Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 3/Episode 39

This is the fifteenth episode, "The Demon and the Vampire, Part 1" (悪魔と吸血鬼、前編), of the third chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light.

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Episode text
At the location of the second jewel needed to unseal the earth-elemental World Orb, Akari and Kaede found themselves facing off against a Grestrel.

–Akari: This is...

–Kaede: Just... how, and why, is this beast here in the first place?

–Akari: I don't know. All I know is that we need to defeat it first.

The Grestrel immediately swung its axe straight towards Kaede. However, Kaede noticed the attack and knocked away the axe with her hammer. Meanwhile, Akari attacked the Grestrel while it was still open to attack. However, despite Akari's sword striking the Grestrel, the attack had no effect.

–Akari: It appears physical attacks don't have much of an effect.

–Kaede: Then maybe magic will hurt it.

A orange magic circle appeared beneath Kaede's feet, and multiple orange magic bullets appeared in the air. They were thrown towards the Grestrel; however, the bullets dissipated before they could touch the Grestrel.

–Kaede: An anti-magic field?

–Akari: No... this is Innocence. In any case, we're going to have to rely on elemental magic to damage this beast.

The Grestrel attacked Akari, who blocked the attack with her sword. With her left hand, Akari shot a fireball at the Grestrel, knocking it back. While the Grestrel was stunned, Akari began to cast a spell. An orange magic circle appeared beneath her feet, and multiple fire lances appeared.

–Akari: Fire Lance!

The lances were thrown straight at the Grestrel, dealing significant damage to it.

–Kaede: Is it over?

–Akari: No...

Akari began to cast another spell. Flames enveloped her sword, and a large orange magic circle appeared beneath her feet.

–Akari: Secret Skill, Flame Crescent!

With one mighty swing of her sword, Akari sent a massive wave of fire straight at the Grestrel. Upon impact, it incinerated the beast, leaving only a heavily-charred body.

–Akari: Kaede... let's open the door.

–Kaede: Ah, okay.

Suddenly, a voice called out.

–Voice: Wait!

The two girls turned around. It was Louise.

–Kaede: Louise? What are you doing here?

–Louise: Well, my sister and I came to help you obtain the jewel inside this place.

–Kaede: But aren't two people enough?

–Louise: No, I just heard from Tamaki.

–Kaede: Ah, I see. I guess we've miscalculated there. Anyway, you said that your sister came. Which one?

–?????: That would be me.

The girls turned towards the entrance. Stephanie entered the chamber.

–Stephanie: I have to admit, I never expected myself down here. There's a reason this location was hidden.

–Akari: What do you mean?

–Stephanie: Out of the four locations where the second jewels are, this one is the only one not marked by a statue. That's because it houses a powerful Donsilan artifact.

–Kaede: Wait, why is something so powerful located here?

–Stephanie: I'm not sure. But how did you two find this place anyway? Its location is only known to members of the Likkran royal family.

–Akari: Well, Michiru told us. She knew because of her Inherent Ability.

–Louise: Well, that makes sense.

–Akari: Anyway, we should unseal the chamber.

–Louise: Ah, right.

The four girls walked up to the door. Suddenly, the door began to glow orange, before moving to the side. The girls then entered the inner chamber.

Meanwhile, on board the Spica, the four pendant holders gathered in the living quarters.

–Lyra: So... umm... now that everyone is gathering the remaining jewels, should we just wait?

–Kanade: Lyra, are you a bit anxious about unsealing the World Orbs?

–Lyra: It's not that. It's just...

–Melody: If something is bothering you, just tell us. We're friends, after all.

–Lyra: Melody...

–Aria: Well, if there's something you want to say, just say it.

–Lyra: Umm...

Lyra paused for a moment.

–Lyra: There's a powerful witch roaming the Likkran continent.

–Melody: Wait, how do you know?

–Aria: Ah, I've heard about Lyra's uncanny ability to detect even faint traces of demonic energy. Even for a magical girl, that's quite impressive. But about this witch...

