Story Card Travelogue 2
Story Card Travelogue 2
Hatate
...
Hatate
"Season ■■■, ■ of ■■. Weather: Unknown."
Hatate
"By Hatate Himekaidou (Kakashi Spirit News)."
Hatate
"I was all worked up, ready to go out and investigate the Story Cards."
Hatate
"That was all I could think about."
Hatate
"But now I don't know what to think."
Hatate
"This can't be possible... can it?"
Hatate
"No..."
Hatate
"This must be real."
Hatate
"I'm standing here right now. I can exist here. Since that's possible..."
Hatate
"What I'm seeing must be possible, too."
Hatate
"It's Kourindou. Just as I remember it from back then."
Hatate
"Actually, thinking about it more, perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised."
Rinnosuke
Welcome.
Rinnosuke
What are you after?
Hatate
Mister Rinnosuke...
Rinnosuke
That's me. And you're that crow tengu reporter. I have always appreciated your newspapers, if only for the paper.
Hatate
You're probably thinking of the Bunbunmaru...
Rinnosuke
So, what are you after? This is a tool shop.
Hatate
Even now, you're still running your shop...
Hatate
"I thought that was weird, but I knew better than to say that out loud."
Hatate
"Besides, it's not really THAT weird compared to everything else going on."
Hatate
"I have to learn to adapt... like he has."
Hatate
Tools, huh...? What are you selling?
Rinnosuke
Nothing. Everything you see here is part of my private collection. They're all I have left.
Rinnosuke
And they're not for sale.
Hatate
Then why'd you ask?
Rinnosuke
Hmm...
Rinnosuke
It's been said that the Gensokyo where we used to live was the place where all lost things gathered.
Rinnosuke
Did you know that?
Rinnosuke
Apparently, I used to collect tools that wound up in Gensokyo and put them on display in Kourindou.
Hatate
"Why does he sound so uncertain...?"
Hatate
"He's talking about himself, isn't he?"
Rinnosuke
Need I say more?
Rinnosuke
This is Kourindou. A place where lost items gather.
Rinnosuke
It's a tiny Gensokyo within Gensokyo.
Rinnosuke
So, what are you after?
Story Card: Check This Out! And This!
Hata no Kawakatsu
...!
Hata no Kawakatsu
Argh!
Hata no Kawakatsu
This isn't right! This isn't what happened...!
???
What isn't right?
???
What are you talking about, Master Hata?
???
No. I'm a new me in a new world, so let me call you...
???
Uzumasa.
Hata no Kawakatsu
I told you repeatedly not to meddle with the power of eternal night, but that's exactly what you did... Why?
Hata no Kawakatsu
I can no longer call you by your former name. You're the God of Eternal Night... that's all you are now.
God of Eternal Night
...
God of Eternal Night
Really?
God of Eternal Night
You want to know why?
God of Eternal Night
I'm the god of this new world.
God of Eternal Night
Just saying that brings me joy!
Hata no Kawakatsu
I should've known you wouldn't take this seriously. You've always been like that.
God of Eternal Night
Oh, do be quiet.
God of Eternal Night
Take a look around. Quite the impressive mausoleum, no?
God of Eternal Night
We're in the Animal Realm―a realm full of humans endlessly tormented by beasts.
God of Eternal Night
In the future, another god plans to make these humans worship her, but I don't really care about that.
God of Eternal Night
I shall bring salvation to these poor humans with my eternal night.
God of Eternal Night
You never even considered this, did you, Uzumasa? You couldn't have.
God of Eternal Night
This power will also let me save people suffering from hunger and disease when I eventually return to the human world.
God of Eternal Night
This is my new Tokoyo no Kuni, and I shall govern it.
God of Eternal Night
Isn't that the whole point of a government―to create a better world?
Hata no Kawakatsu
Are you angry with me?
Hata no Kawakatsu
My friend...
God of Eternal Night
Maybe.
Hata no Kawakatsu
I won't deny that many of our people are suffering.
Hata no Kawakatsu
But it's wrong to use that power to save them. That's not what it's for.
Hata no Kawakatsu
Relinquish the power of eternal night. Return to me, the fruit of immortality. Now!
God of Eternal Night
Really? Are you saying I'm wrong?
God of Eternal Night
I'm going to save all these suffering people, and you're telling me that's wrong?
God of Eternal Night
Don't try to dodge the question. Your pretty words won't work on me. Is that what you're saying? Yes or no?
