No Name, No Life
Index
No Name, No Life
Junko
...
Junko
So this is how it ends. Chang'e is no longer here... She must have vanished from this world.
Junko
Otherwise, she would be here right now.
Reisen
...
Reisen
I'm sorry, Junko. I did all I could...
Junko
No, you have nothing to be sorry for. Your support was invaluable.
Junko
Without your madness-manipulating ability, I never would've found my true intentions hidden by my purified madness.
Junko
I couldn't have made it this far without you.
Junko
I'm truly grateful, Reisen Udongein Inaba. Thank you.
Reisen
Junko...
Kaguya
Junko.
Kaguya
Could you please not try to break up the group just because Chang'e is gone?
Kaguya
I've lost Eirin, but you don't see me giving up.
Junko
Why do you say that, exile of the Moon?
Junko
Does it look like I've given up to you? I know your eyes can see through all things historical and fabricated.
Kaguya
Listen to yourself.
Kaguya
We faced the Lost Word Incident mastermind.
Kaguya
And we defeated them.
Kaguya
Just now.
Kaguya
But you aren't relieved at all.
Kaguya
I get that what's lost will never return, but some things can be rebuilt.
Kaguya
But to rebuild everything, we have to work as a team―now more than ever.
Kaguya
Or what? Does this world mean nothing to you just because Chang'e and Hecatia are no longer in it?
Kaguya
You're like a child throwing a tantrum.
Junko
...
Junko
I thought you'd understand since you can manipulate eternity and the instantaneous. Or are you just playing dumb?
Kaguya
What do you mean?
Junko
We may have defeated the mastermind, but that won't stop the Lost Word Incident.
Kaguya
...
Kaguya
Junko, your purification ability essentially lets you revert things and concepts to their primordial form.
Kaguya
It may seem like a less powerful version of time manipulation, but in practice, it's the opposite.
Kaguya
Unlike time, which is an abstract concept, your ability maximizes entropy. In a way, that makes it more powerful.
Kaguya
With your ability, you should be able to attain a comprehensive knowledge of history... which I assume you have already.
Kaguya
By purifying everything in this world, you can revert it back to the primordial singularity.
Kaguya
As long as you have the necessary spirit power, that is.
Junko
Eirin Yagokoro, the Brain of the Moon, was a Lunar Sage as wise as Tsukuyomi. She taught her favorite student well.
Junko
With your power over eternity and the instantaneous, I'm sure you can not only change history but reverse it.
Junko
Well... as long as you have the necessary spirit power.
Mokou
Calm down, you two.
Mokou
I get that you're both really powerful, but apart from my messed up life, I'm just an ordinary human.
Mokou
In the past, I might've been curious to see if either of you had the power to let me die...
Mokou
But I don't see any point in you competing against each other now.
Mokou
We're trapped here, unable to progress, until we decide how we're gonna resolve the Lost Word Incident.
Mokou
So, has anyone got any ideas? We've already beaten the mastermind.
Kaguya
When I looked through history, I saw two types of data. I've decided to call them true data and false data.
Mokou
Huh? What's that got to do with anything?
Junko
The princess is on to something. We should hear her out.
Mokou
If you say so...
Kaguya
There is no gradation between true and false data. Instead, a distinct line is drawn between them, like a barrier.
Kaguya
No, that's simplifying it too much... When I try to access true data, it becomes false data the moment I obtain it.
Kaguya
So perhaps it would be better to liken the false data to a curse... or the true data to fate.
Mokou
I don't follow. How can simply having possession of something make it false?
Mokou
Is it like how you can't hold a snowflake because it melts the moment it touches your hand?
Kaguya
Hmm, the simplest analogy I can think of...
Kaguya
...is impurity.
Kaguya
Impurity erodes and corrupts.
Kaguya
Impure beings like us cannot touch anything pure.
Kaguya
Because the moment we do, it also becomes impure.
Mokou
So, even if you know the data is true, the moment you try to read it, it becomes false... Is that right?
Kaguya
Yes, knowing something is true is easy, but keeping it true isn't.
Kaguya
It's kind of hard to imagine for beings that have lived as long as us, but unless you were here from the world's inception...
Kaguya
Obtaining the truth is an impossible task.
Mokou
So, what're we gonna do then? I thought you had a solution.
Junko
Did you not understand the sinful princess's explanation? It's not that difficult.
Junko
Our world is a world of false data. So, no matter how far we search for the truth, all we can find is more false data.
