Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 2/Episode 19
This is the seventh episode, "To Italy" (イタリアへ), of the second chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light.
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Episode text
At the port in Southampton, the girls were preparing to depart. The ship currently docked was being prepared for potential combat, as the Royal Navy did not want to take any chances.
–Wakaba: You know, I thought we would go on something... a bit more comfortable than a warship.
–Louise: Well, given the situation, a commercial ship is out of the question. Given that we're already being targeted...
–Himawari: Anyway, it seems the cavalry are arriving. My sister told me that two spaceships are headed our way, and that a select few magical girls are arriving on Earth as we speak. Oh, and Louise, your sister is coming for you.
–Louise: Wait, are you sure?
–Himawari: Amelia asked Stephanie to ensure your safety. I don't know where she is right now, but I managed to contact Stephanie via telepathy, and told her to wait in Paris.
–Louise: Well, I'm glad she's helping.
–Wakaba: By the way, is something wrong with Benio? I see her holding on to her left arm ever since that battle; I wonder if she's hurt.
–Himawari: Why don't we ask her?
–Wakaba: I tried; she just brushed me off, saying she's fine. Well, she's always like that, brushing off even significant injuries as if they were nothing.
–Louise: Well, I hope she's fine. Anyway, it seems that they've finished; let us hop on.
–Wakaba: Ah, okay.
The girls boarded the ship.
"We managed to reach Paris without incident. But with Yamamoto's forces after us, we could not take any chances, so we were accompanied by military personnel. There is one thing that is worrying me, though."
The next day, in a small mansion in Paris, Uzuki woke up and got out of her bed. The room itself had four beds, and they were assigned to Uzuki and her friends. The other girls, including Tamaki and Miho, slept in different rooms. While Wakaba and Aoi were still asleep, Uzuki noticed that Benio was gone. She exited the room and headed downstairs.
Along the hallway, she noticed that a door was partially open. She entered the room, and found Benio, inspecting her left arm. Benio noticed Uzuki, and turned around.
–Benio: Uzuki... what are you doing here?
–Uzuki: You weren't in bed, so I came to find you.
–Benio: What is it that you want?
–Uzuki: Let me have a look at your arm.
–Benio: I told you, it's fine. You worry too much, Uzuki.
–Uzuki: But...
Benio stood up. It was then that Uzuki noticed the bandages around Benio's left arm.
–Uzuki: Benio... you're not okay. Come on, we need to get you some help.
–Benio: I keep telling you, I'm fine.
–Uzuki: Of all the times to be stubborn...
Uzuki reached out to grab Benio's arm. However, she inadvertently grabbed her left arm.
–Benio: Ah, ah, ouch!
–Uzuki: Ah, I'm sorry. But we need to find someone who can treat your injury.
Uzuki took Benio's right arm and dragged her out of the room.
–Benio: What are you-
–Uzuki: Benio, we're all worried about you. So, please, don't hide it.
Benio forcibly pulled her arm out of Uzuki's grasp.
–Benio: Uzuki, if you hadn't called that witch over... I would never have received this injury. Uzuki, it's your fault I got this injury!
Benio ran away.
–Uzuki: Benio, wait!
Uzuki remained in the middle of the hallway for a few seconds. Tamaki, who overheard the commotion from upstairs, headed downstairs.
–Tamaki: Uzuki, what's the matter?
–Uzuki: Ah, Tama-chan. It's about Benio.
–Tamaki: Benio?
–Uzuki: She blames me for her injury. I don't know what's going on inside her head.
–Tamaki: Well, anything could have happened during that battle. It was just luck that she sustained that injury. But anyway, I better go talk to her. Do you know where she went?
–Uzuki: She ran to the western side of the mansion.
–Tamaki: Okay, then. I'll see you later.
Tamaki headed off.
Benio kept running, until she bumped into another girl. The girl initially appeared unfamiliar to Benio, although she did resemble Louise in some ways. However, this girl looked older.
–Benio: Ah, I'm sorry! I didn't see you... wait, who are you?
