Spotlight of the Morning Star

Endmin?! Long time no see! Are you here for the concert too?

Well... I just really, really like her music!

Ah! You know, "Morning Star of La Fantoma"! The one who sings "The One and Only Starlight"!

Miss Liino is the hottest idol singer on Talos-II right now! She was active online long before her debut, and she has so, so many fans!

I really love Miss Liino's songs too! Every time I listen, it's like my heart just starts racing ... it's so incredibly exciting!

Right? Since we have this rare chance, why not take a walk around with me? I'll show you exactly how popular Miss Liino really is!

It's Miss Liino! Of course the crowd's all fired up!

Mm... You only just woke up, so it's normal you wouldn't know her... Let me fill you in!

Her album and merch sales are always at the top of every platform! If you don't set an alarm, you won't stand a chance of grabbing anything...

Besides, it's rare for the Valley to have a performance at this scale! It's not just me! Everyone is being incredibly helpful in setting things up.

I rushed right over as soon as I heard it was her concert!

Alright, alright! You've been droning on about your Miss Liino all day. I don't care how famous she is, she's just an idol. You're taking this way too far...

I have to show you her absolute best performance! It's the one from the Obsidian Festival... She really lives up to the name "Morning Star of La Fantoma". She's just brilliant!

En-Endministrator?! Are you also Miss Liino's...!

See? I knew I wasn't the only one. Even the Endmin doesn't really know who Liino is.

No problem! It's never too late to find out! I absolutely have to recommend Miss Liino's two greatest hits —

"Fly Talosian and Go Supersonic" and "The One and Only Starlight"! You absolutely have to listen to the live versions from last year's third tour!

Did you know? Miss Liino's most amazing work is her live performances!

Alright, you two carry on! We're going to go have a look around elsewhere!

I love those two, too! You see, Endmin? Miss Liino's music is just that unforgettable.

So you're a fan of Miss Liino too? I never would've guessed, Ed. I thought you didn't care about idols at all...

I'm usually buried in work, so I can only catch the replays in the middle of the night. I thought I'd never get to see her live before being transferred back to Morospolis, but I never expected...

Ed, Brook, you guys are here too!

Alia? Oh, and Endmin? Don't tell me you also —

Ahem, the Endmin is just here as an invited guest... I only just finished telling them about Miss Liino.

Hah, no worries! Once this concert is over, the Endmin will be joining our ranks too!

Exactly! I was helping someone record one of her shows, and after watching just one stream...

I won't disturb you any further then. Shall we go take a look elsewhere, Endmin?

They've had some nasty disputes with the UWST over Originium mining in the past ... they don't exactly get along. I've heard they aren't above using some pretty shady tactics to get what they want...

It turns out the agency Miss Liino is with, Pan-Talosian Entertainment, is actually one of the group's subsidiaries.

Miss Liino mentioned how much she wanted to perform for her fans in the UWST. I suppose the Group only put up the money to help make her dream come true ... right?

Exactly! This concert is actually helping bridge the gap between the UWST and the Group, like with the joint job transfers the workers have been so worried about...

I hope so. I heard the Brady Mining Group was sponsoring the show this time, and to be honest, I was a little worried...

...Yeah, it's me. What's up? ...Understood. I'll be right there.

...It's an emergency! Miss Liino's agency just called, they need me to come help out right away.

Endmin, I'll have to —

Sure, I feel more at ease with you around... Let's go.

It just feels off... Why would a company like that go out of its way to host a charity concert in Valley IV?

Yeah... I know a bit about it through my work. It's hard not to pick up on these things.

Not really, it just overlaps with some stuff I've been working on lately...

I hope I'm just overthinking things... I'm about to see Miss Liino, I can't be acting all gloomy like this!

That whole area was a community effort... Everyone just wants Miss Liino to know how much she's loved in Valley IV.

...Right, they said they'd cooperate fully... Yes, don't worry! I'll report back the moment I hear anything!

Are you Mr. Caden from Pan-Talosian Entertainment? We just spoke earlier.

That's me... You're Ms. Alia, right? And who might this be?

The Endmin is also very concerned about the "emergency" you mentioned, so please give us the details.

Alright, here's the thing...

What?! Miss Liino —

Shh, keep your voice down. We don't want to go public with this yet, so we haven't even contacted the Security Bureau. Please, keep this between us...

The situation here is a bit complicated. We're all so worried... With Miss Liino's popularity, she might have been kidnapped!

Our people aren't familiar with this place, so we'll need everyone in the UWST to help us... Hope you don't mind. After all, we all want to find Miss Liino quickly.

This involves Miss Liino's safety. The other workers and I will do our best to assist you!

Thank you so much! Oh, I've sent over the coordinates for the scene. Just look for our staff members when you get there.

It's Miss Liino... She's gone missing.

If anything happens to the upcoming sponsored events — uh, I mean, Miss Liino ... then my year-end bonus is toast.

Hello. I'm Eren, the liaison. I assume Caden has already briefed you?

Please tell us exactly what happened when she disappeared.

According to witness statements from the staff, Miss Liino's vehicle suddenly broke down out of nowhere...

Miss Liino mentioned she was feeling a bit lightheaded and wanted to stay behind to rest. After that, everyone else stepped out of the vehicle.

By the time the repairs were finished, everyone realized Miss Liino had simply vanished. We spent ages scouring the perimeter, but there was still no sign of her...

We're operating under the assumption that Miss Liino was abducted, though we lack any concrete evidence to prove it.

