Lossy's Journal

Um... Miss Yukari...!

Yukari

What is it, PLAYER? Is there something you want to ask me?

Are you the one who decides the battle of bullets rules?

Yukari

...!

Yukari

PLAYER. Are you... really asking me that?

...?

Reimu

What's going on here? Don't tell me you made Yukari cry?! Wow! I didn't know youkai extermination was your thing!

Marisa

PLAYER...! What's this I'm hearing?! You made Yukari cry?! Amazing!

Reimu & Marisa

We entrust the fate of Gensokyo to you!

Yukari

Now, now. Enough with the jokes.

Yukari

My goodness, PLAYER. To think that you'd be so interested in such a thing...

Yukari

I thought I was a good mentor... Where did I go wrong...?

Reimu

Stop acting like PLAYER is in the wrong. Just answer her! Not that I know what you're talking about.

Marisa

Well? What were you two talking about?

...ever since I heard about it at the bottom of the tower.

Reimu

You've been wondering who's the one that decides the rules for battles of bullets, huh?

Marisa

I read or maybe heard somewhere that the regulations for duels were made by the Hakurei shrine maiden and the sages.

Reimu

No, I don't think that's what PLAYER is bothered about.

Marisa

Huh? What do you mean?

Reimu

There are two things... First, did these rules exist even before PLAYER appeared here?

Reimu

And second... Why are the rules the same in all the other worlds that we've been to?

Reimu

You're wondering about these two things, right?

Yes! That's pretty much it!

Marisa

Whoa, Reimu! That was quite insightful of you!

Reimu

Not really, since I'm the one who mentioned the second thing when we were back on the 10th floor. Have you forgotten?

Marisa

Who's going to remember every little detail?!

Reimu

Well... Just as I mentioned on the 10th floor... it really is a mystery.

That's exactly why I started wondering...

...whether the rules were the same before I got here.

Marisa

Oh, I get it. The one in charge of these rules might be the mastermind behind the Lost Word Incident.

Marisa

It's pretty suspicious, right?

Reimu

Even I don't think about every little thing when an incident occurs. I've just always thought that this is how duels are...

Marisa

But you're the Hakurei shrine maiden. I heard you're one of the people behind the rules. So you're the mastermind, right?

Reimu

Ugh! This is so annoying! Who even cares about such details...?!

Yukari

That is exactly how delicate this matter is. It's not something you should talk about so lightly.

Reimu

Look who's talking! It's the most suspicious youkai who is definitely the mastermind!

Yukari

That's right. It's obvious that I'm suspicious.

Yukari

I am the most suspicious existence in all of Gensokyo. I am the Youkai Sage, Yukari Yakumo after all.

Yukari

Duels, Spell Card rules... I am the one who controls them. I always have and always will. There is no changing that.

Yukari

Humans solve incidents only because I allow it. They are just dancing to my tunes. Isn't that obvious?

Marisa

Well, you're always shady with all your lies, but if you're gonna say the same thing about this Lost Word Incident...

Marisa

Doesn't that all but confirm that you're the real mastermind behind all of this?

Yukari

Huh?

Reimu

Marisa's right. Just think about how it was before PLAYER got here.

Marisa

There was always a subtle change in the rules for every new incident. They were never exactly the same.

Reimu

That wasn't just because you felt like changing them, right? The incidents always affected the rules.

Reimu

This means that you colluded with the masterminds to change the rules... Isn't that right?

Yukari

Huh? I don't know what you're talking about. Lalala... I can't hear you...!

Marisa

What's with this childish behavior...?!

Yukari

Please stop. I'm just an innocent little girl! Just a little youkai girl!

Reimu

She's probably just fooling around because there's no one else here. But you're not going to fool us...!

???

Now, now. Stop bullying Yukari.

Okina

You should understand that for a youkai to admit their deeds is as good as self-destruction.

Miss Okina...!

Okina

Why hello, PLAYER. I have been watching you through the back door.

Yukari

Oh, it's the secret god. No one called for you, though.

Okina

I've come to your rescue. Maybe you should show some gratitude.

Are you also here to conquer the tower, Miss Okina?

Okina

No, I am the same as Yukari. Such a large-scale event is just another incident if you look at it from a different point of view.

Okina

But if a god, like myself, is around to watch over things, it is officially a festival. Is that not reassuring?

Reimu

What is this secretive god, who is just as shady as Yukari, on about?

Marisa

I know, right?!

Okina

Oh, it looks like I am even more disliked than I expected. But since this youkai will never speak about herself...

Okina

Do you not need a god? I have known her for ages, so you can rest assured and leave the explanation to me.

Reimu

Yeah, but you're not very trustworthy, so how can we trust whatever you say...?

I'd like to hear!

Okina

PLAYER! You are such a good girl! I sense strong faith coming from you! Excellent! Let me pat your head!

Marisa

Even dignified beings like youkai and gods just melt in front of PLAYER. She sounds like a doting older sister!

Reimu

Well, Marisa... You might not be aware of this, but we're all birds of a feather.

Marisa

For real?!

I doubt I deserve this, but I'm really happy about it!

Okina

How adorable! I will train you to be one of my next two servants!

Yukari

Okina, stop getting carried away. This one is in the custody of Hakurei Shrine under my jurisdiction.

Okina

Hmph. How boring.

Marisa

By the way, where are your two servants? They don't seem to be around.

Okina

If it is Mai and Satono that you are speaking of, then they are already climbing the rest of the tower... with the others.

Reimu

The others...? Ah! Sakuya and Youmu aren't here either?!

Marisa

We've been completely left behind!

Yukari

Correct. Literally everyone climbing this tower is your rival. There are no friends here.

Reimu & Marisa

We have to catch up!

Okina

Well then, greater youkai. How about we get going too?

Yukari

All right. Let's do that. It is good to do things like this once in a while.

We'll continue this during the next break, right?

Okina

Hehe! Yes, you can look forward to it.

Okina

Pitiful youkai can never admit to their deeds. So instead, I, the hidden secret god who should be spoken of publicly, will...

Yukari

PLAYER! Don't let her fool you! I'm much better than that shady and eccentric god!

Uh...!

Huh?!

Reimu

*sigh* Don't take them seriously, PLAYER. This is just how they act. There's nothing new about this.

Marisa

Youkai want to be feared, so they sometimes distort the truth. Same with gods. There's no guarantee they'll speak the truth.

I-Is that so?!

Marisa

Youkai want to be feared, and gods want to be worshiped. Both of them only care about what's beneficial to them.

Reimu

Youkai and gods attach themselves to idle rumors and hearsay... They do whatever it takes to remain relevant.

Reimu

Until recently, I used to think that battling gods would be quite different from exterminating youkai...

Reimu

But I got used to it since gods cause so many disturbances! I battled the sculptor god, the marketplace god, and lots more!

Sanae

Aw, thanks!

Reimu & Marisa

That wasn't praise!

Okina

Well, I'm not here to make the age-old claim that gods only speak the truth.

Okina

There are countless gods, so it would be impossible to treat everything said by each one equally and impartially.

Okina

However, I, Okina Matara, a sage and the secret god of Gensokyo, am the only one around here who has witnessed...

Okina

...all of Yukari's deeds. So it would be wise to listen to me. Doing so is surely better than just listening to Yukari.

Sakuya

I feel like she's trying to wheedle us into listening to her.

Youmu

I'm OK with whatever as long as we can end this bothersome topic as soon as possible!

It's always good to listen to various sides of a story...

...be it from a youkai or a god. Is that it?

Okina

Exactly. One should always strive to broaden their knowledge.

Yukari

There are things in this world that are better left unknown. Being a secret god, you should be aware of that.

Okina

Wow, it's quite unusual for you to be so straightforward. So unlike a youkai. Not sharing knowledge is one thing...

Okina

...but not giving options should be detrimental to you, no?

Yukari

...

Yukari

Well, whatever. I don't think my dear PLAYER will blindly agree with you. So you may go ahead. I don't care.

Okina

Very well. I'll finish what I have to say before you change your mind.

Okina

First, let's look at Yukari Yakumo's claim that she's the one behind all the incidents. I'd say there's a limit to being illogical.

Reisen

That's an awfully strong denial. How can you be so sure?

Okina

There is a very simple explanation for that. And that's because I myself have caused an incident.

Aya

Ah, yes! You're the god of hindrances who shares ancestors with the tengu... You were the ringleader behind that incident!

Cirno

Hm? That can't be right. That bad guy was standing up. But I also battled the one who was sitting twice... I don't get it.

Okina

Or do you think... that Yukari Yakumo asked me to rig the whole thing when I caused the incident?

Okina

If she had done that, it would've taken us several years to decide how the incident would play out!

Okina

The sages of Gensokyo are not on such great terms that we would simply agree without any argument.

Sanae

Even that Great Tengu who got along well with that god had a falling out in the middle of a disturbance!

Aya

I'll write an article about you bad-mouthing my boss later! That can wait for now!

Okina

That incident also served as a warning to Yukari Yakumo. So I would have immediately rejected any proposal to rig it.

Okina

Thus, I caused that incident solely because I wanted to. The incident interfering with the battle rules was consequential.

Okina

There were no signs of Yukari Yakumo intervening at any point. Isn't that right, my two servants?

Satono

Master is right! That incident was caused by our master and us!

Mai

And there are no records of Lady Yukari visiting us either. I think all other incidents were also only caused by the culprit.

Yukari

Of course, they could've just taken all that into consideration and conspired together to coordinate their stories!

Reimu

You make things a whole lot more confusing whenever you open your mouth!

Marisa

Can't you just keep quiet for a while?!

Yukari

How cruel! PLAYER is like my child! I made what Hakurei Shrine is today! Incident resolvers are my children!

Marisa

*sigh* That's rich coming from you...

Reimu

All right, calm down, "mom."

Okina

My theory opposes Yukari's. I believe the masterminds are single-handedly responsible for their incidents.

Okina

The battle of bullets rules change with every disturbance because the person causing each disturbance is different.

Okina

Let's take the incident caused by Yuyuko Saigyouji for example. You were forced to collect spring, correct?

Sakuya

Yes, we were made to collect a lot of petals. It seems she was planning to steal them to make a cherry blossom tree bloom.

Okina

In short, you danced to the mastermind's tunes and were forced to collect what they wanted.

