Connection Missing

**Chapter 1 - Connection Missing**  （つながるミッシング） is the 1st Chapter of Arc 1 in Main Story. Chapter 1 expands some of the various jewel princess factions, the characteristics of a jewel princess, and their relationship with humans. This also marks the beginning of the protagonist team's long journey.

Previous Chapter: **Awaken, Star Savior**

Next Chapter: **Difficuties Ahead Et cetera**

## Dialogue

### Return to the Town (町へ戻ろう)

 Seraphinite: Please rely to us escorts on the way.
 Tinctura: No, no. The town isn't necessary, if I were to pick our first destination, it would have went straightaway to the starry...
Seraphinite: I understand how you feel, Master Tinctura, but every beginning requires preparations.
Seraphinite: If we're going to be escorting you two for a long time to come, we require things such as food, medicine, and so on.
Tinctura: Mmh...
Aqua Aura: We do live in the town at current times. So, if we didn't say our farewells, people will be worried.
Right.
Tinctura: What a bother...
I gently soothed the unwilling Tinctura. We're both still awake only just recently, and we need to be aware of the changes in the world that happened during our long slumber.
Tinctura: If Master says so, fine.
Thus we headed towards the town where the two lived.

### Two People's Positions (二人の立場)

Aqua Aura = By the time I return, Turquoise is going to give me a stern lecture.
 Seraphinite: In my case, St. Aventurine would likely be angry with me too. How do I explain that I'll be someone else's companion in the first place?
Seraphinite: Very well, I'll speak to Master Paraiba directly.
 Tinctura: Paraiba... Do you mean Paraiba Tourmaline?
Seraphinite: You know her!?
Tinctura: The Paraiba that I know of was a tiny little girl who sleeps alone, and she was a sweetheart who often crawled into her teacher's futon.
Seraphinite: ...
Aqua Aura: That was an old story, right? **Saint of Absoluteness**, Master Paraiba Tourmaline is the leader of **Elixseed**, a collection of traveling clerics that heal people around the world!
Tinctura: What!? So she has been very successful. I am surprised...
Apparently, Tinctura's knowledge of the world seemed to have halted while she was on her deep sleep. It is necessary to reconcile with the latest information. For that reason alone, the choice to stop in the town was right.
But, was it acceptable to ask Seraphinite, who belongs in such a respectable group, to escort us on the journey by herself?
Seraphinite: I think it's fine... Maybe.
Seraphinite: Members of **Elixseed** are allowed to work freely to some extent, as long as we held on to the belief that we should be healing more people.
The question is, is our situation included in the "to some extent" category?
Seraphinite: The thing is, I am still a saint, in-training. Ahahahaha... What should I do...?
Definitely, it's hard.
Tinctura: What about that other person? You mentioned something about Turquoise lecturing.
Aqua Aura: I'm a member of **Embryon**, and it's not a formal organization, but rather a close gathering. Individuals who do not have a family get together in here and live together like a real family.
Aqua Aura: Turquoise is the leader. Obsidian and the two of us are taking care of children who are not close to us, we volunteer to assist a village attacked by **Zolne**, and all of us are doing something similar when it comes to helping people.
Tinctura: That, sounds interesting.
Aqua Aura: All of us were helped in the same way by a certain person before. Lapis Lazuli, the heroine of justice.
Tinctura: ...I see!
Aqua Aura: I was training every day because I wanted to be just like her. Therefore, I would like to accompany as an escort. Is it not the best opportunity to be able to help the legendary **Star Savior**?♪
She seemed very reliable, but after all, it might be better to talk to Turquoise properly.

