NOVEL NEXT Episode 1: The Original Heroine
Chapter 4: Miltia War Arc
Episode 1: The Original Heroine
“Hello!”
“”Hello!!””
“Yes, please wait a moment!”
“…Huh?”
“Big brother, what’s wrong?”
“Brother?”
It’s been about two months since we swiftly dealt with Gladiol. Today, we’re visiting Sasha’s orphanage to express our thanks, apologize, and celebrate. Because of the commotion back then, we missed the entrance exams for the kids in her private school. Fortunately, all the kids who took the exam passed safely, so we brought a lot of famous sweets from the capital to celebrate.
Of course, Seira and Miss Liela are with me. Both of them are receiving magic lessons from Sasha. We actually wanted to come much earlier, but my duties as a caretaker kept me busy, leaving me with little time. The newly appointed headmistress, who is Oba-chan, had requested renovations throughout the academy. It was tough managing without Sarcastic Guy and the others, but we somehow managed to get through it.
So, we finally made it here, but something feels off…
“No, that voice just now didn’t sound like Sasha’s? It also sounds familiar…”
“”That’s big sister Lumina!””
“Really… There’s someone named Lumina here… Lumina!?”
“”???””
Could it be the original heroine? No, it might just be someone with the same name… Wait, that voice sounded like a popular voice actress… Is it the real deal? Why is she here!?
“…Does this person have light pink hair and a mole near her mouth?”
“That’s right!”
“Big brother, you know her?”
So it really is her… The real Lumina. Fans of the original work, I’m about to meet Lumina.
“Oh, Liela and Seira. Welcome.”
“”Excuse us!””
“Oh…”
It’s the real Lumina. The original heroine Lumina. The Lumina voiced by an incredibly popular voice actress. The Lumina who ranked second in popularity polls. Wow, I can’t believe I’m meeting her here.
Hey, Mine-kun, could you not pull away from me right now?
“Uh, who is this person?”
“This is my brother!”
“My big brother!”
“Oh, so you’re Mine? I’ve heard about you from Sasha.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Mine.”
Wow, Lumina just said my name. To all the fans who supported Lumina, sorry, but she remembers my name.
Seriously, Mine-kun, stop pulling away. This is a huge event for original fans, something that would almost make them cheer.
—
“–So, that’s why I’m here now.”
“I see.”
“”I see.””
“[[Aww… Cute.]]”
“Oh my, you two are so adorable!”
“”Hehehe.””
“[[So precious.]]”
The two nodding their heads and mimicking me are cute. Lumina hugging them with a big smile is precious.
Apparently, Lumina returned here about two months before the entrance exam. Seira and Miss Liela have met her several times. They didn’t have many chances to talk properly because the academy’s exams were approaching, though.
I didn’t know at all. Thinking back, the kids at the orphanage mentioned Lumina’s name among the exam takers when we returned with Sasha. I completely missed it since I didn’t expect her to be here.
It seems she was left at this orphanage before she could even remember and was raised by the old headmaster and Sasha. This means the benefactor she was searching for in the original story was Sasha. This must have triggered special dialogues in the Lumina route during the battle with the bishop who stole Sasha’s [Magic Eyes].
If that’s the case, then, Seira, who was in a similar situation to Sasha, must have had some events too… Since the ‘Spirit’ went out of its way to make me a ‘Protector.’ Is there any way to check a walkthrough site? I’d like to preemptively deal with those involved.
“But the church is just awful! How can those kids be candidates for the saintess position!?”
When I casually brought up the topic of the church to gather some information, Lumina launched into a tirade about her grievances with it. It seems she had a lot of pent-up frustration. Well, she finally found someone she could vent to. It’s not really something you can talk about with kids.
About six years ago, it was discovered that she had a high aptitude for light magic, and she was trained at the Milticia headquarters as a candidate for the saintess. But the saintess is a symbol of the church, just like the Pope. The candidates and their supporters were engaged in fierce behind-the-scenes battles for the position. When she heard that Sasha left the church during such dark times, she completely lost faith in it.
Lumina continued to rant about the church. It seems the internal situation is worse than I imagined.
“Lumina, Mine seems troubled.”
