Code E9: Pseudo Paradise
Peach-Scented Land
You
(...)
You
(It was all such a disaster...)
You
(The paper that was inside this envelope...)
You
(It was a standard punched card that fit the reader in the underground research facility.)
You
(Everything was fine up until that point.)
You
(The real problem started from then on. Since we had both the punched card and the reader...)
You
(...we had to insert it.)
Merry
I-Is that...?
Renko
A steam locomotive... a steam train?
Merry
Why...? What is such a thing doing here?
Renko
Isn't it here because we inserted the punched card into the reader?
Merry
Is that even possible?
You
It looks similar... but I don't think it's the real thing.
You
It doesn't seem to be blowing out anything.
Renko
Oh, you're right. If it was real, it would be blowing out steam or smoke.
Renko
So basically, it looks like a steam train, but it's probably just a plain old electric train on the inside.
Merry
Hold it right there, Miss Scientist! You're focusing on the wrong thing!
Renko
Huh? I am?
Merry
Really, Professor Renko? It hardly matters what's on the inside when you compare it to the bigger question...
Merry
Why has it appeared out of nowhere and parked itself here?!
Renko
Well, that's because we inserted the punched card into the reader, right?
Merry
A train appeared because a punched card was read? Please tell me in what realm that is considered normal!
Merry
Someone is trying to lead us somewhere. Although... I have no idea who that person is!
Merry
And that mysterious letter... I'm pretty sure it's some kind of invitation.
Renko
O-Oh... I see what you mean!
Renko
But who'd go so far as to rig a punched card reader...? Isn't that a bit too convoluted?
Merry
Maybe this punched card reader worked like that to begin with?
Renko
So it was made to do this? Is that true, PLAYER?
You
That machine was here when I bought the place. I knew it was a punched card reader the moment I saw it...
You
...But I never looked into what it actually does. I planned to, but I just never found the time.
Renko
Leaving aside the bizarre fact that you were able to recognize it as a punched card reader at first glance...
Renko
Did the person who sent the invitation know what this device does even though its owner hasn't a clue?
Renko
And that's not the only mystery. They sent a letter with just a punched card... and intentionally didn't write any words.
Merry
What are you getting at? Are you saying that none of this makes any sense?
Renko
No, not at all, Merry. I said it was intentional.
Renko
So it's the opposite!
Merry
Hehe!
You
...?
Merry
So, Renko, that means...
Renko
Exactly, Merry.
Merry & Renko
This is going to be extremely―
Merry & Renko
―interesting!
You
(I can't argue with that!)
Renko
Well, that was rash!
Renko
To be honest...
Renko
I'm really worried now that the train has started moving!
Merry
Yes, we can't get off until it stops. And from what I can tell, it seems like we're the only ones on board...
I couldn't get in the driver's cab, but I think it's empty.
Renko
That must mean that this is an automated train, which is pretty normal. It's just strange that it looks like a locomotive.
Renko
Hmm, since it functions like any other automated train, and it only looks old-fashioned...
Renko
Maybe we don't have any reason to panic here.
Merry
I'm not so sure about that. But either way, I think the ship has sailed, and there's no turning back.
Renko
That's true. There's no point in overthinking this now.
Still, I can't believe we all wanted to ride the train.
Renko
When something unknown and extremely interesting appears in front of you, how can you not want to investigate?
Merry
I think you should stop being so rash, Renko. You'll need more lives than one if you keep doing this.
Renko
Weren't you the first to hop on?
Merry
Well... yes, but!
Renko
Ahahaha. Exactly my point...
Renko
For adventures like this, no single person is ever at fault. If anything, everyone is responsible for their own actions.
Renko
And also...
Renko
If anything happens, we'll deal with it together!
Merry
Well that's a given.
(So this is how the Secret Sealing Club operates...)
Renko
Well, we're the country's foremost intellectual youngsters, so there's nothing that the three of us together can't overcome.
Merry
I wouldn't say that I'm an intellectual though.
Renko
There you go being humble again. I know you take the lead when it comes to getting things done.
Merry
Either way...
Merry
The train seems to be moving further underground, and there is nothing inside that catches the eye...
Merry
It might not be a bad idea to sit back and relax until the train reaches its destination.
Renko
I suppose you're right. But it would be even better if we had a panoramic view like on the Hiroshige.
Merry
Nah, I'm sick of those.
Renko
It's hard to please a celebrity. I hope the destination is at least to your liking.
Renko
Maybe a dream-like theme park or a buffet-style Manchu-Han Imperial Feast at the Dragon Palace...
Merry
There'll need to be more than that to satisfy me.
Back then, we were still unaware...
...that the train would take us to a place beyond our imagination, where so much would happen in just one night.
None of us had a single clue...
...
Even now, as I read back through my journal where I recorded the events...
I still doubt whether any of that actually happened.
Am I really the one... who wrote this?
It seems like the three of us fell asleep. I could tell that the train had already come to a halt by the sound and feel of it.
And then I heard something.
I was too sleepy to hear it clearly, but I realized that the station's name was being announced.
―We need to get off.
I was wide awake in an instant. I shook Renko and Merry, who were both peacefully asleep.
Renko
Oh, the train's stopped!
Merry
We better get off before it leaves!
Renko
Well... this is quite an old-fashioned station.
Merry
We're underground, right? It kind of stinks of mold.
Renko
It smells like damp concrete to me. But now that you mention it, maybe it is mold.
Merry
Look over there. Those stairs look like the exit.
Renko
Ah! Merry! Wait up...!
I was right behind them.
The number of stairs leading to the light was daunting. And to my surprise, both of them were really good climbers.
To me, the stairs felt like walking up a mountain. That's when I realized that I needed to get out of the lab more.
I was embarrassed to be so out of breath, but surprisingly the exit was already in sight.
However, Renko and Merry stopped abruptly just outside, with their backs turned to me.
―I wonder what's wrong...
Renko
Is that the sea?
Merry
Yep, that's the sea.
They both sighed in unison. It really was the sea.
We climbed up from an underground station to find ourselves at the sea? Is such a bizarre thing even possible?
I joined them in stepping down off the curb of the station's exit onto the white sandy beach.
My head started spinning all of a sudden. There was a faint scent of peach in the air.
―I could hear "text."
"I don't feel much pain. The Jeweled Branch of Hourai... eh?"
"My head had already fallen into the bushes of the forest."
"Tragic. But my eyes still worked, so I witnessed what happened."
"I believed that you, only you, were truly on my side..."
―And then it stopped.
Red or White?
Renko
This landscape... It looks like an island. Or maybe it's a peninsula.
Merry
I'd like to take it easy and go for a swim, but unfortunately, I didn't bring my swimsuit.
They didn't seem to be aware of what happened just now. Maybe it was a vision that only I could see.
The moment I thought about telling them what I saw, a timetable caught my eye.
―It was a train schedule board... made of metal. It was hung up right next to the station exit.
It had deteriorated due to the intense sunlight and sea breeze, but it did the job.
The schedule, according to the board, indicated that...
...the next train would arrive tomorrow morning.
I realized that Renko and Merry were also looking at the board from behind me, and they had noticed the same thing.