–Kanade: Lyra, are you sure it's not one of the contracted witches?

–Lyra: No, I'm sure of it. Actually, one of them was contracted, but the contract ended maybe around twenty years ago. Also, there are two. One of them is comparatively weaker, but...

–Melody: So you're saying that two powerful witches are roaming the land? And that one of them had a contract end in the not-too-distant past?

–Lyra: That's right.

–Aria: Lyra... how powerful are they?

–Lyra: I'd say... probably around Demon Lord strength.

–Kanade: Demon Lord strength? Can you be more specific?

–Aria: Well, Demon Lord strength represents a maximum mana output of around 1,500, so if they challenge us we'll be in for a challenge. And since there's a power difference between the two, it won't be a stretch to suggest that the maximum output of the stronger one is 2,500, or even higher.

–Melody: Is that so? Then we need to be careful. That said, can witches really be that powerful?

–Aria: Only witches by blood, and those who made the transition straight from magical girl to witch, have the potential to reach Demon Lord strength. But some far exceed that.

–Lyra: If that's true, then...

–Aria: Don't worry, Lyra. Of the two witches I know who are of Overlord strength or stronger, one is neutral, and the other is on our side.

–Kanade: Forgive me for asking, but what do you mean when you say things like "Demon Lord strength" and "Overlord strength"?

–Aria: You don't know, Kanade? This galaxy, like many others, is littered with the abodes of demons, Netherworlds, which range in size from a small spaceship all the way to a large gas giant. Many even live under the surface of a normal civilisation-bearing planet. Now on to what I meant. Demon Lords are the demons or witches who are capable of maintaining dominion over a region of a Netherworld, while Overlords govern entire Netherworlds. Since, as we all know, demons are far stronger than ordinary mages, that gives us a rough measure of how powerful these beings are.

–Kanade: I see. Then I guess the Black Rose must be...

–Aria: That's right. She's an Overlord. Her sister is actually Supreme Overlord, having succeeded her father around four years ago, and governs all the Netherworlds of this galaxy. However, despite their power, even the strongest of Overlords can fall to a hero.

–Lyra: A hero? You mean...

–Melody: It's a title given only to the strongest members of a species, and indicates that the bearer is capable of challenging an Overlord. Heroes are supposed to be rare, but lately there has been an explosion of potential heroes among the humans. Even then, the probability of a hero actually defeating an Overlord is very small, thanks to the power difference. Overlords have a maximum mana output of somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000, while heroes tend to only have a bit over a thousand.

–Lyra: If that's the case, then how did the Black Rose and her sister form contracts?

–Aria: Contracts... are a little different. Anyway, let us focus on the task at hand. Lyra, where is the stronger witch?

–Lyra: I'm not sure exactly, but the stronger one is somewhere northwest of Yaezora. The weaker one is actually in the city, and had in fact attacked the school Uzuki is now attending.

–Kanade: Wait, that school was attacked?

–Lyra: Well, it seems that Uzuki and the other drove the witch away, but she's still staying within the city. I'm not sure why, but she's not making any moves at the moment.

–Kanade: If that's the case, then Lyra, please observe her. Oh, but before you do that, can you go to Haguya and retrieve the jewels?

–Lyra: Ah, understood. I guess that was why Melody went to Chiyohara.

–Melody: That's right.

–Aria: That reminds me...

Aria took out a pair of jewels. One was the small red jewel found under the Namari royal palace, while the other one was green, and larger than the red jewel. The green one had a hole that was around the same shape as the red jewel.

–Melody: Ah, you've retrieved your jewels as well, Aria.

–Aria: Well, retrieving it was fairly simple. As it turned out, the monster that was placed there was already defeated, so we didn't run into any issues.

–Kanade: That reminds me... Melody, you said that there was a monster guarding the second jewel in Chiyohara, right?

–Melody: That's right.

–Kanade: If a monster was in Lobehaben as well, then...

–Lyra: I... I need to head to Haguya right now.

