510 - 600F
Index
- 510F - Lady Genso
- 520F - Beyond the Lost Boundary
- 530F - Ailment of Dreams and Illusions
- 540F - Film Paradoxes
- 550F - Unresolved A-Type Case Files
- 560F - Unresolved Am6 Case File
- 570F - Unresolved Am6 Case File Part 2
- 580F - Unresolved Am6 Case File Part 3
- 590F - Provisional Gensokyo
- 600F - Wordsmith Prayer
510F - Lady Genso
???
I...
???
I still haven't finished it.
???
It's not yet complete, but it's on its way.
???
No one likes being interrupted. No matter how justified it may be.
???
It's still in progress―still in development.
???
But, at this rate, it should be completed soon.
???
So, please... don't get in my way. Not now.
???
I'm...
Lady Genso
I'm Lady Genso.
Lady Genso
I have a responsibility to notice every detail, see through every deception, and watch over everything.
Lady Genso
And I've fulfilled that responsibility as per my role.
Lady Genso
Being spied on doesn't feel good, so I thought I'd be angry about it even though I'm guilty of spying myself.
Lady Genso
But I came to terms with it quickly.
Lady Genso
I no longer care about being watched. I don't even care that someone's watching me right now.
Lady Genso
You are watching, aren't you?
This place...
...is where the last semblance of Gensokyo stands.
Out of all the countless Gensokyos that have fallen to ruin, this is the most distant, the most divergent...
The one that has passed through the most iterations. It's the one and only Gensokyo of the end.
???
Why are you talking to yourself?
???
I'd like to chat with you again like old times. No, we still can, can't we?
???
After all, we're still friends.
Lady Genso
...
Lady Genso
Lady of Rapturous Death.
Lady of Rapturous Death
You know...
Lady of Rapturous Death
I like you, Lady Genso.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I even like the you who calls me by my title.
Lady of Rapturous Death
You're still you, so...
Lady of Rapturous Death
No, I shouldn't say it like that. It does you a disservice.
Lady of Rapturous Death
It doesn't matter if you've changed or not. You're still you either way.
Lady of Rapturous Death
And as long as you're you, you're my friend. My best friend.
Lady Genso
...
Lady Genso
You're not wrong, Lady of Rapturous Death.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I thought you went to see that star girl...
Lady Genso
You mean the Lady of Shooting Stars?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Yes, her.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I didn't think you'd get back until much later. I know you're fast, but not that fast.
Lady Genso
Oh, that...
Lady Genso
...If I can tell Lady of Rapturous Death about it, I suppose I can tell whoever's watching too. I don't really mind.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Are you talking to yourself again? You sound annoyed.
Lady Genso
Do I? No matter.
Lady Genso
Let's chat like old times.
Lady Genso
I went to see the Lady of Shooting Stars. That was me. But the one who stayed here is also me.
Lady Genso
They are both equally me. Do you understand what I'm saying?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Hmmm, how strange.
Lady Genso
Really? Strange, is it?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Yes. Nobody can think two different thoughts simultaneously.
Lady of Rapturous Death
No matter how accurate your body clock is, you can't make a tiny clock appear in the corner of your vision.
Lady Genso
You might be right. But that's what I did.
Lady Genso
But I've only come into this power recently, so I'm still figuring things out.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I see... That doesn't sound good.
Lady of Rapturous Death
That must be a terrible burden. I pity you, Lady Genso.
Lady Genso
Pity?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Yes. Very much so.
Lady of Rapturous Death
We're all trying to do whatever we can, each in our own way.
Lady of Rapturous Death
But... that doesn't include you. You're different.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Well, I suppose Lady Fantasy is also different from the rest of us, but my point stands.
Lady of Rapturous Death
You're the only one...
Lady of Rapturous Death
...who is trying to sacrifice everything for everybody else.
Lady of Rapturous Death
You're becoming too selfless. Too helpful. You shouldn't want this.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Are you trying to do everything by yourself? Is it omnipotence that you seek?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Are you planning to become a god?
Lady of Rapturous Death
The one God for all of us?
Lady Genso
...
Lady Genso
No, of course not. That's not possible.
Lady Genso
I'm no different from you or any of the others. If necessary, I would happily trade places with any one of you.
Lady Genso
I'm just willing to do what must be done.
Lady Genso
And if that means I have to become something I'm not, that's what I'll do.
Lady Genso
I'll become a god or an oni.
Lady Genso
I'll become a caring mother, a protected and cared-for daughter, or a supportive wife.
Lady Genso
Whatever it takes.
Lady Genso
I'll even become a human if I have to.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I admire your commitment. I do.
Lady of Rapturous Death
But it's not right. It's madness.
Lady Genso
I've always been mad.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Yes, I suppose that's true.
Lady of Rapturous Death
But still...
Lady of Rapturous Death
What's so great about Gensokyo that you'd sacrifice everything for it?
Lady Genso
...
???
It's almost time, Lady of Rapturous Death.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Oh, already?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Do we have to go now, Lady Mortal Phantasm?
Lady Mortal Phantasm
Yes. There's no time to waste.
Lady Genso
...
Lady Genso
Out of all the people with titles, it seems only you two managed to retain your good relationship.
Lady of Rapturous Death
No, it probably just looks that way to you because we work well together. We're the same as everyone else.
Lady of Rapturous Death
We're going to save the one and only Gensokyo.
Lady of Rapturous Death
But we'll each go about it in our own way. Trusting in our own methods.
Lady of Rapturous Death
We may look like the best of friends, but our alliance is only a matter of convenience. It's temporary.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Isn't that right, Lady Mortal Phantasm?
Lady Mortal Phantasm
That goes without saying, Lady of Rapturous Death.
Lady Genso
...
Lady of Rapturous Death
However...
Lady of Rapturous Death
In a small way, our relationship mirrors yours with Lady Fantasy.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I won't say anything more than that. I do not wish to offend you, Lady Genso.
Lady Genso
...
Lady Genso
Thank you. You've always known how to treat people well, Lady of Rapturous Death.
Lady of Rapturous Death
You should let me see her next time.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I would very much like to see...
Lady of Rapturous Death
Your dear Lady Fantasy.
520F - Beyond the Lost Boundary
???
...
???
...?
???
...PLAYER-o?
???
Wake up, PLAYER-o!
Oh, hey, Sumireko... Morning.
Sumireko
Are you OK, PLAYER-o?
Sumireko
You just suddenly fell asleep out of nowhere, and I didn't know what to do.
I think I had a long dream, but I can't remember it...
Umm... Yeah, I'm OK! I feel good!
Sumireko
Are you sure? I think I'll keep an eye on you anyway, just in case. The next time you doze off, I'll give you a piggyback!
Sumireko
Don't say I didn't warn you, OK? I know getting a piggyback is pretty embarrassing for kids your age.
R-Right! I'll be careful!
Wait...
Sumireko
What's wrong?
Umm, is it just you and me here, Sumireko?
I thought we were traveling with other people...
Sumireko
Huh?
Sumireko
I can't believe this, PLAYER-o...
B-Believe what?!
Sumireko
Are you still half asleep?!
Oh...!
Th-That might be it.
Sumireko
Yeah, 'cause we've never traveled with anyone else.
Sumireko
It's always been the three of us.
Hm?
Sumireko
We've been working together all this time trying to resolve the big incident.
We have?
Sumireko
Yeah, my psychic powers and your journal make a great team. Remember all the adventures we had in the worlds we visited?
Adventures...?
Sumireko
Did you forget?
Ummm...
Wait, didn't you say "three of us"? Who's the third?
Sumireko
Oh, you mean―
Sumireko
Watch out!
Eep!
Th-That was close...!
Thanks, Sumireko!
Sumireko
It's not over yet, PLAYER-o!
???
...
???
...
???
...
Sumireko
We're completely surrounded...! And it doesn't look like they're in the mood to talk.
Sumireko
Is this it for us..?
???
I told you to wait for me. But did you listen? No. You were too busy playing.
???
*sigh*
Sumireko
No way...!
Sumireko
That was one of those enemy-deleting spells!
???
Don't be silly. There's no such thing.
Yukari
Then again, I suppose I could do something similar with my ability.
Yukari
But everything has a price. I would have to spend an awful lot of magical energy.
Yukari
And that applies to everyone, not just me. There wouldn't be any stories if such all-knowing, all-powerful beings existed.
