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Yabusame Houlen

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Len'en Project/Yabusame Houlen
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Yabusame Houlen is an eccentric and somewhat absent-minded individual who possesses the ability to cross into other dimensions, though they often lack basic common sense. They serve as an honorary priest of the Senri Shrine, originate from the Outside World, and are charged with protecting Mugenri. Yabusame is one of the main protagonists of the Len'en Project and appears as a playable character in every game.

Yabusame Houlen
Nonbinary
Origin
Origin Len'en Mugenri ~ Evanescent Existence
Creator JynX
First Appearance Len'en Mugenri ~ Evanescent Existence
Characteristics
Species Human
Gender Gender Ambigious
Pronouns They/Them
Sexuality Unknown
Age At least 20
Birthday November 26
Height Unknown
Weight Unknown
Ethnicity Japanese
Status Alive
Alignment Chaotic Good
Archetype Reluctant Hero
Occupation Honorary Priest of the Senri Shrine, Substitute Priest
Time Period Unknown
Language Japanese
Combat Style Danmaku Combat
Homeworld Earth (Formerly), Mugenri
Relationships
Affiliations Tsubakura Enraku, Suzumi Kuzu, Jinbei, Kuroji Shitodo, Shion, Clause, Tsurubami, Tenkai
Enemies Shion (Formerly), Kurohebi (Formerly), Aoji Shitodo (Formerly), Hooaka Shitodo (Formerly), Kuroji Shitodo (Formerly), Clause (Formerly), Tsurubami (Formerly), Senri (Formerly)

Background

This dropdown contains the synopsis of Yabusame Houlen’s story. Read at your own risk as you may be spoiled otherwise!

Yabusame is one of the central protagonists of the Len'en Project, making their first appearance as the only selectable character in Evanescent Existence. They consistently appear as a main character in the shoot 'em up games and have become something of an icon for the series. Despite this, they currently seem to have few significant ties to Mugenri, and their backstory remains shrouded in mystery even by the standards of the Len'en Project. For this reason, it would be reasonable to regard Tsubakura Enraku as the protagonist instead, at least at this stage of the series.

Yabusame comes from the Outside World and traveled to Mugenri of their own accord after learning that Tsubakura and their acquaintances had vanished. Their disappearance, along with that of the rest of their acquaintances, became a major news story in the Outside World. Through these events, Yabusame became an honorary priest of the Senri Shrine after Tsurubami Senri tested their strength, along with Tsubakura's, to determine whether they were capable of serving as substitute priests. Following a game of rock-paper-scissors, Tsubakura took on the traditional priest duties, while Yabusame handled household chores such as cooking, cleaning, and general housework, avoiding the shrine's rigid rituals. Despite being a priest, Yabusame does not appear to fully understand how the Senri Shrine operates, or even how to maintain balance in Mugenri.

Overall, both Yabusame and Tsubakura have found life in Mugenri far more enjoyable than life in the outside world, considering it nicer. Yabusame has no desire to leave Mugenri. They do not seem to do much in terms of work and are usually found strolling around or napping at the shrine. Although they are tasked with solving incidents without understanding them, they are the type of person who somehow gets the job done regardless. They could choose to slack off if they wanted, though doing so might upset a lot of people. In recent incidents, they choose to tag along with Tsubakura Enraku because it seems interesting.

Mysteriously, Yabusame knew about the spell card system before the events of Evanescent Existence, prior to entering Mugenri with their acquaintances from the Outside World. How they came to know this is unknown.

An important aspect of Yabusame's character is that common sense does not apply to them. They eat unusual food, wear unusual clothing, and make strange remarks that the average person would find nonsensical. It is therefore safe to assume that Yabusame's words carry no deeper meaning. For example, they casually mention cooking "dark matter ramen." Tsubakura claims that Yabusame can do just about anything as long as they know how, and suggests that Yabusame is one of a kind. Tsurubami calls them a "flying natural wonder."

Evanescent Existence


“ This is a story of both the present and long ago.

This is a place born from beyond people's memories, now a forgotten frontier. Its form, cast out alongside the flow of time, was somehow nostalgic, yet novel as well.

This is a story of a world apart from reality.

This country is a place where both humans and non-humans live together. Things which have disappeared from sight can surely be seen once again here.

This is a story of humans and non-humans.

There are also people who were swept away here, or who were captured. At this time, many new people are stepping foot into this country.

This is a story about those people.

This is a land where limitless relations and illusionary laws are linked together. People call the land "Mugenri".

This is a story that was lost.

Thanks to the intentionally-discarded past, present, and future as well, the little birds flew out of the birdcage long ago.

This is merely a fairy tale.

Len'en Mugenri ~ Evanescent Existence ~

~ [Prologue] ~

After coming to their senses, the foolish Yabusame Houlen and their friends have found themselves in a strange airspace. (End of prologue)

„
~ Evanescent Existence Prologue English Translation


“ これは今と昔の御話。

ここは人々の記憶の彼方に誕生し、今では忘れ去られた辺境の地。 時の流れの傍らに放り出されたその姿は、 どこか懐かしく且つ新味なものであった。 これは現実でない世界での御話。 この国は人と人でない者とが共に棲む場所。 今では見なくなったモノも、 きっとこの場所でなら目にすることが出来るだろう。 これは人とそうでない者との御話。 そこに連れ攫われた、或いは囚われたヒト。 この時この国に、様々なヒトが新たに足を踏み入れていた。 これはそのヒト達の御話。 無限の縁と夢幻の理とが連なった地。 彼の地をヒトは无現里(むげんり)と呼んだ。 これは失われてしまった御話。 意図して捨て去られた過去と現在、そして未来によって、 小鳥達はとうの昔に鳥篭から飛び去っていた。 これは単なる御伽噺。 連縁无現里　～Evanescent Existence～ ～【前説】～ おバカな鳳聯藪雨らは、気が付いたら妙な空間にいた。(完)

„
~ Evanescent Existence Prologue Japanese

Yabusame appears as a playable character in Evanescent Existence. They are the only selectable character on a new save file; unlocking the other playable character, Tsubakura Enraku, requires defeating the Extra Stage boss while playing as Yabusame. The general premise of Yabusame's story is that Tsubakura is spirited away from the Outside World to a strange land called Mugenri. Worried, Yabusame uses their ability to cross dimensions in order to search for and find Tsubakura.

Yabusame discovers that all of their acquaintances are trapped in separate spaces throughout the Dimensional Cave, though they cannot get a clear picture of anyone's whereabouts. They first encounter Kurohebi in the cave, then meet Aoji in their personal space. Both are told about a "goal," which leads to battles for various reasons. After defeating them, Yabusame enters an unauthorized corridor and runs into "Tsubakura" on Stage 3. They find that "Tsubakura" is acting very strangely and talking about a "prize" for defeating everyone. After exchanging questions, the two end up fighting. "Tsubakura" uses talismans for their attacks, foreshadowing that Yabusame is actually fighting Tsurubami. After the battle, "Tsubakura" disappears without warning, prompting Yabusame to chase after them. If Tsubakura is chosen, the Stage 3 boss is Yabusame instead. The same scenario plays out, but from the perspective of "Tsubakura," with Yabusame casting various spell cards.

After meeting and defeating Hooaka Shitodo and Kuroji Shitodo along the way, Kuroji warns Yabusame not to go to "the sun that casts a shadow." Unfortunately for them, that is exactly where the most annoying person they know is found: Clause. Clause believes that getting out first and passing through the "Black Star" will grant them power. After wasting Yabusame's time, they fight, and Yabusame emerges victorious. The ending has Yabusame proceeding through the star because they have no other options.

After entering the black sun, Yabusame travels down a long Shrine Road. After dealing with Clause again, they casually transport themselves to the Mugenri Barrier without permission and find the true mastermind, Tsurubami Senri. Yabusame realizes that Tsurubami is a priest who has been impersonating Tsubakura in order to test their powers, seeking a strong person to replace them. Annoyed, Yabusame demands to know where Tsubakura is, but Tsurubami insists on a battle instead. After being "defeated," Tsurubami explains that Tsubakura had already "defeated" Tsurubami previously and planned to reveal them, but Tsubakura had already left, not before leaving Yabusame a mocking note. The priest had considered Tsubakura as their replacement, but after witnessing Yabusame's potential, they handed both of them the job of youkai exterminator. Afterward, Yabusame and Tsubakura settled in Mugenri.

Earthen Miraculous Sword


“ ~At the Senri Shrine~

Mugenri. Even in this land that doesn't exist within reality, time simply flows downriver as always, and the seasons and landscape change accordingly. The morning sunlight poured down from the calm clear skies some hours ago, unobscured and proclaiming the arrival of mid-day. Now, though, as the snakes crawled into their dens, the beautiful scenery became tired of sporting so many hues. It changed into a dull inky color, as if preparing for the snowfall that would blanket the land and welcome the coming season. Yes, it was that time of year. That is to say, the end of Autumn.

The new inhabitants of Mugenri's Senri Shrine had finally started to get used to their new lives, different as they were from the ones they led outside. Yet the "ordinary lifestyle" that they had constructed in this strange land was fragile; so fragile, in fact, that it would inevitably be overturned by an Autumn wind too weak to even whirl some leaves about.

In the shrine's kitchen, Yabusame Houlen, who was appointed as a substitute priest, poured an inky black broth into two teacups. The cups made a pleasant sound as they finished pouring. Yabusame hummed a nonchalant tune as they picked up the tray and cups both, and headed towards the place where the cups' contents would meet their ends "as coffee".

Yabusame searched for the one they were bringing coffee to: Tsubakura Enraku, the shrine's other substitute priest. If one were looking for them, it'd be best to check the research lab (that is, their room,) or to take a quick walk around the shrine's veranda while enjoying the scenery. They'd usually be performing strange experiments in those places, or yawning and stretching just to put on the air of someone slacking off. As evidence of that, Yabusame easily found them sitting on the veranda that day, yawning and fiddling with a thick book.

Yabusame: "Huh? You're still not done studying?"

Yabusame gave a look of surprise as they reached Tsubakura, while holding out one of the teacups from the tray for them.

Tsubakura: "Nnh... I finished "studying" a long time ago, but I still haven't fulfilled my quota. 16 readings to go."

Tsubakura flipped through the book with one hand as they took the teacup with the other, closed their eyes, frowned, drew back their shoulders, tilted their head to the side, and let out a huge yawn with their tongue hanging out. This exaggerated display served to make their boredom easy for Yabusame to pick up on, which said a lot about how thick-headed Yabusame was.

Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku... as these two were sealed up in this world of Mugenri, they were also entrusted with an extremely important role (that of priests). Yabusame complained that they'd rather just be a shrine maiden, and Tsubakura complained that they'd rather just be a stockholder, but after having discussed matters (played rock-paper-scissors), they divided the priests' responsibilities betwen them. As a result, the boring and tiresome work became Tsubakura's job, as well as having a certain individual drill the shrine's everyday rituals and traditions, Mugenri's history and so on into their head every day. On the other hand, all the cooking, cleaning and general housework were contracted out to Yabusame, and so they successfully avoided having to deal with the shrine's stiff rituals.

Having taken the cup from Yabusame, Tsubakura was aware that the substance contained within was definitely not something that belonged there under normal circumstances, but they drank it anyways.

They swished the black fluid around on their tongue, savored the taste well, and swallowed it. After taking a breath, they looked at Yabusame and grinned widely.

Tsubakura: "Even since we came to this world, your skills in the kitchen haven't dulled a bit." Yabusame: "You're probably the only person alive who would say so after drinking that."

While saying that, Yabusame leaned their head back and gave a strained smile.

? ? ? "Hm? What's that?"

Yabusame turned around in response to the innocent voice they heard. Behind them, there stood a child with long, fluttering black hair. The child wore a short, sleeveless haori all year round, and as such, those around them called them...

Yabusame: "Oh, it's you, Jinbei-kun."

..."Jinbei". Nobody seems to know their real name, however. Even in this season, where Autumn gales blow as if chasing the migrating birds, and where one reunites after a whole year with dry winds harsh enough to make one shiver, Jinbei was perfectly comfortable in their single-layer haori. Incidentally, this very person is Tsubakura's teacher, and so Tsubakura sometimes calls them "Sensei".

Yabusame: "It's coffee! Don't you know?" Jinbei: "Hmm. Of course I have heard of it, but I don't drink much more than what I prepare with tea leaves, so..." Tsubakura: "...! Ah, Sensei, would you like a cup as well? You say that you should try everything at least once, after all."

Perhaps having thought of an ingenious prank, Tsubakura held back a mischevious smile. They offered Jinbei the contents of the remaining cup, while sipping on their own as if to show that it was fine.

Jinbei: "Are you sure? What about Yabusame-san's coffee?" Yabusame: "Ehh? Uh, umm... no, I think I'm fine, really~?"

Yabusame was obviously very flustered, but Jinbei thought they were simply being polite about giving up their own drink.

They would only realize the horrible mistake they had made several seconds later...

Jinbei: "Well then, I think I'll take you up on that offer."

Yabusame crouched down to meet Jinbei's childlike stature, and handed them the cup. Jinbei took it, wetting their nose with the vapor rising from the cup.

Jinbei: "My, what a mysterious smell... It makes the back of my head tingle... Is this what they call bean milk...?"

Tsubakura chuckled to themself at the sight of Jinbei drinking the black liquid.

It took no time at all for Jinbei's calm face to undergo a dramatic transformation.

Yabusame: "Uh, hey... Are you okay? Jinbei-kun?"

Jinbei valiantly struggled to swallow the substance in their mouth even as their eyes watered. They cast a glare up at Tsubakura while breathing heavily.

Jinbei: "I see you tricked me..." Tsubakura: "My, I have not the slightest idea what you mean."

Tsubakura made zero effort to hide their mischevious intent. Despite Jinbei's disgusted glare, they calmly sipped at their own compound liquid.

"Ah, yep," they thought to themself. "Even the people of this world think the taste is awful..." "Even though it was pretty light stuff," they also thought. "Since there was nothing poisonous in it today..." Aside from 'Tsubakura's two cups', Yabusame had prepared coffee for themself as well, which they had left in the kitchen. They glanced sympathetically at Jinbei's agony, while yearning for that non-"specially made" brew. But then they remembered that they were more of a tea person to begin with, and thought "maybe I should go out and buy some tea leaves tomorrow..." and so on, putting their mind towards making plans ahead of time. Of course, the chance that Yabusame themself would actually remember those plans by tomorrow was astronomically small...

Jinbei: "W... well, anyway. You can make this up to me later. For now, let's talk about repayment for some previous things."

Recognizing defeat, Jinbei gradually regained their composure. They shoved the cup back onto Yabusame's tray and changed the subject.

Tsubakura "If you're wondering about that, I just finished the 101st reading." Jinbei "Eh? Wow, you only have a little bit left. That's awfully fast." Tsubakura "Making me read the rituals and history as many times as there are worldly afflictions, though? Really? Real stuffy way to learn, if you ask me. 102nd." Jinbei "And here I thought it'd take you at at least a month, no matter how hard you tried~." Tsubakura "If it were just memorization, I would have been fine after the first reading. 103rd." Jinbei "It doesn't matter if you had it down the first time. This is how it's traditionally done!" Yabusame "Tsubakura's hardly playing fair either, what with how they're actually reading it properly~."

Without responding to the other two at all, Tsubakura continued reading, flipping the book's pages like wind blowing through one's hair. Several seconds later, they closed it with a thud.

Tsubakura: "So. Did you come to see the result of your prank, having made this whole elaborate 'fake'?" Jinbei: "Ohh, so I've been found out." Yabusame: "Huh? What do you mean?" Jinbei: "That book is actually my own original work. So, how was it?" Tsubakura: "The setup where the mystery is solved once you read it 108 times while keeping the worldly afflictions in mind was interesting. Subject matter was awful, though." Jinbei: "How harsh... But, to tell you the truth, I honestly don't care about that now." Yabusame: "...? So, is there something else you want us to do?" Jinbei: "Hmm, how should I say this...? Watch my right hand."

As they said so, Jinbei pointed at the landscape visible from the veranda. Yabusame and Tsubakura's lines of sight followed the hand from Jinbei's face to their shoulder, then their arm, their palm, their fingertips, and the scenery beyond. Then finally, at last, they arrived at the sky above.

Mugenri's weather was that of a beautiful, clear late Autumn day.

All except for one point in the sky that the three were looking towards...

Yabusame: "Woah, it's super cloudy over there~!"

Yabusame gazed at the point Jinbei had indicated, eyes opened wide. There was a single massive, thick cloud floating in the otherwise clear sky. It was truly a spectacular sight. One would be tempted to call it outright vainglorious. The one strangely-cloudy spot was a wondrous sight, starkly contrasted against the clear blue surrounding it. It was as if the cloud had hardened in that spot and wouldn't move, even as the wind blew against it. Owing to this, the land below must have seemed like a world of eternal darkness...

Tsubakura: "Yeah, that thing. 'S been like that for days. If it was like that here, then I could sleep all I wanted. I'm jealous." Yabusame: "Oh, are you?"

Even as Yabusame's foolish voice echoed through the shrine garden, their eyes remained glued to the enormous cloud.

Tsubakura: "So, what the heck is this huge cloud we're gawking at? There a floating castle in there or something?"

Tsubakura asked their teacher, Jinbei, in a tone that made no attempt to hide their annoyance. Jinbei, in response, looked agog at Tsubakura and Yabusame.

Jinbei: "How should I know? It isn't as if I did it." Yabusame: "Huh? What do you mean?"

Yabusame moved their gaze from the cloud back to Jinbei, and responded to them in place of the listless Tsubakura.

Jinbei: "Who knows? It's just a regular old abnormal situation. 'Incidents', they're called. They're quite famous in the village streets." Tsubakura: "People call things 'abnormal' or 'incidents' because they're not regular, you know? Haa~augh."

Perhaps Tsubakura could tell what was coming, because they were already bored of it. While releasing a superb blend of yawning, sighing, and talking all at once, they stretched out, laid down on the veranda in that same posture, and finally closed their eyes.

Yabusame: "An incident? What's that?" Jinbei: "Well, it means that someone came up with some sort of sinister plot and made the clouds that way, I suppose?"

Jinbei kindly answered Yabusame's foolish question. All else aside, it was important for Yabusame to understand at least that much.

Yabusame: "Sinister plot!? Wha- what'll we do, Tsubakura?!" Tsubakura: "Well... I guess someone will have to do something about it, or whatever?"

Tsubakura, already checking out of the conversation, gave a lukewarm reply to Yabusame's idiotic question.

Yabusame: "Huh-whaa...! So, which someone is gonna do what thing, exactly?"

Yabusame, completely unaware that Tsubakura didn't want to hear the answer to that, kept innocently asking questions one after another.

Jinbei: "Why, you two will take care of it, of course." Yabusame: "Huh?"

Ignoring Yabusame's shock, Tsubakura finally accepted their lot and got up, with their regular expressionless look having returned.

Tsubakura: "Well, if I'm getting overtime pay for it... what do you want us to go and do?" Jinbei "Oh, don't you worry about any trifling details like that. Just go where you can, become a human sacrifice or what have you, and I'll leave it up to you to figure things out."

Not quite sure whether Jinbei was being serious or not, Tsubakura stuck their tongue out at them.

Tsubakura: "And why's a supremely high-ranking priest such as m'self hafta go get human-sacrificed or whatever...?" Yabusame: "Hu-man sa-cri-ficed...?" Jinbei: "'Those who have no intention of dying should verily die by all means.' ...That's the way things go in this world." Tsubakura: "I get this weird feeling that this is a big departure from the job description? Buuut that might just be me." Yabusame: "Job-des-crip-tion...?" Jinbei: "It seems you've forgotten which of us is holding the shrine's purse strings. Perhaps I should give you a little reminder when dinner comes around?"

Ignoring the fact that Yabusame didn't even understand 2% of what they were talking about, Jinbei pointed the muzzle of their proverbial gun at the two of them.

Tsubakura: "Oh, so we're having lotus roots again?" Yabusame: "...! Nooo~! I'm sick of lotus roots~!"

At the very least, Yabusame could understand that part of the conversation. From that, they more or less worked out what Jinbei was getting at, and began kicking their legs back and forth and throwing a tantrum.

Jinbei: "Really, I'll be fine even without any dinner. Hardly my problem."

The Senri Shrine's generations-old shikigami smiled brightly. To Yabusame, their grin was adorable, and to Tsubakura, it was just creepy.

Yabusame: "Well, if dinner's on the line, there's only one thing to do!" Tsubakura: "Let's head out there and and prove that no reign of terror like this ever lasts long." Jinbei: "Yes, yes. You can give that eloquent tongue of yours a rest now."

Jinbei continued the conversation while ignoring Tsubakura's muttering and glowering.

Jinbei "Ah, yes, and... it'd be good if one of you stayed here at the shrine, if only to keep up appearances. So decide which one of you will head out to the incident location, if you please." Yabusame: "Yeppers!" Tsubakura: "Yessers."

The two of them responded cheerfully(?), but neither had even the faintest intention of actually volunteering for such a nuisance of a task. Just answering the question of "what should we do to decide who goes?" took them a great deal of time by itself,

but for now, let's leave that as it is.

※----------------------------------------------------------------※

~In a forest near the Human Village~

Some ways past the forest beside the road coming from the village, there was a clearing. A log cabin stood in the middle. The ramshackle cabin, roughly and crudely built, served well enough as shelter from the rain, but it didn't look very reliable. If it were to collapse with a satisfying "kerplonk!" on a stormy day, hardly anyone would be surprised. There were three people, similar both in presence and in attire, who lived there.

Hooaka: "Looks like it's gonna rain today."

One of the three figures, their hair as red as fire, muttered gloomily as they looked out the window at the sky. There wasn't really anything to do in the dim room, lit by nothing more than a candle and what little light came in from outside. Whenever it rained, the inhabitants of the cabin became unbearably bored.

Aoji: "You've been saying that every day we spend here, Aka."

The blue-clothed, green-haired figure replied in a frail, muttering voice, as they plopped down at the hand-crafted chair and table (which were more like logs cut in half, really). This similar-looking pair had been living in the cabin for a while. They had suddenly been whisked away into this land they'd never heard of, without any assets, food or even a place to live, and had spent about a month with little hope of surviving. Recently, though, they'd finally been given a stable lifestyle. A consistent supply of food and water, a cabin that served as a makeshift residence... With those things taken care of, what they needed now was "funds". The cabin's third resident, not currently present, was out looking for a job to earn those "funds", and the two in the cabin were waiting for their return. Or, rather, they had nothing else to do but wait.

Hooaka: "Yeah, 'cause the weather's been like this the whole time! What else is there to say?" Aoji: "It hasn't rained even once, though." Hooaka: "They say if you tell people about the predictions in your dreams, they won't come true. So basically it's your fault." Aoji: "Eh..."

Judging by the pointless conversations they kept having, they were both extremely bored.

※----------------------------------------------------------------※

Kuroji: "I'll ask one more time, and only once... Why, exactly, do you have so much free time on your hands?"

After time had passed, the black-haired mass-production model returned home. Furrowing their eyebrows, they had the other two sit on the ground, took the chair and sat cross-legged on it, and prepared for a good old-fashioned lecture.

Aoji: "Well, um... There's not really anything to do, and..."

The youngest child Aoji avoided their older sibling Kuroji's glare, as they replied to them with a small voice.

Kuroji: "You remember what I said before I left, right? I said, 'If I make some money, then we can build a better house, so you two should go collect lumber in advance...' Some time has passed since then, so why haven't you collected any wood? Do you think the trees are going to chop themselves down?" Aoji: "Sorry..." Kuroji: "Listen up, you two. Our living conditions may have become slightly more comfortable, but the fact remains that we can't afford to be careless! We must break through this sorry state of affairs as soon as possible! You need live while treating every minute and every second as precious, so what excuse do you have for this idleness?!" Hooaka: "If every minute and every second is precious, why are you wastin' everyone's time with this dumb lecture?"

Hooaka retorted while staring at the ceiling, not even pretending to reflect on what Kuroji told them.

Kuroji: "If I hear any more cheek from you, you'll be the only one not enjoying dinner tonight."

Hooaka gave a sigh and then fell silent, as they made an expression that screamed "gimme a break already".

Kuroji: "Now, that aside. I've decided on a job." Aoji: "Huh!? You actually found one?" Kuroji: "Well, no, it's not as if I've found an employer. But the elders in the nearby village are complaining that the younger generations, from children to adults, are all terribly uneducated."

Aoji: "Oh, so that means...!"

Possibly having grasped where the conversation was going, Aoji spoke with a delighted voice.

Kuroji: "I'm going to establish a schoolhouse, and we'll be rich!" Aoji: "It's the debut of the Shitodo, the family of scholars!"

Seeing Aoji in high spirits made Kuroji smile, before they glanced over at Hooaka. Hooaka, who had been listening carefully, silently raised a question by pointing at themselves with a quizzical look.

Kuroji: "You... Maybe you could be an elementary or middle school teacher... No, maybe just a guard..."

Hooaka, who had just been blatantly told that they weren't smart enough to teach, stubbornly mouthed the word "a'ight" without making a sound.

Kuroji: "On that note, I have one proposal. In order to get the schoolhouse built, we need to establish a trusting relationship with the village's residents." Aoji: "Oh... But how could they trust us if we just got here?" Kuroji: "Yes. So don't you think we may need to do some... self-advertising?" Aoji: "Mm, I guess so, but how are you going to advertise?"

Hooaka silently mimed various performing arts. Kuroji gave them a pointed stare, then continued talking.

Kuroji: "If you're confident in your skills as a clown or kagura dancer, I'm not going to stop you, but I have a much better idea." Aoji: "Which is?" Kuroji: "Recently, the sky has remained cloudy for quite some time, right?" Aoji: "Yeah, it's been like this every day." Kuroji: "The people of the village are making quite a fuss about it, saying it's an 'incident' caused by some god or youkai." Aoji: "Hmm. You sure that's true?" Kuroji: "In fact, it's apparently quite common in this land for individuals to cause abnormal phenomena like this as part of some plot. Originally, every incident was resolved by those working at the shrine, but..." Aoji: "The shrine... you mean where Yabusame and Tsubakura are?" Kuroji: "Yeah. Regardless of the phenomenon's origin, something like this would be easy for them to resolve by force, once they put their minds to it."

Kuroji's words reminded Aoji of various past events, and they nodded in agreement with Kuroji's observation. At the same time, this led to another question, which they asked Kuroji about.

Aoji: "But it's... still cloudy, though?" Kuroji: "Mm-hm. It's most likely that they still haven't noticed the 'incident', or that they've noticed it, but haven't recognized it for what it is." Aoji: "Yeah. The shrine is pretty far away from here, after all." Kuroji: "Right. So, this is our chance." Aoji: "Huh?" Kuroji: "If we solve this incident ourselves, our names will go down in history! We'll swim farther than eels! Fly farther than carp! Even ascend into the sky as dragons!" Aoji: "You sure it's really gonna go that well~?"

Aoji squeaked out a complaint as they made a bitter face.

Kuroji: "We have nothing else to do anyway, so we may as well try it and see!"

Completely ignoring what they themself had been saying earlier, Kuroji began coaxing Aoji into helping them.

Aoji: "Umm... What should we do, Aka?"

Hooaka grinned ear to ear and gave a thumbs-up in response.

Kuroji looked back and forth between Aoji (uncomfortable) and Hooaka (pretending to be excited), then nodded and leapt up from their chair. They gazed out the window, towards the cloudy sky.

Kuroji: "It's decided, then. ...To begin, we'll split up and each do reconnaissance work."

Thus, though they each had differing opinions, they all agreed on the surface. The poorly-made wooden door squeaked as they left the cabin on their mission, giving a send-off to the three little birds.

