Land of the Lustrous (宝石の国)

Antarcticite...

suffered for me.

True...

The blame lies with me.

Better report this.

Sensei, we have Lunarians.

Phos, which type do they appear to be?

They appear to be the old type.

I will go investigate.

Very well.

Sensei.

They were indeed the old type.

You've mastered the ability

to alter your alloy membrane's thickness to match the trajectory of the arrows.

Now you must learn to maintain your balance.

Yes, my apologies.

I'll work to control this ability.

I will see to the remaining ice floes now.

Phos.

Take some time to rest.

The weight of this gold and platinum alloy has stolen my speed from me.

There is no time to waste...

That alloy has stretched throughout you like a net in order to support the weight of those arms.

Each time you unleash the alloy fine cracks run across your entire body, do they not?

Yes, but...

if I were to stop here...

I could not bring myself to face Antarcticite.

I never should have thrown that sword.

If I had only reached out...

Now.

Next time I will not fail.

Antarcticite, I'm back.

The sun came out today and we had our first Lunarian encounter in thirteen days.

Just the ordinary type. Unfortunately.

I hope they bring you with them next time.

I've cleaned up a bit, don't you think?

I wanted to be more like you.

The hair I cut off also helped fill out fragments I lost.

Really though, it's just going to get pushed out by this alloy anyway...

But I had nothing but time on my hands.

I can't bring myself to sleep these days.

I need to be ready to face the Lunarians at any time.

Plus, I'm afraid to even close my eyes now.

Because every time I do, I see you...

Phos.

Go sleep in your quarters.

I-I don't feel ready to sleep.

I'd rather keep myself busy...

I know! I can fix your robes for you.

If you don't change out of those Red Beryl will be furious upon awakening.

I can hear it now, "How could you do this?!"

But I have no other robes.

It'll be fine.

Will it?

These arms aren't as bad as they used to be.

I cut my hair just fine enough.

This is a first for me. Watching winter fade away to spring.

Living beings change at such a fast pace, don't they?

It's frightening.

You do, too.

That's...

You're right.

You're very right.

It's scary.

My eyes...

No matter how hard I try I can't seem to stop the alloy from leaking like this...

I'm sorry.

This is merely a defect found in ancient organisms and nothing to fault yourself for.

I must insist you rest now.

No.

It won't be long now.

Is it spring already?

C'mon, everyone, rise and shine.

You can sleep a while longer.

I'll handle preparations and cleanup for the morning meeting.

Thanks, Antarcticite.

Antarcticite is no longer with us.

Phos... Is that you?

Yes.

Is that true, about Antarcticite?

Yes.

Your hair...

and your arms!

I'll tell you all about it later.

I believe Sensei has much to say as well.

All right.

Could you go check on Cinnabar for me, then?

And mention that, if possible, attendance at the meeting would be preferred.

Cinnabar...?

Ah, right.

"Anything but that," yes?

Fine. I'll go myself.

No, I'll go.

But Cinnabar...

is who exactly?

Forget what I just said.

I think...

I might be a bit of a mess.

It would seem so.

I'm gonna start handing out our summer uniforms!

On the 22nd day, Antarcticite was stolen away from us.

It was a well-fought battle, but I was unable to assist in time.

I am deeply sorry.

As Antarcticite's successor-

Apologies for being late.

Phos...?

As Antarcticite's successor, Phosphophyllite handled the remaining winter.

What?!

Inform everyone as to the details of Antarcticite's capture.

As you wish.

Something's seem different...

Yeah. Something's seem different...

And that hair...

Look at those arms...

Antarcticite was captured trying to protect me.

Allow me to explain what occurred.

Antarcticite engaged with and defeated a new form of Lunarian

carrying Pink Fluorite on the Chord shore.

Another appeared immediately afterwards.

It was small, but unlike anything in Alex's reports.

At the center stood a vessel surrounded by ordinary Lunarians and eight larger than any seen before.

Um...

Like this.

About this big.

They were set around the vessel, shooting their arrows down...

Phos... Is that... your arm?

Y-yeah...

I lost both arms to the ice floes, but was lucky enough to get this gold and platinum alloy.

So I've just been using it.

I-it's not dangerous or anything.

See?

I hadn't given it much thought before, but...

It's kind of embarrassing having a weird body like this.

Oh, don't worry about my arms.

They'll just stretch and all that powder will fall off anyway.

All right then.

How was Cinnabar?

Just like always.

Entirely uninterested in joining our meeting.

If you're worried, why not go out and pay a visit?