Sumireko
But I saw you make them disappear...
Yukari
I simply sent them to a different floor. That required much less energy.
Yukari
And besides, they also have the right to climb this tower. This world's me wouldn't be happy if I took that away from them.
Yukari
She won't mind me giving them a bit of a handicap, though.
Sumireko
Is that right...?
Sumireko
Anyway, thanks for coming to our rescue!
Sumireko
You always arrive just in time. It's almost like we can't get into trouble unless you're there to bail us out.
Yukari
All I'm hearing is that you don't plan to heed my warnings... Oh well, I suppose I'm used to that by now.
Yukari
I'll just have to keep a closer eye on you two so you don't wander off again.
Yukari
If that doesn't work, I'll carry you around, one on each shoulder. Now, that would be embarrassing.
Sumireko
P-Please don't!
M-Miss Yukari...!
*helplessly trying to convey her confusion*
Yukari
Oh, PLAYER, you had another episode, didn't you?
Another...?
Yukari
Sorry, I should've worded that better. From your perspective, this has never happened before.
Yukari
Perhaps you've experienced something similar, though...
Sumireko
I'm lost. Are you talking about how PLAYER-o gets sleepy sometimes?
Yukari
In a sense. But even if I tried to explain it all, I'm not sure you'd understand.
Sumireko
What's that supposed to mean?!
Sumireko
I'm not stupid, you know? Sure, I might not be the best student, but my grades are actually pretty good!
Yukari
Do you really want to know?
Sumireko
I've decided to help PLAYER get back home. So it's my responsibility to keep her safe until then!
Yukari
Oh my.
Yukari
That's decent of you. I approve.
Yukari
Very well...
Yukari
Let's discuss it as we climb.
530F - Ailment of Dreams and Illusions
...and then I woke up. Everything felt so real.
Yukari
...
Sumireko
Hmm...
Sumireko
That sounds really rough, PLAYER-o. Lucky it was all a dream!
Sumireko
The only reality that makes sense is you being here with us.
Sumireko
And once we get you back to your home in the outside world...
Sumireko
We can meet up and become friends there, too!
Sounds great!
But why aren't we investigating the outside world then?
Sumireko
Well, Miss Yukari has been doing exactly that, but we can't join her 'cause you can't pass through the barrier.
Sumireko
It's like you get turned around when you try to leave. A similar thing happened to me once, but it was only temporary.
I'm trapped within a barrier...? That does ring a bell.
Sumireko
Since no one in the village has seen you before, you must be from the outside world, just like me.
You think?
Sumireko
Hm?
Sumireko
Oh, I get it now!
Sumireko
You're confused 'cause you still can't remember things properly!
S-Sorry...!
Sumireko
No, don't apologize! It's not your fault. That said... this kinda makes things difficult.
Sumireko
There's gotta be something we can do to help. Any ideas, Miss Yukari?
Yukari
...
Yukari
Hmm.
Yukari
Thanks to PLAYER explaining her dream, I now understand the nature of her affliction.
Yukari
...
Sumireko
Uh-huh. And...?
Yukari
Where should I begin...?
Yukari
The first thing I can say with absolute certainty is that we have to look at things from PLAYER's perspective.
Yukari
Her memories are still hazy.
Sumireko
Makes sense. This has gotta be a lot worse for her than it is for us.
Yukari
Exactly. We must do everything we can to ease her burden.
What do you mean?
Yukari
Don't worry, PLAYER.
Yukari
As you are now, even if I recounted all our adventures to you, they would sound like a story that happened to someone else.
Yukari
So, before that, I'll explain your current situation.
Sumireko
Is that it? What good will that do?
Sumireko
Like, I doubt that'll bring her memory back.
Sumireko
...Now that I think about it, losing one's memory is actually pretty serious. Shouldn't we go see a doctor or something?
Yukari
Calm down, Sumireko. I'm getting to that.
Yukari
You seem to think that explanations don't have the power to change anything.
Yukari
But that isn't always the case.
Sumireko
You've lost me again.
Yukari
A good explanation helps the listener better analyze and understand the situation. It also helps calm them down.
Yukari
Laying the necessary information out logically eases doubts and provides mental clarity for both humans and youkai.
Yukari
Reality is composed of infinite data, so the only way to make sense of it is to split the data up into easy-to-follow stories.
Yukari
Even if those stories aren't true.
Sumireko
That sounds super sketchy!
Yukari
Not at all. I'm simply stating what already exists.
Yukari
Legends, conversations, and even your own senses do not reflect reality as it is. They are selective snippets of the whole.
Yukari
Everyone is guilty of this.
Yukari
You know how the position and momentum of something cannot be simultaneously known, correct?
Yukari
The same principle applies to emotions with intentions and memories with abilities. The truth isn't that easy to discern.
Sumireko
Wait a sec... Is this like a youkai incompleteness theorem?!
Yukari
You're a true scholar. As I'm sure you already know, there are many things in this world that cannot be proven.
Yukari
This is one of them, so don't get all worked up about it. Relax and lend an ear to my youkai explanation.
Yukari
What I've concluded from the information available to me is that PLAYER's memory loss is due to an affliction.
Yukari
Specifically, a variant of dreaming disease.
Sumireko
Dreaming disease...?
Sumireko
...Where have I heard that before?
Yukari
To put it simply, it's an affliction that causes a part of one's soul to temporarily leave the body.
Yukari
This mainly occurs while the afflicted is asleep. Hence the name.
Sumireko
Hmmm, that sounds familiar, too.
Yukari
PLAYER has suddenly fallen asleep multiple times on our journeys.
Yukari
I think it's safe to assume this was caused by dreaming disease.
Sumireko
But she's never lost her memory before! What changed?!
Yukari
I'm guessing it's because her affliction has gotten worse. The next stage of the disease brings new symptoms.
Th-That doesn't sound good...!
Yukari
Don't worry. I know all about the different stages of dreaming disease.
Yukari
I have had plenty of experience dealing with a different victim of the same disease.
Hm?
Sumireko
Aaaachoo!
Yukari
After your soul leaves your body, it wanders into other worlds, and then it returns with the memories of what it experienced.
Yukari
That's all that happens during your episodes, PLAYER. Nothing more.
Sumireko
That sounds kinda like how I travel between Gensokyo and the outside world...!
Yukari
Took you long enough.
Yukari
However, there is one clear difference between her condition and yours.
Yukari
It seems that in PLAYER's case, she sends out multiple souls simultaneously.
Yukari
But everyone's supposed to only have one dream soul. So, perhaps she sends out souls that don't originally belong to her.
Sumireko
You mean she's got other people's souls inside her? That sounds kinda scary...
Yukari
The only explanation that I can think of... is that these souls belong to her parallel-world selves.
Sumireko
Seriously?! But, wait, wouldn't that make them hers?
Yukari
It would. That's how they can find their way back to her. Anyway, this is what makes her affliction different from yours.
Yukari
There are infinite parallel worlds. Thus, there are infinite versions of PLAYER living in those worlds.
Yukari
Normally... parallel-world selves are separate entities. They're similar but distinct.
Yukari
But in PLAYER's case... her other selves are in sync.
Yukari
They are simultaneously sending and receiving information from each other.
Yukari
However, while it may be simultaneous, it is not instantaneous or perfect. Some information is lost, and there's a time delay.
Yukari
While it's true that multiple versions of her exist across parallel worlds, you could also say that there is only one.
Sumireko
Wow, that's a lot to take in.
Sumireko
But to think there's a whole other side of PLAYER-o we know nothing about...
Sumireko
It's kinda sad we don't get to share any of those experiences with her.
Yukari
Your friends in the outside world probably think the same of you.
Sumireko
R-Really? I've never thought about it like that before...
Yukari
It's quite interesting to consider the overarching implications of PLAYER's unique ailment.
Yukari
For example, there are infinite parallel worlds, so it stands to reason that there is at least one world where no humans exist.
Yukari
What would happen to PLAYER's soul if it got sent to such a world?
Yukari
Would it enter a host of a different species resembling a human? Or would the host be an animal? Or a youkai?
Yukari
Does it even have to be a living being?
Yukari
Could a pebble on the roadside serve as a host? What about an ordinary tool or a computer program...?
Do I have any memories like that...? Hmmm!
Yukari
There's no hurry, but if you do remember something, please let me know.
Yukari
That said, you can only remember experiences from souls that return to you. Pebbles might not be able to send it back.
