410 - 450F
410F - Doubts
???
...
???
PLAYER...
???
My beautiful child.
Um, Miss Wordsmith, I've got something to tell you!
Wordsmith
Oh, what is it?
Wordsmith
I'm suspicious?!
Wordsmith
I can't believe this...
No, um, that's just what some people said...!
Wordsmith
S-Sorry.
Wordsmith
It's not that I didn't consider this possibility, but it hurts a lot more than I thought it would...
Wordsmith
I need a moment to compose myself.
...
(This is taking a while...)
Wordsmith
OK!
Wordsmith
I'm fine now!
Wordsmith
I'm mostly back to my usual self.
Wordsmith
...
(That must've come as quite a shock.)
Wordsmith
...
I don't think you're suspicious, Miss Wordsmith.
I remember what you told me before.
You said you could only talk about stuff I already know.
Wordsmith
...!
So if I doubt you... I'd be doubting myself.
Doubts won't get me anywhere.
I have to trust in myself and learn new things.
Wordsmith
Wow...!
Wordsmith
I couldn't have said it better myself! You'll never broaden your understanding if you doubt everything you already know.
Wordsmith
That said, we should probably start doing that now.
Wordsmith
We don't have enough time to waste it talking about random things.
Wordsmith
And when I say time, I mean your proper time. Or more specifically, PLAYER's proper time.
What do you mean?
Is this about how my time will eventually run out...?
Wordsmith
In a manner of speaking.
Wordsmith
Time that is not proper time is called coordinate time, and its length is relative.
Wordsmith
Since time and space are interconnected, there is no past or present, and all spacetimes are covariant.
Wordsmith
The only reason you experience time as a continual flow is because you're a human, and humans move slowly―
T-Time out! What are you talking about?!
Wordsmith
Hm?
Wordsmith
Oh, now I understand. It should've been obvious.
Wordsmith
We share the same umbrella of understanding, but that doesn't mean you can understand all the words I speak.
Wordsmith
You will misinterpret my explanation if I don't choose the right words. But unfortunately, that's unavoidable.
Wordsmith
I am the Wordsmith. I can only know something by putting it into my own words.
Wordsmith
Please forgive me.
Wordsmith
It's like we speak different languages. We share an understanding, but not the words used to express it.
Wordsmith
But that's OK. Since we share an understanding, you already know what I'm trying to tell you.
You've lost me...
Wordsmith
To you, I'm sure my words are like ancient fossils.
Wordsmith
We speak words to express ideas, but words can never become the ideas themselves.
Wordsmith
If words change, so does the interpretation of the ideas they were meant to express. This is a big problem.
Wordsmith
If you found the bone of an animal you didn't know the name of, would you call it a fossil?
Wordsmith
The boundaries of such a thing are so vague that they become one with the world around them.
Wordsmith
I have to use words to explain things to you. But one day, these words might evolve and distort my intended meaning.
Wordsmith
Normally, there wouldn't be any point for beings like us who share an understanding to converse with each other.
Wordsmith
However, the words we use, their connotations, and the boundaries they set are different.
Wordsmith
So, our conversation may lead to new discoveries.
Wordsmith
We don't have long to talk, so let's quickly summarize what we know.
Wordsmith
We will discuss your connections with the Lost Word Incident, the worlds you visited, and the people you met...
Wordsmith
And what you have to do next.
Wordsmith
First, let's talk about the Gensokyo you wandered into.
Wordsmith
The people there are strangely kind toward you. You share a common destiny with them.
Wordsmith
As a general rule, they cannot retain any memories from other worlds.
Wordsmith
But thanks to the sages, some have recognized the danger of the Lost Word Incident and are working to prevent it.
Wordsmith
Festivals are periodically held in that Gensokyo to educate the inhabitants and help them hone their bullet battle skills.
Wordsmith
I'm sure you already know this, but the Lost Word Incident will eventually reach that Gensokyo.
What?!
Wordsmith
Even if, for some chance, you still don't know about that, it will not come as a surprise.
Wordsmith
You and all of Gensokyo will rally together to confront the Lost Word Incident.
Wordsmith
And for that very reason, you will lose.
(Is that a prediction...?)
(No, it can't be... She said there's no future or past.)
Wordsmith
Now, let's talk about the other Gensokyos and the parallel presences who inhabit them.
Wordsmith
Those worlds lost something due to the Lost Words, and you presumed that's why they were on the brink of destruction.
