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...Today's kind of chilly. There isn't a cloud in the sky too, maybe I should... no, no. I'll be heading off to battle soon, I can't just slack off.
Hey Reimu, we're here.
Good morning. My apologies for being late.
Welcome. A lot of people are already here.
Huh, everyone's pretty fast. Though I guess you have to be for danmaku.
We're not going there to play around. I wish you'd be more like Keine.
Why her?
She's really enthusiastic about this. Right now she's in the middle of setting up a tactics session.
How like her. But considering who we're up against, I can understand going that far.
I still think plan Just Have Reimu Solo Everything would work fine.
She sure likes lecturing people, huh. Well, we're already here so might as well sit in on it.
Music: Determination in the Chest
It's time to start this tactics meeting.
Well then, could everyone participating please introduce themselves?
That sounds like a good idea. First, from the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Sakuya and Meiling.
I am pleased to make your acquaintance.
Thanks for having me.
What about your jobs? It doesn't look like Remilia's coming with you.
It was the mistress' orders. Our duty is to observe the mountain and then report back to her.
It's a place people don't usually enter, so it's captured her attention.
Huh... Without you, who's going to brew the tea or keep the house in perfect shape?
Koakuma is there too, which means there'll be quite the mess when I get back... well, maybe not that much.
Sakuya doesn't even deny she's the only one keeping SDM intact.
While we're on this subject, what about that magician? I heard she was on good terms with Marisa and Alice.
You mean Patchouli. We invited her, but she wanted to stay home and read books instead.
Though if she changes her mind I'm sure she'll come. In any case, in her stead we have...
Ah, Yuuka's servants, Elly and Kurumi.
It's nice to meet all of you.
Hello!
...Why are you two here?
Somebody has to warm the bench.
And what's that supposed to mean!?
Well, didn't you get kicked out of the Scarlet Devil Mansion? How did Yuuka handle that, anyway?
Yuuka and her entourage moved to a new house. We did not kick them out.
Right. Yuuka's out of the house today, so we came over to play.
Take a look at this, Sakuya made a lunchbox for me!
Oho~, can I have a bite of that glorious meal?
Ru-Rumia, you should be quiet...
Oh, Daiyousei and Rumia are here too.
Are you two aware of how dangerous Youkai Mountain is?
We really came because we wanted to find Cirno. But...
...But she isn't here. Even though she seemed so eager two days ago.
Well it's Cirno, so maybe she forgot where and when to go?
Probably~.
Still, we want to go with you and help out...
This part is a little bit confusing. I think while Rumia and Dai were chatting, Keine was greeting somebody else?
We'd be happy to accept your offer. Don't worry, you won't have to battle.
Wait, who's helping no- what are you doing here!?
Don't be so surprised, Marisa.
Hello. Thank you for inviting me.
Kourin and Akyuu? Why'd you two come here? I don't think you'll be all that helpful in a danmaku battle.
We're challenging the stubborn mountain youkai. An understanding of tactics and equipment will be important, and these two can be relied on for that.
Um, could you explain what you mean?
Akyuu is the latest reincarnation of the head of the Hieda family, who is charged with recording Gensokyo's history. When it comes to Gensokyo's youkai, there are few who know more than her.
Yes, I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say there are no humans who know more about Gensokyo than I.
Wow, and you're only as tall as me.
Yes, she's my height too...
My body may be a child's, but my mind is an adult's!
I see. What about the male over there?
Oh, glasses there is Kourin. He runs a suspicious, smelly used-goods store out in the Forest of Magic.
What a rude introduction. My name is Rinnosuke Morichika, I'm the shopkeeper of a curiosities shop called Kourindou. When it comes to rare goods, I'm the best around.
Hm, interesting.
Akyu's knowledge is one thing, but Rinnosuke doesn't even know how to use the tools he finds.
I think Reimu is the only person who actually calls Rinnosuke by his name.
Such harsh words from a friend. Well, we've held up the meeting long enough.
That's the end of roll call. But not everyone's here yet...
Yeah, isn't Sakuya's friend coming too?
She should. Perhaps the frightening boss she tells me about is holding her up. I don't think she would just forget.
Anyway, Reimu, couldn't your group find anybody else? You should be more like us and try harder.
What are you talking about, we went all the way into the bamboo forest.
Yes, and the person we found promised she would come. And yet...
Maybe she changed her mind? It really doesn't look like she's coming.
That's... possib-
I'm here.
!
Mokou, you came!
I've been here for a while. I was listening from the shadows.