Hata no Kawakatsu
Yes. Our nation is not only made up of the people who live there now.
Hata no Kawakatsu
You have to think of the people who will live there tomorrow... in the future.
God of Eternal Night
...
God of Eternal Night
Heh...
God of Eternal Night
Haha...
God of Eternal Night
Hahaha!
God of Eternal Night
Don't be ridiculous!
God of Eternal Night
They won't have a tomorrow if I don't act now!
God of Eternal Night
I knew you were getting old, Uzumasa, but it seems you've finally cracked. Let me put you out of your misery.
Hata no Kawakatsu
Tch!
God of Eternal Night
Who dares?!
???
Dares? You really shouldn't say that to me.
Umayado no Miko
But, I'll forgive your insolence.
God of Eternal Night
M-Miko?!
Kurokoma of Kai
I'm here, too!
God of Eternal Night
Wh-Who are you?!
God of Eternal Night
A large horse spirit... Don't tell me you're the Kurokoma of Kai!
God of Eternal Night
B-But how are you here, Miko?! I thought you were dead!
Seiga Nyan Nyan
She is. That's why I sent her spirit here from the mausoleum.
God of Eternal Night
Seiga Nyan Nyan?! Right, with your skills, such a thing might be possible...
Mononobe Clan Aide
I helped out a little, too. The secret Mononobe arts worketh well with Miss Seiga's magic.
Soga Clan Aide
Sorry to interrupt, but is there something wrong with my spirit body? I look different from everybody else.
Soga Clan Aide
Mononobe, you know something about this, don't you?
Mononobe Clan Aide
Nope.
God of Eternal Night
Wh-What's happening?! What are you all doing here?!
Hata no Kawakatsu
...
Umayado no Miko
It's all right, Kawakatsu. I'll say it.
Umayado no Miko
She should hear it from me.
Hata no Kawakatsu
...As you wish.
Umayado no Miko
It's rather simple, really. Before I can resurrect, I need a bit more immortality.
Umayado no Miko
I had entrusted Kawakatsu to procure it for me, but she never came back.
Umayado no Miko
So, leaving my body to rest in my tomb, I came to see what the hold-up was.
God of Eternal Night
I-Immortality? Are you talking about the power of eternal night...?
Umayado no Miko
There is an elixir of immortality that has apparently been made more potent with magic from the Moon.
Umayado no Miko
It is a vital component of the spell that will bring me back to life in a later age.
Umayado no Miko
And it's mine. It belongs to me.
God of Eternal Night
*gasp*
God of Eternal Night
Kawakatsu... Why didn't you say anything? You knew I'd have no choice but to return it if you told me...
Hata no Kawakatsu
...
Hata no Kawakatsu
I was hoping to find some other way to resolve this, but it seems I ran out of time.
God of Eternal Night
...
God of Eternal Night
I see.
Umayado no Miko
I will not punish you if you refuse, nor will I order you. I will simply ask.
Umayado no Miko
Can you please return it to me?
God of Eternal Night
...
God of Eternal Night
Here.
Umayado no Miko
...
Umayado no Miko
The current generation will suffer, but I won't let their suffering pass down to their children.
Umayado no Miko
The age of the Moon, where predators stalk prey in the night, has ended.
Umayado no Miko
We are entering the age of the Sun, where life shall be sustained through nurture and growth.
Umayado no Miko
When I next wake up, I will live through this transition and make sure it comes to pass. That is my fate and my duty.
Umayado no Miko
Seiga Nyan Nyan, do you think I'll be able to remember what happened here?
Seiga Nyan Nyan
Not unless a miracle happens. Sending your spirit here was difficult enough as it is.
Seiga Nyan Nyan
I don't currently have the power to send you back along with these memories.
Umayado no Miko
Hmm, I see...
Umayado no Miko
That's a shame.
Futo
...I have the inkling that something like that happened.
Tojiko
What are you talking about? Stop being silly.
Futo
I'm serious! 'Tis like those memories appeared in mine head when we got here!
Futo
Tojiko... Dost thou truly know not of what I speak...?
Tojiko
Drop it. We've kept Lady Taishi waiting long enough as it is! Let's get a move on!
Saki
Oh, they're here!
Miko
Were you two chatting away all this time? You're such good friends.
Seiga Nyan Nyan
They've been like this ever since you came back to life.
Yoshika
I'm jealous.
Futo
Friends...?
Tojiko
Me and Futo...?