Renko
Well, now that's a problem... Where will we spend the night?
Merry
Should we stay at the station? It might be cold though.
Renko
Nah, that's not like us.
Merry
I thought you'd say that. This island is probably hiding some secrets.
Renko
What do you mean?
Merry
Don't you feel it? I mean, do you really believe that there's not a single western-style mansion around here?
Renko
Well, that would be the cliched thing to expect.
―I was amazed. They seem to be on the same page and understand each other on a deeper level.
I'm sure that these two... that the Secret Sealing Club is always like this.
They prefer adventure over peace and a challenge over something that's already known. That's who they are.
They started walking toward the center of the island. The forest got thicker the farther from the sea we went.
We walked along something that looked like a path. As we proceeded, the path turned into a sort of animal trail.
It was getting dark.
And there was a scent of rain in the air.
They were talking about paradises the whole time. The alluring beach probably brought this topic to mind.
Tir na nOg, the Land of Eternal Youth. El Dorado, the City of Gold. Agartha, the Underground City.
Hourai, the Enchanted Land... All these places are said to be located in the so-called unexplored regions...
...such as deep in the mountains or beyond the sea. It's similar to how Japan used to fantasize about southern islands.
There was an age when everyone yearned for a trip to the southern islands. It was like a wish that supported them.
People worked hard to be able to visit the southern islands. Children behaved for the same reason.
Such a time actually existed.
What about now though? What is the "paradise" for this present day and age?
Merry
"The moon. It has to be the moon."
―I thought it was going to rain, but I was wrong.
It was... mist.
Merry
Wow... That's one impressive mansion.
Renko
Yeah, that's an impressive gate too.
The gate didn't even budge when Renko tried opening it.
The sun was setting, and the mist made it even darker and colder.
Renko
So what are your thoughts on this western-style mansion you wanted to see?
Merry
I...
Merry
I have seen a mansion similar to this one before.
Renko
You mean the scarlet mansion deep in the forest, right? I remember you talking about it... The one from a dream.
Merry
Yes, but back then, there was no sea. There was a lake instead...
Merry
Maybe this place just looks like that one...
Renko
Perhaps there's a connection? What happened in the dream back then?
Merry
Um... I'm sure there was a maid...
Merry
Oh? Renko, look. This gate opens.
Renko
Huh? That's strange.
Renko
Well this makes things easier. Barging in might be rude, but we can greet the inhabitants when we come across them.
Renko
I really want to take a look inside this mansion.
Going back to the mist-covered forest at night is much more terrifying than entering someone else's house unannounced.
I'm sure the old forests that witches and monsters supposedly haunted must have looked like the one behind us.
Renko and Merry walked through the gate and went into the garden.
I stood there, overwhelmed by the appearance of the scarlet mansion just a bit longer.
But I had already lost sight of them...
???
―Do you have an appointment?
A girl I had never seen before was standing in front of me. She stood there blocking my path to the mansion.
What appointment is she talking about?
???
I am the gatekeeper of this mansion. No visitors are allowed in without an appointment.
Gatekeeper
If you have an appointment, I'll accompany you to milady. If not, I'll drag you there.
So the end result seems to be the same, but the treatment might differ.
I thought that envelope might have something to do with this, so I pulled it out and showed it to the gatekeeper.
Gatekeeper
That certainly is this mansion's seal.
Gatekeeper
All right then.
Gatekeeper
I'll show you the way.
Imperfect Cherry Blossom
Mistress
Welcome to my mansion.
Mistress
You are the one I have chosen to talk with tonight.
Mistress
I would like nothing better than for you to join me in conversation until the sun rises.
ーSaid the young lady, who was probably the mistress of the mansion. She seemed a bit young for a mistress, but...
...there was something very dignified about her. This mansion, the young lady... and even the gatekeeper from earlier...
The longer I was there, the more I felt like I had seen them before.
It's probably something I've seen in my dreams. Maybe it's similar to how Merry said she saw this place.
But I can't be sure that they are the same. A dream is a dream, after all.
―But am I really worthy of giving her company?
Mistress
Oh, my! You're my guest, and you haven't been served any drinks yet. This is unacceptable.
Mistress
―Gatekeeper!
Gatekeeper
Yes, milady.
Mistress
Bring out the welcome drinks. It seems to be cold outside, so make it hot.
Gatekeeper
Yes, milady.
???
There's no need for that―
???
―sister.
Mistress
Oh, my little sister. I see you've brought the drinks with you instead.
Sister of the Mistress
Yes, this is what you wanted, right?
The girl who seemed to be the little sister handed me a warm cup filled with dark scarlet liquid that had a mellow aroma.
Mistress
It's warm grape juice.
Mistress
This is akin to the blood of grapevines. That's why I like it.
Blood...? What does she mean?
There's something very intimidating about this little sister girl. She's wearing a sword, so is she her sister's bodyguard?
And that gatekeeper... She exudes quite a terrifying aura herself. Then there's the mistress who...
Oh, I know... It's that wing-like accessory she's wearing. It gives her a devil-like silhouette.
―Wait a minute...? Sisters...?
Sister of the Mistress
Allow me to apologize on my sister's behalf. Things are still not in place in this mansion.
Sister of the Mistress
That's also why we're still short on helping hands. We need to hunt more fairies.
Sister of the Mistress
Our magician's summoning spell consumes too much energy.
Sister of the Mistress
Heehee...
Fairies? Magicians? Is she speaking figuratively?
Because if she's not... It would mean that the world I saw in my dreams has become reality.
Mistress
Truth be told, we were planning on coming here sooner and in a much better condition.
Mistress
But the gears of fate came loose. This is not how it was originally supposed to be.
Mistress
Nevertheless, we cannot give up. Thus, I'm trying my best to grow accustomed to this place day in and day out.
Mistress
So at the very least, I want to hear a story at night. That's the reason you've been summoned.
It seems like a job easier than Scheherazade's.
But I am more interested in what these girls could tell me.
Mistress
Did you know that cherry blossoms also have blood, just like those grapes?
Mistress
Cherry blossoms absorb blood from ＊ that lie at their roots. Trees with this blood have vibrant scarlet petals.
Mistress
Exactly like those grapes.
Steam from the grape juice that I hadn't tasted yet lingered in the air like mist, carrying its mellow aroma to my nose.
I felt dizzy again.
―I could hear "text."
"Curses...! Curses!"
"How dare you ruin my beauty! My beauty that's nothing short of art!"
"But... They were as beautiful as me... No... more beautiful!"
"That... Pierrot! How I envy you!"
―And then it stopped.
Imaginary Settlement
Renko
Hm, I'm not so sure about this room.
Renko seems to be overawed by the eerie atmosphere in the mansion.
But it's not like it's a haunted house. So there's no reason to be afraid.
Merry
Even if phantoms show up, we just need to apologize, and we'll be fine. We have a legit reason for being here, after all.
I doubt phantoms would just forgive us because of that. Besides, I don't think there are any here.
It's such a nice room... if you ignore the fact that there's not a single window.
Merry
By the way, Renko... Can't you take a look and tell us where we are?
Merry
Oh, but there are no windows in this room.
Renko
I probably won't be able to see the night sky even if we go outside...
