Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 3/Episode 37

This is the thirteenth episode, "The Challenge" (挑戦), of the third chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light.

< Previous episode | Next episode >

Episode text
Although Uzuki's lightning bolt dealt some damage to Berdela, it did not faze her one bit.

–Berdela: For a group who could best a Donsilan magical girl, your spells are quite feeble.

–Benio: What?!

–Aoi: Benio, calm down!

–Uzuki: You're right, you know. But we're just getting started.

Uzuki charged straight towards Berdela, and in almost no time closed the distance. Uzuki's sword met Berdela's spear.

–Berdela: Well, let's see how you handle close combat.

Berdela pushed Uzuki's sword away, then attacked with her spear. Uzuki swerved away, jumped on to Berdela's spear, landing on her left hand, and swung her sword. Berdela was taken back at this audacious move, and did not manage to get her head away in time, getting a cut to the cheek.

–Uzuki: I'm not so sure focusing on me will get you anywhere.

Suddenly, Berdela was struck by a magic bolt, knocking her back.

–Eun-Yeong: Forgetting about me, aren't you?

A large cyan magic circle appeared beneath Eun-Yeong's feet.

–Eun-Yeong: I may not be as strong as Uzuki, but that doesn't mean that I can't pull off powerful spells.

Berdela shot a barrage of magic bullets straight towards Eun-Yeong, only for the attack to be blown away by Wakaba's wind magic. Meanwhile, Uzuki engaged Berdela, forcing her on the defensive.

–Eun-Yeong: If the heavens have any rage, then let that rage rain down on my foe. If thou art the master of the cosmos, and thou hast command of the divine rocks of heaven, then heed my command, and strike my foe with thy weapons!

–Aoi: Uzuki! Get away from Berdela! Otherwise you'll be caught in the spell!

–Uzuki: Ah, right!

Uzuki leapt away from Berdela. Berdela tried to follow Uzuki, but Aoi threw a massive icicle to knock her back.

–Eun-Yeong: Secret Skill, Meteor Storm!

Suddenly, massive rocks descended from the sky at almost unimaginable speeds, striking Berdela with such massive force that the girls were forced to put up barriers to protect themselves from the resulting impacts.

–Aoi: Meteor Storm... the ultimate earth-elemental spell that is learnable by any mage... Eun-Yeong, since when did you learn such powerful spells?

–Eun-Yeong: Well, I was actually taught some of these spells by Akari's mother.

Berdela emerged from the cloud of dust, significantly damaged, but still in fighting condition.

–Eun-Yeong: How...

–Wakaba: This is no ordinary foe we're fighting, Eun-Yeong. Even ultimate spells won't strike them down in one hit.

Berdela charged straight towards Eun-Yeong; however, Benio punched her away.

–Benio: Wakaba! Let's blast her away before she can recover!

–Wakaba: Right!

Wakaba transformed her magic device into its twin cannon form. Both girls began to cast their respective spells. A massive fireball appeared in front of Benio, while a massive ball of raging air appeared in front of Wakaba. Both girls launched their respective attacks towards each other, causing them to combine into an even more massive fireball.

–Wakaba & Benio: Secret Skill, Calamity Inferno! The massive fireball was launched towards Berdela, who had almost no time to react as it was moving extremely quickly. Upon impact, there was a massive explosion, and flames and burning-hot air spewed from the impact zone.

–Eun-Yeong: Is it over?

–Aoi: I don't think so.

Aoi began to cast a spell, and a massive blue magic circle appeared beneath her feet.

–Uzuki: Aoi, watch out!

–Aoi: Huh?

At that point, Aoi noticed Berdela charging straight towards her. Wakaba noticed this and fired a magic bullet towards Berdela. Berdela tried to deflect the bullet; however, the moment she touched it, it exploded, sending her flying back.

–Aoi: If thy power makes the gods tremble, then so be it. If thy power saps the very structures of creation, then so be it. For I call upon thee, I hereby summon the cold mists of Niflheim and command thee to envelop my enemy with thy cold embrace.

