Tataelost
Index
Tataelost
???
...
???
...
???
No way...
???
I can't believe this!
???
What's going on?!
???
I'm super confused!
???
Can someone please explain this to me?!
???
Why do I still not have a body?!
Chiyuri
Quiet down, would you? This is delicate work, and you're ruining my concentration.
???
Don't tell me to quiet down, Chiyuri Kitashirakawa! This isn't what you promised!
Chiyuri
I don't remember promising anything...
???
You said I didn't have to worry 'cause even though my form would become indistinct while I acted as a probe...
???
I'd return to normal when I got back!
Chiyuri
Oh, now I get it... You're Rika!
Rika
How are you only realizing that now?!
Chiyuri
Haha, because I can't see you. Nah, I'm just kidding. I knew it was you.
Chiyuri
Either way, what you just said doesn't make much sense.
Rika
What do you mean?
Chiyuri
First off, probes don't usually return once they've been sent out into space.
Chiyuri
Designing a probe that can return to Earth is way more difficult than the alternative.
???
...!
Chiyuri
And second, you're meant to be in charge of handling all the divine beings―all the gods.
Rika
I was wondering about that. Why was I chosen? It sounds like a big responsibility.
Chiyuri
Did you forget? No, wait, maybe we never explained it to you.
Chiyuri
I wasn't the one who chose you, so I'm only guessing, but I think it had something to do with those tanks you make.
Chiyuri
And those ghost things. 'Cause, when it really comes down to it, not much separates gods from ghosts.
Rika
Huh?
Rika
Is that all?
Chiyuri
I told you I was only guessing. To know the full reason, we'd have to ask the captain...
Chiyuri
But as you can see, she's not here right now.
Chiyuri
Now, as I was saying, your task is to investigate the gods. However, that gets more difficult the more human you are.
Chiyuri
Luckily, there's a simple fix for that. You just have to become more like a ghost.
Chiyuri
That's why we made it so no one can see you.
Rika
...
Rika
You gotta be kidding.
Rika
Does that mean I can never turn back?!
Chiyuri
You're overreacting. You function basically the same as a god now, so you've got nothing to worry about.
Chiyuri
You know about bunrei, don't you? Gods can make clones of themselves.
Chiyuri
And those clones retain the same powers as the original, no matter how many are made.
Chiyuri
We adapted this bunrei system to create backups of you in our archive... See? There's nothing to worry about.
Rika
That sounds kinda like cryopreservation... I don't feel comfortable with this.
Rika
Also, the whole bunrei thing sounds too good to be true. Doesn't it mess up the power dynamic between the gods?
Chiyuri
I know what you mean. You'd think it would invalidate the law of conservation of energy or something, right?
Chiyuri
But that's not a problem when you consider extra dimensions.
Rika
*sigh* There you go again. Why do you scientist types always have to make everything so needlessly complicated?
Chiyuri
Science is as complicated as any other branch of the occult. It's mythology with dogma grounded in mathematics.
Chiyuri
But you're more of an engineer, so you don't really have to bother with that. You can just geek out over tech like a kappa.
Rika
Don't make fun of kappa! They used to be gods, you know?
Chiyuri
Wow, I didn't actually know that.
Chiyuri
Anyway, I should check what you found before the captain returns. That's the main thing I look forward to nowadays.
Chiyuri
Doing this makes me feel like I'm visiting a shrine to pray to a god or like I'm watching a low-budget movie.
Rika
Movies aren't anything like gods. What are you talking about?
Chiyuri
Have you already forgotten about bunrei? I just told you about them.
Chiyuri
Like bunrei, no matter how many theaters a movie is shown in, the content and quality remain the same.
Rika
Right...
Rika
I don't get it.
Chiyuri
Oh, but then again, there's one major difference between movies and gods.
Rika
*sigh* You just said they were the same. Make up your mind.
Chiyuri
Haha, sorry. I'm talking about how movies are linear.
Chiyuri
They're linear cause film reels are like scrolls where information is recorded and read in one-dimensional time.
Rika
Right... But why limit that to just movies? Novels and comics are one-dimensional, too. Time only flows in one direction.
Rika
Or are you trying to say there are more dimensions of time? That doesn't sound like any reality I know of.
Chiyuri
Yeah, that's exactly it. If you think of one-dimensional time as a straight line, two-dimensional time is a plane.
Chiyuri
For a straight line, everything is sequential. It's a single axis where forward is the future and backward is the past.
Chiyuri
But for a plane, some things aren't sequential. There are two axes―the past-future axis and the imaginary time axis.
Chiyuri
A single moment in time cannot be denoted with just the time on a clock. You need at least two parameters.
Chiyuri
These parameters can either be a real time and an imaginary time...
