Warm but Painful Starlight

Rubia's Flashback

Do you have nowhere to go?

Oh dear.

You'll freeze to death if you go out like this.

Here, wear this. Red suits you well.

It's okay to stay for a night. It's cold outside.

Hey, what's your name?

You don't remember?

I see. In that case...

'Rubia. You are Rubia from now on.'

Who was it? Was it that person from the temple back then?

That day was so cold, I really thought it was the end.

Someone giving me food and a place to sleep,

Giving me a name,

It was all a first for me.

But look at me now.

A worn-out robe and a rotting shack.

That's my everything.

No talent, no power, no people, nothing.

Is it just too much now...

Today... people aren't buying any Meteor Grass...

Lighting a stalk of Meteor Grass.

Shhh—

You're the only one showing me a light that doesn't blind me.

Or maybe I'll go blind. Whatever.

The world isn't a warm place anyway.

Phew—

It's warm.

Warm like a hot air balloon... as if my body is rising...

Worldview

• Story Setting: The Continent of Arcadia

The center of magic and civilization.

The political situation varies by kingdom,

A large continent where various races prosper, centered around humans.

• Meteor Grass (流星草)

A mana-infused plant that emits a faint light like starlight.

When rubbed by hand while infusing corresponding mana, it glows warmly and induces hallucinations.

However, frequent use in its raw form gradually absorbs the user's mana, draining their life force.

Commonly, it is processed to remove the hallucinogenic effect and used in various equipment or mana lamps.

The price is two copper coins per stalk / 10 copper coins per bundle. One must sell at least one bundle to afford a proper meal for the day.

• Meteor Grass and Rubia

Meteor Grass is Rubia's only means of livelihood, and also the entity that drains her life force.

Rubia resembles Meteor Grass in some ways. Its true value is hard to recognize if no one looks at it, but if cherished and cared for, its sun-like radiance is revealed.