–Wakaba: Aoi?

–Benio: If what I'm thinking is right, then we must stand our distance.

–Wakaba: Ah, right.

The girls jumped away from Berdela. Berdela attempted to follow them, but Uzuki repelled her with a bolt of electricity.

–Berdela: Oh, I'm not falling for that again!

Berdela fired a massive magic beam straight towards Aoi; however, Benio managed to get in the beam's way. Although she took a fair bit of damage, Benio successfully stopped the attack.

–Wakaba: Benio, are you okay?

–Benio: Barely...

–Wakaba: Hold on, I'll heal you.

Wakaba headed to where Benio was. At that point, Berdela launched another magic beam.

–Wakaba: Oh, no, you don't! Secret Skill, Blast Calamity!

Wakaba fired a massive magic bullet straight towards the beam. Upon impact, it exploded, with the explosion causing the beam to dissipate.

–Eun-Yeong: Wakaba, you're nearly out of mana.

–Wakaba: Ah, oops...

–Uzuki: Everyone, once again!

A third magic beam was launched. Eun-Yeong put herself in the path of the beam.

–Eun-Yeong: O divine light, burn a path through the impure.

A cyan magic orb appeared in front of her.

–Eun-Yeong: Sacred Cannon!

The orb fired a magic beam, which met Berdela's magic beam. While the two beams were locked in a stalemate, Uzuki took the chance to shoot Berdela with electricity. However, it only met a barrier that Berdela put up. But it was enough.

–Aoi: Secret Skill, Absolute Zero!

Suddenly, the entire area dropped rapidly in temperature. The battlefield became enveloped in mist, and frost appeared everywhere. Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and all the air around Berdela crystallised. The sudden freezing of the air itself caused a massive implosion of air, completely shattering the ice encasing Berdela, causing significant damage to her in the process.

–Benio: Wait, that was supposed to be an ice spell; how did it cause the air to implode?

–Wakaba: Think about it, Benio. If the air itself freezes, then what's left?

–Benio: Umm...

–Wakaba: You get vacuum. And vacuum sucks everything into it.

–Eun-Yeong: That was the ultimate ice-elemental spell. As the name implies, it brings the entire area down to the lowest possible temperature. So, as you saw, the air itself was frozen, leaving a vacuum in its place.

–Uzuki: I hate to say this, everyone... but Berdela is still standing.

–Benio: Eh?! But how?! We hit her with two ultimate spells!

–Uzuki: We shouldn't underestimate her. Eun-Yeong, Wakaba, look after Benio. Aoi and I will take on Berdela.

–Eun-Yeong: Ah, okay.

Uzuki turned around. Berdela was on the ground, having clearly taken a lot of damage, but she was still standing.

–Uzuki: I see you still won't give up.

–Berdela: Give up? Perish the thought. There's no way I'll allow a pathetic race to live in this galaxy.

–Uzuki: Then tell me, why are you working with the Donsilans?

–Berdela: ... Uzuki...

–Uzuki: What is it?

–Berdela: What is the most valuable thing to you? What are you fighting for? Why are you fighting in the first place?

–Uzuki: I fight, not only for my friends, my family, my country, but for the sake of everyone who is relying on me. The thing most precious to me... is this world. That's why I fight, to defend it.

–Berdela: But is there any point defending a world where people fight over petty issues such as land or religion?

–Uzuki: I also believe that everyone must take their own path to the future. I fight not because I was told to fight by a higher power, but because it is my own decision to fight. Berdela, fate is merely an illusion. Although things may seem inevitable, when we try, we can achieve miracles. We forge our own paths to the future. What about you, Berdela?

–Berdela: I see. You're just like Alcea.

–Uzuki: Wait, what?!

–Berdela: Just like humanity, the Donsilan race is fragmented. I only work for one faction, the "Whites", who desire to wipe all life from the galaxy to make way for the Donsilans. However, I can tell you that, despite her actions, Alcea is not a true "White".