Wordsmith
But that doesn't appear to be the case. The worlds suffering from prolonged incidents contradict that theory.
Wordsmith
It's also strange how you can travel through a chain of parallel worlds despite the fact that they are supposed to be infinite.
Wordsmith
Is this really OK? Shouldn't there be repercussions for doing such a thing?
Wordsmith
How many worlds were destined to end even before they were afflicted by the Lost Word Incident?
Wordsmith
The only way to know for sure is to stop the incident from spreading and trace it back to its source.
Wordsmith
Next, let's talk about the girls who hop from world to world. Specifically, the blue Reimu and her allies.
Wordsmith
Before they met you, they had concluded that resolving the Lost Words was impossible.
Wordsmith
So, they decided to conform affected worlds to their Lost Words to prevent the incident from spreading.
Wordsmith
Their methods were different, but you both shared and continue to share the same goal.
Wordsmith
But where did those girls come from? What caused them to leave their home world?
Wordsmith
How did they acquire the ability to travel to other worlds? And was it merely a coincidence that they met you?
Wordsmith
Many constructs connect parallel worlds. The Probability Space Hypervessel forms bonds between overlapping beings.
Wordsmith
The multidimensional neural network allows interworld travel, and the Ruins of Memory records repeating journeys.
Wordsmith
The retirees who speak to you from a world that has ended were brimming with hope when everything began.
Wordsmith
No, calling that moment the "beginning" is a bit misleading, as the beginning is also the end.
Wordsmith
Either way, they have almost given up hope now.
Wordsmith
That's because of all the repeated failures.
Wordsmith
And it is not they who have failed. It's you...
Wordsmith
We have failed.
Wordsmith
Now, we get to the heart of the matter...
Wordsmith
What is the True Lost Word? What word is missing from every world?
Miss Wordsmith, how much do you...
No, that's not the right question...
How much do WE know?
Wordsmith
You're going to have to face the truth soon.
Wordsmith
You must face the "why."
Wordsmith
The "how."
Wordsmith
And the "who" that caused the Lost Word Incident.
...!
Wordsmith
The answers lie in the―
Wordsmith
SUIMOCHINIMIISHI SESUCHINNISU NIMI KIIMITORANONNRA
What...?
Wordsmith
―■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■ ■■■■.
420F - Interworld Festivals
(It's like my dreams and reality are blending together...)
(I hope this doesn't get any worse!)
(Wait... where is everyone? Did they leave me behind?!)
(Uh oh... I think I'm gonna faint again...)
???
Then it's a good thing you've got me!
Huh?!
I know that voice!
Is that you, Miss Wordsmith?!
Wordsmith
That's me. I'm the wife of your heart, your fearless big sis, and your older little sister all in one.
Wordsmith
I'm your Wordsmith Mobile!
M-M-Mobile?!
It's like you're speaking directly into my mind...
It's kinda scary.
Wordsmith
What do you mean "scary"?! I just saved you from fainting. Is that the thanks I get?
Wordsmith
I'm sure I raised you to be better than that! Don't you remember the magic words?!
S-Sorry. Thank you. You're the best.
Wordsmith
SO CUTE! I forgive you!
Thanks!
Phew...
Wordsmith
More possibilities will converge as you climb the tower. But if you don't keep your wits about you, they might split again.
Wordsmith
Fortunately, this convergence of possibilities grants beings like me the power to indirectly influence some events.
Wordsmith
That said, the best I can do at the moment is project myself as a voice that only you can hear.
Oh, so I'm the only one who can hear you, huh?
Wordsmith
That's right!
Sumireko
Who are you talking to?! She sounds like a really nice lady!
Huh?
Wordsmith
How can you hear me?!
Sumireko
Sup, PLAYER-o! It's been a while, huh?
Sumireko
Or maybe not. I've been sleeping all this time, so it can't have been that long since we last met.
Sumireko
It's probably only been a few hours. I'm not waking up anytime soon!
Yeah, it is kinda hard to keep track of time here...
Sumireko
Oh, speaking of time... I realized something recently.
Sumireko
You know how Reimers and Rissa have resolved a bunch of incidents in the past, yeah?
Sumireko
Well, don't you think they've resolved way too many?
Sumireko
Like, if they resolved around one incident per year, as they claim, they must've been doing it from before they were born.