### Quartet and Trinity (【四聖公】と【三闘華】)

The groups to which the two belong, I get the rough idea of it, but there are two other names that bother me.
It's **Quartet** and **Trinity**.
Apparently the name seems to be a super famous existence in this world. Nonetheless, none of the knowledge I have inherited from Tinctura is relevant.
When I asked about it, Aqua Aura, who loves heroes, happily explained.
 Aqua Aura: The **Quartet** are the four starting heroes - Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. They are legendary heroes who have sealed the **Zolne** in the **War of the Seal**!
 Tinctura: What the... those girls are called by those titles now?!
Tinctura quickly started eating her food. You seemed to know them somehow, but why couldn't you remember? I asked.
Tinctura: That's a stupid question.
Tinctura: When they fought together with me in the **War of the Seal** back in the day, they were unknown **Jewelia**. Immediately after the battle, I went into a deep sleep to repair my injuries, ooooof course I don't know anything about it!!
So that's it. Certainly, now that I've heard their names, the images of these individuals in Tinctura's memory are now hovering around in my mind.
For some reason, the memory of the battle during the **War of the Seal** is refreshing to me.
 Seraphinite: In that case, then it's natural that you two have no idea about the **Trinity**. It is the title of the new heroes who played an active part in **The Great Revelation**, in which the title is bestowed by the **Quartet**.
The knowledge about The Great Revelation was in my mind, vaguely. It was a big incident that leads to the present situation, where the **Zolne** which was supposed to be suppressed by the **War of the Seal** suddenly revived and started infecting again.
The three **Jewelia** who stood against **The Great Revelation**. Garnet, Amethyst, and Topaz - They have come to be called the **Trinity** by the people as a symbol of hope.
Aqua Aura: Garnet, who ruled one of the city-states as the head of the prestigious Almandine family, dared to carry out an evacuation operation from the desperate situation, and prioritized on protecting the lives of people rather than her lands!
And those who helped her are a group of noble Jewelia, led by Amethyst and Topaz. It seems that their acts greatly inspired people from their despair after the revival of **Zolne**.
Seraphinite: At the center of all the participants in that war, Master Garnet leads the Knights Carbuncle - brave knights who were fighting the **Zolne** at the forefront.
Aqua Aura: Knights Carbuncle - It's such a cool name!
Seraphinite: Miss Aqua Aura, you used to want to join. But you failed the written test so badly that you gave up since.
Aqua Aura: Ugh, stop bringing that up.
The heroes of the present are the **Trinity**, and the heroes of the past is the **Quartet**. It's still vague , but I'll remember that.
Seraphinite: There is also a title called **Spectra** as the collective name for the seven heroes, so please remember this as well.
So that was it. It's a good idea to remember this one as well.

### Knights Carbuncle and the World Parliament (カーヴァンクル騎士団と界議院)

 Seraphinite: Well... it's complicated to explain, but it's not the same.
Seraphinite: Both **Knights Carbuncle** and us **Elixseed** consists of groups of active volunteers, and are not recognized as official military or medical organizations.
What do you mean???
Seraphinite: There are other military and medical organizations that are formal. These organizations are limited to the big cities under the control of the **World Parliament**.
Seraphinite: The **World Parliament** is a political, legislative body located in the world's largest city, the **Central Capital**. This governmental body is formed to revitalize this world based on a new ideology, where the framework of existing nations had collapsed due to **Zolne**.
It seems that human beings are elected as representatives of influential cities and **jewel princesses** have established various rules through political discussions. Both sides are exploring various ways of future world reconstruction.
 Aqua Aura: The problems of small towns and villages are ignored because all the attention are only on big cities! I can't help it, so the Knights and the Seraphinite have filled the gap.
Aqua Aura: Still, it's not enough, so volunteers like us are actively helping. We have to protect everyone, everywhere.
In other words, it was because of the goodwill from **jewel princesses** like these two individuals that the peace of this world has been maintained.
Thank you so much for your hard work.
Aqua Aura: Hahahahaha, my work is not a big deal!
Seraphinite: Your embarrassed face is making me blush too...
While I gently pat the two of their beaming heads, I wondered if I would have to visit the **Parliament** in order to reward the hard work of **jewel princesses** like them.

