Ch. 4: Eternal Battlefront 5
Satellite City Pt. 1
Eirin
(Shhh. Don't be scared.)
Eirin
(The others will panic if they find out you're not a rabbit.)
Eirin
(So let's just keep this a secret between us, OK?)
Eirin
(These are unprecedented times for the Capital, so you being here now must be some kind of sign.)
Eirin
(You're a messenger, sent here to bring peace, aren't you? So, surely, you'll heed my request.)
Eirin
(I'll leave you in Sagume and the Watatsuki sisters' care.)
Eirin
(If you manage to return safe and sound, I would love to hear how you got here.)
Eirin
(Perhaps we could talk about it over tea.)
Eirin
Toyohime, Yorihime, Sagume.
Yorihime, Toyohime & Sagume
Empress.
Eirin
This girl is special... understand? Please take over from here.
Toyohime
Leave it to us.
Yorihime
We won't let you down.
Eirin
Sagume, have Seiran accompany her.
Sagume
[Understood.]
Eirin
Reisen, please look out for her, too.
Reisen
...Huh?!
Reisen
O-Of course, Lady SS!
Eirin
You can just call me Eirin. There's no need to be so nervous.
Reisen
Th-Thank you so much!
Eirin
All right... Kaguya, can you please accompany me up to Central?
Eirin
We can't afford to waste time.
Kaguya
Sure thing. Let's go.
Kaguya
See ya later!
(She didn't reveal my secret to the others.)
(I wonder why...)
(I'll just have to keep pretending to be a rabbit!)
Seiran
...I see. So that's why you called me back here.
Sagume
[Lady Eirin, in her infinite wisdom, wishes Reisen and PLAYER to accompany you on your mission.]
Sagume
[Keep up the good work.]
Seiran
There is no greater happiness than following a direct order from Lady SS. I won't let you down.
Reisen
I-I'm so nervous...!
Toyohime
Try your best, Reisen. You don't want to let this promotion go to waste.
Reisen
Wait... I've been promoted?!
Toyohime
Of course. You wouldn't be back here with us otherwise.
Reisen
R-Right... That makes sense!
Reisen
I'll work hard, Lady Toyohime! I'll do my best!
Toyohime
I know you will. *pats head*
Yorihime
Listen up, Seiran Squad. Check over your equipment and make sure everything's in working order.
Yorihime
Your mission is simply to check for any traces of kaiju. Another matter requires our attention, so you'll have to go it alone.
(I should've guessed we'd be going after kaiju again!)
Yorihime
You should easily be able to handle this by yourselves. If you don't find anything, that's fine. Just make sure you report it.
Yorihime
Once you're ready, head to the Energy City: Mendeleev.
Yorihime
Did you get all that?
Seiran
Yes, ma'am!
Reisen
...Oh, um, yes, ma'am!
(...What was that?)
(Did the room just shake?)
Satellite City Pt. 2
(Huh?)
(Something feels off.)
(It's like the room has changed from when I entered.)
(But that can't be possible...)
Wait... there wasn't a door here before!
I wonder what's inside!
Huh?!
This is just like...
...Miss Yukari's room at the Hakurei Shrine Academy!
And the room aboard the Probability Space Hypervessel!
How can it be here?
Alice
There's a signal?! We managed to patch through to her in the Capital!
Alice
Can you hear me, PLAYER?! What's your status?!
Miss Alice! Is this the power of my bunny ear sensors?!
Alice
So, the poltergeist sisters have been lost, the empress doesn't know about the Lost Words, they're investigating kaiju...
Alice
...and there's a secret safe room. But what I still don't get is how I'm able to contact you in that safe room.
Alice
Anyway, we can talk now, so we better make the most of this. I'm glad you're safe, PLAYER.
Alice
You did well. I'm proud of you.
But what about the Prismriver sisters...?!
Alice
Yes, I already knew about that. We equipped you all with tracking devices capable of bypassing the Capital's security.
Alice
I was really worried when we lost their signals, and only yours remained.
Alice
But it's not as bad as it seems... There's still hope for them.
What do you mean?!
Alice
We managed to regain their signal. It's distorted and incredibly weak, but it's there.
Alice
The Tsukumo sisters are currently tracing it to its source.
Yatsuhashi
Sup, PLAYER! How's it going?