Sumireko
Either that, or they're much older than they look. But there's no way that's true, right? At least... I hope not.
Sumireko
There's gotta be some other explanation...
Sumireko
Well, whatever! I doubt I'll figure it out just by thinking about it.
So, um, what brings you to the Scarlet Devil Tower?
Sumireko
That's a good question...
Sumireko
It was probably the call of adventure!
Sumireko
We live in an age where the only place you can really go adventuring is in games.
Sumireko
So, I thought it might be a nice change of pace to go on a big and fantastical adventure beyond Gensokyo.
Sumireko
Hahaha.
(It sounds like she forgot the real reason...)
Wordsmith
(So it would seem.)
Wordsmith
Oh, sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet, have I? Call me Wordsmith.
Wordsmith
You can't see me... but I suppose you could think of me like a voice that only you and PLAYER can hear.
Sumireko
Oh, so you're like the voice that plays during a game's tutorial. I didn't know things like that could actually exist.
Sumireko
Nice to meet you, Wordy!
Wordsmith
No, um, it's Word―
Sumireko
So, Wordy, what brings you to the Scarlet Devil Tower?
Sumireko
I overheard you talking about converging possibilities or something...
Sumireko
But I got no idea what that means!
Wordsmith
Yes, I suppose I could explain that.
Wordsmith
This isn't limited to just the tower, but when parallel worlds converge, people can randomly cross between worlds.
Wordsmith
Well, I say randomly, but there is some logic to it. It tends to happen more frequently when certain conditions are met.
Sumireko
Yikes! Isn't that, like, really bad?!
Wordsmith
Kind of. Different universes are beginning to link with each other, and that can never be a good thing.
Wordsmith
However, it's not like they'll actually merge anytime soon.
Wordsmith
We'll reach the top of the tower long before that happens, so there's nothing to worry about.
Sumireko
I still don't really get it, but I guess I was overreacting, huh?
Wordsmith
Also, there's no danger of different universes becoming so interconnected that anyone can just hop between them at will.
Wordsmith
There's merely the possibility that someone might suddenly find themselves in another world.
Sumireko
Oh, that's OK then!
Sumireko
Actually... that's not OK at all!
That sounds pretty scary!
Sumireko
Honestly, I still don't really understand, so can you please explain everything again but slower and in more detail?!
Sumireko
I also wanna know more about the Lost Word Incident! It'll probably take a while, so it doesn't have to be now.
Um, so about the parallel worlds connecting...
I get that people randomly appear in different worlds...
But is that happening in every universe?
Wordsmith
You've already witnessed the partial merging of worlds and random interworld travelers on your adventures.
Wordsmith
I'm talking about the Capital's vassal worlds and the Divergent Spirits.
Wordsmith
If there's a world where these things haven't yet occurred, they will occur there soon.
Sumireko
Which worlds are we talking about here? Can't you be more specific?
Wordsmith
I'm almost certain that your Gensokyo will be next.
Oh, is that right?
Sumireko
Hmm, I see.
Sumireko
Wait, what?!
Uh-oh!
Wordsmith
Then again, it could also be a different world that neighbors your Gensokyo.
Wordsmith
There are as many parallel worlds as branching possibilities, so telling them apart isn't easy.
Wordsmith
It's like if you lived in a city full of identical houses. If you leave home, you might never find your way back.
Sumireko
But wasn't our Gensokyo connected to the bottom of the tower? So how come worlds converge more toward the top?
Sumireko
Is it because time advances with altitude? No, but it takes time just to climb the tower...
Sumireko
Argh, I don't get it. I should've paid more attention in physics class.
Wordsmith
Don't worry about it. The Yukari Yakumos have already planned for just such an occurrence.
Sumireko
Really?
Are you talking about the festivals?!
Wordsmith
Indeed. For some reason, incidents have stopped occurring, so they decided to hold festivals instead.
Wordsmith
If people from other worlds start appearing in your Gensokyo, that will only add to the festivities.
Wordsmith
It's like how the Spell Card Rules are adapted to suit each new incident.
Isn't that dangerous?
Wordsmith
A little. Just as accidents can happen in duels conducted under the Spell Card Rules, interworld festivals aren't exactly safe.
Wordsmith
However, the visitors will appear without any memories, and they'll forget everything that happened when they leave.
Wordsmith
As long as you keep dodging any accidental mishaps, everything will turn out OK.
Sumireko
I see. So it's kinda like a battle of bullets.