Okina

The method may have been different, but I'm sure you collected something similar countless times...

Okina

Like the fragments of the Flying Storehouse disguised as UFOs, desire spirits called divine spirits, and Ability Cards.

Marisa

Well, collecting such items while avoiding bullets does make you feel really cool. Did they use that perception against us?!

Reimu

Also, we were made to collect seasonal energy in the incident that you caused...

Reimu

But you played dirty so that anyone with a seasonal bias wouldn't be able to beat you!

Okina

Well, I was observing you all, so it would be silly not to take the appropriate measures.

Satono

Master was watching the whole time from the back door.

Mai

She was watching so closely that she was literally clinging onto the doorframe!

Okina

Ha... Ha... Ha!

Okina

...Be quiet for a while.

Satono & Mai

OK!

Sanae

Wow! That's a shocker! But that would explain why the rules applied even on the moon that's so far from here!

Youmu

Masterminds need consistent rules for their plan to work, like how we were possessed and manipulated by animal spirits.

Reisen

Wait a minute! If the mastermind interferes with the rules and changes them... then there are a lot of inconsistencies!

Aya

Hm?! That's interesting. I'd like to hear more from the incident-resolving experts here!

Cirno

Wait, didn't we also get some advantages? Is it a good thing to help your rivals...? I don't understand.

Marisa

That Supernatural Border thing was helpful during Yuyuko's incident. Did Yuyuko arrange it so we'd deliver spring to her?

Reimu

Maybe that was a phenomenon that occurred as a side effect of having too much spring energy in the midst of winter.

Sakuya

What about the Border Between Life and Death during the Eientei incident? That was also pretty helpful, wasn't it?

Reimu

Maybe that was also a side effect... of something.

Sanae

I've only heard about that incident since I didn't experience it, but wasn't there an Ability Card that did something similar?

Sakuya

Ah! I feel like there was something like that! Hm... What was it called again?!

Reisen

If the masterminds interfere with the rules, then what about the Ultramarine Orb Elixir in that sagacious spirit incident...?

Reisen

...Doesn't that make my master a mastermind too?!

Youmu

So then, what was the whole spirit world trance thing?

Marisa

And what was with the spirit attacks that consumed spirit power?!

Reimu

What about temperament and weather?!

Sakuya

Why were we so easily able to use the bewitched weapons?!

Aya

And even the seasonal equipment...!

Reimu & Marisa

It could be that...

Satono & Mai

Let us join in too!

Reimu & Marisa

No, if that was the case, then...

Okina

Well, I think that should do it. Your honor as a youkai is mostly intact.

Yukari

Yes, you should be grateful. You haven't lost face as a god, either.

Does this mean... the truth is hidden in darkness?

Yukari

Or rather, you could say that the truth can only be found in darkness.

Okina

If so, those who step out of darkness have no hidden truth. That is something I cannot deny as a secret god.

...?

Yukari

Was that too difficult to understand? Let me start over...

Yukari

Who controls the battle of bullets rules? Or if control is too strong a word, who manages or influences them?

Yukari

I claim that it's me. However, the masterminds claim they changed the rules to suit their needs.

Yukari

Was it all rigged? Was there collusion? Well, none of that matters anyway. The outcome was the same.

Yukari

Darkness arises when the intentions of several people come together. What emerges from there is a real-life phenomenon.

Yukari

It's a black box... or perhaps a cat box.

Will we ever deduce the Lost Word Incident mastermind?

Okina

Of course, we will.

Okina

The mastermind's actions will always leave a trace. Right now, all we can do is continue investigating every nook and cranny.

Okina

If we find just a single clue, the answers to all our conjectures and theories will fall into place within seconds.

Okina

You don't need to worry. Remember that climbing this tower is just another way to find a clue.

Ah! Right...!

Yukari

None of this is pointless.

Yukari

Well then, let's continue our search for the truth... or rather, let's continue exploring.

Reimu! Marisa!

...Everyone has gone on ahead without us!

Reimu

What's wrong, PLAYER? Why do you sound so worried?

Marisa

It's fine. I can handle anything we might come across with one of my Master Sparks.

(They've grown complacent from being here so long...!)

Rin

Oh my, what have we here? I've spotted two famous incident resolvers.

???

The top incident resolvers come from Hakurei Shrine, Moriya Shrine, Hakugyokurou, and Eientei...

???

There's also the Scarlet Devil Mansion. And that singular wild witch from the forest...! This is our chance to steal their glory!

Reimu

I know those voices! Show yourselves!

Marisa

And while you're at it, apologize for being so rude!

Rin

Visit the Palace of the Earth Spirits for all your incident resolving needs!

Ichirin

No, you should rely on Myouren Temple!

Futo

The Divine Spirit Mausoleum hath the most illustrious incident resolvers!

Reimu

Wooow, what lovely smiles!

Marisa

I feel so relieved now that you're all here!

Reimu & Marisa

As if!

Are you all climbing the Scarlet Devil Tower too?!

Rin

I couldn't just stay sitting at home after hearing that there are rare objects to be found here!

Ichirin

That's right. There's treasure here! And there's no replacement for treasure!

Futo

Verily. No one can have an overabundance of treasure. This expedition shall fund the Divine Spirit Mausoleum's pursuits!

Marisa

Oh? Are you telling me you guys are after rare items?

Reimu

That's suspicious. You better not be lying to us.

Rin

Actually, it's because of Lady Koishi! I heard that Lady Koishi wandered into and up the Scarlet Devil Tower!

Ichirin

Lady Hijiri went, "I sense a disturbance. I must go deal with it personally." ...Then she flew to the tower all by herself!

Futo

In mine own case, Lady Taishi departed after declaring, "Oh?! If Myouren Temple is going, then I must go as well!"

Rin, Ichirin & Futo

Can you believe that?!

Reimu

Yeah, it's rough having such energetic and spontaneous masters...!

Marisa

I can't empathize with you, but It certainly sounds like a pain.

Rin

You're right that it isn't easy, but I haven't forgotten my sense of duty!

Rin

It may seem like Lady Koishi lives each day freely without a care in the world, but she might feel lonely sometimes.

Rin

She might need help. She might get overwhelmed by sadness when no one can see her.

Rin

It makes my heart break to think she might be suffering alone, so I'll do whatever I can to cheer her up with my fluffiness...!

Marisa

I have no idea whether that youkai actually feels those emotions or not, but I respect your devotion to your master.

Ichirin

Lady Hijiri is a great head priest who leads humans and youkai, even though she is busy with work every single day!

Ichirin

I know she bears the burdens of countless troubles and hardships that we novice priests can't even dream of.

Ichirin

That's why it's OK if she takes a break away from the temple. In fact, I approve! She also left us with instructions.

Ichirin

...But it's kind of lonely without her. I want to be by her side and travel together with her.

Reimu

Yeah, it makes sense that the underlings can't rest easy with their leader gone.

Futo

I haven't construed any cunning schemes whatsoever!

Ichirin

Then you should probably think some more. Unzan says so too. And if Unzan's saying that, you should probably listen.

Rin

I think so too.

Futo

How dareth ye?! Wherever Lady Taishi goeth, I follow! That is the be-all and end-all!

Futo

Things like worry and affection art needless sentiments! They're inconsequential!

Marisa

That's a surprise. I never knew you were so loyal. I just thought you were a plain old idiot.

Reimu

I was going to make fun of you... But well done. I'm actually impressed.

Futo

Is that what ye all think of me?

Futo

Nevertheless, I came hither purely out of loyalty. Lady Taishi is the ultimate ruler, so I must give her mine utmost loyalty.

Futo

I am her number one advisor, after all!

???

Did I just hear someone say they were Lady Taishi's number one advisor? That's awfully strange...!

Tojiko

She doesn't need two number one advisors!

Futo

T-T-Tojiko?!

Futo

Thee hath caught up quickly! I thought I managed to lose thee.

Tojiko

Didn't we both swear to protect Lady Taishi? Why would you try and lose me?

Futo

'Tis only natural to scamper if thou art being chased by a dog! I couldn't help it! 'Twas a force of habit!

Tojiko

...

Futo

Sorry, I jest. I merely wanted to provoke thee.

Tojiko

You know we're out in public, right? Your every word and action reflects on Lady Taishi. Don't disgrace her.

Futo

I apologized, did I not? So what's the problem?! Besides, thou cannot talk, Tojiko!

Tojiko

Huh? What did you say?

Futo

...Thou hath committed no fault, so I've got no rebuttal! That's not fair, Tojiko!

Tojiko

...

Ichirin

You've got it rough too, don't you, Miss Tojiko?

Tojiko

Oh, I'm glad you understand, Miss Ichirin. She's always like this. Every single time.

???

I finally caught up to you both. Ichirin. Unzan.

Minamitsu

Why did you leave me behind?!

Ichirin

Whoa, Murasa?!

Minamitsu

Didn't we promise to climb the tower together?!

Minamitsu

When I woke up, I was all alone... Can you even imagine how lonely that made me feel...?

Ichirin

S-Sorry. I know you're good with directions, so I thought you'd have no trouble catching up to me.

Ichirin

I waited forever for you to wake up, but then Futo and Orin arrived, so...

Minamitsu

Did my nap really take that long...?!

Ichirin

You were so deeply asleep that I couldn't bear to wake you up.

Minamitsu

Hm, it seems I still need more training. I'm not used to exploring for such long lengths of time.

Minamitsu

But please wake me up next time, OK? I felt so lonely being all alone!

Ichirin

OK, I promise. Unzan says he promises too.

???

That's right. You should wake your friends up.

Utsuho

I got pecked at by fairies from head to toe!

???

M-Meow?! You say that as if I didn't try to wake you up, Utsuho!

Utsuho

Huh? You tried? But I don't remember that.

???

You showed no signs of opening your eyes no matter how hard I shook you, slapped you, or rolled you down the slope!

Utsuho

S-Seriously?

???

Yep. Your wings are too big for my cat cart, so I didn't know what else to do but go on ahead and come back for you later.

Utsuho

So that's what happened... Sorry, Orin.

Utsuho

But I'm glad I managed to find you without getting lost!

???

You could say that again. It's truly a miracle.

Reimu

It seems that even the people who don't usually go out to resolve incidents have come here.

Marisa

Is it OK for them to abandon their usual duties? Especially that atomic bird...