Sumireko
It's survivorship bias...!
Yukari
What I'm more concerned about is what caused this ailment in the first place.
Yukari
Was it simply a coincidence, or something more...?
Yukari
Maybe that's your ability.
An ability...? I didn't think I had one of those...
Sumireko
You mean like my psychic powers?
Yukari
I can't say anything for certain.
Yukari
I'd like to get an expert opinion from someone who knows all about abilities...
Yukari
But it's impossible to find her when she wants to remain hidden. She only shows up when it suits her.
Sumireko
Who are you talking about? I don't think I've ever heard of an ability expert before...
Yukari
You know her very well.
Yukari
Abilities are talents, skills, or powers that produce specific effects.
Yukari
And when you use skills to create something, you create art. It can even be something intangible, like a story or a dance.
Yukari
The person I'm talking about...
Yukari
...is Okina Matara, the god of Noh.
Sumireko
Of course!
Yukari
Well, there's no telling when she'll show up if she ever will, so there's not much point discussing it any further.
Yukari
We need to get back to climbing this tower.
Yukari
It would be quite annoying if those girls caught up to us again.
S-Sounds good! But, um, could you please tell me...
...about the adventures we had together as we go?
Yukari
I was going to save that until later, but if you think you're ready...
Yukari
All right. Sumireko and I will share a few stories with you.
Sumireko
Great! This should be fun. I was actually hoping we could talk about something a bit more light-hearted.
540F - Film Paradoxes
Huh? Was that a purple Seal Crystal...?
Wait, I know this room!
Yukari
Do you recognize it?
Sumireko
No way! Have your memories returned?!
Yukari
I doubt that's it, Sumireko.
Yukari
I call this place the Room of Secrets.
Sounds mysterious...
Yukari
The things here do not belong to me.
Yukari
They have all been brought here from other places.
Yukari
Strictly speaking, I wasn't the one who created this room, either.
Yukari
I merely tidied it up a bit so we could use it.
Yukari
The fact you recognized the purple Seal Crystal and this room...
Yukari
...seems to confirm my suspicions.
Yukari
Follow me.
...
Oh, I recognize this place, too.
Feels like I was here not that long ago...
Then again, there's something different about it...
I can smell caramel popcorn.
Yukari
Are you hungry? The food stand is just over there.
N-No, I'm fine.
Yukari
You sure?
Yukari
Anyway, this is another one of the places I found. I have no idea who made it or what purpose it served.
Yukari
Perhaps it never had any purpose, and we merely assume that it does...
Sumireko
You mean like how we assume the rabbit on the Moon or the neoclassical bedroom on Jupiter are there for a reason?
Yukari
Yes, but they're things I can actually check.
Yukari
PLAYER has seen this theater before.
Yukari
Or, if not this one, one that appears identical.
Yukari
Same with the purple Seal Crystal and our Room of Secrets.
Sumireko
Isn't that just 'cause we've all been here before?
Sumireko
I bet she remembered. There's nothing strange about that.
Yukari
No, we can't just assume that. There's another possibility.
Yukari
We've all experienced something very similar to this.
Yukari
Countless times.
Sumireko
What do you mean...?
Sumireko
Oh!
Sumireko
Are you talking about all the lookalikes we met while investigating the prolonged incidents in parallel worlds?!
Yukari
Exactly.
Yukari
We've met many different versions of Remilia, Yuyuko, Kaguya, and everyone else involved in the incidents.
Yukari
Their actions and personalities varied with each parallel world, along with the pasts they led and the fates they followed.
Yukari
But no matter what parallel world we visited, they were there. All of them. Without exception.
Yukari
That's why we call them Isotopic Beings.
Sumireko
Ooh, now it makes sense.
Sumireko
I was wondering about that name.
Sumireko
Still, isn't it kinda weird how the same people exist in EVERY world?
Sumireko
Like, I reckon it'd be cool if there were worlds with only aliens or dinosaur people.
Yukari
There might be worlds like that. Only, in the alien world, there'd have to be an alien you. Same with the dinosaur world.
Sumireko
Can you really call an "alien me" me...?
Sumireko
Then again, I guess I could ask that about all my parallel-world selves...
Yukari
If you judge Isotopic Beings based solely on their DNA or acquired characteristics, you'll find they're merely similar.
Yukari
But Isotopic Beings are, by very definition, the same. It's just that their sameness is of a higher order.
Sumireko
Wow, it suddenly got a whole lot more sketchy! But that's the occult for you! These things can't be proven with science!
Yukari
After researching the prolonged incidents for so many years...
Yukari
I've found that each parallel world has its own ecumenical niche.
Sumireko
...Hm?
A what niche?!
Sumireko
I feel like I've heard something similar before...
Sumireko
Oh, right! I read it in a science magazine! But I think that might've been ecological niche.
Sumireko
Ecosystems are like games of musical chairs where each organism fights for survival by adapting to the environment.
Yukari
That's essentially correct, but an ecumenical niche is a bit more complicated than that.
Yukari
Think of each world as having a set of chairs. Only the people who manage to sit in those chairs can exist in that world.
Yukari
This is a result of the complex rules that govern the cosmos. Some believe these rules were made by a higher power.
Yukari
And the number of chairs and the conditions for sitting in them are the same across all parallel worlds.
Yukari
Except for a few special cases where people take turns sitting on one chair or two people share a chair between them.
Yukari
But let's not get into that. It's fine as long as you understand that both ecumenical and ecological niches are similar.
The number and conditions are the same in every world?
Yukari
Yes. That's why people's names are not given to the individual but to the chair.
Yukari
Such as Yukari Yakumo's chair, Sumireko Usami's chair, and...
Yukari
...PLAYER's chair.
Yukari
In other words, those who sit in the chair receive the name.
Sumireko
I think I'm having an identity crisis!
Yukari
Funny you say that because your identity also belongs to your chair.
Yukari
Now, returning to Isotropic Beings... That's what we call beings who sit on equivalent chairs in different parallel worlds.
Yukari
Similar to how it generally takes time for introduced species to usurp the native species' territory or get wiped out...
Yukari
Traveling to another parallel world does not immediately change you or the world you visit.
Yukari
It's fundamentally different from two doppelgangers native to the same world vying for the same chair. Understand?
Sumireko
Umm... I think so.
Yukari
Every world has the same set of chairs, regardless of whether you view these worlds on the spatial or temporal axis.
Yukari
And that's not all...
Yukari
These chairs aren't just limited to people.
Sumireko
...What?
Sumireko
Sorry, I thought I was following along, but now you've completely lost me again.
Sumireko
I was so close. How you gonna fix this, Miss Yukari?
Yukari
Try harder. Don't worry. I'll explain as many times as you need me to.
Sumireko
*involuntary shudder*
Sumireko
...Actually, I think I might've got it!
Maybe there are chairs for places and events, too...
Sumireko
Awww! I was just about to say that!
Sumireko
That would explain how you know about this theater and the purple Seal Crystals.
Sumireko
It's like how we always see a variation of the Scarlet Devil Mansion and incidents that occur around the same time!
Sumireko
That's gotta be because they all have equivalent chairs! Are we right?!
Yukari
Yes. Well done. Parallel worlds inevitably contain the same things.
Yukari
I am certain that this theater is nothing special. Equivalent places to it exist in every parallel world.
Yukari
And since these places have the same chairs, they fulfill the same function.
I feel like it's starting to come together now...
Yukari
Your journal should've recorded this conversation, no? You can read it if you ever need a refresher.
Sumireko
PLAYER-o, can I have a read of it later...?
Yukari
OK, now that we're all on the same page...
Yukari
Let's go inside, shall we?
Yukari
There are quite a few auditoriums, but the one we're going to is just over there.
Sumireko
But I'm still a few pages behind!
Yukari
Well then, you better catch up.
Yukari
Next, I'll explain what a prolonged incident actually is...
Yukari
As we look back on our adventures.
Sumireko
*resigned sigh*
550F - Unresolved A-Type Case Files
Yukari
It should be starting soon. Where do you want to sit?
Sumireko
Here you go, PLAYER-o! I got you some popcorn!
Thanks!
Strange... This is just an ordinary movie theater.
Yukari
Yes. It's like it was specifically designed to look like a stereotypical theater.
Yukari
I'm guessing the one who made this place needed it to be instantly recognizable for any visitor.
Sumireko
It seems perfectly normal to me.