??? A
That sounds really fun.
??? B
But we only heard bits and pieces, so I still don't really understand what they're talking about.
??? A
I was getting to that, Princess.
Seija
So there's gonna be interworld festivals, huh? Tell us all about 'em.
Shinmyoumaru
If your info can aid us in our fight to protect the weak, we'll let you become our allies!
Sumireko
WOW!
Sumireko
It's that pretty girl and the inchling I wanted to keep as a pet! But one's upside down, and the other's a little bit bigger!
Sumireko
They both look kinda different, but I can immediately tell who they are!
Sumireko
They might be the best parallel versions yet!
Seija
Me?! Pretty?!
Shinmyoumaru
Who are you calling a PET?!
Shinmyoumaru
Hey, Seija... doesn't that human kinda remind you of that girl who showed up shortly after our incident got prolonged?
Seija
Yeah, there was a girl who called you a pet, huh? I think her name was Sumireko! She also wore the same kinda cape!
Shinmyoumaru
Uh-oh! I have really bad memories of her!
Seija
But this one called me pretty. Let's travel with them up to the next break spot, Princess!
Shinmyoumaru
What?! No way! That's too dangerous! Humans from the outside world don't treat tools with the respect they deserve!
Sumireko
...
Sumireko
Haha, maybe you should've talked about that before you showed yourselves.
It looks like they'll be climbing with us for a while!
430F - Wicked Debate
Sumireko
So, was it worth climbing the tower with us? Did you figure anything out?
Seija
You betcha. I discovered something pretty amazing.
Shinmyoumaru
Me too! Can I share what I discovered first?
Seija
Oh, sure. Go ahead, Princess.
Shinmyoumaru
It's actually pretty simple, but I think it's important.
Shinmyoumaru
Sumireko is kinda crazy!
Shinmyoumaru
But in a good way!
Sumireko
Ummm, is that it?
Shinmyoumaru
What do you mean, "Is that it"? This is a crazy discovery.
Seija
I'm with Sumireko on this one. All you've really said is that it's crazy.
Shinmyoumaru
Quiet, Seija! It's still my turn!
Seija
Haha, sorry.
Shinmyoumaru
I thought for sure you were a scary giant, like the kind that pulls legs off bugs just to sate their curiosity.
Sumireko
(Some humans are kinda like that...)
Shinmyoumaru
But now, after seeing you battle, I know how amazing you are! Your psychic powers are so COOL!
Shinmyoumaru
They're not quite as powerful as my Miracle Mallet, but they're really close!
Shinmyoumaru
And you do all that without using any tools. It's crazy! I don't know how else to describe it!
Shinmyoumaru
Maybe you're like some kind of magic item yourself, powered by your own ambitions...?
Sumireko
(What does she mean by that? The more I think about it, the worse it sounds...)
Shinmyoumaru
That's why I wanna ask you something, Sumireko...
Sumireko
What is it?
Shinmyoumaru
Wanna be my underling?!
Sumireko
...!
Sumireko
(Wow, I never thought I'd receive such a heartfelt proposal from an inchling! Should I accept? ...No, what am I thinking?!)
Shinmyoumaru
I believe we can truly turn our world on its head if we can find a replacement for the oni magic. We need your help.
Shinmyoumaru
You're our only hope, Sumireko. Please say yes...
Sumireko
(How can I refuse when she looks at me like that?!)
Sumireko
B-But I can't just...! There are so many things I have to consider...!
Seija
She's right, Princess. You're coming on a bit too strong.
Seija
She'll have to talk with her parents first before making a big decision like that.
Seija
Isn't that right, Sumireko?
Sumireko
Y-Yeah, what she said!
Shinmyoumaru
Fine...
Shinmyoumaru
By the way, Seija, what was the thing you discovered?
Seija
Oh, that. Umm...
(Why is she looking at me?)
Seija
...Nah, don't worry about it. It was nothing important.
Shinmyoumaru
What?! Don't give me that! C'mon, tell me!
??? A
Um, excuse me.
??? B
Urggghhhh!
Seiga
I'm Seiga Nyan Nyan. A hermit.
Seiga
And this is my jiang shi, Yoshika.
Yoshika
I'm a ZOMBIE!
Seiga
Sorry, I know this is sudden, but please let me perform a hermit scan on you all.
Seiga
*stare*
Seiga
Hmm, I didn't expect to find an inchling here. I thought they went extinct.