Hardly any time will have passed when they return.

Marisa

Oh, right. That makes sense.

Reimu

Then doesn't that mean...

Reimu

...anyone could come to the Scarlet Devil Tower? Even those who can't usually take a break from their important jobs?

Marisa

Yeah, I guess so.

Reimu & Marisa

I've got a bad feeling about this!

(I think I'm getting used to climbing this tower.)

(Once you get used to it, it's kind of...)

???

It's so boring, isn't it?

???

Don't you agree, hated young lady?!

Seija

You think so too, don't you? Hm?

Hey, Seija! I haven't seen you since "that time."

I'm not bored. It's more fun now that I'm used to it.

Seija

How is that any different from boredom? Or is it not boring because it's fun...?

Seija

I don't get what you mean!

???

You're confused because you're not used to overthinking things! Just be your usual simple-minded self!

Shinmyoumaru

Don't you agree, PLAYER?

Shinmyoumaru! I haven't seen you since that time either!

Shinmyoumaru

That's right! We should do something wild together sometime.

Shinmyoumaru

I doubt anyone will get mad if we go on a bit of a rampage here. Don't you get restless if you don't let loose occasionally?

I don't think I'm quite that stressed...

(She hasn't changed!)

Seija

W-Wait, Princess! Why'd you call me simple-minded?! Aren't I the one who always comes up the plans?!

Shinmyoumaru

You don't listen when I try to stop you. Once your mind is made up, you never change it. Are you really an amanojaku?

Seija

Huh?!

Shinmyoumaru

Seija, don't tell me you've forgotten. I might not look like it, but I'm still a descendant of that famous inchling...

Shinmyoumaru

I inherited an especially strong temperament from my ancestors. My courage and wisdom are pretty unconventional.

Seija

Yeah, I know. That's exactly why I teamed up with you back then and why I'm still here with you now.

Shinmyoumaru

Really? So you're not just trying to deceive me for the Miracle Mallet's magic?

Seija

Whoa! Why would you say such a thing in public, Princess?!

Seija

Besides, I haven't ever deceived you! I didn't back then, and nor have I since!

Seija

It kind of looked like I tricked you at the end, but I didn't!

Seija

So it doesn't count!

Shinmyoumaru

Haha. Well, I don't really care either way! Because now I also love the contrary part of you, Seija!

Seija

...?!

Shinmyoumaru

The contrary side of you is so amusing.

Seija, you're kind of different around Shinmyoumaru.

Seija

Hey, watch it. You shouldn't make fun of me.

Seija

I'm not gonna give you any special treatment if ya do!

(Hehe. That's perfectly fine by me.)

Shinmyoumaru

I was joking, but Seija's ability is actually pretty amazing

Shinmyoumaru

I came here to have a little fun. But then I realized I'd get to see more interesting things on the higher floors...

Shinmyoumaru

So I decided to climb the tower as fast as possible... and Seija's powers have been a great help in doing that..

Shinmyoumaru

That's because she has the ability to turn over how things work!

Seija

Climbing up a tower is tiring. Be it a mountain or just stairs, climbing up something is generally a pain.

Seija

That's why I turned it over. Climbing down was much easier.

That's... amazing.

Seija

Huh? Are you giving me a compliment? Ugh, how irritating!

Shinmyoumaru

Between you and me, her power is like Yukari's power to interfere with rules. She can even turn over bullet patterns.

Then isn't she able to cause incidents left and right?!

Seija

Of course, I could―!

Shinmyoumaru

―Nope, not possible!

What?! Really?!

Shinmyoumaru

No matter how amazing an ability you may have up your sleeve, it's useless if there's nothing to "fuel" it.

Shinmyoumaru

First of all, if Seija could use her ability to the fullest, she would've become a greater youkai or something.

Seija

Princess, it's the opposite.

Seija

I can cause a great rebellion at any time. If only I could use the magic of the Miracle Mallet.

The ability to turn over anything and the mallet's magic!

Together they would be unbeatable...!

Shinmyoumaru

Yes, but that also means that Seija's power isn't all that extraordinary by itself.

Shinmyoumaru

If we exclude the short-lived display of powers like with Spell Cards, something like an incident requires wherewithal.

Shinmyoumaru

And this doesn't just apply to Seija. It was the same for the Grassroots Youkai and the tsukumogami during that incident.

Shinmyoumaru

Most youkai can become a threat if they acquire a large amount of magical power to "fuel" them.

Seija

*sigh* I wish the princess would give us a display of her splendid magical powers again.

Shinmyoumaru

I do like fun schemes, but I definitely don't want to deal with any that have such poor cost performance again!

Shinmyoumaru

I don't want to overuse the Miracle Mallet's magic anymore!

Shinmyoumaru

I'll stick to using just a little bit each time! Nothing more than that for now!

Seija

Well, if that's my sponsor's decision, then I suppose there's nothing I can do about it.

Seija

But, Princess... what if there's a magic item with great magical power hidden in this tower?

Shinmyoumaru

Then we'll use that magical power to do something fun!

Shinmyoumaru

There's nothing wrong with bringing a little bit of true excitement to the easygoing and laid-back Gensokyo!

Seija

That's my princess! Yeah, a liiiiiiiittle bit won't do any harm.

(That's so bold!)

???

Whoa! That sounds interesting! Can we really expect something good from this desolate tower?

???

There's no way good things won't happen in your presence, Miss Tenshi! I hope we find a delicious feast...!

Tenshi

We might find something like that if this tower reaches as high as the Sphere of Neither Perception nor Non-Perception!

Shion

Yes! Yes, of course! I'm sure you're right, Miss Tenshi!

Tenshi

So what do you think, Shinmyoumaru Sukuna?! And you, freeloading amanojaku with a seemingly noble lineage!

Shion

Yeah, what do you think?!

Seija

Urk! Tenshi Hinanawi?! And the poverty god?!

Shinmyoumaru

Oh, it's Tenshi and Shion. So you guys came here too.

Hello. You both seem to be in a really good mood!

Tenshi

Wow, PLAYER is also here. Then it's more or less decided!

Shion

PLAYER is going there too, so we'll definitely find something unusual if we keep climbing...!

Am I being stereotyped...?!

Tenshi

If something is unusual, that means it is rare. And rareness is proportional to the magnitude of magical power.

Tenshi

We might find something that'll let us have some fun! And if we're lucky, we could even use it right then and there.

Tenshi

We might learn something from the experience that will prove beneficial to us someday.

Tenshi

Of course, if it's something delicious, we can just eat it up. That means there's no harm in climbing!

Shion

Yaaaaaay! I vote for food!

Tenshi

OK, let's go, Shinmyoumaru!

Shinmyoumaru

Yeah, let's go!

Seija

Huh?

Shion

Eh?

Seija

Hold on, you delinquent celestial. Stop being "ludicrous."

Seija

The princess and I are climbing together. No one invited a spoiled rock-dropper like you!

Tenshi

Did you just call me a... spoiled rock-dropper?!

Shion

Hey, little one. I was gonna be lenient since we both stayed at Hakurei Shrine, but you can't take Miss Tenshi away from me!

Shion

Miss Tenshi is all I have. Do you understand what that means, you bowl girl...?!

Shinmyoumaru

B-Bowl girl?! You're kind of scaring me...!

(This is such a complicated and childish fight!)

(Someone must stop them, or we'll have a mini incident!)

???

STOOOOOOOOOOOP!

Miss Iku!

Joon!

Iku

I am not the Hinanawi family's tutor or instructor. But nevertheless...!

Iku

After sensing the mood here, I've decided to bring the lightning down! I hope you're prepared, Eldest Daughter.

Tenshi

I-I-I-Iku?! Wait a minute, why me?!

Iku

Save the excuses. It'll be a problem if the integrity of Heaven and celestials is tainted.

Tenshi

I don't care about that, but even if that's the case, why me?!

Iku

With all due respect, Eldest Daughter... You're a celestial, so you're supposed to rule over those who live on Earth.

Tenshi

Argh, I-I suppose you're not wrong about that.

Joon

Shion. Don't overdo it.

Shion

Huh...? Did I do something wrong, Joon?

Joon

I hope you know that I only allowed you to go on your little trip 'cause you were going with that super lucky Miss Tenshi.

Joon

I thought her celestialness would absorb all of your misfortune, so nothing strange would happen on your trip.

Shion

Then that means I should stick with Miss Tenshi after all...!

Joon

No, we don't need any unnecessary trouble right now! What if something happens and it triggers that mode of yours?!

Shion

Huh? Joon. Why are you so serious? You're not acting like a pestilence god.

Joon

I'm just worried...

Shion

You're worried?! About me?!

Joon

N-No, not you!

Joon

I'm worried about the little Byakuren Hijiri in my head! I'll have you know that her scolding really hurts!

Th-The situation has somehow calmed down.

Great! It looks like they are getting along.

Joon

Gosh, they're so outrageous. Well... I suppose I used to be like that too.

Joon

But whenever I think of Hijiri... it doesn't feel right if I don't act respectable.

Joon

I'd feel bad about carelessly creating a ruckus.

Do you visit Miss Byakuren sometimes?

Joon

Well, I have no other choice but to go to her for help when we're starving. And she's always so welcoming.

Joon

Of course, I really couldn't force myself to keep training under her...!

Joon

But since I'm indebted to her, I thought I could help with the chaperoning.

Iku

I could just focus on my actual job, and that would be enough... but I have deep ties with the Eldest Daughter...

Iku

I want to see the future of the Hinanawi family and Heaven together with Lady Tenshi Hinanawi, the Eldest Daughter.

Iku

That is what I truly want from the bottom of my heart.

Iku

It's not like me to say such things though.

(She's such a warm and reliable person...!)

Iku

Besides, the recent inexplicable incident has caused a stir both inside and outside the Dragon Palace.

Iku

And it's extremely rare for any celestial, excluding the Eldest Daughter, to venture outside of Heaven...

Iku

That's why I need to make sure everything goes well in their stead.

Joon

Let's climb this tower while talking about our close ones.

Iku

Yes, and who knows, it might act as a diversion to keep us from worrying.

(So many amazing people are climbing the tower!)

Hecatia

I'm heeeeeeeeeeeereeeeeeeee!

Sanae

Eh...? It's the lady with the unique T-shirt?!