### Tinctura's Legend (ティンクトゥラの伝説)

 Tinctura: I have no intention of disclosing private personal information. I'm displeased...
When I asked her directly, she was cold. Pressing a woman further for information would be a rude act, and she would accuse me of harassment. I should be careful in the future.
But that doesn't answer my question. If she wouldn't let me know, I decided to ask Aqua Aura instead, I would like someone else to answer me.
 Aqua Aura: We all know only what we read in a book, right?
I asked her to tell me if it's still fine to ask. How long has she been in deep sleep? I feel like I should know about it.
 Seraphinite: If that is the case... First, regarding the number of **Regalia**. There are the three pillars - three in all.
Tinctura of **Philosopher's Stone**, **Wrath of the Star**; Adamantite of **Infrangible Stone**, **Smith of the Star**; Lia Fáil of **Sealed Stone**, **Prayer of the Star**.
Seraphinite: However, until now only one pillar left is confirmed to still exist - the Regalia, **Smith of the Star**, Master Adamantite.
Moreover, it seems that she is hiding in the mountains somewhere. There are a lot of reported anecdotal sightings, sightings such as occasionally coming down to a village and repairing a **jewel princess** who was deeply hurt and could not shine.
But what about the other pillar, Lia Fáil?
Aqua Aura: Master Lia Fáil has...
Tinctura: sacrified her life as a pillar. Lia Fáil, **Prayer of the Star** did that.
Both: ...!
Tinctura: Once upon a time, there was the final battle with the **Zolne** that have exhausted our powers, the battle to our deaths. The official name of that battle is said to be **War of Lia Fáil's Seal**.
Tinctura: The original seed of the **Zolne** virus is sealed to the bottom of the abyss, and it is confined by an impenetrable barrier to prevent it from harming the world ever again. To do that, a **jewel princess**, whoever they are, had to remain rooted underground.
**Sealed Stone** Lia Fáil volunteered to become the cornerstone of the barrier. And... we couldn't stop her. I couldn't find any other alternative, and eventually I sacrificed her with my own hands.
Aqua Aura: However! Thanks to Master Lia Fáil, the threat of **Zolne** has but disappeared, and even in a devastated world, there are signs of reconstruction...
Tinctura: Is it now...?
Aqua Aura: That's...
Tinctura: During my long sleep, I knew of the tragedy of **The Great Revelation**. In my dreams, I could only watch everything happen.
Tinctura: If Lia Fáil were still alive underground, she would never have let such a tragedy happen. I mean... That's how it should be.
Aqua Aura: Master Tinctura...
Tinctura: Now, take a rest. No matter what, we will reach the town tomorrow.
That same night... I had that dream again. I couldn't see her well as she's covered in shadow due to back lighting. But, I can barely see the crying face of Tinctura, desperately calling for her name.

### Encounter with Zircon (ジルコンとの出会い)

 Tinctura: Hmm, a pretty strong jewel princess? Then, by all means, I would like to add her as our escort.
 Seraphinite: She doesn't look like it! I think she's quite pummeled!?
 ???: It's dangerous... Tch, as expected, It's kinda stupid of me to handle this number of opponents...!
???: Ghh.... Tourmaline, Carnelian... Where have you two gone!?
Seraphinite: That's Zircon! She's one of knights of Knights Carbuncle!
Aqua Aura: What?! Why?!
Seraphinite: I don't know, but I'm sure it's her. I often saw her at my mentor Tourmaline's office. She falls down awkwardly, that person.
Aqua Aura: ...Right as you just said that, she?!
Zircon: Arghh...h! Ugh... at such a time like this...
She needs help!
Aqua Aura: Understood, Master!
Seraphinite: Please hang in there, Zircon!

### Clearing Stragglers with Zircon (ジルコンと共に残敵掃討へ)

Zircon: Wh.. what, if it isn't Seraphinite!? By the way, is that person your friend Aqua Aura?
 Aqua Aura: Oh, yes, yes.
 Seraphinite: What were you doing in the depths of this forest, Zircon?
Zircon: What am I doing? That was my line! You two said you would go out to the forest for a moment, but you never came back, so everyone got worried and I came to look for you and now I'm in this state!!
Seraphinite: Awawa... Wh-was it that bad that you were this agitated?
Zircon: The situation has reached to the extent that we young knights were asked by Knights Carbuncle to be dispatched as an additional search party.
Aqua Aura: Umm...
Zircon: It would be tough if you two are injured, so Tourmaline also volunteered. A senior has to be held responsible for a junior's problems, so she temporary closed her clinic, and hurried to find you.
Seraphinite: Even my senior Tourmaline is...
Zircon: Serious talk. Do you both know how much panic you two have caused? Both Turquoise and Aventurine went nuts. When you get back to town, scolding you two wouldn't be enough!
Aqua Aura: Yes...
Zircon: Yes Yes. Good that you know now. At least both of you are safe, it is all good♪
Zircon: Now, let's go home!
Umm...
 Tinctura: Yes, it's a clean and thorough conclusion. I feel our resurrection is a dream come true as everything went so smoothly. In fact I'm starting to question the significance of our eroding existence.
Zircon: Hya?!
Tinctura: Or, is it **Knight's Carbuncle** policy that only friends should be helped and strangers should be left alone?
Zircon: Well, no that's not the case! It- it's only because somehow, you have a strange atmosphere around you, s-so I was afraid I'll anger you if I interacted...
Tinctura: If that's the case, please forgive my rudeness. In fact, your intuition is correct.
Zircon: Who does that jewel princess think she is with that pushy attitude? I do know that the plain man accompanying her is a human.
Seraphinite: Ah, hahahaha...
Aqua Aura: Actually, those two are...