„
~ Earthen Miraculous Sword Prologue English Translation


“ ～○闡裡神社にて～

　无現里(むげんり)。 　現実には存在しないこの国でも時の流れ方は変わらず、 　ただ川上から川下へ流れ落ち、 　季節と景色もそれに伴い移り変わる。 　物静かな模様の穹窿から、何者にも遮られること無く降り注ぐ旭日が 　小昼の時を告げる数刻前のこと、 　蛇は蛇穴に入り、色彩を纏うことに飽きてきた景勝が単墨色へと衣を更え、 　新たな季節を迎えるにあたり、雪化粧の仕度を整えようとしている 　そんな季節。 　ようするに晩秋。

　この国に鎮座する闡裡(せんり)神社の新たな住人達は、 　外とは少し違う生活にもようやく慣れ初めてきたところであったが、 　その異端の地にて新たに築き上げた『平凡な日常』という名の砂上の楼閣も、 　木の葉すら舞い上がらない程度のこの日の"野分"によって 　顛覆を余儀なくされようとしていた。

　神社の厨房にて、 　代理の神主を押し付けられた鳳聯 藪雨(ほうれん やぶさめ)は 　二つの湯のみに墨の様に真っ黒な汁を注いでいた。 　小気味良い音を立てながらそれらを注ぎ終えると、 　鼻歌交じりにその下に置いてあったお盆ごと 　湯のみを持ち上げ、その中身が"コーヒーとして"最後を迎える地へと 　足を運んでいった。

　藪雨がそのコーヒーの搬入先と定めてるこの神社のもう一人の代理神主、 　燕楽玄鳥(えんらく つばくら)を探すのだったら、 　その研究室（玄鳥の自室）か、境内の縁側でもグルッと一周、 　景色でも眺めながら回ればいいだろう。 　大抵はそこらで怪しい実験でもしてるか、欠伸でもしながら 　ボーっとしてる”てい”を装っているだろう。 　その証拠に今日と言う日も縁側に腰を掛け、 　分厚い本を弄びながら欠伸をしている玄鳥の姿を藪雨は難なく発見した。

　藪雨「あれ？　まだ勉強終わってなかったの？」 　玄鳥の元へたどり着いた藪雨は意外そうな顔をしながら、 　片手で持っているお盆から湯のみをひとつ玄鳥へ差し出した。 　　玄鳥「んっ・・・『勉強』はとっくに終わってる、だがノルマはまだだ、 　　　　　あと１６周だ」 　片手で差し出された湯のみを受け取りながら、もう一方の手で本を捲りつつ、 　肩は竦めながら首を横に振り、目を瞑りながら眉を顰め、 　口からは舌と共にため息を垂れ流している玄鳥の様子は、 　大げさにその退屈さを視覚的に表現して、 　相手に分かりやすく伝わるようにしているようで、 　普段からの聞き手の理解力の低さを物語っていた。

　鳳聯藪雨、燕楽玄鳥・・・この二人はこの世界、 　『无現里(むげんり)』に閉じ込められると同時に 　重役(神主)を任された身であった。 　どうせなら巫女さんがよかったと愚痴る藪雨と 　どうせなら株主さんがよかったと愚痴る玄鳥だったが、 　その後それらの事について二人で話し合い(じゃんけん)をして、 　それぞれで役割分担を決めたのであった。 　その結果として、地味で小難しい仕事の全てが玄鳥にまわり、 　日々神社の仕来りや由緒、神事や无現里の歴史等々を 　とある人物に日々叩き込まれる生活を送っていた。 　一方藪雨はというと、料理や掃除洗濯といった家事全般を請け負い、 　堅苦しい神事とは程遠い役割を獲得したのであった。

　藪雨が差し出した湯のみを受け取った玄鳥は、 　渡されたものに入っているものが、 　通常の用途ではそこにあるべきではないものだと認識しながら、 　それを口にした。 　口の中で黒い液体を舌の上で存分に滑らせ、 　味をしっかりと噛み締めてからそのまま喉奥に流し込んだ玄鳥は、 　一息ついた後、藪雨を見てニヤリとした。

　　玄鳥「この世界に来ても、お前の腕は健在のようだな」 　　藪雨「それを飲んでそう言うのはたぶん玄鳥だけだろうけどねー」

　そう言いながら、藪雨は頭を傾げながら苦笑した。 　？？？「なんですか？　それは？」 　背後から聞こえたあどけない声に反応した藪雨が振り向いた先には、 　暗黒色の髪をなびかせた子供の姿があった。 　年柄年中、丈の短い袖無し羽織を着ているその子供は、 　そこから由来して周りから・・・

　　藪雨「あっ、ジンベイくん」 　っと呼ばれているが、本名を知る者は誰もいないようだ。 　秋風も渡り鳥を追いかけるように飛び去り始め、身を震わせるに足る空風と 　一年ぶりの再会を果たすこんな季節でも、 　ジンベイは平気な顔で甚兵衛羽織を素肌に一枚だけ悠然と纏っていた。 　ちなみにこの人物こそが玄鳥の教師であるので、 　それ故に時に玄鳥はジンベイのことを『先生』と呼んだりしている。

　　藪雨「コーヒーだよ、知らない？」 ジンベイ「ん～、もちろん聞いたことはありますが、 　　　　　僕は茶葉で作ったものぐらいしか飲まないので・・・」 　　玄鳥「！　あ～、よかったら先生も一つどうですか？ 　　　　　何事も挑戦といいますからねぇ」

　妙案を思いついたのか、玄鳥は悪戯な笑みを心の奥底に隠し、 　見せしめるように自分の湯のみを啜りながら、 　もう一つの湯のみの中味をジンベイに勧めた。

ジンベイ「いいのですか？　藪雨さんの分は？」 　　藪雨「えっ、うーん・・・いやー、僕はいいかな～」

　藪雨はあからさまに慌てたが、 　ジンベイはそれを只の遠慮の類のものだと思ってしまった。 　それが最大の敗因であったことを、数秒後に思い知るのだが・・・ ジンベイ「それでは、お言葉に甘えて・・・」 　幼子のような身長のジンベイに合わせてしゃがみ込んだ藪雨から 　ジンベイは湯のみを受け取り、それが放つ蒸気に鼻を湿らせた。

ジンベイ「へ～、不思議な香りですね～・・・ 　　　　　頭の後ろの方がジンジンするような・・・ 　　　　　これが豆汁ですか・・・」

　そう言い終えると同時にその黒い汁を口にしたジンベイの姿を横目に見て、 　玄鳥はしてやったりとほくそ笑んだ。 　涼しい顔をしていたジンベイの顔が変貌していくのには、 　さして時間を必要としなかった。 　　藪雨「えっと・・・だ、大丈夫？　ジンベイくん？」 　涙目になりながらも口の中のモノを意地で咽喉の奥に押し込んだジンベイは、 　息荒げに俯きながら玄鳥を睨んだ。

ジンベイ「図りましたね・・・」 　　玄鳥「おやおや、サッパリ」

　悪戯心をまるで隠す気の無い玄鳥を恨めしそうに見るジンベイをよそに、 　玄鳥は平然と同じ含有物の液体を啜っていた。

　やっぱりこの世界の人でもこの味はダメなんだ・・・、 　っと心の中でつぶやきながら、 　今日のは毒物が入ってない分、マシな方なんだけどなぁ・・・ 　っとも思った。 　藪雨は"玄鳥用の二杯分"とは別に、自分用に台所に置いてきた 　『特製でない』コーヒーの味を懐かしみながら、 　ジンベイが悶えてる様を同情の眼差しで観察していた。 　だが、そもそも自分は紅茶党だったことを思い出し、 　明日にでも茶葉を買いに行ってみようかなぁ・・・ 　などと今の内に予定を立てておくことに頭を回し始めた。 　もっとも、明日になっても藪雨当人がその予定を覚えていられる確率は 　天文学的確率で低いのだが・・・

ジンベイ「まっ・・まぁいいでしょ、この件はツケとくとして、 　　　　　今は過去の返済の話をしましょう」

　敗北を認めながら、ジンベイは次第に平静を取り戻しつつ、 　湯のみを藪雨が持つお盆に乱暴に返して話題の路線を変えた。

　　玄鳥「そのことなら、たったいま１０１周目を読み終えたところですが」 ジンベイ「へ？　なんだ、もうあと少しじゃないですか、随分と早いですね」 　　玄鳥「由緒と歴史を煩悩の数だけ読ませるなんて、 　　　　　陳腐な修練だと思いますがね、１０２周目」 ジンベイ「どんなに頑張っても一ヶ月は掛かると思ったんですけどね～」 　　玄鳥「暗記だけなら最初の一周で十分だろうに、１０３周目」 ジンベイ「出来る出来ないではなく、これが仕来りですからね！」 　　藪雨「玄鳥はズルイからね～、本当にきちんと読んでるってところが」

　玄鳥は二人の言葉に対して反応することもなく、 　風圧で自身の髪が靡くほどの勢いで本を捲りながら読み進め、 　数秒後にパタンっとそれを閉じた。

　　玄鳥「それで、こんな手の込んだ"偽者"をつかった 　　　　　悪戯の成果を見にきたんですか？」 ジンベイ「おー、やっぱりバレてましたか」 　　藪雨「え、どういうこと？」 ジンベイ「実はそれ僕の創作なんですが、いかがでしたか？」 　　玄鳥「煩悩を意識しながら108回読むと 　　　　　謎が解ける仕組みは面白かったです。　内容は酷いが」 ジンベイ「これは手厳しい・・・、 　　　　　ま、実はそれについては今は正直どうでもいいんですけどね」 　　藪雨「・・・？　じゃあ他に何か用があるの？」 ジンベイ「えー、といいますか・・・・右手をご覧ください」

　そう言いながら、ジンベイは縁側から見える景色に右の掌をかざした。 　ジンベイの手の導きにより藪雨と玄鳥の視線は、ジンベイの顔、 　肩、腕、掌、指先、その先の景色へと移ろい、 　そして最終的にはその延長上にある空へと到着した。

　本日の无現里の天気は、晩秋の趣を感じさせながらも見事な秋日和であった。 　三人が臨む一点の空を除いて・・・ 　　藪雨「うぁー、すごい曇ってるね～」 　藪雨は目を見開きながら、ジンベイの掌の延長上をじっと眺めた。 　視線の先には晴天の中に唯一、巨大で分厚い雲が『唯我独尊』 　っとでも言いたげに浮かんでいた。 　他は快晴であるにも関わらずその場所だけが異様にまで曇っているのは、 　中々の奇観であった。 　まるでそこで雲が固まり、動かなくなってしまっているかのようで、 　風にも流されずにその場に留まり続けている。 　そしてそれに扈従して、雲の下の世界はまさに常夜の国のように・・・

　　玄鳥「数日前からあんな感じだな、あれならずっと寝放題だろうに、 　　　　　うらやましい限りだ」 　　藪雨「あ、そうなの？」

　マヌケな声を境内の庭に響かせながらも、 　藪雨の目線は曇り空に釘付けになっていた。

　　玄鳥「そいで、あの黙劇中の雲がなんだっていうんですか？ 　　　　　中に天空の城でもあるのかな？」 　玄鳥は面倒くさいという内心を隠すつもりの無い口調で、 　師であるジンベイに訪ねた。 　それに対してジンベイは呆れた顔で玄鳥と藪雨を見た。

ジンベイ「知りませんよ、私がああした訳じゃないですし」 　　藪雨「えー？　どういうこと？」

　藪雨は曇り空から目線をジンベイに移し、 　気だるそうな玄鳥の代わりに質問した。

ジンベイ「さあ？　単なる異常事態じゃないですか？ 　　　　　『異変』ってやつですよ、巷で有名なあの」 　　玄鳥「単なるものでないから異常で異変なんじゃないのか？　はぁ～あ」

　玄鳥は先の展開が読めたのか、 　ため息と欠伸と台詞を絶妙にブレンドしたものを喉から吐き出しながら 　伸びをして、その姿勢のまま縁側に横になって 　仕舞いには目すら閉じてしまった。

　　藪雨「異変ー？　どういうこと」 ジンベイ「まぁ、誰かしらが悪巧みして、 　　　　　ああいう風になってるってことですかね」

　藪雨のお惚けな質問に、ジンベイは親切にも答えた。 　なにせ、藪雨にそれを理解してもらう必要があったからだ

　　藪雨「悪巧み！？　ど、どうするの玄鳥！？」 　　玄鳥「そりゃ・・・誰かがどうにかしなくちゃ、なんじゃないか？」

　ホッコリした藪雨の間の抜けた質問に、 　やる気の無い玄鳥の応答が生温くなって返ってきた。 　　藪雨「ほへぇー・・・それで、誰がどうすんの？」 　その答えを聞きたくなさそうな顔をしている玄鳥のことなど露知らず、 　藪雨は無邪気な質問を放った。 ジンベイ「もちろん、貴方達がどうにかするんです」 　　藪雨「えっ」

　唖然としている藪雨をよそに、もはや観念した玄鳥は体を起こし、 　普段ののっぺりした表情に復帰した。 　　玄鳥「超過勤務手当てが出るのなら、ですね・・・・行って何をしろと？」 ジンベイ「まぁそんな些細なことは気にせず、 　　　　　行くだけ行って人柱になるなりなんなりと、 　　　　　手段や方法は全てお任せします」

　冗談なのか本気なのかわからんその言葉に玄鳥はうへーっと舌を出した。 　　玄鳥「なんで最高位の神職自らが生贄にならにゃあかんの」 　　藪雨「ひとばしら・・・？」 ジンベイ「死ぬ気のない者はすべからく死ぬべし、 　　　　　・・・っというのがこの世の常です」 　　玄鳥「仕事内容と逸脱してる気がするような、しないような」 　　藪雨「ちょーかきんむ・・・？」 ジンベイ「お財布の紐は誰が握ってるのか、 　　　　　また晩御飯にでも思い出させてあげましょうか？」

　二人の会話の内容を２％も理解できていない藪雨をよそに、 　ジンベイの言葉の銃口は二人に向けられた。 　　玄鳥「うへぇ、レンコンか」 　　藪雨「！　イヤだ～、レンコン飽きた～」

　この部分だけ会話の内容が理解できた藪雨は、 　それでなんとなく話の流れも分かったようで、 　足をじたばたしながら駄々こね始めた。

　ジンベイ「いっそ、全く無くても私は大丈夫なのですよ」 　闡裡神社代々の式神はそういいながら、ニッコリと笑った。 　それは藪雨にとっては可愛らしく、玄鳥にとっては不気味な笑顔であった。

　　藪雨「夜ご飯の為ならしかたないね！」 　　玄鳥「恐怖政治が長続きしないということを、 　　　　　すぐに証明してみせましょう」 ジンベイ「はいはい、舌の体操はここまでにしといて」

　不満げな玄鳥の言葉と視線を無視しながら、ジンベイは話を続けた。 ジンベイ「そうですねぇ・・建前上、留守番もいたほうがいいので、 　　　　　お二人の内のどちらが現地に向かうか決めてくださいね」 　　藪雨「ほーい」 　　玄鳥「へーい」

　快く返事(?)をする二人であるが、 　当然どちらも「自分が行く」なんて面倒なことをするつもりなど 　毛頭無かった。 　「どちらが行くか決める方法をどうするか」 　っという事を決めるだけでこの後も 　随分と時間を有するのであるのだが、

　それはそれとしておこう。 ※----------------------------------------------------------------※ ～○人里から少し離れた森の中～ 　里から道を外れて森の中をすこし抜けた先に 　小さな開拓地と丸太で作られた小屋があった。 　手荒で、杜撰に造られたその粗末な小屋は、 　多少の雨風を凌ぐには十分であるだろうが、 　嵐でもやってきた日には"パタンっ"と 　良い音を立てて倒れてしまいそうな程頼り気がなかった。 　そこには気配も服装も似たような３人が住み着いていた。

　頬赤「今日は一雨きそうだな」 　窓から空を見上げながら、炎のような真っ赤な髪の色をした人影は、 　憂鬱そうに呟いた。 　ロウソクと外から取り込む光以外に照らすものの無い薄暗い部屋の中では、 　特にすることがなく。 　雨が降ってこられると非常に退屈になってしまうのであった。

　蒿雀「ここのところずっとそればっか言ってるよね、アカは」 　丸太を切っただけのお手製の椅子と机に突っ伏しながら、 　弱々しい声で呟きに応答する緑の髪の青い人影。 　この似た姿形をした二人はここに棲息していた。 　突然聞いたことも無い国に飛ばされ、財産も住居も食料も無い状態から 　一ヶ月間、死ぬ気で生きてきたが、 　最近になってようやく安定した生活を送れるようになってきていた。 　水と食料の確保、小屋の仮建設・・・ 　それらが揃った今、必要とされているのは『資金』だった。 　その『資金』については、ここにはいないもう一人が 　現在仕事を探しに行っており、この二人はその帰りを待ってた。 　っというより、待つ他にやる事がないらしい。

　頬赤「だってずっとそんな天気なんだから使用がないじゃん」 　蒿雀「そう言って、一度も降ったことないけどね」 　頬赤「人に伝えると正夢は実現しなくなるって言うじゃん、 　　　　だからお前のせいだ」 　蒿雀「えぇ・・・」

　要領を得ない話ばかりしている所を見ると、二人は相当に暇のようだ。 ※----------------------------------------------------------------※ 黒巫鳥「もう一度だけ聞く・・・・どうして暇を持て余していたんだ？」 　しばらくしてみると、帰ってきた黒髪の量産型は、 　眉を中央に寄せながら残りの二人を地面に正座させ、 　自分は椅子で足を組みながら説教と洒落込んでいた。

　蒿雀「その・・・余りにもすることがなくて・・・」 　末っ子の蒿雀は黒巫鳥から目をそらしながら小声で返事をした。 黒巫鳥「出る前に私は言ったよな？ 　　　　『金が溜まったらきちんとした家を建てるから、 　　　　今の内に木材を集めておけ』・・・って。 　　　　あれから一刻は過ぎてるが、 　　　　それなのにどうしてここには一本も切り倒した木が無いんだ？ 　　　　イリュージョンでこれから出てくるのか？」 　蒿雀「ごめんなさい・・・」 黒巫鳥「いいかお前ら、少しは生活が楽になったからといって、 　　　　決して油断のならない状況だということには変わりないんだぞ？ 　　　　我々は一刻も早くこの状況を打破しなくてはならない、 　　　　だから一分一秒を大切にして生きていかなくちゃいけないのに、 　　　　なんだこの体たらくは！」 　頬赤「一分一秒が大切なら、こんな説教してる暇ないんじゃなーいの？」

　反省してる演技すらしようともしない頬赤が、 　天井を仰ぎ見ながら皮肉を言った。 黒巫鳥「次にどうでもいい事で口を開いたら、 　　　　今日の晩飯はお前以外がご馳走になるぞ」

　ふー、やれやれ・・・っとでも言いたげな表情で 　頬赤はため息をしながら黙りこくった。 黒巫鳥「もういい、とにかく仕事を決めてきたぞ」 　蒿雀「えっ！？　見つかったの」 黒巫鳥「いや、雇い主が居たというわけではないが、 　　　　近くの里では最近子供～成人の学力低下が著しいと 　　　　老人どもが愚痴を漏らしていた」

　蒿雀「あ、ってことは！」 　話の流れを察したのか、蒿雀は嬉しそうに声をあげた。 黒巫鳥「学び舎開設で一儲けだ！」 　蒿雀「学者一家、鵐家の出番だね！」

　はしゃぐ蒿雀を見て笑みを浮かべる黒巫鳥は、ふと頬赤の方をみた。 　その話をきちんと聞いていた頬赤は、訝しげに自分のことを指差し、 　無言の主張を訴えていた。

黒巫鳥「お前は・・・・小中学生レベルの授業を担当か・・・ 　　　　それか用心棒ってとこだな・・・」

　ひとえに智識が無いと言われた頬赤は 　あくまで無言で「はーい」っと口の動きだけで返事をした。 黒巫鳥「そこで一つ提案があるんだが、 　　　　学び舎を開設するには里の住人と信頼関係を築かなくちゃならん」 　蒿雀「えー・・・でも僕達ここに来たばかりだし・・・」 黒巫鳥「そう、だから『売名行為』が必要だと思わないか？」 　蒿雀「うーん、そうだけど、何をして売名するの？」

　黒巫鳥はジェスチャーで芸をしてみせている頬赤を 　マジマジと見ながら、話を続けた。

黒巫鳥「道化、神楽に自信があるなら止めはしないが、 　　　　それより言い方法がある」 　蒿雀「っというと？」 黒巫鳥「最近、随分と長い間曇り空が続いているよな？」 　蒿雀「うん、ここんところずっとそうだね」 黒巫鳥「巷ではこれを神や妖怪による『異変』だと言って騒いでいる」 　蒿雀「ふーん、本当にそうなのかな？」 黒巫鳥「実際、何者かの陰謀によってこういう異常現象が起こる事は 　　　　この国ではよくあるらしい、 　　　　本来では神社に勤めてる奴がそれを毎回解決してるらしいが・・・」 　蒿雀「神社って・・・藪雨と玄鳥がいる？」 黒巫鳥「あぁ、原因が何であるにしろ、 　　　　奴等がその気になったらこの程度の自然現象、 　　　　強引にでもすぐ解決できるだろう」

　黒巫鳥のその言葉に蒿雀は過去の出来事を思い浮かべて、 　うんうんっと納得したが、 　それと一緒に疑問も浮かび上がり、黒巫鳥に聞いた。

　蒿雀「だけどまだ曇ってるよ？」 黒巫鳥「うむ、おそらくあいつらはまだ『異変』について知らない、 　　　　もしくはこの現象が『異変』だと気がついてないのかもしれない」 　蒿雀「あぁ、神社ってここから結構遠いもんね」 黒巫鳥「そう、だからこれはチャンスだ」 　蒿雀「え？」 黒巫鳥「この『異変』を我々の手で解決すれば、 　　　　我々の名声は鰻のぼり、鯉のぼり！　天までのぼって龍となる！」 　蒿雀「そんな上手くいくかな～」

　苦い顔をしながら蒿雀は弱音を漏らした。 黒巫鳥「どうせ暇なのだから、やるだけやってみてもいいだろう」 　つい先ほど自分が言っていた事を完全に無視しながら、 　黒巫鳥は蒿雀を説得しようとする。

　蒿雀「うーん・・・どうするアカ？」 　蒿雀が意見を求めると、頬赤はサムアップしながら満面の笑みを浮かべた。 　不安げな蒿雀とやる気満々のフリをしてる頬赤を交互に見ながら、 　黒巫鳥はよし、っと短く声に出して椅子から立ち上がり、 　窓の外の曇り空を眺めた。

黒巫鳥「決定だな、・・・・それじゃまずは別行動をとり、各自情報収集だ」 　こうして、それぞれが別々の理念を抱きながらも表層上は結託し、 　立て付けの悪いお手製の木の扉は、 　音を立てながら３人の小鳥達を見送ることとなった。

„
~ Earthen Miraculous Sword Prologue Japanese

Yabusame appears as a playable character in Earthen Miraculous Sword.

Shortly after settling in Mugenri, Yabusame and Tsubakura are adjusting to their new life at the Senri Shrine. Tsurubami's familiar, Jinbei, monitors them and ensures they perform youkai extermination properly. Tsubakura plays a prank on Yabusame and Jinbei by giving them a suspicious black drink they claim is coffee. After the prank, Jinbei notes that the weather has recently been cloudy and asks them to resolve the issue. Since only one of them can go, they decide the matter with a game of rock-paper-scissors. Yabusame loses and is forced to handle the incident.

Yabusame wanders around without a clear sense of where to go. They first confront Jun Amanomiya, believing them to be the culprit, then throw salt on Shou Amanomori after deciding to visit the Human Village for groceries, then encounter Lumen Celeritas to confirm which of the two is the actual culprit, and finally run into Hibaru Kokutenshi, who wants to take out their frustration on Yabusame for being associated with the Senri Shrine.

Eventually, Yabusame finds their way to the Ritual Site, where they meet Sukune Katano. They try to chase Sukune off for interrupting an "important ritual" but fail. Yabusame enters the building and climbs the stairs to find Adagumo no Yaorochi, who is conducting a ritual to transfer the Tasouken's spirit into a clay sword that Sukune made. Realizing the sword is actually the Sword of Kusanagi, Yabusame does not wish to fight, but Yaorochi wants to test the new sword. After Yaorochi is defeated, the sword attacks Yabusame on its own. Fortunately, the clay vessel cannot contain the Tasouken, and the sword stops. Once everything is resolved, Sukune reveals that the clay replica is actually a sword-shaped bottle opener, much to Yaorochi's annoyance. In the end, Yabusame shares some sake with them.

The night after Yaorochi's defeat, Yabusame holds a drinking party with Yaorochi, Sukune, and the other heroes inside the Ritual Site, which has been repurposed into a banquet hall. Running out of sake, the three protagonists decide to fetch more from the Senri Shrine, deciding who will go with a game of rock-paper-scissors. Yabusame loses and heads out. While drunk, they deal with an overpowered Lumen Celeritas, who blasts themself away with a powerful attack. Eventually, they meet Adagumo no Saragimaru, Yaorochi's younger sibling, who had been lying in wait to kill Yabusame for ruining the ritual and interfering with Yaorochi's happiness. However, Saragimaru finds it unethical to kill a drunk opponent. Yabusame does not understand, and Saragimaru attacks, believing they have sobered up. After Saragimaru is defeated, Yabusame invites them to drink together, paying no attention to their concerns.

Reactivate Majestical Imperial


“ ~---At the Senri Shrine---~

? ? ?: "Yabusame-san! Please wake up!"

The Senri Shrine. Located in the land called Mugenri, cut off from the outside world. For Yabusame Houlen, shrine resident and substitute priest #1, the day began with quite a clamor.

Yabusame: "Hweh?"

While making a silly sound in their throat, Yabusame snapped open their eyes. In front of their eyes was a young face floating in the air, their dark hair and gaze both falling down towards them.

Yabusame: "Mm~, c'mo~on, just lemme sleep for a couple more years~" ???: "Sorry, no! I'm waking you up now..."

The person with the child-like surface appearance answered promptly, and with their thin arms, flung both Yabusame and the futon enveloping them into the air. After a brief pause, both the idiot and the futon whirling through the air crash-landed on the floor mats with a dull sound.

Yabusame: "Nu~u~... I got treated so awfully without even a chance to speak...... ...You're so mean, Jinbei-chan."

The child thusly referred to Jinbei (albeit with a "-chan") made a sour face and punted Yabusame across the room.

Jinbei: "Get up already and go make breakfast, will you? Tsubakura-san is so hungry they're going to fall asleep all over again.

Yabusame: "Aaeh~... Jinbei-kun, why don't you do it...?" Jinbei: "I mean, I easily could... but there's another reason I came to wake you up."

All the while, Jinbei continued to kick Yabusame, who was sprawled out lazily on the floor.

As Yabusame continued to ignore them even while having their head trampled on, Jinbei said in an even more taut voice:

Jinbei: "We have guests!"

The season was roughly winter. Even in Mugenri, cut off as it was from outside, Old Man Winter's conquest marched on unabated, with the sound of his armies' boots echoing on the cue of winter's first day. Although literally speaking, since most animals and some youkai were already hibernating, and the wind was blowing less often, nature was shrouded in silence.


...Or at least, it should've been. But it seemed that this year's winter was going to be different.


In one of the Senri Shrine's Japanese-style rooms, two people sat across from each other as they warmed themselves at the kotatsu.


One was substitute priest #2, "Tsubakura Enraku". This monochrome individual, whose waking and sleeping states were hardly distinguishable from one another, was burrowed into the kotatsu and sucking on a tangerine peel.

Tsubakura: "...Aaand so what's your point?"

The genius asked. However, they weren't addressing the person on the other side of the kotatsu, but the green tails out past the sliding door, on the veranda. The slimy tails all overlapped each other, wriggling back and forth.

???: "Don't 'what's your point' me. Incident resolution is your livelihood, is it not?"

...Said the tails.

Tsubakura: "It's our livelihood, and yet we don't have a single penny to show for it? Don't you think that's a little too convenient?"

Tsubakura said, while gazing at the pile of tangerine peels. On closer inspection, the peels were quite dried out. Apparently, they had been sitting there for several days now.

???: "Well, yes, it's not exactly something you'd earn money from. Deal with it."

The tails, despite being tails, started talking once again.

Tsubakura: "That aside, why'dja come all the way here just to give some encouragement to lil' ol' us? Orochii~n-ku~un."

Right after the tails made a big movement in response to the weird nickname, a humanoid figure appeared from the shadows.


The tails' owner, "Adagumo no Yaorochi", turned around and gave Tsubakura a sour look.

Yaorochi: "Because! I'm very irritated at how you've left this situation lying around as-is!"

Mugenri's winter had been quiet... last year, at least. But this year was different. As the scenery blanketed in white powder would indicate, there was occasionally some snowy weather. But there was something with far more presence than the snow also floating through the empty air.


Namely...!!

Yaorochi: "What's with all these GHOSTS?!" Tsubakura: "Like I would know...?"

The garden of the Senri Shrine was rife with ghosts, corner to corner. They floated around freely, vanishing and appearing as they liked. At times, they would sing in a strange-sounding choir so faint as be almost unnoticeable, but strangely enough, it wasn't all that uncomfortable to listen to.

Yaorochi: "They're an eyesore, for one thing, but the most dangerous thing about them is that they steal heat. It's only the first day of winter, but thanks to these things, it's already far colder than last year." Tsubakura: "If there's lots of spirits around, doesn't it just mean a lot of people died?" Yaorochi: "Ah, I see... and what exactly would be the cause of that?" Tsubakura: "Prolly a big massacre in the Human Village or somethin'? Not like it's any a' my business, thoo~ough."

As they matter-of-factly said this very alarming thing, Tsubakura bit off part of the peel they'd been sucking on, and slowly began chewing on it.

Yaorochi: "It seems you're sorely lacking in imagination." Tsubakura: "I'm wondering why you're not already hibernating, see. Most of the imagination reserves are bein' spent on that." Yaorochi: "I don't feel like it this year. Which is why I'm so bothered by this cold!" ???: "Yeah, Yaorochi-san'sh real sensitive t'cold an' shtuff~."

Suddenly, they heard a strange language coming from the opposite side of the kotatsu. Yaorochi faced the source of the sound, and once again made a grumpy face.

Tsubakura: "You shouldn't take so long worrying about which hole to crawl into~. 'Cause you're a snake and all." Yaorochi: "Shush already. And you, Sukune-- why are you lazing about over there?"

The person thus called "Sukune", who wore a heavy-looking hat on their head, was sitting opposite Tsubakura and sucking tangerine peels with them while poking at their feet under the kotatsu.

Sukune: "'Cause it's all warm in here, nyu~. I hate the cold, gyo~." Tsubakura: "You're in the way. Leave already."

Tsubakura mercilessly cut them down, but their words went in Sukune's right ear and straight back out their left.

Yaorochi: "*Sigh*... well, if the shrine's head priest says so, I suppose we should depart soon." Sukune: "Whaa?! Alreadyyy?! I haven't even gotten ta' eat anything yet!"

Then, just as the pitter-patter of feet drew near, the door opposite the one leading to the veranda slid open.

Yabusame: "Oh, it's Orochin-san and Haniwa-chan!"

Yabusame entered while rubbing their sleepy eyes.

Yaorochi: "Another nuisance. Oh joy." Sukune: "Ahaha~! Y'hear that, Yabusame? Yer a nuisance, nyah!" Tsubakura: "Another being the operative word."

While listening to each of them shouting back and forth, Yabusame went straight from closing the door to sitting and shoving their legs into the kotatsu. With the kotatsu now transformed into a three-way intersection of tangled legs, each prospective champion began enacting strategies to expand their respective territory.

Yabusame: "...'S cramped." Tsubakura: "You've got no right to talk, coming in here late." Sukune: "'S cramped, gyah~!" Tsubakura: "You've got no right to talk either, coming in here uninvited."

The three stared each other down, while engaging in a desperate struggle under the kotatsu.

Yaorochi looked on at this ridiculous scene, sighed deeply, curtly said "all right, I'm gonna leave you there," and walked out off the veranda.


At this, Sukune hurriedly got up and chased after them while yelling "don't leeeeeeave myeeeeeeee~!" or something.


At last, the shrine grounds were quiet... save for the singing ghosts, at least.

Yabusame: "So why were Yaorochi-san and Sukune-chan here, anyway?" Tsubakura: "Said they discovered a new way of preparing konjac jelly or somethin'." Yabusame: "Wow! That's not very cool at all!" Tsubakura: "Ain't like I was listening in the first place, though, since they didn't even bother to bring free samples." Yabusame: "Makes sense~!"

Jinbei: "Ehhh... So. Anyway."

Jinbei, having come into the room a little bit late, was standing behind Tsubakura before they knew it.


Tsubakura began gushing cold sweat from their whole body, felt their blood draining out of them, and let the scrap of tangerine peel they were gnawing on plop out of their mouth.

Jinbei: "Can either of you happen to guess why I've been so angry lately? Hm?"

In the end, the two of them were punted clear out of the shrine and ordered to go resolve the incident.

~---At a clump of bushes near the Senri Shrine Road---~

Kuroji Shitodo was in a very good mood.

Thanks to some business coming up during an earlier visit to the Human Village, they had come quite far from the usual road while exploring the neighboring vicinity. But they stepped quite lightly, and as they pushed through the grass while crunching leaves and twigs underfoot, they emerged onto a road paved with cobblestone.

Kuroji: "This is... the shrine road, huh? Looks like I walked quite a ways without realizing."

The Senri Shrine Road. That paved road leading up to the shrine always gave off a faintly uncanny feeling.

Things were no different now, either. Despite there being snow piled up around the road, the paved section didn't have a single flake on it. It was hard to imagine anyone sweeping the path clean; it stretched on for so long that it was hard to picture it ending even at the far-off horizon.


---It was as if the snow itself was deliberately avoiding the road as it fell.


Utter nonsense, of course, but with the way the road seemed to ward away any human presence, one might almost start thinking that.


As Kuroji pondered these things and stepped out onto the road, they saw two shadows swiftly crossing right in front of them... or rather, through the sky right above them. Before they could clearly make out who the figures were, though, the shadows had flown far into the distance.


While thinking about the shadows' identity, Kuroji stepped once more out onto the road, and ran smack into another familiar face.

Saragimaru: "Geh--! Great. You're that scoundrel from before."

It was that snake from before.

Kuroji: "So you remember my face, huh? Maybe all that self-advertisement is working?" Saragimaru: "What are you doing around here? Fraud? Blackmail?" Kuroji: "What horrible things to say about someone." Saragimaru: "I mean it's true, isn't it? It's a total bull's-eye, isn't it?" Kuroji: "It seems I need to take my time having a nice, long conversation with you to resolve this misunderstanding." Saragimaru: "...Eh?"

As Saragimaru saw this human smiling creepily at them, they seemed to instinctively feel danger.

Kuroji: "You're here because you're tailing after that Yamato-no-Orochi wannabe, aren't you?" Saragimaru: "Uhh...."

---They actually were...? Kuroji had just been bluffing, based on a quick inference from the earlier shadow and Saragimaru's sudden appearance, but apparently it was a clear strike straight to the pitcher's mitt.

Kuroji: "Did you know? I'm rather famous for being a blabbermouth."

They were also quite good at lying on the spot.

Saragimaru: "...Are you saying you're gonna blackmail me in exchange for your silence...?"

The effect seemed to be immediate. ---The more straight-laced someone is, the easier they are to manipulate. This one seemed even easier to make use of than Hooaka or Aoji.

Kuroji: "Oh, no, it's nothing major. You've noticed the strange amount of spirits lately, haven't you? Would you mind helping me collect them?" Saragimaru: "....."

Saragimaru was forced to agree in silence.

And thus, Kuroji acquired a method of quickly finishing up their ongoing business. With the small sacrifice of a single youkai...

Saragimaru: "...Does it have anything to do with that signboard you're holding?"

Saragimaru looked at the object that Kuroji was grasping... or perhaps more accurately bearing... in their right hand.

Kuroji: "Sharp of you! I found this by chance on a trip to the Human Village. To be frank, this is the whole reason I'm gathering spirits."

The following text:

　【We're buying souls! If you've gathered up a good amount, call us at this number. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Contact number: XXXX-XXXX】

was written on the sign.