Junko
However, if the truth isn't in our world, we can simply expand our search to other worlds.
Junko
Although, that means we'd have to say goodbye to the world we're in right now.
Kaguya
If there are other masterminds or other ways to resolve the Lost Word Incident, we can go and find them.
Kaguya
We can continue our journey. That's my solution, Mokou.
Mokou
Yeah, but where are we gonna look?
Kaguya
In history. Or rather, in the fragments of data that managed to become a part of history.
Mokou
And what... who are we looking for?
Junko
Chang'e.
Kaguya
Eirin.
Junko
...
Kaguya
...
Kaguya
So far, we've only come across second-hand historical records that allude to Chang'e's existence.
Kaguya
Eirin will be much easier to find. It's obvious who we should prioritize.
Junko
...
Junko
You're right. I haven't found any direct references to Chang'e either, but lost historical records have been recovered before.
Junko
And sometimes lost records are split into fragments, meaning we're just as likely to find a lead on Chang'e.
Kaguya
...
Kaguya
That's hardly convincing, Junko, and you know it.
Kaguya
But, fine, once we find Eirin, we can search for Chang'e. That should satisfy you.
Kaguya
I truly am grateful that you guided the rabbits this far, but you need to trust me on this.
Kaguya
...
Reisen
Lady Kaguya, we don't have to rush to make a decision...!
Reisen
There's still so much we don't know. Once we learn more, we might be able to make a more informed decision...
Kaguya
No, Reisen. We have to decide now.
Kaguya
Because... Eirin is no longer in this world.
Reisen
Lady Kaguya...
Junko
Sorry, but I cannot accept that. I will prioritize my search for Chang'e.
Junko
I don't want to break up the group after coming this far, but I guess it can't be helped.
Junko
Our strong opposing powers invite conflict. It was too much to hope that we could work together.
Kaguya
See, what did I tell you? You've given up.
Reisen
Junko... Is that really the only option? Do we have to make a decision now?
Junko
Yes...
Junko
Kaguya Houraisan, the exiled princess of the Moon. You adore rabbits and nurture them...
Junko
Just like Chang'e.
Junko
Are you hiding her from me... like how Chang'e used to be hidden from the world, confined within the Lunar Capital?
Junko
It's well within your power, in fact... you could even become the new mastermind of the Lost Word Incident!
Kaguya
Heh...
Kaguya
I was thinking the exact same thing!
Kaguya
You're hiding Eirin, aren't you? I remember how your attack on the Moon forced everyone to hide in the Dream World!
Kaguya
I know it's possible for you. You could hide Eirin and create more Lost Words!
Junko
...
Junko
Again... Does it always end like this...?
Junko
I must purify this world and return to the beginning.
Junko
Next time, I'll succeed... I have to.
Junko
...
Junko
...
Junko
Dear Hecatia Lapislazuli. I hope this letter reaches you.
Junko
Please, work with Clownpiece, who is surely with you, to gather my words.
Junko
Before I forget everything.
Junko
I hated Chang'e. My hatred was purified, and in the end...
Junko
It became structured and logical. The upper limit of my fury isn't a rampaging inferno. It's hard and clear, like a crystal.
Junko
A scorching hot crystal that methodically burns everything within me... until nothing but its terrifying beauty remains.
Junko
So, before I burn myself out...
Junko
Hecatia, I want to share my thoughts with you.
Junko
My purification ability has the power to create gods.
Junko
That's why you suggested I use it to empower your Hell fairies. I think I'm remembering that right.
Junko
That act gave me insight... Actually, no, perhaps it merely helped me reaffirm what I had always known to be true.
Junko
Everything is made of temperament, and temperament follows the laws of yin, yang, and the Five Phases.
Junko
Mother Nature is composed of temperament, meaning that fairies and elemental spirits are clumps of temperament.
Junko
The same could be said for phantoms and other spirits, including the tiny divine spirits that embody desires...
Junko
...and true divine spirits that are spiritual manifestations of faith.
Junko
Hecatia, Clownpiece, you two may have your differences, but you are very similar in temperament.
Junko
If a fairy is purified enough, they become a divine spirit, and unpurifying a divine entity turns them into an elemental spirit.
Junko
However, no matter how hard I looked, I was unable to find parallel-world versions of you. Where could you be...?
Junko
Everything in this world is made of temperament, so I can use my purification ability to revert the world to its starting point.
Junko
As long as I borrow enough spirit power―or magic power since they're the same in this case―from another universe.
Junko
...I can't remember how or when I learned how to do this.
