First Encounter
...So this is where it ends.
Everything was over. All that she had carried with her had finally come to an end.
Carnelia had been waiting for the day she could finally give voice to it.
But was that really all there was to it?
Carnelia.
Was that really the end she had longed for?
...What do you mean?
I mean... there shouldn't have been any problems with the process.
I was told everything was on track as planned, and all the other paperwork needed for the Journey were perfectly fine.
It's confirmed that there is a Journey member, but... their information is completely missing.
A Journey member with no information at all. Maybe it had just been left out?
But Lisa had clearly stated there hadn't been any procedural errors.
What exactly happened...?
Normally, in cases like this, we'd receive additional guidance or at least some kind of message from Lady Alicia.
I even checked in case a letter had come in, but there wasn't anything.
Isn't there any way to check right now?
Hmm, well...
We could reach out to the Observation Council Polaris and ask for the information again, but...
There's no guarantee we'll get an immediate response, and if it takes too long, it'll affect the schedule.
In situations like this, the only thing we can do is to skip the handoff procedure...
I'm so sorry. I should've checked more carefully...
No! Absolutely not! That would never happen!
I-I'll figure out something somehow!
I'll start by checking whether any documents were misplaced or left out, and make sure there weren't any procedural issues...
I'll also share the situation with Polaris and Candle Square and ask for their assistance!
I'll make sure to share any updates or unusual findings with you as well.
...Though I don't think you'll be able to move forward with the Journey today...
...Huh? Yes, technically it has.
Why do you ask?
I'm going to go look for her.
My Journey member.
And do you even know where she is?
...
...No.
Then how exactly are you supposed to find them?!
You don't know who she is or where she is! You don't know her age, height, weight, or even her birthday!
I don't need to know every little detail!
Of course, sometimes it helps to meet each other without knowing anything beforehand...
But if you're trying to find your member without no information at all, you'd have to search all across NOA.
And you're really planning to do that?
*Sigh*...
I swear, Captain, I don't know if I'll ever get used to your 'things will work themselves out' mentality.
Understood. Even if I tried to stop you, I doubt I'd be able to change your mind.
But you do understand you don't need to push yourself too hard, right?
If things really don't work out, you can still wait until the administrative measures are finished.
It might be an inefficient and rather reckless approach, but there weren't many options left.
Having the Journey postponed simply because we couldn't identify the Journey member...
No matter how I thought about it, it felt like too much of a waste.
After wandering around NOA all day, two thoughts came to mind.
What if we'd already passed by each other without realizing it?
And... had NOA always been this big?
Well, obviously! There's a reason it's considered one of the largest cities in Lavistar!
Which is exactly what I was trying to tell you...
*Sigh*... Anyway, I've already requested Polaris for the Journey member's information.
And just in case, I also informed Candle Square about the current situation.
They oversee support for Saviors and their Journey, so there's a chance they'll receive information before we do.
So... I take it you weren't able to find her?
Yeah. I searched as much as I could, but...
Right... I figured it'd be impossible...
Still, I appreciate your hard work, Captain.
Luckily, Polaris promised to handle things quickly as possible, so it shouldn't take much longer now.
This is my first time dealing with a case like this, so I'm a bit flustered...
But I'll do everything I can to make sure this doesn't interfere with the schedule.
The second my communication with Lisa ended, I couldn't help but sigh.
At least Polaris promised to handle things quickly, but...
Maybe... this really had been a foolish approach.
But every now and then, those foolish methods are what end up working.
Who's said that?
...It's gotten rather late.
No matter how bright the moonlight is, it can be dangerous to wander somewhere this isolated.
Even... for someone like you, Captain.
A calm yet hollow voice.
Hearing the unfamiliar voice, I turned around.
Pleasure to meet you, Captain.
So we finally meet in person. I've only ever heard stories about you.
You know me?
Fufu. Yes, of course.
Because I'm the Journey member you've been looking for.
I am Carnelia.
I'm a little late, but... I hope we'll get along during our Journey.
...Carnelia.
The name sounded strangely familiar, yet I couldn't remember where I'd heard it before.
...That expression says you don't quite understand what's going on.
I expected as much.
Under normal circumstances, I would've introduced myself to you properly at the scheduled time.
However, as things stand now... I'm not exactly in a position to show myself openly to others.
I apologize for the unintended discourtesy this has caused you, Captain.
How did you know I was looking for you?
I was aware the Journey would begin today, and I had hoped to meet you myself.
While I was in downtown, I heard talk of the Journey Captain searching for someone.
I did wonder whether we'd be able to meet before the day was over...
And yet, we still found each other here.
Fufu... Perhaps I should thank your foolish method for that?
Carnelia wore a faint smile, though her expression was impossible to read as either happy or sad.
And the fact that she said she wasn't in a position to show herself openly also bothered me a little.
I'm certain you have many questions for me.
I have no intention of hiding everything from you, so I'll tell you little by little.
Little by little...?
Yes. Our Journey has only just begun, after all.
We still have an entire year ahead of us.
That should be more than enough time.
...Well then, from the day we meet again.
I look forward to working with you.
Carnelia slowly faded from before me.
As though she melted into the shadows cast by the moonlight.
...And so began our first step together.