come on, let's head to Akari's house.

–Uzuki: Ah, okay.

The three girls headed off to Akari's house.

Within Akari's house, the three girls waited in the living room.

–Melody: Tamaki, you said that you once went in the Cave of Illusions, right?

–Tamaki: That's right.

–Melody: Now, I haven't actually been there, so what's it like there?

–Tamaki: Actually getting there is a daunting task in itself. It's bad enough trying to get there in summer; I had to do it in the winter.

–Melody: I see. So it's located in some inhospitable place on Ocypsa...

–Tamaki: You could say that. In the winter, temperatures around the cave can drop below minus 90 degrees Celsius. In other words, it's cold enough that your breath will freeze.

–Melody: Yikes. Minus 90 degrees Celsius? I mean, we Donsilans can withstand the cold, but still...

–Uzuki: Funny thing is, that isn't even the coldest place on Ocypsa. The Ice Overlord's Castle on the North Pole can reach as low as minus 170. Any ordinary human will freeze to death almost instantly, and even for us magical girls, the cold will cause considerable pain. Trying to get an audience with the Overlord is an exercise in masochism for a magical girl, due to the conditions of entry, and suicide for pretty much any other human.

–Melody: I see. Wait, did you say 'Overlord'?

–Tamaki: Ah, yes, the self-proclaimed guardian of humanity, the Ice Overlord, Egruna. I've never met her in person, and she is an enigmatic figure. However, I heard that she has a daughter from a human.

–Melody: So a witch by blood...

Akari emerged from the stairs and entered the living room.

–Tamaki: Ah, Akari.

–Akari: Welcome, everyone. I called you three here because there's something very important I need to discuss with you concerning the seal within the Cave of Illusions.

–Uzuki: The seal?

–Akari: That's right. Tamaki, you know how you calculated that the seal will break at the end of September by Earth reckoning?

–Tamaki: Right.

–Uzuki: Which corresponds to the end of March on this planet...

–Akari: I think we may need to rethink that. As expected, the seal has weakened in response to the shattering of a single World Orb, but it has weakened more than any of us have expected. At this rate, we may end up with one less month before the seal breaks. However, I think we may be able to arrest the weakening, to an extent.

–Uzuki: How?

–Akari: Before I tell you, I want you to understand that this is only a temporary solution. Sooner or later the seal will break, and we will have to deal with Gallurum.

–Uzuki: That much we understand.

–Akari: Very well, then.

Akari took out four orbs, two red and two blue.

–Uzuki: Wait, those are...

–Tamaki: Portal Orbs. And two pairs of them. But, how are we supposed to use them? If they're together, they're useless.

–Akari: Ah, over the past few months, I've tried my hand at matter transmission.

–Melody: Matter transmission? Even among us Donsilans, that power is extremely rare; the only one I know who can use such a power is Kanade.

–Tamaki: Indeed it is rare. In fact, no human has ever pulled it of successfully in recorded history.

–Akari: Until now.

–Uzuki: What do you mean?

Akari began to focus. Suddenly, one of the red orbs disappeared.

–Uzuki: Huh? Where did that exit portal go?

–Akari: Uzuki, see if you can find that orb at Michiru's house.

–Uzuki: Ah, okay.

Uzuki exited the house. After a few minutes, she returned with the orb.

–Tamaki: Akari... you really pulled it off...

–Melody: I can confirm. That is indeed the same exit portal that disappeared.

–Tamaki: Anyway, what would you have us do with these orbs?

–Akari: I'd like to send two of these orbs to the location of the Cave of Illusions. And using the entry portal left here, you will head there and investigate the seal.

–Uzuki: I've been thinking, couldn't you just send us directly?

–Tamaki: That wouldn't work; at such large distances, our bodies would fall over dead on Ocypsa while our souls would remain stranded here. And even if our souls managed to follow our bodies, we have no easy way back.

–Akari: Tamaki's right. Anyway, I think it's time you headed there.

–Uzuki: Wait, how can you get your vectors correct? I found the exit portal in a small crater, which tells me that you sent it high in the air.

–Akari: Ah...

Tamaki took hold of a blue orb and a red orb.

–Tamaki: That's where my Inherent Ability comes in. Just by looking at it once, I can figure out exactly what to do.

Tamaki began to focus. Suddenly, the two orbs she was holding disappeared.

–Tamaki: Well, what are we waiting for?

–Uzuki: Ah, right!

Tamaki activated the remaining blue orb, and the three girls disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Akari behind.

–Akari: I wonder if they'll be okay...

Michiru entered the house.

–Michiru: Akari, can you explain why there's a crater in my front yard? I was flying around as part of a training exercise with my sister when I noticed it.

–Akari: Ah... sorry about that...

–Michiru: Anyway, have Uzuki and the others gone already?

–Akari: They just left.

–Michiru: I'm just concerned about them. I mean, the Cave of Illusions is a dangerous place, particularly for someone as inexperienced as Uzuki.

–Akari: I'm concerned too. But Tamaki is with them.

–Michiru: I guess so.

The three girls found themselves in what appeared to be the middle of nowhere. Snow and ice extended as far as the eye could see, and it was deep into the night.

–Melody: Is this where the Cave of Illusions is?

Melody turned towards the other two girls, and noticed that Uzuki was shivering.

–Melody: Ah... I guess humans can't tolerate the cold as well...

–Uzuki: It's so cold... I guess one has to experience it to appreciate it...

–Melody: Anyway, Tamaki, what about you?

–Tamaki: I'm fine.

–Uzuki: How?

–Tamaki: Thermokinesis.

–Uzuki: I see. Wait, Tama-chan, you'll use up your mana very quickly!

–Tamaki: I know that. Anyway...