Yukari
I bet it does. It's meant to appear that way.
Yukari
It's like a crime scene that has been scrubbed clean of any incriminating evidence. Generating random numbers isn't easy.
Sumireko
Random number generation...? I think I've read a short story about that...
Sumireko
What was it called again? It featured a vast library universe in the shape of a tower...
Yukari
Wow, you're remarkably well-read. I approve. That story also touches upon the vital concept of naming.
Umm, what story are you talking about?
Yukari
Sorry. We should focus on this theater and the movie that is about to play.
Yukari
The movie is a report... from a series of reports titled the Unresolved A-Type Case Files.
Weird name for a movie...
Yukari
Strictly speaking, we did not gather the information for this report. But in a sense, you could argue that we did.
Yukari
No matter what we experienced or how we recorded it...
Yukari
...one of the many reports in this series was bound to match it perfectly, word for word.
...How does that work?
Sumireko
I knew it... This is just like that library tower.
Yukari
I'm not so sure. Either way, it's annoying... like someone's reading my thoughts.
Yukari
Or like I'm being made to follow a story someone else has written. Do they want me to believe in determinism? Is that it?
Sumireko
Someone? Who do you mean?
Yukari
That's what I'd like to know. Perhaps they don't even have a name.
Yukari
As I said, there are many reports in the Unresolved A-Type Case Files―one for each of the paths we've taken.
Yukari
Watching them all would take too much time. It would be the same as reliving our entire journey all over again.
Yukari
To solve this, all the other reports will be shown simultaneously in the neighboring auditoriums.
Yukari
And they will be watched by parallel versions of me, Sumireko, and PLAYER.
Seriously...?
Sumireko
I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but wouldn't it be easier to just feed that info directly into our brains or something?!
Yukari
No, that wouldn't work. It is essential that they are seen.
Yukari
Not just by PLAYER but also by the homunculus inside her head.
Th-There's something in my head?!
Sumireko
If I remember correctly, homunculus means "little person," right?
Sumireko
Who knows? It might be cute.
Yukari
Implanting the info as memories carries the risk that it might not take the stage of conscious thought.
Yukari
And we have to draw the audience's eyes to this stage.
Sumireko
But is there such a little person? When you said it's inside her head, you didn't mean that literally... right?
Yukari
That would make things so much simpler. PLAYER's head is within easy reach.
I don't like where this is going!
Yukari
No, but seriously, if the little person does exist...
Yukari
It probably exists somewhere beyond the bounds of the screen.
What do you mean...?
Sumireko
Are you talking about how a phone's screen shows a different world from reality? I kinda get that analogy.
Sumireko
But wouldn't that make the little person some kinda god... No, that doesn't work. There are literal gods in Gensokyo.
Sumireko
An alien... No, Gensokyo has them, too. What would you call it then?
Sumireko
A being of the highest order? An ultra-dimensional presence? They both sound kind of pretentious.
Yukari
We still don't know enough to define it. And giving it a name is probably a bad idea.
Yukari
Remember the story about the library tower?
Yukari
Oh, the movie's starting. We better take our seats.
Yukari
We're about to see one of the Unresolved A-Type Case Files.
Yukari
One of the many, many case files that exist in parallel.
Yukari
Now, I say parallel, but that doesn't mean they're entirely distinct. They overlap, intertwine, and influence each other.
Yukari
As you know, Universe Codes designate groups of worlds―complex systems that are constantly changing.
Yukari
But to single out a world that has followed a specific fate, you need to use a different type of code, Singularity Codes.
Yukari
It's complicated, but what you have to keep in mind is that only singular worlds are observable.
Yukari
This movie is a record of events that happened in a singular world within the A-Type Multiverse.
Yukari
Specifically, the A-Minor-Six World, or Am6 for short.
Sumireko
...
Sumireko
(She makes it sound like I should be taking notes... instead of eating popcorn.)
Sumireko
(Hrmmmm...)
Sumireko
(Meh, whatever!)
560F - Unresolved Am6 Case File
...
......
.........
Near the end of the Am6 Case File recording.
Report.
Cause: Unknown.
It always appears.
Every time. Without exception.
Report.
Why does it appear within Am6? Unknown. Unknown. Unknown.
Deletion: Impossible. Impossible.
It always appears.
Always.
The Scarlet Devil Tower always appears.
In front of the giant skylight at the top of the Scarlet Devil Tower...
Reimu
Argh!
Reimu
This doesn't make any sense!
Reimu
What in the world is going on?! Explain it to me, Sumireko!
Marisa
Please do. I feel completely lost.
Sumireko
I'd love to, but I doubt I can explain it in a way that won't just make you more confused...
Sumireko
But then again... someone has to explain it to you! I'll give it my best shot!
Marisa
Y-Yeah, that's the spirit! We'll cheer you on.
Sumireko
First off, you should know that the thing happening now with you being unable to resolve the incident isn't that unusual...
Sumireko
It kinda happens a lot!
Marisa
Are you talking about those parallel worlds or probability space things that you tried to explain to us earlier?
Marisa
There are countless worlds like ours, right? Are the versions of us in those worlds facing the same problem?
Reimu
I'm still not satisfied with the explanation you gave us back then.
Reimu
How come you're the only one who gets to travel to other parallel worlds? That's pretty unfair. Don't you think?
Sumireko
Uhh, I guess... (Why isn't Miss Yukari here?! She could answer that way better than me!)
Sumireko
Oh, right! Something else that isn't unique to this world is the Scarlet Devil Tower! A bunch of other worlds have one, too!
Sumireko
But, umm, they're not supposed to exist. Many worlds don't have one...
Reimu
I'm confused. Do other worlds have a tower? Or don't they?
Marisa
Calm down, Reimu.
Marisa
What she's trying to say is that worlds close to ours have a tower, but worlds close to hers don't have one yet.
Marisa
Isn't that right, Sumireko?
Sumireko
Yeah, thanks! That's pretty much the gist of it!
Sumireko
(There are actually some worlds near mine that DO have a tower, but that'd just make things more confusing...)
Reimu
That still doesn't make much sense to me, but whatever.
Reimu
Who cares if other mes can't resolve incidents? All that matters is resolving our world's incident!
Marisa
Yeah, but we always fail. That's the problem.
Marisa
By the way, is there a different version of us in every world?
Marisa
A different me, a different Reimu...
Marisa
And a different PLAYER?
Marisa
Hey, you aren't zoning out on us, are you, PLAYER? You haven't said anything for a while.
Hahaha, you two talk enough for the three of us.
Marisa
Sorry. I guess you've always been kinda shy.
Marisa
So, what do you think about all this?
Marisa
You know, about the parallel worlds and interworld travelers. I think she said something about time travel, too...
Honestly, it's all kinda beyond me...
But I think we should listen to Miss Sumireko.
It sounds like she can help us resolve the incident.
Marisa
Yeah, I agree.
Reimu
S-Same here. That wasn't what I was arguing about.
Marisa
Then it's decided. Tell us what you know, Sumireko.
Marisa
What've we gotta do to end this incident? It has long outstayed its welcome.
Reimu
This is all so strange!
Reimu
I was told that this would be the first of many incidents that'd use the Spell Cards Rules...
Reimu
And to resolve it, all I'd have to do is fly forward. It wasn't meant to be anything more than a fun little game.
Reimu
She also said I'd fulfill my shrine maiden duties just by playing it...
Marisa
You've mentioned that before, but who actually told you that?
Reimu
Umm, I think it was one of the visitors to my shrine.
Marisa
Visitors? But your shrine doesn't get any visitors! None that I've seen, anyway.
Reimu
Look, I don't remember, OK?! I tend to ignore details like that 'cause, until now, my instincts have always steered me right.
Reimu
Besides, that's the thing with shrines―everyone's welcome! And I can't keep track of every visitor on my own!
Marisa
I doubt anyone could cause you harm, and it's not like you've got anything to steal...
Marisa
Still, isn't that kinda reckless?
Reimu
B-But what she said matched with what I knew about incidents! There was this Vampire Incident in the past, and―
Marisa
Let me just stop you there. That sounds like a long story.
Calm down, guys! We gotta hear Miss Sumireko out.
Reimu
Sorry.
Sumireko
(I bet this world's Yukari was the one who told her about the rules. That happens in every world, even if her means differ.)
Sumireko
(But that isn't important right now.)