Lyra left the room.

–Kanade: Ah, Lyra! She's gone...

Outside the chamber holding the jewel needed to unseal the earth-elemental World Orb, a white magic circle appeared. From it emerged Lyra.

–Lyra: I guess this is it...

Lyra looked around, and noticed the Grestrel lying on the floor. It was badly burnt, and appeared to be dead.

–Lyra: So this was the monster guarding the jewel...

Suddenly, another Grestrel appeared and attacked Lyra, who noticed right before the Grestrel's axe was about to land on her. She leapt to one side, changed into her mage outfit, and took out her staff.

–Lyra: Another one!

A white magic circle appeared beneath Lyra's feet. She pointed her staff at the Grestrel.

–Lyra: Shoot.

Lyra's staff shot a powerful beam of light at the Grestrel. Upon impact, it caused the Grestrel's body to burst into flames. The Grestrel tried to attack Lyra again despite its injury, but Lyra noticed the attack and countered by shooting another intense beam of light, this time towards the Grestrel's head. With its head completely burnt by the light, the Grestrel collapsed.

–Lyra: They said that these things can resist magic. But, as always, my light can get through such trivial defences.

The other girls exited the inner chamber, and were shocked to see the second Grestrel lying on the floor.

–Louise: Wait... since when did another one of those beasts appear?

–Lyra: Ah, Lou-Lou, you're here.

–Louise: Lyra, what are you doing here?

–Lyra: I came to retrieve the jewels. You do have them, right?

–Louise: Ah, that's right.

Louise held out the two jewels, a small yellow jewel, and a larger blue jewel with a hole. Lyra took the two jewels.

–Akari: Lyra, there's something we need to tell you.

–Lyra: What is it, Akari?

–Akari: There's a powerful witch currently in Yaezora. I'd like you to keep an eye on it, and make sure she doesn't hinder our mission.

–Lyra: I already know about the witch. And Kanade already told me to keep an eye on her.

–Stephanie: Oh, do you want to head down to the inner chamber?

–Lyra: Ah, I guess I've been slacking off on the search. The map showing where the World Orb is is in there, right?

–Stephanie: That's right.

–Lyra: Let me ask one thing.

–Stephanie: What is it?

–Lyra: Have you figured it out yourself?

–Stephanie: Well...

–Louise: We've determined that the earth-elemental World Orb is somewhere in the Bavra Desert in the continent of Droen, which is southwest of Likkra.

–Akari: My mother told me that a "powerful object" is located somewhere where sand flows. Upon seeing the map, my guess was the sand dunes of the Bavra Desert.

–Lyra: I see. Well, if Stephie couldn't figure it out, then...

–Stephanie: Lyra, what's with the nickname? Only some of my maids call me that; not even Catherine uses that nickname.

Louise giggled.

–Louise: Well, Lyra does call me "Lou-Lou", which, again, only a few maids call me. Anyway, my sister isn't exactly the most diligent of magical girls.

–Stephanie: Louise, can we not talk about me and focus on what we need to do?

–Louise: Right, right. Anyway, Lyra, I think it's best for you to have a peek at the map down there.

–Lyra: Ah, okay.

Lyra entered the inner chamber.

–Kaede: Anyway... we should get going now.

–Akari: Wait... let's wait for Lyra first, so we can take her with us.

–Kaede: Okay, then.

Thursday afternoon, right after the school day had ended in Mihara Elementary School, all of the girls again gathered around Uzuki.

–Uzuki: Umm...

–Girl A: Miyana-san, tell us more about your life in Japan.

–Girl B: No, how about we have her explain her interests and hobbies?'

–Girl C: Miyana-san, are you free this afternoon?

–Uzuki: Umm... ah...

There was a moment of silence.

–Uzuki: Everyone... I'm not comfortable with crowds, plip.

–Girl B: Plip?

–Eun-Yeong: Aoi, what's with the "plip"?

–Aoi: It's probably Benio. She sometimes makes Uzuki end her sentences with "plip", in imitation of a rabbit.