Seems like you're one of Keine's friends.
Pretty much. I'm Mokou Fujiwara, looks like we'll be facing Youkai Mountain together.
Hey, if you're late you should apologize and explain why. Or at least that's what Elly always says...
Did you say something?
N-No...
If Keine thinks you can be relied on, I'm sure you must be very skilled.
I'll try to live up to your expectations.
Is standing back and eavesdropping your idea of working with us?
This is the first time I'm meeting most of you, so I figured I should observe you all for a bit. Though it was kind of anticlimactic, you're all so carefree.
Don't just lump us all together like that. I'll have you know I'm very diligent.
Is that so? From what Keine's told me, the Hakurei shrine maiden's the most carefree person around.
Um, this might be dangerous to ask but have they been like this since yesterday?
Only one can rock the red-white color scheme.
Yes, they don't seem to get along very well...
...Well, now that introductions have been exchanged, shall we continue this meeting?
Y-yes, of course. Let me explain the plan I've come up with. As you all know, Youkai Mountain is a dangerous place. When we were challenged two days ago, we ended up having to flee before a battle could break out.
So everybody had to run away...
But our goal is the Moriya Shrine at the top of the mountain. We must protect the Hakurei shrine.
So everybody, I want you to please lend us your power!
Well duh, that's why we're all here!
But if we don't have a plan, what good is it to increase our numbers? Won't the result stay the same?
Exactly. That's why Akyuu, Kourindou, and I have come up with a plan. Akyuu, you can go first. Do your best.
Alright, please let me speak. Our objective this time is on Youkai Mountain, and I believe we all know about the youkai who live there.
Yup. There's a bunch of really loud and strong youkai there... I think.
Correct. Furthermore, we have no inside knowledge. They are an extraordinarily formidable group to face.
I see, they certainly sound tough.
H-How are we supposed to fight them...?
The answer is to exploit their negligence.
Huh?
Indeed. They've recently forced you to retreat, so I doubt they'd expect a counterattack so soon. So because of tha-
Oh I get it, so if we attack them right now we'll catch them off-guard!
...I doubt we'll be brute forcing things again.
You're in the wrong game series, Alice.
No, Marisa has the right idea. A frontal attack won't work, but if we throw the enemy into chaos, we can prevent them from fighting to their full capabilities.
And how exactly will we do that?
Our plan calls for splitting into two groups. One will be a diversion to confuse the enemy, while the other will advance onwards.
...Heh, you guys are more direct than I thought.
My apologies. But I know of no other way to surpass our youkai opponents.
It's not a bad plan. If we're up against so many youkai, the usual strategy is to hit them where they're not ready.
...That's right. How do you know so much about youkai extermination?
Eh, it's a hobby.
In any case, I'm a little worried about splitting up in enemy territory.
Indeed, how will we know where to reunite?
Excellent point. You'll be using some of my merchandise.
Woah, don't tell me you figured out how to use that telepathy thing you showed me last summer?
You mean the mobile phone? Unfortunately, I can't get it to move at all. But in its place I have... this.
What's that black iron box? It looks heavy.
This tool is called a transceiver. If I speak into it...
Testing, testing. This is Rinnosuke. Over.
Woah, did you just hear that creepy voice?
It wasn't creepy at all. It was kind of like Kourindou's voice.
...
Wow, that's really cool. Does it use magic?
No, it's from the outside world. My store deals with things like that. The purpose of this tool is to "allow people far from each other to have a conversation". If that's the case, communicating shouldn't be a problem.
How convenient. If it doesn't use magic, how does it work?
Sorry but you're not getting an answer. This guy's power only tells him the name of a tool and how to use it, nothing else.
I see, how regrettable.
Anyway, with this something or another the two groups will be able to communicate!
Yes, exactly. With that, this meeting is now adjourned... though Cirno and Sakuya's friend still haven't come.
There's no point waiting forever. For now we should go on without them.
I'm so hungry~... *drool*.
Rumia doesn't give a shit.
N-no matter how much you stare at it, I won't give you my lunchbox!
Well then, stay safe. The entrance will likely have the strictest security, so it would be best to split up after you make it in.
Gotcha. Okay, we're heading out now!
It's probably pointless to even ask, but be careful with that transceiver!
------
...So you've stopped playing. Good call. Games are thoroughly amusing, but if you have this much free time you should focus on your dut-
What, playing games is your duty?
So this is a necessary break in the line of duty, huh? Your mouth's as clever as a crow's. Well it makes no difference, you'll come back eventually. Farewell.