Miss Hecatia?!

W-Why are you here...?!

Youmu

Oh no! I-I need to inform the Yama about this!

Hecatia

The Yama? Oh... you're talking about Eiki, yeah?!

Hecatia

C'mon out!

Eiki

Lady Hecatia is a very influential being in Hell, even if she isn't my direct superior. I judged that this vacation is worthwhile.

(So, for Miss Eiki, Miss Hecatia is like...)

(...a popular head of another department?)

Eiki

I like having clarity in all things. So I work when it's time to work and rest when it's time to rest.

Eiki

Apparently, we don't need to worry about the passage of time while we're here. So I don't need to worry about work either!

(So that's what they call a work-life balance...!)

(Maybe Miss Eiki isn't a workaholic after all?)

Komachi

Lady Eiki, I'm sorry to say this, but...

Komachi

...you can't call this a vacation!

Komachi

In fact, this is no different from work!

Eiki

...?

Eiki

Why do you say that, Komachi? Today is our day off. You can stop stressing and relax.

Komachi

(It would be fine if it was just Lady Eiki and me, but the others from work are also here...!)

Kutaka

I'm OK with working on a day off!

Kutaka

I love working!

Komachi

*sigh* You sure have got it good, Kutaka.

Kutaka

Huh? What do you mean? Am I weird, Miss Komachi?

Komachi

No, I didn't mean it like that. It's difficult to explain, so just forget about it...

Eiki

Kutaka. Today is a holiday. We aren't working. You need to learn to balance work and play...

Kutaka

OK! I'll do my best!

Hecatia

There's an excellent turnout of my fellow Hell dwellers today! That's good! Totally cool!

Clownpiece

I'm also here today! Going out on a trip with Master is the best!

Wow, you're all here!

Sanae

But isn't this kind of suspicious? They're all prominent people of Hell...

Youmu

They could easily cause an incident or something...!

Clownpiece

Hey! Don't be rude! We're obviously not going to do any such thing!

So why have you all come here to the tower?

Clownpiece

I'm glad you asked, PLAYER! That's because... That's because...!

Clownpiece

Um... Why are we here again, Master?

Hecatia

There, there, Clownpiece. It looks like you're enjoying the tower so much that you've already forgotten why we're here.

Hecatia

I'm Hecatia Lapislazuli, the Goddess of Hell. I aspire to establish a New Hell full of diverse life forms.

Hecatia

New Hell will break new ground by welcoming the dead with methods of suffering never before seen in Hell.

Hecatia

But it is still lacking adequate torture attractions!

Hecatia

And that's why...

Hecatia

...we're here to observe and get ideas for a new torture attractionーHell's Tower!

(I-Is she trying to make Hecatia Land?!)

Sanae

You're talking about one of those rides where you experience free fall, aren't you?!

Youmu

Th-That sounds like fun...!

Komachi

So we are here for work, after all! I wanna rest!

Hecatia

Don't worry, shinigami girl. I'm the only one who's gonna be working.

Kutaka

Huh?! Then why are we here...?

Hecatia

To have a barbecue, of course! And by that, I mean grilling meat outdoors.

Kutaka

Huuuh?!

Komachi

What's wrong, Kutaka?

Eiki

Why do you look so pale?!

Kutaka

No... it's just that I have a really bad feeling about this...!

Hecatia

It takes a fair amount of people to hold an awesome barbecue, y'know?

Hecatia

Lots of ingredients have to be cooked while adjusting the heat at the same time. So I thought you guys could help me out.

Kutaka

Oh, so that's why you need us!

Kutaka

...Phew.

Clownpiece

Meat! Meat! I want meat!

Hecatia

Let's go all out and have a barbeque in a place with the best view!

Clownpiece

Yay!

(Is she holding an over-the-top barbeque...)

(...to strengthen workplace relations?!)

Eiki

That's a wonderful idea, Lady Hecatia. Opportunities like this are rare, so let's make the most of this one.

Komachi

Having a drink while enjoying a wonderful view doesn't sound bad at all. It's good to have such days off once in a while.

Kutaka

I can help you with anything! As long as the meat being grilled isn't chicken!

Youmu

I-It looks delicious...!

Hecatia

You guys can join us. Think of it as taste testing for New Hell's food menu.

Sanae

Theme park food is strangely appetizing... but expensive!

Sanae

Wait... isn't that dangerous?! They say you can't return to the world of the living after you eat food prepared in the afterlife!

Hecatia

Come on, get climbing if you wanna have a fun barbecue!

Youmu

Oh, that's right...! We were about to go catch up to the others who went on ahead!

Sanae

I completely forgot! It's all because this freaky T-shirt... I mean, lovely T-shirt lady showed up out of nowhere!

Hecatia

Oh, PLAYER. Wait a minute.

Yes, what is it?

Eiki

...

Eiki

I'm sure you've already sensed that something's up, and we don't intend to hide anything, so I'll give it to you straight.

Eiki

It's about the real reason we're here to climb the Scarlet Devil Tower...

Eiki

We came here to observe and investigate the tower and this incident-like situation, but that's not all.

Eiki

PLAYER. We're also here to monitor you.

Hecatia

That's a total exaggeration. It's more like we're here to watch over you.

Eiki

All the Yama and kishin hardly ever see eye to eye on anything. However, almost all of us have the same opinion...

Eiki

...about the mysterious phenomenon surrounding you―The so-called Lost Word Incident.

Eiki

We have agreed that we need to keep an eye on you.

Eiki

You deserve to know the truth.

Hecatia

Eiki... I should've known you wouldn't try to hide it.

Hecatia

...

Hecatia

And that's why Eiki volunteered to take on the role of monitoring you, PLAYER.

Is that because...?!

Hecatia

Yeah, it's exactly as you think. If Eiki hadn't taken on that role, a warmongering Yama or a bloodthirsty kishin might've.

Hecatia

Some are very focused on efficiency when solving problems. So they could've just come to erase you, no questions asked.

Hecatia

Eiki took that role to prevent such a thing from happening.

Eiki

Gensokyo is under my jurisdiction, so it was a natural decision. Gensokyo is undoubtedly deeply connected to this incident.

Eiki

PLAYER. You're now a part of Gensokyo. So as long as I live, I will not allow the other Yama or kishin to...!

So you saved me, and I didn't even know about it...

Thank you, Miss Eiki.

Eiki

Not at all! You don't need to thank me! I am just doing my duty...!

Hecatia

But isn't today a holiday?

Eiki

I-I didn't mean it that way! I wasn't talking about work...!

Hecatia

Then what exactly did you mean?

Eiki

I meant, even though it has nothing to do with my job, guiding PLAYER is my duty as the Yama!

Hecatia

Yeah, you're a former jizou, after all. No wonder you can't ignore the lost and the troubled.

So Miss Eiki is protecting me...!

And what about you, Miss Hecatia...?

Hecatia

Me?

Hecatia

You mean, what's my reason for keeping an eye on you?

Hecatia

Hmmmm, how should I explain this...?

Hecatia

Let's say "something" happens...

Hecatia

...and Eiki, being the Yama in charge of keeping an eye on you, says that she has to pass a harsh judgment upon you.

Hecatia

That's when I'll stop her by force.

Hecatia

And take you away with me.

Hecatia

That's my reason.

...?

Hecatia

Heehee! I'm just kidding.

Hecatia

I don't know what's gonna happen in the future. But if you're gonna be judged...

Hecatia

...I, Hecatia Lapislazuli, the Goddess of Hell, shall intervene on your behalf.

Sakuya

PLAYER.

Sakuya

As we keep climbing this tower...

Sakuya

...we've come across quite a few people who try to strike up a conversation with only you in particular.

Sakuya

Be careful not to follow them anywhere just because they are familiar faces, OK?

Sakuya

I don't mean to nag, but this is important.

Sakuya

They may be a youkai, a god... or maybe even an eccentric human who has decided to get involved with Gensokyo...

Sakuya

Regardless, it isn't safe to be with them just because they act friendly.

Sakuya

Rather, it's dangerous. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it may even be life-threatening―

But... you're not dangerous, are you, Miss Sakuya?

I'd like to fit in like you have at the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

Sakuya

(Ah!)

Sakuya

(Oh, no... PLAYER has no one to call her own.)

Sakuya

(She's...)

Sakuya

(...like how I used to be.)

Sakuya

(If I didn't happen to meet milady...)

Sakuya

(...I wouldn't be the person I am now.)

Sakuya

(I am Lady Remilia's maid. That's my reason to live and also my reason to die.)

Sakuya

(As a mortal human, I'll be with milady until I die. Not that I intend to die so easily...)

Sakuya

(I endeavor to make food to milady's liking because she is quite picky about the kind of food she likes.)

Sakuya

(I enjoy thinking about how to best please Lady Remilia.)

Sakuya

(...)

Sakuya

(And then there's Meiling.)

Sakuya

(Unlike me, she is a youkai. But we are both servants to milady. I feel like... she's taught me more than anyone else.)

Sakuya

(Perhaps our roles could have been reversed... with her as the head maid and me as the gatekeeper... No, that's silly.)

Sakuya

(Come to think of it, I feel like she once said something irritating. When was it...? There was a lot going on...)

Sakuya

(What did she say? I can't remember...)

Sakuya

(...)

Sakuya

(And how can I forget Lady Patchouli?)

Sakuya

(I was surprised when I first saw her. It's not that often that you see a friend who never returns to their own home.)

Sakuya

(I now know many other people who claim to be wise, but it's pretty clear that Lady Patchouli is among the wisest.)

Sakuya

(The Scarlet Devil Mansion may need to make more effective use of her knowledge going forward.)

Sakuya

(What happened after the whole rocket thing and the Ability Cards I gathered? Also, I didn't poison the tea.)

Sakuya

(...)

Sakuya

(Koakuma is Lady Patchouli's familiar.)

Sakuya

(...)

Sakuya

(I think that's what she is. I've become so used to having her around that I've forgotten... but she's probably her familiar.)

Sakuya

(She's a great help as she manages everything library-related. Milady's book collection is also a part of the library.)

Sakuya

(I wish Patchouli would summon more little devils. She is much more useful than the fairy maids.)

Sakuya

(Ah, but it wouldn't look good if there were bat wings fluttering all over the mansion...)