–Eun-Yeong: Ah, you said that she loves rabbits, right?

–Aoi: That's right. In fact, her familiar spirit typically takes the form of a rabbit. She's also the only one out of us four who likes carrots.

–Eun-Yeong: I see. Wait, did you say "familiar spirit"?

–Aoi: Out of us four, Uzuki is the only one who has manifested her familiar spirit. The spirit's name is Usako, and although we don't get to see her much, she is quite lively whenever she appears.

–Eun-Yeong: I've heard of magical girls having familiars, just like witches, but what's the difference between a familiar spirit and an ordinary familiar?

–Aoi: To put it simply, a familiar spirit is an extension of its master's spirit, and is basically one and the same with its master. An ordinary familiar is, to a magical girl, simply an animal that has been bound to a contract, and gained sentience in the process.

–Eun-Yeong: Anyway, should we try to get the girls away from Uzuki?

–Aoi: I would, but I'm not really used to trying to separate a crowd. Normally Wakaba would be the one who would get the crowd to go away, but she's currently with Tamaki. Benio, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying this.

Meanwhile, Uzuki was struggling to speak within the crowd that had gathered around her.

–Uzuki: Everyone, you're too close to me, plip.

–Girl A: Ah, you're so cute!

The girl proceeded to hug Uzuki.

–Uzuki: !

–Eun-Yeong: That's enough, everyone! Can't you see that Uzuki isn't comfortable with all of you crowding around her?

–Girl B: We're sorry.

The girls walked away.

–Uzuki: Umm...

–Girl C: Miyana-san?

–Uzuki: If you wish, you can speak to my familiar spirit, plip.

A small yellow magic circle appeared on Uzuki's desk. A white rabbit emerged from it.

–Usako: Hello, everyone! I'm Uzuki's familiar spirit, Usako, plip. Now Uzuki is quite shy, so if you want to ask her something about herself, I will answer for you, plip. Although I won't say anything Uzuki doesn't want others to know, plip.

–Girl A: Ah, that's great! But first thing, since when did Miyana-san get a familiar spirit?

–Usako: Ah, I've been out and about for about a year, plip. Anyway, if you have things to ask Uzuki, please wait until another time, plip. Uzuki and her friends have very important things to do this afternoon, plip.

–Girl A: Ah, okay.

The girls walked away.

–Eun-Yeong: So her familiar spirit also ends her sentences with "plip"...

–Aoi: Unlike Uzuki, Usako always ends her sentences like that. Anyway...

Wakaba entered the classroom.

–Wakaba: Everyone, follow me.

–Aoi: Eh, what for?

–Wakaba: Just follow me; I'll explain later.

–Aoi: Ah, okay. Uzuki, Benio, let's go.

–Uzuki: Ah, okay, plip.

–Aoi: Oh, and you can stop that now, Uzuki.

–Benio: Aoi, can't you let her say "plip" for a bit longer?

–Aoi: Benio, you know she finds it a bit embarrassing to end her sentences with "plip".

–Uzuki: It's okay. Wakaba, where are you taking us?

–Wakaba: Out to the front of the school. Now are you coming or not?

–Benio: You don't have to hurry us, Wakaba.

Uzuki picked up Usako and headed out of the classroom.

–Uzuki: Let's go, everyone.

The girls headed out. Eun-Yeong remained inside the classroom.

When they reached the front of the school grounds, the girls saw Berdela.

–Berdela: Took you long enough.

–Benio: Berdela? What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to come on Monday?

–Berdela: Ah, that duel is still happening, but this is something else. I've been told by Alcea that her witch is at the location of the air-elemental World Orb, and that the location itself is overrun by vampires.

–Aoi: Vampires? But shouldn't a single magical girl or witch be enough to take care of them?

–Berdela: Herein lies the problem. The witch, Victoria, is, despite her power, even for a witch by blood, struggling against the vampire army.

–Wakaba: Wait, just how powerful are these vampires?