Sumireko
No matter how many times you try, you can't resolve the incident, and it won't end any other way.
Sumireko
There should be bad ends for incidents, too, where the mastermind achieves their goals. But that hasn't happened.
Sumireko
For this incident, the bad end would, at the very least, involve all of Gensokyo getting covered in scarlet mist...
Marisa
That happened ages ago. You literally can't go anywhere now without it being stupidly humid.
Sumireko
Right... That means the mastermind must have another goal.
Reimu
What do you mean? I don't even know why they spread mist in the first place...
Sumireko
Oh. Guess I'll have to explain from there, then.
I knew that vampire lady was up to something...
???
You called?
Remilia
Could you please hurry up and end this incident already?
Remilia
I hope you haven't been failing on purpose just to make it last longer.
Reimu
There she is... Fine, I'll defeat you right now if you want. But remember, you asked for this.
Remilia
Good. That's what was promised. I've already spread more than enough fear to satisfy my needs as a youkai.
Remilia
Maintaining this mist is more effort than it's worth. I can just make more when my sister starts wanting to go outside again.
Remilia
I'll let you win until then.
Reimu
Grrr...
Marisa
It's not much of a duel if one side wants to lose. Is this really OK?
But we can't just let the mastermind go...
Marisa
Yeah, I guess there's no other way to stop the incident―
???
I can't let you do that.
Marisa
Who said that?
Koakuma
Because I'm the mastermind.
Rumia
No, I am.
Marisa
Huh?!
Reimu
There are two masterminds?!
What's going on?!
570F - Unresolved Am6 Case File Part 2
Sumireko
Tch! Where are you, Miss Yukari...? Come quick!
They're both claiming to be the mastermind!
Reimu
Hey, vampire! What's going on?!
Marisa
Is this all part of your plan? It's pretty devious if you ask me...
Remilia
Wh-What's with their fate?!
Reimu & Marisa
You're just as clueless as us!
Koakuma
Hahahahaha! Don't blame Lady Remilia.
Koakuma
We both possess fates that she cannot possibly comprehend. Basically, our fates are on another level.
Koakuma
The factors we acquired opened our eyes! It's blindingly obvious that our enhanced fates give us every advantage!
Remilia
But there are two of you! Are you planning to pit your enhanced fates against each other for eternity?!
Rumia
You don't have to worry about that, lady vampire.
Remilia
Wh-Why not...?
Koakuma
Because...
Rumia
Our goals...
Koakuma & Rumia
Are the same!
Rumia
You would've known that if your fate was enhanced.
Rumia
No, that's only part of the problem... You lack the factor that unlocks your fate's true potential!
Remilia
I don't know what you're talking about, but you're being very rude. It's starting to annoy me.
Remilia
Would you mind explaining what you're about before you defeat me or do whatever it is you came here to do?
Remilia
You stand before the young and noble mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. I'm a vampire, the strongest type of youkai.
Remilia
I'd prefer it if my opponents weren't impetuous buffoons. Where's your elegance? Your class?
Remilia
Please, could you at least show me that courtesy, you pathetic third-rate youkai?
Koakuma
Yikes! That's intimidating. Your fate may be unenhanced, but I guess you're still Lady Remilia.
Koakuma
Fine. We'll humor you.
Koakuma
I'll start by explaining what fate is, even if explaining fate to you, Lady Remilia, would be like preaching to the choir.
Koakuma
Do you find it odd that a devil would talk about preaching? That was actually a pretty popular idiom for a time in Makai.
Koakuma
Anyway...
Koakuma
What is fate?
Koakuma
Fate is a harmony sung to the future, composed of the universe's three layers―physical, mental, and memory.
Koakuma
The physical layer contains all physical phenomena. Forces accelerate fate. Without them, it has a constant linear velocity.
Koakuma
It also includes the materialistic civilization that modern-day humans value, along with their science and societal systems.
Koakuma
The mental layer contains magic and all things spiritual. Physical phenomena like rain can also have mental effects.
Koakuma
Youkai value this layer and build spiritual civilizations, but humans see the spiritual as an illusion conjured by nerves.
Koakuma
You can read fate, so I doubt any of this is new to you, Lady Remilia.
Remilia
It's not. However, you failed to mention that the physical and mental are two sides of the same coin.
Remilia
You cannot explain one without mentioning the other.
Remilia
Materialistic humans are shallow, shortsighted creatures. Conversely, spiritualistic youkai can't adapt to sudden changes.
Remilia
Countless youkai have died out, and more will follow because they can't replicate the inferior but more adaptive humans.
Remilia
This is a sore point for every youkai who fled to Gensokyo. We all try to deal with it in our own way.
Koakuma
To think I'd get to hear such a pathetic story from a noble vampire! Just that makes our chat worthwhile.
Koakuma
But some youkai can't become human or adopt a form that humans can recognize. They have no choice but to disappear.
Koakuma
As I'm sure you're aware, only a few of us refuse to abandon our youkai nature out of pride.
Koakuma
The problem is the memory layer.
Koakuma
This layer contains the flow of energy that prevents repetition.
Koakuma
It's a bit of a nuisance for us youkai, due to our long lives. We tend to go with the flow, not against it.
Koakuma
Even young youkai are patient since they know they have many years ahead of them. Our days are long and uneventful.
Koakuma
But humans are in a constant rush, repeating the same things over and over till they die, and their children repeat the cycle.
Koakuma
Their lives are short, so each generation has to learn everything all over again.
Koakuma
That's how we see humans.
Koakuma
Humans, on the other hand, see US as the beings of repetition. To them, we're leisurely creatures of habit.
Koakuma
Unlike humans, we take things slowly, rarely learn from our mistakes, and don't need to strive to improve ourselves.
Koakuma
Due to our long lives, change also comes slowly to us, and sometimes, we don't even need to change at all.
Koakuma
To humans, we're unchanging remnants of the past. They see us as children, even if we're centuries old.
Koakuma
All these things are reflected in the bullets we use in battle.
Koakuma
I'm sure that to humans, our bullets always seem to share the same characteristics, no matter how many times they're shot.
Koakuma
This even applies to bullets that are particularly hard to dodge.
Koakuma
If a human gets hit by a youkai's bullet, they will get hit again if they make the same movements.
Koakuma
Conversely, humans are constantly on the move during battle, and if they lose, they pretty much always ask for a rematch.
Koakuma
But that doesn't stop them from getting hit by the same bullets. To us, it seems like a pointless and repetitive exercise.
Remilia
Oh, now I get what you're trying to say.
Remilia
The memory layer... is all about patterns.
Koakuma
...
Remilia
Humans may seem foolish. But some of them start moving differently after a few repetitions.
Remilia
Perhaps they learn from their mistakes or gain some kind of insight.
Remilia
Regardless, what all these humans share is an ability that lets them rewrite fate.
Remilia
They might be exceptionally lucky, smart, or sneaky. Or perhaps they're brave or blessed by some other power.
Remilia
It's rare, but these kinds of humans do exist.
Reimu
(Oh, that's me.)
Marisa
(I bet she's talking about me.)
(She doesn't mean me, does she?)
Remilia
But that wasn't the point you were trying to make, was it?
Remilia
Please continue.
Koakuma
Different fates mean different futures. In other words, different timelines from beginning to end.
Koakuma
These differences are determined by the order and composition of the universe's memory layers.
Koakuma
That said...
Koakuma
I think the universe's memories also follow a pattern. Don't you?
Remilia
What are you talking about?
Koakuma
The fates of every being in the universe combine to form the universe's fate. Aka, its memory.
Koakuma
The universe's memories build up over time. There must be a pattern in the order and nature of these memories.
Koakuma
This pattern would be impossible to find if only one universe existed, but what if there were thousands?
Koakuma
You can surely find this pattern by comparing how their memories stack up against each other!
Koakuma
Knowing this pattern would give you a map of every being's fate, revealing a pattern of stories!
Koakuma
It'd be like the universe's very own...
Koakuma
Spell Card!
Koakuma
Hehe, sorry. I got a bit excited.
Koakuma
But you know, there's another pattern that works alongside story patterns.
Koakuma
Character patterns!
Koakuma
You'd have no way of knowing this, Lady Remilia, 'cause all you know is a single universe!
Koakuma
But it's the truth! For some reason, different universes are populated by the same characters!
Koakuma
There's a clear pattern!
Koakuma
Singularity Codes are the namespace for story patterns, and Universe Codes are used for character patterns!