Sakuya

(...)

Sakuya

(As for the young mistress...)

Sakuya

(...this is something I have been concerned about.)

Sakuya

(Why was I imprisoned in the young mistress's room when everyone suspected I was the culprit? What was that about?)

Sakuya

(I wonder if it's common to lock someone in a dungeon with the previous prisoner.)

Sakuya

(The mother of all shared rooms.)

Sakuya

(...)

Sakuya

(But well...)

Sakuya

(It's a wonder how a human like me is living in the Scarlet Devil Mansion that's full of youkai.)

Sakuya

(Come to think of it, it's quite strange. But no one else could live this way but me.)

Sakuya

(PLAYER better not copy me. Perhaps I could've also ended up somewhere else if things were different.)

Sakuya

(Maybe I'd end up at Moriya Shrine... No, Myouren Temple... No, Eientei... No, the Divine Spirit Mausoleum...)

Sakuya

(...Argh! They're all places I couldn't go to back then! Maybe the Scarlet Devil Mansion really is the only place for me...)

Sakuya

(...Oh! What about the wonderful Youkai Mountain?!)

Sakuya

(...)

Sakuya

(Maybe the Youkai Mountain would be good for PLAYER too.)

Sakuya

(The clear flowing river, the sturdy trees, the refreshing mountain air, and the rich variety of seasonal ingredients...)

Sakuya

(Cool in summer, and warm in winter... That mountain is truly like a mother.)

Sakuya

(If she sets up a camp halfway up the mountain, she could live there for as long as she likes... This is it!)

Sakuya

PLAYER. The Youkai Mountain is the answer.

Sakuya

The Youkai Mountain accepts everyone!

Scarlet Sisters

What are you talking about?

Sakuya

It's nothing.

Remilia!

Flan!

Remilia

Teehee, hello, PLAYER. I was honestly surprised to see the other me on the ground floor.

Flandre

We heard about it before coming here, but I still can't believe there is actually a world with a tower like this.

Patchouli

A little outing is good once in a while. Maybe this is what they mean by seeing is believing. Firsthand info has its uses.

Sakuya

Lady Patchouli, are you OK?! You've walked so much! How are you feeling...?

Patchouli

It's not like I've been walking on my own. My floating magic reserves have been a great help.

Patchouli

I stored some magical power in items, all for today. It's a precious opportunity, so I can at least put in this much effort.

Patchouli

So it's a tower... and not a rocket... It's not like I didn't think of that, but... hmmm.

Koakuma

Lady Patchouli was so excited that she couldn't get to sleep last night!

Koakuma

I couldn't sleep either!

(They're like excited kids before going on a trip.)

Koakuma

And besides, if Lady Patchouli gets tired, I can carry her!

Koakuma

So you don't need to worry!

Meiling

That's why we're all here. Hehe, forgive me, Miss Sakuya.

Meiling

The time in our world stays still as long as we're here, so I thought even a gatekeeper like me could let her hair down.

Sakuya

No. You can't leave the gate unattended even for a second.

Meiling

*sob* Why are you so strict only with me?!

Meiling

But there's a part of me that doesn't dislike that about you. I don't even understand it myself.

Meiling

I wonder why I feel that way!

Patchouli

(I don't know.)

(It must be a mystery if Miss Patchouli doesn't know.)

Sakuya

Milady, are you sure you have enough sunscreen? You need to be very careful if you're going to be out for a long time!

Remilia

I have the sunscreen that Patchouli made with so much enthusiasm. I've put on a lot more than usual, so it's fine.

Patchouli

I converted elements of the scarlet mist from back then to something practical. There isn't much, but it will last the trip.

Koakuma

It has to be filtered veeeeeeeeeery slowly, at a natural speed... Reaaaaaaal slooooow...

Patchouli

That's because the elements will degenerate if too much magical pressure is applied.

Sakuya

B-But! What if you missed a spot...?!

Remilia

Oh, please, Sakuya. Doesn't the fact that we were able to get here without any issues prove that I didn't miss anything?

Sakuya

I suppose that's true...

Flandre

Teehee.

Flandre

Sakuya, you're like Remilia's mother. And Remilia is like your child.

Remilia

Well, aren't we all already like a family? We're blood relatives, in a sense.

Flandre

Maybe you're right. But anyway, this sunscreen Patchouli created is really good.

Flandre

I also very much like its mild floral fragrance.

Remilia

I agree. I thought you said you were bad at making potions, Patchy? I'm sure that must've been a lie.

Patchouli

Just so you know, it's spirit and elemental magic. It's like a branch of alchemy. Very different from potion making.

Flandre

It seems she wasn't lying!

Remilia

You don't have to be so happy about it...

Flandre

All of Patchouli's creations are generally good. We're vampires, so though we're not weak, we have delicate skin and hair...

Sakuya

(Oh, wow. So Lady Patchouli helps them in that regard too.)

Remilia

Wait a minute... Flandre.

Remilia

I mean―Flan!

Flandre

What is it, Remilia?

Remilia

Why do you know so much about the products I use? My sunscreen, my shampoo, and even my lip balm!

Remilia

They were all made by Patchy in very small quantities. And they've all been imbued with a unique scent.

Remilia

There's only one of each item. So how do you know about them, Flan?

Flandre

Huh...?

Flandre

...

Flandre

That's because I've also been using them.

Remilia

Huh? What did you say? Whose cosmetics have you been using?

Flandre

Eh? Yours.

Remilia

Huh?

Flandre

What are you "huh-ing" about? I told you, I've been using your stuff.

Flandre

It's like the latest trend I'm into.

Remilia

What? How can it be a trend if they're only available to me? That doesn't make any sense!

Flandre

What's wrong with using something I like?

Remilia

Those are mine. You can use your own.

Remilia

That's how it usually works.

Flandre

Eh?! But why?! It's not like they'll run out.

Remilia

Don't you realize that cosmetics are consumable goods?! Of course, they'll run out! They are running out! Go to hell!

Flandre

Do you really mean that...? Did you speak those words as the mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Remilia Scarlet?

Remilia

Stop acting so odd and moody! Where did you learn to behave that way?!

Sakuya

I don't think these sisters are going to stop fighting anytime soon. Let's just ignore them and continue climbing the tower.

Ignore them...?! Really?!

(Is this normal for the Scarlet Devil Mansion...?)

Sakuya

Yes, of course.

Sakuya

Let's get a move on.

Remilia

―Divine Spear: Gungnir-Like Biscotti!

Flandre

―Taboo: Laevateinn-Like Pretzel!

Meiling

This is bad... So bad! It's been a while since they have fought so fiercely!

Patchouli

What? Are they still going at it?

Koakuma

Ahaha... They've been poking and pushing each other the whole time we've been climbing.

W-We need to stop them right away!

Meiling

W-Well, I'm sure they'll be fine. It's not THAT unusual to see them fight like this.

Meiling

H-Hey! The two of you aren't serious, are you?

Remilia

―Night Sign: Demon King Jumbo Parfait!

Flandre

―Taboo: Cranberry Cheese Muffin!

Remilia

What kind of spell cards are you using?! They're all desserts!

Flandre

So are yours! The only difference is that you sound like you're trying to be cool and edgy!

Are they... serious?

Patchouli

It's like they're messing around within the limits of the Spell Card rules. And none of their Spell Cards are dangerous.

Harmless... Spell Cards?!

Meiling

Hmmm...

Meiling

But... I think we really do need to stop them.

Patchouli

I agree. They might just be playing around, but the two of them boast some of the strongest firepower in all of Gensokyo.

Patchouli

It wouldn't be a surprise if they reduced the surroundings to ashes in an instant... or covered everything in scarlet mist.

Koakuma

And you're all composed despite that, Lady Patchouli?

Patchouli

Yes, Koakuma. That's because trying to mediate a fight between vampire sisters is something...

Patchouli

...even the most foolish youkai and fairies know to avoid.

Remilia

*huff* *huff*...!

Flandre

*pant* *pant*...!

Remilia

I see you've grown quite capable while I wasn't watching, Flandre. Where on earth did you learn to fight like that?

Flandre

That just means you don't know everything about me. You only know a fraction of who I truly am.

Remilia

Hmm... Maybe you're right. We might be sisters, but we're completely separate individuals, after all.

Flandre

Yes, exactly. That's why it's OK for me to use the cosmetics Patchouli made!

Remilia

How did you come to that conclusion?!

Flandre

Eh? Huh? I can't? But why?

Remilia

I JUST told you! We are completely separate individuals!

Flandre

Eh? Did you say that? When?

Remilia

JUST NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!

Remilia

NOW! NOOOOW! JUST NOOOOW! JUST A MOMENT AGO! A SECOND AGO!

Flandre

Oh, my. That was loud. I can't believe you're the mistress of the noble Scarlet family.

Flandre

Soooo scary.

W-We need to stop them after all!

Meiling

Yeah, they might actually be serious this time. But...

Meiling

...how do we stop them?!

Huh?!

Patchouli

(I don't know.)

(It must be a mystery if Miss Patchouli doesn't know.)

Koakuma

I'm sorry. I don't have any idea either!

Koakuma

Ahhh... but we can't just let them be...!

Koakuma

The world will...

Koakuma

...come to an end!

(Why is she smiling about it?)

Remilia

But nonetheless, Flan. You're my adorable little sister.

Flandre

Huh?

Remilia

So adorable! So cute! You're my one and only cute little sister.

Flandre

Your one and only...?

Remilia

You're my pride. The true treasure of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. That's why I kept you safe in the basement.

Flandre

Is that a joke?

Remilia

Thanks to me, your skin is as white as snow. You're the most beautiful girl in Gensokyo. The envy of everyone.

Remilia

And you're also a magical girl.

Flandre

You're obviously making fun of me!

Remilia

But, Flan. My cosmetics are for adults. It's a little bit too early for you to be using them. Teehee.

Flandre

A five-year age gap means there's a difference of only 1% between us. But it's weird to point it out, so I usually don't.

Remilia

"Laevateinn. Be the flaming bird. Soar through the heavens. Bring me tidings from the outside world―"

Flandre

Huh? Is that a poem...? Why does it sound so familiar...?

Remilia

"―From Flandre's Book of Poetry, Day 180799."

Flandre

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

Oh, no... This is getting out of hand!