Saragimaru: "...What in the heck?" Kuroji: "Means exactly what it says. Apparently, these babies are sellable." Saragimaru: "Can't get much more suspicious..." Kuroji: "However, this gives me an extremely good pretext for stea-- *COUGH* receiving a great deal of money." Saragimaru: "Wow. I just learned that you actually care about your reputation."

It seemed they had no choice, though. They were forced to comply with this villain... While experiencing tremendous shame, Saragimaru also cursed their past blunder. However, there was one thing that caught their interest.

Saragimaru: "By the way, why'd you take the whole sign with you? If you wanted to remember the number, you could just write a note."

As they heard that, Kuroji tossed the sign into the nearby bushes.

Kuroji: "Even a monkey could memorize a simple number." Saragimaru: "Huh? Why, then? To show it to those red and blue siblings of yours?" Kuroji: "Even a dog can communicate things out loud." Saragimaru: "So... why'd... you...?"

Saragimaru thought, at that moment, that there was probably nothing that could represent Kuroji's character better than the smile on their face right then. And at the same time, they shivered.

Kuroji: "The fewer rivals you have, the better. Right?"

Thus did the two of them, despite not being friends or even really acquaintances, join together. But on this journey, reluctant as it was for at least one of them, just how many victims will utter their first cry of birth... or, more accurately, scream of agony? Perhaps only Kuroji knows.

„
~ Reactivate Majestical Imperial Prologue English Translation


“ ～○---闡裡神社にて---○～

　？？？「起きてください！　藪雨さん！！」 　外界から遮断された国、无現里(むげんり)に鎮座する闡裡(せんり)神社。 　そこに寝泊りしている代理神主一号『鳳聯 藪雨』の一日は、 　随分と騒がしく始まった。

　　藪雨「ほぇ？」 　マヌケな音を喉で奏でながら、藪雨はパチッっと目を開けた。 　すると目の前には暗黒色の髪を下にたらしながら、こちらを見下ろして 　いる幼い顔つきが空に浮かんでいた。

　　藪雨「ん～、もー２、３年寝かせて～」 　？？？「ダメです、起こしますねー」

　そう即答すると、子供のような表層の人物は 　細い腕で藪雨が包まっている布団を、藪雨まるごと宙に放り投げた。 　空を舞う布団と馬鹿は一息間を置いたあと、鈍い音と共に 　畳に不時着した。　

　　藪雨「ぬぅー・・・、有無を言わせず、この惨状・・・・・ 　　　　　・・・・・ひどいジンベイちゃん」

　ちゃん付けでジンベイと呼ばれた子は、ムスッと不機嫌な顔をして 　藪雨を蹴っ飛ばした。

ジンベイ「さっさと起きて朝ごはん作ってくださいよ、 　　　　　玄鳥さんがお腹が減って眠くなってます」

　　藪雨「あぇ～・・・ジンベイくんが作ればいいじゃない・・・」 ジンベイ「それでもいいですが・・・起こしに来た理由は他にもあります」

　ジンベイはこの間も、畳にじかに寝そべっている藪雨の横っ腹を 　蹴っ飛ばし続けていた。 　話を全く聞こうとしない藪雨の頭を強く踏みつけながら、ジンベイは 　一際張った声を出した。 ジンベイ「お客さんが来てるんです！！」

　　季節はだいたい冬、外界から遮断されたこの无現里でも、 　　冬将軍の覇道は衰えることなく、立冬の声を合図に軍靴を響かせ 　　ずんずんと攻め入ってきた。 　　しかし、動物や妖怪達の一部はすでに冬眠し、風も少なくなって 　　来ているので、実際には物音少なく、自然は静寂に包まれている。


・・・・ハズなんだが... 　　どうやら今年の冬はそういうわけにもいかないようだった。


　　闡裡神社のとある和室にて、そこに鎮座しますコタツには、 　　二人の人物が向かいあって体を温めていた。


　　一人は代理神主二号、『燕楽 玄鳥』である。 　　いつ寝てるのかもいつ起きてるのかもよく分からないこの白黒は。 　　コタツに体を突っ込みながらみかんの皮をしゃぶっていた。

　　玄鳥「・・・っで、それがどうしたって？」 　　天才は問うた。 　　だがそれはコタツの反対側に入っている人物に対してでなく、 　　開け放たれた襖の先の縁側にいる緑色の尻尾に向けてであった。 　　そのぬるぬるの尻尾は何本も重なり合い、うねうねと蠢いていた。

　？？？「どうしたではない、お前らの生業は異変解決だろ？」 　　尻尾が喋りだした。 　　玄鳥「お金が一銭も入らないのに生業ってのは～、 　　　　　ちょっと都合が良すぎないか？」

　　みかんの皮の山を眺めながら、玄鳥は言った。 　　よく見るとこのみかんの皮、ずいぶん干からびれていた。 　　どうやら数日前からずっとここにおいてあったものらしい。

　？？？「金銭が発生するようなものでもないしな、我慢しろ」 　　尻尾のクセにまた喋りはじめた。 　　玄鳥「それは置いといて、なんでわざわざお前がここに来てまで 　　　　　あたし達を促すんだい？　オロチ～ンく～ん」

　　変な呼び名で呼ばれ、尻尾は一際大きな動きをしたと思ったら、 　　影からヒトの姿が現れた。


　　尻尾の持ち主であるこの人物、『徒雲 八尾呂智』は、振り向くと 　　不機嫌そうな顔つきで玄鳥を見た。

八尾呂智「こんな状態を放置しているお前らに腹が立ったからだ！」 　　无現里の冬は静かなものだ・・・・例年通りだったら。 　　しかし今年は違った。 　　雪化粧を済ませた景色が示唆するとおり、 　　時折雪が降る天候ではあったが、その雪よりも存在感があるものが 　　そこらじゅうの空中を漂っていた。


　　それはズバリ！

八尾呂智「なんだこの幽霊どもは！？」 　　玄鳥「知らんがなぁ・・・」 　　闡裡神社の庭には、至る所に幽霊が蔓延っており、 　　自由気ままに消えては現れ、現れては消えていた。 　　時たま消え入りそうなくらい薄い奇声で合唱しているのだが、 　　不思議と大して不快にならない音だった。

八尾呂智「目障りだというのもあるが、熱を奪うのが何より厄介だ 　　　　　こいつらのせいで、例年よりもずっと寒い立冬だ」 　　玄鳥「霊がたくさんいるってことは、 　　　　　いっぱい誰か死んだってことじゃねーの？」 八尾呂智「ほぅ、そうか・・・それでその原因は？」 　　玄鳥「大方、人里で大量虐殺事件でも起こったんだろう、 　　　　　俺にゃーかんけーない話だがねー」

　物騒な事をサラッと言いながら、玄鳥はしゃぶっていたみかんを 　噛み千切って、ゆっくり咀嚼し始めた。 八尾呂智「随分と想像力が欠如しているようだな」 　　玄鳥「いまお前がなんで冬眠してないのかを考えてたんでね、 　　　　　そっちに想像力を割かれた」 八尾呂智「今年は冬眠する気はない、だからこそこんなに寒いと困るんだ」 　？？？「八尾呂智さんは寒がりじゃかーねー」

　突然コタツの反対側から妙な言語が聞こえてきた。 　八尾呂智は音の発信源に顔を向け、またしても不機嫌そうな顔をした。

　　玄鳥「穴惑いもほどほどにな～、蛇なんだから」 八尾呂智「やかましい、それに宿禰、何故そんなところでくつろいでいる？」

　宿禰と呼ばれたその人物は、頭に重そうな帽子を被り、 　反対側のコタツで玄鳥の足を自分の足でつつきながら、 　一緒にみかんの皮をしゃぶっていた。

　　宿禰「だって、暖かいにゅ～、寒いの嫌いだぎょ～」　 　　玄鳥「邪魔だから出て行け」

　玄鳥はバッサリと容赦なく切り捨てたが、宿禰はそれを完全に右耳から 　左耳に聞き流していた。 八尾呂智「はぁ・・・この神社の主がそう言うんだから、そろそろ御暇するぞ」 　　宿禰「えぇ！！　もうですかーぃ！？　まだ何にも食べてないにょに！」

　その時、パタパタという足音が近づいてきたかと思ったら、 　縁側とは反対側に位置する襖が突然開いた。

　　藪雨「あ、オロチンさんにハニワちゃんだ！」 　藪雨が寝惚け眼を擦りながら入ってきた。 八尾呂智「面倒なのが増えたな」 　　宿禰「あはは～、面倒だってさ藪雨にゃ～」 　　玄鳥「"増えた"ってのが味噌だな」

　藪雨はそれぞれの掛け合いを聞きながら、 　襖を閉めるとすぐさまコタツに座り込み、足を突っ込んだ。 　もはや生足のスクランブル交差点と化したコタツ内では、 　自分の領土を広げるためにそれぞれが水面下で戦略をめぐらせていた。

　　藪雨「・・・・狭い」 　　玄鳥「後から来たお前がそれを言うのはおかしい」 　　宿禰「狭いぎゃ～」 　　玄鳥「招かれざる客がそれを言うのもおかしい」

　三人は互いににらみ合い、コタツの中で死闘を繰り広げていた。

　その滑稽な様をはたから見ていた八尾呂智は、はぁ、っとため息をすると、 　短く「置いていくぞ」とだけ言い、縁側から立ち退き、歩き去っていった。


　宿禰はそれを見て慌てて立ち上がり、置いてかないじぇぇ～～ 　っとかなんとか言いながらそれを追いかけていった。


　ようやく神社内は静かになった・・・・・幽霊の奇声を除けば。

　　藪雨「それで、八尾呂智さんたちは何しに来たの？」 　　玄鳥「なんでも新しいコンニャクの作り方を発見したんだとさ」 　　藪雨「へぇ～、大して凄くな～い！」 　　玄鳥「まぁ差し入れも持ってこない奴の話なんて知らんけどな」 　　藪雨「そりゃそうだね～」

ジンベイ「へぇ・・・・それじゃあ」 　少し遅れて部屋に入ってきたジンベイは、 　いつの間にか玄鳥の後ろに立っていた。


　玄鳥は全身から冷や汗が吹き出て、血の気が引いていくのを実感し、 　噛んでいたみかんの皮を口からだらーんとこぼした。

ジンベイ「私が何で最近怒っているのかは、知ってますか？」 　結局、異変解決してこいと、 　二人して神社から蹴り出されるハメになったとさ。

～○---闡裡神社参道脇の茂みにて---○～ 鵐黒巫鳥はご機嫌だった。 　人里に行った時、とある用事が出来た為、辺りを散策しているうちに 　普段の道から随分離れていた。 　しかし足取りは軽く、落ち葉や小枝を踏み折りながら 　草むらを掻き分けていくと、今度は石畳を敷き詰めた道に出た。

　黒巫鳥「ここは・・・参道か、気がつかないうちに結構歩いたようだ」 闡裡神社参道、あの神社の参道は妙に気味が悪い。

　今この瞬間もそうだ、あたりは雪面であるにも関わらず、 　全くと言っていいほど石畳には雪が積もってなかった。 　この地平線の先まで行っても終わりがあるとは思えないほど長い参道を 　除雪する奴がいるとは思えない。


　―――まるで雪自身が避けるように降り積もったみたいだ。


　ナンセンスな事ではあったが、そう考えてしまうほど、 　どこかヒトを寄せ付けない参道であった。


　そんなことを考えながら草むらから参道に出ようとすると、、 　目の前・・・の上空を二つの影が素早く横切っていくのが見えた。 　しかしハッキリとその姿を捉える前に影は遠く彼方に消えてしまった。


　その影の正体を考えながら参道に出てみると、 　今度は見知った顔にばったり出会った。

　蛇穴丸「げぇ、いつかの悪党」 　いつぞやの蛇だった。 　黒巫鳥「顔を覚えられてるとはね、売名が効いてるのかな？」 　蛇穴丸「こんなところで何してるんだ？　詐欺か？　恐喝か？」 　黒巫鳥「酷い言われようだ」 　蛇穴丸「どうせ真実なんだろ？　図星なんだろ？」 　黒巫鳥「どうやらキミとはゆっくり話して誤解を解く必要がありそうだ」 　蛇穴丸「・・・えっ？」

　目の前にいる人間の表情が不気味に微笑んでいるのを見て、 　蛇穴丸は本能的に危険を感じたようだ。 　黒巫鳥「例の八岐大蛇もどきを尾行してたんだろ？」 　蛇穴丸「うっ...」

　―――当たりなのか・・・ 　先ほど見えた影とその直後に現れた蛇穴丸から推測したハッタリだったのだが、 　どうやらド真ん中のストライクボールだったようだ。

　黒巫鳥「知ってるかな？　私は口が軽いことで有名なんだ」 　ついでに嘘を付くのも得意だ。 　蛇穴丸「・・・口止めに何をさせる気だ...？」 　どうやら効果は覿面のようだ。 　―――真面目な奴ほど、扱いやすい。 　こいつは頬赤や蒿雀より使い勝手が良さそうだ。

　黒巫鳥「いや、大したことじゃない、最近妙に霊が多いだろ？ 　　　　　それを集めるのを手伝ってくれないかな？」 　蛇穴丸「・・・・・」 　蛇穴丸は無言で了承せざるを得なかった。

　こうして黒巫鳥は現在進行中の用事を手軽に済ませる方法を獲得した。 　一人の妖怪の犠牲のもと...

　蛇穴丸「・・・その手に持ってる看板はそれと関係あるのか？」 　蛇穴丸は黒巫鳥の右手に握られている 　・・・っというより担がれてる物体に目をやった。

　黒巫鳥「するどいな、人里に行ったときに偶然見かけたんだが、 　　　　　何を隠そうコイツが霊を集める理由さ」 　その看板には、

　【霊魂、買い取ります。　まとまった数が集まり次第、御連絡を。 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　通信番号:XXXX-XXXX】


　っと記されていた。

　蛇穴丸「・・・なんじゃこりゃ？」 　黒巫鳥「見ての通り、売れるらしいんだ、これが」 　蛇穴丸「怪しい限りだな・・・」　 　黒巫鳥「だが金をうば.....もらう大義名分はこれでできた」 　蛇穴丸「お前が外聞を気にしてるとは初めて知ったよ」

　しかし自分には選択肢はないようだ、この悪党に従うしかない・・・ 　蛇穴丸は大変な不名誉を感じながら、自らの過去の不覚も悔やんでいた。 　しかし、一つ気になったこともあった。

　蛇穴丸「ところで、なんで看板まで持ってきたんだ？ 　　　　　番号を控えるならメモでもとればいいだろ」 　それを聞きながら、黒巫鳥は持っていた看板を近くの茂みにポイッと投げ捨てた。 　黒巫鳥「番号の暗記なんて猿でもできる」 　蛇穴丸「ほあ？　じゃあなんだ、例の赤いのと青いのに見せるためか？」 　黒巫鳥「口で伝えるなんて犬でもできる」 　蛇穴丸「じゃあ・・・なん・・・で・・・？」

　蛇穴丸は思った。 　黒巫鳥の顔にこの時浮かんだ笑みほど、 　この者の性格を如実に表すものはないだろう、っと 　そして同時に戦慄した。

　黒巫鳥「ライバルは少ないほうがいいだろ？」 　こうして、大した交友もないハズの二人は手を組むことになったが、 　少なくとも片方は不本意な今回の旅では、果たしていかなる被害者が誕生の産声を 　・・・・もとい悲鳴をあげるのだろうか... 　それは黒巫鳥のみが知っているのかもしれない。

„
~ Reactivate Majestical Imperial Prologue Japanese

Yabusame returns as a playable character in Reactivate Majestical Imperial, this time partnered with Tsubakura Enraku. During gameplay, the two can swap turns between shooting and passively collecting souls, either through bombing or dying. Yabusame in particular automatically moves toward falling items for easier collection. They also appear as a possible Stage 4 boss alongside Tsubakura if the Slaver Team was chosen.

An unseasonably long winter and a sudden surge of spirits prompt Jinbei to force Yabusame and Tsubakura to head out.

Yabusame and Tsubakura begin by ignoring Sese Kitsugai, then beat up Tsugumi Umatachi for collecting souls. Arriving at the Giant's Burrow cave, they encounter Fujiwara no Iyozane, who refuses to answer questions after the team learns they are manipulating the spirits. After dealing with them, they run into Sukune Katano and Adagumo no Yaorochi, who tell the humans to go home. Yabusame wants to resolve the incident together, but everyone refuses. After defeating them, the team leaves the cave and travels along a river, where Taira no Fumikado is trying to exploit the sudden influx of spirits to revive Taira no Masakado. Their plan is foiled, however, because something else is attracting the spirits. After defeating them, the team discovers that all the spirits are being drawn to the Harujion in the Withered Grove. There they find a newborn chimera soul, whom Yabusame names "Shion." Shion can sense people's minds by smelling them and is particularly interested in Tsubakura, wanting to consume it. Realizing that the Harujion is causing the long winter, they defeat Shion.

In the ending, Yabusame and Tsubakura return to the Senri Shrine with Shion in tow, much to Jinbei's annoyance. Shion indicates that they were drawn by the essence of the shrine and remain interested in consuming Tsubakura's soul. Even in the Bottle Opener and Slaver Teams' endings, Shion still ends up at the Senri Shrine with the same results.

On their way through the Giant's Burrow, Kuroji Shitodo and Adagumo no Saragimaru run into Yabusame and Tsubakura, who are curious about their partnership. Kuroji tells them to go away, but this provokes a fight. Yabusame and Tsubakura take turns fighting separately before teaming up for the final spell card. Kuroji defeats Yabusame and Tsubakura, who were actually going easy and now have an excuse to return to the shrine, leaving Kuroji and Saragimaru to deal with the incident.

A few days after the main story, Fumikado arrives at the Senri Shrine and confesses that they were only taking advantage of the abundance of spirits coming through a hole in the Mugenri Barrier. Jinbei explains that a few months ago, they asked a friend and skilled barrier builder, Tenkai Zuifeng, to repair the barrier. Jinbei wants to check on Tenkai's progress and asks the heroes to regroup and consult with them. Arriving at the Road Traveled by Light, Yabusame and Tsubakura confront Tenkai, who is curious whether the two are strong enough to replace Tsurubami Senri as protectors of Mugenri. Tenkai is defeated but left satisfied and repairs the barrier during the battle. On the way home, the team is ambushed by Sese Kitsugai, who has absorbed the spirits the heroes had been collecting and transforms into a much more powerful form. They are still defeated, and the spirits leave their body.

Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle


“ Mugenri had welcomed the arrival of spring.

There are many factions in the land, both small and large, but two particularly large factions among them have been engaged in a carefree staring contest for many years. However, now that the balance maintained by the Senri Shrine's despotic former head priest has collapsed, the two are showing signs of conflict.

At the same time, one particular rumor was making quite a stir.

"When sake is poured into the vessel of the skies, and cheap ideas and pride are blended in, Heaven shall surely split the mirror."

It was a groundless rumor that nobody knew the source of, but at least a few bothersome drunkards seemed to take an interest in the "mirror splitting" part. They cast off the garb of idleness and felt like going out all of a sudden.

Both drunkards and bullets soared through Mugenri's skies. For those with no interest in sake or danmaku, that day couldn't have gotten any more troublesome.

They say that around this time, many came to realize that the hazy air of spring had even cast a haze over people's minds.

„
~ Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Prologue (Demo Version) English Translation


“ 　春を迎えた、无現里(むげんり)。

この国には大小さまざまな勢力が存在するのだが、 その内のとある二つのおめでたい勢力は長年暢気ににらめっこをし続けていた。 しかし闡裡(せんり)神社の先代神主の独裁によって保たれていた均衡が崩れた今、 その二つの間に戦乱の兆しがあった。

　そんな情勢の中、とある噂が巷を騒がせていた。 　　『大空の器に酒を注ぎ入れ、ちゃちな思想にプライドをブレンドした時、 天が鏡を割るだろう』

　誰が流したかも分からないこのヘンテコな噂だが、 「鏡割り」という言葉に少なくとも幾人かの面倒臭がり屋の飲兵衛は、 その怠惰の衣を脱ぎ捨てて、外に出かける気になったらしい。

飲兵衛どもと弾が飛び交う无現里の空。 酒と弾幕に興味がない者にとっては全くもって迷惑な日だ。

春の『陽気』とはヒトの頭を侵す『妖気』そのものだと、この時多くの者が悟ったという。

„
~ Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Prologue (Demo Version) Japanese


“ ~---At the Senri Shrine---~

Tsubakura "...So the gist of it, from what I'm getting, is that our New Emperor over here is a total screw-up."

---"Mugenri", a world separated from reality. The "Senri Shrine", said to have this world completely under its thumb. Tsubakura Enraku, having originally come from the world outside Mugenri, works at the shrine as its new head priest. They currently appeared to be quite fed up with the person they were talking to.

Iyozane: "Yes. Yes, that is entirely the case."

The frozen land had thawed, and while the cherry blossoms still had yet to bloom, the Senri Shrine grounds were beginning to feel the reality of winter's end. Two visitors were currently standing there.

Fumikado: "Iyozaneee, can't you try a bit harder to save my face?" Iyozane: "Just how am I supposed to save face when you never had any?"

Taira no Fumikado and Fujiwara no Iyozane. These two had previously caused an incident in Mugenri. At present, they were respectively declaring themselves to be the New Emperor and the chief adviser thereof.

Yabusame: "So the soldiers out there aren't listening to what Fumikado-san is telling them?"

---The Senri Shrine also had another resident, bearing the title of "Honorary Priest". This priest, Yabusame Houlen, apparently took care of all the housework such as cooking and cleaning, rather than any actual religious duties.

And so it was that the novice priest and the household-chores priest were begrudgingly listening to their guests' concerns.

Fumikado: "They're not exactly my minions, after all." Tsubakura: "What exactly is this... organization? Union? Coalition? Of yours." Iyozane: "We don't exactly have a name pinned down for it, but others call it the 'Youkai Coalition', for what it's worth." Fumikado: "Sometimes it's called the 'Alliance' too, though." Tsubakura: "Great, okay. The fact that it's a real shoddy organization has been noted."

Tsubakura, now even more annoyed, seemed to already completely not care about Fumikado and Iyozane's concerns.

Fumikado: "Anyway! Worst-case scenario, we might even have to ask for help from the Senri Shrine." Iyozane: "That's how tense things are getting, is what we're saying." Yabusame: "Huhhh." Tsubakura: "Guess you'd better take care, then. Lock your doors nice and tight, an' all." Fumikado: "You're not taking this seriously at all, are you...?" Jinbei: "That said, though... You say you're part of the same league, but you don't know anything about the exact situation?"

---The Senri Shrine had also employed a shikigami for several generations. No matter whether it was a cold, snowy winter night or a sweltering midsummer day, this shikigami always wore a short, sleeveless, single-layer jinbei-haori, so those around them called them "Jinbei". Neither of the head priests knew their true name.

Fumikado: "You see, there's been... uh, stuff, I guess." Iyozane: "All the troops do seem to avoid you recently, Fumikado-san." Tsubakura: "...Even though you're the New Emperor?" Fumikado: "W-Well... I'm sure they're just keeping their distance out of respect for their emperor! Very understandable." Yabusame: "Doesn't it just sound like you're getting bullied...?" Fumikado: "Urgh..." Iyozane: "You know, you're unexpectedly frank when it comes to making difficult comments like that." Yabusame: "Eheheh~! ♪" Tsubakura: "...Somewhat unsure as to whether they're actually complementing you or not."

Most conversations at the Senri Shrine, even ones meant to just convey a short and simple fact, tended to veer far away from the main topic, and at times took much longer than they ought to have.

Fumikado: "ANYWAY!"

And at times, one could be seen thus dragging the conversation back to its original purpose.

Fumikado: "Don't say we didn't warn you! If you value your safety too, you shouldn't dawdle around outside too much." Tsubakura: "I mean, I'd hardly want to go outside anyway, but okay." Yabusame: "Yeah~! ♪" Iyozane: "...Is this shrine really going to be okay like this?" Fumikado: "Well, we ought to get going... got the pumpkin waitin' outside and all." Tsubakura: "What are you, Cinderella?"

After the two parties traded a handful of parting insults with each other, the self-proclaimed emperor and chief adviser finally left the shrine.

However, their departure was punctuated by yet another guest.

Kuroji: "What's wrong? Pretty long faces you've got there."

This new visitor sitting out on the veranda was a whole size shorter than Tsubakura, who was already shorter than average, but Tsubakura knew that they boasted a bigger attitude than anyone else.

Tsubakura: "........" Yabusame: "Tsubakura's always got a long face!" Kuroji: "Yes, that's why I'm asking. You sitting around bored with no trouble or anything?" Jinbei: "We've had quite a few guests today." Kuroji: "Ah, I see. I'm not the first arrival, then."

Kuroji Shitodo was an acquaintance that Yabusame and Tsubakura knew from the outside world, and had been dragged along with the two of them when they came to Mugenri. It seemed that Kuroji was saving up funds to open a school in Mugenri's human village. Described as such, they may have seemed like an outstanding person, but their fundraising methods appeared to be rather controversial on several fronts.

Tsubakura: "This reminds me of that one saying. How'd it go again?" Jinbei: "'Bamboo shoots after rain'?" Yabusame: "Ugohgohgoh..." Kuroji: "'The more things change, the more they stay the same'?" Tsubakura: "'Out of the frying pan and into the fire.'" Kuroji: "Harsh, aren't you? And after I came all this way to see you." Tsubakura: "Whenever you come calling, you bring some nuisance or another with you." Kuroji: "...Well, I'm not sure whether it'll be a nuisance, but I have something to ask of you." Tsubakura: "Ah. Got anything to do with your charges over there?"

Tsubakura's line of sight pointed towards a smirking, red-haired figure holding one arm, and a green-haired figure in a blue hood who was watching the other with concern.

Kuroji: "Yeah. Hooaka got roughed up a bit. You can patch them up, right? I mean, you're bound to have a research facility set up already." Hooaka: "Ehh, yeah, I'm not doin' great... Took a real beating out there." Aoji: "All three of us would've been taken out if we didn't get away when we did..."

Hooaka Shitodo and Aoji Shitodo were Kuroji's blood relatives. Since they were in an unknown land without much means of self-sufficiency, Kuroji was taking care of the two of them. Described as such, Kuroji may have seemed like an outstanding person, but their methods of earning living expenditures were rather controversial on several fronts.

Tsubakura took a glance at Hooaka's injuries. Their expression turned serious for just an instant, but their usual bored look immediately returned.

Tsubakura: "...You're just missing your right arm from the elbow down? I can fix that in no time. C'mon over this way."

Perhaps having gotten used to the pain, Hooaka's expression was still soft despite their cold sweat. They followed Tsubakura into the shrine.

While watching the two of them disappear into the shrine, Yabusame turned to the remaining two Shitodos with a look of astonishment.

Yabusame: "If Hooaka got hurt that bad, whoever it was must've been SUPER strong, right?!" Kuroji: "Mm... well, let's leave it at that. It was a pretty hard fight we had." Aoji: "......"

Kuroji was obviously hiding something, but "Yabusame was a moron," so they didn't even notice that fact. As they continued talking, partly asking about each other's recent situations and partly just making small talk, Tsubakura and Hooaka quickly returned.

Kuroji: "You work as fast as ever." Tsubakura: "Just so you know, this is gonna cost you a whole lot." Kuroji: "If you healed them properly, yes." Aoji: "Aka? Are you okay?"

As Aoji asked them about their condition, Hooaka answered while moving around awkwardly.

Hooaka: "ME. HOOAKA. ME. ALL. BETTER. NOW." Yabusame: "Woah! Hooaka's turned all robot-like!" Kuroji: "...You just switched them with a cyborg or a clone or something, didn't you?" Tsubakura: "I just exchanged their arm for one I grew artificially. That's all." Hooaka: "DON'T. WORRY. EVERYTHING'S. A-OKAY." Kuroji: "...So Hooaka's just messing around, then." Tsubakura: "Yes. ...Your household is such a pain, honestly." Hooaka: "MANY. THANKS. TSUBAKURA."

'It's Tsubakura we're dealing with, so it's equally plausible that this Hooaka could be real or a fake.' ...So Kuroji thought, but they soon realized that thinking the matter over wouldn't get them an answer any time soon, and thus they quickly gave up on speculating.

Kuroji: "Well, I ought to at least thank you. It'd be pretty inconvenient for us if Hooaka wasn't of any use." Tsubakura: "I'd appreciate you paying your bill more than thanks... Well, about 500 sake casks ought to do it."

The crooked priest flippantly said something absolutely absurd, but master scoundrel Kuroji responded with hardly any surprise.

Kuroji: "In place of the medical fee, I'll give you some equivalent information." Tsubakura: "Eh? It better be just as valuable as the actual payment, you got that?" Kuroji: "Naturally."

Tsubakura hardly believed them.

However, they already understood that Kuroji would never honestly pay money, so they chose to let it slide and hear about the info.

"When sake is poured into the vessel of the skies, and cheap ideas and pride are blended in, Heaven shall surely split the mirror."

Yabusame: "What the heck's that?" Kuroji: "A rumor I heard down on the street. Sounds like a golden opportunity for an alcohol lover like you, right?" Tsubakura: "Hmph. Kagami-wari, huh... That does sound good, I'll admit..." Yabusame: "What do you mean?" Tsubakura: "I mean it's a rumor that could be related to sake." Yabusame: "Whaa?! Then that's great, right?!" Kuroji: "Yeah, right?" Tsubakura: "But isn't this a little strange, hm? Why aren't you going out there to investigate? Isn't this one of your beloved get-rich-quick schemes?" Kuroji: "I can't say I appreciate your strange presumptions about me, but I suppose I'll let it slide." Aoji: "We've got a bit of other business to take care of, so we don't have time to investigate whether the rumor's true." Tsubakura: "Ahh, so you figured this info would come in handy to pay your medical bill? Nice way to repurpose unneeded waste." Kuroji: "We did go to some lengths to get this information. It's only wise to make the best use of it we can, right?" Tsubakura: "Well, whatever. I gotcha. This time's on the house."

As they finished this negotiation-- though whether one could even call it that was up in the air-- Kuroji glanced over at Jinbei.

Kuroji: "So, by the way, you're the Senri Shrine's shikigami...? First time we've met." Jinbei: "Oh, this is most certainly not our first meeting, dear persimmon bandit."

A thin smile drifted across Jinbei's face, but their eyes showed absolute fury. Even Kuroji found themselves having to glance away.

Kuroji: "...What ever could you mean?" Jinbei: "It's not that big of a deal, really? I've kept a very thorough count, you see, so I'll just have you pay for them eventually, one way or another. FOR. SURE." Kuroji: "This shikigami of yours is quite stingy, Tsubakura."

Kuroji hurriedly passed the ball to Tsubakura, probably wanting to change the topic.

Tsubakura: "They're not stingy. They're super hyper dreadnought-class stingy." Kuroji: "Must be a lot of trouble, that. I can't help but sympathize." Jinbei: "If you're saying that loud enough for me to hear it, I assume you're prepared for any consequences?"

"Well then," Kuroji said as they stood up, paying little heed to Jinbei's words.

Kuroji: "I suppose there's not much reason for us to hang around any longer, so why don't we take our leave?" Tsubakura: "An' don't come back!" Kuroji: "Assuming none of us gets injured again, sure."

"Oh yes, that's right," Kuroji said as they took out some change from their pocket and tossed it toward the veranda.

Kuroji: "I'd hardly be able to sleep soundly if I didn't pay anything, so help yourself to this much." Tsubakura: "I'll just say 'that's rare coming from you' and leave it at that."

Even without looking at the coins, one could tell from the sound of them clattering on the wood that they wouldn't buy even a single dango.

Kuroji: "And with that, we'll call it even." Tsubakura: "Pft, like hell."

Ignoring Tsubakura's retort, Kuroji turned with a brief "well, see you," and left with Hooaka and Aoji in tow.

---Yabusame was the first to notice the anomaly.

Yabusame: "Hey, hey, Tsuba~! Come look, this is so cool!"

It seemed that Yabusame had discovered something. As Tsubakura followed their gaze, they briefly showed a look of surprise. ...Then they just looked vaguely annoyed.