–Stephanie: I guess this is the first time we've met, Benio Shinokura. I am Stephanie, one of Likkra's princesses, and Louise's older sister.
–Benio: Wait, how do you know me?
–Stephanie: Akari told me a lot about you. You are one of her cousins, right?
–Benio: Ah, that's right.
–Stephanie: But, what are you doing here? It's only seven o'clock, you should still be in your room.
–Benio: It's just...
–Stephanie: And what happened to your arm?
–Benio: It's nothing. I was just hurt a little, that's all.
–Stephanie: You know, Akari told me about your stubbornness, and the fact that you try to avoid looking weak in the eyes of others. I suggest that you knock out of that mindset right now.
–Benio: But I'm fine. I'm really fine.
–Stephanie: Benio, just be glad that you're dealing with me, not Catherine. I have far more patience than her, but that means I'm willing to wait all day for you to be honest with yourself.
–Benio: Fine. It's just... I lashed out at Uzuki about this.
–Stephanie: What happened between you two?
–Benio: I, well, I blamed her for what happened to me. In our battle with Erelia, I inadvertently used my left arm to block Erelia's sword, instead of a shield. Since it was Uzuki who called Erelia...
–Stephanie: I see. Benio, I think you should apologise to Uzuki. But before that, let me take a look at your arm.
–Benio: Okay.
Benio held out her left arm.
–Stephanie: I see. If you weren't a magical girl, you would've been dead by now.
–Benio: Eh?
–Stephanie: It's a witch's curse. One that specifically sucks the life force of the victim. Countless brave men lost their lives to this curse, all throughout history. But we magical girls can counter that curse.
–Benio: Then, does that mean that I will recover?
–Stephanie: Not quite. If we do nothing, that curse will take over you, and you will be left trying to create a replacement body. And given that we need to head to the location of the fire-elemental World Orb in a matter of days, we need you to be unhindered, not burdened by this injury or stuck as a spirit.
–Benio: Then, what can we do?
–Stephanie: To be honest, there's not much I can do. I have learnt quite a fair bit about healing magic from Catherine, but this is way beyond me. Why don't you ask Wakaba?
–Benio: Wakaba? Why her?
–Stephanie: Catherine said that she's not only capable of healing mana starvation, but powerful enough to pull it off without assistance from another mage. If that's the case, then this should be relatively simple for her.
–Benio: Then, I should speak to her.
–Stephanie: Wait, Benio.
–Benio: What is it?
–Stephanie: Hiyori asked me to give this to you.
Stephanie gave Benio a magic device.
–Benio: Is this...
–Stephanie: Hiyori created that for you. You needed something better than what you had, right?
–Benio: Ah, yes. Anyway, see you later.
Benio headed off. Tamaki arrived just after Benio left.
–Tamaki: Stephanie, what are you doing here?
–Stephanie: Ah, Tamaki. Long time, no see. I'm here to look after Louise. You know, ever since Yamamoto betrayed all of us, Amelia has become even more vigilant concerning our actions. It seems she doesn't want to leave anything to chance.
–Tamaki: Ah, okay. Anyway, I overheard your conversation with Benio. So I guess everything's sorted, right?
–Stephanie: That's right.
–Tamaki: But why would Erelia use something like that in a test?
–Stephanie: Erelia is still young. It's possible that she hasn't been able to completely control her power. In a normal situation, we would wait until a witch by blood is at least 50 years old before even attempting to undertake the test. It was only through the orders of the Demon Princess that Erelia was even allowed to form a contract with Uzuki.
–Tamaki: Wait, does Chyla know something we don't?
–Stephanie: Possibly. She may have seen an impending catastrophe, and thought that it is best for the galaxy to have Erelia form a contract now.
–Tamaki: I suppose. Which reminds me, I should return to the Cave of Illusions one day to check on the seal.
–Stephanie: Well, Flavia told me that the Donsilans added an additional World Orb onto Ocypsa to reinforce the seal. Unfortunately, it's not much, and we're already seeing the side effects in Higela.
