Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 4/Episode 49

This is the first episode, "The Gerudo Empire" (ゲルド帝国), of the fourth chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light.

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Episode text
In the middle of the night, Uzuki was standing outside, observing the stars. She did not know why, but lately she felt the presence of her mother.

–Uzuki: Mum, I know you're watching over me... but listen. I don't know what to do. I've been tasked with saving the galaxy, but... am I really the right person to do this?

Suddenly, a figure approached Uzuki, startling her.

–Uzuki: Ah!

Uzuki turned around, only to find her sister.

–Uzuki: Oh, it's you, Mutsuki-nee. Wait, what are you doing here?

–Mutsuki: I thought I'd check on my sister. Anyway... have you been wondering why you have been tasked with this enormous role?

–Uzuki: Ah, did you hear me?

–Mutsuki: Well, I didn't want to interrupt you. Uzuki, I haven't told you about the adventures I had when I was your age, right?

–Uzuki: Ah, that's right. If I recall, you were with the then-princess of Cedysna, right?

–Mutsuki: Not only her, but also Linda.

–Uzuki: Who?

–Mutsuki: Ah, Matilda's cousin.

–Uzuki: Ah, right. It's just that I've never met her. Anyway, can you tell me about what you three did those years ago?

–Mutsuki: I joined right after the coup in Treproa. The event sent shockwaves through both the Zodiac Warriors and Puella, as their first joint venture in a while failed, but it particularly affected Cecilia.

–Uzuki: What happened? I heard about the coup, but...

–Mutsuki: I'm not sure if you know this, but Amelia had an older brother.

–Uzuki: This is the first time I've heard of this. Although, I have been slacking off a bit in history class.

–Mutsuki: Well, it's not like it would have been covered in school. But I'm a bit surprised you haven't heard of it until now. Anyway, Amelia's brother and Cecilia were set to be wed years down the track, possibly a few years from now. But the coup, of course, sent a wrench through those plans, and not only that, Likkra and Namari blamed each other for the incident that led to the disappearance of Amelia's brother.

–Uzuki: That I heard about. But I originally heard that it was due to accusations of interference in the internal affairs of their respective royal families.

–Mutsuki: In some ways that was true, but the root of all of this was that the prince was being groomed by Pan-Likkranists within the government. Or at least that was what I heard from Cecilia. If I recall, Likkra accused Namari of setting up the coup in Treproa to get rid of the prince in order to one day put his sister on the throne, and Namari in turn accused Likkra of kidnapping the prince in order to prevent his marriage to Cecilia, which under the Likkran constitution meant that he would have had to relinquish his claim to the throne. It was only thanks to our efforts that this didn't lead to an all-out war between the two superpowers.

–Uzuki: What happened to those who groomed the prince?

–Mutsuki: Initially, nothing happened to them; Likkra under King Willem was quite anti-Namari. Willem himself kept a tight leash on his daughters and his wife, and it took a huge amount of diplomatic pressure from Cedysna, Trulau and Bernim in order for him to even allow Amelia to join the Zodiac Warriors.

–Uzuki: But, of course, the king died, right?

–Mutsuki: Yes; killed by the Dark Angel in a cruel blow to the Zodiac Warriors putting their backs to the wall.

–Uzuki: Anyway, has the prince ever been found?

–Mutsuki: There were a number of attempts before the war against the Dark Angel. The first was initiated by our group, and failed. But I found out something during that mission that may be important to you.

–Uzuki: Eh? What is it?

–Mutsuki: Treproa holds the White Orb of Ocypsa. When you do get there, you are to gather all the World Orbs in Treproa. I suspect the same applies to Gerudo for this planet's White Orb.

–Uzuki: Wait, what did you say? Gerudo has the White Orb?

–Mutsuki: I couldn't confirm it, and apparently not even the emperor knows, but under the Imperial Palace of Uvra lies the White Orb of Elrodom.

–Uzuki: Then... we have to enter enemy territory, right?

–Mutsuki: I'm afraid so. Anyway, I'm needed somewhere else, so I'll see you later, Uzuki.