The change that Kuroji had tossed a second ago... every single coin was standing on its edge, not landing on either heads nor tails. As they watched the coins slowly continue rolling without falling over, Tsubakura thought:

Wow, they sure picked up some lame party trick...

...half-heartedly praising Kuroji.

---However, the one who was most surprised by this sight was Jinbei. And Jinbei was surprised for a far different reason than the other two.

Jinbei: "I see... I did think it'd be about time..."

As Jinbei muttered to themself, they disappeared into the depths of the shrine without a sound.

~---At the Senri Shrine Road---~

On their way back from the shrine, the Shitodo family discussed what to do next.

Hooaka: "So, where are we goin' now? Kuro-jii." Kuroji: "We're heading out to collect that rumored treasure, of course. And quit calling me 'Kuro-jii'."

Aoji seemed somewhat surprised at Kuroji's words.

Aoji: "Huh? But I thought we weren't gonna go out very far because it's dangerous today?" Hooaka: "Looks like some kind of mock war is startin' up around here, yeah." Kuroji: "The war games are nothing to worry about. The real problem is elsewhere." Aoji: "So they must be targeting..."

Kuroji and Hooaka's expressions both clouded, for they knew exactly who Aoji was referring to.

Kuroji: "Well, if Tsubakura makes any move, they'll be lured over that way." Hooaka: "Which is why you went and goaded Tsubakura, right?" Kuroji: "Those two are about the only ones who can stand up to them, after all." Aoji: "Hrrm, I wonder... Are you sure it'll be okay...?"

Kuroji continued their own line of conversation, regardless of Aoji's unease.

Kuroji: "Regardless, we'll just head out to get that treasure while making sure not to run into them again." Hooaka: "So we'll be committing our usual villainy, then!" Aoji: "Welp, time to pile on yet more crimes..." Kuroji: "The true value of which is demonstrated through repetition, much the same as history."

While they understood that Kuroji wasn't honestly trying to justify their actions, Aoji couldn't help but comment.

Aoji: "You've definitely got that wrong."

~---Back at the Senri Shrine grounds---~

Tsubakura: "They say 'no bird fouls a nest it soon leaves'... but that's totally bogus, right." Yabusame: "They fouled this place right up~!" Tsubakura: "Isn't it because of people like them that it's been so uneasy around here lately?" Yabusame: "You mean it's all Kuroji-san's fault?!" Tsubakura: "Might be good to assume they've got at least some hand in it, yeah."

While one couldn't tell if they were being serious, Tsubakura's expression was as bored as usual.

Shion: "SHION-CHAN APPEEEARS!" Tsubakura: "Oof!"

Tsubakura was nearly sent flying as something heavy slammed into the back of their head, but they just barely managed to keep their footing without falling off the porch.

Tsubakura: "...Why'd you come flying out from the back the shrine?" Shion: "I came here to see you, Tsubakura! ♪" Yabusame: "Shion-cha~n, how did you get out?"

The child that the two called "Shion" was a conglomerate of souls created in a previous incident. They ate people's souls for food, so they were kept under control in the shrine to prevent an outbreak of victims. Normally, they were sealed so that they couldn't move away from the depths of the shrine, and should've been unable to come to the veranda.

Jinbei: "I loosened their seal." Tsubakura: "...And why would you do something so troublesome?"

While using their head to support the entire weight of Shion, who was clinging to their hat, Tsubakura somehow managed to straighten back up.

Jinbei: "Right now, it'd be best to travel in large groups if possible, so please take Shion-san along if you please." Tsubakura: "And may I inquire as to when we said we'd be heading outside today?" Jinbei: "Going outside and fighting in a war or something once in a while would be good for your health. Right, Tsubakura-san?" Shion: "Tsubakura's a shut-iiin!" Tsubakura: "I'd really rather not hear that from someone under house arrest."

Tsubakura argued back, waving their head back and forth in time with Shion floating overhead.

Yabusame: "Shion-chan must want to go outside too, right~?" Shion: "Yeah! Unlike Tsubakura over here!" Tsubakura: "My, my, is that so."

As they cast an aside glance at the sulking Tsubakura, Jinbei looked up at the sky over the grounds and murmured something.

Jinbei: "In addition... it seems that something rather dangerous is going on, so I'd like you to do something about it." Tsubakura: "Hmmm? And may I ask as to whatever this dangerous thing could be?" Jinbei: "Well, if you walk around over there, you'll probably see it."

Ugh, god, can this kid's directions get any more vague...? ---So thought Tsubakura as they glowered at the shikigami (who was probably many years their senior).

Tsubakura: "And may I be so bold as to presume that since Shion's coming with us, whatever's happening is important enough to justify leaving the shrine empty?" Jinbei: "At the very least, you shouldn't let your guard down this time." Yabusame: "I'm so excited~!" Shion: "This is the first time we've gone for a walk in a while!" Tsubakura: "...I've got nothing but bad feelings about this."

And so the priests of the Senri Shrine finally depart for the battlefield.

~---A particular spot at the Senri Shrine---~

Sukune "But jusht how should we get back at them, nyah? We've already failed at 21 surprise attacks just today." Sese "Trying to ambush them from the front won't work, huh..."

Sukune Katano and Sese Kitsugai. This pair of youkai was currently hiding somewhere around the Senri Shrine, plotting revenge on the shrine's head priests.

Sukune: "Yeah, but tryin' to ambush'em from the back didn't work either!" Sese: "No, not that-- tryin' to beat them with sheer strength won't work. For now, at least."

Sukune tilted their head at Sese's remark.

Sukune: "Ooh, then how's about we challenge 'em to a cook-off~? I'm real proud of my skills, gyah!" Sese: "Or, even better! We could find the treasure before they do... that'd really make 'em mad, right?" Sukune: "That's perfect! You've got a real good brain in that skull, Sese." Sese: "But with just you and Sese, it'd be pretty scary out there..." Sukune: "Mmm... that's true, nyah."

The two youkai continued fuming in hiding, unable to find a solution for the time being.

~---At the Senri Shrine veranda---~

Some time passed... and a new visitor again came to the shrine.

Tenkai: "Mm~? What's this? Those two are out right now? And here I was going to share some manju buns with them. They've got a nice thin skin and everything..."

Tenkai Zuifeng was the right-hand man of the previous head priest, Tsurubami Senri. They were a barrier builder currently working for a barrier-building company, and were acquainted with both Yabusame and Tsubakura. Tenkai had some business with the two priests, but they had both been chased out by Jinbei already.

Jinbei: "...Oh my, if it isn't that brat Tenkai! It's been a while. I hear that you've been handling the barriers as crappily as ever~."

Jinbei, sitting on the veranda, grinned mischievously as they registered Tenkai's presence.

Tenkai: "Venom right off the bat! As charming as ever, I must say. That's Senri for you." Jinbei: "I thought you wouldn't have any business here, now that Tsurubami-sama is no longer with us?" Tenkai: "Well, it seems like that hasn't been the case as of late." Jinbei: "Ah." Tenkai: "I wanted to talk and share souvenirs with those two... but if they're out, oh well." Jinbei: "...Have you, by any chance, taken an interest in the two of them?" Tenkai: "It's not anything like that... wait, huh?"

---Tenkai broke off their sentence, as they had noticed something strange in their field of view. Beneath the veranda where Jinbei sat, right around Jinbei's feet, there were four points of light wriggling in the darkness.

They realized that those lights were somebody's eyes right as they made eye contact. At that exact moment, two figures shot out from between Jinbei's legs and flew straight at Tenkai.

Sese: "IT'S TENKAAAI!!" Sukune: "It's Tenkai, nyo!!"

The two of them clung to Tenkai's arms, not slowing down in the slightest.

Tenkai: "WAUGH!"

Obeying Newton's equation of motion, the surprised barrier builder flew backwards with the two youkai. Thanks to their center of gravity being suddenly pulled backwards, they lost their footing, but instead of slamming to the ground, they were dragged through the air by the two stragglers on their arms, flying far away from the veranda... and eventually the shrine as a whole.

Tenkai: "Hey, HEY, WOAH, WHY ARE YOOOOU---?!?"

Tenkai's desperately shouting was only answered with nonsensical cries of "You're strong! Help us!" and "You're gonna help us, nyah!".

---Thus did Jinbei watch from the shrine as Tenkai was dragged far away. They had a sip of tea, and sighed.

They then glanced at the ground right in front of them, where a single paper-wrapped box was sitting. It appeared to be the souvenir that Tenkai had brought over. Most likely the manju buns they mentioned, with the thin skins.

Jinbei stared at the box, and muttered:

"Just when, exactly, did this shrine turn into a nursery school?"

---under their breath.

Then they grinned, audaciously. As if they were thinking, "Well, if this is a nursery school, we'd better give them a proper education..."

---So. I guess that about wraps up the prologue to all the stuff that happened then? They said, "Looks like I've got another opportunity to record Tsubakura-sama's exploits! ♪"... ...But I figure that's just to make it more fun when they get around to killing 'em. ...They have really got a stellar personality, don't they.

„
~ Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Prologue (Full Version) English Translation


“ ～○---闡裡神社にて---○～

　　玄鳥「・・・・っで、へっぽこ新皇は役立たずってわけか」 　―――現実から遊離した世界『无現里(むげんり)』 　この世界を牛耳ると言われている『闡裡神社(せんりじんじゃ)』 　そこで新人神主をやっている『燕楽 玄鳥(えんらく つばくら)』は、 　もともとは外界からやって来た者だった。 　そんな玄鳥は、現在会話をしている相手にうんざりしている用だった。

　伊代真「まったくもって、その通りなんです」 　凍てついていた大地も解け、まだ桜こそ咲かぬものの、 　寒の明けを実感し始めた闡裡神社の境内。 　そこに今、二人の来客があった。

　　文門「伊代真さぁ、そこはもう少し私の面子を立ててくれないかなぁ？」 　伊代真「元より無い面子をどうやって立てればいいんですか？」

　『平 文門(たいらのふみかど)』『藤原 伊代真(ふじわらのいよざね)』 　この二人は以前に无現里にて異変を起こし、 　今では文門が新皇を、伊代真が関白をそれぞれ自称している。

　　藪雨「じゃあその兵隊さん達は文門さんの言うことを聞いてくれないってこと？」 　―――闡裡神社にはもう一人、『名誉神主』という肩書きの神主がいる。 　その肩書きを持つ『鳳聯 藪雨(ほうれん やぶさめ)』は神職というより、 　料理や掃除などの家事全般を担当しているみたいだ。

　そんな新米神主と雑用神主の両名は、来客の面倒くさい相談にのっていたのだった。 　　文門「私の部下っという訳ではないからな」 　　玄鳥「お前らの組織・・・？　組合？　連合？　・・・ってなんなの？」 　伊代真「特にコレと言って名前が決まってるわけじゃないんですが、 　　　　　一応他からは『妖怪連合』って呼ばれてるよ」 　　文門「『連盟』って呼ばれることもあるけどな」 　　玄鳥「すっげーいい加減な集まりだってことはよく分かった」

　うんざり度が増した玄鳥は、すでに二人の相談事など心底どうでもよくなったようだ。 　　文門「とにかく！　下手をすれば闡裡神社にも 　　　　　手を貸してもらうことになるかもしれない」 　伊代真「それだけ不穏な緊張状態にあるってことなんだよ」 　　藪雨「へー」 　　玄鳥「じゃあ気をつけないとなー、戸締りとか」 　　文門「真面目に聞いてないだろ・・・？」 ジンベイ「それにしても・・・同じ連盟にありながら、 　　　　　正確な状況は何も分からないんですか？」

　―――この闡裡神社には先祖代々の式神がいる。 　その式神はどんなに寒い冬の雪夜でも、どんなに熱い夏の真っ昼間でも、 　丈の短い袖無し羽織、甚兵衛羽織を着ていることから、 　回りからは『ジンベイ』と呼ばれているようだが、 　その本名は両神主とも知らないのであった。

　　文門「それが・・・・まぁ色々あってねぇ」 　伊代真「文門さん、なんか部隊の連中から避けられてるんですよね」 　　玄鳥「・・・・・新皇なのに？」 　　文門「ま、まぁ・・・恐れ多くて新皇を敬遠したくなるのも分からんでもないけどね」 　　藪雨「いじめられてるんじゃないの・・・？」 　　文門「うっ...」 　伊代真「キミは意外と言い難い事をズバッと言うんだね」 　　藪雨「えへへ～♪」 　　玄鳥「・・・褒められてるのかは微妙なところだな」

　闡裡神社での多くの会話はたとえ短い用件を伝えるだけのハズのものでも、 　要領を得ずに脱線してしまいがちにあるため、往々にして会話が長引いてしまう傾向にある。

　　文門「とにかくだ！」 　そして往々にして、このように誰かが強引に話を元の軌道に戻す様子がまま見られる。 　　文門「話はしといたからな！　お前らも身の安全を望むなら、 　　　　　あまり外を出歩かないほうがいいぞ」 　　玄鳥「言われなくても外になんか出たくないけどなー」 　　藪雨「ねー♪」 　伊代真「・・・ここの神社、本当に大丈夫なのかな？」 　　文門「それでは私たちは帰らせてもらう・・・外にカボチャを待たせてるんでな」 　　玄鳥「お前はシンデレラか？」

　その後、二言三言ばかり別れ際にお互いに憎まれ口たたいてようやく、 　自称新皇と自称関白は神社を後にした。

　だが、それと入れ替わりにまた来客があった。 　黒巫鳥「どうした、浮かない顔をしてるじゃないか？」 　縁側に座っているその来客は、背が平均より低めな玄鳥よりさらに一回り小さな身長であったが、 　態度だけは他の誰よりも大きいことを玄鳥は知っているようだった。

　　玄鳥「・・・・・」 　　藪雨「玄鳥が浮かない顔なのはいつも通りだよー」 　黒巫鳥「だから聞いたのさ、何もトラブルがなくて退屈してるのか？」 ジンベイ「今日は来客が多いですね」 　黒巫鳥「なるほどな、先客がいたのか」

　『鵐　黒巫鳥(しとど　くろじ)』は藪雨と玄鳥の外界での知り合いで、 　二人が无現里に来たときに巻き込まれてこの世界に来た。 　今では无現里の人里に学び舎を開設するために資金を集めているらしい。 　これだけ聞くと立派な人物だが、その資金集めの方法が様々な方面で物議を醸しているようだ。

　　玄鳥「なぁ、こういうの諺でなんて言うと思う？」 ジンベイ「『雨後の筍』ですか？」 　　藪雨「うごごご....」 　黒巫鳥「『相手変われど主変わらず』か？」 　　玄鳥「『一難去ってまた一難』だ」 　黒巫鳥「手厳しいな、せっかく会いに来てやったってのに」 　　玄鳥「お前が来る時は決まって何か厄介事を持ち込んでくるんだ」 　黒巫鳥「・・・・・厄介事かどうか分からんが、一つ頼みがあってね」 　　玄鳥「あー、その後ろの奴が関係してるのか？」

　玄鳥の視線の先には、赤い髪をして片腕を押さえながらにやけている人物と、 　それを心配そうな目で見ている緑髪で青いフードをかぶった人物がいた。

　黒巫鳥「そうだ、頬赤がちょっと負傷してな、お前なら治せるだろ？ 　　　　　どうせすでに研究施設を作ってあるんだろ？」 　　頬赤「いやー、まいったね・・・ボロ負けしちゃったよ」 　　蒿雀「もう少しで三人ともやられるところだったね・・・」

　『鵐　頬赤(しとど　ほおあか)』と『鵐　蒿雀(しとど　あおじ)』は黒巫鳥と血縁関係にあり、 　見知らぬ地で自給自足が出来るほどの要領がない為、黒巫鳥が二人を養っていた。 　これだけ聞くと黒巫鳥は立派な人物だが、その養う為の資金集めの方法が様々な方面で物議を醸している。

　玄鳥は頬赤の怪我の度合いをチラリと見て、一瞬真剣な顔つきになったが、すぐに元の三白眼に戻った。 　　玄鳥「・・・・右腕、肘から先が失くなっただけか、その程度ならすぐ治るだろう、こっちについて来い」 　痛みに慣れているのか、冷や汗を流してはいるものの表情は柔らかいままの頬赤は、 　玄鳥に案内されるがままに神社の中へとついて行った。

　二人が神社内に入っていくのを見送りながら、藪雨は驚いた顔を残りの鵐二人に向けた。 　　藪雨「頬赤がやられるなんて、すっごい強い奴だったんだね！？」 　黒巫鳥「ん・・・まぁ、そういうことだね　中々苦戦させられた」 　　蒿雀「・・・・・」

　黒巫鳥はあからさまに何かを隠しているが、『藪雨はバカ』なのでそんなことすら気がつかなかった。 　その後も近状報告がてらに世間話をしていると、すぐに玄鳥と頬赤は戻ってきた。

　黒巫鳥「相変わらず仕事が早いな」 　　玄鳥「言っとくが、高くつくぞ？」 　黒巫鳥「ちゃんと治ったのならな」 　　蒿雀「大丈夫？　アカ？」

　蒿雀が頬赤に容態を聞くと、ぎこちない動きをしながら頬赤は答えた。 　　頬赤「オレ、ホオアカ、モウダイジョウブ」 　　藪雨「わぉ！　頬赤がロボットみたいになってる！」 　黒巫鳥「・・・・これ、サイボーグかクローン人間と取り替えただけだろ？」 　　玄鳥「俺は腕を人工生成したものと交換してやっただけだ」 　　頬赤「ダイジョウブ、ヘイキヘイキ」 　黒巫鳥「・・・じゃあコレは頬赤がふざけてるだけか？」 　　玄鳥「そういうことだ・・・・お前らの家系、すっげぇ面倒くさい」 　　頬赤「アリガトナ、ツバクラ」

　この頬赤は本物なのか偽者なのか、玄鳥の場合どちらの可能性もありえる。 　・・・などと黒巫鳥は考えているようだが、考えたところで答えは出そうにないことを悟ったようで、 　黒巫鳥は考えを早々に切り上げることにしたみたいだ。

　黒巫鳥「まぁとりあえず礼を言っておこう、こいつが使えないと色々不便だからな」 　　玄鳥「礼なんかより治療費なんだが・・・まぁ樽酒５００ってとこだな」

　サラッととんでもないことを言う悪徳神主に対して、極悪党の黒巫鳥は特に驚きもせずに答えた。 　黒巫鳥「治療代の代わりに、それ相応の情報をやろう」 　　玄鳥「あん？　きちんとお代に見合う内容なんだろうな？」 　黒巫鳥「もちろん」

　玄鳥は信じていないようだった。 　だが、この人間が素直に金を払うはずがないことも理解していたため、 　結局は情報を聞くこと選択したようだ。

　『大空の器に酒を注ぎ入れ、ちゃちな思想にプライドをブレンドした時、天が鏡を割るだろう』 　　藪雨「なに、それ？」 　黒巫鳥「巷で仕入れた噂だ、酒好きのお前なら飛びつくネタだろ？」 　　玄鳥「ふーん、鏡割りねぇ・・・確かに良さそうだが・・・」 　　藪雨「どういうことなの？」 　　玄鳥「酒に関する噂かもしれないってことだ」 　　藪雨「えぇ！？　じゃあ良いじゃん！」 　黒巫鳥「だろ？」 　　玄鳥「しかし不思議だなぁ？　何故、お前自身が行かない？　大好物の儲け話じゃないか、これは？」 　黒巫鳥「妙な偏見で見られるのは心外だが、まぁそれは置いといてやろう」 　　蒿雀「僕たちは少し別の用事があるから、噂の真偽を調べられそうにないんです」 　　玄鳥「ほー、だからこの情報を治療代として役立てようってわけか、まるで廃物利用だな」 　黒巫鳥「せっかく得た情報だ、最大限に有効活用するのが得策だろ？」 　　玄鳥「まぁいいか、わかったよ、今回はオマケにしといてやる」

　そんな交渉と呼べるのか分からない話を済ますと、 　黒巫鳥はふとジンベイの方を見た。

　黒巫鳥「ところで、キミが闡裡神社の式神か・・・初見となるな」 ジンベイ「初めましてじゃないですよねー、柿泥棒さん」

　薄ら笑いを浮かべながらも、怒りの眼差しでこちらを見つめるジンベイから、 　流石の黒巫鳥も目をそらしていた。

　黒巫鳥「・・・・何の話だか」 ジンベイ「別に気にしなくていいんですよ？　きちんと数も記録してありますので、 　　　　　いずれなんらかの形で支払ってもらいますから、絶対」 　黒巫鳥「ここの式神は随分とケチなんだな、玄鳥」

　話を逸らしたいのか、黒巫鳥は急に話題を玄鳥にふった。 　　玄鳥「ケチじゃなくて、超々ドレッドノート級のケチだ」 　黒巫鳥「そいつは苦労が多いだろうな、同情してやる」 ジンベイ「私に聞こえるように言うからには、覚悟があるってことですよね？」

　その言葉を軽く聞き流した黒巫鳥は、さてと、っと言って立ち上がった。 　黒巫鳥「それじゃあ、これ以上ここにいる理由もなさそうだし、そろそろ行くとする」 　　玄鳥「もう来んなよ」 　黒巫鳥「ウチの奴らが怪我しなければな」

　そうそう、っと黒巫鳥はポケットから小銭を少しだけ取り出し、縁側に向かって放り投げた。 　黒巫鳥「流石に全く払わないというのも寝起きが悪いからな、コレだけは払ってやる」 　　玄鳥「お前にしちゃ珍しいな、っと一応言っておこう」

　団子１つも買えそうにないことは、直接見なくても、縁側で跳ねる小銭の音だけで判断できた。 　黒巫鳥「これで貸し借りなしだな」 　　玄鳥「んなわけねぇだろ」

　玄鳥の反論を無視して黒巫鳥は、それじゃあな、っと頬赤と蒿雀を連れて帰ってしまった。 　―――異変に気がついたのは藪雨だった。 　　藪雨「ねーねー、ツバ～　これすっごいよー」 　何かを発見した藪雨は玄鳥に話しかけた。 　玄鳥も藪雨の見ているほうを見ると、少しだけ驚いたようだった。 　そして何となくうんざりしているようにも見えた。

　先ほど黒巫鳥が放り投げた小銭・・・・・それら全てが裏も表も出さずに『立っていた』のだ。 　倒れることなく少しずつ転がっていく小銭を見ながら、玄鳥は

　あいつ、くだらねぇ隠し芸を身につけたなぁ・・・ 　っと、消極的にだが黒巫鳥を賞賛した。 　―――だが、その光景を誰よりも驚いて見ていたのはジンベイだった。 　そしてジンベイが驚いている理由は、他の二人とは違っていた。 ジンベイ「そうですか・・・そろそろ頃合だとは思ってましたが・・・・」 　そう呟きながら、ジンベイは音も立てずに神社の中へ消えて言った。

　～●---闡裡神社、参道にて---●～ 　　闡裡神社からの帰り道、鵐一家はこれからのことについて話していた。 　　頬赤「っで、これからどこに行く？　黒じぃ」 　黒巫鳥「もちろん噂の宝と思われるものを取りに行く、そして"黒じぃ"はやめろ」

　その言葉に、蒿雀は意外そうな顔をしていた。 　　蒿雀「えっ？　けど今日は危険だから遠出はしないんじゃなかったの？」 　　頬赤「なんか戦争ごっこもおっぱじめてるみたいだしな」 　黒巫鳥「戦争ごっこはどうでもいいが、問題は他にある」 　　蒿雀「やっぱり"あいつ"の狙いって・・・」

　蒿雀が"あいつ"っという人称代名詞を使ったとき、黒巫鳥、頬赤両名の顔が少し曇った。 　黒巫鳥「まぁ"奴"は玄鳥が動けばそっちに釣られるだろう」 　　頬赤「だから玄鳥を嗾けたってわけね」 　黒巫鳥「"あいつ"の相手ができるのはあの二人ぐらいだろうからな」 　　蒿雀「どうだろうねぇ・・・　大丈夫かなぁ・・・？」

　不安かつ心配する蒿雀をよそに、黒巫鳥は自分の話を進めた。 　黒巫鳥「どちらにせよ、奴と再び鉢合うようなことがないように警戒しつつ、宝をもらう」 　　頬赤「つまりいつも通り、極悪人するってことだな」 　　蒿雀「まだまだ罪を重ねていくんだね・・・」 　黒巫鳥「歴史と同じで、積み重ねていくことで価値を成すものなのだよ」

　黒巫鳥の自己正当化が本気でないことは十分に理解しつつも、蒿雀は言わずにはいられなかった。 　　蒿雀「絶対違う」

　～●---再び闡裡神社、境内にて---●～ 　　玄鳥「『立つ鳥跡を濁さず』って言うが・・・ありゃ絶対嘘だな」 　　藪雨「濁しまくりだね～」 　　玄鳥「ああいうのがいるから、最近このあたりが不穏なんじゃないか？」 　　藪雨「黒巫鳥さんが原因なの！？」 　　玄鳥「一枚噛んでる、ぐらいは考えていいかもしれないな」

　本気で言っているのか分からないが、玄鳥は相変わらずやる気のない顔をしていた。 　シオン「シオンちゃんとうじょー！」 　　玄鳥「おぅぶ！」

　突然後頭部に重い物体が飛びかかってきて、危うく吹っ飛ばされそうになった玄鳥だったが、 　何とか縁側から落ちずに踏ん張っていた。

　　玄鳥「・・・・・なんでお前が神社の奥から出てきてるんだ？」 　シオン「ツバクラに会いに来たんだよ♪」 　　藪雨「シオンちゃ～ん、どうやって出てきたの？」

　二人から『シオン』と呼ばれているこの子供は、以前起きた異変が原因で生まれた魂の融合体で、 　ヒトの魂をエサにして生きているため、廃人を量産しないために神社内部で管理されおり、 　普段は神社の奥でしか行動できないように封印されていて、縁側にもこれないはずだった。

ジンベイ「私が封印を緩めました」 　　玄鳥「・・・なしてそんな面倒くさいことを？」

　玄鳥の帽子にしがみつくシオンの体重を首だけ支えながら、玄鳥は何とか体勢を元にもどした。 ジンベイ「今回はできれば大勢で行ったほうがいいでしょう、ですのでシオンさんも是非」 　　玄鳥「いつの間に俺たちが出かける話になったんデス？」 ジンベイ「玄鳥さんも健康の為に、たまには外に出て戦争でもしてくればいいんじゃないですか？」 　シオン「ツバクラの引きこもり～」 　　玄鳥「軟禁されてるお前に言われたくない」

　頭の上でシオンがゆらゆらと揺れる度にそれに追従して頭がゆらゆら揺らされている玄鳥が反論した。 　　藪雨「シオンちゃんは外に出たがってるもんね～？」 　シオン「そうだよ！　ツバクラとは大違い！」　 　　玄鳥「へーへー、そうですか」

　やさぐれている玄鳥を横目に、ジンベイは境内の空を見回しながらぼやいた ジンベイ「それと・・・どうやら厄介なことになってるみたいですので、それを何とかお願いします」 　　玄鳥「はぁ？　なんデス、厄介なことって？」 ジンベイ「まぁそこらへんを歩いてれば見つかるでしょう」

　なんていい加減な指示を出すんだこのガキは・・・・・ 　っと、おそらく年上である式神に対して、玄鳥はそんな目をむけていた。

　　玄鳥「シオンも使うってことは、神社を空けるほど大げさなことってわけなのかデス？」 ジンベイ「少なくとも、舐めてかからない方がいいですよ、今回は」 　　藪雨「楽しみだね～」 　シオン「久しぶりに散歩だね～」 　　玄鳥「・・・・・俺は嫌な予感しかしない」

　闡裡神社神主、戦地に向かってようやくの出陣であった。

　～●---闡裡神社、とある場所にて---●～ 　　宿禰「しかし、どうやって仕返ししてやろうかにゃー、 　　　　　今日一日だけで奇襲はもう21回も失敗してるっちゅーに」 　　セセ「正面から奇襲してもダメだってことだなー」

　『片埜　宿禰(かたの　すくね)』に『乞骸　セセ(きつがい　せせ)』 　闡裡神社の神主達に仕返しを企てているこの妖怪たちは、神社のとある場所で影を潜めていた。

　　宿禰「背後だってダメだったじゃにゃいかー」 　　セセ「そうじゃなくて、力比べじゃ勝ち目がないってことだー　今はまだな」

　セセの発言に宿禰は首をひねった。 　　宿禰「そんぎゃー料理対決でもするってのかぢぇ～？　腕にゃー自身があるんだぎゃのー」 　　セセ「それより！　あいつらより先にお宝を見つけちゃう・・・ってのはムカつくんじゃないか？」 　　宿禰「なるほど！　流石セセにょ、頭蓋骨の中身がいいにょ」 　　セセ「けどセセ達だけじゃ怖いんだぞー・・・・」 　　宿禰「う～ん・・・そうだぎゃにゃ」

　解決策が見つからないまま、妖怪二人は身を隠しながらくすぶっているようだった。

　～●---闡裡神社、縁側にて---●～ 　しばらくして・・・闡裡神社には再び、新しい来客があった。 　　天堺「ん～なんだ～？　あの二人は留守かい？ 　　　　　せっかく饅頭でもお裾分けされに来てやったってのに～　薄皮がよかったなぁ」

　『瑞風　天堺(ずいふぉん　てんかい)』は先代神主の『闡裡　鶴喰(せんり　つるばみ)』の片腕であった。 　現在は結界屋に属している結界師で、藪雨・玄鳥の両神主とも面識はあった。 　天堺はその両神主に用があるようだったが、二人はすでにジンベイに追い出された後だった。

ジンベイ「・・・おや～、久しぶりですね天堺の糞ガキ、相変わらず結界の扱いが下手糞だと聞いてますよぉ」 　天堺を確認するなり、縁側に座っていたジンベイは悪っぽい顔でニヤけた。 　　天堺「初手での毒舌、相変わらず惚れ惚れするねぇ、闡裡ってのはいつもこうだ」 ジンベイ「鶴喰様がいなくなった今、もうここには用がないんじゃなかったんですか？」 　　天堺「最近そうでもないみたいでな」 ジンベイ「へぇ」 　　天堺「二人に土産話があったんだがなぁ・・・留守なら仕方ない」 ジンベイ「・・・気に入りましたか？　あの二人」 　　天堺「別にそういうわけじゃ・・・って、ん？」

　―――天堺がここで言葉を途切らせたのは、視界の中に異変があったからだった。 　ジンベイが座っている縁側の下、丁度ジンベイの足元から 　四つの小さな光の点が蠢いていたからだ。

　その光と"目が合った"とき、その光が何者かの『目』であることがわかった。 　それと同時にジンベイの股の間から、二つの影が天堺目掛けて勢い良く飛び出してきた。　

　　セセ「天堺だー！！」 　　宿禰「天堺にょー！！」

　影の正体だった二人は、勢いを殺さぬまま天堺の両腕にそれぞれしがみ付いた。 　　天堺「うぉっぷ！」 　不意をつかれた結界師は、ニュートンの運動方程式に従って二人と一緒に後方に吹き飛んだ。 　急に体の重心を後ろに追いやられたせいで足を滑らせたが、 　地面に体を打ち付けることはなく、そのまま二人に両腕をしがみ付かれたまま引きずられる形で、 　縁側から・・・そして神社そのものから離されていった。

　　天堺「ちょ、ちょっと、なぁんなんだぁぁぁあ！！？」 　天堺の疑問の叫び声に対する返答は「お前強い、手伝え」「手伝うにゃ」 　っといった要領の得ない答えだった。

　―――かくして、神社から引きずり出されていく天堺を遠方に見遣りながら、 　ジンベイは茶を一口啜り、ため息を吐いた。

　ふと、すぐ先の地面に目をやると、紙に包まれた箱が一つぽつんと落ちていた。 　どうやら天堺が持ってきていたお土産のようだった。 　おそらく中身は饅頭だろう、薄皮の。

　ジンベイはジトっとそれを見ながら口からこぼれるように 　「いつからここは保育園になったんでしょーかね」 　っと呟いた。 　そしてジンベイは不敵な笑みを浮かべていた。 　その姿はまるで『保育園なら、きちんと教養してやらないとな・・・・』 　っとでも思っているかのように見えた。

　ここまでが、あの時の出来事のプロローグってとこかな 　"あいつ"は『今回も玄鳥様の活躍を記せるのね♪』 　な～んて言ってたけど、それも殺すときの楽しみを増やすためなんだろうね 　.....いい性格してるよ、ほんとに

„
~ Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Prologue (Full Version) Japanese

Yabusame returns as a playable character in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle, this time as part of the Shrine Team alongside Tsubakura Enraku and Shion. Yabusame can be the main shooter, the sub (bombing), or a support providing skill upgrades. Their upgrade increases maximum barrier power, and they have three skills: slowly recovering health, providing two extra starting barriers, and crossing from one side of the screen to the other.