Renko
The mist outside is really thick...
That's right. The mist is dense outside. I'm not sure how things are at the station, but...
...I think it's safe to say that it was the right decision to crash at this mansion.
I thought I had lost Renko and Merry, but they were already here in this room I was taken to.
Now we just need to spend the night here, and we'll be able to return home in one piece. I need to thank the mistress.
Merry
Hey, listen.
Merry
Let's go explore this place.
Merry suddenly blurted out that wordーexplore.
I see Merry as a young lady who was raised in a well-to-do family, a talented woman...
But she also has an adventurous side to her.
Renko
Gosh, Merry. I knew you'd say that.
Renko
What are we waiting for then?!
How are they so fast? I'm sure I followed them into the corridor without a moment's delay, but I can't see them.
―Which way did they go?
???
Are you lost?
???
Shall big sis help you find your way? I can take you to the dining room.
She doesn't look old enough to be calling herself my "big sis." And she is also wearing a strange wing accessory.
???
I'm not sure about the old dining room, but it's OK for humans to enter the current one. It's truly wonderful.
???
Butler! Stop loafing around and get back here.
???
We'll be late for dinner with the mistress.
???
*cough* *cough*
Butler
You should use more magic for yourself...
Mage
What are you saying?
Mage
I diligently study magic solely for the mistress...! I also only summoned you for her benefit...!
I'm sure I heard her say "magic."
Mage
*cough*
Butler
Oh no, oh dear! It's all right now. I understand. So please let me help you walk.
Mage
I'm sorry for the trouble.
Butler
Not at all. Leave it to me. But please at least try to get some exercise.
Butler
I'll accompany you.
I thought she just had a highly delicate constitution, but that seems to be coupled with a lack of exercise.
Mage
You there. Come on. Let's hurry to the dining room.
Mage
It's unacceptable to keep the mistress waiting.
Dining room... dinner... It has been a while since the sun set, so it is certainly a good time for dinner.
There's a scent of fruit in the air coming from somewhere. This aroma... it's pomegranates.
It's probably one of the dishes prepared for that girl tonight.
It's happening again...
―I can hear "text."
"How boring."
"This boredom feels... nostalgic."
"My chopped neck is still..."
"Throbbing... and itching..."
"Just kidding."
―And then it stopped.
Phantasm and Mystery
Mistress
...
Mistress
...!
Mistress
―
I narrated stories while watching the mistress' ever-changing expressions.
The stories were nothing special... just legends from my country.
A story of a young man who visited the Dragon Palace. A tale of a princess from the moon and her five challenges.
I was worried whether the mistress would be satisfied by such simple stories, but overall, they seemed to be a hit.
However, it felt like everyone usually ate dinner in silence. Only the mistress seemed to be listening to my stories.
But no one had a problem with me talking during the meal. It was something they unanimously wished for―
―A storytime after dinner.
Mistress
Thank you. Your stories were quite interesting.
Mistress
You're a good storyteller.
Mistress
I really think so.
I could smell pomegranates every time the mistress spoke.
Such an enigma she is. Judging from her appearance, she must be five or six years old.
But there's something unearthly about her. Can a human really be this mysterious and strange?
I smell pomegranates again.
Mistress
I want to host a ball. I would love to listen to your stories while gracefully dancing with you.
Mistress
But I can't go out during the day. I cannot let the sunlight shine on me... That's just how my body is.
Apparently, the mistress can't stand the sunlight. That's why her days and nights are reversed.
I wonder if she has a light-sensitive skin disorder.
Mage
Milady, it's time for your medication.
Mistress
Thank you for always taking care of me.
Mage
...
The mage handed the mistress a pill. That's probably herbal medicine or something similar.
I now know why they call her a mage. Such eastern medicines are generally regarded as no different from magic in the West.
In the modern era, the advancements in western medicine's symptomatic treatment have only furthered this perception.
A specialist in eastern medicine is a magus or sage. Magical sages stand on the border between the known and unknown.
Mistress
Ordinarily...
Mistress
...I would be able to get all the nutrition I need from my diet. But that's not possible here.
Well, that's true. Only eating fruit does seem like an unbalanced diet.
Mistress
But, you know what? I was able to pay attention to your stories.
Mistress
I was able to sit through to the end like a good kid.
Mistress
I managed to endure.
Mistress
I...
Mistress
Ugh... Ar... gh... *slurp*
Gatekeeper
Milady!
Sister of the Mistress
It's OK. Have some faith in your mistress.
Mistress
Urgh... *gulp*
Mistress
It's all right... I'm all right.
Mistress
I'll prove that I can endure not having the thing that's forbidden here.
Butler
Milady...
Mage
It seems the medicine needs to be improved, so it takes effect quicker. I'll add that to my research list.
Mistress
Thank you.
Was that a seizure caused by a chronic condition or something?
She looked like she was in a lot of pain.
Mistress
We need to get them to accept us here... in this place... this paradise.
Mistress
*sigh* If only fate had not turned on us... we would be here sooner, and I would have been much stronger.
Mistress
We were robbed of a significant part of our destiny... and now we're stuck living in a fake timeline.
Mistress
It's the horrible truth... An awfully sad truth.
The mistress brought up the same topic several times. She must be really frustrated about it.
Mistress
Nevertheless, we need to start afresh.
Mistress
I want to try my best to be a part of this paradise.
Mistress
I'll read the contract we have with the sages and sign it tonight.
Mistress
Although it will be extremely tiring...
I imagine desk work isn't easy for someone so young. But the sparkle in her eyes revealed her determination.
Mistress
And that's why your stories were a breath of fresh air.
Mistress
Thank you.
I have absolutely no idea who she is, and I could barely understand the things she was talking about.
But there was one thing I was sure about in that moment...
Even if she wasn't the mistress of the mansion, she's a good and noble soul.
―Ah! Come to think of it...
Did Renko and Merry finish their meal before me? I was curious, so I asked the mistress.
To which she said...
Mistress
The other two?
Mistress
Hm, two.
Mistress
Two is not good.
Why not?
Mistress
Well...
Mistress
That would be too many people.
Enigmatic
Renko
...So it seems like that place has too many constraints.
Renko
Especially for human outsiders, as they must leave someday. Or they'll eventually want to leave of their own will.
Merry
But if that really is a place free from all suffering, wouldn't they want to stay there forever?
Merry
How strange.
Renko and Merry don't look hungry.
Maybe they did eat before me.
Renko
There was no advanced science and technology in the past, so people did not live an abundant life as they do now.
Renko
That's why people envisioned a life where they wouldn't feel threatened by enemies or criminals...
Renko
...and didn't have to worry about putting food on the table... A life without injury or fatigue, free from illness and death.
Merry
The kings and aristocrats of the past must have longed for it, especially toward the end.
Renko
I think people still yearn for it... they dream of immortality.
They seem to be talking about paradises.
Renko
But there was so much they did not have access to back then. A land where the sun never sets. The Dragon Palace where...
Renko
...the banquets never end. Fairies who do all the work for you. And the medicine from Hourai that grants immortality.
Merry
Is that why they came up with reasons for not being able to have any of that?
Renko
Yeah, probably.