–Berdela: We shouldn't forget that despite being, well, undead, vampires can be considered a type of demon. Anyway, we don't have that much time until the sun sets on the location of the World Orb, so...

Suddenly a blue magic circle appeared between Berdela and the girls. From it emerged Melody.

–Melody: Bad news, everyone.

–Uzuki: We already know. That witch told us.

–Melody: Eh?

Melody turned towards Berdela.

–Melody: Ah, so you're the weaker of the two witches Lyra sensed form the Spica. I didn't expect to come across you just a day after knowing about your activities.

–Berdela: So you're one of the pendant holders, right?

–Melody: That's right. Anyway, I'm sure you know, but the vampires around the World Orb are unusually powerful. If a witch by blood is struggling against the vampire army, then...

–Uzuki: We'll help. I don't care if she's Alcea's witch, we're going to help her.

–Berdela: Uzuki...

–Uzuki: Even though Alcea killed my parents, I bear no ill will towards her. She probably had her reasons.

–Aoi: Uzuki, you're too nice...

–Melody: Well, I guess it's settled, then. We'll try to retrieve the World Orb and defeat the vampire army. I'll give you fifteen minutes to prepare. Once the fifteen minutes have passed, I'll meet all of you at Uzuki's house.

Melody turned towards Berdela.

–Melody: Berdela, was it?

–Berdela: That's right.

–Melody: Please stay in Yaezora. One of the other pendant holders will be arriving soon, and she will be watching over you.

–Berdela: Ah, okay. I promise not to do anything to disturb the peace here.

–Melody: You know what will happen if you break that promise, right?

–Berdela: Ah, I know.

Melody turned back towards the girls.

–Melody: Anyway, I'll be off. See you in fifteen minutes.

Melody headed out of the school grounds. Tamaki appeared and walked towards the girls.

–Berdela: Well, I guess I'll be off, then.

Berdela left.

–Tamaki: I heard everything. It looks like we'll be leaving at short notice.

–Uzuki: That's right. Anyway, let's head back home and change.

–Wakaba: Ah, okay.

The girls left the school.

Fifteen minutes later, the girls gathered at the Miyana residence. Suddenly, a large blue magic circle appeared, and from it emerged Melody.

–Melody: Ah, I see that you're all set. Everyone, head inside the circle.

The girls walked inside the circle.

–Melody: By the way, Uzuki, is that rabbit your familiar spirit?

–Uzuki: You can tell, Melody?

–Melody: Well, she does have the same mana signature as you. Anyway, you shouldn't be carrying her around like that when we get to the World Orb; any damage inflicted on a familiar spirit will be inflicted on its master.

–Usako: Ah, then it wouldn't be safe for me to just run around when there's a battle going on, plip.

Usako disappeared.

–Melody: Alright, then...

The magic circle began to glow brightly, and with a flash of blue light, everyone within the circle disappeared.

When the girls made it to the location of the World Orb, they saw a lone figure fighting the entire vampire army that had gathered. Suddenly, many of the vampires lunged towards the girls, forcing them to defend themselves.

–Tamaki: These vampires are stronger than usual...

–Melody: Well, it looks like we have no choice but to fight through them.

–Uzuki: I agree.

Uzuki took out her sword, and struck each of the vampires in quick succession. The ones who were hit fell almost immediately, but more replaced the fallen.

–Aoi: At this rate... we'll be overwhelmed.

–Wakaba: Not if I can help it!

A large green magic circle appeared beneath Wakaba's feet.

–?????: We'll take care of things here. You girls just focus on the World Orb.

The girls looked up and saw two figures.

–Tamaki: Is that... the Demon Princess?

–Melody: Indeed it is. And the other girl...

–Uzuki: She must be the princess of Nodaima, Madeline. The first, and so far, only magical girl to have formed a contract with the Demon Princess.

The two figures headed down towards the girls.

–Chyla: Melody, please take the others down to the entrance and unseal it. We will help Victoria hold off the vampires.