–Uzuki: Ah, see you later, Mutsuki-nee.

–Mutsuki: Oh, and one more thing.

–Uzuki: Huh?

–Mutsuki: It was only after our mother was killed that Yayoi became as strong as she is now. In fact, our mother's death also coincided with an increase in my own strength.

–Uzuki: Wait... Mutsuki-nee, are you saying...

–Mutsuki: I don't know any more about it. Anyway, Uzuki, good luck.

Mutsuki left.

–Uzuki: Mum's death... Alcea... I really need to ask you something...

Uzuki headed back to the inn.

The next day, there was a knock on the door of the room where Uzuki and the others were sleeping. Tamaki, who was already awake, opened the door.

–Tamaki: Ah, what are you doing here, Zoe?

The girl responded.

–Zoe: Everyone, Gerudo is making its move. They've attacked the location of the water-elemental World Orb, and from what I know there's another army heading straight towards Nairion.

–Tamaki: Wait, when will they arrive?

–Zoe: I'd guess about three days.

–Tamaki: And the World Orb?

–Zoe: Defended by an incredibly powerful individual.

Meanwhile, Uzuki woke up.

–Uzuki: Uhh... Tama-chan, what's going on?

–Tamaki: Ah, Uzuki, you're awake.

–Uzuki: Tama-chan, who's the girl?

–Zoe: Ah, I should introduce myself. I'm Zoe Walker. I've heard quite a fair bit about you from my cousin, Uzuki.

–Uzuki: Is that so... wait, who is your cousin anyway?

–Zoe: You've met her before, haven't you?

–Uzuki: I don't recall...

–Tamaki: Uzuki, she is Natasha's cousin.

–Uzuki: Really? I never knew that; Natasha never told me about her cousin.

–Zoe: I would've thought you would have known by now. Anyway, how has Lyra been?

–Uzuki: Huh? Ah, right, Wakaba mentioned about how you and Chelsea's cousin and your families were taking care of her.

–Zoe: That's right. Although, I have to admit, learning that she is a Donsilan was quite the shock to me.

–Tamaki: In any case, the most important thing we need to do is to figure out how we should deal with the invaders.

–Uzuki: Umm, who is it exactly who is defending the World Orb?

–Zoe: It's Alcea.

–Uzuki: I see. I...

–Tamaki: What is it, Uzuki?

–Uzuki: I... I want to meet her.

–Tamaki: Uzuki, what is this all about?

–Uzuki: It's about my mother's death.

–Zoe: Uzuki, she was the one who killed your mother. What good will it do for you to get revenge?

–Uzuki: It's not about revenge!

–Tamaki: Uzuki, your voice.

–Uzuki: Ah, oops...

The other girls began to wake up.

–Tamaki: Well, it can't be helped. Zoe, do you want to come in?

–Zoe: Ah, sure.

Zoe entered the room.

After everyone got out of bed, the girls continued their conversation.

–Zoe: Uzuki, did you really have to shout like that?

–Uzuki: I'm not like Yayoi-nee; I didn't want to give anyone the impression that I'm just out for revenge. I just want to understand why Alcea killed my mother, and whether it has any link to my own strength.

–Wakaba: I've been thinking, just what side is Alcea on anyway?

–Tamaki: To be honest, I don't know.

–Aoi: Anyway, what's going on here?

Suddenly, the door opened.

–Tamaki: Eh? What's the matter, Lyra?

Lyra entered the room.

–Lyra: Everyone, please board the Spica immediately.

–Uzuki: Why? What's going on?

–Lyra: We don't have much time. Let's go!

–Uzuki: Ah, okay.

The girls got up and prepared to leave.

–Lyra: Ah, Zoe, come as well.

–Zoe: Okay, then.

The girls left the room.

On board the Spica, the girls entered the war room, where Mira, the rest of the pendant holders, Miho, Himawari and Louise were waiting. Additionally, there was another girl at the table

–Uzuki: Ah, we're here.

–Himawari: Welcome, everyone. Please take a seat.