Benben
I know you helped us practice our Spell Cards just the other day, but it feels like ages since we last saw you.
Miss Benben! Miss Yatsuhashi!
You've got cool cyber outfits, too!
Sup!
Alice
I got my hands on some more rare materials, so I was finally able to print out their equipment.
Yatsuhashi
We're new to this logic-hacking thing, but we should be able to manage by using the same methods as the Prismrivers.
Benben
We couldn't just sit idly by while they might be in trouble. We're looking for them now.
Yatsuhashi
We still can't be sure, but it looks like their signal is coming from another world, probably one ruled by the Capital.
Benben
This would explain why the signal is distorted since it'd have to cross the boundary between worlds.
Alice
It sounds like a full analysis is going to take some time. Keep at it.
Yatsuhashi & Benben
Roger!
It's frustrating how I can't do anything but wait...!
Alice
You should focus on keeping your cover. I'd like to ask you to try and return to us, but that's too dangerous right now.
Alice
Keep an eye out for other safe rooms like this one. If you find one, I'll try to contact you again.
Alice
It pains me to say it, but you shouldn't stay in that room for long. They might get suspicious.
Alice
Still, I can't believe you managed to get so close to Eirin, the empress. We can't let this opportunity go to waste.
Alice
I feel really bad for forcing all this upon you, PLAYER.
Alice
But...
Alice
We're counting on you.
I won't let you down!
Satellite City Pt. 3
Seiran
We're here. *sigh* It's a pain working with rabbits who can't fly.
S-Sorry! Thanks for carrying me, Miss Seiran.
Seiran
You could start showing that thanks by letting go and standing on your own feet already.
Oh, right!
Seiran
But I guess this is kinda nice. Looking after subordinates is a type of happiness only superior officers can experience.
Reisen
I know what you mean! Carrying PLAYER is really kinda nice.
Seiran
Seriously, Reisen?
Seiran
I only carried PLAYER for you 'cause I thought you'd be tired from everything that happened today.
Seiran
I hope you realize that...
???
Wow, it seems you're finally acting like a leader. You've grown up since I last saw you, Seiran.
Seiran
What?!
Ringo
Are they your current subordinates? Haha, they're bright-eyed and full of energy.
Ringo
Just like you back in the day.
Reisen
N-No way... Are you Miss Ringo?!
Ringo
Yep. That's me. Have I really become that famous?
What is she famous for?
Reisen
She was a top Truth Temple officer, but she became the talk of the Capital when she suddenly retired with no explanation!
Ringo
Wow, you know your stuff, huh? You're gonna make me blush.
Seiran
Ringo, I thought I warned you not to show your face before me in public.
Seiran
Did you forget?
Ringo
Yep. I forgot all about that.
Seiran
Huh?
Ringo
Nah, I'm just pulling your leg. I was waiting here for you.
Seiran
How'd you know I was coming here?!
Ringo
Simple. My new assistants told me.
Rabbit 111
...Sorry, Reisen. We didn't know you'd be here too.
Rabbit 39
We got laid off. But we still have to eat, so we found other work.
Rabbit 800
But nothing's really changed. We've always lived worlds apart from you, Miss Reisen.
Reisen
No way... Why'd you get fired?!
Reisen
Don't tell me it's because I got a promotion...
Seiran
Reisen. Keep your mind on the job. You might be a peacekeeper, but that's still a happiness protocol violation.
Reisen
Ah...
Ringo
Always a stickler for the rules, huh, Seiran? I see you're not gonna make this easy for me.
Ringo
I was really hoping for a little heart-to-heart.
Seiran
What do you mean? I'm gonna have to arrest you if you cause a scene in the middle of the city...
Ringo
Ahahaha! Really? A scene? What do you take me for?
Ringo
This is just practice for a performance. You know that unexpected events are precious entertainment for our sisters.
Ringo
They can provide a moment of respite even in worlds that are nothing but dried-out husks.
Seiran
Careful. That sounds an awful lot like treason.
Ringo
I was just speaking generally. Or what, did you think I was talking about something specific?
Ringo
Mind telling me what that is?
Ringo
Well, Seiran?
Ringo
*dramatic sigh* You got me. I surrender.
