letztes: The Land of Stars and Crystals III

(Panting) This is the First Lady's domain...!?

It's so shiny and sparkly that it gives you a feeling of security, like you've come home, you know?

What do you mean, "come home!?" It's so smooth that it's hard to run!

That being said, if we flew, we'd be easy pickings for her familiars!

True☆ And down here, the twinkling ground acts like a mirror, so good job!

Hey, d-don't look!

Illya, Ruby, this is no time for fooling around. Miyu is waiting for us.

T-That's right! (Sweat) That must be the First Lady's castle!

As we get closer to the castle, the sticks are shifting form... The familiars are getting stronger!

The First Lady is reacting to our presence, trying to keep us from coming closer.

So she's been playing hide-and-seek behind the black wall all this time... Is she shy?

Yes. It has something to do with the jewels we've been gathering. That's my guess.

You mean it was the First Lady herself who disengaged the black wall? Not the power of the four jewels?

Does that mean she has been intentionally pitting the magical girls against each other from this isolated space?

It's contradictory. As if two wills are at war with each other.

Either way, to learn her true motive, we'll just have to ask the First Lady herself.

And remember what Miyu said at the end of the message... That I should stay away...

I have a really bad feeling about this...

Oh, Illya, you get it, don't you? Wink-wink, nudge-nudge☆

Knock it off!

？！

Fujimaru! Illya! Enemy ambush!

Agh! There are so many of them!

I'm so sorry! This is my fault for being a careless guide.

Ungh! Getting into a drawn-out battle here isn't a good idea! If our pursuers catch up, it could prove fatal!

？！

What a good idea! If Illya makes a break for it alone, she'll get right through!

I could... never do that!

Ruby! Sapphire! Give me your power!

I can't use my Class Cards right now, so I can't come up with a strategy that targets the enemy's weakness!

I'll hold them off here, so the rest of you can go on ahead!

That won't do, Illya! You wouldn't be able to get to Miyu on your own!

Master! What should we do?

Right! We'll just have to be very careful!

You're asking that from a simple mage with wafer-thin armor who's only just keeping up a protective wall for you?

Though you did see through my lie at the neutral zone. That's right. Right now, I have my own stone, so I can fight to some extent.

Still, I'm not your Servant. I'm here as a magical girl and that's all.

So... I'll make my own judgment about you.

？！

(Panting) Still... so far to go... Ugh...

Pull yourself together, Illya. (Spank)

Eeeek, my behind! Helena!?

I have a confession to make, Illya.

I'm surprised by how much spirit you've shown. Before, I looked down on you as a fake magical girl.

Tradition, experience, knowledge... It's far from those secrets of magecraft, but I realize again just how much power you have.

(Panting) Huh?

It's coming.

By the wisdom of Serapis!!

The enemies are... Uh Helena, what is that form?

Cool!

I've always been cool. I just have low blood pressure.

Now go, Fujimaru. Go with Illya to see the First Lady!

Those familiars are targeting magical girls. So I'll...!

Thank you, Fujimaru.

If we ever get the chance, I'll tell you my story.

In your eyes, do you see me as a Servant?

But I'm a magical girl from a certain parallel world. I'm a mere apparition.

I'm a half-baked magical girl who couldn't become someone's hope, or even an Echo.

Therefore, like you said, at least let me have the spotlight for this scene.

？！

Helena!

Don't waste the time I've given you. Hurry up and go!

I am in your debt, Helena. Come, Illya and everyone! Quickly!

...

I finally managed to drive them off.

Oh, I forgot to tell them. Well, to be honest, I didn't want to tell them.

For Illya and the others to return to their original world, they need the jewels.

I'm not going to give them my stone, but as long as Illya and Miyu have two, it should be plenty.

Medb accidentally proved that. I finally understand the meaning of that accursed stone...

Are you talking to yourself? Or is that a prayer, Helena?

Al. I didn't intend to summon you.

As long as you fight without abandoning your spirit of inquiry, I will stay by your side. I told you that once.

...So you did.

Xa xa xa! We're both old, so we better not overdo it.

Not to mention, your prized DC is thoroughly rusty.

Don't compare me with any AC stuff! DC is eternal!

My role is to support your activities, invest in you, and be happy about it! Now is the time to open your mystic grimoire!

Yes, let's do it. Come and get me, familiars of The First Lady!

Lemuria slumbers in the seas! Hierarchy graces the skies! And I stand upon the earth!

Meet the Magical Girl Guru, Mahatma♀Helena!