The girls sat down at the table.

–Himawari: I've just received word that Gerudo is currently launching a multi-pronged attack. One army is already at the location of the World Orb, another is on its way to the Trulauian capital of Nairion, and a third is currently attacking the Puella base near Gaudar.

–Kanade: A fourth army is currently engaged in battle with the Renegade Whites near Haibla.

–Tamaki: Renegade Whites? What are they?

–Louise: From what Aria told me, the Renegade Whites are a rebel Donsilan force split off from the Whites, which seek to wipe us from the galaxy. Unlike their former masters, the Renegade Whites do not seek to wipe out humanity.

–Aoi: Anyway, why did you call us here?

–Himawari: We're thinking of intercepting two of Gerudo's armies. Namely, the one attacking the World Orb, and the one heading towards Nairion.

–Uzuki: Ah, I'll lead the group intercepting the army at the World Orb.

–Melody: Eh, why?

–Uzuki: Alcea is there. I want to meet her.

–Louise: Are you really sure about this, Uzuki? I mean...

–Himawari: I think it'll be fine.

–Louise: Himawari?

–Himawari: Uzuki, your friends will be accompanying you, right?

–Uzuki: Ah, of course.

–Miho: I'll come as well.

–Uzuki: Ah, thanks, Miporin.

–Lyra: Anyway, U-chan, why do you want to meet Alcea?

–Uzuki: Last night, Mutsuki-nee told me that her own strength, as well as that of Yayoi, increased after our mother's death. I suspect it's the same for me as well, so I wonder if Alcea killed my mother for my own sake.

–Lyra: So... Mira, what do you think?

–Mira: I'm not sure exactly. All I know is that Tsukika was destined to die anyway.

–Lyra: Hima-chan, Lou-Lou, do you two know anything?

–Louise: Nothing as far as I know.

–Himawari: Same here. Akane might know something.

–Lyra: Anyway, U-chan, Mira and I will be coming with you.

–Himawari: I guess that makes nine within Uzuki's group. The rest of us will head to Nairion to intercept the army heading there.

–Eun-Yeong: Ah, but will you be fine with just five people?

–?????: That's where I come in.

–Uzuki: Huh? Who are you?

–Zoe: Ah, she's one of my friends. Her name is Amy Williams.

–Wakaba: Ah, Mizuki told me about you, Amy.

–Amy: Ah, you must be Wakaba, right?

–Wakaba: I am. It's nice to meet you.

–Amy: Nice to meet you too. Anyway, I'm here with Zoe as part of the Zodiac Warriors' response to Gerudo's aggresion. Also, I wanted to see how Lyra has been after she left Haralni.

–Uzuki: Wait, you're Chelsea and Catherine's cousin?

–Amy: I'm surprised you knew, Uzuki.

–Uzuki: No, I just figured it out.

–Benio: Are you two best friends?

–Zoe: You mean me and Amy?

Benio nodded.

–Zoe: We are. I know it's a bit interesting, since our cousins are also best friends, but our families knew each other for over twenty years.

–Wakaba: Anyway, what are you two planning on doing on Elrodom?

–Amy: We intend to coordinate with forces already on Elrodom, and attempt to stop Gerudo before they can take the rest of the World Orbs.

Suddenly, the alert siren sounded.

–Kanade: Ah, enemies! Lyra, Aria, to your ships!

–Lyra & Aria: Right!

–Mira: Lyra, I'll go with you.

The three left the room.

–Uzuki: What's going on?

–Kanade: We'll see. Let's go, everyone!

Kanade exited the room, followed by the other girls.

In the CIC, Kanade and Melody inspected the instruments.

–Kanade: Huh? I've never seen these type of ships before...

–Himawari: I guess they must be Gerudo spaceships.

–Uzuki: Wait, Gerudo has its own space force now?

–Louise: Well, they have developed spaceship technology in secret for quite a while. Without interference, it would've given them an edge in the war.

–Melody: But human-made ships are human-made ships. They're no match for our ships. Kanade, we're ready to attack.

