Nova Explains: The Future of the Shining Force

Editor: First of all allow me to congratulate you. The battle against Runefaust was tough, right? You must have worked hard during that as well, no?

Nova: No no, I merely gave advice. Our victory is thanks to everyone’s efforts.

Editor: Now, the reason we’ve asked for your time today, is to inquire on what happened to the Shining Force after that...

Nova: Oh, so that’s how it is. From where should I start talking then?

Editor: To start with, how about what has been happening in Guardiana?

(The people of Guardiana)

Nova: The Kingdom of Guardiana’s rebuilding went well. Queen Anri inherited the throne from the late king. Lady Mae also became captain of the Order of the Knights, guarding the country along the mostly young knights like Sir Ken. Because thanks to Runefaust, monsters still prowl near our country! Oh, also, as Queen Anri wished, a magic school was built in Guardiana. Lady Tao became the headmistress there. All kinds of students, from children to the elderly, have gathered there. There are shouts of “Blaze level 1!” and “Freeze level 1!” from morning to sunset, it’s a bit tiresome. Sometimes there are also those who shout “Bolt level 4!” and no one is sure who it is.

Editor: And the others who lived in Guardiana, what are they doing?

Nova: Sir Gort and Sir Luke have joined efforts and started a school as well.

Editor: A school? What kind of school?

Nova: A school of the axe.

Editor: The axe?

Nova: It seems they wanted to compete with Queen Anri’s magic school. It’s a school that teaches how to use the axe. “Graduating here, you too can do revolving cuts through the air!” was their slogan but, they didn’t get any students. The school shut down in three days. Sir Gort went back to his retirement after that...

Though, since Sir Luke continues to go have fun with him, he doesn’t drink so much at the taverns like before.

Editor: You can’t tell just from looking at him, but Luke really is a kind person.

Nova: Oh no, he’s just a brat chasing skirt. It seems he’s head over heels for Gort’s granddaughter. His visits have ulterior motives. That guy has a round nose after all!

Editor: ...

Editor: And the archer, Hans?

Nova: Once the battle was over, Sir Hans had become more timid than before. He got depressed that Lady Diane, an archer just like him, had been more popular.

Editor: That’s a pity… In the same class, of course cute girls would be favored.

Nova: Yes, of course. Sir Lowe was also down. Lady Khris was favored through the adventure as well, and going back to being only an apprentice in Guardiana was insult to injury.

Editor: I see.

(Did Kokichi Became a Rocket Knight?)

Editor: It seems plenty of people returned to their own countries.

Nova: Indeed. First of all there’s Lord Zylo. He is the King of Bustoke, so he and Lady Diane returned to their land. They must be running and hunting through their forests as usual.

Sir Guntz and Sir Lyle returned to Rindo as well, since they are pupils of Professor Crock. They still help the professor with making new inventions.

Editor: Is Kokichi also in Rindo as well?

Nova: Yes, he is. Apparently Sir Kokichi took an interest in Prof. Crock. He built his own laboratory next to his, and researches flight there. This time it seems he is a Rocket Knight...

Editor: Rocket Knight?

Nova: I don’t quite understand but, by carrying a firework monster named “rocket” on his back, he can go anywhere in Rune in an instant. Well, it’s best if you take everything Sir Kokichi says with a grain of salt. Sir Earnest has returned to his country as well. It’s some small country near Runefaust. After taking his revenge against Balbazak, he wanted to rebuild it.

(Did Arthur Start His Own Laundromat?)

Editor: Once the battle ended, were there many who left for new travels as well?

Nova: Yes, indeed. Because there were many of them who love adventure. (His face showed a bit of loneliness.) Everyone set out for their many ambitions. Sir Bleu is travelling searching for other sacred dragon survivors. Compared to when we found him crying in Dragonia, he’s become very resolute.

Balbaroy and Amon also set out on journey. By Runefaust’s army, the birdpeople were nearly wiped, but there might be survivors out there... They thought the same as Sir Bleu. As for the pair of knights, Sir Pelle and Sir Vankar, both went back to working as mercenaries as a pair. They must still be fighting in some land out there.

Editor: I heard a rumor that Arthur started his own laundromat...

Nova: (flatly) That’s a baseless rumor. Sir Arthur is on a journey to train himself as warrior. He said he wants to discipline himself once more. Some claimed to have seen him near Bustoke, but after that we had no more news on him.

Editor: What happened to Khris?

Nova: Oh, Lady Khris. She also set off, to Pao. Despite that land being vast, there’s a lack of priests and doctors. When Khris heard that during the adventure, she became determined to help the people there.

Editor: She went all the way to Pao alone? Will she be okay?

Nova: You musn’t worry. She took Domingo with her as a bodyguard. As a duo, they are much stronger than any imprudent squad of knights. We actually received a letter from Lady Khris a few days ago. She is aboard the Pao Train, working hard in treating the sick people of the villages spread through the plains. Truly an exemplary lady.

(Alef and Torasu Begin Experimenting with Demons)

Editor: And what happened to the others?

Nova: The pair from Prompt, Lady Alef and Sir Torasu are in Manarina. They are starting over their studies of magic. They used to be proud of their magic but, because they weren’t able to work as well as the younger mages, they lost their confidence.

Editor: So they are training arduously in Manarina?

Nova: That was their intention at least. But in less than a month of arriving there, they had already thoroughly taken in the colors of that country. Turning other mages into chickens, summoning creatures from who knows were, very active, those two! …Ahem. They’ve been quite troublesome, and the Great Wizard Otrant has complained as well.

Editor: I guess anyone who goes to that country gets weird. Ah, that’s right. What happened to Musashi and Hanzou then? Many say they weren’t seen after everything.

Nova: Those two left without saying a word to anyone. We don’t even know why they helped us, and to the end we didn’t learn a thing about them.

Editor: Speaking of not knowing a thing, where’s Yogurt?

Nova: ... (five minutes of deep silence) Who?

Editor: That weird creature, with the helmet.

Nova: (five minutes of deep silence again) I don’t remember. How did they help? What weapons and magic were they skilled at?

Editor: ...

(And The Hero’s Fate Was?)

Editor: Now, for my last question. That man —the leader of the Shining Force, what happened to him? I’ve heard he perished in the final battle.

Nova: …that man, yes. Had it been not for him, this continent of Rune, no, this world might have been downed in darkness. Even though we searched arduously for him... Speaking of, the mechanical soldier Adam also disappeared suddenly after the final battle... He threw himself in the ocean to save his leader — it’s a possibility. But, we don’t have any doubts. That man is definitely alive somewhere. That’s what I believe.

(Article by: Masaki Wachi)