Junko
I no longer have any fondness for the human world. I can barely even remember it.
Junko
Anyway, the humans came up with a theory that is basically just another way to explain my ability.
Junko
They believe that as you trace the universe back in time, all forms of energy and matter converge to form a singularity.
Junko
Conversely, this means that all things continue to break down and weaken as time passes.
Junko
Names were given to all the various wonders of the universe to differentiate them.
Junko
However, since everything was originally one and inseparable, these names also act as chains that keep things apart.
Junko
I've lost track of how many times I've repeated this.
Junko
I want you to know the immensity of my foolishness. I was a fool once, and I continue to be a fool with each repetition.
Junko
I wanted to explain my reasoning to you... but now I realize that there's no need.
Junko
You're my dear friend, so... Wait, I'm basing this all on the assumption that I've lived through this before.
Junko
But maybe I still haven't really tried anything.
Junko
I feel so lost.
Junko
Why? Why can't I find anyone truly dear to me?
Junko
I can't find you anywhere, Hecatia. I can't even find...
Junko
Chang'e.
Junko
Argh.
???
Lady Junko. Please stop. You'll damage your memories.
Junko
*sob* I-I'm fine.
???
Here, grab hold of me.
Reisen
Let's rest a while. Don't worry, I've recorded every word of your letter in my heart.
Junko
Thank you, Reisen. I'm fine now.
Junko
But you're right. It seems I pushed myself too hard.
Junko
I'm struggling to recall even my most recent memories.
Reisen
...
Junko
*sigh*
Junko
Spirit power is a finite resource. There's no way it could be infinite... I knew that.
Junko
It's like the Big Freeze or an iron universe where nuclear fusion and fission are no longer possible.
Junko
Humans have also pondered what the universe would be like once every resource is used up...
Junko
Even after borrowing spirit power from neighboring universes, there was nowhere near enough.
Junko
The universe...
Junko
Lumping all the neighboring universes together, you get a multiverse.
Junko
And if you lump them together, you have a group of multiverses.
Junko
Fortunately, I was able to use my sagacious spirit techniques to connect them with branching strands of spirit power.
Junko
But how far can these strands reach? How far can we follow them?
Reisen
...
Junko
No, that's not the right question. I've already reached a dead end.
Junko
I can no longer leave this Senkai that I created to remind me of better times.
Junko
So, what I should be asking isn't how far we can go...
Junko
But how far we've come and how far we could've gone.
Junko
This universe... and all the other parallel universes are supposed to be infinite.
Junko
So...
Junko
There is no end to how far this multi-dimensional neural network can stretch.
Junko
I'm running out of purification crystals. I should've made more memories.
Junko
One memory contains about 48 exabytes of data, which equates to one joule of energy when used as fuel.
Junko
That's what the humans would say. It's a materialistic interpretation of the magical power released by purification.
Junko
These purification crystals are my memories.
Junko
Specifically, the few memories that have not yet been affected by the maddening taint of my hatred.
Junko
I've been using them to prolong my existence, but now, I'll use all that's left for one final gambit...
Junko
...
Junko
Reisen.
Reisen
I'm here, Lady Junko.
Junko
Before I forget, I want you to record my words.
Junko
I managed to learn something from gathering information from all those other universes.
Reisen
...
Junko
These memories are all that I have left...
Junko
...
Junko
And I plan to use the last of my magic to entrust them to you.
Reisen
...
Junko
There are three things you must record.
Junko
Only three.
Junko
I have identified three paradoxes shared between all the countless other universes and versions of myself.
Junko
Ultimately, purification CAN restore everything to a perfect, singular beginning... but I ran out of power. It's a shame.
Junko
If you weren't here with me, Reisen, all of my efforts would have been in vain.
Reisen
...
Junko
Now, listen closely.
Junko
The first me is Luoshen, the river goddess. As a descendant of the divine emperor, she bestowed blessings and floods.
Junko
The divine emperor created all forms of culture, including the Eight Trigrams that define the laws of Heaven and Earth.
Junko
Thanks to this divine heritage, I was able to become a divine spirit and then a sagacious spirit.
Junko
...Or so I presume.
Junko
The second me is Chun Hu, a girl from an ancient clan―the clan that created the first form of written language.
Junko
She was married off to the king's right-hand man until a prince from a rival clan murdered her child and took her as his wife.
Junko
She conspired with her new husband's minister to kill him, then married that minister.
Junko
Chun Hu was a woman of unmatched beauty whose life was tainted by resentment and bloodshed.