### Jewel Princess Named Zircon (ジルコンという宝石姫)

Speaking of which, Tourmaline, who is a senior of Seraphinite, would have teamed together in a search party with the other fellow young knights. Uh- why was she alone?
Zircon: Th-that's...
 Seraphinite: Zircon is... a little inadvertent. Accidentally stumbles on something, accidentally forget to use something, or accidentally get lost.
Zircon: I'm accidentally hearing you, Seraphinite~!
Seraphinite: Hiiii!
Zircon: Yes yes, I admit it. I accidentally separated from my friend, and accidentally attacked by **Zolne**. Ah, pitiful...
But you are safe in the end after meeting us!
Zircon: ...Yes. I might have been lucky. Yeah.
Seraphinite: As Master has said. So let's join with my mentor Tourmaline as soon as possible.
Zircon: Yeah, got it!
Aqua Aura sneaked me a secret wink, was it because I was able to follow up well?

### Humans and Jewel Princesses (人間と【宝石姫】)

What I wanted to know the most was whether there is a way for humans to fight **Zolne**. Even if I don't have an **Armament**, I may be able to help everyone.
 Zircon: Impossible. The current weapons that humans can make today don't stand a chance. If you used a big trap first, you might be able to pummel it a little. That's why we're providing immediate guard.
My hopes were immediately dashed, but I wondered about another thing - Why do **jewel princesses** protect humans?
Zircon: I don't know.
 Seraphinite: Just because, I guess?
 Aqua Aura: It's fun♪
Out of literally anything else, I got terrible answers.
 Tinctura: Well, this can't be helped. It's been this way, because the intent is hardcoded at soul level.
In the first place, the origin of **jewel princesses** is deeply related to humans.
It seems that they were born from human thoughts acting on the light of the stars inside the gemstones. Or... only by learning the activities of human beings, they reached the point of acquiring individuality and consciousness... It is said that there are various theories.
Tinctura: After all, **jewel princesses** like the existence of **humans**, even if they are more fragile than us, and sometimes, even stupid. Regardless, only their desire to protect **humans** will never disappear.
To be honest, I am not sure about my case. That's because I'm neither a **human** nor a **jewel princess**. Neither, because I'm the only lone **Star Savior**.
The only thing I wanted to save was the **jewel princesses** in my dream, and it's hard to think of a human that I haven't seen yet, or to save this world. That is my real intention.
Tinctura: It doesn't matter now.
Look with my own eyes, feel with my skin, and learn. That dream is nothing more than a live copy of another person, not my personal one. It's all about what I'm going to experience and realize later.
As she said that, she gave me a gentle smile.