Futo & Tojiko
W-We're not―
Saki
Good, now that everyone's here, let's start...
Saki
The Animal Realm tour!
Story Card: Baking Extra Cookies
Marisa
Hey, PLAYER! You keeping up?!
I-I'm fine!
Marisa
Are you saving your Spell Cards? It's a good thing I brought both of mine.
Marisa
But I've worn out my mini hakkero. Fixing it's gonna be a pain once this is over.
Marisa
If only it was made out of something more durable... I should talk to Kourin about it.
I've still got both my flower and wind Spell Cards.
But I'm gonna have to restring my erhu later...!
Also, do you know where Reimu went?
Marisa
Now that you mention it, we haven't seen her for a while, huh? Maybe she got lost...
I wonder if she went down to the basement.
The mansion is bigger than it looks.
Marisa
Hmm, that could be it...
Marisa
This incident doesn't feel right either. It's a bit... much.
You mean how all of Gensokyo is covered in mist?
Marisa
No, not that.
Marisa
We've had practically non-stop battles of bullets. The youkai gatekeeper and that devil-like creature were fine...
Marisa
But what's with those youkai calling themselves Remilia's bodyguards?
Marisa
I'm fairly sure I've seen them flying around Gensokyo before...
What are they doing here?
Marisa
No idea. But don't you think it's strange?
Marisa
It reminds me of...
Marisa
...that Vampire Incident a while back.
The one where lots of youkai sided with the vampires?
Marisa
Yeah.
Marisa
What we're seeing now might be what happened during the Vampire Incident.
Marisa
Remilia's bodyguards aren't simply youkai that betrayed Gensokyo.
Marisa
They're the result of summoning magic combined with either fusing or possession magic.
Fusing...? P-Possession?!
Marisa
Uh-huh.
Marisa
I'm guessing the youkai have all been full-on possessed by summoned devils.
Marisa
Remember the darkness youkai and the winter youkai? All the youkai calling themselves Remilia's bodyguards felt off.
Marisa
The things they said were even stranger than normal. That's probably 'cause devils are taking over their minds.
But why would anyone do that?
(I hope it isn't permanent...)
???
It's more efficient this way. Well, that was the idea, anyway.
Remilia
Good evening, Marisa Kirisame, Reimu Hakurei. I am Remilia Scarlet, the Scarlet Devil.
Remilia
Wait... You're not Reimu.
Oh, I'm PLAYER.
Remilia
Hm, is that right? No matter.
Remilia
Sakuya?
Sakuya
Yes?
Remilia
Do you know where Reimu went?
Sakuya
She seems to be wandering around the basement. She's probably lost.
Remilia
I see. Well, as long as she's here somewhere.
Marisa
How do you know my name? I've never met you before.
Remilia
No, you haven't. But I have witnessed this fate countless times already.
Remilia
That's why I've long since tired of our conversation. Let's move on to the next step, shall we?
Remilia
Take it from here, Sakuya.
Sakuya
Understood. Lady Patchouli, please cast your spell.
Patchouli
*sigh* Seriously? Have my possessed youkai been defeated already?
Koakuma
And you were so proud of them, weren't you, Lady Patchouli?!
Patchouli
I don't want to hear it. Just keep quiet and help me, Koakuma.
Koakuma
I'm ready when you are, Lady Patchouli!
Marisa
What's this? Are you the devil-summoning magician?
Marisa
If you're thinking of making any more of those hybrid devil things, you should just give up now!
Marisa
I was kinda worried going into this without Reimu and her experience dealing with the Vampire Incident...
Marisa
But me and PLAYER have handled everything you've thrown at us! Isn't that right, PLAYER?
I-I suppose!
(Come quick, Reimu!)
Marisa
Those possessed youkai can't beat us!
Patchouli
You're probably right. That's why, even though it'll cost me, I'll perform a true summoning.
Patchouli
Hear that, Koakuma? We're going to use a long-form incantation.
Koakuma
Sure thing, Lady Patchouli!
Patchouli
Witness our combined Spell Card.
Koakuma
Three, two, one...
Patchouli & Koakuma
Summon: Makai Descent!
??? A
...
??? B
...
??? C
...Huh? What?!
Patchouli
Wow, we lucked out. Our triple-summoning was a huge success!
Koakuma
I knew we could do it, Lady Patchouli!
??? C
H-Hang on! I was just drinking tea, and then...
??? C
Why am I here?!