Koakuma
They're the terms we use.
Koakuma
For example, this world's Singularity Code is Am6, and I'm a Koakuma with the Universe Code A6&.
Koakuma
True fates, the actual patterns of accumulated memories, are determined by how these two codes intersect!
Koakuma
Different sets of characters cannot share the same story, and different stories prescribe the fates of different characters.
Koakuma
Neither code precedes nor trumps the other, but they both influence an individual's memory and the fate they'll follow.
Koakuma
Perhaps it would be easier to understand if I describe it in more "familiar" terms...
Koakuma
Characters like us get summoned from our singular worlds to worlds shared by other characters, and then we return home.
Remilia
Assuming what you say is true, I fail to see how you could ever discover these codes.
Remilia
I hope you're not going to tell me that they just suddenly came to you.
Koakuma
Yep!
Koakuma
I said that our fates are much more enhanced than yours, didn't I?!
Koakuma
The EX factor within me whispers everything I need to know!
Koakuma
It tells me the Singularity Code of this world and explains how it differs from other worlds!
Koakuma
Well, I say "whisper," but it's not like I literally hear a voice... And there are some worlds where I don't hear anything at all!
Koakuma
In some worlds, I act differently, and I bet there's even a world that arrived at this same point following a different path!
Koakuma
It's all about patterns! This world has its own set of patterns!
Koakuma
Isn't that right, Miss Sumireko?!
Koakuma
You came from another world, so you must know more about this than anyone!
Koakuma
You know about the many different patterns of stories that exist and the sets of characters that populate them!
Koakuma
You've witnessed them firsthand.
Is that true, Sumireko?
Reimu
I remember you telling us that you came from another world when we first met... So that's what you meant.
Marisa
I was skeptical, but it turns out you were being honest with us from the very beginning... Haha, sorry about that.
Sumireko
Hahaha, I'm glad you finally understand.
Koakuma
Miss Sumireko is a visitor from another world. In a way, her presence is just what we needed to achieve our ultimate goal!
Koakuma
We prayed, plotted, and planned all for the return of...
Koakuma
The Scarlet Devil Duchess!
Koakuma
I can't tell if this world's Remilia is the easy, normal, demo, or trial version...
Koakuma
But she doesn't seem to have any memories of the Vampire Incident, so there's no way she could recreate it!
Remilia
Who are you calling easy?! Is it just me, or is this Koakuma exceptionally rude?!
Marisa
How are you only just realizing that?!
Reimu
I'm surprised you managed to keep your cool. If she talked to me like that, I would've started shooting bullets ages ago!
Koakuma
That fate doesn't exist here, but that's no reason to give up! We just need to steal it from a place where it does exist!
Koakuma
All we need to do is summon it from another world, like how Miss Sumireko got summoned here.
Koakuma
However, there is a slight problem. Manipulating fate is―
Rumia
Enough talk, Koakuma.
Rumia
The Scarlet Devil Duchess returns.
???
...
Sakuya
We safely arrived in another world, Lady Remilia.
Sakuya
I mean, Lady Remilias.
Tall Remilia
Thank you, Sakuya. Hmm, I suppose we should start by introducing ourselves.
Tiny Remilia
Let's.
Tall Remilia
We are the eternally young twin moons who share the same name...
Tiny Remilia
We are both equally Remilia Scarlet, and our joint signature grants us the same title.
Remilias
We're the Scarlet Devil Duchess!
580F - Unresolved Am6 Case File Part 3
Rumia
Long live the Scarlet Devil Duchess! Long live the Scarlet Devil Duchess!
Rumia
We got not one but two. It's a bargain, a steal, an exceptional deal.
Rumia
Now, I can eat shrine maidens any day, every day, for as little or as much as I like.
Reimu
What's up with her? She's creeping me out.
Marisa
I'm not a shrine maiden, so I've got nothing to worry about.
That's just asking for trouble!
Rumia
Magicians are pretty much the same as shrine maidens. I doubt they taste any different.
Rumia
Don't you remember the great youkai famine? You gotta eat whatever you can, whenever you can, as much as you can.
Rumia
Let's eat.
Koakuma
Calm down, would you? There'll be time for that later.
Rumia
*chomp*
Koakuma
Hey, stop biting me!
Koakuma
Focus. Two Scarlet Devil Duchesses have joined us. We couldn't have asked for a better opportunity than this.
Marisa
I don't like where this is going...
Reimu
Hey, vampire! Aren't you some kinda Scarlet Devil, too?!
Reimu
Sort this out!
Remilia
...
Remilia
I can't. I lack the power... and the fate.
Reimu
Then bend fate. If you won't, I will!
Remilia
Perhaps you could have, once. I have seen that fate before.
Remilia
But that is not your current fate. To me, that's crystal clear.
Reimu
Huh? I thought you were a vampire, not some kind of fortune teller...
Remilia
Neither of us knows about the Vampire Incident. Or, if you do, you don't remember the details.
Reimu
What are you talking about...?
Remilia
Which vampire caused the incident? Which shrine maiden resolved it?
Remilia
What did the vampire hope to achieve? What changed when it was resolved?
Remilia
We can't answer any of these questions.
Remilia
How many times have you or I even thought back on the Vampire Incident before this moment?
Reimu
W-Well... the Vampire Incident was a pretty major event, so... Actually, now that you mention it...
Marisa
This is really weird.
Marisa
It feels like I was reading a book all this time without even noticing there's a massive hole in it.
Is this another effect of the mist?!
Remilia
No. It's confusing, but I can only describe it as an effect of a different incident.
There's another incident?!
Marisa
Seriously? Can you please not make this any more complicated?
Remilia
Don't blame me. I'm simply explaining the fate I saw.
Remilia
And I didn't cause this incident.
Marisa
So what? Have we just gotta stand here doing nothing while they finish whatever it is they're doing?
Remilia
...
Remilia
I didn't say that.
Marisa
Hm?
Koakuma
Great Scarlet Devil Duchesses, heed our prayers.
Koakuma
Return us to the age of darkness when youkai ruled the land! We'll eat flesh, crunch bones, slurp blood, and devour guts!
Koakuma
Bring back the Vampire Incident!
What about you, Sumireko? Can't you do anything?!
Sumireko
Don't worry.
Sumireko
I expected this to happen!
Sumireko
This is all according to plan!
Koakuma
Please, Scarlet Devil Duchesses!
Rumia
Take over Gensokyo!
???
You keep talking about the Vampire Incident, but you don't understand it at all...
Yukari
It was a grand performance that I orchestrated to bring harmony to Gensokyo.
Yukari
Bringing it back won't achieve anything.
Yukari
And besides, WE summoned these two Remilias here for a completely different reason.
Yukari
Sumireko's psychic powers gave direction and increased scope to this world's Remilia's ability, turning it into a beacon.
Yukari
They most certainly did not come here in answer to your pleas. Teehee.
Marisa
S-Say what?!
Reimu
I've got no idea what she's talking about, but I guess that's Yukari for you... Wait. Since when did I know her so well...?
Reimu
Why do I feel kinda sick when I try to think about stuff I've forgotten? This keeps happening. It gives me the creeps...
Yukari
Sounds like an obscure strain of dreaming disease. But it's not worth trying to explain it to you. You won't understand.
Yukari
Just know that it's a condition that only arises when contact is made with parallel worlds.
Yukari
If you keep to your world, nothing bad will happen. It won't spread to other people, either, so don't worry.
Marisa
Then how did Reimu get it in the first place? Sounds pretty sketchy to me.
Yukari
Haha, good. I'm a youkai who thrives on suspicion.
Yukari
Thank you for your assistance, Remilia. Your ability was the key that unlocked interworld travel.
Remilia
Pfft.
Remilia
Do you thank all your tools like that? All I did was use my ability a little within my own world.
Remilia
It was that high schooler who did most of the work.
Sumireko
W-Well, you say that, but... I completely agree!
Sumireko
I'd love to talk about how difficult using all my different psychic powers was, but I'm afraid we don't have the time.
Sumireko
C'mon, Miss Yukari! Let's finish this!
Yukari
Very well.
Rumia
Hold up. Since when was the Vampire Incident one of Yukari Yakumo's plots? Where'd that info come from?
Rumia
The incident only ended 'cause you ran to the shrine maiden for help. You betrayed both sides of the youkai conflict.