### The Forest's Culprit (森を荒らす元凶)

Miasma is an unclean energy emitted by **Zolne**, and it accumulates and alters the surrounding environment to suit their habitat. It's not wrong to think of it as a ferocious pollutant.
The fact that it feels thick means that unusual **Zolne** are awaiting us. I quickly realized that it was a good idea to make a detour.
However, the scream I heard rejected that notion.
???: Wake up, Carnelian! Red Jasper!
 Seraphinite: Its my mentor's voice, Tourmaline!
 Zircon: Go in right now, everyone!
Zircon forgot us and ran in the direction of her voice. We couldn't leave her alone, so we chased her. I pretended to not hear Tinctura's sigh.
Zolne: Burrrrgyuuuuuh!!
What awaited there for us was an old plant monster that was too huge for its size, it scattered the horrifying miasma around it.
Zircon: Waaaah! Red jasper! Carnelian, you're my important friiiiends!!!
 Tourmaline: Are you crazy, Zircon! You can't win alone!
Seraphinite: What is that...? That **Zolne**... its too big...!? You can't beat such a monster!!
 Aqua Aura: I want to move and help... But my legs are shaking...! Dammit, dammit, dammit!!
Tinctura: Perhaps that is the parent body of **Zolne** around here. I think it's the source of the gradual erosion of this forest.
I was trembling as I listened to Tinctura's explanation. Enemies that are overwhelmingly large enough to make the other **Zolne** we have fought so far look dainty and cute in comparison, they are releasing unbearable miasma and an intimidating pressure.
Zircon who confronted it was all about protecting Tourmaline behind her, and it looked like that she would exhaust herself within a short distance. Even as a fellow knight, she gasped and was down on her knees.
Tinctura: Now, you can still choose escape from here. Run away, and pretend you never saw anyone of them.
As Tinctura had spoken. I can gently leave this place and assume that I didn't see it. That is because I still have a mission to save this world.
You can run away. No, you should run away. The thinking portion of my head is screaming in madness.
I asked Tinctura. I wondered what will happen to **jewel princesses** who have fallen.
Tinctura: As long as the gemstone that is their core is not completely broken, **jewel princesses** will not die. However, after the accumulated light of the stars has been exhausted, at the end, the core will be infected as a seedbed by **Zolne**, and they will continue to enjoy living hell.
The light that was shining inside me hurts crazily.
Tinctura: **Zolne** is such an existence. A virus that devours the world by infecting everythings as seedbeds. It is a nightmare that takes away the joy of life and scatters the pain of death.
Tinctura: This is the true form of the enemy that the **Star Savior** must face. Still... do you believe you are still up against it?
That's... is obvious!!
Tinctura: Oh, I was waiting for you to say that! That's why you're the **Star Savior** - one who lights the stars with the light of hope!
Tourmaline: This is... gentle, strong light... Even the soothing glow of **starlight** is hazy...
Zircon: The pain in my body is... my fatigue disappeared... Is this was what the two were saying... The power of the legendary **Star Savior**...?
 ???: Ugh.. uuuh...
 ???: Kuha.. hah... haaaah...
Zircon: Carnelian!? Red Jasper!? Everyone... Oh, everyone came back to life!!
Tourmaline: Oh thank goodness. Next, I'll have to hurry with healing their wounds!
Seraphinite: I'll help you, senior Tourmaline!
Tourmaline: Seraphinite!? Oh, you're safe!
Seraphinite: Yes! The "light" of **Star Savior** shines on us all the time. I'm scared, but... I'll show my courage and do my best!
Aqua Aura: **Star Savior** doesn't have **Armaments** and can't fight **Zolne** directly... but I'll show them his "light" instead!
Aqua Aura: This "light" that gives us the power to stand up once again! This "Light" that gives us the courage to move forward just one more step! There is hope for despair, the "light" that shines brightly!
Aqua Aura: I want to believe in such "light"! **Star Savior**... Master, I want to illuminate a lot of people with the desired "light" and fill them with smiles!!
Zircon: I feel like I understand. Your feelings. It’s so warm, and I’d like to be protected by this gentle light.
Zircon: I wonder what I cannot do! I don't feel like losing to anybody!!
Zolne: Bupporgyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?!
Once again, I decided. To face the threat of **Zolne** as **Star Savior**. I might be plain, I might be an unreliable guide...
Can you all follow me?
Aqua Aura: Yes, **Master**!
Seraphinite: Yes, **Master Star Savior**!

Moving forward, I hope that this forest will be a little more peaceful.
 Tourmaline: My name is Rubellite Tourmaline. I would like to thank you again as the representative of the search team. Thank you very much.
Tourmaline: With Seraphinite and Zircon combined, you've saved us on three separate times! I felt really undeserving.
I told Tourmaline, who was terrified just now, not to worry. In the first place, two out of three were by chance, and I would rather apologize for the first instance, which was rather forceful.
Tourmaline: You are called **Star Savior**, right? No, I'm not in doubt of my ability. But as expected, it's hard for me to accept the fact.
I took it for granted and said I didn't really care, I laughed.
 Tinctura: However, the rudeness of that little child knight makes me pout in annoyance.
 Carnelian: I refuse to believe it! These amateurs who are neither knights nor anything notable supposedly saved our lives... I cannot accept it at all!!
 Red Jasper: There there, Nelineli. The fact that you were helped by them is true. You have to admit it honestly, right?
Carnelian: Please stop saying that! This is so stupid and I'm going to faint!
Red Jasper: Eh, you're so cute and adorable like that~
 Zircon: I don't care what Carnelian thinks, but if we were rude, it would be a disgrace to the entire Knights Carbuncle. Please be careful of what you say.
Red Jasper: That's right. It’s exactly what Concon says, Nelineli.
Carnelian: That! Is! Whyyyy!! ...Oh, Jeez!
Carnelian: Fine! Then please replace me, who seems to be rude, with Zircon's gratitude instead!
Zircon: Eh!?
Carnelian: I'll be going back to town for now and prepare for their welcome! Oh, and I'll finish the report as well! I. Am. Out---!
Red Jasper: So sorry. Nelineli is a kind girl though. I know in my heart that she was grateful that she's saved.
Red Jasper: Well, Me is in a hurry to move. It's dangerous to leave Nelineli alone. Sorry, Concon. See you later~
Zircon: Yes yes.