–Kanade: No, we won't strike first. Melody, send them a message in English, that we are Donsilan ships, and that they are to retreat immediately.

–Melody: Roger!

Melody began typing on the keyboard in front of her. After sending a message, the girls waited.

–Aoi: Are they really going to retreat?

–Benio: Couldn't we fire a warning shot?

–Eun-Yeong: Are you crazy, Benio? Such a shot is bound to hit something we never intended to hit, even if it takes a million years.

Kanade observed the ships. After a while, the enemy ships opened fire, with their attacks impacting the barriers.

–Melody: Ah, they're attacking. Should we respond accordingly?

–Kanade: If they want to fight, then we'll fight back. Use the antimatter missiles.

–Melody: Roger!

The Spica fired a salvo of antimatter missiles at the enemy fleet, destroying six of the fifteen ships.

–Melody: Their flagship is still in fighting condition. Shall we cripple it?

–Kanade: Go ahead.

Melody pressed a button. The Spica fired a single projectile from one of its coilguns, impacting the enemy flagship.

–Kanade: It looks like they're deploying escape pods.

–Melody: Escape pods? That's kind of stupid.

–Kanade: Well, we are literally above Elrodom; it's not that much of a stretch to suggest that they want to escape to the planet below. In any case, we cannot allow them to return.

–Melody: Okay, then.

–Lyra: &lt;I'll take care of this.&gt;

–Kanade: Lyra?

–Lyra: &lt;I'm starting to get the hang of this. Anyway, I'll deploy the drones to intercept anyone who attempts to escape.&gt;

–Kanade: Please do, Lyra.

Kanade observed the Vega deploying drones. They sped towards the enemy fleet, just as the enemy ships deployed their escape pods.

–Uzuki: Now do we wait?

–Melody: I guess so.

After a while, all of the escape pods were captured.

–Aria: &lt;Kanade, what should we do with the ships?&gt;

–Kanade: Leave them; the Reds will clean up.

–Aria: &lt;Understood.&gt;

Kanade turned towards the others.

–Kanade: Everyone, let's hop on board the Vega.

–Uzuki: Ah, okay.

The girls left the CIC.

On board the Vega, Mira was interrogating the enemy admiral.

–Mira: Tell me, what does Gerudo plan to obtain from the World Orbs?

–Admiral: I cannot say.

–Mira: Oh? If you truly cannot say, then I'll make sure of it by cutting off your tongue.

Mira pulled out a knife. The admiral winced when he saw it.

–Admiral: No...

–Mira: So humans feel fear after all...

–Admiral: Who... what are you?

–Mira: Me? A Donsilan. A member of a civilisation far more advanced than your kind could ever hope. You had no chance of winning against us. Humans truly are pitiful creatures; thinking they can do things they are not capable of.

–Admiral: Gerudo will always emerge victorious. Mark my words.

–Mira: Really? When you couldn't even lay a scratch on three ships with your fleet?

–Admiral: We will not bow to the likes of you. The emperor's will is absolute. No one shall oppose him.

–Mira: The wheel of fate is turning... your empire will fall.

–Admiral: You think your words mean anything?

–Mira: All of my predictions have come true. However, if your emperor thinks he can avert this fate, I'd like to see him try. After all, that is the nature of all mortal races, and we are no exception.

Lyra entered holding a glass of water.

–Lyra: Here you go.

Lyra set the glass on the table where the admiral was sitting. The admiral drank the entirety of the contents of the glass.

–Lyra: You know, Mira is actually fairly nice among us Donsilans.

–Admiral: She doesn't seem that way.

–Lyra: If you don't tell us what your empire really seeks with the World Orbs, the ones we will hand you over to will not be as merciful.

–Admiral: Even then, I will not budge. Don't think your words can convince me otherwise.

–Lyra: How disappointing. It looks like you do not know what hell is. If you think death can grant you respite from your fate, then you are mistaken.

Lyra placed her hand on the admiral's head.

–Lyra: It seems you don't know anything after all...

–Admiral: Wha... what did you just do to me?

–Lyra: I just took a peek inside your mind. We can tell if you're lying or not.