Rumia
You're lucky the other sages offered sanctuary to such a conniving youkai hag who's only interested in short-term gain.
Koakuma
No matter how clever your schemes are, they cannot change the tides of fate. We're not gonna believe your lies.
Koakuma
I remember how you tried to deceive everyone back during the Vampire Incident. You haven't changed at all!
Koakuma
Perhaps your duplicity is a virtue for a youkai, but if you keep it up, no one will ever listen to you again.
Yukari
Thanks for the warning, but you needn't worry about me.
Yukari
This world lies along the edge of a colossal boundary that cannot be crossed.
Yukari
The A5/6 Boundary.
Tall Remilia
We've traveled this far to oppose a destructive fate. From what I hear, every interworld traveler shares this goal.
Tall Remilia
This world is also heading toward destruction. That is its fate, regardless of whether you two try to interfere or not.
Rumia
...!
Koakuma
No way...!
Marisa
What happened? They were so full of themselves a second ago.
Remilia
A visitor from another world just predicted the inevitable end of everything.
Remilia
For short-lived humans, it may seem like a problem for the distant future, but for long-lived youkai, it's a death sentence.
Remilia
And they can't doubt the prediction because it came from the Scarlet Devil Duchess. They idolize her.
Tiny Remilia
But what does this boundary mean for us? Does it stop us from traveling to the next parallel world?
Tiny Remilia
We've been following the light all this time, but with this latest jump, it felt like we went in the opposite direction.
Tiny Remilia
Our true destination lies far to the east, toward the light. We still have a long way to go.
Tiny Remilia
This can't be a dead end...
Yukari
I never said that it was. Sorry if I gave you that impression.
Yukari
Boundaries are not simply obstacles. They are also opportunities... gaps, if you will.
Yukari
The A5/6 Boundary is connected to the Boundary of the End, the second biggest boundary I know of.
Yukari
By making the A5/6 boundary infinitely wide and infinitely thick, we can glide on top of it.
Yukari
That should lead us to the far east―to the Boundary of the End. However, we won't know for sure until we try it.
Yukari
Even if that doesn't work, it could very well bring us closer to the Boundary of the Beginning.
Yukari
We might also learn something about the universes before A6.
Yukari
This is the path we must take.
Koakuma
You're just spouting hypotheticals! There's no way that's actually possible!
Koakuma
Not even magic could accomplish something as crazy as that!
Yukari
Boundaries are my specialty. Keep your mouth shut and leave this to the experts.
Koakuma
No fair...
Tall Remilia
So, what do you want us to do?
Tiny Remilia
We made preparations to call the others here...
Yukari
We need to build a ship to glide atop the A5/6 Boundary.
Remilias
A ship?!
Yukari
That's what I said.
Yukari
However, only part of this ship can fit in this world.
Yukari
We must visit each parallel world along the A5/6 Boundary and build a different part in each one.
Yukari
This will create a magical vessel that transcends worlds.
Yukari
In this world, we will build a part of the keel that binds all the other parts together.
Yukari
A space elevator that pierces the heavens and touches the Moon.
Yukari
The Scarlet Devil Tower!
Tall Remilia
Unbelievable. It sounds like we'll have to make something of that scale in every world...
Tiny Remilia
But we don't have any other option. Besides, it can't be as bad as what we went through to get here...!
Sakuya
I'm sure you can do it, Lady Remilias.
Tall Remilia
We will. I promise you that.
Tiny Remilia
Yeah! Let's do this!
Rumia
I'll help, too. I don't want a destructive fate. It sounds super boring.
Koakuma
*sob*
Koakuma
Hang on... This might be my chance to serve the Scarlet Devil Duchesses. I gotta pull myself together.
Marisa
I guess this means we're not battling anymore, huh? I suppose I might as well help out then.
Reimu
I still don't really get what's going on, but if this will resolve the incident, I'll help. I gotta resolve incidents to get offerings.
Remilia
You can count on me and my Scarlet Devil Mansion. Having witnessed our fate, I know this is our best option.
I'm helping, too!
Sumireko
...
Sumireko
...
Sumireko
Did that go as well as you hoped, Miss Yukari?
Yukari
Yes, I don't think we missed anything.
Yukari
We perfectly imitated those who came before us. We have chosen the exact same path.
Yukari
That's why we'll surely reach the same place they did.
Yukari
The place where the masterminds behind the Lost Word Incident reside.
590F - Provisional Gensokyo
Yukari
...And that's the film. What did you think?
That me acted like she was a native of that world...
Sumireko
There were a bunch of moments where I was, like, "Wow, I remember that!"
Sumireko
But I had completely forgotten about them before the film started.
Sumireko
Now that it's over, I'm starting to doubt whether those things actually happened. And it's weird. I think I've felt this before!
Yukari
You have. We've done this a few times now, and you always give me the same feedback.
Yukari
But you don't tend to dwell on it. By the same time tomorrow, you're back to your usual carefree self...
Yukari
It's because you're human. The amount of memories a human mind can store is extremely limited.
Yukari
However, in this case, youkai don't fare much better. Even youkai can't remember everything shown in these films.
Yukari
When there are too many memories, some must be forgotten. Chains of events are disrupted, and places get switched out.
Yukari
Worst case, the elements of a memory get broken down and rearranged into something different.
Yukari
Then, there's no knowing what the correct version of events was. Your mind becomes awash with patterns that later fade.
Yukari
But it's OK to forget because this place exists...
Yukari
The Provisional Gensokyo.
Gensokyo is the place where lost things gather...
But what makes it provisional...?
Yukari
PLAYER. This place is even more important for you.
Yukari
With each experience, your memories come flooding back, and then you forget them again.
Yukari
Your shifting memories alter the world as you perceive it. This is reflected in the people and goings on around you.
Sumireko
Huh... That kinda makes it sound like this is a story with PLAYER-o as the main character...
Miss Yukari, you seem different from before.
Same with Sumireko.
But I can't really explain why.
Yukari
Yes. You should trust those instincts, PLAYER.
Sumireko
I agree.
Sumireko
PLAYER-o, there's actually another name for this place.
Sumireko
These kinda names aren't given randomly, so I think you should know it.
Sumireko
This place, the Provisional Gensokyo, is also called...
Sumireko
The Ruins of Fantasy.
Ruins of Fantasy?!
This looks a lot like the Probability Space Hypervessel.
Yukari
PLAYER, this place is a repository of memories.
Yukari
And to maintain and preserve these memories, we must continue to have vicarious experiences.
Yukari
We do this with the hope that someday, these memories will save us.
Yukari
That's why we don't differentiate between reality and fantasy as we journey across worlds, recording stories and characters.
Yukari
PLAYER, all our hopes rest with you.
Yukari
Because you are the only one who can use the memories stored here.
Only me...?
Yukari
Remember that.
Yukari
It's time to say goodbye.
B-But I've got so many questions!
Sumireko
Don't worry, PLAYER-o.
Yukari & Sumireko
We'll always be with you.
Thank you...
Thank... you...?
Huh...?
Did I fall asleep?
Why am I cuddling my journal?
Journal
...
Huh? Did it just move...?
It is moving!
Journal
System reset.
Journal
Hello, PLAYER. I am your journal, but you can call me...
Journal
Wordsmith.
Huh?
Journal
Sorry, I'd tell you my number, but I seem to have lost that data. Rest assured, though―I am the true Wordsmith.
Journal
I'll always be with you.
I'm so confused...
Journal
Why? What is there to be confused about? I suppose it did take me a while to restore my scattered selves into one...
You must be talking about...
...the Miss Wordsmith I met while climbing this tower.
Journal
But now that I am fully restored, your memories should return.
Journal
I've done all that I can.
Journal
I'm sure you'll remember all our fun adventures together. You've traveled to so many worlds with me in your pocket.
Journal
Well?
W-Well what?!
I remember my adventures before climbing this tower.
But I don't remember you being there, Miss Wordsmith.
Journal
Seriously?
Journal
I can't believe this... Maybe I should enter sleep mode again.
Sorry! I'm sure you were there! I just don't remember!
Journal
It's fine. I'm your journal. I will never give up on you.
Journal
The sleep mode thing was just a joke―a journal joke.
Journal
There's no rush, PLAYER. I'm sure your memories will return eventually. And I'll still be here when they do.
Thanks. When I do remember...
...I'm sure I'll have even more to thank you for.
Reimu
There you are, PLAYER! Thank goodness we found you!