Tamaki took out her bag and took two thick jackets from it. She gave one to Uzuki and put on the other herself. She also took out additional cold-weather gear for the two to wear.

Meanwhile, Melody, who was only wearing an open jacket and a sweater, was watching the other two with a slight expression of amusement on her face.

–Melody: Let me guess... it's the middle of winter here, right?

–Tamaki: It is. Right now, the temperature is minus 84 degrees.

–Uzuki: Tama-chan, you're prepared for everything, right?

–Tamaki: Ah, well, I do have plenty of things in my bag.

–Uzuki: But I have to thank you. I feel a bit better here now, although my legs are still exposed...

Tamaki looked at Uzuki's bare legs, and noticed that they were starting to turn red. She giggled at the sight.

–Uzuki: Tama-chan!

–Melody: Anyway, where is the Cave of Illusions?

–?????: I'll take you there.

The three girls turned around, and were shocked to see what appeared to be a young girl, who was only wearing a blue minidress.

–Girl: Ah, let me introduce myself. I am Lereia, the daughter of Egruna, and a witch by blood.

–Melody: Ah, Lereia... I guess this is the first time we've met. I'm Melody, one of the pendant holders. I've heard quite a bit about you.

–Lereia: Melody... nice to meet you. Victoria told be quite a fair bit about you and the other pendant holders. I see that you're on an important mission here, right?

–Tamaki: Wait, Lereia, you know Victoria?

–Lereia: Ah, Tamaki, I didn't notice you there. And that girl with you...

–Tamaki: Ah, she's Uzuki.

–Lereia: Uzuki?

Lereia approached Uzuki.

–Lereia: Uzuki, this is the first time we've met. But how is Erelia anyway?

–Uzuki: You... know her?

–Lereia: We're friends. In fact, we're the same age.

–Uzuki: Then, you haven't even thought about forming a contract?

–Lereia: At my age, normally I wouldn't But the Demon Princess has allowed me to form a contract this early, so...

–Uzuki: It was the same with Erelia. But with that inexperience...

Uzuki recalled what happened to Benio when she engaged Erelia during the test.

–Lereia: I see. Well fortunately for you and whoever is taking the test, we won't fight.

–Melody: Anyway, we've rambled on quite a bit. Lereia, didn't you say that you were going to take us to the Cave of Illusions?

–Lereia: Ah, that's right. Everyone, follow me.

Lereia headed to the Cave of Illusions, with the others following her.

–Tamaki: By the way, Lereia... you never told me that you were the daughter of Egruna.

–Lereia: Ah, didn't I? Sorry about that.

–Uzuki: And you said that we wouldn't need to fight. What did you mean by that?

–Lereia: My pre-contract test is simply to ask my mother for permission to form a contract with me.

–Melody: Sounds simple enough.

–Lereia: I should warn you, though, even getting to the castle is a massive task, even for a magical girl. Any ordinary human will freeze before even reaching the entrance.

–Uzuki: That we already know.

Eventually the girls reached the entrance to the Cave of Illusions.

–Lereia: I have to admit, I was surprised to see two Portal Orbs appear before me. But I sensed it as well. The seal is weakening more than we thought it would.

–Melody: With one of Fuenod's World Orbs shattered, it is expected that the seal would weaken. But to this extent... I can only believe that someone or something is attacking the seal directly.

–Tamaki: Well, that's what we're going to find out. Everyone, let's enter the cave.

–Uzuki: Okay!

The girls entered the cave.

The four girls eventually reached the deepest part of the cave. However, what they saw shocked them.

–Uzuki: Are they...

An army of monsters was attacking the seal.

–Melody: Well, we only have one thing to do.

Melody took out her weapon, only for Lereia to hold out her hand to stop Melody.

–Lereia: Wait, someone's coming.

Suddenly, a massive flame tongue emerged and incinerated most of the army. The remaining monsters were then cut down by a familiar figure.

–Tamaki: Wait... Yamamoto?

The figure turned around towards the girls.

–Yamamoto: So you came after all.

–Uzuki: What is it that you want here?

–Yamamoto: Just to check on the seal. Surely you know that the seal is weakening more than calculated, right?

–Tamaki: That's right.

The girls ran to the seal. Tamaki inspected it.

–Tamaki: There has been significant damage to the seal. However...

Tamaki began to focus, and she was enveloped in a white aura.

–Tamaki: This isn't something that cannot be rectified.

–Melody: Wait, Tamaki, what are you...

–Tamaki: The seal is powered by Innocence. Hence, by activating my own, I can repair it. However, as Akari said, it's only a temporary solution; eventually the seal will break.

Tamaki touched the seal with her right hand. Almost immediately, the damage to the seal disappeared.

–Lereia: Anyway, should we head back?

–Uzuki: Wait.

Uzuki walked towards Yamamoto.

–Uzuki: Yamamoto, what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be on Krukia?

–Yamamoto: I was. Akane left me the responsibility of protecting the World Orbs of Krukia. However, one of them shattered right before my eyes.

–Uzuki: So it's not just Fuenod...

–Tamaki: Yamamoto, do you think this could be Gallurum?

–Yamamoto: It is highly likely. Even though we have our own desires, we cannot afford to ignore Gallurum. That is why we must, for the time being, set aside our differences and work together.

–Uzuki: You're right. It's very hard to forgive you for what you did on Earth, but if we are to get through this, it is by working together.

–Yamamoto: So you understand after all... Heh...

–Uzuki: What is it?

–Yamamoto: Nothing. You just remind me of your mother. In many ways, you are like Tsukika.

–Lereia: Anyway, we should leave this place. It won't do us any good to remain here.

–Tamaki: Ah, right. Everyone, let's go.

Everyone left the room, to make their way out of the cave.

End of Episode 43

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