Renko
If you establish a setting where you can come close but never actually attain these things... They can function as hope.
Merry
Like a breath of fresh air during the hard times?
Renko
Correct.
It sounds similar to why the government allows people to indulge in luxuries.
Merry
That's why there's always something taboo in paradises. It also makes sense for there to be monsters.
Renko
Why is that?
Merry
That's because paradise is basically an afterworld.
Merry
It would be problematic if living beings or societies could simply visit the afterworld, wouldn't it?
Merry
That's why there are taboos and monsters.
Renko
Oh, I see. That's such a Merry-like thing to notice.
Monsters... Merry seemed to be terrified by her own words.
Merry
I would honestly prefer if there were no...
Merry
...monsters.
As soon as Merry said that, there was a loud noise outside the room.
It sounded like something heavy was thrown against the floor several times. It was extremely disconcerting.
It felt like it came from right outside the door.
Renko
Wh-What's that?!
Merry
Monsters! It's the monsters!
Renko
A poltergeist phenomenon?
It's the middle of the night, so I understand why they had such thoughts.
But it's probably just one of the people living here. Maybe they had a little accident and dropped something.
Merry
Eeeep...!
Renko
I'm sure if we stay quiet, it'll leave us alone...!
I thought they were being melodramatic. All we have to do is open the door to see what it was.
And it was just as I thought... As soon as I exited the room, I saw the people of the mansion there.
However, the situation was very different from what I had anticipated.
I became painfully aware of how blind I had been. How could I have not noticed such an important detail?
The mistress was always sitting in the same chair.
It was not because she liked that chair or because there was plenty of the same kind of chair...
It was because her body was bound to the chair...
I chased after them.
Somewhere deep down, I knew that I shouldn't be chasing them.
But I couldn't stop myself.
I ended up outside a room. Judging by the doorーit was obvious that this room belonged to the mistress.
Mistress
Ugh... urgh...!
Mistress
UUUUUuuUUUUuuuUUUUUUUURGH!
Mistress
UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!
Sister of the Mistress
Sorry for this, sister!
Mistress
Urgh, uh! UUUUUUUUUUUUUURGH!
Gatekepeer
Forgive me, milady!
Sister of the Mistress
Thanks. I was about to be blown to pieces.
Gatekepeer
Are you all right, young mistress?
Sister of the Mistress
Yes, somehow. There is no doubt that her powers are getting stronger by the day.
What was that? I couldn't understand what I was seeing.
―And then suddenly.
The scent of roses came gushing out of the mistress' room.
Ah... It's happening again.
―I can hear "text."
"I hated bragging."
"An easy way to escape...?"
"You should leave that to me... I have a solid track record..."
"Come on! Rely on me! Hey... C'mon!"
"Why not? I'll... I'll guide everyone!"
―And then it stopped.
Circular Plaza of Fantasy
Mage
You...
My heart almost leaped out of my chest. I was caught. They knew that I was watching the whole time.
I thought about apologizing because it felt like I had seen something that I wasn't supposed to.
But...
Mage
It's all right. In fact, you saved me the trouble of explaining.
Mage
*cough* *cough*
Butler
Lady Mage...
Mage
I'm fine.
Mage
...
Mage
You. Come with me.
Mage
*cough*
Where are we going...?
Butler
To Lady Mage's room, of course.
Mage
Phew...
Mage
I'm exhausted.
Butler
Lady Mage, have this hot drink.
Mage
Thank you.
Mage
Well then, let me clarify a few things.
Mage
Where should I begin?
Mage
Let's see...
Mage
That invitation you received... I was the one who sent it.
Invitation? Is she talking about the sealed letter with the blank punched card inside?
Mage
Can you show it to me? You still have it, don't you?
Mage
Hm...
Mage
The envelope and stamp are definitely from this mansion. From me, to be specific.
Mage
There's no doubt that I'm the one who sent this the other day. But...
Mage
I wrote an explanation for the invitation on paper and put it inside the envelope. How did that turn into this...?
Mage
Well, whatever. That's not important.
Mage
Here. You can have it back.
Mage
What is important is the reason WHY I invited you. And that's...
The girl they referred to as the Mage gave me an explanation that involved a lot of jargon and metaphors.
So I'm just going to record the parts that I understood. Though, there's no way of knowing how accurate any of it is.
―First, she told me that the people of this mansion had only just moved here.
They were supposed to move much sooner, but it ended up happening recently.
They moved here because the air of this place is good for the mistress' chronic condition.
And also because the people where they previously lived were biased against her condition. Some even called her a monster.
Their behavior was so appalling that it was nothing short of persecution. That's why they moved here.
However, they have to follow strict customs and traditions in order to live here. Now, I don't fully understand this part...
...so a lot of this is speculation. I have taken the liberty to translate this into something that makes sense.
It seems that eating meat is forbidden here. There's probably a strong religious reason behind it...
Meat was the predominant part of their diet. Although the sudden change in their lifestyle has been disorienting...
The mistress is determined to adapt to the ways of this place to provide them all with a peaceful life, free of persecution.
She's in the midst of making steady efforts to get the people of this place to accept them.
Now, this is yet again something that was difficult for me to interpret, but...
Apparently, the mistress is not the original mistress.
The original mistress... the one whom the Gatekeeper and Mage serve... went missing before they moved here.
There was no one to lead the mansion. They felt as though their future was shrouded in darkness.
That is when the current mistress showed up. She looked and sounded a lot like the original... but considerably younger.
The new mistress was terribly debilitated, and her memories were muddled. Everyone in the mansion took good care of her.
They helped her recover to her current state. From the new mistress' perspective, they truly are her subordinates.
Apparently, the younger sister is the one who decided that they would serve her.
And so everything in the mansion was going fine until a few days ago...
When something changed.
Mage
―Someone is after the mistress' life.
Nobody knows where they came from, but a hunter is certainly lurking somewhere in this huge mansion.
The mansion initially had quite a few servants. Some were from this area, and some had come from afar.
Mage
―Several of them vanished every night. And all the visiting storytellers ran away.
Mage
We're the only ones...
Mage
...remaining.
Obviously, the end goal of the hunter was to take the mistress down... It was like a countdown.
Mage
I anticipated all of this and wrote a letter calling for help.
Mage
And the one who received that letter... was you.
Mage
*cough*
Apparently, the mistress can deliver letters using some special service. Maybe she has some sort of contact.
She told the mistress that it was a letter to invite a storyteller and asked her to send it. As a result, I received a letter.
―It all sounds far-fetched. And none of this explains why the letter turned into a punched card.
But maybe that's just because my understanding was lacking.
Mage
Hm...
Mage
I think this is the first time I've had such a long conversation. I don't feel like talking anymore.
Mage
*cough*... *cough* *cough*
Butler
Lady Mage...
Mage
I'm fine.
Mage
...
Mage
I don't know what you're capable of...
Mage
But if you want to run, then you may run―Just like all the other storytellers have.
Mage
But if you're going to stay until morning...
Mage
I'll protect you... because I believe doing so will help my mistress.
Mage
...*cough*
Unending Forest Rain
As I was returning to the room, I noticed Renko scanning the hallway through the gap in the door.