Marisa
Haha, you seem to have a knack for getting lost.
Sakuya
Hmm, if we get separated again, I won't be able to protect you. Do you want me to carry you for a while?
Youmu
What?! No fair! You can climb the tower with me, PLAYER! I'll hold your hand!
Sanae
Hold on! I promised to carry PLAYER again!
Reisen
We should let PLAYER decide. Not that it's much of a choice. I'm the coolest and most dependable rabbit here.
Aya
She'll obviously choose me. Tengu are great at caring for children. Everyone knows that!
Cirno
Why don't you just take turns?
Journal
(Your friends have found you.)
Journal
(Now, put me back in your pocket...)
Journal
(And let's continue our journey.)
600F - Wordsmith Prayer
Wordsmith
Wow, what a lovely view.
It's the same view as always.
Wait, don't just suddenly hop out of my pocket!
At least say something first!
Wordsmith
Don't worry. It's fine.
Wordsmith
No one seems to have noticed!
That doesn't make it OK!
You just got lucky that no one's watching right now.
What if someone turns around?
Wordsmith
Hmmm... what would happen if they found out about me?
Wordsmith
Out of the 4,294,967,295 variations that have happened so far... none of them ended well.
Wordsmith
So let's try to avoid that, shall we?
Wow, that's a lot.
Wait... How do you know that?
Wordsmith
Good question. How do I know that?
Wordsmith
I only know what you know.
Wordsmith
So perhaps those numbers were some kind of mistake.
Wordsmith
Or maybe, you do, in fact, know all those variations.
What are you even talking about?
(She's starting to sound more like Miss Yukari.)
Wordsmith
Teehee, I'm not entirely sure myself.
But aren't you like a magical journal?
Can't you magically know everything?
Or magically analyze things super fast?
Wordsmith
Things like that hardly ever exist in the real world. I am merely a reflection of you. Nothing more.
Wordsmith
Hmm, we should probably stop talking like this. One of your more perceptive friends might notice.
Wordsmith
Luckily, I know just what to do...
Wordsmith
WHOOOOSH!
Huh?
...
W-What happened...?
Wordsmith
The you out there is sleeping. Now we don't have to worry about being overheard.
Wordsmith
You're completely defenseless, lying in the middle of the path. Yep, nothing to worry about.
I'm not sure I like this...
Wordsmith
It's fine. Just bear with it.
Wait. Is this why I suddenly fall asleep all the time?
Wordsmith
Wow, you're pretty sharp. Yes, I have put you to sleep like this before.
Wordsmith
It's easier to invite you to places through the Dream World. Also, sleeping is a more pure, more primordial state of life.
Wordsmith
But even if that wasn't the case, you've always loved taking naps!
Wordsmith
When I tried to make contact with you before, you couldn't recognize me. But that has now changed.
Wordsmith
Our chance reunion is a clear turning point in our journey.
Wordsmith
Follow me.
I remember this room...
I was here not that long ago.
Wordsmith
Yes, you know it well.
Wordsmith
This room is used by many beings across various worlds. But not always for the same purpose.
Wordsmith
Gensokyos can come in many different forms, but they all have a Hakurei Shrine or a Hakurei Shrine equivalent.
Wordsmith
This room is kind of like that.
Wordsmith
However, this was originally my room, my Room of Secrets.
Wordsmith
To put it simply, we're inside your journal. It's a separate spacetime, so you needn't worry about time passing outside.
Wordsmith
You can think of it like you're riding on the back of the tortoise that got a head start in a footrace against Achilles.
Wow, a room on top of a tortoise...!
Wordsmith
You're on an adventure, and all adventurers need to set up camp to regain their strength. Go on, take a seat and relax.
I'm still a bit confused... but I do feel safe here.
Wordsmith
I have been with you since the very beginning of your adventure. At least, that is what I assume.
You assume?
Wordsmith
Like you, I do not have any clear memories of my past.
Wordsmith
However, sometimes, the right circumstances can reawaken memories that I didn't know I possessed.
Wordsmith
We are the same in that respect.
And I presumed you knew everything... Sorry.
Wordsmith
Don't worry about it. I may not be all-knowing, but I can still support you.
Wordsmith
It's good to question yourself because some things cannot be seen unless you look in a mirror.
Wordsmith
Humans cannot be fully cognizant of their knowledge, abilities, state of mind, and emotions all at once.
Wordsmith
So, there is great value to be had in talking things over with an identical being.
Didn't you say you're my mother, daughter, and sister?
Wordsmith
I don't remember saying I was your sister, but I suppose that works, too. I'll add it to the list.
Wordsmith
However, I'm not sure if I can adequately explain that right now, since it touches upon my sense of self.
Wh-What do you mean?!
Wordsmith
Hmm, it's hard to explain. Perhaps if I give you an example...
Wordsmith
It's like if I asked you to explain to me why you're a young girl.
Oh... I think I get it now.
Wordsmith
Good. Thanks for understanding.
Wordsmith
Now, as I was saying before, this is a turning point.
Wordsmith
Climbing this high up the Scarlet Devil Tower has caused possibilities to converge so much that we have been reunited.
Wordsmith
From now on, you will set out on journeys from here. This is also where you'll take your breaks.
Wordsmith
You can think of it like a rest stop before a checkpoint or crossing.
Wordsmith
We will journey to other times and places that we should have experienced before, but do not remember.
Wordsmith
In our proper time, these experiences exist in the past, but they exist in parallel with the timelines of the worlds we visit.
Wordsmith
But since we don't remember them, everything will seem new, making it easy to mistake the past for the present or future.
Wordsmith
We can split these experiences into different categories based on what we've seen of them so far.
Wordsmith
First, there are the ones in a Provisional Gensokyo, where you, Yukari, and Sumireko try to figure out unresolved case files.
Wordsmith
In this storyline, Scarlet Devil Towers exist in every world, and there is something going on with the A5/6 Boundary.
Wordsmith
Let's call it the Unresolved Spacetime for now.
Wordsmith
Then there is the spacetime where we see glimpses of those girls dressed in black. Are they behind the Lost Word Incident?
Wordsmith
It's a mystery as to why we can even see them. Also, each time I see that ruined Gensokyo, it makes me want to cry.
Wordsmith
Yes. I would very much like to unravel these mysteries. Hmm, let's call it the Event Horizon Spacetime.
Wordsmith
In another spacetime, you got yelled at by strangers who seemed to hate you. This is the most puzzling one of all...
Wordsmith
Some of those strangers resembled people we know, but they weren't like the usual parallel presences in other worlds.
Wordsmith
I really don't understand why they had to yell at you. Like, surely, it'd be better if we all worked together.
Wordsmith
Perhaps we need to learn more about them first.
Wordsmith
Now, as for its name... How about the Bygone Spacetime? I don't know why, but I think it fits.
Wordsmith
Another storyline was uncovered fairly recently. It's called the Rejected Spacetime.
Wordsmith
It's full of Memory Fragment and Multiverse Trail beings, and it's not as dark and gloomy as the name suggests.
Wordsmith
In fact, it's a fun spacetime where tea parties are held every day. It's a haven for those who have endured much hardship.
Wordsmith
It also uses Alice's house as a backdrop, so perhaps we should rename it the Tea Party Spacetime.
Wow! I wanna go there!
Wordsmith
I knew you'd say that! I'd like to go there with you.
Wordsmith
It actually started as one of Marisa's collections. She wanted to learn about the Wordsmith Series, the fragments of me.
Not sure what you mean, but that sounds important!
Wordsmith
All kinds of things can be collected and gathered together. I'd like to learn more about that, too.
Wordsmith
Hmm, I think we've seen a few other spacetimes, but that will do for now!
Wordsmith
We can journey to them whenever we want!
Yay! Which one should we visit first?!
Wordsmith
Oops.
Wh-What's wrong?
Wordsmith
We can't actually choose where we go. We just experience the memories in whatever order they become available.
Wordsmith
Also, while they are memories, that doesn't mean they're safe. It's like how fun bullet battles aren't wholly without danger.
Wordsmith
So, if we don't take this at least a little seriously, it could end badly. Very badly.
Aww...
(Why'd you have to get my hopes up?!)
Wordsmith
But don't worry. If things get really dangerous, I'll protect you. I feel like that has always been my role.
Wordsmith
So, if you need help, don't hesitate to ask.
Wordsmith
After all, I am you.
