The Earth Crystal's Simulacrum Personality, who had barged into the virtual conference hall, perfectly matched the image that stage costume evoked. When I had looked at her back then, I had felt an inexplicable familiarity.
And now, perhaps I had my answer.
My girlfriend might be the Earth Crystal!!
So that was why she had kept me alive after I became an empty shell...
Calling my lover the "Earth Mother" sounded a little absurd, but the clues I had did indeed point to that conclusion.
Still, I remembered Aldebaran's warning well, and I didn't bring this up with Extinction.
I only asked, "What else have you found?"
"The rest just supports our existing guesses. There's no way to establish any new identifying traits for that girl, but her existence is beyond doubt."
Extinction thought for a moment, then added:
"Oh, right, there's one more piece of information... but it might not be very reliable."
"Go ahead."
"I don't really like giving clients unverified information, but you haven't paid me anyway, so..."
Despite saying that, she scratched her head and continued:
"Previously, two legendary Star Crystals went missing from the Sky Branch. One was Venus, the one you have... the one you used to have."
"I know about that."
My Star Crystal had come from Venus, also known as the Morning Star.
Barbara lay down on her side, facing my stomach, with her head on my lap...
That probably wasn't a comfortable way to sleep, since my legs were sloped.
"What about the other one?" I asked.
"Aww, what a cute little thing."
Extinction poked Barbara's cheek before answering:
"It was Vega, the one Chair Sun Ji had when she was still a magical girl. Its whereabouts are also unknown now. But the strange thing is... a legendary magical girl's Star