She was holding a pole that looked to be about 3 meters long.
Renko
I've been thinking... Maybe not all paranormal phenomena are evil.
Renko
Take phantoms or poltergeists for example. They're just something you can see or hear.
Renko
So maybe this is a phantom mansion...?
Merry
You mean it might be a haunted house? I already think it is!
Renko
No, that's not what I mean... I mean, maybe the mansion itself is a phantom.
Renko was talking about something she had read in some book.
It's a paranormal hypothesis known as the Stone Tape.
Traumatic events or people with intense emotions might generate strong psycho waves. When that happens...
The events are recorded onto surrounding objects―ubiquitous objects such as rock and metal store the best recordings.
Later, when someone with tremendous emotional energy, such as fear, goes to the spot where the event was recorded...
...the same event is "replayed."
It works the same as any recording media since phonograph records. So haunted places are like hologram players.
Basically, if you're not afraid, you won't trigger any paranormal phenomena. And even if you do, they'll be harmless...?
Merry
That's complete nonsense!
Renko
Well, all I'm saying is that there is such a theory.
Merry
But I do want to explore more of this mansion.
Renko
Huh?! Why would you want to do that?!
Merry
Because...
According to Merry, it would be a waste to just stay put and wait for morning without anything happening...
We didn't expect to arrive at this mansion, but it is an invaluable experience. It's terrifying but exciting too...
I think the way Merry reacts to new situations is very troublesome. But unfortunately...
...she is driven by the same curiosity that has propelled humankind through the ages.
Merry
...But to be honest, I'd say it's more scary than intriguing.
Merry
My legs are shaking, and I've had trouble breathing ever since we got here.
Merry
Even so, I want to see things that I haven't seen yet... That is something that's very clear in my mind.
Merry
I'm... strange, aren't I? This isn't normal, is it?
Renko
Merry, that's...
Merry
It's not normal. Of course it's not. I know that.
Merry
Although I'm terrified... although it could be dangerous... and although my entire body is resisting...
Merry
I can't stop myself from being curious about the unknown...
Renko
Merry...
Renko
You're...
Renko
...amazing.
Renko
It's like you'll just go off somewhere all by yourself.
Merry
...
Renko
But...
Renko
...how can you say that after waltzing into someone else's house without permission?!
Merry
...
Merry
...Huh?
Renko
First off, there's no way such a well-maintained mansion could be a haunted house.
Renko
I'm sure it's just a villa or something owned by a millionaire.
Renko
Considering that none of the doors are locked, there's probably a servant around somewhere.
Renko
Though this mansion has western-style architecture, it looks like it's been here a while. I'm sure it has a long history.
Renko
And for all you know, they probably have some weird customs. Like maybe the only maids they hire are twins or something!
Merry
Haha! Where'd that example come from?
Renko
That's why, Merry...
Renko
It's time for the Secret Sealing Club!
Merry
...Yeah!
Merry
Hol' up, Missy Renko. Why're ye trembling in yer boots?
Renko
Whoa whoa whoa, why are you suddenly speaking with that accent?
Merry
Because darkness evokes fear! We don't know what might show up! It's the lump of uncertainty in my throat!
Renko
I feel like someone is lurking in that corner. I need to stay vigilant... Time to scrutinize possibilities and patterns!
I was right behind them and calmly looked around. There certainly is something very eerie about this mansion.
Unlike the so-called modern houses, the lighting isn't all that bright and only covers a limited area.
And because it's dim, there are lots of shadows.
Still, I can't help but think that their fear is an overreaction.
Renko
M-Merry?
Merry
Wh-What is it, Renko?
Renko
I don't want to scare you by saying this, but...
Merry
Well, then don't say it...
Renko
Can you also hear an extra pair of footsteps?
Merry
Eh? Eh?! Eeeeeh?!
Renko
It's not just us! There's someone else! I'm telling you, we're not alone!
Merry
Huh? Huh?! Huuuuuh?!
An extra pair of footsteps? I couldn't hear any such thing...
Footsteps of exactly three people echoed in the hallway. But Renko and Merry stopped and turned around.
Judging from their line of sight, they were looking over my shoulder to the opposite end of the hallway.
They turned pale in an instant.
Merry
Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Whaaaaat's that?! A b-b-b-bat?! EEEEEEP!
Renko
A bat...?! It's an enormous bat-like creature!
Merry
W-We need to g-g-get out of here!
Renko
How is it even flying with those wings?! For such a huge thing to be able to fly... Structurally it's just...
Merry
Renko, run!
Renko
Whoa, oops!
A bat...? I turned around.
Sister of the Mistress
...
Sister of the Mistress
The hunter―
Sister of the Mistress
―is on the prowl.
Love is Poison
Sister of the Mistress
Sister, please stand by in my room.
Mistress
What in the world is going on?
Sister of the Mistress
Hmm...
Sister of the Mistress
I'm afraid I can't give you an explanation... Sister, please continue with the contract proceedings.
Sister of the Mistress
We need that to live in this paradise permanently. It's more crucial than we can ever imagine.
Sister of the Mistress
I'm sure your seizures will completely subside once the contract is formed.
Sister of the Mistress
Something like that should be an administrative service. I'm sure it is. That's why...
Mistress
My little sister...
Sister of the Mistress
...leave the trivial things to us. You just concentrate on making us a part of this paradise as soon as possible.
Sister of the Mistress
My small older sister...
Sister of the Mistress
No matter what happens, do not leave this room. Lock the door from the inside and stay put.
Mistress
Very well... I'll do as you say.
Sister of the Mistress
That's more like it. You're emanating nobility and wisdom.
Sister of the Mistress
There's no doubt that you're the mistress of this mansion.
Sister of the Mistress
...
Sister of the Mistress
Guards, it's time for us to head out.
Mage, Butler & Gatekeeper
Yes, ma'am!
Apparently, the young mistress is the most powerful one in this mansion.
She eliminates all external threats for the mistress and has taken the responsibility of Head Guard upon herself.
She isn't related to the mistress by blood. But that doesn't change anything.
Sister of the Mistress
Hunter, our enemy, is probably acting alone. Does anyone have any information?
Gatekeeper
My coat and Butler's uniform were stolen during the attack the other day.
Butler
They probably needed a change of clothes. I think it's safe to assume that they're wearing what they stole.
Mage
The mansion is already on high alert since the last attack.
Mage
Even under such tight security, the enemy has had no issues hiding, stealing, or even wiping out our people...
Mage
They are living in this mansion like it's their own home.
Mage
*cough*
Sister of the Mistress
Impressive observation. I wouldn't expect anything less from our resident mage.
Sister of the Mistress
I suspect they're adeptly using some sort of ability. And it has to be something extraordinarily powerful.
Sister of the Mistress
It's very ominous how we know nothing at all about this ability. Everyone, please be on guard.
Sister of the Mistress
We're on the mansion's lowest floor. We'll be scouring each floor as we work our way up to the top.
Sister of the Mistress
We're bound to come across the Hunter. We're the only ones left to be hunted, after all.
Sister of the Mistress
I'll take the lead.
Mage
Then I'll take the rear.
Mage
It's also my duty to protect the guest I invited.