Junko
However, the clan she grew up with later gained great power through mystical arts capable of summoning youkai foxes.
Junko
The name Chun Hu can also be pronounced Junko. This is probably where my hatred and purification ability stems from.
Reisen
...
Reisen
Lady Junko... Sorry, but can I ask you something?
Junko
I don't mind. Ask.
Reisen
Do you still remember the source of your hatred and resentment?
Reisen
Do you still remember your child?
Junko
...
Junko
No.
Junko
As you know, my hatred is continually being purified. My fury can no longer be defined or restrained.
Junko
It has been that way since long before I met you all those years ago.
Junko
The person historically known as Chun Hu may have been me, but with my purification, that no longer matters.
Junko
I'm losing all my potential connections to her. These three memories are the only things left that can't be purified.
Junko
The reason for my hatred, the purpose of my fury, and the source of my resentment can and will be purified.
Junko
That's why I can no longer remember the face of my child, who may or may not have existed.
Reisen
...
Junko
Now, for my last memory.
Junko
The third me.
Junko
I truly struggled to accept this truth. How long did it take me?
Junko
Thousands of years? Tens of thousands? Millions? Billions?
Junko
The third me was the consort of a hero who shot down nine suns. The goddess of the Moon...
Junko
Chang'e.
Reisen
...What?
Junko
Chang'e has no relation to Chun Hu. Chang'e's mythology harkens back to a time long before Chun Hu was born.
Junko
However, they do share one thing in common―their husbands' names.
Reisen
A name?
Junko
Chang'e's husband, who she left behind on Earth, and the man who killed Chun Hu's child have the same name.
Junko
That's the only connection between those two men. They are not the same person.
Junko
But if that's true, I shouldn't have any reason to hate Chang'e...
Reisen
L-Lady Junko! Are you OK?!
Junko
Urgh. I'm fine.
Junko
...
Junko
As I was saying...
Junko
If my husband and Chang'e's husband aren't the same person, I won't have any reason to hate her.
Junko
I'll lose my purpose.
Reisen
...
Junko
To avoid that, I must use names to bind things together.
Junko
Our husbands have the same name. Thus, they are the same being.
Junko
Same with me and Chang'e... We are one and the same.
Junko
That explains why I couldn't find Chang'e no matter how hard I searched.
Junko
She was me all along.
Reisen
...
Junko
The toad is a symbol of fertility since they produce many children. Same with rabbits.
Junko
Yes, that's right. Children.
Junko
Urgh...
Reisen
Lady Junko... Please stop! You can't take much more of this!
Junko
Thank you.
Junko
Thank you... my child.
Junko
But I'm OK. You have an essential duty to attend to.
Junko
Don't mind me...
Junko
Urgh.
Reisen
Lady Junko!
Junko
...
Junko
I'm... I'm fine.
Junko
Please, record the letter to my dear friend... No, I mean...
Junko
The three memories I must share... with you...
Reisen
Lady Junko... Lady Junko!
Junko
Oh.
Junko
Right. There aren't three.
Junko
They'll soon be one... and then I'll...
Junko
It's finally time. I'm becoming one with all my countless parallel selves.
Junko
I understand now. It was my name―Junko. Our names bound us and kept us apart until the very end.
Junko
I relinquish it now. Without my name, the three of us will become one.
Junko
This is the final stage of purification.
Reisen
Lady Junko! Please stop!
Junko
I'm doing this for you, my child. It's all I have left.
Junko
This is my final gift to you.
Beautiful Dark-Haired Mother
I am a wife and mother with beautiful black hair.
Beautiful Dark-Haired Mother
I send this prayer with the magic from the last stage of my purification.
Beautiful Dark-Haired Mother
Please, return my beloved child...
Beautiful Dark-Haired Mother
...to her former home.
Reisen
...?!
Junko
...
Junko
...
Junko
Wh-Where am I?!
Reisen
L-Lady Junko!
Junko
Reisen! You look different...!
Reisen
Yes... I've changed back to how I looked before I met you.
Reisen
Your appearance also seems to have stabilized. That's a relief.
Junko
You're right... My name, my words, and my memories are stable, too. What happened?
???
Hello, Junko, sagacious spirit and enemy of the Moon.
???
Thank you for bringing Reisen back to me. I am truly grateful.
Reisen
Lady Yagokoro!
Junko
What's the Brain of the Moon doing here?!
Eirin
There, there. *pats head* That was a very long mission, wasn't it? You've done well.