–Tamaki: Well, desperate times call for desperate measures. We need to do all we can to prevent the seal from breaking; otherwise, it could be the end for all of us.
–Stephanie: Anyway, I better go find Louise. See you later, Tamaki.
Stephanie headed off.
Benio was walking along the hallway, grasping her left arm, when she came across Wakaba.
–Wakaba: Benio! There you are!
–Benio: Ah, Wakaba.
–Wakaba: Did you just get into a fight with Uzuki? That's what I heard.
–Benio: Wakaba, tell Uzuki I'm sorry about earlier. I let my emotions get the better of me.
–Wakaba: Well, you seem apologetic. Anyway, that doesn't change the fact that you're hiding an injury.
–Benio: Wakaba...
Benio suddenly headed into the room where Uzuki found her. Wakaba followed Benio and turned on the light.
–Benio: Close the door, Wakaba.
–Wakaba: Ah, okay.
Wakaba closed the door. Meanwhile, Benio took off the bandages on her left arm.
–Benio: In our battle against Erelia, you saw me block one of her attacks with my arm, right?
–Wakaba: Ah, yes. But I didn't think much about it. I thought that maybe you would recover.
–Benio: I spoke to Louise's older sister, Stephanie.
–Wakaba: Ah, so you met her.
–Benio: How did you know she was here?
–Wakaba: Well, Himawari and Louise were talking about it. Anyway, what did she tell you?
–Benio: This is a witch's curse. I'm guessing it's because Erelia's too young and inexperienced to actually control her power.
–Wakaba: That makes sense. I mean, witches don't usually use magic devices.
–Benio: And Wakaba, you're the only one who can heal my injury.
–Wakaba: Wait, me?
–Benio: Well, Stephanie said that you are the only one capable of getting rid of the curse. So are you going to do it?
–Wakaba: Wait, I never said anything about being able to get rid of witches' curses.
–Tamaki: <Don't worry, Wakaba. I'll walk you through everything you need to do. So just follow my instructions.>
–Wakaba: But Tamaki's Inherent Ability is really useful for things like this.
–Benio: What do you mean?
–Wakaba: She'll tell me everything that I need to do. And telepathically transfer the necessary information.
–Benio: Wow, is there anything she cannot do?
–Wakaba: Well, anything requiring lots of power. Such as this procedure I'm about to do.
–Benio: Ah, okay.
–Wakaba: Anyway, hold out your left arm.
Benio held out her left arm. Wakaba held out her magic device, and began to cast a spell. A green magic circle appeared beneath her feet.
–Wakaba: How hold still, Benio. This will take a while.
–Benio: Ah, okay.
Wakaba began to focus. The magic circle beneath her feet expanded. From the injury, what appeared to be a purple gas began to be emitted.
–Benio: Is that...
–Wakaba: That's the curse. Now, it won't do to just have it floating around here, so I'm going to purify it.
–Benio: How?
–Wakaba: You'll see.
Wakaba placed her left hand near the injury. Suddenly, her hand began to glow white.
–Benio: Wakaba, what is this?
–Wakaba: The very essence of a magical girl. Benio, do you know why magical girls are also referred to as "Innocents"?
–Benio: Is it because magical girls are pure of heart?
–Wakaba: That's correct. And it is through this purity that our true powers manifest. This white glow, the very power that is healing your injury right now, is "Innocence", our true power, born from the purity of our hearts. It is the only power humans can use to defeat demons. It is also the same power that allows us to survive almost anything.
–Benio: I see.
–Wakaba: Anyway, it's about to be finished.
The glow began to die down. When the glow disappeared completely, Benio inspected her left arm.
–Benio: Wow, it's almost completely recovered.
–Wakaba: Well, you will need to rest for a bit. But you should be right once we reach Italy.
–Benio: Ah, okay. But how will I repay you?
–Wakaba: By... not teasing me for a while?
–Benio: I'm not sure if I can do that. It's fun to tease you.
–Wakaba: Benio...
Both girls began to laugh. Right after they stopped laughing, Uzuki opened the door and entered.
–Uzuki: Ah, there you are, Benio! I was looking all over for you.