Seiga
Unfortunately, you don't seem to have what it takes to become a hermit.
Seiga
Some people might want to keep you as a curiosity, but you don't interest me at all. Next.
Seiga
Oh, how funny. You're upside down. Hmm, you remind me of something...
Seiga
Ah, I see. You're a river youkai. I hate youkai.
Seiga
Not to mention, you seem a bit too much like myself. You're no good at all. Next.
Seiga
...
Seiga
Wow!
Seiga
Our search might be over. I think I've finally found a potential hermit servant for our brave sage leader.
Yoshika
Who knew it'd be that easy?
Seiga
I've been watching your battles of bullets for a while now, so I had high hopes.
Seiga
...
Seiga
All right, I've decided.
Seiga
Do you mind if we join you for a bit? I'd like to see you battle up close.
Yoshika
Please!
(We're quite a big group now.)
(I wonder where Reimu and the others went...)
440F - I'm Her Mother
...
...Huh? Did I fall asleep again?
Where's Sumireko...? And the others?!
M-Miss Wordsmith?!
Am I all alone?!
??? A
...
??? B
...
It's the twins from before...
But they look kinda sad...
D-Did something happen?
Is there anything I can do to help?
??? A
...
??? B
...
??? A
You...
??? B
We'll never forgive you...
What?!
??? A & ??? B
WE'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!
...?!
??? A
Why did you abandon us?
??? B
Why did you ignore us?
??? A
Again and again, we asked for your help.
??? B
We swallowed our pride and asked you, an ordinary human, to save us.
??? A
We desperately reached out to you.
??? B
We begged you.
??? A & ??? B
WHY DID YOU ABANDON US?!
??? A
I've never felt more betrayed than the moment I realized you weren't going to save us.
??? A
I felt like an utter fool. By the time we knew you had deceived us, it was already too late.
??? A
You tricked us! You! A lowly human!
??? B
When I was there, crawling on the ground, looking up at you... do you know what went through my mind?
??? B
Questions. What are you really after? What could justify betraying us? What could you possibly have to gain?
??? B
Pathetic, isn't it? I'm supposed to be the demon, but you're way more evil and manipulative than me.
...
??? A
Why did you betray us? Asking you this now is pointless, but I still want to know.
??? B
It's too late to change anything, but you must've had a reason, right?
??? A & ??? B
Maybe there was something we could've done...
??? C
There's no point asking her. How many times do you think you've tried?
??? D
Exactly... I've lost count of how many times we've repeated this.
Who are you...?
??? C
Don't get me wrong. It's not that we wanted to give up. In fact, we were brimming with hope at the beginning.
??? C
We thought we'd succeed.
??? C
And it was you, PLAYER, who made us think that.
Me...?
??? D
It's not right for us to blame you, though.
??? D
We chose to put our faith in you. And inevitably, that's what led to our defeat.
??? D
The end of all things was determined the moment we mistakenly chose to rely on you.
...
??? C
Yes, it was a mistake. A mistake we can never put right. There's no denying that.
??? D
We've accepted that. Many times. And we'll have to keep accepting it with each new repetition.
??? C & ??? D
That is our punishment.
??? E
Everything we tried was pointless. I'm tired of saying that, but there's not much else to say.
??? F
All my emotions are spent. I no longer feel angry, appalled, or even sad.
??? G
But we still have regrets. We can never stop regretting what happened.
...
??? E
What makes this worse is that PLAYER is right here in front of us, but we're powerless to do anything.
??? F
There's no way for us to exact our revenge. If there was, we would already be doing it.
??? G
Despite all that, she still appears before us. As if to rub salt in the wound.
??? E
Are you still not satisfied?
??? E
What more can you hope to take from us?!
??? E
Haven't you done enough harm already?
??? E
...
??? E
It's no good. I tried to remain calm, but I can't contain this burning resentment.
??? F
It's too late for us to change anything. So, all we can do is pray.
??? F
Pray over and over toward a single purpose.
??? F
From the bottom of our hearts, we pray about you, PLAYER.
??? F
We pray that you will falter and that your ambitions are never realized.
??? F
We pray that your fate is cursed.
??? F
Curse you, PLAYER.
??? G
There's nothing we can do to stop you, PLAYER.
??? G
We were all dancing to your tune from the start. No one has orchestrated such a monstrous plot before. Not even in Makai.