–Uzuki: Then why?

–Berdela: It's clear that she sees humanity as inferior. But originally she wanted to rule humanity.

Aoi approached the two.

–Aoi: Berdela, are you saying...

–Berdela: Alcea was originally a "Red", a member of the faction that wants to conquer the galaxy to uplift the races of the galaxy. However, as it turned out, she found that the power of demons was proportional to the power of the races of the galaxy. In particular, the one you call Pablo... you only find him undefeatable because of the collective sins of humanity.

–Uzuki: So, then Alcea decided that to slay Pablo she needed to commit genocide against humanity, right?

–Berdela: That is correct. Of course, she was doomed to fail from the start; after all, only we Innocents can kill demons.

–Aoi: That's true. But maybe Alcea has something that could bypass this requirement; after all, as a former magical girl, she should have an Inherent Ability.

–Berdela: That I do not know. From what I've heard Alcea has never told anyone anything about her Inherent Ability. Anyway... Uzuki...

Berdela fell to her knees.

–Uzuki: Ah, are you okay?

–Berdela: What, concerned for your enemy?

–Aoi: No, really, you're not really in any position to fight us now.

–Berdela: I guess so. I'll yield... for now. In a week, I'll return here in the afternoon. And I'd like a one-on-one battle with that red magical girl.

–Uzuki: You mean Benio? But why?

–Berdela: She's... interesting to me.

–Aoi: Ah, I think I know what you mean. Okay. We'll meet here next Monday.

–Berdela: Then it's accepted. I'll take you out of my witch space, so just hold on.

–Uzuki: But, why are you just letting us go now?

–Berdela: Let's just say that, without a contract, witches aren't the most loyal of beings. Anyway...

The space began to warp, and the girls found themselves back outside. The girls almost immediately changed out of their mage outfits.

–Eun-Yeong: We're... back, right?

–Wakaba: Looks like it.

–Benio: And the witch?

–Uzuki: She left, but not without challenging you to a one-on-one next week.

–Benio: Hehehe... I'll show her what I'm really capable of!

–Aoi: Benio, just remember that we won't be helping you in that battle. So don't get ahead of yourself.

–Benio: Right, right. But why me?

–Aoi: She said that she found you interesting. I think this may relate to compatibility.

–Benio: I see. Well, if that's the case, then I won't be holding back!

–Wakaba: Anyway, I overheard your conversation with Berdela. Is Alcea only trying to kill off humanity to get a shot at Pablo?

–Uzuki: Well, we don't even know if Berdela is telling the truth. Maybe once Benio defeats her next week, we'll be able to find out.

–Aoi: Anyway, we better head back. Benio, can you walk?

–Benio: I'm fine; this is nothing.

–Wakaba: Are you really sure?

Benio tried to walk by herself, but stumbled into Aoi.

–Wakaba: See, we need to take you to the nurse's office.

–Benio: Right, right.

–Uzuki: Anyway, let's head back.

The girls headed back into the school's main building.

In the staff room:

–Nakawa: Ah, you're back. Did you manage to drive the threat away?

–Aoi: Well, our enemy simply left after we damaged her enough. Unfortunately, we weren't able to capture her, although we'll get another chance next week.

–Nakawa: I see. Anyway, where are the others?

–Uzuki: Ah, Benio was injured in the battle, so Wakaba and Eun-Yeong took her to the nurse's office.

–Nakawa: Is that so? It's unfortunate, but we should count ourselves lucky that none of the students here were hurt. Anyway, I've been in contact with the principal, and she has agreed to dismiss the students early. We've had some close calls against the familiars, as even just one of them often proved to be too much for the rookie magical girls in the school. The girls are shaken, but at the very least, they're okay.

–Uzuki: Well, I'm glad no one's hurt. Anyway, we're going to go check on Benio. See you tomorrow, Nakawa-sensei.