Ringo
I fought according to the rules, but unfortunately, I don't have anything to give you. I guess I'll just have to share some info.
Ringo
You should check out the backstreets. I'll mark the spot for you. What you find there should prove illuminating.
Seiran
What? I don't understand...
Ringo
See ya, Seiran... Stay safe.
Hot Spring Town Pt. 1
Seiran
...
Reisen
Um, it really seems to be moving automatically. I couldn't find a driver...
Reisen
I-Is this really OK, Miss Seiran? Sh-Shouldn't we have come up with a plan before hopping in this thing?
Reisen
Um, it's kinda moving...!
Seiran
I-It's fine! Don't worry! This is all part of our investigation into the kaiju!
Reisen
...
Seiran
Tch!
Ringo
Oh, right. I almost forgot.
Ringo
I'm sure you know that the Capital requires an incredibly vast amount of energy to sustain itself.
Ringo
Have you ever wondered where that energy comes from? Maybe you questioned it when you were still a little bunny.
Ringo
Not even one of those magicians from the fairy tales could supply this much energy without burning themselves out.
Ringo
Today's the day you uncover the answer to one of the Capital's most mundane mysteries.
Ringo
All right, that's all I had to say. See ya for real this time.
Seiran
(How much does she know...? If someone told her this, I should've been told too!)
Seiran
(Oops. That was close. I can't lose my cool in front of my subordinates.)
Seiran
Are you OK, PLAYER? Everything's going according to plan, but this must be all new to you, huh?
Stuff like this happened all the time back where I'm from.
So, I'm actually kinda used to it.
Seiran
Really? You're made of pretty stern stuff. Though, the place you're from sounds pretty crazy...
Reisen
If PLAYER's not worried, then I shouldn't be either. I'm her senior peacekeeper, after all.
Reisen
Actually, saying that made me feel pretty confident! Let's keep this up and find some info about the kaiju, Miss Seiran!
Seiran
Y-Yeah! You said it!
(The train passed through a gate!)
(I'd really like to ask Miss Eiki about this, but...!)
(Maybe safe rooms can only appear when I'm alone...)
Reisen
By the way, Miss Seiran... Seeing Miss Ringo reminded me of the other famous rabbit.
Reisen
You know, Lady Toyohime's favorite rabbit. She also shares a name with me... Do you know what she's doing now?
Seiran
Oh, her. Yeah, she's―
I think we stopped!
Seiran
All right, everyone out! We have to investigate!
...This looks nothing like the Capital!
Reisen
Huh?! What is this place?! It smells funny!
Seiran
Urgh! This is... mountain temperament! We must be on a mountain somewhere!
Reisen
What?! A mountain?! ...Really?!
??? A
...Oh, what have we here? I guess this explains why the train was running.
??? B
I get it. They probably wanna make a deal here instead!
??? A
All right, where is it? Hand us your tribute to Shuten-Douji.
??? B
Hurry up, would you? We haven't got all day.
Seiran
Eep! Wh-Who are you people?!
Yuugi?
Who are we...? I'm Hoshiguma-Douji, and she's Ibaraki-Douji. We're your regular customers.
Kasen?
You don't have to try and cheat us. Shuten gave us permission to pay you extra if your yield was poor.
Yuugi?
C'mon, let's make a deal already.
Kasen?
Yeah, we gotta follow the old traditions.
Yuugi? & Kasen?
It's time for a battle of bullets!
Seiran
They must be a type of kaiju or something! F-Fire warning shots!
Reisen
I-I can't! I'm requesting permission to fire, but it won't go through!
Seiran
Why not?!
Smart weapons never work when you need them!
I'll try something more analog!
Aya
I'll answer any summons, no matter how sudden!
Nitori
My equipment has been optimized for express deliveries.
Seiran
...I think I get why PLAYER was assigned to my squad now.
Seiran
You must be the only rabbit capable of using those special analog item things!
Reisen
Those items look crazy powerful!
Yuugi?
A kappa and a tengu, huh? Such middling youkai aren't even worth fighting.
Kasen?
What are you two doing? Do you want us to play with you?
Aya
Huh?! Why are we fighting oni?! This isn't what I signed up for.
Nitori
Do you think they'll forgive us if we apologize?!
Yuugi?
Not bad. That was actually a pretty good fight. What group are you from?
Kasen?