Mage
I equipped Butler so she can stay summoned permanently, and I have cast a spell on myself to assist my physical fitness.
Mage
Now both of us are capable of fighting solo. It makes sense to do that, at least for tonight.
Is there something that I can do? If yes, then what could that be? And why should it be done?
Come to think of it... maybe I wasn't the one who was invited. Maybe it was Renko or Merry. Or perhaps both.
That letter wasn't addressed to anyone in particular. And it arrived when Renko and Merry were there.
But that's not something that came to my mind in the moment...
It felt like I wasn't thinking as I usually do...
Sister of the Mistress
All right. I'm incredibly grateful for your assistance, Lady Mage.
Sister of the Mistress
Allow me to reassure our guest. We, the Guards, are strong. We're not the same as the fairies or little devils who serve us.
Sister of the Mistress
Besides, gears are something that work even without intent.
Sister of the Mistress
As our guest, you will also have a role to play at some point.
Sister of the Mistress
Heehee...
Gatekeeper
I will not go easy on the Hunter once we find them. I'm sure they'll look like some sort of fiendish monster.
Butler
For the honor of my comrades, they must suffer my wrath.
Sister of the Mistress
That's the spirit.
Sister of the Mistress
Wait.
Sister of the Mistress
Where is...
Sister of the Mistress
...Lady Mage?
The girl they call the Mage had suddenly vanished. She was right there a moment ago.
She was nowhere to be seen or heard. Only a whiff of her scent was left behind.
The faint fragrance of patchouli.
...
―I can hear "text."
"I feel like I'm going crazy."
"Once I saw those... bright blue eyes..."
"I couldn't stop myself... I just couldn't. And who can blame me?"
"It isn't that big a deal. I... I'm just a child, after all."
―And then it stopped.
Receiving Flesh Again
Sister of the Mistress
She's not here...
Gatekeeper
I can't sense the flow of her qi.
Butler
I don't sense her magic either.
Butler
There's no way I wouldn't recognize Lady Mage's magic.
Sister of the Mistress
This is strange.
Sister of the Mistress
We've been conducting a thorough search right from the lowermost floor.
Sister of the Mistress
If she was anywhere, I thought it'd be here...
Sister of the Mistress
But maybe she has gone further ahead...
Butler
But why?!
Butler
Why would she go ahead without telling us anything?!
Gatekeeper
...
Gatekeeper
Calm down, Butler.
Butler
*sob*
―Oh.
I suddenly understood.
This is what it means for a hunter to hunt their targets.
The target suddenly vanishes... unseen and unheard.
There's no whodunit or howdunnit. All that's left behind is an empty space.
If there were clues... it wouldn't be perfect.
But if that's really the case, then...
...what should I do?
What should I feel? What should I think? What should I say? How should I proceed?
Am I expecting evidence to answer even questions such as these?
Butler
It's really strange...
Butler
Lady Mage was assisting her physical strength using magic, but that's possible only as long as that magic persists.
Butler
Of course, Lady Mage has immense magical power... But the fragility of her physical condition surpasses that power.
Butler
She cannot afford to waste magic. So even if she went ahead, we should've caught up to her by now...
Butler
I don't understand what's going on here...
Gatekeeper
So staying together is the main thing we have to do right now.
Gatekeeper
Also, if what you said is true, Lady Mage can't have gone far.
Gatekeeper
As long as we keep going, the problem will solve itself.
Butler
I see...
Butler
You're right!
Sister of the Mistress
Besides, with Lady Mage's power, she should be capable of stalling a battle with the Hunter for at least a while.
Sister of the Mistress
And I'm sure we'd hear if any battle broke out. If that happens, we just need to run to her aid as fast as we can.
Sister of the Mistress
...And for all we know, Lady Mage might be hot on the Hunter's trail.
Gatekeeper
Hmm...! That's certainly a possibility...
Sister of the Mistress
Gatekeeper! Come quick!
Sister of the Mistress
...!
Gatekeeper
...!
Sister of the Mistress
Do you sense anything?
Gatekeeper
...
Gatekeeper
No... There's nothing here.
Gatekeeper
I sense absolutely no qi at all. This is not normal.
Another person had vanished without anyone noticing.
The only thing left behind was a faint scent.
The same scent of patchouli... as though it indicated their connection.
...
―I can hear "text."
"Ha, hahaha, hahahaha."
"I figured it out just before the end."
"How can someone be so shrewd?"
"Aaah... Ouch..."
"M-My hands... my feet... ah... even my head... I can't move at all."
―And then it stopped.
Unknown Guest
Sister of the Mistress
...
Gatekeeper
...
The culprit does not show herself or make any sound.
So there is no point in keeping an eye out or keeping your ears open.
But that doesn't mean you can stop yourself.
Merry
It's one of the things humans do when they're anxious. They try to do something, even though they know it's pointless.
Renko
But can you really say they "know" it's pointless if they do it anyway?
Merry
Why not? Humans have more than just the conscious mind, you know?
Renko
What do you mean?
Merry
I mean, you haven't stopped fidgeting with that fountain pen stylus of yours.
Renko
Oh... I see what you mean.
Renko awkwardly stuffed the pen into her pocket.
Renko
Th-That doesn't mean I'm anxious or anything.
Merry
Really? Apparently, you can deal with anxiety better if you acknowledge it.
Renko
All right... I'm a bit anxious.
Merry
It's good to be honest.
The way Merry smiles at times like these makes her look mature.
Renko
But I don't like how I have an urge to do something pointless even though I know it's not going to change anything.
Merry
Maybe it's not really pointless.
Merry
People get excited and thrilled when a completely unknown future lies ahead of them, don't they?
Merry
That's also a sort of anxiousness. And isn't that more fun than feeling nothing at all?
Merry
Also, I'm sure being excited at times like these...
Merry
...is what enables people to act when the future becomes the present.
Renko
Hmm... So it's kind of like a warm-up or having staff on stand-by.
Sister of the Mistress
...?!
Sister of the Mistress
Gatekeeper...?! No, □□!
Sister of the Mistress
□□!
Gatekeeper
What in the world are you...?!
Sister of the Mistress
□□?!
Gatekeeper
Young mistress. Staying on guard while bracing myself with qi paid off.
Gatekeeper
I'm currently in some sort of place. No, I'm not even sure if this is a place or not...
Gatekeeper
I don't know how long I'll be able to keep transmitting my voice to you through qi.
Gatekeeper
So please listen carefully.
Gatekeeper
A single punch was enough to make me realize that I can't win against the Hunter. I will definitely lose any straight-up fight.
Gatekeeper
Fortunately, the Hunter is somewhat susceptible to qi. I'll use all the qi from my body to thrust the Hunter out to you.
Gatekeeper
And one last thing... I won't be able to return...
Sister of the Mistress
□□! That's...!
Gatekeeper
Forgive my audacity, but please understand. Everything we do is for milady. That is the oath we took.
Gatekeeper
...
Gatekeeper
I hoped that someday... I could read her a picture book again.
Gatekeeper
Farewell!
Sister of the Mistress
□□!
Gatekeeper
What are you waiting for, Hunter?! Come at me!