Chiyuri
Or an angle and a radius.
Rika
You've completely lost me...
Chiyuri
Don't worry about it. I don't expect you to understand comparative physics.
Chiyuri
Let's just watch the movie.
Chiyuri
Umm, what's the directory? The route is L80, and the current is...
Chiyuri
...
Chiyuri
I'm not sure. But I guess that's nothing new.
Chiyuri
It's probably L80.* or L?80, so I'll just mark one of those down for now.
Chiyuri
I just have to remember to ask the captain when she returns.
???
...
???
This takes me back.
???
It feels like so long ago now.
???
It's strange because I can still remember the great war between the gods like it was yesterday.
???
And that happened way earlier. So long ago, in fact, that it's only spoken of in legends.
???
Lady Sanae... She would go to school every day, where she'd meet her many friends.
???
This is where she'd eat dinner with her family. She'd always impress her parents with her wisdom and intelligence.
???
And we were always there out of sight, watching over her through every stage of her life.
???
The day she was born, her first steps, her first words, her Shichi-Go-San, her first day at school... Always.
???
Lady Kanako. Everything depended on our mutually beneficial relationship.
???
Our nation would've fallen without her help, even if she didn't invade us back then.
???
Lady Kanako was also the first divine being Lady Sanae sensed. That is the power of her divine glory and authority.
???
We have never regretted letting her act in our stead as the official god of Moriya Shrine.
???
...
???
...
???
Lady Suwako...
???
We...
???
...
???
...
???
You are our queen.
???
When Heaven and Earth were in a constant state of flux, back before we had a nation or names...
???
You subjugated us with your tremendous power. Your grandeur and beauty is reflected in the land and lake of Suwa.
???
We gladly became your followers, and we never looked back.
???
You were the pinnacle of everything we aspired to be. You called us Mishaguji.
Nameless Mishaguji
That's why...
Nameless Mishaguji
We will continue to follow you.
Nameless Mishaguji
Forever.
Nameless Mishaguji
No matter what path you take.
Kanako
I think that was the last of them.
Sanae
What were they? Is that how the Lost Word Incident spreads to other worlds...?
Kanako
I'm not sure... But they were disturbing, to say the least.
Nameless Mishaguji
Reporting: All targets destroyed. There are no enemies nearby.
Suwako
Thanks, Mishaguji.
Suwako
But we don't know when the next wave will come. We have to come up with a plan.
Kanako
You're right. We can't afford to lose Hakurei Shrine.
Kanako
We can't rest easy while this place is under constant threat.
Sanae
I'm worried about the things that attacked us. Where did they come from, and how did they get through Gensokyo's barrier?
Kanako
They might've just passed through one of the barrier's many holes.... but for some reason, I doubt it.
Suwako
I knew you'd pick up on that, Kanako.
Suwako
There's no way they passed through the Great Hakurei Barrier here at Hakurei Shrine.
Suwako
'Cause they came from the opposite direction.
Suwako
But they could've shown up at Muenzuka or come through the Netherworld past the Barrier of Life and Death.
Sanae
Then we better go ask Mister Rinnosuke and Miss Yuyuko! They might know something!
Suwako
I dunno. That seems unlikely, considering how suddenly they appeared.
Suwako
What we need right now, more than anything else, is information.
Suwako
Let's leave the defense of the shrine to Reimu and Marisa. We'll go trace those enemies back to where they came from.
Sanae
That sounds pretty dangerous...
Sanae
But information is the key to victory, so this will surely help everyone.
Suwako
Mishaguji.
Suwako
Have you heard anything from the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Myouren Temple, or the Divine Spirit Mausoleum?
Suwako
Or even from Eientei or the Palace of the Earth Spirits. We can't afford to be picky.
Nameless Mishaguji
No. Nothing.
Suwako
Shame... Thanks anyway, Mishaguji.
Suwako
We'll just have to trust that everyone has realized what's going on and is working to stop it.
Suwako
Our paths will surely converge as long as we keep pressing forward.
Sanae
Yeah!
Kanako
This is just like old times, huh, Suwako?
Suwako
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.
Suwako
But in that war, we fought against each other.
Suwako
We're on the same side now... along with Sanae.
Kanako
Yes. And since Sanae is with us...
Kanako
We have to end this war as soon as possible.
Suwako
I couldn't agree more. I'm not gonna hold anything back.
Suwako
I'd do anything to protect her.
Suwako
Let's do this, Kanako.
Kanako
Do you mind if I make a suggestion?
Suwako
Hm? Sure, go ahead.
Kanako
I'm taking point.
Suwako
Hehe, then I'll watch your back.
Nameless Mishaguji
...and off they went.
Hecatia
Argh! I was too late!
Hecatia
I can't believe this beautiful Gensokyo fell so quickly...!