Prologue

Taira no Fumikado and Fujiwara no Iyozane arrive at the Senri Shrine to warn of the impending war, as tensions between the Youkai Alliance and Devanagara have escalated. After they leave, the Shitodo siblings are attacked by a mysterious figure, so they visit the Senri Shrine to treat Hooaka's injuries. In return, Kuroji shares the rumor circulating through Mugenri. As they leave, Kuroji tosses a few coins onto the shrine's veranda as further compensation. Yabusame notices the coins are all standing on their edges. Jinbei says nothing to the others and enters the shrine. Eventually, Jinbei tells Tsubakura to go out and deal with "something dangerous," without specifying what. Reasoning that it would be safer to travel in larger groups due to the ongoing war, they loosen Shion's seal so Shion can leave the shrine with Tsubakura. Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion leave the shrine and head for the battlefields.

If Yabusame chooses to go right, the team heads toward the imperial capital, Devanagara, hoping to stop the war. Along the way, they defeat Mitsumo, who threatens to possess them, as well as various members of the Imperial Army, including Medias, Kunimitsu, Kaoru, and Sanra. They climb the Pagoda of the Heavenly Mirror to reach the Heavenly Mausoleum, where they witness the emperor Ooama no Ake no Mitori break the Great Mirror. Mitori explains that they did so to lift the curse placed on the capital's people, and reveals the reason they orchestrated a coup d'état to overthrow the previous Fujiwara dynasty. Realizing that the "mirror breaking" mentioned in the rumor is not about sake after all, the protagonists decide to leave after requesting that Mitori withdraw their troops. However, Mitori, wanting to test the priests' powers and to demolish the Senri Shrine in order to conquer all of Mugenri, challenges the protagonists to a duel.

After Mitori's defeat, Mugenri enjoys peace once more, and the heroes spend their free time at the Senri Shrine. Mitori and Sanra visit them, imploring them to speak with the Dragonfly Army as well to ensure the flames of war are completely extinguished. Tsubakura agrees, and the three set out once more, with the unresolved rumor still looming over them.

If Yabusame chooses to go left, the team heads toward the Dragonfly Castle. Hoping to stop the war, Yabusame and the others head toward the origin of the youkai troops after defeating Souko Shirami, whom Tsubakura wanted to defeat to keep their secret of making fake charms for Souko from being exposed. Along the way, they learn that they belong to the recently formed Dragonfly Army, led by the new emperor chosen by the Dragonfly Castle. They defeat followers Kujiru, Kaisen, Garaiya, and Para as they progress, finally reaching the throne room, Ukifune's Room, where they meet the new emperor, Taira no Chouki. Tsubakura asks them to stop the war, but Yabusame compares their name with Fumikado's, whom Chouki sees as an enemy. This angers Chouki, and they fight.

Mugenri enjoys peace once more, and the heroes spend their free time at the Senri Shrine. Chouki comes by to bother them, demanding that they return the Dragonfly Castle, which followed the protagonists home after Chouki's defeat.

If Yabusame chooses the middle route, or does not go fully left or right, Yabusame and the others wander around Mugenri trying to find the sake mentioned in the rumor. They randomly encounter just about anyone they have met in previous games, each with various reasons to battle. Most notably, they learn more about the war, the rumor, the person who attacked the Shitodo siblings, and how these events have affected the residents of Mugenri.

If the party has defeated every final boss of the game and completed a full run while remaining on the Shrine Road, they meet Suzumi Kuzu (Hamal Cine). Here, the protagonists contemplate the true reason Kuroji shared the rumor with them, and Tsubakura figures out that it was bait to lure them out. They encounter Suzumi, who reminisces about the times they spent together. Yabusame is not pleased to see them. Suzumi says it is still too early to fight the protagonists but does so anyway. After the party defeats Suzumi, they erase their memories of the fight by showing them a book, leaving Suzumi to disappear.

Extra Scenario

After the three have their memories erased by Suzumi, they continue along the Shrine Road with a strange feeling looming over them. Yabusame, however, did not have their memories erased by Suzumi but failed to tell Tsubakura.

On the Brilliant Route, they run into Haiji Senri, who challenges them to a spell card battle to obtain the trio's spell cards. On the Haze Route, they run into Yago Ametsukana, who battles them to test their power. They win, and Yago deems that something or someone's future is in safe hands, though they do not reveal what. On the Neutral Route, Tsubakura wonders if Suzumi entered Mugenri, prompting Yabusame to clarify that they encountered Suzumi earlier. Suddenly, they run into the "dangerous thing" Jinbei warned them about: Xeno a. Xeno a explains that Tsurubami used to be their sparring partner and that they miss fighting them since they left Mugenri. Xeno a challenges the trio to see how powerful Tsurubami's successors are. They lose but express satisfaction after the fight.

After fighting Xeno a, Tsubakura tells Yabusame that their and Shion's memories were tampered with by Suzumi. Yabusame reveals that they fought Suzumi, and Tsubakura explains that Suzumi's powers do not work on Yabusame. Thanks to Yabusame's mention of the fight, the others recover their memories. Tsurubami suddenly appears, announcing that since they have returned from the Outside World, the new priests need to "disappear." The two parties fight, with Tsurubami promising to give the outsiders their freedom if they win. Eventually, Tsurubami reveals themself to be Suzumi (Arde) in disguise, though Yabusame firmly believes they fought the real Tsurubami. Tsubakura and Suzumi fight due to personal grudges, and Tsubakura wins. Tsubakura demands answers, but Suzumi uses their ability to alter reality and disappears. It once again does not affect Yabusame, but no one believes that they fought Suzumi since they are unable to recall the event after Yabusame reminds them of it. Believing that Yabusame is just being ditzy as usual also makes Yabusame question whether it all really happened.

Boss Encounter

If the Shrine Team is not chosen, Yabusame can appear as a possible final boss of the game, appearing on stages 6:-2 and 6:-3, randomly on 6:0 if Suzumi is not unlocked, or randomly on 6:4 if playing as the Preschool Team. Yabusame will be hanging around the Dragonfly Castle or the Shrine Road without any real motive.

With the New Emperor Team, Yabusame believes Taira no Fumikado started the war on the Youkai Alliance's side, leading Yabusame to attack the trio in hopes of resolving the incident. With the Preschool Team, the trio discuss whether Yabusame and Tsubakura are fit for their new positions when they run into Yabusame, who is out on a picnic. Sukune Katano and Sese Kitsugai decide to join in, and the three share lunchboxes. Unable to accept Yabusame's carefree behavior, Tenkai attacks them to teach them a lesson, bringing the picnic to an abrupt end. With the Scoundrel Team, Yabusame thinks Kuroji Shitodo is up to no good again, so they attack the trio. With the Secret Team, Suzumi Kuzu runs into Yabusame, whom Arde points out their abilities do not work on, making Yabusame very problematic. Yabusame figures Suzumi is up to no good again and attacks, leading Suzumi to fight back in retaliation.

Yabusame casts six spell cards, five of which are reused from Evanescent Existence. They are eventually defeated, though the outcome for each team is left unknown.

Name Meaning

Their full name is Yabusame Houlen (鳳聯 藪雨). Yabusame (藪雨) is the Japanese name for the Asian stubtail, a bird native to East Asia. Read separately, the kanji mean "grove" and "rain." Their surname, Houlen (鳳聯), uses characters meaning "phoenix" and "link" or "group," and it sounds identical to houren (鳳輦), the phoenix-decorated imperial carriages of ancient Japan. Yabusame therefore carries a Bird's Name. What sets their name apart from others is that it points to two birds from entirely different families in a way that is obvious without any wordplay.

According to JynX, more than fifty name candidates were considered during Yabusame's development, with ten of them carrying significant meaning before the final choice was made. Up until the trial version of Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle, Yabusame's surname had always been romanized as "Houren." That changed to "Houlen" in the trial version of that game. JynX later confirmed that "Houlen" had been the intended romanization since the beginning of development, but they had simply forgotten to apply it. One reason for the spelling is that it mirrors the title of the series, Len'en Project.

Appearance

General Description: Yabusame has silver-grey eyes and short silver hair that is fluffy and whose ends do not conform to gravity. Yabusame is thought to be taller than both Tsubakura Enraku and Kuroji Shitodo.

Clothing/Outfit: Black and green clothing, covered in a light brown coat adorned with a brown scarf-like cloth tied together at the front. A pair of dark green shorts.

Footwear Variations:

  • First two games: Light brown shoes.
  • Third game: Barefoot.
  • Fourth game: Brown, sandal-like straps around their feet.

Items:

  • Third game: A bug catching net.
  • Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle boss portrait: A pair of dowsing rods.

Personality

  • Plain and Boring but Odd: Yabusame is described as a plain and boring person, as well as an outrageous weirdo who may be more of a thoughtless idiot. It is said that if one cannot tell what Yabusame is thinking, then they are not thinking of anything.
  • Reckless: Yabusame is willful and reckless.
  • Hobby of Talking: Yabusame has a hobby of talking, often making bizarre and nonsensical remarks and using odd vocabulary. They sometimes overlook the obvious, leading others to think of them as stupid.
  • Cheerful and Friendly: Yabusame is cheerful and friendly toward many people, rarely showing dislike for others. Danmaku fights are a means of playing around for them. They give various characters nicknames derived from their characteristics or shortened names, such as "Salami" for Saragimaru or "Boney" for Sese, either to show fondness or because they do not remember their names.
  • Perceptive and Knowledgeable at Times: At other times, Yabusame reveals an extremely perceptive side and displays extraordinary knowledge. In Evanescent Existence, they were the quickest to realize Tsubakura was actually Tsurubami in disguise. They are aware of the nature of Mugenri's connection to the outside world, describing it as "front" and "back." They have some grasp on barriers but find detailed explanations confusing.
  • Prefers Snow and Lighter Clothing: Yabusame prefers snow over cloudy weather and chooses to wear lighter clothes during winter than what they would usually wear during summer. They tend to wear sandals or go bare-footed in the wrong weather simply because they feel like it, and will mess around outside regardless of temperature.
  • Likes Sleeping: Yabusame likes to sleep, preferring to laze around and not get out of their futon.
  • Fond of Cooking and Odd Tastes: Yabusame is fond of cooking and likes sukiyaki the most out of nabe types. They also like soba, hodgepodge stew, lamprey, and mudskipper. Their oddities extend to food, such as eating raw salt and tasting snow with their eyes. Depending on their mood, they could get food poisoning from normal food. They like black tea and saké. When drunk, they can sober up quickly, albeit with a hangover.

Goals

  • Solve Incidents (Succeeded most of them, Ongoing).

Relationships

Tsubakura Enraku

Yabusame and Tsubakura have been friends since long ago, though their relationship is described as troublesome and the two have evidently been through a great deal together. Tsubakura frequently picks on Yabusame due to their gullible and slow nature, much to Yabusame's annoyance. Yabusame often fails to understand what Tsubakura is saying. Although Yabusame is fond of Tsubakura, Tsubakura apparently dislikes them in return. When asked by JynX why it seems like Tsubakura is so cold to Yabusame, JynX noted that for the time being they'll be keeping their relationship a mystery in several ways[1].

Suzumi Kuzu

Yabusame hates Suzumi, having been on the receiving end of their sadistic mind games because of Yabusame's close friendship with Tsubakura and Suzumi's obsession with the latter. Conversely, Suzumi believes Yabusame is actually nastier than they are. Suzumi also finds Yabusame highly problematic because Yabusame is immune to Suzumi's abilities. Additionally, while it remains unclear whether these are intentional links or mere coincidences, both Yabusame and Suzumi have demonstrated the ability to trigger their powers through dreaming, and Arde's fourth non-spell pattern in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle bears a resemblance to Yabusame's midboss non-spell from Evanescent Existence.

Kuroji Shitodo

Yabusame is unbothered by the animosity between Kuroji and Tsubakura and remains on friendly terms with Kuroji, addressing them as "Kuroji-san." At the same time, Yabusame considers Kuroji to be vicious and self-centered like everyone else, and understands that Kuroji would do anything to make money.

Jinbei

Jinbei serves as Yabusame's shikigami as part of their role at the Senri Shrine, though they do not always follow Yabusame's instructions. Jinbei occasionally prompts Yabusame to solve incidents. Yabusame finds Jinbei adorable, possibly owing to their childlike stature. Jinbei, in turn, describes Yabusame as the shrine's mascot.

Shion

Yabusame gave Shion their name, and the two generally get along well due to their similarly childish personalities, though Yabusame becomes annoyed when Shion interrupts their conversations with Tsubakura.

Clause

Clause is acquainted with Yabusame, though the details of their history are unclear; Clause claims they have known each other for a long time. Yabusame despises Clause even more than Suzumi and treats them with contempt due to their long-winded habits. Clause describes Yabusame as "barbaric," to which Yabusame retorts that they only behave that way toward Clause.

Tsurubami & Tenkai

Yabusame appears to be on decent terms with the former dictators. Tenkai Zuifeng is stern with the substitute priests, believing they cannot maintain peace as effectively as Tsurubami did. Nevertheless, Tenkai keeps an eye on their growth, recalling that Tsurubami also struggled at first, and exchanges small gifts with them. The two are able to hold conversations about barriers.

As for Tsurubami Senri, they took a liking to Yabusame over the course of Evanescent Existence and appointed them as Mugenri's substitute priest. It is implied that Tsurubami agreed to let Yabusame stay because their powers resemble Tenkai's. Although Yabusame initially found Tsurubami annoying, they eventually seemed at least neutral toward them, later referring to them as "Tsurubami-san".

General Information

Name: Yabusame Houlen[2]

Title: ◯ Flawless Thoughtlessness[2]

Origin: Len'en Mugenri (Unreal Land) ~ Evanescent Existence

Overall Series:Len'En Project

First Appearance: Len'en Mugenri (Unreal Land) ~ Evanescent Existence

Latest Appearance: Len'en Monochrome World (Upcoming fifth game, though she hasn't officially been announced in it yet), Len'en Heaven & Shadow War Record (Ten'eisenki) ~ Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle (Lastest physical chronological appearance),

Company: Trick Nostalgie

Creator: JynX

Actor: N/A

Gender: Gender Ambigious (It is noted by JynX themself that most characters in Len'en Project are gender ambigious on purpose to liken them to how one sees a puppy adorable regardless of their gender[3])

Sexuality: Unknown

Pronouns: They/Them

Handedness: Right-Handed

Age: At least 20 (The characters have been shown though to drink sake[4], where one needs to be at least 20 years old under Japanese law to drink, where Japanese law requires no underaged characters to be shown drinking. JynX has noted that they don't plan to disclose characters ages at all and they wouldn't even know the age of certain characters[5])

Birthday: November 26 (Their estimated date of birth is November 26[6])

Time Period: Unknown (JynX has purposefully withheld the year the series takes place in[7])

Timeline: Main Timeline

Homeworld: Earth (Formerly), Mugenri

Residence: Mugenri's Senri Shrine[8]

Story Role: Main Protagonist

Legacy: Local Legacy (Senri Shrine maidens are well known across Mugenri)

Influence: Event Influence (Has aided in stopping several incidents)

Language: Japanese

Ethnicity: Japanese

Religion: N/A

Classification: Dimension Traveler

Species: Human[2]

State of Being: Regular

Physiology: Humanoid Physiology

In-Universe Creator: Unknown

Occupation: Honorary Priest of the Senri Shrine[9], Substitute Priest[8]

Ranking: Substitute Priest #1[10]

Combat Style: Danmaku Combat

Affiliations: Tsubakura Enraku, Suzumi Kuzu, Jinbei, Kuroji Shitodo, Shion, Clause, Tsurubami, Tenkai

Enemies: Shion (Formerly), Kurohebi (Formerly), Aoji Shitodo (Formerly), Hooaka Shitodo (Formerly), Kuroji Shitodo (Formerly), Clause (Formerly), Tsurubami (Formerly), Senri (Formerly)

Height: Unknown (JynX hasn't decided on character's heights, other then Yabusame being taller than Tsubakura who is taller than Kuroji but otherwise it is not important to think about it too much[11])

Weight: Unknown

Status: Alive

Alignment: Chaotic Good (Yabusame normally only fights those that they believe to be apart of an incident, otehrwise they're well-natured)

Protection Level: Global Protector (As a member of the Senri Shrine, Yabusame stops incidents and threats to Mugenri)

Potential

Archetype: Reluctant Hero

Codex Statistics

Grade: S

Tier: 7-A

Cardinality: Finite

Dimensionality: 3-D

Power Source: Magic/Dimensions

Attack Potency: Metropolis level (Potency) (Fought and defeated an unsealed Lumen Celeritas[13] who blew up two or three entire mountains[14], their blast was responsible for the massive cavern seen in the extra stage of Reactivate Majestical Imperial[15]. After fighting and defeating Tsurubami they note that Yabusame is strong, more than they thought[16]. Tenkai notes that Yabusame and Tsubakura were way stronger then she thought even with it being two on one[17])

Durability: Metropolis level

Striking Strength: Metropolis Class (Potency)

Lifting Strength: Superhuman Class

Travel Speed: Supersonic (Can travel at relative speeds to Tsubakura Enraku, as they had to travel together during Reactive Majestical Imperial[18], where Tsubakura is noted that they can travel around 2600 km/h[19])

Attack Speed: Supersonic

Reaction Speed: Supersonic

Stamina: Superhuman

Range: Standard Melee. At least Tens of Meters with Regular Danmaku Attacks (Yabusame's shots shoot out rapidly in four different directions, covering the screen with[20]). Cross-Dimensional with Dimensional Travel (Their ability[2] is noted[21] in multiple profiles[22] to be[9] "something like crossing dimensions"[6]). Extra-Multiversal with Dimensional Detatchment (They detatch themself from the dimension erasing all bullets that touch them and shattering the screen[23]. Its description in Book of Cafe notes that Yabusame is detatching dimensions to do various acts[24])

Intelligence: Below Average Intelligence (They are[2] repeatedly referred[21] to as[22] more of[9] idiot than just a plain person[6])

Knowledge:

Novice level (Common sense does not apply to Yabusame[25]. Doesn't know what the words "human sacrifice" or "job description" means[8])

Expert level (Despite being an idiot Yabusame is noted to know a lot, including different periods and eras[26])

Projectile Dodging
Master level (Can avoid around projectiles that shoot out dozens of dual-laser projectiles shooting out in four directions that travel across the screen and eventually cover it[27]. Can dodge multiple bullets that come from out of nowhere[27]. Can avoid bullets being fired out in all directions covering the screen[27], along with the bullets continually firing while trying to attack Kurohebi[27]. Can avoid attacks from dzoens of knives hiding in dark blotches to sneak attack[27]. Can avoid hundreds of bullets covering the screen while a bright flash of light obscures the view[28]. Can avoid dozens of large laserrs shooting down while hundreds of bullets shoot around the screen covering it[28]. Can avoid a constant fire of clockwise and counter-clockwise spiral lasers firing repeatedly[28]. Can dodge hundreds of projectiles being shot out at fast speeds covering the entire screen[28]. Can dodge hundreds bullets being shot out sporadically across the entire screne[29]. Can dodge dozens of bullets being shot out in a clockwise and counter-clockwise spiral repeatedly[29]. Can dodge dozens of black orbs being shot around that all continously shoot out projectiles covering the screen[29]. Can dodge dozens of bullets getting shot out and being flipped horizontally and vertically[30]. Can dodge hundreds of bullets while they are being obscured from view by giant circles covering the entire screen[16]. Can dodge hundreds of danmaku bullets while being forced to move in a limited space[16]. Can dodge attacks even while forced into a small box with little movement[16]. Can dodge dozens of laser beams shooting out repeatedly giving them the tiniest room to dodge around them[31])

Combat Skill
Master level (Noted by fake Tsubakura that Yabusame was pretty good[29]. This was later revealed to be Tsurubami Senri, who was impressed to see Yabusame make it through the entire extra stage[16]. After fighting and defeating Tsurubami they note that Yabusame is strong, more than they thought[16], though Yabusame was well aware Tsurubami wasn't using her full power[16])

Powers and Techniques



Equipment

Two-dimensional Cloth

  • Description: A piece of cloth with zero thickness. Not much else is known about the two-dimensional cloth, but it is notable that Yabusame was seemingly able to enter an alternate-dimension version of Mugenri in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle's tutorial, which implies that Yabusame either took it off during the scenario, or that it doesn't work exactly as intended.
  • Creator: Tsubakura Enraku
  • Type: Cloth
  • Abilities: Keeps Yabusame from slipping into another dimension.
  • Possessor: Yabusame Houlen
  • Usage: Given by Tsubakura Enraku to Yabusame Houlen, who wears it so that they don't fly off into another dimension on a whim.
  • Function: Prevents interdimensional travel.
  • Appearances: Earthen Miraculous Sword (mentioned in Yabusame Houlen's official profile); Book of the Cafe (an equipment implant).

Spell Cards

Spell Cards are special cards used in battle called "pai" that aren't only usable for danmaku, the primary goal is to give the opponent a sense of defeat and the loser has to obey "anything" they say[124]. Spell Cards are officially named and recognized in series, with characters like Haiji Senri running a spell card shop[125]. Any user can use any spell card, however if they try to use a strong card that's way out of their league, they won't be able to use its full power[126]. Only the original owner can make full use of a card's power, someone else using the card will borrow a part of the original owner's power in addition to the danmaku attack[120]. Spell Cards are made through cardboard, plastic or metallic materials, even if they don't have a physical form, varying on the maker[127].

Name Translated Comments Games Stage
Total: 29
「次元剥離」 "Dimensional Detachment" Bomb EE
EMS
RMI
BPoHC
BotC
FW 		Use
Use
Use
Use
Use
Use
光牌「レーザーレイン」 Light Card "Laser Rain" EE
BPoHC 		St. 3: E/N
St. 6: E/N
光牌「レーザーグリッド」 Light Card "Laser Grid" EE
BPoHC 		St. 3: H/U
St. 6 H/U
交差「フラッシュクロス」 Intersection "Flash Cross" EE
BPoHC 		St. 3: E/N
St. 6: E/N
交差「スターシェル」 Intersection "Star Shell" EE St. 3: H/U
元牌「空間剥離」 Origin Card "Spatial Detachment" EE
RMI
BPoHC 		St. 3: E/N
St. 4: H
St. 6: E/N
元牌「顕界遊離」 Origin Card "Reality Separation" EE
BPoHC 		St. 3: H/U
St. 6 H/U
飛移「ワープ王国」 Teleport "Warp Kingdom" The Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle upgrade is simply titled Warp Kingdom (ワープ王国). EE
BPoHC
BPoHC 		St. 3: E/N
St. 6: E/N
Upgrade
反復「ループ王国」 Recurrence "Loop Kingdom" EE
BPoHC 		St. 3: H/U
St. 6 H/U
間牌「ターボエリア」 Space Card "Turbo Area" EE
BPoHC 		St. 3: E/N
St. 6: E/N
間牌「空間削落」 Space Card "Spatial Erasure" EE
BPoHC 		St. 3: H/U
St. 6: H/U
「次元断裂」 "Dimensional Division" EE St. 3: E/N
「次元連裂幻」 "Illusion of Repeated Dimensional Rupture" EE St. 3: H
混元「スクリーンシャッフル」 Confused Origins "Screen Shuffle" EE St. 3: U
「メイデンピット」 "Maiden Pit"[a] [b] Flash bomb EE
EMS
RMI
BPoHC
BotC 		Use
Use
Use
Use
Use
『自由奔放』 "Freewheeling" RMI Standby Skill
転移「弾幕クローン」 Transfer "Danmaku Clone" RMI St. 4: E/N
転送「次元複製」 Transmission "Dimensional Duplication" RMI St. 4: H/U
「じげんはくり」 "Dimension Detach"[c] RMI St. 4: E/N
元牌「次元剥離」 Origin Card "Dimensional Detachment"[d] RMI St. 4: U
元玄「墨と銀」 Mysterious Origin "Ink and Silver"[e] Co-owner with Tsubakura RMI St. 4: E/N/H/U
光差「スターシェル」 Glintersection "Star Shell"[f] BPoHC St. 6 H/U
「次元解放」 "Dimensional Liberation" BPoHC St.6: E/N
「次元崩壊」 "Dimensional Destruction" BPoHC St.6: H/U
ヒッグスジュース Higgs Juice BPoHC Upgrade
薄めの次元断層 Slight Dimensional Fracture BPoHC Upgrade
ばーりあ Baaarrier BotC Inherent Trait
次元カッター Dimension Cutter As Yabusame Houlen [Chef Form]; Bomb BotC Use
ばりあー Barrierrr As Yabusame Houlen [Chef Form] BotC Inherent Trait

Notable Techniques

Crossing Dimensions

Yabusame can cross dimensions at will, barging into another dimension and interfering with events. However, due to not being very smart, they cannot use this power effectively without Tsubakura Enraku's help. Tsubakura created a "Two-Dimensional Cloth" with zero thickness to prevent Yabusame from flying off into other dimensions unprompted. This ability is one of JynX's favorites in the series and the one they consider the most dangerous.

The most common application is opening "Hyper-dimensional pockets", which act as portals between two places. Yabusame uses them for attacks, storage—from legendary weapons like Mjölnir to drinks like a Blue Hawaii cocktail—and grabbing souvenirs from different dimensions. They can import items such as coffee and send others through dimensions. They commonly use this ability to teleport danmaku in front of the opponent, as well as splitting and shifting the screen.

Yabusame can access places they should not be able to, such as Tsurubami Senri's space corridors and the Mugenri Barrier. Tsubakura suggests the Mugenri Barrier would be hard to cross from inside even with Yabusame's ability, though it is implied they could leave if they wanted to. Their bad ending in Evanescent Existence suggests they may need to be asleep to shift to other dimensions.

Apparently, only one Yabusame exists across all dimensions, though this was not always the case. They possessed this ability prior to Evanescent Existence and gained no new ones upon arriving in Mugenri.

Immunity to Suzumi's Abilities

It is unclear if this relates to their main ability, but Yabusame is nearly immune to Suzumi Kuzu's abilities. Rewriting memories only slightly affects them, and they would presumably stay dead if killed before a timeline rewind—making them the only character with this distinction. They can sense Suzumi's other personalities and respond to them naturally. This allows Yabusame to remember Suzumi's presence when other characters' memories are erased. However, Yabusame cannot see through Suzumi's disguises.

Smell and Taste

Yabusame has an unusual skill of describing things based on taste and smell. They describe themself as "tasteless and odourless", and the flavor of dimensions as that of tartar sauce. When confronting Suzumi's disguise as Tsurubami, Yabusame was convinced they smelled 100% like Tsurubami. This is similar to Shion's perception of others, though with a different range of smell.

Danmaku

Danamku attacks are a common form of attacking within Mugenri. Simple danmaku can be fired without a spell card though using someone else's spell card let's one borrow a part of the original owner's power in addition to the danmaku attack[120].

Bombs

Normal Bomb
Normal bombs are screen wide attacks that deal varying damage deppending on the character.

Flash Bombs
Flash Bombs are trigged while unfocused, and the gauge is completely filled. Just for an instant, flash bombs grant invincibility and doesn't count as losing a spell card even if used during one.

Screenshot

Normal Attack 041
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Normal Attack 042
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Normal Attack 043
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Normal Attack 044
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 057
 光牌「レーザーレイン」 (Kou-fu "Reezaa Rein")
Light Card "Laser Rain"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Spell Card 058
 光牌「レーザーレイン」 (Kou-fu "Reezaa Rein")
Light Card "Laser Rain"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Spell Card 059
 光牌「レーザーグリッド」 (Kou-fu "Reezaa Guriddo")
Light Card "Laser Grid"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 060
 光牌「レーザーグリッド」 (Kou-fu "Reezaa Guriddo")
Light Card "Laser Grid"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 045
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Normal Attack 046
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Normal Attack 047
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Normal Attack 048
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Recording

Spell Card 061
 交差「フラッシュクロス」 (Kousa "Furasshu Kurosu")
Intersection "Flash Cross"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Spell Card 062
 交差「フラッシュクロス」 (Kousa "Furasshu Kurosu")
Intersection "Flash Cross"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Spell Card 063
 交差「スターシェル」 (Kousa "Sutaa Sheru")
Intersection "Star Shell"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 064
 交差「スターシェル」 (Kousa "Sutaa Sheru")
Intersection "Star Shell"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 049
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Normal Attack 050
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Normal Attack 051
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Normal Attack 052
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 065
 元牌「空間剥離」 (Gen-fu "Kuukan Hakuri")
Origin Card "Spatial Detachment"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Spell Card 066
 元牌「空間剥離」 (Gen-fu "Kuukan Hakuri")
Origin Card "Spatial Detachment"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Spell Card 067
 元牌「顕界遊離」 (Gen-fu "Genkai Yuuri")
Origin Card "Reality Separation"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 068
 元牌「顕界遊離」 (Gen-fu "Genkai Yuuri")
Origin Card "Reality Separation"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 053
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Normal Attack 054
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Normal Attack 055
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Normal Attack 056
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 069
 飛移「ワープ王国」 (Tobiutsu "Waapu Oukoku")
Teleport "Warp Kingdom"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Spell Card 070
 飛移「ワープ王国」 (Tobiutsu "Waapu Oukoku")
Teleport "Warp Kingdom"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Spell Card 071
 反復「ループ王国」 (Hanpuku "Ruupu Oukoku")
Recurrence "Loop Kingdom"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 072
 反復「ループ王国」 (Hanpuku "Ruupu Oukoku")
Recurrence "Loop Kingdom"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 073
 間牌「ターボエリア」 (Ma-fu "Taabo Eria")
Space Card "Turbo Area"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Spell Card 074
 間牌「ターボエリア」 (Ma-fu "Taabo Eria")
Space Card "Turbo Area"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Spell Card 075
 間牌「空間削落」 (Ma-fu "Kuukan Sakuraku")
Space Card "Spatial Erasure"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 076
 間牌「空間削落」 (Ma-fu "Kuukan Sakuraku")
Space Card "Spatial Erasure"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 077
 「次元断裂」 ("Jigen Danretsu")
"Dimensional Division"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Easy
Screenshot
Spell Card 078
 「次元断裂」 ("Jigen Danretsu")
"Dimensional Division"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Normal
Screenshot
Spell Card 079
 「次元連裂幻」 ("Jigen Renretsu-gen")
"Illusion of Repeated Dimensional Rupture"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 080
 混元「スクリーンシャッフル」 (Kongen "Sukuriin Shaffuru")
Confused Origins "Screen Shuffle"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 3 — Unreal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 069
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Easy
Normal Attack 070
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Normal
Normal Attack 071
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Hard
Normal Attack 072
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 093
 転移「弾幕クローン」 (Ten'i "Danmaku Kuroon")
Transfer "Danmaku Clone"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Easy
Screenshot
Spell Card 094
 転移「弾幕クローン」 (Ten'i "Danmaku Kuroon")
Transfer "Danmaku Clone"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Normal
Screenshot
Spell Card 095
 転送「次元複製」 (Tensou "Jigen Fukusei")
Transmission "Dimensional Duplication"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 096
 転送「次元複製」 (Tensou "Jigen Fukusei")
Transmission "Dimensional Duplication"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 097
 「じげんはくり」 ("Jigen Hakuri")
"Dimension Detach"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Easy
Screenshot
Spell Card 098
 「じげんはくり」 ("Jigen Hakuri")
"Dimension Detach"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Normal
Screenshot
Spell Card 099
 元牌「空間剥離」 (Gen-fu "Kuukan Hakuri")
Origin Card "Spatial Detachment"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Hard
Comment
 Yabusame's second spell card from Evanescent Existence.
Screenshot
Spell Card 100
 元牌「次元剥離」 (Gen-fu "Jigen Hakuri")
Origin Card "Dimensional Detachment"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 4 — Unreal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 077
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku
Stage 4 — Easy
Normal Attack 078
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku
Stage 4 — Normal
Normal Attack 079
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku
Stage 4 — Hard
Normal Attack 080
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku
Stage 4 — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 109
 元玄「墨と銀」 (Gengen "Sumi to Gin")
Mysterious Origin "Ink and Silver"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku
Stage 4 — Easy
Comment
 A variation on Tsubakura's third spell card from Evanescent Existence.
Screenshot
Spell Card 110
 元玄「墨と銀」 (Gengen "Sumi to Gin")
Mysterious Origin "Ink and Silver"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku
Stage 4 — Normal
Comment
 A variation on Tsubakura's third spell card from Evanescent Existence.
Screenshot
Spell Card 111
 元玄「墨と銀」 (Gengen "Sumi to Gin")
Mysterious Origin "Ink and Silver"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku
Stage 4 — Hard
Comment
 A variation on Tsubakura's third spell card from Evanescent Existence.
Screenshot
Spell Card 112
 元玄「墨と銀」 (Gengen "Sumi to Gin")
Mysterious Origin "Ink and Silver"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku
Stage 4 — Unreal
Comment
 A variation on Tsubakura's third spell card from Evanescent Existence.