Gatekeeper
This Rainbow Gatekeeper will dodge all your fancy knife skills!
―I can hear "text."
"So"
"you"
"found"
"me"
"out."
―And then it stopped.
Recalling Illusions
I leaned out from the balcony and looked up at the sky. The thick mist had distorted the moonlight.
And the night sky was stained in blood-like scarlet. I could see the silhouettes of the mysterious girls flying in the sky.
Sister of the Mistress
Sister... What are you doing here?
Mistress
My little sister...
Mistress
The mirror of twisted fate within me... has finally shown me our past... and our present.
Sister of the Mistress
Oh... I see.
Mistress
Thank you, □□□□□□. And thank you, □□□, □□□, and □□.
Mistress
For accepting someone who lost her memories, her powers, and even her destined future...
Mistress
For accepting a replica... for accepting... me.
Mistress
And I'm sorry...
Mistress
The twisted fate of the vampire in me has ended up hurting all of you. I could feel it subconsciously all this time.
Mistress
If only I could've had a sip of blood... the scarlet water where the fate of life is recorded.
Mistress
Maybe then, something might have changed.
Sister of the Mistress
Hehe...
Sister of the Mistress
You're completely off the mark, my wise sister.
Mistress
Huh...?
Sister of the Mistress
You're mistaken about three things. Let me correct them.
Sister of the Mistress
Your first mistake is in thinking that I regret something. I regret nothing.
Sister of the Mistress
□□, □□□□□, and □□□ didn't either. We have always...
Sister of the Mistress
...looked up to you as our real mistress.
Sister of the Mistress
Or should I say, there's no real or fake? It is wrong to think of it that way.
Sister of the Mistress
Even if there is no blood... This is our bond of blood.
Mistress
□□□□□□...
Sister of the Mistress
The second mistake... Maybe if you continued drinking blood...
Sister of the Mistress
...you could have corrected your own twisted fate.
Sister of the Mistress
But we don't need such a future.
Sister of the Mistress
For us to be able to live alongside you in paradise...
Sister of the Mistress
...we don't need such a thing.
Mistress
...
Sister of the Mistress
And the final mistake...
Mistress
You're not done yet?
Sister of the Mistress
Not yet. This is the biggest mistake.
Sister of the Mistress
Such conversations...
Sister of the Mistress
...should be saved for after we've won the battle!
???
Are you done with your meaningless chitchat?
???
You wretched devils!
―That word.
My assumption was the same as hers.
They're devils.
Beings with actual, non-metaphoric wings... that consume humans.
It makes sense.
If everything that they've said wasn't a metaphor...
...then them being able to fly makes sense.
Mistress
You're the Hunter, aren't you?
Sister of the Mistress
Is this for real...? She's the Hunter?! But she's just...
Sister of the Mistress
...a human.
Hunter
That's right. I'm just a human.
Hunter
That's why I'm standing in your way right now, with just this body and my tenacity.
Hunter
How many times do you think I've overcome dreams, illusions... and insanely deep layered structures.
Hunter
All probabilities are contained within the gaps between the shortest lengths of time, also known as instants.
Hunter
I flipped through the folds of my cerebral cortex as though they were pages, but I kept opening such doors...
Hunter
...despite the excruciating struggle. Only because I want to rip you out of my head. You, the one nesting in my brain.
Hunter
The monster that defies the will of God... the Scarlet Devil. I kept going just so I could obliterate your very existence.
Mistress
The will of God?
Mistress
What a strange thing to say.
Mistress
If this God that you believe in really existed, they would never forgive your messed-up ability to travel through time.
Mistress
My twisted ability allows me to see through the fate of your contorted past. Hmmm, I see you are telling the truth.
Mistress
But there's one thing you haven't been honest about.
Mistress
You don't believe in God, do you? At the very least...
Mistress
...it is not for this God's sake that you desire to destroy me.
Hunter
Hehe...
Hunter
Hehaha...
Hunter
Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Hunter
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Hunter
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaahahahahaaaaahahahaahahahahaaaa!
Mistress
What's so funny?
Hunter
Haha! That's the funniest joke I've ever heard.
Hunter
A lowly devil...
Hunter
A lowly devil is lecturing ME about God's will? Ludicrous! And I was going to be merciful and leave your dignity intact.
Hunter
―But no.
Hunter
A contaminant like you must be burnt off. There's something stuck at the back of my mind.
Hunter
Ah, it hurts. It itches. Stop writhing around...!
Hunter
There is no longer God or fate inside me. There's only one thing inside my empty skull―
Hunter
―A devil that coils around like a snake. There's only you in there.
Hunter
Yes, that's right. I'm just a silly Pierrot. Just a doll whose brain was consumed.
Hunter
I'm sure that to you... my strange life seems foolish.
Hunter
But I can no longer be saved. Such worthless things like God or fate cannot bring me salvation...
Hunter
...I can only save myself by ripping you out of me.
Sister of the Mistress
Sh-She's... crazy!
Mistress
...
Mistress
How pitiful.
Mistress
...
Mistress
No... You and I... we're the same.
Mistress
We have both traveled through time and space countless times after being robbed and twisted.
Mistress
It's no longer possible to tell how much of our former selves have been preserved.
Mistress
You're me, aren't you?
Mistress
I don't know who they belong to, but even now, I can glimpse fragments of consciousness through the broken mirror of fate.
Mistress
...
Mistress
I can see a version of me who doesn't look like me in this form. A you, who doesn't look like you in that form.
Mistress
My comrades, who aren't Guards. A version of us who came to paradise much sooner.
Mistress
A you, who isn't a clown. Someone else who plays the role of Pierrot.
Mistress
A gruesome incident in paradise that happened not in this mansion. A shrine maiden and a shrine maiden-like girl.
Mistress
A girl beckoning from the border. A new relationship between humans and youkai that brings harmony to paradise.
Mistress
The rule to exterminate youkai that lets humans survive. The rule to attack humans that keeps the youkai alive.
Mistress
A dark me who continues to drift in the gaps between worlds. A you, who isn't the Hunter.
Mistress
A you, who is the maid of this mansion...
Mistress
...
Mistress
However, those destinies do not exist here. Thus, I will repaint your destiny...
Mistress
...scarlet.
Mistress
And just scarlet. I shall seal your miserable fate with my twisted fate.
Mistress
Your last moments will be stained scarlet.
Mistress
It's time you accept it.
Mistress
You cannot escape your fate.
Mistress
From this moment onwards...
Mistress
Thy name is... □□□□□.
Mistress
By order of the Scarlet Devil...
Mistress
Thy destiny... shall be engraved on thy soul!
Sister of the Mistress
Sister...!
The history of devils as they are portrayed in the West doesn't seem to be that old.
I have read speculations that they originated after the Italian Renaissance.
It is said that the well-known demons of Solomon also came into existence around that time.
The seventy-two demons of Solomon have various magical abilities...
And surprisingly, there are quite a few with the ability to foresee destiny.
It was an era where knowing not only your own fate but also the fate of others was highly sought after.
It was a world where there were far more misfortunes that could be avoided if only one knew the future.
It is said that devils appeared...
...in response to people's wishes.
Hunter
...
Hunter
Is that it? All I have to do is cut your attacks along with time itself. It's child's play.