–Benio: Uzuki...
–Wakaba: Benio...
–Benio: Uzuki... I'm sorry. I'm sorry about earlier.
–Uzuki: It's okay. Sometimes we let our emotions get the better of us. At least I'm glad you were able to recognise your mistake.
–Wakaba: Anyway, I've managed to heal Benio's injury. She just needs a little rest.
–Uzuki: Is that so? Well, I'm glad. Anyway, Louise is calling everyone over.
–Benio: Ah, okay. We'll come.
The three exited the room.
In the audience room:
–Louise: Everyone, I'm afraid that things have taken a turn for the worse.
–Aoi: What's going on?
–Stephanie: I'll explain, but before that, let me introduce myself. I am Stephanie, and I am Louise's older sister and a princess of Likkra. Now, on my way to Earth I noticed that the enemy has made significant gains. The entirety of northern Italy has now fallen to Pablo's forces, and they're massing on the French border as we speak. At the same time, Greece and the Balkans are under attack.
–Kanade: Is it really that bad?
–Stephanie: Unfortunately, yes. It would be inaccurate to say that the civilian governments were unprepared for this. However, Earth's military has yet to register even a single victory against Pablo's demonic forces.
–Uzuki: Then what is everyone doing right now?
–Stephanie: To be frank, we're at our wits' end. The Endurance is preparing to commence orbital bombardment, but there is the risk of civilian casualties. Other spaceships will arrive in due time, but I fear that it may be too late.
–Himawari: From what I've heard, America is at DEFCON 2, and spy satellites have shown increased activity at nuclear launch sites across the planet. It looks like neither the Americans nor the Russians are going to take any chances with this crisis.
–Uzuki: Then what do we do?
–Louise: At the moment Sicily, the location of the fire-elemental World Orb, is still in our hands. However, a massive naval force is preparing to invade, and even if we go by plane, I believe that it will fall before we get there.
–Lyra: Then how? How do we get there? Are there any Portal Monoliths leading to Mount Etna?
–Himawari: Not as far as I know.
–Wakaba: Then... it looks like there's nothing we can do.
–Uzuki: Actually, there is a way.
–Stephanie: Uzuki, what do you have in mind?
–Uzuki: We can ask Erelia.
–Aria: Ah, that's right. She's capable of travelling incredibly long distances in a short period of time.
–Uzuki: Although she doesn't use it very often, she is one of the few witches who can transport people within their witch space. It's taxing for her, though, and I don't know if she can transport twelve people.
–Miho: But we won't know if we try, U-chan. Let's ask her.
–Uzuki: Ah, yes, Miporin.
–Uzuki <Erelia, can you hear me?>
–Erelia <What is it, Uzuki?>
–Uzuki <This is an emergency, so we would like you to take all of us to Mount Etna.>
–Erelia <Wait, you expect me to transport twelve magical girls within my witch space? Don't you realise how much energy it takes for me to transport even one person?>
–Uzuki <We have no choice. If we don't get there quickly, Pablo's forces will take over Sicily.>
–Erelia <But it seems I have no choice anyway. The Demon Princess has just ordered me to do likewise, so I'll take you there. Meet me outside the front gate, and remember to bring some mana potions for me, okay?>
–Uzuki <Ah, okay, we will.>
–Uzuki: She said we can, and we can leave now. By the way, Stephanie, do you have any mana potions?
–Stephanie: This is for Erelia, right?
–Uzuki: Ah, yes.
–Stephanie: I have plenty, and I've already placed some in Tamaki's bag.
–Tamaki: Wait, when did you...
–Louise: Let's not fret over the details; we need to set off now.
–Everyone: Right!
Everyone left the audience room, and headed out of the mansion. Outside the front gate was Erelia.
–Erelia: Ah, everyone's here. Okay, then, is everyone ready?
–Uzuki: We are.
–Erelia: Okay, then...
Erelia began to cast a spell, and a yellow magic circle appeared beneath her feet. A portal opened up between Erelia and the girls, and everyone except Erelia entered. The portal closed before disappearing.