Reisen
I never believed I'd actually be able to return....!
Eirin
Junko used the last of her power to send you here. The message she entrusted to you also helped.
Reisen
Message...? Do you mean the unfinished letter I recorded for Lady Junko?
Eirin
While it may have been unfinished, it came under my jurisdiction the moment you perceived it.
Junko
I see... I'm happy for you, Reisen.
Junko
But this means I truly did use the last of my power. That hasn't changed.
Eirin
No, it hasn't. Unfortunately, you will soon disappear.
Eirin
You've retained the ability to think because I used my data to recreate the form you possessed at the height of your power.
Eirin
It's a scratched-together copy. It won't last long. I figured it was worth the effort because I wanted to thank you.
Junko
That's awfully considerate of you. You could've just ignored me seeing as I'm going to disappear anyway.
Eirin
I feel an affinity with you since I have also observed countless parallel worlds through the multi-dimensional neural network.
Eirin
If only we had met sooner... No, that's pointless speculation.
Eirin
There's no guarantee that we could've worked together.
Eirin
Junko, please let me thank you once again.
Junko
Thank me for what?
Eirin
I know this must seem silly to you right now, but for us, there are always new things to learn.
Eirin
That's why...
Eirin
I have faith that our words and actions hold greater meaning than I can possibly comprehend.
Reisen
Thank you... and goodbye.
Reisen
I'll always remember you as our kind-hearted enemy.
Junko
...
Junko
...
Junko
What now? Didn't I disappear...?
Junko
What...?!
Clownpiece & Hecatia
No way!
Junko
Hecatia! Clownpiece!
Hecatia
Junko!
Clownpiece
Lady Junko!
Junko
I never thought I'd see you again!
Hecatia
Me neither! It seems the Brain of the Moon arranged this meeting for us.
Clownpiece
Waaaah, Lady Junko! Lady Junko!
Junko
I see. This is an archive. We're both speaking to our memories of each other given form.
Hecatia
That's why we can speak, ignoring the limits of time and space, the barriers between universes...
Hecatia
...and even the state of each other's existence.
Junko
Hecatia, don't tell me you've already...
Hecatia
No, let's not talk about that now.
Clownpiece
Yeah, I don't wanna talk about all that complicated stuff! We're here together again, so let's talk about something fun!
Hecatia
Yes, you're right. I was thinking the same thing!
Hecatia
...We shouldn't waste this opportunity.
Junko
...
Junko
...
Junko
Haha.
Hecatia
Oh, she laughed! Junko's smiling!
Clownpiece
That's a relief! I was worried her frown might've been stuck there!
Hecatia
But why did you laugh? Did we say something funny?
Junko
No... it's nothing.
Hecatia
C'mon, don't be like that. Tell us!
Hecatia
You know, Junko...
Junko
Yes, Hecatia?
Hecatia
We're going to slowly disappear in this happy and warm archive.
Hecatia
Like a fireplace slowly dying down after everyone's gone to sleep.
Hecatia
But you know... I'm not scared.
Clownpiece
Me neither! Not a bit!
Hecatia
Well said, Clownpiece. You're such a smart girl.
Junko
Hecatia. I'm not scared, either.
Hecatia
Haha, I knew you'd say that.
Hecatia
We've got nothing to be afraid of.
Hecatia
We weren't afraid back then, and we're not afraid now.
Hecatia
We're simply going to sleep. A happy, quiet sleep.
Hecatia
It's a peaceful end.
Hecatia
...
Hecatia
You look tired, Junko.
Hecatia
Take a rest. You deserve it.
Hecatia
And when you next wake up...
Hecatia
We can plot our revenge.
Marisa
We've caught a big one!
Sanae
It's that T-shirt weirdo's friend!
Sakuya
We battled her on the Moon!
Sanae & Marisa
Wait a sec...
Marisa
What are you talking about, Sakuya? You weren't there back then.
Sanae
That's what I thought, but, umm, maybe I'm misremembering it. It would kinda make sense if you were with us.
Sakuya
Oh, right, I wasn't there, was I? My mistake.
Marisa
(Is she just messing with us?)
Sanae
I guess it doesn't really matter! More importantly, look, she's coming up!
Marisa
Yeah, that's her all right...
Marisa, Sanae & Sakuya
Junko!
Okina
I'm glad you answered our call, Junko, sagacious spirit and enemy of the Moon.
Okina
You are most welcome. We have need of your ability.
Junko
...
Junko
I see.
Junko
So it's not over yet.
