Grown-Up Business

I hope my prophecy was wrong too, but...

After seeing something like that, I can't treat you the same way I did before.

So why don't you finally tell us what you've been hiding?

If you lie to us again, I won't forgive you...!

Prophecy...? Prophecy, you say...

Fufu, you really do have some fascinating abilities.

Asherah hasn't been gone long, but she's already made such good friends.

W-what? You know Asherah?

Do you two... know each other?

Why, of course.

I know Asherah better than anyone.

Not just how she looks, but even her most private, embarrassing moments...

Eek?!

Also, even if you did see something through your prophecy...

Can you really judge the whole situation from just one isolated scene?

Even people who are close can have arguments, can't they?

D-don't make me laugh!

There's no way a villain like you could be that close to Asherah!

And Asherah looked genuinely furious with you!

Hmm... It's good she's made friends, but her social skills could use some work.

But let's save that conversation for later.

More importantly... we need to deal with the problem right in front of us first.

Do you know exactly what used to be here?

W-who cares?! Don't come any closer!

I'm telling you again, you're still our enemy!

You all know the legend of the [Star Savior], don't you?

The one who drove the Void Stars that fell upon the world back into the heavens long ago and saved the world.

Well, obviously...

Among those Void Stars was one known as [Aldebaran].

A beautiful star of white flame, once known as the [ruling star of the western skies]...

[Aldebaran] was banished by the Star Savior, but...

A fragment she cast down... still remains on the surface.

People came to fear it for contaminating its surroundings with the [Void], and called it the [Void Core].

Uh-huh! Lisa told Omega that story! Omega knows it too!

Fufu! Yes. That's as far as the story everyone knows goes.

But what fell in the Western lands wasn't simply a fragment of Aldebaran.

No, it was too powerful to be a mere fragment, but instead... a part of her very essence.

The [Sword of Aldebaran].

The sword...?

That's right. The name "Void Core" is merely a shell meant to conceal and protect its true identity.

A kind of restraint meant to prevent its power from being unleashed.

But... someone is after that sword now.

Everything happening in the Western lands was orchestrated for that purpose.

That's why I came west—to catch the culprit. That's my real goal.

Well? Was that a satisfactory answer?

...Who's after the [Sword of Aldebaran]?

Hmm... What should I call her now?

I suppose no name suits her anymore except the one she gave herself.

The [Witch of Favoritism].

That's the name of the one after the [Sword of Aldebaran].

...

So you should all turn back now.

From here on, it's grown-up business... Nothing children need to know about.

...

No. I can't do that.

Hmm...?

Asherah and Captain are in there.

Sure, I hate getting dragged into troublesome situations, but...

If my companions, if my Captain, are in danger, I can't back down.

Because I'm a member of the Voyager Savior Party too.

You two feel the same, right?

Of course.

Yup, yup!

...

So tell us.

What this "grown-up business" is.

We need to know before we can decide whether to stop you or work with you.

Besides... being with Captain has already taught me something.

I can't just sit around doing nothing and wait for the [end] to arrive.

No matter what lies at that [end], I've decided I'll face it myself instead of running away.

So I need to know. To protect my companions. To protect the Voyager Savior Party.

Because if Captain were here, I'm sure he wouldn't hesitate to do the same.

Fufufu... [Captain], you say...

You really are such adorable... and admirable children.

If you're that determined, perhaps I should put you to the test.

What...?

Ngh?! What are you doing?!

Now, show me.

Show me whether your resolve... is enough to face the truth.