Okina
Hecatia...
Okina
Unlike back then, you've come up here to intervene directly. You seriously care about Gensokyo, don't you?
Hecatia
Of course. We're well past the point where I can just sit back and watch over things from Hell.
Hecatia
There are still many in Hell who've barely even heard of Gensokyo, but they can't deny that this place is special.
Hecatia
I'm sure Zanmu would say the same.
Okina
Hmmm... I'm sure you're right.
Okina
But, as a god, there's something else I'm worried about.
Okina
You're a god, too, so I thought you might share my concerns...
Hecatia
What do you mean?
Okina
I'm Okina Matara, the god of back doors, the god of hindrances, and the god of Noh...
Okina
But I'm also a shukushin.
Okina
Shukushin, shakuji, okina... are all words used to describe the same type of native god.
Okina
I'm sure this sounds familiar to you, nameless Mishaguji.
Nameless Mishaguji
...
Nameless Mishaguji
Yes, I suppose it does.
Okina
Heh, no surprise there...
Okina
My divine connection with Suwako Moriya led me here to this shrine.
Okina
Aren't you the same, Hecatia?
Hecatia
...
Hecatia
Kind of...
Hecatia
This is more Junko's thing, but we both hold a grudge against a certain frog goddess.
Hecatia
And... frogs have also been used as a symbol of my own divinity.
Hecatia
Those connections are what drew me to this place in the mountains far to the east, where a goddess of frogs resides.
Okina
Unfortunately...
Okina
Suwako Moriya is no longer here.
Kanako
We got rid of all the enemies up in the clouds.
Sanae
That felt almost too easy...
Suwako
I agree. They should've put up way more of a fight.
Suwako
And I'm not just talking about that last battle.
Suwako
All the enemies we've come across from the shrine to here looked much stronger than they actually were.
Sanae
I wonder why...
Kanako
They've only just arrived in this world, so maybe we caught them by surprise as they were still preparing for an assault.
Suwako
Maybe... But even if that's true, it still doesn't explain everything.
Sanae
Hm?
Sanae
Oh!
Sanae
You're talking about how we didn't meet anyone else on our way here.
Sanae
You'd think Miss Sakuya, Miss Remilia, or Miss Reisen would be fighting too. We haven't even seen Miss Mokou or Miss Futo.
Kanako
Yes, and they shouldn't have had any trouble blasting through any of the enemies we encountered.
Kanako
Maybe they're meeting up somewhere else.
Suwako
Mishaguji.
Suwako
Have you got any messages yet? Anything at all?
Suwako
Or have you seen anyone?
Nameless Mishaguji
No. No one.
Suwako
Thought so... Thanks anyway.
Sanae
...
Kanako
...
Suwako
...
Suwako
Well, standing around here's not gonna solve anything! Let's keep searching for where all of those things came from!
Sanae
R-Right! We can't afford to waste time!
Kanako
...
Kanako
Hm?
Suwako
What's wrong, Kanako?
Kanako
S-Suwako!
Kanako
Over there!
Kanako
Wh-What is that?
Suwako
That's...
Sanae
Wh-What's going on?!
Suwako
Sanae...!
Suwako
Don't look!
Okina
The word "shukushin" can also refer to the Mishihase or Sushen people.
Okina
A group or possibly groups of ethnic people who opposed the ancient Japanese and Chinese imperial courts.
Okina
It's also said that they were a nomadic people who migrated to China and later Japan along the Silk Road.
Okina
In other words...
Okina
The color of my hair, Suwako's hair, and your hair when...
Hecatia
Ah, I see. You're talking about my Moon body's hair.
Hecatia
And speaking of people who opposed the imperial court, Suika and Yuugi are blonde, too. Perhaps there's a connection.
Hecatia
I've had quite a few interactions with oni through my work, and they all seem to be more than just simple youkai.
Okina
Hair is the closest part of the body to gods. So, the color could be an indication of divinity...
Okina
Or perhaps it's simply hereditary.
Hecatia
Why do you sound like you don't care either way? We're talking about your hair, too.
Okina
Because, in this case, the truth isn't all that important.
Hecatia
What do you mean?
Okina
The thing that worries me is that we thought of this theory in the first place.
Okina
It's like we're being compelled by someone or something to consider and accept it.
Hecatia
You mean it's all a lie? That gods aren't connected by blood to a group of people who migrated east along the Silk Road?
Okina
Kind of.
Okina
Don't you understand, O wise Goddess of Hell?
Okina
You should. Because you're also a goddess of frogs.
Hecatia
Oh.
Hecatia
Now I get it.
Sanae
Lady Kanako! Lady Suwako!
Kanako
...
Sanae
What was that just now?!
Suwako
...