??? G
Who, or better yet, what are you? I can't believe that a mere human was capable of all this...
??? G
Not to mention that you've continued to keep your motives hidden all this time. No one ever knows what you're after.
??? G
I can't begin to imagine what kind of being could do this. It goes against everything I know.
??? E
You're right. We underestimated her.
??? E
Even now, after looking back on everything she's done to us... we still don't know what she's fully capable of.
??? E
We never should've trusted her. Though, it's too late for that now.
??? F
Everything's too late. We've already failed at everything we tried to accomplish.
??? G
All that's left for us is to wallow in regret until the end of time...
...
I...
??? A
Oh, have you got something to say?
??? B
What could you possibly have to say to us now?
??? C
Give it a rest, PLAYER. You've done enough already.
??? D
Doing or saying anything more will only add fuel to the fire.
??? C
Though, that's probably what you're after, isn't it? You're happy to sacrifice everyone else to achieve your own ends.
??? D
That's what you've always done, and what you'll continue to do. You want to bring about the worst possible end.
??? C
...
??? D
...
??? C
Please. Don't cause any more trouble.
??? C
Don't cause any more chaos.
??? D
All we ask is that you leave us and our world to fade away in peace.
??? D
Please.
...
(Is this all my doing...?)
(I can't know for sure because I've lost my memory.)
(Isn't there something I can do to help them?)
(Or is it because I'm PLAYER that I can't?)
...
B-But...
Since you've all appeared before me...
...that means there must be something I can do...
I don't know what that might be, but...
???
Don't say anything, PLAYER!
??? C
Who's there?!
??? D
Show yourself!
???
Unfortunately, I cannot reveal myself. But I can tell you my name!
??? C & ??? D
Let's hear it then.
Wordsmith
I'm Wordsmith! I'm sure you've heard of me!
Wordsmith
And I'll have you know that I'm also PLAYER's mother!
N-No, um, that's not―
450F - Turning Point
??? A
Wordsmith...?
??? B
A smither of words?
??? C
Who's that?
??? D
Don't look at me.
??? E
(I've never heard that name before.)
??? F
(Me neither.)
??? G
(Who is she...?)
It doesn't look like anyone knows you, Miss Wordsmith.
I'm guessing this isn't the reaction you expected.
Wordsmith
Oh? That's awfully strange.
Wordsmith
...Actually, maybe not.
Wordsmith
My level of understanding transcends that of the people here... Right, so that means... *mumble*
Wordsmith
I underestimated the discrepancies in information between us... A foolish mistake... *incoherent postulations*
Wordsmith
They're simply recalling what they already understand... The feeling that we're conversing is a delusion... *ramble*
Wordsmith
I get it now. It all makes sense!
That was quick!
Wordsmith
Hello, everyone. You appear to have forgotten my name and what I look like.
Wordsmith
And I know why. It's because you're retirees.
Wordsmith
But I'm sure you can't have forgotten everything.
Wordsmith
Think about what my presence here could mean.
Wordsmith
You should be able to figure it out through a process of elimination.
??? C
Ah! ...I'm so angry.
??? D
Me too. I don't know why, but she irritates me.
??? A
I don't get it. When I think of you, Wordsmith, it triggers emotions inside me.
??? B
Yeah, and not in a good way. On the other hand... What do you feel about PLAYER?
??? A
Strangely, I think I feel less resentful.
??? B
Same. That feeling's still there, but it's not nearly as strong as before.
What's going on?
Wordsmith
It seems I've managed to stop everyone from hating you, PLAYER. Now we can all be happy again!
??? E
DO WE―
??? F
LOOK HAPPY―
??? G
TO YOU?!
??? E
You're the new target of our ire! Don't think you can trick us just because we're confused!
??? F
In fact, not knowing what's going on is making me even more angry! And it's all your fault!
??? G
There's no way of knowing for sure... but I get the feeling that she might've tricked us just like this in previous repetitions.
Wordsmith
Uh-oh. Did I make things worse?
Looks like it!
Wordsmith
However, this is much better than them hating you, PLAYER.
Wordsmith
This is a weight that beings like me should bear. It's too heavy for a human.
Wordsmith
That said, I'd still like to try and resolve this somehow...
??? H
Settle down, everyone. Yelling at her won't solve anything.
??? I
Listen to the captain!
??? H
Complaining is about as useful as giving up. And scientists never give up when there are still more answers to find.