Sakuya

Milady, young mistress... I've prepared some tea.

Sakuya

Milady, young mistress... I've prepared some tea. I've got snacks too.

Sakuya

If you don't hurry...

Sakuya

THE TEA WILL GET COLD.

Remilia

Th-That's right! This matter is trivial compared to tea. Right, Flandre?

Flandre

I agree. There's nothing more important than tea!

Remilia

That's very true, Flandre. And I don't mind if you use my things as long as you let me know in advance.

Flandre

I should have done that, to begin with. I'm sorry, Remilia. And thank you.

Sakuya

Oh my, look how close these sisters are. I am proud to be their servant.

Remilia

All right then! We've had enough rest, so let's keep climbing!

Flandre

Yaaaay! Sounds like fun!

Patchouli

Gosh, these sisters are as troublesome as ever.

Patchouli

But, well, watching them never gets boring. Although, if they stayed on good terms, they wouldn't interrupt my reading.

Koakuma

Lady Patchouli! Lady Patchouli! We always get along, don't we?!

Koakuma

I um... Uh...

Koakuma

I think of us as sisters!

Patchouli

Yes, I'm not surprised. The tsukumogami have proven that two people can be sisters even if they aren't related by blood.

Koakuma

Oh, wow! I didn't expect that reaction!

Patchouli

I haven't really pictured myself in that situation, but looking at those two makes me think having a sister wouldn't be so bad.

Koakuma

S-So honest! Lady Patchouli is being honest and cool!

Patchouli

All right then, as a sister trainee, I have a request for you...

Koakuma

Sure thing! Ask away!

Patchouli

My magic power stockpile has started to run out, so can you carry me until the fast charging is complete?

Koakuma

Oh...

Koakuma

...Oh!

Patchouli

Huh?

Koakuma

Of course! I'd be glad to!

Koakuma

(Huh? Doesn't this make me the elder sister? It's a little different from how I pictured it, but... oh well!）

Sakuya

Come on. We should get moving too. We better hurry, or milady and the young mistress might get lost.

Meiling

Um, Miss Sakuya... You can leave that to me. You've been climbing the tower with the others, right?

Sakuya

Ah, yes. I'm sorry, PLAYER.

Not at all! It was kind of fun.

Sakuya

Heehee.

Meiling

Well, it looks like they are up ahead as well, so we all need to hurry anyway.

Sakuya

Yes, that's right. Let's hurry.

(I was too careless in saying that I wish I could fit in...

...like Miss Sakuya has. I need to think about it again.)

Meiling

Well, Miss Sakuya is quite a stand-up person.

D-Did you just read my mind?!

Meiling

Your face gave it away. It was easy to read your expressions.

Meiling

But well, I understand how you feel.

Meiling

It's not something you can decide so easily. And yet you will need to decide at some point.

Meiling

You need to ask yourself what kind of life you want to lead in Gensokyo...

Meiling

...And if you even want to live in Gensokyo in the first place.

How to live in Gensokyo? Or stop living here?

Meiling

They are questions that everyone who has come to Gensokyo has to face.

Meiling

I don't think you should rush yourself. You can think about it at your own pace and proceed accordingly.

Meiling

Maybe thinking back on how the people in the village live their lives might help you.

Yeah... Thank you, Miss Meiling.

Meiling

Hehe. Tai Chi Chuan isn't all that I teach, you know!

Meiling

Come on, we better hurry too!

OK!

Reimu

Who is the god of Hakurei Shrine...?!

Reimu

I-I don't know!

Reimu

Maybe there isn't one?

But every shrine has a god...

Marisa

Whoa, Reimu. Aren't you a shrine maiden? Should shrine maidens really be so indifferent toward gods?

Marisa

Weren't you seriously worrying about how to gather believers until just a while ago?

Reimu

A while ago? How long ago are you talking?

Marisa

I don't know exactly when, but I'm pretty sure it was more than once or twice...

Marisa

Uh... I'm sure it was when...

Sanae

I know! I know!

Sanae

Wasn't it around the time when I came to Gensokyo?!

Reimu

Huh? Why are you so excited all of a sudden...?

Reimu

Ah, but now that you mention it, I vaguely remember doing something like that.

Reimu

I don't know why, but it feels like it was ages ago.

Marisa

That's 'cause a lot has happened in such a short period of time.

Marisa

Yeah, thinking back, you started becoming more conscious about gathering believers after the ruckus caused by Sanae.

Marisa

That was also the reason why we started carelessly visiting the Youkai Mountain.

Sanae

Hey! What do you mean by that?! It wasn't a ruckus!

Sanae

We at Moriya Shrine only acted that way after giving it some serious thought...! Well, maybe we went a bit too far!

Reimu & Marisa

(I feel like Sanae had more common sense back then.)

Sanae

But anyway, I feel sorry for the god of Hakurei Shrine!

Reimu

Huh? Why?

Sanae

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if they had several shrines in the outside world, but they only have Hakurei Shrine, right?

Sanae

The god of Hakurei Shrine must feel embarrassed during god gatherings.

Sanae

I'm sure they'd say something like...

Sanae

"Ah, my shrine maiden is lazy, so no one visits the shrine, and there are no offerings all year round..."

Sanae

And then there would be Lady Kanako and Lady Suwako...

Sanae

Saying things like...

Sanae

"Ever since we came to Gensokyo, we've never had a lack of visitors... because our Sanae is brilliant!"

Reimu

Huh?

Reimu

...

Reimu

This is bad... I don't have a counterargument.

Marisa

'Cause it's the truth.

Reimu

Well, Moriya Shrine houses three goddesses. So if we equally split their believers in three...

Reimu

Hmm... Hakurei Shrine still can't compete...

Marisa

They've got believers on the Youkai Mountain, as well as humans who come to visit the shrine via the aerial tramway.

Marisa

And your shrine only gets visitors once in a blue moon when something happens that'll bring 'em in.

Marisa

The faith of the Human Village is divided between faith in the mountain through Moriya Shrine, Buddhism, and even Taoism.

Marisa

And doesn't your shrine have a branch of Moriya Shrine? Don't you think they're taking a faith commission or something?

(A god commission!)

Reimu

Gah! I know that already!

Sanae

Now, now!

Reimu

But back then, I was sure they were evil gods or youkai disguised as fake gods...

Reimu

I'm glad Kanako turned out to be a surprisingly jovial god.

Marisa

But doesn't Suwako give off evil god vibes? I feel like she's more of a fierce spirit or an old-fashioned youkai.

Sanae

Hey! Stop being rude!

Sanae

She'll curse you!

Marisa

That's exactly what I mean.

Marisa

The mountain gods, huh? Come to think of it... there are quite a lot of gods on the Youkai Mountain, aren't there?

Marisa

But your shrine is the only shrine on the mountain, so are the other gods like stray gods or something?

Sanae

What do you mean by "stray"?! They're gods! Not dogs!

Sanae

Well, I suppose a god of dogs might exist somewhere out there.

Marisa

Well? What are they then? Wild gods? There's the misfortune god, autumn gods, market god, and that weird orb god.

Sanae

Orb god...!

Sanae

I hope you know that gods don't live in shrines in the first place.

Marisa

Huh? Really?

Reimu

O-Oh, yes... They don't live in shrines... Or maybe they do...? Ummm, I'm not really sure.

Marisa

Are you OK? This should be pretty basic knowledge for a shrine maiden.

Sanae

God-like presences already exist. Humans summon their divine spirits into vessels and turn them into shintai.

Sanae

Treating a mountain as a shintai is a classic example. A rock is then declared a shintai, and a shrine is built on the mountain.

Sanae

Next, another shrine is built at the foot of the mountain for the bunrei. It's like a base station for a communication network.

Sanae

However, there are countless gods, and they are all different, so I think some of them might live in shrines.

Marisa

I don't really get it, but I understand that the system is beneficial to the mountain gods.

Marisa

The gods can continue to exist even without an actual shrine.

Sanae

It'd be challenging to gather believers that way, though. It's difficult to believe in something you can't see with your eyes.

Marisa

Hmm... That sounds oddly convincing coming from you since you regularly go down to the village for missionary work.

Sanae

I sound convincing because I'm an experienced wind priestess and a living god.

Reimu

...But I really think all youkai need to be thrown out of the shrines!

Marisa

Huh? Did the youkai shrine maiden really just say that?

Are you talking about Miss Yukari and Suika...?

Reimu

Yes! I mean, just look at their attitude! It's clearly different when they're at Moriya Shrine!

Reimu

They contribute faith to Kanako and Suwako at Moriya Shrine! But at mine...? They're of absolutely no help whatsoever!

Marisa

Well, there's an obvious reason for that, Reimu. Just think about it.

Marisa

The youkai who go to Moriya Shrine have a party with Kanako and the others. In other words, they hang out with gods.

Marisa

It's a form of entertainment for gods... like the traditional festivals.

Marisa

But youkai only play with you at your shrine. Youkai playing with humans involves ghost stories and bizarre phenomena...

Marisa

At best, it will lead to a youkai extermination and, at worst, an incident. You lack the presence of a god.

Marisa

And if you make a mistake, you might even end up turning into a youkai yourself.

Reimu

Says the person who is a regular at my parties...

Marisa

I'm always a guest, but you're always the host. And those youkai will come right back even if you do drive them away.

Reimu

Gah...!

Reimu

I don't care about the god of my shrine in the slightest...

Reimu

But now I'm starting to think that not knowing about that god might not be as safe as I assumed. I feel kinda restless...

Marisa

Ah, sorry. I didn't think you'd get this disturbed.

Marisa

But well, the Hakurei shrine maiden's credibility will probably go to the dogs if the shrine ceases to function.

Marisa

How long do you think you'll be able to keep lazing about like you do now?

Reimu

No! I don't want that to happen! I wanna live a leisurely life for eternity!

Marisa

I don't think you should be saying that so proudly...

Sanae

Don't worry! I'll make an appearance at the Hakurei Shrine parties once in a while!

Sanae

I'm a wind priestess, a living god, and a god!

Reimu

*sob*!

Reimu

You're not the god of my shrine, but you're the only one I can rely on...!

Sanae

Oh, wow! It's rare to see you act so modest...!

Sanae

But it's sometimes nice to see this side of you!

Marisa

I wouldn't mind becoming a believer if you always acted this way.