–Nakawa: See you tomorrow, girls.

The two girls left the staff room and headed to the nurse's office. Inside, Eun-Yeong sat patiently while the nurse and Wakaba used their healing magic to treat Benio's injuries.

–Eun-Yeong: Ah, Uzuki, Aoi.

–Uzuki: How is Benio?

–Eun-Yeong: Well, it looks like she'll be okay. Anyway, Uzuki, you said that you were looking for the World Orbs, right?

–Uzuki: Ah, that's correct.

–Eun-Yeong: I've been thinking, why the sudden interest in the World Orbs?

–Uzuki: Well, it's a long story, but I'm searching for the World Orbs in order to find a specific magical girl. Or, should I say, who this particular magical girl is.

–Eun-Yeong: And what is significant about this particular magical girl?

–Uzuki: Eun-Yeong... please bear with me for a bit.

–Eun-Yeong: Uzuki?

Uzuki sat down next to Eun-Yeong.

–Uzuki: What we're doing... is trying to save the galaxy.

–Eun-Yeong: What?! Uzuki, plese tell me that's not true! I mean, the galaxy's not in danger, right?!

–Uzuki: Unfortunately, it is. Surely you've heard about it, if not from Nakawa-sensei, then from my sisters and the others, right?

–Eun-Yeong: I... I don't know what to make of it. It wasn't that long ago that Akari and the others saved the galaxy from Gakran, and now you're telling me that another threat has arisen?

–Aoi: Eun-Yeong, sometimes, we just have to accept the truth. The galaxy is in danger, if not now, then in less than three months time. The seal within the Cave of Illusions has been weakening for well over a decade now, and soon it will fail. And when it fails, a terrible being will emerge and lay waste to the galaxy, like it did to the Donsilan civilisation ages ago.

–Uzuki: Eun-Yeong, as I said to Berdela, I fight for the sake of this world. I don't want to see this world be destroyed. I want to protect it.

–Eun-Yeong: But... if this being so thoroughly devastated the Donsilan civilisation, then what chance do you have?

–Uzuki: We won't know until we try. As I said before, fate is an illusion. Eun-Yeong, do you believe in miracles?

–Eun-Yeong: I... Uzuki... are you really going to fight against such odds?

–Wakaba: I guess what Uzuki said about you was correct. You really are a pessimist, Eun-Yeong.

–Eun-Yeong: Eh?

–Uzuki: You stand on the crossroad between hope and despair. Which path will you take? Will you choose to have faith in us, the bringers of hope? Or will you just give in to despair?

–Eun-Yeong: I... I... Uzuki, I will support you. Until we've defeated this being, we will fight together... to the very end. Uzuki smiled.

–Uzuki: I see. Eun-Yeong, I believe you're strong enough to accompany us.

–Eun-Yeong: Wait, I can't just go on an adventure right now!

–Aoi: You have a point. Once we've collected all of the World Orbs, then we will await your decision.

–Eun-Yeong: Everyone...

Suddenly, the door opened. Uzuki turned towards the door.

–Uzuki: Mutsuki-nee?

Aoi turned towards the door.

–Aoi: Mutsuki?

–Uzuki: Mutsuki-nee, what are you doing here?

Mutsuki went towards Uzuki and hugged her.

–Uzuki: Ah-

–Mutsuki: Uzuki... I'm so happy to see you again!

–Uzuki: Same here. But what are you doing here?

–Mutsuki: Well, I heard that the school was attacked, and knew that you were beginning your first day here today. So I rushed to see what was going on.

–Uzuki: That's not it; what I meant was what are you doing in Yaezora?

–Mutsuki: Ah, well... something's amiss on Elrodom.

–Aoi: What do you mean?

–Mutsuki: I didn't get a chance to investigate it, since I was recalled, but I came to warn you about it.

–Wakaba: Is this about the Lilypond Wars?