Marisa
Uh-oh! Those devils look really strong! I'm not sure we can beat 'em without Reimu...!
But one of them seems kinda confused...
Remilia
Teehee, they do look strong, don't they? They were summoned directly from Makai.
Sakuya
Once we're done here, I'll start training them as maids.
Remilia
Ooooh, great idea.
??? C
I don't wanna be a maid!
Marisa
Maids, huh...? I reckon I'd make a great maid. I could be in charge of all the building repairs.
I could help in the kitchen.
Marisa
Battling a maid is probably a violation of the Washington Convention... but oh well.
??? C
W-Wait! Why are we fighting?!
Marisa
I'm getting dangerous vibes from those two devils at the back.
Marisa
I doubt I can beat them on my own. Wanna help me out, PLAYER?!
Do you even have to ask?!
You, me, and Reimu have always got each other's back!
Even if Reimu isn't here!
Marisa
Yeah, you're right. We've always fought together!
OK then!
Marisa
Let's do this!
??? C
Quit ignoring me!
Alice
*Wakes with a start*
Alice
Oh... It was just a dream.
Alice
I can't remember the last time I dozed off during teatime...
Alice
...But it kinda felt more like a vision than a dream. Did I subconsciously cast a spell or something?
Alice
Then again, it lasted quite a while.
Alice
Visions don't usually last that long... It also felt like I was witnessing the past. Hmm, yeah, it can't have been a vision.
Alice
That means it must've just been a dream. A long dream.
Alice
Yeah, that's gotta be it! It's the only logical explanation.
Alice
Hehe, I guess I have been thinking a lot about Marisa lately. I bet that's what caused it.
Alice
That Marisa really is a bother. She makes me worry about her even when she's not here.
Alice
Anyway, back to teatime. I still haven't tried the cookies I baked. It's been a while since I last made some.
Alice
Oh, but before that, I have to make some more tea...
Alice
Huh? That's strange.
Alice
My tea and cookies...
Alice
...are still warm.
Story Card Column 2
Hatate
I don't believe it...
Hatate
Is this how Story Cards are made?!
Rinnosuke
No, I didn't make them. I just kind of made them appear.
Rinnosuke
It's similar to how I can learn the names and intended uses of tools. I'm not exactly sure how I do it, though.
Rinnosuke
It doesn't always work, either. There's probably some sort of pre-requisite, but I've got no idea what that might be.
Hatate
Honestly, I don't really see how that's different from making them...
Hatate
Either way, it's pretty amazing.
Hatate
I simply told you stories I heard somewhere, and then these Story Cards appeared as if they were my stories given form.
Hatate
Since you say you didn't make them, does that mean you copied something that already exists somewhere?
Hatate
Is there something like the negative of a photo that can be used to make Story Card copies?
Rinnosuke
Hmmm, I suppose that's possible.
Rinnosuke
But it's also possible that the original Story Cards don't exist anywhere. Or if they do, they're somewhere out of reach.
Hatate
What do you mean?
Rinnosuke
It's often said that photos capture the truth, but the whole truth cannot be perceived with a camera or the naked eye.
Rinnosuke
It's the same as those stories you "heard somewhere."
Rinnosuke
Rumors and hearsay can never be the truth. Even if you hear a story from an eyewitness, it's still hearsay.
Rinnosuke
The truth is always changing, and the same truth can never be perceived even if two people observe it simultaneously.
Rinnosuke
The truth someone perceives is only true to them. When they share it with someone else, it inevitably becomes hearsay.
Rinnosuke
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Hatate
I do, but...
Hatate
I know someone who would get really mad if she heard you say that. She believes the exact opposite.
Hatate
She thinks that even if something's made up or subjective, it becomes the truth if everyone believes it.
Rinnosuke
She might be right, but that doesn't contradict what I said.
Hatate
Huh?
Hatate
No, it clearly does.
Rinnosuke
You think?
Rinnosuke
Look at those new Story Cards in your hands. They show familiar faces living in some version of Gensokyo.
Rinnosuke
While those Story Cards aren't Gensokyo or your friends, one look is enough to remind you of them.
Rinnosuke
I'm sure this is because Story Cards have a hidden use. They can be used to connect us with the truth.
Rinnosuke
Even if this isn't the actual truth, it's more than just a meaningless lie.
Rinnosuke
I feel like they're connected to us.
Rinnosuke
That's why I want you to keep them safe.
Hatate
...I will.
Rinnosuke
Thank you.