So there are still some capable kappa and tengu around, huh? Who knew? Come to the inn later. You deserve a reward.
Nitori
Yikes! We barely laid a scratch on them! They're like the perfect counter to us!
Aya
Miss PLAYER, please try using one of the doors next time, OK?!
Hot Spring Town Pt. 2
Yuugi?
...I thought something was off. You don't look like our usual contacts, so I should've figured you weren't here to trade.
Kasen?
They don't have any metal to offer as tribute. I hope we don't have to resort to taking the train and the tracks apart.
Umm, who are you?
I'm PLAYER. And this is Reisen and Seiran.
Yuugi?
Don't you know who we are...? Oh, I see. You three must be marebito.
Kasen?
Yeah, rabbit youkai show up here sometimes, don't they? So, are you marebito? Answer me.
Yes, we're marebito! (At least, I think we are...)
Yuugi?
I've heard that, unlike the rabbits who've always been here, the rabbits that drift here are a rare type of youkai.
Yuugi?
It might be worth getting to know them better.
Yuugi
I'm Hoshiguma-Douji, but you can call me Yuugi. Nice to meet ya.
Yuugi
If you plan on living here, you should come by and see me later at the Hot Spring Town.
Kasen
And I'm Ibaraki-Douji, though I'm used to people calling me Kasen.
Kasen
Also, if you wanna see Shuten, you should let us know. You're rare youkai, so we might make an exception for you.
(They're different from the Yuugi and Kasen I know.)
(Especially Miss Kasen...)
(Her arm isn't bandaged...)
(And she's got horns. She's definitely an oni!)
Kasen
What're you looking at? Stop staring.
Sorry. Umm, I just thought your hair buns looked cute!
Kasen
C-C-Cute?!
Kasen
R-Right. Umm, yeah... I guess you could call them cute.
Yuugi
Why are you acting all weird, Ibaraki?
Kasen
You wouldn't understand, Hoshiguma-Douji!
Yuugi
And now you're angry... I really don't get you sometimes.
Yuugi
Anyway, if you're not our trade partners, where are they?
Seiran
Umm, how are we supposed to know?!
Reisen
I still haven't gotten over how they just attacked us out of nowhere!
???
Stop right there, you pesky thieves!
Kanako?
Stop this villainy at once! Or we'll have to punish you!
Suwako?
What are you after? Faith? Metal? Either way... it disgusts me that you'd resort to stealing.
Huh?! N-No, you've got it all wrong! We're not―
Sanae?
Save your excuses.
Sanae?
Accept your punishment!
Seiran
I've finally got permission to fire...! But who even are these guys?
Reisen
I don't know! They look too small to be kaiju... but they're just as scary!
Suwako?
Wow, do they actually think they can beat us? How should we deal with them, Kana?
Kanako?
Watch out, Suwa. I've never seen anything like them before!
Sanae?
I'm so sorry!
Kanako?
Let me apologize, too. I'm sorry for thinking you were thieves!
Suwako?
But I was just being cautious... F-Fine. I'm sorry.
Seiran
Well... you stopped attacking, so I guess I'll forgive you.
Reisen
This place is crazy... Are all mountains like this?
Yuugi
Oh, right, now I remember. Those three are our usual trade partners.
Kasen
I thought I was good at spotting archaic humans, but I still mixed you guys up somehow. I wonder why.
(Maybe it's because Miss Sanae is also a human...)
(Do we smell the same to them or something?)
(No... maybe I'm overthinking it.)
Sanae
We make a living by producing metal, predominantly steel, and exchanging it for faith.
Sanae
That's because neo-humans cannot survive without faith.
Sanae
The kishin, on the other hand, use that metal to dig deep into the earth in order to release the energy stored down there.
Sanae
The entire world runs on that energy, so if you ever need a place to work, you should head to the kishin's inn.
Sanae
If you work there, you won't have to worry about starving to death! Isn't that nice?!
Seiran
Y-Yikes. I'd hate to live like that...!
Reisen
I thought there was meant to be kaiju here?!
I just noticed this now, but the train is gone...
Yuugi
Anyway, welcome to the New Land of the Oni.
Kasen
I'm sure you'll enjoy it here.
Seiran & Reisen
...!
Seiran & Reisen
I wanna go home!