It's possible we missed some small detail ... but we only have so many boots on the ground.

Looks like we're gonna need more hands... Endmin, I'm heading out to round up some of the workers I can trust. What about you? Coming with?

Alright. Let's stay in touch!

Yes. I've synced the relevant data to your terminal. Just activate the scanning function, and you'll be able to track the signature.

Endmin, after analyzing the local environmental data, we've confirmed that the scent is indeed a residue from an Originium Art.

Based on your description, it's highly probable that the caster is the same individual who abducted Miss Liino.

I swear, if this is another one of those crazed fans! It's just like that nightmare in Kjersch. Hundreds of them nearly tore the damn car apart!

Anyway, hope they find her soon. If the higher-ups blame us, we're done for...

Tsk, she's nothing but a pretty face... Plenty of wannabe idols could easily replace her. What do her fans even like about her?!

Quit whining. The higher-ups like her because she follows orders. As long as she keeps doing that, things are easier for all of us.

Then she'd better stop clashing with us over her fans! Honestly, not a bad thing if she gets kidnapped — maybe it'll teach her a lesson!

I managed to escape from those scary meanies who kidnapped me, but then I got lost in this place...​

Thank goodness you're here... You'll definitely help Liino out this time too, won't you?

Endmin ... how could you be so cold? To actually pretend you don't even recognize Liino ... it's just too much...

......

Amnesia? For real...? You're not just playing a prank?

Fine! After all, in this whole world, you're the only one who's never lied to Liino ... so, just this once!

The next step, is obviously —

Endmin...!!

I knew you'd come looking for Liino!

Eh?! Don't tell me... No way...

Even if you're just joking, I won't forgive you so easily...

Up we go!

Of course we do! When we first met, Liino was only *this* tall! You used to pat my head all the time back then, remember?

Phew... We should have lost them by now, right?

Uhm!

I'm so touched! Knowing I have a fan as wonderful as you, Grace, makes Liino the luckiest girl in the world!

S-sorry... I was in a rush ... that's why...

Ahem... Anyway, where are we, Endmin? Are we safe now?

That's a relief! I can finally —

Miss Liino?

!!!

You really are Miss Liino! P-please, would it be okay if I took a photo with you?

Is she gonna say no... I hope she says yes... Even if a photo's too much, just a couple more words would be enough! Oh no... I'm so nervous...

Twinkle-twinkle! Before we take the photo, could you tell me your name?

Wha?! My name? A photo? Ah... Yes, of course! M-my name is Grace, and I've been following you since forever, Miss Liino! I really, truly love your songs!

I've been listening to so many of them on loop! No, I mean, all of them! I've been listening to all of them on loop...

There's no rush! Just take your time and tell me!

Okay, okay, I, I really love your performances too. You're literally dazzling every single time you're on stage...

Miss Liino...

Endmin!

Hehe, I knew I could count on you, Endmin! You'd better make sure you capture me at my absolute cutest!

Could you snap a photo of us? Use this camera right here!

*Sigh* I guess nothing gets past you, Endmin. It's all because of those big meanies...

Yeah... They've had the agency in a chokehold for ages, working me to the bone every single day! And they're totally weaponizing Liino's fans just to scalp those concert tickets for crazy prices!

I can't live like this anymore! I'm done being their little puppet on a string, just doing whatever they demand. That's why I had to get out...

Don't you worry! I've had a master plan in the works for ages!

E-exactly! If I want to break free from the agency and make sure everyone can actually enjoy my performance, a totally DIY solo show is the only way to go!

(If a big shot like the Endmin gets behind me, this indie breakout is a guaranteed success!)

I'm going to do it — right here! A solo concert for anyone who just wants to vibe with the music!

You'll help me out, right, Endmin?

It feels pretty good to make a cute fan's day every once in a while. Alright, time to keep —

Eh?

Agency people? I was just...

Actually... I was never kidnapped! It was all a desperate escape from Brady Mining. They're the real villains pulling the strings behind everything...

(I've been waiting forever for a lucky break like this! A big-hearted person like the Endmin wouldn't mind me keeping a tiny bit of necessary secrecy, right?)

Wow, this looks amazing!

Perfect! Now it's all yours!

Oh, thank you so much, Miss Liino ... thank you...

Glad you liked it. It's our little secret, okay? Promise you won't tell anyone I'm hanging out here, Grace!

Yes, yes! My lips are sealed! I'll see you at the concert, Miss Liino! I promise!

Let's see, where should I sign... Hm, right here!

Eh...

Oh, um ... let me think where to even start...

Honestly, I haven't really thought that far ahead. Most of this just popped into my head a second ago! But there's one problem I still haven't solved ... the performance venue.

I want everyone in Valley IV to have a chance to see this show ... so I don't want to just park it in some boring, fixed venue like those stuffy corporate gigs...

But Valley IV is just so ... huge. It's not like I can just teleport from one side to the other the second I finish a set...

Wait, in the sky? How would that even —

Wait, wait ... the sky ... a flying performance... That actually ... that might actually work!

So, if we're actually doing this, we're gonna need a prime spot to take off from... Hmm, where would be just right?

Let me think... Oh! Endmin, I've got it! Come on, follow me!

What? No one saw anything? Any other clues?

Aside from the traces at the entrance, nothing else was found...

Could it be some fan again, like last time?

Unlikely. This is Valley IV. They shouldn't have the means...

Enough. You, and all of you, continue the search in this area and keep me updated. I'll report this to Mr. Caden...