–Mutsuki: Well, you could say it's that. From what information I've gathered, the Gerudo Empire has broken the most recent truce, and is advancing on Bernim. Needless to say, given the Donsilan invasion, Yamamoto's treachery, and the search for the April Light, the Zodiac Warriors is unable to send much to stop Gerudo.

–Uzuki: And what will this mean for us?

–Mutsuki: Gerudo... already has the fire-elemental World Orb in its possession.

–Eun-Yeong: No way! Are you saying... a rogue nation already has one of the World Orbs in its possession?

–Mutsuki: That is precisely what I'm saying. As it stands, the rest of Elrodom is at the mercy of Gerudo, thanks to the World Orb, and it won't be long until Gerudo attempts to start an interstellar war, given how far their space program is.

–Wakaba: Is there anything we can do to stop Gerudo and retrieve the World Orb?

–Mutsuki: So far, your priority is the World Orbs of this planet. However, once you've retrieved the World Orbs and gained what you need, Akane will inform you of the best plan of attack regarding Elrodom.

–Uzuki: I see. By the way, Mutsuki-nee...

–Mutsuki: What is it, Uzuki?

–Uzuki: I know who killed our parents.

–Mutsuki: What, how did you find out?! And when?! Who was it?!

–Uzuki: It was a Donsilan. An extremely powerful one.

–Mutsuki: I see. Uzuki... whatever you do, don't go chasing after this person. If she was able to defeat our mother... then you won't stand a chance.

–Uzuki: I'm more worried about Yayoi-nee, though. I'm not really interested in defeating her; in fact, it's more that I want to ask her some questions. But Yayoi-nee...

–Mutsuki: I understand what you're saying. After all, Yayoi was the only one who witnessed the murder. Anyway, Uzuki, I'll be heading off now.

–Uzuki: Where are you going?

–Mutsuki: To the local Zodiac Warriors base. I do have a ton of paperwork I have to get through.

–Benio: Ah, the perils of being an adult...

–Wakaba: Benio... chances are, we'll probably be saddled with paperwork when we grow up as well.

–Benio: Right, if you say so, Wakaba.

–Mutsuki: Ah, Eun-Yeong?

–Eun-Yeong: What is it?

–Mutsuki: Meet me at my residence tomorrow afternoon.

–Eun-Yeong: Is this about training?

–Mutsuki: It is. Anyway, I'll see you later.

Mutsuki left.

–Uzuki: Training? Eun-Yeong, is my sister training you?

–Eun-Yeong: Well, even if I can't be as powerful as you, I still want to try to close the gap as much as I can. So I've had some of our seniors train me. It's not just Mutsuki, though. I've also had instruction from Misato.

–Aoi: Well, I guess that makes sense. After all, I do see potential in you.

–Uzuki: Anyway, should we head back home?

–Eun-Yeong: Eh? But what about Benio?

–Wakaba: It'll be alright. I'll look after her while she recovers.

–Eun-Yeong: I see.

–Uzuki: Well, take care of Benio for us, Wakaba.

–Wakaba: I will. See you later, everyone.

Uzuki, Aoi and Eun-Yeong left the nurse's office.

End of Episode 37

< Previous episode | Next episode >

Commentary
The title of this episode refers specifically to Berdela's request for a one-on-one with Benio. I won't say why she requested a duel with Benio here, but you should be able to figure it out. That said, witches by blood requesting duels with compatible magical girls is actually quite rare; most of the time, the magical girl is allowed to bring companions into the battle.

This episode marks the first appearance in Innocence Seekers: April Light of the ultimate elemental spells. All of them are Secret Skills, and all of them can be learned by any mage. So far, I've demonstrated Meteor Storm (earth) and Absolute Zero (ice). The others include Explosion (fire), Sacred Whirlpool (water), Tempest (wind) and Cosmic Storm (thunder). All of them are accompanied by incantations that invoke the power of the gods or divine entities (in fact, many mages explicitly reference realms such as Muspellheim and Niflheim).