Reimu said all that, but I bet she doesn't...

...want to kick the youkai out of her shrine.

???

Oh, why if it isn't Miss PLAYER?

???

I don't often get to leave the Primate Spirit Garden for any length of time, so I planned to climb at a leisurely pace...

Keiki

But it looks like we've caught up to everyone already.

Mayumi

It seems so, Lady Keiki.

Th-The haniwa god!

Th-The cute haniwa...!

Keiki

The haniwa god?!

Mayumi

C-Cute?!

Whoops! I apologize for my rudeness!

I'm sorry!

Mayumi & Keiki

...

Mayumi & Keiki

...

Mayumi & Keiki

You can call me the cute haniwa! No, it's OK! You can call me the haniwa god!

Keiki

Hmmm! Well, gods are usually cheerful by nature.

Keiki

And I don't mind it when humans give me temporary names.

Keiki

You can call me by that name if you wish, PLAYER... as long as I have your faith.

Mayumi

(I don't think you can regain your dignity by trying to sound mysterious...)

Mayumi

(But it is adorable, so I'll keep my mouth shut and diligently watch over Lady Keiki.)

Keiki

It sounds like you've been talking about the gods of Gensokyo.

Yes. Reimu and the others were also here a moment ago.

Keiki

Hmm... Maybe it's a good thing that we met you while you are alone.

Keiki

All right...

...?

Keiki

A human's perception of a god is, by all means, flawed.

Keiki

And it will always stay that way, no matter how you try to change it. As we climb the tower, I'll tell you about...

Keiki

...a god's perception of gods.

...!

Keiki

So to continue where we left off... I'm a god, but...

Keiki

...it's wrong to think that gods only speak the absolute truth. I'm nice, so I'm telling you this upfront.

Keiki

"How can the words of a god not be correct?" you ask?

Keiki

The answer to that is the same as the answer to the question, "What does it mean to be correct?"

Keiki

The world is full of possibilities and diversity. No matter the time or place, the facts always vary.

Keiki

The only thing that exists in this world is the perception of individuals. There is no such thing as "objective truth."

Keiki

That's why there are all sorts of gods and even many almighty Gods. And if I really had to declare a truth, that would be it.

Keiki

That might be considered heresy to a god of a foreign land, but it is the truth to me...

Keiki

...because I am a god who creates idols.

Keiki

Most of the human spirits sentenced to the Animal Realm never really believed in any god.

Keiki

But when the animals held them captive in the Primate Spirit Garden...

Keiki

...they started desperately clinging to whatever meager memories of faith that they could recall.

Keiki

Each one of them began to pray to a god they barely knew... a god they had never prayed to in life.

Keiki

They prayed earnestly... and desperately.

Keiki

That's why the Primate Spirit Garden is a melting pot of faiths. And I was summoned there, so I have to deal with them all.

Keiki

Maybe that's exactly why I was summoned. Idols are essentially imitations of gods, after all.

Keiki

So you see, I'm kind of knowledgeable about gods.

Keiki

Now, let's get to the main point.

Keiki

As I mentioned earlier, gods are extremely diverse.

Keiki

Just as how most youkai are considered to be of one race, gods cannot really be separated into different categories.

Keiki

However, no amount of time would be sufficient to explain each and every one of the countless gods...

Keiki

So let's use convenient makeshift classifications.

Keiki

First, we have divine spirits. Most gods probably fall under this category.

Keiki

They're basically the souls or spirits of gods. You can also think of them as souls that have become objects of worship.

Keiki

They are the same as ghosts in that they are spirits who possess pseudo-physical bodies.

Keiki

There are a number of different conditions that can cause divine spirits to come into being.

Keiki

When humans who were worshiped in life turn into a ghost and are still worshiped afterward, they become divine spirits.

Keiki

Gods can also split into "bunrei" to increase the number of divine spirits.

Keiki

A god can split into countless bunrei. And no matter how many bunrei exist, they all have the same authority.

Keiki

Thanks to that bunrei trait, shrines can have branch shrines.

Keiki

And it's also possible for bunrei to travel to a far-off place, just like me. Convenient, right?

Keiki

To better understand the diversity of divine spirits, it is worth examining the nature of sagacious spirits.

Keiki

You can think of sagacious spirits as hermit souls. A hermit is a type of superhuman who follows the teachings of Taoism.

Keiki

Hermits generally aspire to ascend to the higher rank of celestial, but they're already experts in senjutsu.

Keiki

Senjutsu is the art of manipulating the temperaments of yin, yang, and the Five Phases. And souls are pure temperament.

Keiki

This means hermits might be able to modify their own souls to transform into sagacious spirits, which resemble divine spirits.

Keiki

But well, there aren't enough examples of this occurring, so it is just a hypothesis.

Keiki

If sagacious spirits do come into being like that, they may be a special kind of divine spirit that doesn't require faith.

Keiki

However, that would close off the path to becoming a celestial for that hermit.

Keiki

If natural phenomena and the souls that reside in things are considered gods, they can be called the Yaoyorozu no Kami.

Keiki

They have other names, but all these names signify the gods who exist everywhere and the gods who reside in everything.

Keiki

And that's why even among all the other gods, you could say that these ones are similar to fairies and spirits of nature.

Keiki

Yaoyorozu no Kami with characteristics of ara-mitama are similar to youkai.

Keiki

Ara-mitama is the opposite of nigi-mitama. It is the rough and violent aspect of a god.

Keiki

If we link the wrath of nature and the resentment of tools that are not given a proper sendoff to the concept of ara-mitama...

Keiki

...they can be perceived as curse gods and tsukumogami.

Keiki

There are also ara-mitama divine spirits. But they are all pretty much the same as vengeful spirits.

Keiki

Some shrines work to appease such unruly divine spirits to turn their curses into blessings.

Keiki

Now that we've talked about the youkai aspect of the ara-mitama, we must also look at shikigami and oni.

Keiki

It is said that both shikigami and oni partly originated from ara-mitama.

Keiki

That's also why the officials of Hell are called kishin, which basically means "oni god."

Keiki

The "ki" in kishin is another kanji reading for "oni," violent supernatural beings that surpass humans in strength.

Keiki

And oni who were made into servants are called "shiki." Shiki and shikigami―This is a distinction between youkai and gods.

Keiki

Just to be clear, ara-mitama and nigi-mitama are not different deities. They were originally two aspects of the same god...

Keiki

If anything, you could say that there are two sides to every god.

Keiki

If you neglect to exorcise or protect against misfortune, then it may lead to disaster.

Keiki

This may be perceived as heretical elsewhere, but in Japan, there is a belief that considers these gods to be bodhisattva.

Keiki

...These are just some examples of the beliefs that originated from the philosophy of ara-mitama and nigi-mitama.

Keiki

The Buddhist concept of dharmapala is a different take on divinity.

Keiki

The kanji for dharmapala literally mean "a god who protects Buddha's teachings." They are also known as deva.

Keiki

They are gods who live in Heaven and send messengers to Earth to protect those who study the teachings of Buddha.

Keiki

In other words, dharmapala themselves are messengers of the Buddha.

Keiki

They were originally gods who opposed Buddhism, but this changed with the syncretization of Shinto and Buddhism.

Keiki

In a foreign teaching, different from Buddhism, gods have Heavenly servants who command their authority.

Keiki

Although these two teachings are generally considered to be completely different religions...

Keiki

The artistic cultures surrounding them have much in common.

Keiki

There are some similarities even among popular faiths. You should ask that secret god if you want to know more...

Keiki

..because she is a god with connections to all those teachings.

Keiki

The beings who live in Heaven are known as devas in Buddhism and celestials in Taoism.

Keiki

These two faiths work very well together, and they have often been combined since ancient times in China.

Keiki

So it's possible that devas and celestials live in the same Heaven.

Keiki

I'm sure if you ask that delinquent celestial about it, she'll gladly answer your questions.

Keiki

However, unlike devas, treating celestials as gods is not that common in our country.

Keiki

There are not many humans left who believe in Taoism nowadays. I don't know how it is in Gensokyo, though.

Keiki

Incidentally, there's a religion that considers the Yama to be dharmapala and calls them Enmaten―"ten," meaning Heaven.

Keiki

This means that from Heaven to Hell, there's not a single place that's out of reach from some divine being or another.

Keiki

Speaking of Hell, let's talk about the ancient foreign gods.

Keiki

You may think that gods from a far-away foreign land would be very different...

Keiki

...but all primordial gods tend to be quite similar.

Keiki

Let's take the great river that flows between the land of the dead and the living for example. A god ferryman works there.

Keiki

Even the part where you need to pay this god a fare to get across the river safely is a common similarity between faiths.

Keiki

To humans, the concept of death has been a big deal since time immemorial.

Keiki

And because stories about death have been handed down for ages, there are many similar tales all over the world...

Keiki

It's also possible that humans everywhere happened to think up similar stories because it's such a fundamental topic.

Keiki

There is also a tendency for gods of the Underworld or Hell to be goddesses. This relates directly to myself.

Keiki

Hmm... what else did I want to say...?

Mayumi

Lady Keiki... We will soon be arriving at the next open floor.

Keiki

Oh, my! Time just flew by because I was so engrossed in the conversation.

Mayumi

It was quite a complicated topic...

It certainly was...

The information was very useful! Thank you!

Keiki

Others may have different opinions on how to categorize and define gods, though.

Keiki

I'm sure you'll get a different take on it if you go talk to the second-hand shop owner or the Child of Miare.

Keiki

You should go see what they have to say when you get the chance.

Keiki

Because the words of a god are not absolute.

(Even gods don't speak the absolute truth...)

Keiki

Having said that, there may be an exception...

Exception...?

Keiki

Yes, an exception.

Keiki

If a power higher than the gods actually exists, then maybe what the gods think of as diversity is, in fact, unified.

Keiki

There may be an "objective truth" that everyone keeps hoping for.

Keiki

And if anyone knows anything about that, it would probably be―

Keiki

―the Lunarians.

Reimu & Marisa

This is the two-hundredth floor! CONGRATULATIONS!

Sakuya & Sanae

Y-Yay...

Youmu & Reisen

W-We did it.

Cirno & Aya

I'm SO tired...

I can't believe how tall this tower is.

Cirno

Isn't it too tall...?