Screenshot

Normal Attack 305
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Normal Attack 306
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 307
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Normal Attack 308
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 361
 光牌「レーザーレイン」 (Kou-fu "Reezaa Rein")
Light Card "Laser Rain"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Spell Card 362
 光牌「レーザーレイン」 (Kou-fu "Reezaa Rein")
Light Card "Laser Rain"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Spell Card 363
 光牌「レーザーグリッド」 (Kou-fu "Reezaa Guriddo")
Light Card "Laser Grid"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 364
 光牌「レーザーグリッド」 (Kou-fu "Reezaa Guriddo")
Light Card "Laser Grid"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 309
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Normal Attack 310
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 311
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Normal Attack 312
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 365
 交差「フラッシュクロス」 (Kousa "Furasshu Kurosu")
Intersection "Flash Cross"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Spell Card 366
 交差「フラッシュクロス」 (Kousa "Furasshu Kurosu")
Intersection "Flash Cross"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Spell Card 367
 光差「スターシェル」 (Kousa "Sutaa Sheru")
Glintersection "Star Shell"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 368
 光差「スターシェル」 (Kousa "Sutaa Sheru")
Glintersection "Star Shell"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 313
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Normal Attack 314
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 315
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Normal Attack 316
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 369
 飛移「ワープ王国」 (Tobiutsu "Waapu Oukoku")
Teleport "Warp Kingdom"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Spell Card 370
 飛移「ワープ王国」 (Tobiutsu "Waapu Oukoku")
Teleport "Warp Kingdom"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Spell Card 371
 反復「ループ王国」 (Hanpuku "Ruupu Oukoku")
Recurrence "Loop Kingdom"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 372
 反復「ループ王国」 (Hanpuku "Ruupu Oukoku")
Recurrence "Loop Kingdom"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 317
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Normal Attack 318
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Normal Attack 319
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Normal Attack 320
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 373
 間牌「ターボエリア」 (Ma-fu "Taabo Eria")
Space Card "Turbo Area"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Spell Card 374
 間牌「ターボエリア」 (Ma-fu "Taabo Eria")
Space Card "Turbo Area"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Spell Card 375
 間牌「空間削落」 (Ma-fu "Kuukan Sakuraku")
Space Card "Spatial Erasure"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 376
 間牌「空間削落」 (Ma-fu "Kuukan Sakuraku")
Space Card "Spatial Erasure"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 377
 元牌「空間剥離」 (Gen-fu "Kuukan Hakuri")
Origin Card "Spatial Detachment"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Spell Card 378
 元牌「空間剥離」 (Gen-fu "Kuukan Hakuri")
Origin Card "Spatial Detachment"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Spell Card 379
 元牌「顕界遊離」 (Gen-fu "Genkai Yuuri")
Origin Card "Reality Separation"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 380
 元牌「顕界遊離」 (Gen-fu "Genkai Yuuri")
Origin Card "Reality Separation"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Screenshot

Spell Card 381
 「次元解放」 ("Jigen Kaihou")
"Dimensional Liberation"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Easy

Screenshot

Spell Card 382
 「次元解放」 ("Jigen Kaihou")
"Dimensional Liberation"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Normal

Screenshot

Spell Card 383
 「次元崩壊」 ("Jigen Honkai")
"Dimensional Destruction"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Hard
Screenshot
Spell Card 384
 「次元崩壊」 ("Jigen Honkai")
"Dimensional Destruction"
Owner
 Yabusame Houlen
Stage 6 (Neutral) — Unreal

Yabusame Yabusame Houlen [EE]

Japanese Description English Translation

鳳聯藪雨【无】

Sランク
LV90(90)
コスト:100
参照元：鳳聯藪雨【无】
種族：ヒト
サイズ：１✕１
Depth：04
戦力：5747

ステータス
HP：2683
MP：1363
攻撃(ATK)：501
特攻(S.ATK)：527
防御(DEF)：755
特防(S.DEF)：726
素早さ(SPD)：441
会心率(CRI)：3.30
回避率(AVD)：3.50
運(LUK)：6.40
移動範囲(MOV)：2

登場作品

  • 連縁无現里
  • 連縁蛇叢釼
  • 連縁霊烈傳
  • 連縁天影戦記

Yabusame Houlen [EE]

Rank S
Lv90 (Max: 90)
Cost: 100
Original Reference: Yabusame Houlen [EE]
Race: Human
Size: 1x1
Depth: 04
Unit Strength: 5747

Stats
HP: 2683
MP: 1363
Attack: 501
Special Attack: 527
Defense: 755
Special Defense: 726
Speed: 441
Critical Rate: 3.30
Evasion: 3.50
Luck: 6.40
Movement Range: 2

Appearances

  • Evanescent Existence
  • Earthen Miraculous Sword
  • Reactivate Majestical Imperial
  • Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle
Japanese Description English Translation

技

  • 通常攻撃[打撃]
  • スペル：
  1. 正挙突き
  2. プチヒール
  3. チャージビーム
  4. 次元剥離
  • ボム：次元剥離 (消費3)
  • フラッシュボム：メイデンピット (消費3)

特性

  • 固有特性：ばーりあ
    • 戦闘開始時にDEF強化[Lv2]とS.DEF強化[Lv2]がかかる(効果時間５ターン)
  • パーティースキル：天衣無縫の能天気
    • 自身を除く登場作品[連縁无現里]の味方ユニットの受けるダメージを１０％下げる

Skills

  • Normal Attack [Strike]
  • Spells:
  1. Karate Punch
  2. Petite Heal
  3. Charge Beam
  4. Dimensional Detachment
  • Bomb: Dimensional Detachment (Cost: 3)
  • Flashbomb: Maiden Pit (Cost: 3)

Traits

  • Inherent Trait: Baaarrier
    • As the battle starts, gain a DEF buff [Lv2] and S.DEF buff [Lv2]. (Lasts for 5 turns.)
  • Party Skill: Flawless Thoughtlessness
    • With the exception of this unit, decreases damage taken by party members with an appearance in Evanescent Existence by 10%.
Japanese Description English Translation

火炎：通常 (0)
水氷：通常 (0)
電雷：通常 (0)
土金：通常 (0)
風爆：通常 (0)
光聖：通常 (0)
闇冥：通常 (0)
霊幻：通常 (0)
無无：通常 (0)

ＨＰ：通常 (0)
ＭＰ：通常 (0)
攻撃：通常 (0)
特攻：通常 (0)
防御：通常 (0)
特防：通常 (0)
素早さ：通常 (0)
会心率：通常 (0)
回避率：通常 (0)
運：通常 (0)
移動：通常 (0)
詠唱速度：通常 (0)
毒：通常 (0)
炎上：通常 (0)
凍結：通常 (0)
麻痺：通常 (0)
混乱：通常 (0)
暗闇：通常 (0)
怯み：通常 (0)
睡眠：通常 (0)
致死：通常 (0)

Fire/Flame: Normal (0)
Water/Ice: Normal (0)
Lightning/Thunder: Normal (0)
Earth/Metal: Normal (0)
Wind/Explosion: Normal (0)
Light/Divine: Normal (0)
Darkness/Nether: Normal (0)
Spirit/Illusion: Normal (0)
Null: Normal (0)

HP: Normal (0)
MP: Normal (0)
ATK: Normal (0)
S.ATK: Normal (0)
DEF: Normal (0)
S.DEF: Normal (0)
SPD: Normal (0)
CRI: Normal (0)
AVD: Normal (0)
LUK: Normal (0)
MOV: Normal (0)
Cast Speed: Normal (0)
Poison: Normal (0)
Burn: Normal (0)
Freeze: Normal (0)
Paralyze: Normal (0)
Confuse: Normal (0)
Blind: Normal (0)
Fear: Normal (0)
Sleep: Normal (0)
Instant-Death: Normal (0)

Japanese Description English Translation

DEEP 01

  • 無无の見習い
  • 基礎ステータス＋５％
  • ボム解放

DEEP 02

  • ＤＥＦ＆Ｓ.ＤＥＦ＋５％
  • 基礎ステータス＋５％
  • フラッシュボム解放

DEEP 03

  • 無无の見習い
  • 基礎ステータス＋５％
  • 固有特性解放

DEEP 04

  • ＤＥＦ＆Ｓ.ＤＥＦ＋５％
  • 基礎ステータス＋５％
  • パーティースキル解放

Depth 01

  • Null Trainee
  • Base Stats +5%
  • Unlock Bomb

Depth 02

  • DEF & S.DEF +5%
  • Base Stats +5%
  • Unlock Flashbomb

Depth 03

  • Null Trainee
  • Base Stats +5%
  • Unlock Inherent Trait

Depth 04

  • DEF & S.DEF +5%
  • Base Stats +5%
  • Unlock Party Skill

Other

Standard Tactics: Yabusame utilizes the dimensions to warp around their attacks along with shooting hundreds of different bullets.

Weaknesses

Explanations

Mugenri

Mugenri is a realm that is born from beyond people's memories, cast out alongside the flow of time and is a world apart from reality[132]. Existing as a place where both humans and non-huamns live togehter and things disappearing from sight are never seen again[132]. It is described as a land that does not exist within reality[8]. It is described as a land that does not exist within reality[8]. When defining Mugenri in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle, it's called a world separated from reality[133]. Tsubakura notes that Mugenri is separated from everything else, though Tenkai notes that Mugenri doesn't have an "inside" or "outside" and once Tsubakura has seen the full picture of Mugenri they will understand[134].

Many are either swept away to Mugenri or captured[132], being described as a land where limitless relations and illusionary laws are linked together[132]. Mugenri cannot be directly reached from most other places, it has its own Netherworld, Makai, and so on separate from those of the outside world, Mugenri can only be accessed from most places if one goes through the outside world along the way[135].

Mugenri's true size has never been revealed, and very few places are mora advanced then the capital of Mugenri[136].

Despite being cut off from the outside world, seasons such as winter still persists in Mugenri[10].

Mugenri's capital is rougly 10 million of a population, but the population for all of it is a secret[137]. Half-Human, Half-Youkai entities exist in Mugenri but they haven't been shown yet[138].

There are a variety of ways to obtain powers in Mugenri, one could be born with an ability, obtain it through practice or a contract, but a vast majority of people in Mugenri are ordinary and have no powers at all[139].

If one dies in Mugenri, their soul is led to the Netherworld where it will be judged within 49 days and after receiving its due punishment, proceeds to its next life via reincarnation[140].

Mugenri uses a calendar system called "Ruri" based on the current era starts from Mugenri's birth, like the Japan's old lunisolar calendar, the actual year wasn't given by JynX[7].

Spell Card System

In Spell Card dues, the winner can issue an order that the loser must obey, there are fundamentally no limitations to this order to where they can even order the opponent to kill themself, with failure to follow the order resulting in Mugenri completely erasing one's existence, though an order can be withdrawn and the loser doesn't have to listen to the order if they can escape from the winner's sight before they make the order[123].

Unlike Touhou Project, Spell Card System does not restrict killing or disallow it, instead the people of the world feel ashamed of killing their opponent in battle and consider it more advantageous to force the loser to follow their orders[141].

Trivia

  • Yabusame's strange, carefree behavior and ability to cross dimensions are very likely inspired by Serintsu, the first playable protagonist of Emergency Everyday, which served as the basis for the Len'en Project. JynX created a Twitter poll about revealing some information about the Len'en Project, with one option being a reveal of the origins of Yabusame's inspiration, though it was not voted for. Yabusame's character as a whole was created after Tsubakura Enraku, and even after Suzumi Kuzu.
  • In the game's manual for Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle, Yabusame is labeled with a "⑨" next to them in an explanation of the game screen's layout. This references the manual for Phantasmagoria of Flower View, which labeled Cirno in the same way.
  • Yabusame's first theme refers to M-theory, the theory that combines all the different types of superstring theory.
  • Likewise, Yabusame's birthday of November 26 may reference dimensions in different types of string theory: M-theory calls for 11 dimensions, while bosonic string theory requires 26.
  • JynX might make games that do not have Yabusame and Tsubakura as the main protagonists.
  • Lumen Celeritas has a spell card called "Flash Cross," which JynX confirms Lumen stole from Yabusame's spell card Intersection "Flash Cross."
  • When JynX compared characters for their self-worth, they did not compare Yabusame to anything in particular.
  • Yabusame's title themes, "Wings That Transcend Spacetime ~ M theory" and "Feathers Flying off the Beaten Path ~ Eleven-Dimensional," may have a connection to the Wings of Magritte.
  • Yabusame shares the same spell background with Tsubakura, which features silhouettes of Asian Stubtails, Sparrows, Swallows, Phoenixes, and Cranes. The bird names correspond to Yabusame, Suzumi, Tsubakura, Yabusame, and Tsurubami respectively.
  • Yabusame apparently had help naming some of their spell cards. In particular, it is known that their bomb "Dimensional Detachment" was named by Tsubakura Enraku, and that they would not have been able to come up with complex kanji like the latter two on their own. Curiously, it is also noted that it was technically not Tsubakura who did so.

Profiles

📁 Official Character Profiles
Len'en Project - Yabusame Official Profiles

Evanescent Existence - Official Profiles
◯ Flawless Thoughtlessness

Yabusame Houlen

Species: Human
Ability: Something like crossing dimensions

They're an altogether plain and boring person.
However, they're also an outrageous weirdo who's come barging into another dimension.
Originally, they were able to cross dimensions and interfere with phenomena, but since they're not very smart, they can't use their power very well without a certain person's help.

They had a troublesome relationship with Tsubakura Enraku since a long time ago, and they've been through various things. Or not.
When you can't understand what they're thinking, they're probably not thinking of anything at all. They're really more of an idiot than just a plain person.

◯天衣無縫の能天気

　　鳳聯　藪雨（ほうれん　やぶさめ） 　　Houren Yabusame

　　種族：ヒト 　　能力：次元を越える的な能力

　　全体的に陳腐な凡人。 　　けど次元の壁を越えて異世界に乱入してきたとんでもない変人。 　　元々、次元を越えて事象に干渉できるようなのだが、 　　あまり頭が良くないので、とある人物の協力がないと 　　いまいち能力が使いこなせないとのこと。

　　燕楽玄鳥とは昔からの腐れ縁で、色々あったとか無かったとか。 　　何を考えているのか分からないときは、 　　大抵何にも考えてないのだろう。 凡人というより馬鹿より。

Len'en Project: Evanescent Existence
◯ Stage 3 Boss — Flawless Thoughtlessness

Yabusame Houlen

Species: Human
Ability: Something like crossing dimensions

They're a (feigned?) thoughtless idiot.
It seems that they've barged into this world by a different method than the others.
They can cross dimensions and interfere with phenomena, but perhaps they're actually capable of doing something even more amazing?
They only know weird vocabulary for some reason.

　◯３面ボス　　天衣無縫の能天気

　　鳳聯　藪雨（ほうれん　やぶさめ） 　　Houren Yabusame

　　種族：ヒト 　　能力：次元を越える的な能力

　　能天気なバカもどき。 　　他の奴らとは違う方法でこの世界に乱入してきたらしい。 　　次元を越えて物事に干渉できるらしいが、 　　本当はもっと凄いことが出来るとかなんとか？ 　　妙な単語だけは何故か知ってる。

Len'en Project: Evanescent Existence
Earthen Miraculous Sword - Official Profiles
◯ Flawless Thoughtlessness

Yabusame Houlen

Species: Human
Ability: Something like crossing dimensions

They're an altogether plain and boring person.
A weirdo with a reputation for crossing dimensions.
Even if they're told to go off and solve incidents they don't understand, they're a person who somehow gets the job done anyway.
They wear a "Two-Dimensional Cloth" with zero thickness (made by Tsubakura), so that they don't fly off into another dimension on a whim.

They like snow better than cloudy weather.

　◯天衣無縫の能天気

　　鳳聯　藪雨（ほうれん　やぶさめ） 　　Houren Yabusame

　　種族：ヒト 　　能力：次元を越える的な能力

　　全体的に陳腐な凡人。 　　次元を越えることに定評のある変人。 　　よく分かりもしない異変を解決してこいと言われても、 　　なんとなくで解決しちゃう人。 　　勝手に別次元に飛んで行かないように、 　　厚みを持たない"二次元の布(玄鳥作)"を巻きつけられている。

　　曇り空より雪が好き。

Len'En Project - Earthen Miraculous Sword
Reactivate Majestical Imperial - Official Profiles
◯ Flawless Thoughtlessness

Yabusame Houlen

Species: Human
Ability: Something like crossing dimensions

They're an altogether plain and boring person.
A weirdo who can cross dimensions and interfere with phenomena.
They're always messing around regardless of whether it's hot or cold outside.
Although it's winter, they're wearing even lighter clothes than they do in summer. Are they some sort of idiot?

As for nabe, they like sukiyaki.

　◯天衣無縫の能天気

　　鳳聯　藪雨（ほうれん　やぶさめ） 　　Houren Yabusame

　　種族：ヒト 　　能力：次元を越える的な能力

　　全体的に陳腐な凡人。 　　次元を越えて事象に干渉できたりする変人。 　　寒いのも暑いのもチャラヘッチャラ。 　　冬なのに何故か夏より薄着のときがある、バカなのかな？

　　ナベではスキヤキがスキ。

Len'En Project - Reactivate Majestical Imperial
Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle - Official Profiles
Flawless Thoughtlessness

Yabusame Houlen

●Species: Human
●Abilities: Something like crossing dimensions; etc.

The airheaded Honorary Priest of the Senri Shrine.

Has the ridiculous ability to cross dimensions and interfere with phenomena.

They're once again working hard to resolve the current incident.
...well, actually they're just tagging along with Tsubakura because it seems interesting.

A plain person who's more stupid than plain.

天衣無縫の能天気

鳳聯　藪雨 Houlen Yabusame ●種族 ヒト ●能力 次元を越える 　　　　的な能力など

天然闡裡神社名誉神主。

次元を越えて事象に干渉できる とんでもない能力の持ち主。

今回も異変解決を頑張ってる。 っというかなんだか面白そうだから 玄鳥に付いて行ってるだけ。

凡人よりもバカ寄りな凡人。

Len'en Project - Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle
A World Outside Fantasy - False Spirit Account
Flawless Thoughtlessness

Yabusame Houlen

Species: Human
Ability: Something like crossing dimensions
Hobbies: Talking, cooking, naps. Likes: Soba, cats, walks, black tea, Tsubakura.
Dislikes: Difficult things, annoyances, smelly things.
Estimated date of birth: November, 26.

天衣無縫の能天気

鳳聯　藪雨

種族：ヒト 能力：次元を越える的な能力 趣味：おしゃべり　料理　昼寝 好きなもの：そば　猫　散歩　紅茶　ツバクラ 嫌いなもの：難しいこと　面倒くさい　臭いもの 推定誕生日：１１/２６

A World Outside Fantasy ~Evanescent Existence~

Songs:

Yabusame Houren's Theme
~ Wings that Transcend
Spacetime
~ M-Theory
EE

Yabusame's Extra Stage Theme
~ Phoenix Chicks'
Heavenly Rush
EE

Yabusame's Tsubakura's Theme
~ Double Keeper
~ White Black Twin Birds
Stage 4C Boss
Reactivate Majestical Imperial

Yabusame Houren's Theme
~ Feathers Flying Off
the Beaten Patch
~ Eleven-Dimensional
Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle

Battle Records

62 - 6 - 0

Souko Shirami - Fight[170]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Senri Shrine Road

Kujiru Kesa - Fight[171]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Unlost Woods

Kaisen Azuma - Fight[172]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Outpost Base Camp

Garaiya Ogata - Fight[173]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Summonsing Fortress

Para - Fight[174]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Dragonfly Castle

Taira no Chouki - Fight[175]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Ukifune's Room

Mitsumo and Terumi - Fight[176]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Senri Shrine Road

Medias Moritake - Fight[177]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Frontline River

Kunimutsu Ooya - Fight[178]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Fantasy Seawall

Kaoru Kashiwagi - Fight[179]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Gloomy Sea Bridge

Fujiwara no Shirogane no Sanra - Fight[180]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Devanagara

Ooama no Ake no Mitori - Fight[181]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Pagoda of the Heavenly Mirror (Heavenly Mausoleum)

Kurohebi - Fight[182]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Senri Shrine Road

Jun Amanomiya - Fight[183]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Senri Shrine Road

Aoji Shitodo - Fight[184]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road / The Frontline River

Shou Amanomori - Fight[185]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road / The Frontline River

Tsugumi Umatachi - Fight[186]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road / The Frontline River

Lumen Celeritas - Fight[187]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Outpost Base Camp / The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall

Sese Kitsugai - Fight[188]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Outpost Base Camp / The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall

Fujiwara no Iyozane - Fight[189]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Outpost Base Camp / The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall

Hibaru Kokutenshi - Fight[190]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Summonsing Fortress / The Outpost Base Camp / The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road (far) / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall / The Gloomy Sea Bridge

Hooaka Shitodo - Fight[191]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Summonsing Fortress / The Outpost Base Camp / The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road (far) / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall / The Gloomy Sea Bridge

Adagumo no Saragimaru - Fight[192]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Summonsing Fortress / The Outpost Base Camp / The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road (far) / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall / The Gloomy Sea Bridge

Kuroji Shitodo - Fight[193]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Dragonfly Castle / The Summonsing Fortress / The Outpost Base Camp / The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road (far) / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall / The Gloomy Sea Bridge / Devanagara

Sukune Katano - Fight[194]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Dragonfly Castle / The Summonsing Fortress / The Outpost Base Camp / The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road (far) / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall / The Gloomy Sea Bridge / Devanagara

Taira no Fumikado - Fight[195]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Dragonfly Castle / The Summonsing Fortress / The Outpost Base Camp / The Unlost Woods / Senri Shrine Road (far) / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall / The Gloomy Sea Bridge / Devanagara

Clause - Fight[196]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Dragonfly Castle / The Summonsing Fortress / The Outpost Base Camp / Senri Shrine Road (far) / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall / The Gloomy Sea Bridge (Stage 6; cell 6:-4 or random)

Adagumo no Yaorochi - Fight[197]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: A Certain Ritual Site (Stage 6; cell 6:-1)

Tenkai Zuifeng - Fight[198]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: The Summonsing Fortress / The Outpost Base Camp / Senri Shrine Road (far) / The Frontline River / The Fantasy Seawall / The Gloomy Sea Bridge / Devanagara (Stage 6; cell 6:4 or random)

Suzumi Kuzu - Fight[55]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Senri Shrine Road (far) (Stage 6; cell 6:0)

Yago Ametsukana - Fight[199]

Haiji Senri - Fight[200]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Senri Shrine Road (Remote)

Xeno a - Fight[201]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Senri Shrine Road (Remote)

Tsurubami Senri - Fight[202]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Senri Shrine Road (Distant) (Extra+α)

Suzumi Kuzu - Fight[55]

    • Conditions: Yabusame, Tsubakura, and Shion all teamed up.
    • Location: Senri Shrine Road (Distant) (Extra+α)

  • Taira no Fumikado, Fujiwara no Iyozane, & Tsugumi Umatachi - Fight[203]
    • Conditions: Fumikado, Iyozane, & Umatachi all teamed up.
    • Location: Summonsing Fortress/The Outpost Base Camp/ Senri Shrine Road (Far)
  • Tenkai Zuifeng, Sukune Katano, & Sese Kitsugai - Fight[204]
    • Conditions: Tenkai Zuifeng, Sukune Katano, & Sese Kitsugai all teamed up.
    • Location: Summonsing Fortress/The Outpost Base Camp/ Senri Shrine Road (Far)
  • Kuroji Shitodo, Hooaka Shitodo, & Aoji Shitodo - Fight[205]
    • Conditions: Kuroji Shitodo, Hooaka Shitodo, & Aoji Shitodo all teamed up.
    • Location: Summonsing Fortress/The Outpost Base Camp/ Senri Shrine Road (Far)
  • Suzumi Kuzu - Fight[32]
    • Conditions: Three Suzumi's (Ardey, Hamee, & Benny) were all in control of Suzumi.
    • Location: Summonsing Fortress/The Outpost Base Camp/ Senri Shrine Road (Far)

None.

