Land of the Lustrous (宝石の国)

A dream...

That was reckless.

I slumbered for far too long.

Oh, Sensei! You're awake!

Jade.

How long was I asle-

...meditating for?

For an entire day.

Is that so...

Too long, perhaps.

Pardon me for the trouble.

I'll have your report now.

Right!

First off, the Lunarians.

At roughly noontime, two vessels appeared both out in the Ardent Wetlands and above the school.

Why was I not woken?!

Before we even had a chance both were-

I took care of them.

Well done, Bort.

But we rarely see such numbers.

Do not overexert yourself.

I haven't yet done as such.

I assume everyone else is safe and sound?

Yes.

Good.

Anything else to report?

Well actually, you see Phos is...

I am the king who rules over all of the Admirabilis, Ventricosus.

Halt I s-

You lowly jellyfish! Halt I say!

Darn. Can't you shrink anymore?

Well you see, I hail from these coasts.

This charming size before you now is my normal one.

What are we going to do about this?

It's quite bothersome here. My people were completely hunted down by the Lunarians for our magnificent shells.

My people were completely hunted down by the Lunarians for our magnificent shells.

Stolen away, we were fattened up on the sweet waters and sands of the moon, and lost our ability to think.

My people are still being kept up there today.

A sad tale, is it not?

Well...

I mean, if that's true I might feel sympathetic, but...

Forget about that! Why am I the only-

How are you feeling?

Don't overdo it!

Mental issues should be checked out ASAP.

Let's play cards tonight!

See, since I'm the only one who seems to understand you,

everyone else thinks I'm going crazy!

Can't you do something about this?

Oh my, what a predicament.

I never would have imagined.

Why did you have to gulp down me, of all people?

You just looked so tasty.

Phos, are you okay?

Nope.

Hey! My Diamond!

My, what a wonderful place.

Chock full of cuties!

I'm into the slightly stuck-up type.

Like that one with the long black hair, or the redhead who's out at night!

You met Cinnabar?!

Quite clever, that one...

One brief consideration of the traits of my kind, and Cinnabar instantly knew you were in that shell.

The reason you are back here now is entirely thanks to that.

So Cinnabar saved me again, then...

That's not good. Nope, definitely bad.

You don't want to let that one see you slip up, right?

Yeah? What are you trying to get at?

Cinnabar shared a secret with me I bet no one else knows.

I'm just waiting here for the day they come take me away.

I don't know why, but I want to imagine Cinnabar wouldn't have just told anyone.

You know...

no one's ever counted on me for help before.

That's why I have to be the hero this time around.

Okay! Time to get serious!

Me too! Me too!

No, you just go take a walk or something!

Do allow me to break you down and put you back together one more time.

This is just some mental thing! It's just stress! Stress, I say!

But this reflects on me and my practice!

Take this!

You will not get away!

Just listen.

Doctor's orders!

A stone eating snail, was it?

Yes, and-

I'm definitely getting blamed for this...

Sorry, Cinnabar.

Guess this is the end.

Oh my! What a hunk!

Huh? Why can't I eat you?

I take it this is it.

Now, O Shelled King.

While our circumstances may differ, shells are but another form of gem.

I welcome you here.

What do you wish to do now?

Please go out with me!

It wishes to be your servant, it says.

Now that will not do.

I believe we should maintain equal and amicable relations.

While I can see it means us no harm...

You are still the only one who can understand it.

So I ask that you take it with you as part of your work on the encyclopedia.

Alright...

Sensei, I wanted to ask you about Cinnabar...

Why do such a pointless job?

I know Cinnabar might be hazardous, but they're also extraordinary

and has already saved my good-for-nothing self twice now.

Isn't there anything else-

Forgive me.

I have yet to find a solution to this problem.

And you see, working the night watch was Cinnabar's own idea.

Despite repeated attempts at persuasion that merely living was enough in itself...

But the child is far too kind and far too wise to simply sit by idly.

I could not bring myself to take away the very night watch Cinnabar personally thought up.

Still, the fact that I have locked Cinnabar away in the night does not change.

My own worry and ignorance are to blame.

Allow me more time to find an answer.

We are too complex to be satisfied with simply living.

But thankfully, we live long lives.

The need for patience and perserverance may be met with chagrin,

but if you wish to be of use to Cinnabar when the time comes,

then I ask that you focus on completing what you have been tasked with.

I...

I might never find anything to offer Cinnabar.

Perhaps not in these lands.

Let's head for the sea.

Okay back, back...

Now wait just a minute!

You just want me to go play and forget about everything?

Nothing of the sort!

Now that I've slimmed down and my mind is clear again, I've remembered.

Remembered what?

Back in my homeland in the sea, there is one who looks very much like all of you.

What?

Surely that one might offer a hint at what you seek.

Think of it as a great way to get your work done AND take your mind off things.

And lucky you, you have an adorable guide with you!

Oh my! Aren't you just the kindest snail ever!

Thank you, Ven-turd-osus!

That's Ventricosus!

The sea is supposed to be off limits, but...

Well, I guess I'm no use around here anyway.

Maybe it's worth a shot.

Good morning.

Oh my. You're an early one.

I'm really sorry to interrupt you.

I really want to head into the pond.

Is that okay?

Sure, let's just give you a treatment of salt-resistant resin so you don't lose your powdered finish.

Last summer was quite hot, so we didn't get many powder flowers.

But it seems winter was cold enough, so there is plenty of resin to be had.

Is that so...

Are you still searching for the documents you lost thanks to that snail?

I expect the jellyfish have already eaten them, but yes.

Wouldn't want to waste paper.

How diligent of you.

You think?

These past two days have been so peaceful.

The sun's rays are delectable, too.

Certainly compared to how restless the other day was.

To think we'd see the Lunarians twice in one day.

As far as I can remember, over the last 2,173 years,

they typically only appear once every three sunny days.

I wonder if something has changed.

We are all quite ignorant to the world, aren't we?

The heat of summers and cold of winters don't affect us like they do plants.

And we'll never be as attuned to danger as insects are.

Do you think it's because we are immortal?

That is precisely why we hardly fear a thing even when our enemy begins changing their ways.

I'm a bit more fragile than the others though, so I'm a little scared.

Is this still going to take a while?

Right, about that. I can't find it anywhere.

I swear it was right here yesterday.

What?

Euc!

Red Beryl!

You haven't seen my latest project, have you?

I woke up extra early to finish it, but it's gone!

I just got an extra day extension to work on it, too!

This is bad!