–Erelia: I guess it's time...
Erelia leapt into the air, far above the clouds, then took off at such speed that a sonic boom could be heard throughout Paris.
Meanwhile, at Mount Etna, Catherine was flying around, searching for the entrance to the cavern holding the World Orb.
–Catherine: It would've been easier had Aria stayed in Italy. But instead, she just had to bail out and flee to France.
Her mother overheard the remark.
–Jacinta: Catherine, now that's not very nice. I believe that if Aria stayed any longer, she would've been captured by Pablo's forces.
–Catherine: I know that, Mum. It's just that she could've headed south instead of north.
–Jacinta: I don't think that was an option. The only way to get out, and fast enough to outrun Pablo's forces, was to ask that passing witch to take her. Anyway, let's keep looking, shall we?
–Catherine: Ah, okay.
The two continued searching for the entrance. After a while, Catherine found what appeared to be a cave entrance.
–Catherine: Mum... is that it?
Jacinta looked at the entrance.
–Jacinta: Well, we won't know until we actually enter. How about it?
–Catherine: Okay, then, let us enter that cave.
The two floated back down onto the ground, beside the entrance. Suddenly there was a shockwave coming from the north.
–Catherine: What was that?
The two looked towards the direction where the shockwave came from. Floating around 30 metres from them was Erelia.
–Erelia: Ah, didn't expect to find people here.
–Catherine: So you're the witch who rescued Aria, am I correct?
–Erelia: That's correct. I am Erelia, and just recently I have entered a contract with Uzuki.
–Jacinta: So you two have succeeded. Just as I thought.
–Catherine: You know about this, Mum?
–Jacinta: It was a special order from the Demon Princess. Given the situation we're in right now, it was probably necessary.
–Erelia: Anyway, I'll let everyone out now.
A portal appeared and opened. The girls inside Erelia's witch space exited one by one.
–Catherine: Wait... Stephanie, what are you doing here?
–Stephanie: Amelia told me to look after Louise. Well, you're here with your mother, so I'm guessing that you're helping her find the World Orb, right?
–Catherine: That's right.
–Aria: Well, search no more. The World Orb is right inside this cave.
–Uzuki: Well, that was convenient. Erelia, did you know?
–Erelia: Not really... I just happened to find them around the cave.
–Louise: Anyway, we better enter the cave quickly. Everyone, let's go!
Suddenly a man's voice called out.
–?????: Hold it right there!
Everyone turned towards the direction of the voice. Uzuki and the rest of the girls could not believe their eyes.
–Uzuki: No way... you're...
–Tamaki: Pablo Méndez.
–Pablo: That's right. And, under the orders of the old man, I will take that World Orb. If you know better, you will not get in my way.
–Uzuki: No. We will not allow you to take the orb. I don't care how powerful you are, if you dare raise your sword against humanity, we will not forgive you, and we will not rest until you are completely annihilated from this universe!
–Louise: Everyone, get inside, quickly!
–Uzuki: Ah, right. Everyone!
The girls headed inside, leaving Jacinta and Catherine with Pablo.
–Pablo: Running from me? Or maybe trying to secure the orb for yourselves. Whatever it is, you shall not succeed!
Pablo shot a massive purple beam towards the girls; however, a purple barrier suddenly appeared and blocked the beam.
–Catherine: Mum!
–Jacinta: Don't worry about me, Catherine, just get inside the cave.
–Catherine: Okay!
Catherine headed inside.
–Pablo: Then I'll just enter myself!
Pablo charged straight towards the cave; however, Jacinta activated her magic device, transforming it into a bow, and shot a magic arrow at Pablo, sending him hurtling back a few metres.
–Pablo: No puedes pararme, Jacinta.
–Jacinta: Puedo, y te pararé. ¡No pasarás, Pablo; no te permitiré!
–Uzuki: What are they saying? I can't quite understand them.
–Catherine: It's Spanish, but let's not worry about that. We need to get to the orb, quickly.
–Uzuki: Ah, okay.
The girls continued running.
End of Episode 19