??? H
We never give up, even if it seems like we've reached a dead end after exhausting every option.
??? C
But we're not scientists.
??? I
Silence! The captain's speaking!
??? H
Haha, settle down.
??? H
Scientists aren't the only ones who perform science, just like how magicians aren't the only ones who cast magic.
??? H
My solitary journey began when I realized the scientific community's oversight. But I was right, and they were wrong.
??? H
The truth may seem strange or unreasonable, but if it's right before your eyes, you can't just ignore it.
??? H
That's what it means to be a scientist. If you can't explain and analyze the truth, you're turning your back on science.
??? H
No, that's not quite right. It's more about trying to understand the truth than explaining it. To do anything else is a mistake.
??? I
Exactly!
??? H
I know it's tough, but we have to keep trying.
??? H
We must experiment, analyze the results, and reproduce them. All while recognizing our mistakes and correcting them.
??? H
That's our only path to survival.
??? H
Wordsmith.
Wordsmith
...Yes?
??? H
I've never heard of you before. There must be a reason for that.
??? H
Did you just appear now after all this time? No, that can't be right. I'm sure this has happened countless times before.
??? H
The conditions were met, and you appeared before us... only we weren't able to perceive you.
??? H
That's how most scientific discoveries were made. And it's also how I discovered magic.
??? H
That's why...
??? H
...we'll surely meet again.
??? C
No matter how deep she falls into the pit of despair, she can't stop searching for the light...
??? C
It's like a curse that all scientists must bear.
??? I
...
??? I
Don't get the wrong idea, Wordsmith, PLAYER.
??? I
The captain is just as angry and frustrated as the others. She didn't say those things out of sympathy for you.
??? I
Comparative physicists are compelled to seek new possibilities. And that has already burned the captain in the past...
??? I
No, that doesn't concern you. Forget I said that.
...
Wordsmith
...
Huh?!
Marisa?
Sorry for the sudden connection. We need some data.
Marisa?
Hm? Is there someone there with you?
Marisa?
No, I must be imagining things.
Marisa?
Anyway, I'm gonna forcefully bring you to us now. Brace yourself.
Marisa?
Again, sorry for calling you here so suddenly. There was no other choice.
...Umm, Marisa? Is that you?
Marisa?
Hm?
Yukari?
It seems her sense of chronology has been messed up. But we can't blame her for that.
Marisa?
Right. Individual humans inevitably delude themselves into thinking of time as a linear sequence of events...
Marisa?
...even though such sequences are irrelevant to beings who simultaneously exist in multiple parallel worlds.
Yukari?
Not to mention that we forcefully made contact with her. We should've expected some confusion.
Marisa?
Yeah.
I don't really get it, but I'm glad you seem nice.
Marisa?
Haha.
Marisa?
Oops, I forgot we were on the clock. Making interworld calls doesn't come cheap.
Marisa?
I'll try to explain what I can as we extract the information we need from you.
Marisa?
...
Marisa?
You've managed to prove multiple theories by climbing the Scarlet Devil Tower.
Marisa?
One of them is that climbing the tower is equivalent to traveling back in time.
Marisa?
It's basically the same as going on an interstellar trip to see the stars that have long since died out.
Marisa?
As I'm sure you're aware, stars far away from Earth are also far back in the past.
Marisa?
You could also say that the more distant a star is, the more of the past it has recorded.
Marisa?
Sorry, I'm rambling. I was meaning to tell you what we've learned from this.
Marisa?
You will soon face an event of similar, if not equal, proportions to cosmic inflation.
Marisa?
Cosmic inflation is the period of time when the universe expanded at an exponential rate.
Marisa?
Similarly, the event you will face will involve an explosive expansion of possibilities that will suddenly become reality.
Marisa?
And as per your role, you will vicariously experience them all.
Th-That doesn't sound good!
Yukari?
Don't worry. Another me has already taken precautions against this.
Yukari?
Yes, I'm talking about the festivals. The flame of festivities has been kept alight all this time.
Yukari?
Thanks to this, the brunt of the possibility explosion will be taken and absorbed by a new type of festival.
Yukari?
And that's where you come in... Or rather, the yous who participate in festivals.
Yukari?
By observing and experiencing these new festivals, you will provide us with more data to analyze.
Yukari?
We're counting on you, PLAYER.
O-OK!
(But this still doesn't sound very good!)