–Melody: But why are you here?

–Chyla: Don't you find it odd? Vampires roaming around, despite the fact that the sun has yet to set?

–Melody: Ah, now that you mention it...

–Uzuki: We had intended to come here while the sun was still up, but...

–Chyla: I sense a powerful demon here, stronger than a Demon Lord. That's why I'm here. We will take care of this demon, so don't worry about us.

–Melody: Ah, okay. Everyone, let's go.

–Uzuki: Right.

The girls, except Aoi, headed down towards the ground.

–Aoi: Umm, Madeline, I have a question regarding my powers.

–Madeline: Aoi, I know you're curious about your potential, but can it wait until we've dealt with everything?

–Aoi: Ah, sorry about that. I'll ask you later, then.

Aoi followed the others.

–Madeline: Chyla, let's do this.

–Chyla: Right!

A massive cyan magic circle appeared beneath both Madeline and Chyla.

–Madeline & Chyla: Unison!

With a bright flash of cyan light, Chyla disappeared, and in her place was a massive spear wielded by Madeline. The vampire army advanced, but with one swing, Madeline sent the entire army hurtling away.

Meanwhile, Tamaki was observing the battle from the ground.

–Tamaki: So that is the power of unison...

–Melody: The entrance has been unsealed. Let's go!

–Tamaki: Ah, okay.

Tamaki followed the other girls into the entrance. Aoi landed, and headed inside as well.

End of Episode 39

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Commentary
First, an elaboration on what Lyra and Aria meant by referring to "Demon Lord strength" and "Overlord strength". In Innocence Seekers, not all demons are equal, and can be sorted into a hierarchy, depending on their power. Lesser demons and ordinary witches typically have a bucket capacity of around 100, which is double that of an ordinary magical girl, and twenty times that of an ordinary mage. Greater demons have a bucket capacity of around 500, Demon Lords around 1,500, and Overlords around 6,000.

On to the concept of Demon Lords and Overlords. This terminology largely matches the terms used in the English version of the Disgaea video game series (which forms part of the inspiration for Innocence Seekers, largely in the gameplay front, given the huge numbers one may encounter), and should be treated as such by translators (I'll put a bit more detail in the translation notes). In general, Demon Lords are vassals to an Overlord, and may have their own territory. Overlords rule over entire Netherworlds, including the territory of their vassals, with some controlling multiple Netherworlds (for example, the Black Rose not only controls the galaxy's capital Netherworld of Seralia, but also the refuge planet of Fervul, where demons and mortals largely coexist). The title "Supreme Overlord" refers to the ruler of all Netherworlds of a galaxy, but this demon is largely responsible for handling issues that affect a large proportion of the galaxy's Netherworlds, leaving governance of individual Netherworlds (including the capital) to their respective Overlords.

With that said, despite their power, demons typically do not interfere with the affairs of mortals. In fact, in Innocence Seekers, most demons who wreak havoc are either witches or vampires, or were otherwise originally human in the first place.

Translation notes
In case if anyone wants to translate this episode, I may post some translation guides. These may or may not be specific to translations to specific languages.

Note: The English version as published here is the original version and the "master copy" when it comes to translations. It is highly advised that all translations come from this version. Also note that you are encouraged to look at the translation guides of previous episodes; I will not repeat guides from earlier episodes here.

General

 * The verbal tic "plip" should be translated, not transliterated or left unaltered. I took this from Disgaea 5, and in that game, the verbal tic was originally "pyon" (ぴょん) in the Japanese version. For reference, this is the "sound" a rabbit makes while jumping.

To Japanese

 * Demon Lord → 魔神
 * Overlord → 魔王
 * Supreme Overlord → 大魔王
 * Netherworld → 魔界
 * So far, I haven't determined what to use to translate "familiar spirit"; I've distinguished them from ordinary familiars, but both terms translate into 使い魔 in Japanese.
 * "plip" → ぴょん
 * Usako → うさこちゃん (the honorific -chan is included)