Hunter
You're just a devil after all. Have you also been abandoned by fate?
Sister of the Mistress
N-No way...!
???
Look, Renko! The monsters from earlier are all the way up there!
I was probably the only one who heard that voice.
Or maybe to someone as powerful as a devil, it was just not worth listening to, like random noise.
Renko
Wow... How are they flying? And doesn't one of them look like a human?
Renko
Not that I can say for sure... They're too far away to see clearly!
Merry
The thick mist has mostly cleared up. But look at that clock tower. The mist is still unnaturally thick around there.
Renko
The sun will rise soon. The monsters will probably go away somewhere when that happens.
Renko
Luckily, they don't seem to be interested in us. We just need to keep low for a little while longer...!
Merry
Oh! Renko, look! It's the moon!
Merry
Look over there! It looks like it's looming over the clock tower! Now you should be able to tell where we are!
Renko
I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but that scarlet mist is in the way, so I can't read the moon well.
Renko
But wow, Merry... I see you can now stand to be around monsters. Don't tell me you've gotten used to them.
Merry
Not at all! But I don't want to miss my chance to see something when there's something to see...!
Renko
It's like you're on a safari tour to observe wild animals...
Renko
And maybe comparing them to wild animals might not be so far off the mark.
Renko
The tales of monsters, youkai, and even kaiju... They all originate from wild and ferocious animals.
Merry
But I've heard that wild animals fear humans...
Merry
I mean, humans have come this far with building a civilization and everything precisely because they're strong.
Renko
Exactly. So strong that they managed to tame the once dangerous animals like cows and pigs to use as livestock.
Renko
That's why normal wild animals aren't youkai. The ones that become youkai...
Renko
...are the wild animals that know what human blood tastes like.
Renko
...OK, it's not long until dawn now!
Merry
Oh, right...! We need to hurry, or we'll miss the train.
Renko
Yeah, let's go before the monsters notice us.
Mistress
I need more power...!
Mistress
Is this where the door of fate closes...?
That was the moment when...
An idea, an emotion, blazed up within me. It burned like scarlet flames... scorching hot inside my chest.
It was as though the idea did not belong to me. In fact, I'm sure it wasn't mine.
I don't know anything about these people. I haven't formed any opinions about them yet.
I haven't spent enough time with them. I'm just a bystander going with the flow.
Just someone who is observing. That's why it was evident that this idea did not belong to me.
Yet at the same time...
It was clear that it belonged to someone from somewhere.
If it didn't...
Then such an idea should not have come to me.
Mistress
...?
I called out to the mistress.
To be precise, my mouth was just open. It felt like the idea inside me was screaming from the depths of my throat...
...in an unbelievably loud voice.
It was for the mistress... To make sure her destiny doesn't end here...
The idea told her what had to be done...
It asked her to―
―suck my blood.
Mistress
Are you... in your right mind...?
Yes.
No.
If she drinks human blood, she should be able to regain most of her devil powers.
That would greatly increase her chances of surviving.
Mistress
No... I can't do that.
Mistress
And yet you're still seriously saying that...?
Yes.
No.
The mistress and her younger sister will be banished from paradise for breaking the rules.
But... their destinies will not end here.
Mistress
Are you really, really sure?
Yes.
No.
Mistress
You want me... to suck your blood?
Yes.
No.
Mistress
Are you... sl... uuuuuu... rp... guuuu... lp... sl... uuuu... uurp... sure...?
Mistress
*huff* sl... uuuuuu... rp... guuuu... lp... sl... uuuu... uurp... guuuu... l... can't... control... myself... uuurgh...
Yes.
No.
Mistress
*huff*... *huff*... sl... uuuuuu... rp... *huff*
Mistress
*huff* *huff* *huff* *huff* *huff* *huff* *huff* UAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!
Mistress
...No.
Mistress
―Let's do this, □□□.
Mistress
To live in this paradise.
Sister of the Mistress
...
Sister of the Mistress
Very well.
Sister of the Mistress
Sister.
Hunter
Are you going to try and make a comeback at this stage? I know fate is twisted, but I didn't expect this.
Hunter
There's no way you can win against me.
Hunter
Because unlike you, who has cut and thrown away your twisted fate...
Hunter A
I... We...!
Hunter B
Have been collecting...!
Hunter C
The pieces of fate...!
Hunter
You think you've won? You've defeated only three.
Hunter
My brain is filled with as many pieces of fate as there are cells.
Hunter
Yes. Living beings first come into this world as a single cell... containing a bud of fate.
Hunter
...
Hunter
I'm a colony of different selves whose time stopped when they were still just a single cell.
Hunter
The me that stands in front of you is just one of the tens of trillions. If I allow the unique time of each cell to flow again...
Hunter
...There's no stopping countless versions of myself from reappearing endlessly.
Hunter
...
Hunter
May you crave for blood in the sunlight of despair.
Hunter
―You wretched devil.
New World
Barely Audible Voice
...
Barely Audible Voice
You're just a human, aren't you?
Barely Audible Voice
Scamper off already.
Barely Audible Voice
But if you ever happen to make a mistake and come back here...
Barely Audible Voice
Then you are―
Barely Audible Voice
―just an ordinary human... like me.
It felt as though a heavy mist was clouding my mind. I was regaining consciousness with a sort of lingering hesitation...
It felt like everything had been a dream.
There was a clear thought amidst my hazy consciousness.
It was definitely just a usual dream.
It's not that I was trying to turn a blind eye to the unknown. It's OK if devils, youkai... or even vampires exist.
They might have originated from people, animals, events, or phenomena. And that's fine too.
It's also OK if they're a new species. Maybe there's some undiscovered principle behind them.
Or perhaps there's some natural or psychological phenomenon that no one knows about yet. It doesn't matter.
That's why it's OK if youkai, monsters, or specters exist. But...
...is it OK for humans to be like that?
What exactly are humans? I'm not sure I know anymore.
Merry
PLAYER, sorry to disturb your sleep, but please wake up. We need to get off, or we'll miss our stop.
Oh...!
Thank you, Merry!
Renko
Well, Merry was also a sleeping beauty until not long ago.
Merry
Are you talking about yourself, Renko?
Renko
Well, I didn't plan on sleeping... But we've been underground all this time... It was boring, so I fell asleep.
Merry
Same here. But thanks to that, I slept like a log.
Merry
I didn't see a single dream.
Renko
Me neither. Maybe it was because of the pink noise.
Merry
Oh, no! We better get off!
Renko
A-Ah, right!
(I need to go too...)
(Oh... Looks like I dropped my journal without realizing.)
...
...
It had been written in. Everything was written so closely that the pages looked like big black blobs.
It was everything that happened in the dream. Did my dream self write all of this?
Or did I actually go there and write it down in the journal myself?
Even now, as I read back through my journal where I recorded the events...
I still doubt whether any of that actually happened.
Am I really the one... who wrote this?
...
"Well?"
"What are your thoughts after reading all of this?"
"Was it a dream? Or was it a dream-like reality?"
"I'm sure you (a.k.a. me) are completely lost. That's what I think right now."
"That's all―"
"―written by PLAYER."