Sanae
The villagers...! They...!
Kanako
Don't talk, Sanae. You'll bite your tongue.
Suwako
...What do you think happened to the villagers?
Suwako
Did monsters attack them?
Sanae
...!
Suwako
Did they get caught up in some kind of supernatural calamity?
Sanae
...
Suwako
Was it a natural disaster? An accident? ...No. It was none of those things.
Suwako
Those villagers changed...
Suwako
They became... non-human.
Hecatia
How long have you been deceiving us?
Hecatia
Mishaguji.
Nameless Mishaguji
I―
Hecatia
No, this isn't your fault.
Hecatia
That theory hinted at a connection between the gods, but there's not enough evidence to support it. It's a delusion.
Hecatia
No, that's not right, either. Delusions don't exist here...
Hecatia
It's a fantasy.
Hecatia
All things fantasy enter Gensokyo. That's why gods love this place and why we are drawn here.
Hecatia
It doesn't matter that an idea is impossible.
Hecatia
Once you've imagined it, there's no going back.
Hecatia
Fantasies cannot be denied or confirmed. They simply draw you in and gobble you up.
Hecatia
Just like...
Hecatia
...a frog eating a fly.
Sanae
*huff* *huff*
Sanae
Urgh!
Kanako
Are you OK, Sanae? Can you keep going?
Sanae
I-I'm fine...!
Kanako
We're running out of energy and spirit power. We have to fall back and regroup.
Sanae
...
Kanako
Hang in there, Sanae. We can't give up.
Kanako
We've managed to run this far without having to fight any of those flying enemies.
Kanako
That means we should be able to avoid detection for a while, at least.
Kanako
Our chance will come as long as we don't give up hope.
Sanae
...!
Sanae
R-Right!
Kanako
That's the spirit.
Sanae
And as long as we keep moving, I'm sure we'll meet up with everyone else!
Sanae
Miss Reimu and Miss Marisa will help us!
Kanako
Umm, that's...
???
That's not gonna happen, Sanae.
Sanae
Lady Suwako...?
Sanae
Wh-What do you mean?
Suwako?
Oh? I thought you would've realized by now.
Suwako?
The people of the Scarlet Devil Manson, Eientei, Myouren Temple, and everybody else have already―
Kanako
Stop.
Kanako
I don't know what you're playing at, Suwako, but you better stop.
Kanako
Don't tell Sanae.
Suwako?
I wasn't planning to.
Suwako?
But I'd rather you didn't get in my way.
Kanako
Suwako... No, you're not her. When did you change?
Suwako?
It was back there in the village.
Suwako?
I've only just arrived.
Kanako
...
Kanako
A disturbance occurred in the village not that long ago. I say disturbance because it would be wrong to call it an incident.
Kanako
No harm was done, so for those not directly involved, it probably felt like a village-wide fire drill or something.
Kanako
The word around the village is that it was caused by a dangerous non-human obsessed with Reimu for some reason.
Kanako
And Reimu resolved everything when she exterminated it.
Kanako
However, that was just―
Suwako?
I told you to stay out of my way!
Kanako
...!
Suwako?
Come here, Sanae... No, Lady of Revelations.
Suwako?
Your Convergent Rebirth will occur soon. There's no stopping it, but it'd be better if you didn't try anything foolish.
Suwako?
Come with me, and I'll take you to a safe place.
Sanae
Lady... Suwako? Wh-Why...?!
Suwako?
There's no point explaining it to you...
Kanako
Heh, you're really full of yourself, aren't you? If you wanna take Sanae somewhere...
Kanako
You're gonna have to get through me first!
Kanako
SUWAKO!
Suwako?
Huh? Weren't you listening?
Suwako?
Sanae IS going to change. It's only a matter of time.
Kanako
So what?! I'm not gonna give up!
Suwako?
*sigh*
Suwako?
You still don't get it, do you?
Suwako?
You're gonna change too.
Nameless Mishaguji
Yes. Lady Suwako lives.
Nameless Mishaguji
She's right here in this room.
Suwako?
I put out a call to all gods far and wide, and you have answered. Your troubles are at an end.
Suwako?
Rejoice, and let me consume you.
Rika
Wh-Wh-What's going on?!
Rika
This isn't anything like last time!
Chiyuri
Uh-oh...!
Chiyuri
Type: Mishaguji has been identified. The Probability Space Hypervessel's logic core is damaged!
Chiyuri
All stations, perform full diagnostics!
Rika
What does that mean?!
Chiyuri
It's entered our system through the flow of data! If we don't stop it, the ship will sink!
Chiyuri
Simply put, it's a curse! It's divine retribution!
Rika
Can't you do something?!
Chiyuri
Captain!
Chiyuri
Please hurry back!
