Land of the Lustrous (宝石の国)

Hmph! No response?

What a bothersome brat!

Bort!

There!

Look!

It's Phos!

Phos might have found something!

Phos...

Phos!

Are you in there?

Don't do it! Stand back!

But...!

I told you to stand back!

Jeez, what's all the commotion about?

Oh, is it more Lunarians?

Looks like things are settled already.

I didn't even get to see them!

Why didn't the bell go off like usual?

So it's just some sort of snail then.

It shrivels up in salt water just like you'd expect.

This all would have been so obvious,

but thanks to that imbecile, we wasted our time and energy here.

B-but, thanks to Phos, we pinpointed its weak spot.

I'm sure a little credit-

Who deserves credit?!

When Phos gets back, there's going to be a beat-down.

Jade! Euclase!

Time to pick up the scraps of that piece of garbage.

Well? Find anything?

Nope...

No luck. It's all empty.

Nothing. Not a trace down there.

You're kidding...

Is there no end to the trouble Phos brings?

Hey!

Here.

Thanks. Here.

You were able to crack the shell, so I figured there should at least be something out there, but...

Yeah...

Where did you disappear to, Phos?

I don't suppose Phos is in that thing either, huh...

Phos...

Where did you disappear to?

Phos?

Phos...?

Well now.

Time for a bit of a break-

Emergency! We have an emergency!

All right, all right.

So someone was causing a ruckus and fell into the pond, yes?

Let me guess, it was Phos?

You'll be okay.

I'm sure Rutile can figure something out.

Oh thank goodness, Phos!

You're so happy, aren't you?

You diamonds, neither you nor your jokes are ever dull.

I'm serious!

Phos was swallowed up by this giant snail the Lunarians dragged in.

But this is all that's left.

The shell was completely empty.

A "shell" of its former self you mean?

I must say, that's really a terrible joke-

I am reporting the situation!

Well then, let's cut into it, shall we?

W-wait a minute!

Honestly, I can't say if it will work with this slimy little thing.

But if that truly is Phos, it should be fine.

B-but...

animals can't be put back together again, can they?

Animals rot away when they break.

They are built to replace one another, with the older ones dying off,

Master once told me.

What inferior beings.

So that's what they've become, is it?

How inconvenient...

We certainly will want to fix this before Master awakens.

It's fine by me as long as that one isn't stolen away to the moon.

We've done our part here.

Dia, return once your arm is mended.

Right...

Here.

Phos dropped this right before getting sucked in.

Maybe in hopes that your arm could be saved.

We have to take responsibility too, for telling Phos to investigate that shell to begin with.

But seeing as we have no means to do anything here, we should just leave that thing with the doctor.

Do be sure not to overdo it for a while.

Thank you.

Open. Close. Open. Close.

Okay, bye then.

I'll look after it for you, don't worry.

Thank you.

Don't worry! I'll get you back to normal!

Hmph...

Say, you turning out like this... It didn't...

Why not start by changing from within?

It had nothing to do with that advice I gave you...

did it?

Oh, of course it was, wasn't it?

Okay then...

Let's just go ask everyone for some help!

What?!

Phos...?

Yeah, Phos is...

I know! Here! Look at that!

What?!

Phos...?

Wait, before that, I need to finish fixing this desk.

Seriously?!

Seriously...

Yeah, I suppose you're not one for jokes.

Hey, why not leave Phos like that?

It might be gross, but at least it's quiet.

It might be gross, but at least it won't bother anyone.

It's definitely gross-

Get away! Stay off me! You're slimy! So slimy!

What?! Is that even possible?

Yeah...

Wow...

Phos really can't do anything anymore...

So we need to find a way to undo this, huh?

Phos never did anything before either, you know.

Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.

You really went all out, huh?

Nice going, Phos.

I don't feel like much has changed, though...

But wait, this means Phos won't have to worry about the Lunarians anymore!

Phos, you certainly aren't popular with the others, huh...

If you don't make efforts to get along with everyone, no one will be there to help when you're in need.

Hey, are you listening?

Stop!

If you start eating grass, you'll dirty your insides!

Do you not want to be saved?

If you've changed that much, maybe you don't have to worry about everyone anymore...

You don't have to compare yourself to anyone.

No need to be jealous or put on airs either, is there?

Are you happier this way?

Let's go ask around a little bit more.

I'm sure there's someone out there who needs you.