Cirno

I left Dai behind, and now I miss her... She's probably not doing that well with her pranks without me around to help.

Cirno

Things just get messed up whenever Sunny or Piece is in charge. I'm the only one fit for the task.

Marisa

I'll admit that you're good at pranks... but I think you make things much more chaotic than those two.

Cirno

SEE! I knew I was the STRONGEST!

Marisa

Hahaha. Sure, I guess that's one way to put it.

Reimu

You know things are peaceful when even the fairies are getting full of themselves.

Aya

You shouldn't underestimate fairies, Miss Reimu.

Aya

Or, to be precise, you shouldn't underestimate nature... After all, nature is also the domain of tengu.

Cirno

Oh, I'm glad to see someone gets it! Good one, Tengu!

Aya

Th-That tickles.

Aya

But I kinda like it!

Reimu

Even so, fairies are fairies. Aren't they everywhere?

Sanae

Yes, there are even fairies beneath Hakurei Shrine and behind it.

Reimu

It feels like they've been there since forever...

Sanae

You also get youkai visitors all year round. Aunn is probably the most sensible one there.

Reimu

I'm the most sensible one. And isn't your shrine also packed with youkai?

Sanae

Not at all. Everyone knows that there's hardly any room for youkai, what with all the human worshippers.

Reimu

You're kidding, right? I heard that you couldn't take two steps around there without running into a tengu or kappa.

Aya

(Uh oh!)

Sanae

Humans and youkai aren't the only ones who gather at Moriya Shrine―gods do too.

Sanae

Tengu are similar to gods, and interactions with gods go much smoother when you give an offering.

Reimu

I-I see. It's annoying, but I kinda knew you'd have an explanation for it.

Aya

Phew...

Sanae

But it feels like a neighborhood association meeting when Lady Kanako, the market god, and the Great Tengu get together.

Aya

Great Tengu...? Oh, you mean Lady Iizunamaru? She's known for ending up in articles herself... Oops. Forget I said that.

Sakuya

Come to think of it, she's your boss, isn't she? Don't tell me you're covering up stories.

Aya

The Bunbunmaru Newspaper is neutral and independent. When push comes to shove, I won't give in to my boss.

Aya

If there is a story, then I will write about it!

Sakuya

Yeah, right. And that's why no one trusts sensationalist reporters.

Sanae

Talking about all this is making me miss Lady Kanako and Lady Suwako. I think I'm homesick.

Sanae

It seems I still lack experience. I want to become a full-fledged incident resolver as soon as possible.

I think I'm also homesick...

But it's strange because I can't remember my home!

Sanae

A-Ah, yes! You don't remember where you're from.

Sanae

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything...

N-No, don't be sorry!

That just goes to show how welcoming Gensokyo is!

Sanae

Ehehe! You should come to Moriya Shrine for a sleepover sometime!

Sanae

We can share a futon. We must!

Reimu

PLAYER is under my care, so I hope you realize that means I'll have to go with her.

Marisa

If Reimu's going, can I go too?

Cirno

That sounds like fun! I wanna go too!

Sanae

I don't mind, but you need to bring your own pajamas.

Reimu

(Pajamas...?! I wonder if Mister Rinnosuke can make some.)

Reisen

Homesick, huh? I sometimes feel homesick too, being away from the moon.

Reisen

But PLAYER must have it worse since she doesn't even know where she's from.

Youmu

What?! Really?! I thought you were fine.

Reisen

It's not that big of a deal because I've already decided to serve the princess and my master down on Earth.

Reisen

Still, most of my former comrades live on the moon. I sometimes feel really lonely when I think about them.

Reisen

That's all. It'll fade over time.

Youmu

Does that mean...

Youmu

...Miss PLAYER will also eventually stop wanting to go back home if she keeps living in Gensokyo?

Huh?!

Reisen

Y-Youmu! You shouldn't say that!

Youmu

Why not?!

Reisen

PLAYER hasn't decided that she'll be staying in Gensokyo!

Reisen

She intends to go back home, so you shouldn't assume that she'll be staying there forever.

Reisen

Don't you think that would...

Reisen

...make her feel sad?

Youmu

Do you really think so?

Youmu

Hardly anyone in Gensokyo actually chose to live there...

Youmu

That's just where they ended up. Miss PLAYER isn't that different.

Reisen

You're talking about people who settled in Gensokyo! We still don't know how things will end up for PLAYER!

I do want to go back home, but I have no memories...

And it'll be sad to leave you all behind...

Reisen

Look what you did...

Youmu

What's wrong with Miss PLAYER as she is?

Reisen

We're all working together to return her home.

Reisen

Resolving the incident benefits us too, of course. But the ultimate goal is to send PLAYER back home.

Reisen

So it might be painful for her if she finds it difficult to leave us.

Youmu

Hmm... I guess that makes sense.

Youmu

But then, wouldn't it be better to keep our distance from her?

That would be even more painful.

Reisen

Urk.

Cirno

Why are you making it so complicated? How could we fight well together without being friends?

Cirno

Besides, shouldn't friends be supportive of a friend who decides to leave? There's pain on both sides.

Marisa

Wow, Cirno. Have you experienced sending a friend off like that before?

Cirno

No, why?

Marisa

Haha, you really made it sound like you had!

Sanae

This conversation is making me even more homesick. It must be contagious.

Marisa

(Contagious? But you're the only one who's truly homesick.)

Sanae

I want to eat ice cream by the lake while watching a sumo wrestling match between Miss Nitori and Miss Takane.

Aya

I didn't think I'd ever feel homesick, but hearing you say that...

Aya

...made me miss teasing Miss Hatate and getting scolded by Miss Momiji.

Aya

And the times I dared to trespass into the yamanba's territory and venture into the yamajorou's gambling den.

Sakuya

I'd prefer it if you'd let me enjoy climbing the mountain in silence.

Aya

You need to get permission for that.

Reimu

*sigh* No matter how much we talk, there's still a long way to go before we can return to our Gensokyo, right?

Marisa

We don't know how far this tower goes. And honestly, I also miss teatime with Naruko, Patchouli, and Alice.

Marisa

Huh...? Are you also feeling homesick, Reimu?

Reimu

What?! Of course not!

Whoa?! Miss Yukari's here!

Yukari

Greetings. I'm here to take you with me, PLAYER.

Reimu

Hey! What's this all of a sudden?!

Marisa

And what do you mean by "take" her?! What's going on?!

Yukari

Settle down. I'm just here for PLAYER.

Yukari

We're going to go back to Gensokyo for a while. To our Gensokyo.

Reimu

Go back?! What about climbing the tower?!

Marisa

Are you gonna quit midway? Weren't you the one who suggested climbing the tower to begin with...?

Yukari

Stop assuming things. We're going to continue climbing the tower.

Yukari

But I also have another job for PLAYER.

Yukari

What job, you ask? That's...

Marisa

No one asked...

Yukari

...to prepare for a festival!

Reimu

Then why do you need PLAYER? Isn't that my job?!

Sanae

A festival?! You should bring me if it's for a festival!

Yukari

Hmm, it seems I've triggered your shrine maiden instincts. But this is a different kind of festival, you see.

Yukari

Short-term festivals a few times a year aren't enough. We need frequent special occasions that last a long time...

Yukari

...to help us resolve the incident.

Marisa

Haven't you said something similar? About how having more opportunities to battle will increase our chances of success?

Sanae

Oh, you're talking about events, right?!

Sakuya

Maintaining a festive mood will help keep our minds and bodies raring to go.

Youmu

Is it like training?

Reisen

It's the perfect opportunity.

Cirno

Are we gonna have lots of festivals? That means I get to go wild all the time!

Aya

But what about climbing this tower? We need to stay here and climb.

Yukari

That's not a problem. I'll set up a gap here.

Aya

Hmmm... The Youkai Sage is going to set up a gap...

Aya

Um... so what will that accomplish?

Yukari

This gap will facilitate travel that ignores the limits of time and space.

Aya

What do you mean...?

Yukari

It'll let us return to the same place and time, which means we can climb the tower and do other things simultaneously.

Aya

Isn't that too convenient...?

Yukari

It's all thanks to the research I've been doing on PLAYER's journal.

Yukari

200 is a good round number, which makes this floor a sort of conceptual boundary, perfect for my experimental gap.

Yukari

It should be convenient after all the trouble I went through in making it.

Sanae

It's like a save point...!

Reimu

W-Well... it is kinda unsettling to be away from home all the time.

Reimu

So let's go back every once in a while.

Reimu

And about these festivals of yours... Can we set up food stalls?

Yukari

Don't tell me you're excited.

Reimu

Of course, not!

Reimu

All right! Let's go home already!

(I'm glad we get to go back to our Gensokyo.)

(Thank you for always helping us, Miss Yukari...!)

(This festival thing sounds exciting. Let's do this!)

(I'll also...)

Yukari

PLAYER? You'll get left behind if you don't hurry up.

Ah! Coming!

???

I saw that!

Sunny Milk?

They were... people from a parallel world!

Sunny Milk?

Th-That was cool...!

???

Good work, fairy maid.

Sakuya?

I heard people from various parallel worlds would be here, but they were quite different from what I expected.

Meiling?

They must have come from a much more relaxed world. I could see it on their faces.

Meiling?

Don't get me wrong! I'm not talking about their Miss Sakuya! I meant in general!

Sakuya?

I actually felt that the other me was more serious than myself...

Meiling?

Uh oh...

Patchouli?

We've already learned the hard way that people who look alike can be completely different on our journey up this tower.

Patchouli?

That's why parallel presences are a pain. My research would progress must faster if they were as simple as a magic book.

Sakuya?

Can't you figure something out?

Patchouli?

Hmmm... devising an easy way to distinguish between parallel presences...

Meiling?

...This is going to take a while, isn't it?

Sakuya?

Why don't we have some tea then? This is a good opportunity to take a little break.

Sakuya?

We won't be able to easily catch up with milady and the young mistress, so let's just wait patiently for "that group" to return.

Sunny Milk?

H-Head maid!

Sakuya?

What is it, fairy maid?

Sunny Milk?

I think that group is the one we've been looking for!

Sakuya?

Oh? And why do you think so?

Sunny Milk?

Well, because, unlike all the other people we've come across so far, that group had...

Sunny Milk?

...PLAYER with them!

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