References

Expand here.
  1. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q23. Yabusame and Tsubakura are friends, but it often seems like Tsubakura couldn't care less about Yabusame and at times they don't even care that they're there. Is that just Tsubakura's way of showing affection?
    For the time being, I'll be keeping their relationship a mystery in several ways."
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Houlen Profile "◯ Flawless Thoughtlessness
    Yabusame Houlen
    Species: Human
    Ability: Something like crossing dimensions
    They're an altogether plain and boring person.
    However, they're also an outrageous weirdo who's come barging into another dimension.
    Originally, they were able to cross dimensions and interfere with phenomena, but since they're not very smart, they can't use their power very well without a certain person's help.
    They had a troublesome relationship with Tsubakura Enraku since a long time ago, and they've been through various things. Or not.
    When you can't understand what they're thinking, they're probably not thinking of anything at all. They're really more of an idiot than just a plain person."
  3. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q5. What made you decide to have the characters' genders ambiguous?
    When seeing a puppy, many people will think "How adorable!" and cling to that thought.
    But they didn't think "adorable" because it was female, right?
    If you saw an eagle and thought "How cool!", it isn't because that eagle was male, right?
    When you genuinely think something like "How adorable!" or "How cool!" I believe you don't even consider the gender at all.
    Trying to present that notion, I took the chance to make characters who were nearly all of ambiguous gender.
    While I have other reasons, this is my primary one."
  4. ↑ Len'En Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Yabusame Good Ending
  5. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q21. Would you be willing to disclose the ages of various characters at some point?
    I don't really plan to disclose that at all. I wouldn't even know the age of certain characters."
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 A World Outside Fantasy ~Evanescent Existence~ Yabusame Houlen Profile "Flawless Thoughtlessness
    Yabusame Houlen
    Species: Human
    Ability: Something like crossing dimensions
    Hobbies: Talking, cooking, naps.
    Likes: Soba, cats, walks, black tea, Tsubakura.
    Dislikes: Difficult things, annoyances, smelly things.
    Estimated date of birth: November 26."
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Interview with JynX (2015) "Q7. Does Mugenri have a unique calendar system? If not, which one does it use?
    Mugenri uses a calendar system called "Ruri" where the current era starts from Mugenri's birth.
    It's kind of similar to Japan's old lunisolar calendar.
    What year it currently is is a secret, though."
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Prologue "~At the Senri Shrine~
    Mugenri.
    Even in this land that doesn't exist within reality, time simply flows downriver as always, and the seasons and landscape change accordingly.
    The morning sunlight poured down from the calm clear skies some hours ago, unobscured and proclaiming the arrival of mid-day.
    Now, though, as the snakes crawled into their dens, the beautiful scenery became tired of sporting so many hues. It changed into a dull inky color, as if preparing for the snowfall that would blanket the land and welcome the coming season.
    Yes, it was that time of year.
    That is to say, the end of Autumn.
    The new inhabitants of Mugenri's Senri Shrine had finally started to get used to their new lives, different as they were from the ones they led outside.
    Yet the "ordinary lifestyle" that they had constructed in this strange land was fragile; so fragile, in fact, that it would inevitably be overturned by an Autumn wind too weak to even whirl some leaves about.
    In the shrine's kitchen, Yabusame Houlen, who was appointed as a substitute priest, poured an inky black broth into two teacups.
    The cups made a pleasant sound as they finished pouring.
    Yabusame hummed a nonchalant tune as they picked up the tray and cups both, and headed towards the place where the cups' contents would meet their ends "as coffee".
    Yabusame searched for the one they were bringing coffee to: Tsubakura Enraku, the shrine's other substitute priest.
    If one were looking for them, it'd be best to check the research lab (that is, their room,) or to take a quick walk around the shrine's veranda while enjoying the scenery.
    They'd usually be performing strange experiments in those places, or yawning and stretching just to put on the air of someone slacking off.
    As evidence of that, Yabusame easily found them sitting on the veranda that day, yawning and fiddling with a thick book.
    Yabusame: "Huh? You're still not done studying?"
    Yabusame gave a look of surprise as they reached Tsubakura, while holding out one of the teacups from the tray for them.
    Tsubakura: "Nnh... I finished 'studying' a long time ago, but I still haven't fulfilled my quota. 16 readings to go."
    Tsubakura flipped through the book with one hand as they took the teacup with the other, closed their eyes, frowned, drew back their shoulders, tilted their head to the side, and let out a huge yawn with their tongue hanging out.
    This exaggerated display served to make their boredom easy for Yabusame to pick up on, which said a lot about how thick-headed Yabusame was.
    Yabusame Houlen and Tsubakura Enraku... as these two were sealed up in this world of Mugenri, they were also entrusted with an extremely important role (that of priests).
    Yabusame complained that they'd rather just be a shrine maiden, and Tsubakura complained that they'd rather just be a stockholder, but after having discussed matters (played rock-paper-scissors), they divided the priests' responsibilities between them.
    As a result, the boring and tiresome work became Tsubakura's job, as well as having a certain individual drill the shrine's everyday rituals and traditions, Mugenri's history and so on into their head every day.
    On the other hand, all the cooking, cleaning and general housework were contracted out to Yabusame, and so they successfully avoided having to deal with the shrine's stiff rituals.
    Having taken the cup from Yabusame, Tsubakura was aware that the substance contained within was definitely not something that belonged there under normal circumstances, but they drank it anyways.
    They swished the black fluid around on their tongue, savored the taste well, and swallowed it.
    After taking a breath, they looked at Yabusame and grinned widely.
    Tsubakura: "Even since we came to this world, your skills in the kitchen haven't dulled a bit."
    Yabusame: "You're probably the only person alive who would say so after drinking that."
    While saying that, Yabusame leaned their head back and gave a strained smile.
    ? ? ? "Hm? What's that?"
    Yabusame turned around in response to the innocent voice they heard.
    Behind them, there stood a child with long, fluttering black hair.
    The child wore a short, sleeveless haori all year round, and as such, those around them called them...
    Yabusame: "Oh, it's you, Jinbei-kun."
    ..."Jinbei". Nobody seems to know their real name, however.
    Even in this season, where Autumn gales blow as if chasing the migrating birds, and where one reunites after a whole year with dry winds harsh enough to make one shiver, Jinbei was perfectly comfortable in their single-layer haori.
    Incidentally, this very person is Tsubakura's teacher, and so Tsubakura sometimes calls them "Sensei".
    Yabusame: "It's coffee! Don't you know?"
    Jinbei: "Hmm. Of course I have heard of it, but I don't drink much more than what I prepare with tea leaves, so..."
    Tsubakura: "...! Ah, Sensei, would you like a cup as well? You say that you should try everything at least once, after all."
    Perhaps having thought of an ingenious prank, Tsubakura held back a mischievous smile.
    They offered Jinbei the contents of the remaining cup, while sipping on their own as if to show that it was fine.
    Jinbei: "Are you sure? What about Yabusame-san's coffee?"
    Yabusame: "Ehh? Uh, umm... no, I think I'm fine, really~?"
    Yabusame was obviously very flustered, but Jinbei thought they were simply being polite about giving up their own drink.
    They would only realize the horrible mistake they had made several seconds later...
    Jinbei: "Well then, I think I'll take you up on that offer."
    Yabusame crouched down to meet Jinbei's childlike stature, and handed them the cup.
    Jinbei took it, wetting their nose with the vapor rising from the cup.
    Jinbei: "My, what a mysterious smell... It makes the back of my head tingle... Is this what they call bean milk...?"
    Tsubakura chuckled to themself at the sight of Jinbei drinking the black liquid.
    It took no time at all for Jinbei's calm face to undergo a dramatic transformation.
    Yabusame: "Uh, hey... Are you okay? Jinbei-kun?"
    Jinbei valiantly struggled to swallow the substance in their mouth even as their eyes watered.
    They cast a glare up at Tsubakura while breathing heavily.
    Jinbei: "I see you tricked me..."
    Tsubakura: "My, I have not the slightest idea what you mean."
    Tsubakura made zero effort to hide their mischievous intent.
    Despite Jinbei's disgusted glare, they calmly sipped at their own compound liquid.
    "Ah, yep," they thought to themself. "Even the people of this world think the taste is awful..."
    "Even though it was pretty light stuff," they also thought. "Since there was nothing poisonous in it today..."
    Aside from 'Tsubakura's two cups', Yabusame had prepared coffee for themself as well, which they had left in the kitchen.
    They glanced sympathetically at Jinbei's agony, while yearning for that non-"specially made" brew.
    But then they remembered that they were more of a tea person to begin with, and thought "maybe I should go out and buy some tea leaves tomorrow..." and so on, putting their mind towards making plans ahead of time.
    Of course, the chance that Yabusame themself would actually remember those plans by tomorrow was astronomically small...
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    Jinbei: "W... well, anyway. You can make this up to me later. For now, let's talk about repayment for some previous things."
    Recognizing defeat, Jinbei gradually regained their composure.
    They shoved the cup back onto Yabusame's tray and changed the subject.
    Tsubakura: "If you're wondering about that, I just finished the 101st reading."
    Jinbei: "Eh? Wow, you only have a little bit left. That's awfully fast."
    Tsubakura: "Making me read the rituals and history as many times as there are worldly afflictions, though? Really? Real stuffy way to learn, if you ask me. 102nd."
    Jinbei: "And here I thought it'd take you at least a month, no matter how hard you tried~."
    Tsubakura: "If it were just memorization, I would have been fine after the first reading. 103rd."
    Jinbei: "It doesn't matter if you had it down the first time. This is how it's traditionally done!"
    Yabusame: "Tsubakura's hardly playing fair either, what with how they're actually reading it properly~."
    Without responding to the other two at all, Tsubakura continued reading, flipping the book's pages like wind blowing through one's hair.
    Several seconds later, they closed it with a thud.
    Tsubakura: "So. Did you come to see the result of your prank, having made this whole elaborate 'fake'?"
    Jinbei: "Ohh, so I've been found out."
    Yabusame: "Huh? What do you mean?"
    Jinbei: "That book is actually my own original work. So, how was it?"
    Tsubakura: "The setup where the mystery is solved once you read it 108 times while keeping the worldly afflictions in mind was interesting. Subject matter was awful, though."
    Jinbei: "How harsh... But, to tell you the truth, I honestly don't care about that now."
    Yabusame: "...? So, is there something else you want us to do?"
    Jinbei: "Hmm, how should I say this...? Watch my right hand."
    As they said so, Jinbei pointed at the landscape visible from the veranda.
    Yabusame and Tsubakura's lines of sight followed the hand from Jinbei's face to their shoulder, then their arm, their palm, their fingertips, and the scenery beyond.
    Then finally, at last, they arrived at the sky above.
    Mugenri's weather was that of a beautiful, clear late Autumn day.
    All except for one point in the sky that the three were looking towards...
    Yabusame: "Woah, it's super cloudy over there~!"
    Yabusame gazed at the point Jinbei had indicated, eyes opened wide.
    There was a single massive, thick cloud floating in the otherwise clear sky.
    It was truly a spectacular sight. One would be tempted to call it outright vainglorious.
    The one strangely-cloudy spot was a wondrous sight, starkly contrasted against the clear blue surrounding it. It was as if the cloud had hardened in that spot and wouldn't move, even as the wind blew against it.
    Owing to this, the land below must have seemed like a world of eternal darkness...
    Tsubakura: "Yeah, that thing. 'S been like that for days. If it was like that here, then I could sleep all I wanted. I'm jealous."
    Yabusame: "Oh, are you?"
    Even as Yabusame's foolish voice echoed through the shrine garden, their eyes remained glued to the enormous cloud.
    Tsubakura: "So, what the heck is this huge cloud we're gawking at?[1] There a floating castle in there or something?"
    Tsubakura asked their teacher, Jinbei, in a tone that made no attempt to hide their annoyance.
    Jinbei, in response, looked agog at Tsubakura and Yabusame.
    Jinbei: "How should I know? It isn't as if I did it."
    Yabusame: "Huh? What do you mean?"
    Yabusame moved their gaze from the cloud back to Jinbei, and responded to them in place of the listless Tsubakura.
    Jinbei: "Who knows? It's just a regular old abnormal situation. 'Incidents', they're called. They're quite famous in the village streets."
    Tsubakura: "People call things 'abnormal' or 'incidents' because they're not regular, you know? Haa~augh."
    Perhaps Tsubakura could tell what was coming, because they were already bored of it.
    While releasing a superb blend of yawning, sighing, and talking all at once, they stretched out, laid down on the veranda in that same posture, and finally closed their eyes.
    Yabusame: "An incident? What's that?"
    Jinbei: "Well, it means that someone came up with some sort of sinister plot and made the clouds that way, I suppose?"
    Jinbei kindly answered Yabusame's foolish question.
    All else aside, it was important for Yabusame to understand at least that much.
    Yabusame: "Sinister plot!? Wha- what'll we do, Tsubakura?!"
    Tsubakura: "Well... I guess someone will have to do something about it, or whatever?"
    Tsubakura, already checking out of the conversation, gave a lukewarm reply to Yabusame's idiotic question.
    Yabusame: "Huh-whaa...! So, which someone is gonna do what thing, exactly?"
    Yabusame, completely unaware that Tsubakura didn't want to hear the answer to that, kept innocently asking questions one after another.
    Jinbei: "Why, you two will take care of it, of course."
    Yabusame: "Huh?"
    Ignoring Yabusame's shock, Tsubakura finally accepted their lot and got up, with their regular expressionless look having returned.
    Tsubakura: "Well, if I'm getting overtime pay for it... what do you want us to go and do?"
    Jinbei: "Oh, don't you worry about any trifling details like that. Just go where you can, become a human sacrifice or what have you, and I'll leave it up to you to figure things out."
    Not quite sure whether Jinbei was being serious or not, Tsubakura stuck their tongue out at them.
    Tsubakura: "And why's a supremely high-ranking priest such as m'self hafta go get human-sacrificed or whatever...?"
    Yabusame: "Hu-man sa-cri-ficed...?"
    Jinbei: "'Those who have no intention of dying should verily die by all means.' ...That's the way things go in this world."
    Tsubakura: "I get this weird feeling that this is a big departure from the job description? Buuut that might just be me."
    Yabusame: "Job-des-crip-tion...?"
    Jinbei: "It seems you've forgotten which of us is holding the shrine's purse strings. Perhaps I should give you a little reminder when dinner comes around?"
    Ignoring the fact that Yabusame didn't even understand 2% of what they were talking about, Jinbei pointed the muzzle of their proverbial gun at the two of them.
    Tsubakura: "Oh, so we're having lotus roots again?"
    Yabusame: "...! Nooo~! I'm sick of lotus roots~!"
    At the very least, Yabusame could understand that part of the conversation.
    From that, they more or less worked out what Jinbei was getting at, and began kicking their legs back and forth and throwing a tantrum.
    Jinbei: "Really, I'll be fine even without any dinner. Hardly my problem."
    The Senri Shrine's generations-old shikigami smiled brightly.
    To Yabusame, their grin was adorable, and to Tsubakura, it was just creepy.
    Yabusame: "Well, if dinner's on the line, there's only one thing to do!"
    Tsubakura: "Let's head out there and prove that no reign of terror like this ever lasts long."
    Jinbei: "Yes, yes. You can give that eloquent tongue of yours a rest now."
    Jinbei continued the conversation while ignoring Tsubakura's muttering and glowering.
    Jinbei: "Ah, yes, and... it'd be good if one of you stayed here at the shrine, if only to keep up appearances. So decide which one of you will head out to the incident location, if you please."
    Yabusame: "Yeppers!"
    Tsubakura: "Yessers."
    The two of them responded cheerfully(?), but neither had even the faintest intention of actually volunteering for such a nuisance of a task.
    Just answering the question of "what should we do to decide who goes?" took them a great deal of time by itself,
    but for now, let's leave that as it is.
    ※----------------------------------------------------------------※
    ~In a forest near the Human Village~
    Some ways past the forest beside the road coming from the village, there was a clearing. A log cabin stood in the middle.
    The ramshackle cabin, roughly and crudely built, served well enough as shelter from the rain, but it didn't look very reliable.
    If it were to collapse with a satisfying "kerplonk!" on a stormy day, hardly anyone would be surprised.
    There were three people, similar both in presence and in attire, who lived there.
    Hooaka: "Looks like it's gonna rain today."
    One of the three figures, their hair as red as fire, muttered gloomily as they looked out the window at the sky.
    There wasn't really anything to do in the dim room, lit by nothing more than a candle and what little light came in from outside.
    Whenever it rained, the inhabitants of the cabin became unbearably bored.
    Aoji: "You've been saying that every day we spend here, Aka."
    The blue-clothed, green-haired figure replied in a frail, muttering voice, as they plopped down at the hand-crafted chair and table (which were more like logs cut in half, really).
    This similar-looking pair had been living in the cabin for a while.
    They had suddenly been whisked away into this land they'd never heard of, without any assets, food or even a place to live, and had spent about a month with little hope of surviving.
    Recently, though, they'd finally been given a stable lifestyle.
    A consistent supply of food and water, a cabin that served as a makeshift residence...
    With those things taken care of, what they needed now was "funds".
    The cabin's third resident, not currently present, was out looking for a job to earn those "funds", and the two in the cabin were waiting for their return.
    Or, rather, they had nothing else to do but wait.
    Hooaka: "Yeah, 'cause the weather's been like this the whole time! What else is there to say?"
    Aoji: "It hasn't rained even once, though."
    Hooaka: "They say if you tell people about the predictions in your dreams, they won't come true. So basically it's your fault."
    Aoji: "Eh..."
    Judging by the pointless conversations they kept having, they were both extremely bored.
    ※----------------------------------------------------------------※
    Kuroji: "I'll ask one more time, and only once... Why, exactly, do you have so much free time on your hands?"
    After time had passed, the black-haired mass-production model returned home.
    Furrowing their eyebrows, they had the other two sit on the ground, took the chair and sat cross-legged on it, and prepared for a good old-fashioned lecture.
    Aoji: "Well, um... There's not really anything to do, and..."
    The youngest child Aoji avoided their older sibling Kuroji's glare, as they replied to them with a small voice.
    Kuroji: "You remember what I said before I left, right? I said, 'If I make some money, then we can build a better house, so you two should go collect lumber in advance...' Some time has passed since then, so why haven't you collected any wood? Do you think the trees are going to chop themselves down?"
    Aoji: "Sorry..."
    Kuroji: "Listen up, you two. Our living conditions may have become slightly more comfortable, but the fact remains that we can't afford to be careless! We must break through this sorry state of affairs as soon as possible! You need live while treating every minute and every second as precious, so what excuse do you have for this idleness?!"
    Hooaka: "If every minute and every second is precious, why are you wastin' everyone's time with this dumb lecture?"
    Hooaka retorted while staring at the ceiling, not even pretending to reflect on what Kuroji told them.
    Kuroji: "If I hear any more cheek from you, you'll be the only one not enjoying dinner tonight."
    Hooaka gave a sigh and then fell silent, as they made an expression that screamed "gimme a break already".
    Kuroji: "Now, that aside. I've decided on a job."
    Aoji: "Huh!? You actually found one?"
    Kuroji: "Well, no, it's not as if I've found an employer. But the elders in the nearby village are complaining that the younger generations, from children to adults, are all terribly uneducated."
    Aoji: "Oh, so that means...!"
    Possibly having grasped where the conversation was going, Aoji spoke with a delighted voice.
    Kuroji: "I'm going to establish a schoolhouse, and we'll be rich!"
    Aoji: "It's the debut of the Shitodo, the family of scholars!"
    Seeing Aoji in high spirits made Kuroji smile, before they glanced over at Hooaka.
    Hooaka, who had been listening carefully, silently raised a question by pointing at themselves with a quizzical look.
    Kuroji: "You... Maybe you could be an elementary or middle school teacher... No, maybe just a guard..."
    Hooaka, who had just been blatantly told that they weren't smart enough to teach, stubbornly mouthed the word "a'ight" without making a sound.
    Kuroji: "On that note, I have one proposal. In order to get the schoolhouse built, we need to establish a trusting relationship with the village's residents."
    Aoji: "Oh... But how could they trust us if we just got here?"
    Kuroji: "Yes. So don't you think we may need to do some... self-advertising?"
    Aoji: "Mm, I guess so, but how are you going to advertise?"
    Hooaka silently mimed various performing arts.
    Kuroji gave them a pointed stare, then continued talking.
    Kuroji: "If you're confident in your skills as a clown or kagura dancer, I'm not going to stop you, but I have a much better idea."
    Aoji: "Which is?"
    Kuroji: "Recently, the sky has remained cloudy for quite some time, right?"
    Aoji: "Yeah, it's been like this every day."
    Kuroji: "The people of the village are making quite a fuss about it, saying it's an 'incident' caused by some god or youkai."
    Aoji: "Hmm. You sure that's true?"
    Kuroji: "In fact, it's apparently quite common in this land for individuals to cause abnormal phenomena like this as part of some plot. Originally, every incident was resolved by those working at the shrine, but..."
    Aoji: "The shrine... you mean where Yabusame and Tsubakura are?"
    Kuroji: "Yeah. Regardless of the phenomenon's origin, something like this would be easy for them to resolve by force, once they put their minds to it."
    Kuroji's words reminded Aoji of various past events, and they nodded in agreement with Kuroji's observation.
    At the same time, this led to another question, which they asked Kuroji about.
    Aoji: "But it's... still cloudy, though?"
    Kuroji: "Mm-hm. It's most likely that they still haven't noticed the 'incident', or that they've noticed it, but haven't recognized it for what it is."
    Aoji: "Yeah. The shrine is pretty far away from here, after all."
    Kuroji: "Right. So, this is our chance."
    Aoji: "Huh?"
    Kuroji: "If we solve this incident ourselves, our names will go down in history! We'll swim farther than eels! Fly farther than carp! Even ascend into the sky as dragons!"
    Aoji: "You sure it's really gonna go that well~?"
    Aoji squeaked out a complaint as they made a bitter face.
    Kuroji: "We have nothing else to do anyway, so we may as well try it and see!"
    Completely ignoring what they themself had been saying earlier, Kuroji began coaxing Aoji into helping them.
    Aoji: "Umm... What should we do, Aka?"
    Hooaka grinned ear to ear and gave a thumbs-up in response.
    Kuroji looked back and forth between Aoji (uncomfortable) and Hooaka (pretending to be excited), then nodded and leapt up from their chair.
    They gazed out the window, towards the cloudy sky.
    Kuroji: "It's decided, then. ...To begin, we'll split up and each do reconnaissance work."
    Thus, though they each had differing opinions, they all agreed on the surface.
    The poorly-made wooden door squeaked as they left the cabin on their mission, giving a send-off to the three little birds."
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Yabusame Houlen Profile "Flawless Thoughtlessness
    Yabusame Houlen
    ●Species: Human
    ●Abilities: Something like crossing dimensions; etc.
    The airheaded Honorary Priest of the Senri Shrine.
    Has the ridiculous ability to cross dimensions and interfere with phenomena.
    They're once again working hard to resolve the current incident.
    ...well, actually they're just tagging along with Tsubakura because it seems interesting.
    A plain person who's more stupid than plain."
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Prologue "~---At the Senri Shrine---~
    ? ? ?: "Yabusame-san! Please wake up!"
    The Senri Shrine. Located in the land called Mugenri, cut off from the outside world.
    For Yabusame Houlen, shrine resident and substitute priest #1, the day began with quite a clamor.
    Yabusame: "Hweh?"
    While making a silly sound in their throat, Yabusame snapped open their eyes.
    In front of their eyes was a young face floating in the air, their dark hair and gaze both falling down towards them.
    Yabusame: "Mm~, c'mo~on, just lemme sleep for a couple more years~"
    ???: "Sorry, no! I'm waking you up now..."
    The person with the child-like surface appearance answered promptly, and with their thin arms, flung both Yabusame and the futon enveloping them into the air.
    After a brief pause, both the idiot and the futon whirling through the air crash-landed on the floor mats with a dull sound.
    Yabusame: "Nu~u~... I got treated so awfully without even a chance to speak... ...You're so mean, Jinbei-chan."
    The child thusly referred to Jinbei (albeit with a "-chan") made a sour face and punted Yabusame across the room.
    Jinbei: "Get up already and go make breakfast, will you? Tsubakura-san is so hungry they're going to fall asleep all over again."
    Yabusame: "Aaeh~... Jinbei-kun, why don't you do it...?"
    Jinbei: "I mean, I easily could... but there's another reason I came to wake you up."
    All the while, Jinbei continued to kick Yabusame, who was sprawled out lazily on the floor.
    As Yabusame continued to ignore them even while having their head trampled on, Jinbei said in an even more taut voice:
    Jinbei: "We have guests!"
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    The season was roughly winter. Even in Mugenri, cut off as it was from outside, Old Man Winter's conquest marched on unabated, with the sound of his armies' boots echoing on the cue of winter's first day.
    Although literally speaking, since most animals and some youkai were already hibernating, and the wind was blowing less often, nature was shrouded in silence.
    ...Or at least, it should've been.
    But it seemed that this year's winter was going to be different.
    In one of the Senri Shrine's Japanese-style rooms, two people sat across from each other as they warmed themselves at the kotatsu.
    One was substitute priest #2, "Tsubakura Enraku".
    This monochrome individual, whose waking and sleeping states were hardly distinguishable from one another, was burrowed into the kotatsu and sucking on a tangerine peel.
    Tsubakura: "...Aaand so what's your point?"
    The genius asked.
    However, they weren't addressing the person on the other side of the kotatsu, but the green tails out past the sliding door, on the veranda.
    The slimy tails all overlapped each other, wriggling back and forth.
    ???: "Don't 'what's your point' me. Incident resolution is your livelihood, is it not?"
    ...Said the tails.
    Tsubakura: "It's our livelihood, and yet we don't have a single penny to show for it? Don't you think that's a little too convenient?"
    Tsubakura said, while gazing at the pile of tangerine peels.
    On closer inspection, the peels were quite dried out.
    Apparently, they had been sitting there for several days now.
    ???: "Well, yes, it's not exactly something you'd earn money from. Deal with it."
    The tails, despite being tails, started talking once again.
    Tsubakura: "That aside, why'dja come all the way here just to give some encouragement to lil' ol' us? Orochii~n-ku~un."
    Right after the tails made a big movement in response to the weird nickname, a humanoid figure appeared from the shadows.
    The tails' owner, "Adagumo no Yaorochi", turned around and gave Tsubakura a sour look.
    Yaorochi: "Because! I'm very irritated at how you've left this situation lying around as-is!"
    Mugenri's winter had been quiet... last year, at least.
    But this year was different.
    As the scenery blanketed in white powder would indicate, there was occasionally some snowy weather.
    But there was something with far more presence than the snow also floating through the empty air.
    Namely...!!
    Yaorochi: "What's with all these GHOSTS?!"
    Tsubakura: "Like I would know...?"
    The garden of the Senri Shrine was rife with ghosts, corner to corner.
    They floated around freely, vanishing and appearing as they liked.
    At times, they would sing in a strange-sounding choir so faint as be almost unnoticeable, but strangely enough, it wasn't all that uncomfortable to listen to.
    Yaorochi: "They're an eyesore, for one thing, but the most dangerous thing about them is that they steal heat. It's only the first day of winter, but thanks to these things, it's already far colder than last year."
    Tsubakura: "If there's lots of spirits around, doesn't it just mean a lot of people died?"
    Yaorochi: "Ah, I see... and what exactly would be the cause of that?"
    Tsubakura: "Prolly a big massacre in the Human Village or somethin'? Not like it's any a' my business, thoo~ough."
    As they matter-of-factly said this very alarming thing, Tsubakura bit off part of the peel they'd been sucking on, and slowly began chewing on it.
    Yaorochi: "It seems you're sorely lacking in imagination."
    Tsubakura: "I'm wondering why you're not already hibernating, see. Most of the imagination reserves are bein' spent on that."
    Yaorochi: "I don't feel like it this year. Which is why I'm so bothered by this cold!"
    ???: "Yeah, Yaorochi-san'sh real sensitive t'cold an' shtuff~."
    Suddenly, they heard a strange language coming from the opposite side of the kotatsu.
    Yaorochi faced the source of the sound, and once again made a grumpy face.
    Tsubakura: "You shouldn't take so long worrying about which hole to crawl into~. 'Cause you're a snake and all."
    Yaorochi: "Shush already. And you, Sukune-- why are you lazing about over there?"
    The person thus called "Sukune", who wore a heavy-looking hat on their head, was sitting opposite Tsubakura and sucking tangerine peels with them while poking at their feet under the kotatsu.
    Sukune: "'Cause it's all warm in here, nyu~. I hate the cold, gyo~."
    Tsubakura: "You're in the way. Leave already."
    Tsubakura mercilessly cut them down, but their words went in Sukune's right ear and straight back out their left.
    Yaorochi: "*Sigh*... well, if the shrine's head priest says so, I suppose we should depart soon."
    Sukune: "Whaa?! Alreadyyy?! I haven't even gotten ta' eat anything yet!"
    Then, just as the pitter-patter of feet drew near, the door opposite the one leading to the veranda slid open.
    Yabusame: "Oh, it's Orochin-san and Haniwa-chan!"
    Yabusame entered while rubbing their sleepy eyes.
    Yaorochi: "Another nuisance. Oh joy."
    Sukune: "Ahaha~! Y'hear that, Yabusame? Yer a nuisance, nyah!"
    Tsubakura: "Another being the operative word."
    While listening to each of them shouting back and forth, Yabusame went straight from closing the door to sitting and shoving their legs into the kotatsu.
    With the kotatsu now transformed into a three-way intersection of tangled legs, each prospective champion began enacting strategies to expand their respective territory.
    Yabusame: "...'S cramped."
    Tsubakura: "You've got no right to talk, coming in here late."
    Sukune: "'S cramped, gyah~!"
    Tsubakura: "You've got no right to talk either, coming in here uninvited."
    The three stared each other down, while engaging in a desperate struggle under the kotatsu.
    Yaorochi looked on at this ridiculous scene, sighed deeply, curtly said "all right, I'm gonna leave you there," and walked out off the veranda.
    At this, Sukune hurriedly got up and chased after them while yelling "don't leeeeeeave myeeeeeeee~!" or something.
    At last, the shrine grounds were quiet... save for the singing ghosts, at least.
    Yabusame: "So why were Yaorochi-san and Sukune-chan here, anyway?"
    Tsubakura: "Said they discovered a new way of preparing konjac jelly or somethin'."
    Yabusame: "Wow! That's not very cool at all!"
    Tsubakura: "Ain't like I was listening in the first place, though, since they didn't even bother to bring free samples."
    Yabusame: "Makes sense~!"
    Jinbei: "Ehhh... So. Anyway."
    Jinbei, having come into the room a little bit late, was standing behind Tsubakura before they knew it.
    Tsubakura began gushing cold sweat from their whole body, felt their blood draining out of them, and let the scrap of tangerine peel they were gnawing on plop out of their mouth.
    Jinbei: "Can either of you happen to guess why I've been so angry lately? Hm?"
    In the end, the two of them were punted clear out of the shrine and ordered to go resolve the incident.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    ~---At a clump of bushes near the Senri Shrine Road---~
    Kuroji Shitodo was in a very good mood.
    Thanks to some business coming up during an earlier visit to the Human Village, they had come quite far from the usual road while exploring the neighboring vicinity.
    But they stepped quite lightly, and as they pushed through the grass while crunching leaves and twigs underfoot, they emerged onto a road paved with cobblestone.
    Kuroji: "This is... the shrine road, huh? Looks like I walked quite a ways without realizing."
    The Senri Shrine Road. That paved road leading up to the shrine always gave off a faintly uncanny feeling.
    Things were no different now, either. Despite there being snow piled up around the road, the paved section didn't have a single flake on it.
    It was hard to imagine anyone sweeping the path clean; it stretched on for so long that it was hard to picture it ending even at the far-off horizon.
    ---It was as if the snow itself was deliberately avoiding the road as it fell.
    Utter nonsense, of course, but with the way the road seemed to ward away any human presence, one might almost start thinking that.
    As Kuroji pondered these things and stepped out onto the road, they saw two shadows swiftly crossing right in front of them... or rather, through the sky right above them.
    Before they could clearly make out who the figures were, though, the shadows had flown far into the distance.
    While thinking about the shadows' identity, Kuroji stepped once more out onto the road, and ran smack into another familiar face.
    Saragimaru: "Geh--! Great. You're that scoundrel from before."
    It was that snake from before.
    Kuroji: "So you remember my face, huh? Maybe all that self-advertisement is working?"
    Saragimaru: "What are you doing around here? Fraud? Blackmail?"
    Kuroji: "What horrible things to say about someone."
    Saragimaru: "I mean it's true, isn't it? It's a total bull's-eye, isn't it?"
    Kuroji: "It seems I need to take my time having a nice, long conversation with you to resolve this misunderstanding."
    Saragimaru: "...Eh?"
    As Saragimaru saw this human smiling creepily at them, they seemed to instinctively feel danger.
    Kuroji: "You're here because you're tailing after that Yamato-no-Orochi wannabe, aren't you?"
    Saragimaru: "Uhh...."
    ---They actually were...?
    Kuroji had just been bluffing, based on a quick inference from the earlier shadow and Saragimaru's sudden appearance, but apparently it was a clear strike straight to the pitcher's mitt.
    Kuroji: "Did you know? I'm rather famous for being a blabbermouth."
    They were also quite good at lying on the spot.
    Saragimaru: "...Are you saying you're gonna blackmail me in exchange for your silence...?"
    The effect seemed to be immediate.
    ---The more straight-laced someone is, the easier they are to manipulate.
    This one seemed even easier to make use of than Hooaka or Aoji.
    Kuroji: "Oh, no, it's nothing major. You've noticed the strange amount of spirits lately, haven't you? Would you mind helping me collect them?"
    Saragimaru: "....."
    Saragimaru was forced to agree in silence.
    And thus, Kuroji acquired a method of quickly finishing up their ongoing business.
    With the small sacrifice of a single youkai...
    Saragimaru: "...Does it have anything to do with that signboard you're holding?"
    Saragimaru looked at the object that Kuroji was grasping... or perhaps more accurately bearing... in their right hand.
    Kuroji: "Sharp of you! I found this by chance on a trip to the Human Village. To be frank, this is the whole reason I'm gathering spirits."
    The following text:
    【We're buying souls! If you've gathered up a good amount, call us at this number. Contact number: XXXX-XXXX】
    was written on the sign.
    Saragimaru: "...What in the heck?"
    Kuroji: "Means exactly what it says. Apparently, these babies are sellable."
    Saragimaru: "Can't get much more suspicious..."
    Kuroji: "However, this gives me an extremely good pretext for stea-- *COUGH* receiving a great deal of money."
    Saragimaru: "Wow. I just learned that you actually care about your reputation."
    It seemed they had no choice, though. They were forced to comply with this villain...
    While experiencing tremendous shame, Saragimaru also cursed their past blunder.
    However, there was one thing that caught their interest.
    Saragimaru: "By the way, why'd you take the whole sign with you? If you wanted to remember the number, you could just write a note."
    As they heard that, Kuroji tossed the sign into the nearby bushes.
    Kuroji: "Even a monkey could memorize a simple number."
    Saragimaru: "Huh? Why, then? To show it to those red and blue siblings of yours?"
    Kuroji: "Even a dog can communicate things out loud."
    Saragimaru: "So... why'd... you...?"
    Saragimaru thought, at that moment, that there was probably nothing that could represent Kuroji's character better than the smile on their face right then.
    And at the same time, they shivered.
    Kuroji: "The fewer rivals you have, the better. Right?"
    Thus did the two of them, despite not being friends or even really acquaintances, join together.
    But on this journey, reluctant as it was for at least one of them, just how many victims will utter their first cry of birth... or, more accurately, scream of agony?
    Perhaps only Kuroji knows."
  11. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q20. How tall are the characters?
    I haven't really decided on the characters' heights individually so much as in relation to each other.
    For example, Yabusame is taller than Tsubakura, who is taller than Kuroji.