“But it’s ridiculous that those people are candidates for saintess!”
Sasha tried to calm her down, but Lumina’s rant continued.
“How did you manage to leave the church?”
“They granted permission easily. It was convenient for the other candidates and their supporters since it reduced the competition.”
Even so, she had plans for missionary work in various countries, which she had to fulfill before quitting. However, for those who joined the faith because of her, it must have felt strange. I mean, the person who inspired them to join leaves right after… but that’s not really my concern.
“Of course, I haven’t abandoned my faith. Both Sasha and I were once candidates for saintess. But the current church is completely different from what the ‘Miko’ once protected.”
“‘Miko’?”
“Oh? Haven’t you heard of the ‘Miko’, Mine?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“…Now that I think about it, I haven’t told Liela or Seira about the ‘Miko’ either.”
“Then I’ll tell them! I love that story. I’m sure the other kids will enjoy it too.”
Apparently, the ‘Miko’ is an important figure in the Miltia religion. Stop introducing elements I don’t know. Maybe this was from a route I didn’t play, but there’s too much new information. How many routes were in that game, anyway?
So Sasha was a candidate for saintess too. Well, she has the [Magic Eyes] and knew about the bishops and cardinals. It makes sense she had a significant position. How did I not realize that…?
“Alright, I’ll start the story of the ‘Miko’.”
“””Okay!!”””
Lumina began telling the children about the ‘Miko’. In the original, she seemed quieter, but in person, she’s quite different. I don’t know about other fans, but I prefer this version of her. It was probably because of Sasha that she seemed that way in the original. We don’t need those depressing storylines.
Now, the story of the ‘Miko’: A thousand years ago, there was a saintess who served the gods. One day, she was proposed to by a prince of a great nation. However, as someone devoted to the gods, she refused. This sparked severe persecution against the Miltia religion.
She kept fleeing east, protecting her followers, until they were finally cornered at what is now Milticia. At the time, it was just a small rural town, completely surrounded by the persecutors. Even in such a dire situation, she continued to inspire her followers and faced the ‘Final Holy War.’ Just as the followers and persecutors were about to clash—
“An angel descended from the sky!”
“””Wow!”””
The children listening to Lumina’s story exclaimed in delight. It’s a story that appeals to kids. Seira and Liela also seemed to enjoy it. In the climactic moment of the legend, the battle angel Sancrucel, sent by the gods, annihilates the enemies of the saintess with overwhelming power. Saved by Sancrucel, they named the place Milticia and vowed to protect it as sacred ground. And she came to be called the ‘Miko,’ a person deeply connected to the gods. The end.
“The ‘Miko,’ Lady Diene, is still watching over everyone from the sky. So, everyone, you have to be good, okay?”
“””Yes!!”””
[[[So nostalgic!]]]
[[[Diene was such a good person!]]]
[[[She was a lot like the young lady!]]]
“…!”
…This definitely has something to do with Seira. If the ‘Spirit’ remembers, then the ‘Miko’ was probably also a ‘Beloved Child.’ Most people wouldn’t remember anyone else. Yeah, this is definitely trouble.
After the children went back to playing, I asked Lumina for more details. You never know where you might find a hint.
“How did the ‘Miko’ perform such miracles?”
“Hmm, I don’t know all the details either. There aren’t many records left. After all, it was a thousand years ago.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
“Oh, but there are some famous theories! Like, the ‘Miko’ could use a special type of magic, or the ‘Miko’ was the daughter of the Milticia God. They’re all pretty vague, though.”
“Interesting.”
“Oh, and my friend—she’s also a saintess candidate—she said she thinks the ‘Miko’ was involved with ‘Spirits.'”
“…”
“Her name is Sylphietta. She loves the legend of the ‘Miko’ and spends days in the headquarters’ library doing research. I haven’t seen her in a while, but I wonder if she’s doing well…”
What’s with the “I’m connected to the ‘Spirit'” kind of name… It’s too obvious. But I don’t remember such a character, which means she probably only appears in specific routes. So she might be connected to Seira in some way. Whether she’s an ally or enemy remains unknown at this stage.
Ugh… Please, no more trouble.