–Mira: In any case...

Pink ribbons appeared from nowhere and restrained the admiral.

–Mira: Since you know nothing, you are no longer of any use to us.

–Admiral: You... you will pay fo-

Suddenly, the admiral coughed.

–Mira: Silence. This interrogation is over. You no longer have the right to speak to us.

The admiral attempted to speak, but nothing came out of his mouth. A pink magic circle appeared beneath the chair on which he was sitting, and in a flash of pink light, he disappeared.

–Mira: Well, that was a waste of time.

–Lyra: It can't be helped. It's not like they'll tell even their top generals the emperor's plans.

The rest of the girls entered the interrogation room.

–Kanade: Ah, it seems we're a bit late.

–Melody: So, did you get anything?

–Lyra: The admiral knew nothing. I peered into his mind to make sure.

–Uzuki: Anyway, should we be getting ready to head back to the surface?

–Mira: Ah, of course. But first, let's split into our assigned groups.

–Himawari: Got it. Everyone, let's head somewhere else.

Himawari took her group out of the room.

–Tamaki: If I recall, there's an army attacking the location of the World Orb, right?

–Mira: That is correct. Currently, it is defended by a single powerful individual.

–Aoi: That would be Alcea, right?

–Mira: That's right.

Lyra left the interrogation room.

–Miho: What will be our plan of attack?

–Mira: First of all, Lyra is inspecting the area. Depending on the conditions, it may not be advisable to head straight to the location.

–Tamaki: If that's the case, then what are our options?

–Mira: We have the option of clearing the area from the air. Our drones are useful not only in space, but also within an atmosphere.

Lyra re-entered the interrogation room.

–Mira: Ah, Lyra, how is the situation?

–Lyra: It seems the Gerudo army has been wiped out.

–Uzuki: Did Alcea do that?

–Wakaba: I wouldn't put it past her. She is, after all, a formidable mage.

–Lyra: That's my first guess. But something unusual is happening. Lyra took out her phone and showed it to the others.

–Mira: Ah... what is this?

–Lyra: There's a second intense magical signature coming from the location. I don't yet know who that signature represents, but the magic colour is green.

–Eun-Yeong: And that blue signal is Alcea, right?

–Lyra: We can assume that. Anyway, let's head down there and check.

–Uzuki: Ah, okay.

The girls left the interrogation room.

Just outside the temple holding the water-elemental World Orb, Alcea inspected the carnage she brought to the Gerudo army that attacked.

–Alcea: No survivors, huh? Well, I guess that is what humans are capable of after all...

Suddenly, a girl's voice called out to her.

–?????: I've finally found you, Alcea!

Alcea turned around. It was Yayoi.

–Alcea: So you came... Yayoi.

–Yayoi: This time... I will defeat you!

–Alcea: Is this about revenge?

–Yayoi: Of course it is! I saw it with my own eyes. You killing my mother.

–Alcea: You do not know the whole truth, Yayoi.

–Yayoi: Shut up! I will have my revenge!

A green magic circle appeared beneath Yayoi's feet.

–Yayoi: Take this!

Yayoi shot a massive magic arrow straight towards Alcea. However, Alcea blocked the attack with her hand.

–Alcea: You are not strong enough to defeat me. Come back when you are more powerful.

–Yayoi: You...

Yayoi prepared another spell, and a green magic circle appeared beneath her feet. Meanwhile, a large white magic circle appeared in the distance, and from it emerged Uzuki and the others.

–Alcea: Hm?

Uzuki observed the surroundings, and noticed her sister.

–Uzuki: Wait... Yayoi-nee?!

Yayoi turned around, keeping her spell on standby.

–Yayoi: Uzuki? What are you doing here?

–Uzuki: I could ask the same about you. But before that...

A yellow magic circle appeared beneath Uzuki's feet.

–Uzuki: Yayoi-nee, stop fighting this instant!

There was a bright flash of yellow light. Although Alcea covered her eyes, she knew that Uzuki's spell was not aimed at her.

End of Episode 49

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