    But don't worry too much about it.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Slight Dimensional Fracture Skill
  13. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Yabusame Extra Stage
  14. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Tsubakura Extra Stage
  15. ↑ Len'en Project Reactive Majestical Imperial Yabusame/Tsubakura Extra Stage
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Extra Stage
  17. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Yabusame & Tsubakura Extra Stage
  18. ↑ Len'en Project Reactive Majestical Imperial Yabusame/Tsubakura Character Select
  19. ↑ Image link if archive link or original link ever dies.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Gameplay
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Yabusame Houlen Profile "◯ Flawless Thoughtlessness
    Yabusame Houlen
    Species: Human
    Ability: Something like crossing dimensions
    They're an altogether plain and boring person.
    A weirdo with a reputation for crossing dimensions.
    Even if they're told to go off and solve incidents they don't understand, they're a person who somehow gets the job done anyway.
    They wear a "Two-Dimensional Cloth" with zero thickness (made by Tsubakura), so that they don't fly off into another dimension on a whim.
    They like snow better than cloudy weather."
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Yabusame Houlen Profile "◯ Flawless Thoughtlessness
    Yabusame Houlen
    Species: Human
    Ability: Something like crossing dimensions
    They're an altogether plain and boring person.
    A weirdo who can cross dimensions and interfere with phenomena.
    They're always messing around regardless of whether it's hot or cold outside.
    Although it's winter, they're wearing even lighter clothes than they do in summer. Are they some sort of idiot?
    As for nabe, they like sukiyaki."
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Houlen Bomb Dimensional Detatchment
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Len'en Project Book of the Cafe Dimensional Detatchment Description "Dimensional Detachment
    MP Cost: 561 [D.0]
    MP Cost: 448 [D.100]
    Shot Distance: 0
    Rank: 3 All Enemies [D.0]
    ⯁ Damage: 202% of S.ATK
    ⯁ [Null] [Trick] [Cast Time: 2]
    ⯁ Bomb Effect [Cost: 3]
    [D.100]
    ⯁ Damage: 303% of S.ATK
    ⯁ [Null] [Trick] [Cast Time: 2]
    ⯁ Bomb Effect [Cost: 3]
    Detaches the dimension to do this and that.
    Spell Slot 4
    Bomb Skill: Yabusame Houlen [EE]
    Obtainable only through spell extraction from Yabusame Houlen [EE]."
  25. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q22. Why does Yabusame have strange food choices and why do they act like a complete airhead?
    Common sense does not apply to Yabusame!"
  26. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Yabusame Stage 5
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Stage 1
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Stage 2
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Stage 3
  30. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Stage 4
  31. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Yabusame Stage 3
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Secret Team Yabusame Houlen Boss
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Suzumi Kuzu Official Profile "Insidious Superfluous Memory
    Suzumi Kuzu
    ●Species: Human (Informant)
    ●Abilities: Something like reproducing information; etc.
    A brilliant and elegant informant, who uses a hand invisible to commoners to make people dance atop their palm.
    They appear while riding gallantly on the spring breeze, steal confidential secrets, then fade away like a mirage along with the autumn wind.
    A ruler of shadows who dominates the world in secret.
    Today, too, they soar through Mugenri's skies, the world at their mercy.
    (Author: Suzumi Kuzu)
    Delusive Memory
    Suzumi Kuzu
    ●Species: Human (Informant)
    ●Abilities: Something like altering facts; etc.
    The other personality of Suzumi Kuzu, an informant with an abnormal ability.
    Upon fulfilling particular conditions, Suzumi can create "books" with a target's experiences and memories recorded in them.
    By reading one such book, they can replay the target's memories.
    In addition, by showing their target a "book" that they've overwritten, they can overwrite the target's memories as well.
    Also, while there are some inherent risks, Suzumi can also create "books" from their own experiences and memories.
    Reading their own books allows them to fly back in time and change the past.
    They have various other abilities besides that, but there's nobody in the world who remembers what they all are.
    They're plotting Tsubakura's destruction, but Tsubakura has no idea what their motive is."
  34. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Yabusame & Tsubakura Stage 4
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Kuroji & Saragimaru Story Yabusame & Tsubakura Boss Stage 4
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 36.6 36.7 36.8 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Tsubakura Story Stage 3 Yabusame Boss
  37. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Yabusame Flashbomb Maiden Pit
  38. ↑ Len'en Project Book of the Cafe Maiden Pit Description "Maiden Pit
    MP Cost: 0
    Shot Distance: 0
    Rank: 3
    ☒
    [D.0]
    ⯁ Heals: 159% of S.ATK
    ⯁ [Null] [Trick] [Targets party members]
    ⯁ Flash Effect [Cost: 3] [Damage Reduction: 60.0%]
    [D.100]
    ⯁ Heals: 207% of S.ATK
    ⯁ [Null] [Trick] [Targets party members]
    ⯁ Flash Effect [Cost: 3] [Damage Reduction: 70.0%]
    Let's open up a hole in the dimension! Heals self after lightly reducing damage.
    Flashbomb Skill: Yabusame Houlen [EE]"
  39. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Bad Ending
  40. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Kurohebi Boss Dialogue
  41. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Hooka Boss Dialogue
  42. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Aoji Boss Dialogue
  43. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q13. How did the EE cast (especially Yabusame) learn about spell card rules, having only just arrived in Mugenri?
    Everyone except for Yabusame learned about them intuitively in their respective airspaces.
    Yabusame just knew somehow. Common sense doesn't apply to them. (There's an actual reason, though.)"
  44. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Extra Stage
  45. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial manual.txt The Soul Jar - Jar Zenith Mode "◇ The Soul Jar —"Jar Zenith Mode"
    The inactive character at the bottom of the screen will totter along behind the active character.
    If you're real clever-like you can lead them over to falling power and soul items that they will catch (but nothing else).
    Power items caught by the inactive character will increase their shot power (by twice the usual value).
    Soul items caught will fill up the Soul Jar (soul gauge) on the bottom right of the screen.
    At specific soul counts (every 200 souls), Jar Zenith Mode will activate.
    During Jar Zenith Mode, all sorts of interesting stuff can go down depending on the chosen team.
    In addition, being hit during this will also trigger an automatic death bomb.
    Hitting another 200 spirit mark during Jar Zenith Mode will also extend it accordingly. Woo!
    The souls you've collected also serve as a plain old score multiplier.
    The active character can't do diddly about collecting spirits~ (there are exceptions).
    Spirit collection oughta help you with a full clear and entering the hidden Extra stage.
    Make sure you don't get carried away trying to catch 'em all, though!"
  46. ↑ Interview with JynX (2023-2024) "Q47. Do the characters have an in game explanation for thrill charging flash bombs? ― simplyeyeronic144
    I dunno. You get hyped up when you just barely dodge a bullet though, no? Or maybe they're absorbing their opponents' power through doing so?"
  47. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence manual.txt A Light Introduction on the Characters' Performance Yabusame Houlen "○ Yabusame Houlen
    Their bullets have an extensive range and also come with a homing shot.
    You might achieve quite the high firepower if you stick close to the enemy?
    Although the bomb covers the entire screen, the damage it does is so-so.
    Yabusame moves slowly, but their hitbox is a bit smaller, and are high-capacity in all areas, so they can perform well in any situation.
    They're honestly strong, so they're recommended for beginner players."
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Bomb
  49. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword manual.txt Flash Bombs "◇ Flash Bombs
    Bombing when focused triggers a normal bomb, and bombing while unfocused activates a flash bomb.
    If the gauge at the bottom-left is not filled, you cannot use a flash bomb.
    This gauge fills up when you graze enemy bullets.
    It's just for an instant but it grants you invincibility too.
    It doesn't count as losing a spell card even if you use it during one, so go ahead and use it strategically!
    Death bombing always triggers a normal bomb, regardless of movement speed."
  50. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Getting Hit
  51. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence manual.txt Basic Rules "◇ Basic rules
    Avoid bullets and shoot down enemies!
    If you get hit by a bullet, a barrier will be removed.
    If you get hit when you are without a barrier (have no lives left), it's game over.
    When you focus, you'll be able to attract nearby items.
    You can go to the top of the screen to collect all the items on-screen."
  52. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial manual.txt Basic Rules "◇ Basic rules
    Avoid bullets and shoot down enemies!
    If you get hit by a bullet, a barrier will be removed.
    If you get hit when you are without a barrier (have no lives left), it's game over.
    When you focus, you'll be able to attract nearby items.
    You can go to the top of the screen to collect all the items on-screen."
  53. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Yabusame & Tsubakura Stage 2
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Yabusame Good Ending
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Suzumi Kuzu Boss
  56. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Yabusame/Tsubakura Final Stage
  57. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Sese Kitsugai Upgrade
  58. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kujiru Kesa Upgrade
  59. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kuroji Shitodo Upgrade
  60. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Hibaru Kokutenshi Upgrade
  61. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Adagumo no Saragimaru Upgrade
  62. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Yabusame Houlen Upgrade
  63. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Mitsumo Upgrade
  64. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Tsubakura Enraku Upgrade
  65. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Shion Upgrade
  66. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Souko Shirami Upgrade
  67. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Taira no Fumikado Upgrade
  68. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Tenkai Zuifeng Upgrade
  69. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Hooka Shitodo Upgrade
  70. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kurohebi Upgrade
  71. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Jun Amanomiya Upgrade
  72. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kunimitsu Ooya Upgrade
  73. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Lumen Celeritas Upgrade
  74. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kaoru Kashiwagi Upgrade
  75. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Garaiya Ogata Upgrade
  76. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Fujiwara no Shirogane no Sanra Upgrade
  77. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Adagumo no Yaorochi Upgrade
  78. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Suzumi Kuzu (EX) Upgrade
  79. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Aoji Shitodo Upgrade
  80. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Tsugumi Umatachi Upgrade
  81. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Sukune Katano Upgrade
  82. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kaisen Azuma Upgrade
  83. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Fujiwara no Iyozane Upgrade
  84. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Medias Moritake Upgrade
  85. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Ooama no Ake no Mitori Upgrade
  86. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Para Upgrade
  87. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Shou Amanomori Upgrade
  88. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Taira no Chouki Upgrade
  89. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Clause Upgrade
  90. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Haiji Senri Upgrade
  91. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Tsurubami Senri Upgrade
  92. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Suzumi Kuzu Upgrade
  93. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Xeno a Upgrade
  94. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Yago Ametsukana Upgrade
  95. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Higgs Juice Skill
  96. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Warp Kingdom Skill
  97. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Slimy Slug Trap Skill
  98. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Slug Scramble Skill
  99. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Money Bill Skill
  100. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle The Crane's Verdict Skill
  101. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Lifespan of a Rock Skill
  102. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Clone and Revive Skill
  103. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Satellite Parasol Skill
  104. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Giant-Killing Upset Skill
  105. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Blood-Stained Scabbard Skill
  106. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Misama Bullets Skill
  107. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Shadow Shikigami Skill
  108. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Cloud-Mowing Sword Skill
  109. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Cancel Arrow Skill
  110. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Reproduction and Experience "Replay" Skill
  111. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Self-Sacrificial Devotion Skill
  112. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Evil-Illuminating Mirror Skill
  113. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Tsukuba Toad Oil Skill
  114. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Spell Collector Skill
  115. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Cross Fiyah Skill
  116. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle One-Trigger Kill Skill
  117. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Profundity of Darkness ~ Wormhole Skill
  118. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Inevitable Miracle Skill
  119. ↑ 120.0 120.1 120.2 120.3 Interview with JynX (2015) "Q15. Do danmaku attacks in Mugenri depend on the card's power instead of the user's power? Furthermore, is it possible for the cards to be used by someone other than their designated user?
    Simple danmaku, like nonspells, can be fired without using a card.
    Using someone else's card lets you borrow a part of the original owner's power, in addition to the danmaku attack.
    However, only the original owner can make full use of a card's power."
  120. ↑ Spell Cards Contain Powers and Techniques "The cards have skills and power imbued into them, so when [Mitori is] using it none of their blood will be consumed. (That's why they're fine during the Ending) In addition, if you have the card you won't even need the Imperial Bow. However, Mitori had to use their blood and the Imperial Bow when creating the cards. I suppose a lot of time and blood must've been used on this card."
  121. ↑ Peing 10 February 2019 Spell Card Weapon Rules "Q. In the weapon type spell cards, are they attacking with the actual weapon?
    I'm especially interested in Tsubakura's Swallow Card "Double Long Sword" and Tsurubami's Ink Card "Obsidian Blade"!
    It differs from spell to spell.
    Some of them use the actual weapon, some of them are materialized from the spell card's magic, etc.
    For Tsubakura and Tsurubami, they use long swords made of ink."
  122. ↑ 123.0 123.1 123.2 123.3 Interview with JynX (2017) "Q12. It has been established that the winner of a spell card duel may issue an order to the loser that they must obey. Is there a limit to that or would it be acceptable if, say, Mitori won a duel and ordered their opponent to build a palace made entirely out of chocolate? On that note, what are the consequences of not obeying an order issued this way?
    Fundamentally speaking, there are no limitations. You could even tell your opponent to kill themself.
    Not following an order would result in Mugenri completely erasing your existence. (Any further details are up to your imagination.)
    However, an order can be withdrawn, and you don't have to listen to the order if you escape from the winner's sight."
  123. ↑ Len'En Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Haiji Senri Official Profile "Fad-following Spell Collector
    Haiji Senri
    ●Species: Human
    ●Abilities: Something like manipulating cards
    A spell collector who runs a spell card shop.
    They collect cards as a hobby while also managing the store.
    In addition, they are a huge fan of the founder of the spell card system: the Senri Shrine's second generation head priest.
    Admiring the spells they've collected is a hobby of theirs, and they also copy other people's spells and make them their own.
    Their surname was also copied from Senri and modified slightly.
    They frequently hung around the Senri Shrine's former priests, and are one of several people who got a close look at the course of Tsurubami's conquest of Mugenri.
    They're an endlessly irresponsible person."
  124. ↑ 126.0 126.1 Interview with JynX (2015) "Q14. Haiji has a spell card shop. Does that mean just about anyone can use whatever spell cards they want or are there restrictions?
    Anyone can basically use any card. But if you try to use a strong card that's way out of your league, for example, you won't be able to use its full power, and stuff like that."
  125. ↑ Interview with JynX (2023-2024) "Q43. Exactly what components are involved in the making of a spell card? ― 幽霊鬼
    Cardboard is the basic material, but you can also find ones that are plastic or metallic, even ones that don't have a physical form. The variations all depend on the maker."
  126. ↑ Interview with JynX (2023-2024) "Q38. Is making spell cards something that can be learned without any prerequisites, or do you need to enter Mugenri first? ― Anonymous (匿名希望)
    Spell cards can only be activated under the influence of the Mugenri Barrier. I suppose you might be able to learn about the techniques and such even outside of the barrier's influence, but it's like a sport, you can only get so far with classroom learning~."
  127. ↑ Interview with JynX (2021) "Q65. In Suzumi's RMI Extra, Tenkai slipped up by not saying their favourite food at the end of their sentence, but Tenkai was still alright. Does this mean there's some sort of flexibility to the spell card rules? Mugenri isn't going to immediately punish you? ― Tony64
    That's about right. The most important thing with spell cards is that both parties "accept" the outcome, it's nothing that serious or strict."
  128. ↑ Peing 4 Feburary 2029 "Q. Some time ago, you said that upon losing a spell card duel, "you don't have to listen to the order if you escape from the winner's sight". Does this mean that running away instantly nullifies the order? Or does the loser have to run away from the winner for a set period of time for the order to wear off? If it's the latter, does the winner have to regularly monitor the loser in case of long-term orders?
    That's up to your interpretation. What matters the most is for the loser to realize that they've lost, and that they have to obey the winner's order."
  129. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence
  130. ↑ 132.0 132.1 132.2 132.3 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Prologue "Prologue
    This is a story of both the present and long ago.
    This is a place born from beyond people's memories, now a forgotten frontier.
    Its form, cast out alongside the flow of time, was somehow nostalgic, yet novel as well.
    This is a story of a world apart from reality.
    This country is a place where both humans and non-humans live together.
    Things which have disappeared from sight can surely be seen once again here.
    This is a story of humans and non-humans.
    There are also people who were swept away here, or who were captured.
    At this time, many new people are stepping foot into this country.
    This is a story about those people.
    This is a land where limitless relations and illusionary laws are linked together.
    People call the land "Mugenri".
    This is a story that was lost.
    Thanks to the intentionally-discarded past, present, and future as well, the little birds flew out of the birdcage long ago.
    This is merely a fairy tale.
    Len'en Mugenri ~ Evanescent Existence ~
    ~ [Prologue] ~
    After coming to their senses, the foolish Yabusame Houlen and their friends have found themselves in a strange airspace. (End of prologue)"
  131. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Prologue "~---At the Senri Shrine---~
    Tsubakura: "...So the gist of it, from what I'm getting, is that our New Emperor over here is a total screw-up."
    ---"Mugenri", a world separated from reality.
    The "Senri Shrine", said to have this world completely under its thumb.
    Tsubakura Enraku, having originally come from the world outside Mugenri, works at the shrine as its new head priest.
    They currently appeared to be quite fed up with the person they were talking to.
    Iyozane: "Yes. Yes, that is entirely the case."
    The frozen land had thawed, and while the cherry blossoms still had yet to bloom, the Senri Shrine grounds were beginning to feel the reality of winter's end.
    Two visitors were currently standing there.
    Fumikado: "Iyozaneee, can't you try a bit harder to save my face?"
    Iyozane: "Just how am I supposed to save face when you never had any?"
    Taira no Fumikado and Fujiwara no Iyozane.
    These two had previously caused an incident in Mugenri.
    At present, they were respectively declaring themselves to be the New Emperor and the chief adviser thereof.
    Yabusame: "So the soldiers out there aren't listening to what Fumikado-san is telling them?"
    ---The Senri Shrine also had another resident, bearing the title of "Honorary Priest".
    This priest, Yabusame Houlen, apparently took care of all the housework such as cooking and cleaning, rather than any actual religious duties.
    And so it was that the novice priest and the household-chores priest were begrudgingly listening to their guests' concerns.
    Fumikado: "They're not exactly my minions, after all."
    Tsubakura: "What exactly is this... organization? Union? Coalition? Of yours."
    Iyozane: "We don't exactly have a name pinned down for it, but others call it the 'Youkai Coalition', for what it's worth."
    Fumikado: "Sometimes it's called the 'Alliance' too, though."
    Tsubakura: "Great, okay. The fact that it's a real shoddy organization has been noted."
    Tsubakura, now even more annoyed, seemed to already completely not care about Fumikado and Iyozane's concerns.
    Fumikado: "Anyway! Worst-case scenario, we might even have to ask for help from the Senri Shrine."
    Iyozane: "That's how tense things are getting, is what we're saying."
    Yabusame: "Huhhh."
    Tsubakura: "Guess you'd better take care, then. Lock your doors nice and tight, an' all."
    Fumikado: "You're not taking this seriously at all, are you...?"
    Jinbei: "That said, though... You say you're part of the same league, but you don't know anything about the exact situation?"
    ---The Senri Shrine had also employed a shikigami for several generations.
    No matter whether it was a cold, snowy winter night or a sweltering midsummer day, this shikigami always wore a short, sleeveless, single-layer jinbei-haori, so those around them called them "Jinbei".
    Neither of the head priests knew their true name.
    Fumikado: "You see, there's been... uh, stuff, I guess."
    Iyozane: "All the troops do seem to avoid you recently, Fumikado-san."
    Tsubakura: "...Even though you're the New Emperor?"
    Fumikado: "W-Well... I'm sure they're just keeping their distance out of respect for their emperor! Very understandable."
    Yabusame: "Doesn't it just sound like you're getting bullied...?"
    Fumikado: "Urgh..."
    Iyozane: "You know, you're unexpectedly frank when it comes to making difficult comments like that."
    Yabusame: "Eheheh~! ♪"
    Tsubakura: "...Somewhat unsure as to whether they're actually complementing you or not."
    Most conversations at the Senri Shrine, even ones meant to just convey a short and simple fact, tended to veer far away from the main topic, and at times took much longer than they ought to have.
    Fumikado: "ANYWAY!"
    And at times, one could be seen thus dragging the conversation back to its original purpose.
    Fumikado: "Don't say we didn't warn you! If you value your safety too, you shouldn't dawdle around outside too much."
    Tsubakura: "I mean, I'd hardly want to go outside anyway, but okay."
    Yabusame: "Yeah~! ♪"
    Iyozane: "...Is this shrine really going to be okay like this?"
    Fumikado: "Well, we ought to get going... got the pumpkin waitin' outside and all."
    Tsubakura: "What are you, Cinderella?"
    After the two parties traded a handful of parting insults with each other, the self-proclaimed emperor and chief adviser finally left the shrine.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    However, their departure was punctuated by yet another guest.
    Kuroji: "What's wrong? Pretty long faces you've got there."
    This new visitor sitting out on the veranda was a whole size shorter than Tsubakura, who was already shorter than average, but Tsubakura knew that they boasted a bigger attitude than anyone else.
    Tsubakura: "........"
    Yabusame: "Tsubakura's always got a long face!"
    Kuroji: "Yes, that's why I'm asking. You sitting around bored with no trouble or anything?"
    Jinbei: "We've had quite a few guests today."
    Kuroji: "Ah, I see. I'm not the first arrival, then."
    Kuroji Shitodo was an acquaintance that Yabusame and Tsubakura knew from the outside world, and had been dragged along with the two of them when they came to Mugenri.
    It seemed that Kuroji was saving up funds to open a school in Mugenri's human village.
    Described as such, they may have seemed like an outstanding person, but their fundraising methods appeared to be rather controversial on several fronts.
    Tsubakura: "This reminds me of that one saying. How'd it go again?"
    Jinbei: "'Bamboo shoots after rain'?"
    Yabusame: "Ugohgohgoh..."
    Kuroji: "'The more things change, the more they stay the same'?"
    Tsubakura: "'Out of the frying pan and into the fire.'"
    Kuroji: "Harsh, aren't you? And after I came all this way to see you."
    Tsubakura: "Whenever you come calling, you bring some nuisance or another with you."
    Kuroji: "...Well, I'm not sure whether it'll be a nuisance, but I have something to ask of you."
    Tsubakura: "Ah. Got anything to do with your charges over there?"
    Tsubakura's line of sight pointed towards a smirking, red-haired figure holding one arm, and a green-haired figure in a blue hood who was watching the other with concern.
    Kuroji: "Yeah. Hooaka got roughed up a bit. You can patch them up, right? I mean, you're bound to have a research facility set up already."
    Hooaka: "Ehh, yeah, I'm not doin' great... Took a real beating out there."
    Aoji: "All three of us would've been taken out if we didn't get away when we did..."
    Hooaka Shitodo and Aoji Shitodo were Kuroji's blood relatives.
    Since they were in an unknown land without much means of self-sufficiency, Kuroji was taking care of the two of them.
    Described as such, Kuroji may have seemed like an outstanding person, but their methods of earning living expenditures were rather controversial on several fronts.
    Tsubakura took a glance at Hooaka's injuries. Their expression turned serious for just an instant, but their usual bored look immediately returned.
    Tsubakura: "...You're just missing your right arm from the elbow down? I can fix that in no time. C'mon over this way."
    Perhaps having gotten used to the pain, Hooaka's expression was still soft despite their cold sweat.
    They followed Tsubakura into the shrine.
    While watching the two of them disappear into the shrine, Yabusame turned to the remaining two Shitodos with a look of astonishment.
    Yabusame: "If Hooaka got hurt that bad, whoever it was must've been SUPER strong, right?!"
    Kuroji: "Mm... well, let's leave it at that. It was a pretty hard fight we had."
    Aoji: "......"
    Kuroji was obviously hiding something, but "Yabusame was a moron," so they didn't even notice that fact.
    As they continued talking, partly asking about each other's recent situations and partly just making small talk, Tsubakura and Hooaka quickly returned.
    Kuroji: "You work as fast as ever."
    Tsubakura: "Just so you know, this is gonna cost you a whole lot."
    Kuroji: "If you healed them properly, yes."
    Aoji: "Aka? Are you okay?"
    As Aoji asked them about their condition, Hooaka answered while moving around awkwardly.
    Hooaka: "ME. HOOAKA. ME. ALL. BETTER. NOW."
    Yabusame: "Woah! Hooaka's turned all robot-like!"
    Kuroji: "...You just switched them with a cyborg or a clone or something, didn't you?"
    Tsubakura: "I just exchanged their arm for one I grew artificially. That's all."
    Hooaka: "DON'T. WORRY. EVERYTHING'S. A-OKAY."
    Kuroji: "...So Hooaka's just messing around, then."
    Tsubakura: "Yes. ...Your household is such a pain, honestly."
    Hooaka: "MANY. THANKS. TSUBAKURA."
    'It's Tsubakura we're dealing with, so it's equally plausible that this Hooaka could be real or a fake.'
    ...So Kuroji thought, but they soon realized that thinking the matter over wouldn't get them an answer any time soon, and thus they quickly gave up on speculating.
    Kuroji: "Well, I ought to at least thank you. It'd be pretty inconvenient for us if Hooaka wasn't of any use."
    Tsubakura: "I'd appreciate you paying your bill more than thanks... Well, about 500 sake casks ought to do it."
    The crooked priest flippantly said something absolutely absurd, but master scoundrel Kuroji responded with hardly any surprise.
    Kuroji: "In place of the medical fee, I'll give you some equivalent information."
    Tsubakura: "Eh? It better be just as valuable as the actual payment, you got that?"
    Kuroji: "Naturally."
    Tsubakura hardly believed them.
    However, they already understood that Kuroji would never honestly pay money, so they chose to let it slide and hear about the info.
    "When sake is poured into the vessel of the skies, and cheap ideas and pride are blended in, Heaven shall surely split the mirror."
    Yabusame: "What the heck's that?"
    Kuroji: "A rumor I heard down on the street. Sounds like a golden opportunity for an alcohol lover like you, right?"
    Tsubakura: "Hmph. Kagami-wari, huh... That does sound good, I'll admit..."
    Yabusame: "What do you mean?"
    Tsubakura: "I mean it's a rumor that could be related to sake."
    Yabusame: "Whaa?! Then that's great, right?!"
    Kuroji: "Yeah, right?"
    Tsubakura: "But isn't this a little strange, hm? Why aren't you going out there to investigate? Isn't this one of your beloved get-rich-quick schemes?"
    Kuroji: "I can't say I appreciate your strange presumptions about me, but I suppose I'll let it slide."
    Aoji: "We've got a bit of other business to take care of, so we don't have time to investigate whether the rumor's true."
    Tsubakura: "Ahh, so you figured this info would come in handy to pay your medical bill? Nice way to repurpose unneeded waste."
    Kuroji: "We did go to some lengths to get this information. It's only wise to make the best use of it we can, right?"
    Tsubakura: "Well, whatever. I gotcha. This time's on the house."
    As they finished this negotiation-- though whether one could even call it that was up in the air-- Kuroji glanced over at Jinbei.
    Kuroji: "So, by the way, you're the Senri Shrine's shikigami...? First time we've met."
    Jinbei: "Oh, this is most certainly not our first meeting, dear persimmon bandit."
    A thin smile drifted across Jinbei's face, but their eyes showed absolute fury.
    Even Kuroji found themselves having to glance away.
    Kuroji: "...What ever could you mean?"
    Jinbei: "It's not that big of a deal, really? I've kept a very thorough count, you see, so I'll just have you pay for them eventually, one way or another. FOR. SURE."
    Kuroji: "This shikigami of yours is quite stingy, Tsubakura."
    Kuroji hurriedly passed the ball to Tsubakura, probably wanting to change the topic.
    Tsubakura: "They're not stingy. They're super hyper dreadnought-class stingy."
    Kuroji: "Must be a lot of trouble, that. I can't help but sympathize."
    Jinbei: "If you're saying that loud enough for me to hear it, I assume you're prepared for any consequences?"
    "Well then," Kuroji said as they stood up, paying little heed to Jinbei's words.
    Kuroji: "I suppose there's not much reason for us to hang around any longer, so why don't we take our leave?"
    Tsubakura: "An' don't come back!"
    Kuroji: "Assuming none of us gets injured again, sure."
    "Oh yes, that's right," Kuroji said as they took out some change from their pocket and tossed it toward the veranda.
    Kuroji: "I'd hardly be able to sleep soundly if I didn't pay anything, so help yourself to this much."
    Tsubakura: "I'll just say 'that's rare coming from you' and leave it at that."
    Even without looking at the coins, one could tell from the sound of them clattering on the wood that they wouldn't buy even a single dango.
    Kuroji: "And with that, we'll call it even."
    Tsubakura: "Pft, like hell."
    Ignoring Tsubakura's retort, Kuroji turned with a brief "well, see you," and left with Hooaka and Aoji in tow.
    ---Yabusame was the first to notice the anomaly.
    Yabusame: "Hey, hey, Tsuba~! Come look, this is so cool!"
    It seemed that Yabusame had discovered something.
    As Tsubakura followed their gaze, they briefly showed a look of surprise.
    ...Then they just looked vaguely annoyed.
    The change that Kuroji had tossed a second ago... every single coin was standing on its edge, not landing on either heads nor tails.
    As they watched the coins slowly continue rolling without falling over, Tsubakura thought:
    Wow, they sure picked up some lame party trick...
    ...half-heartedly praising Kuroji.
    ---However, the one who was most surprised by this sight was Jinbei.
    And Jinbei was surprised for a far different reason than the other two.
    Jinbei: "I see... I did think it'd be about time..."
    As Jinbei muttered to themself, they disappeared into the depths of the shrine without a sound.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    ~---At the Senri Shrine Road---~
    On their way back from the shrine, the Shitodo family discussed what to do next.
    Hooaka: "So, where are we goin' now? Kuro-jii."
    Kuroji: "We're heading out to collect that rumored treasure, of course. And quit calling me 'Kuro-jii'."
    Aoji seemed somewhat surprised at Kuroji's words.
    Aoji: "Huh? But I thought we weren't gonna go out very far because it's dangerous today?"
    Hooaka: "Looks like some kind of mock war is startin' up around here, yeah."
    Kuroji: "The war games are nothing to worry about. The real problem is elsewhere."
    Aoji: "So they must be targeting..."
    Kuroji and Hooaka's expressions both clouded, for they knew exactly who Aoji was referring to.
    Kuroji: "Well, if Tsubakura makes any move, they'll be lured over that way."
    Hooaka: "Which is why you went and goaded Tsubakura, right?"
    Kuroji: "Those two are about the only ones who can stand up to them, after all."
    Aoji: "Hrrm, I wonder... Are you sure it'll be okay...?"
    Kuroji continued their own line of conversation, regardless of Aoji's unease.
    Kuroji: "Regardless, we'll just head out to get that treasure while making sure not to run into them again."
    Hooaka: "So we'll be committing our usual villainy, then!"
    Aoji: "Welp, time to pile on yet more crimes..."
    Kuroji: "The true value of which is demonstrated through repetition, much the same as history."
    While they understood that Kuroji wasn't honestly trying to justify their actions, Aoji couldn't help but comment.
    Aoji: "You've definitely got that wrong."
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    ~---Back at the Senri Shrine grounds---~
    Tsubakura: "They say 'no bird fouls a nest it soon leaves'... but that's totally bogus, right."
    Yabusame: "They fouled this place right up~!"
    Tsubakura: "Isn't it because of people like them that it's been so uneasy around here lately?"
    Yabusame: "You mean it's all Kuroji-san's fault?!"
    Tsubakura: "Might be good to assume they've got at least some hand in it, yeah."
    While one couldn't tell if they were being serious, Tsubakura's expression was as bored as usual.
    Shion: "SHION-CHAN APPEEEARS!"
    Tsubakura: "Oof!"
    Tsubakura was nearly sent flying as something heavy slammed into the back of their head, but they just barely managed to keep their footing without falling off the porch.
    Tsubakura: "...Why'd you come flying out from the back the shrine?"
    Shion: "I came here to see you, Tsubakura! ♪"
    Yabusame: "Shion-cha~n, how did you get out?"
    The child that the two called "Shion" was a conglomerate of souls created in a previous incident.
    They ate people's souls for food, so they were kept under control in the shrine to prevent an outbreak of victims.
    Normally, they were sealed so that they couldn't move away from the depths of the shrine, and should've been unable to come to the veranda.
    Jinbei: "I loosened their seal."
    Tsubakura: "...And why would you do something so troublesome?"
    While using their head to support the entire weight of Shion, who was clinging to their hat, Tsubakura somehow managed to straighten back up.
    Jinbei: "Right now, it'd be best to travel in large groups if possible, so please take Shion-san along if you please."
    Tsubakura: "And may I inquire as to when we said we'd be heading outside today?"
    Jinbei: "Going outside and fighting in a war or something once in a while would be good for your health. Right, Tsubakura-san?"
    Shion: "Tsubakura's a shut-iiin!"
    Tsubakura: "I'd really rather not hear that from someone under house arrest."
    Tsubakura argued back, waving their head back and forth in time with Shion floating overhead.
    Yabusame: "Shion-chan must want to go outside too, right~?"
    Shion: "Yeah! Unlike Tsubakura over here!"
    Tsubakura: "My, my, is that so."
    As they cast an aside glance at the sulking Tsubakura, Jinbei looked up at the sky over the grounds and murmured something.
    Jinbei: "In addition... it seems that something rather dangerous is going on, so I'd like you to do something about it."
    Tsubakura: "Hmmm? And may I ask as to whatever this dangerous thing could be?"
    Jinbei: "Well, if you walk around over there, you'll probably see it."
    Ugh, god, can this kid's directions get any more vague...?
    ---So thought Tsubakura as they glowered at the shikigami (who was probably many years their senior).
    Tsubakura: "And may I be so bold as to presume that since Shion's coming with us, whatever's happening is important enough to justify leaving the shrine empty?"
    Jinbei: "At the very least, you shouldn't let your guard down this time."
    Yabusame: "I'm so excited~!"
    Shion: "This is the first time we've gone for a walk in a while!"
    Tsubakura: "...I've got nothing but bad feelings about this."
    And so the priests of the Senri Shrine finally depart for the battlefield.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    ~---A particular spot at the Senri Shrine---~
    Sukune: "But jusht how should we get back at them, nyah? We've already failed at 21 surprise attacks just today."
    Sese: "Trying to ambush them from the front won't work, huh..."
    Sukune Katano and Sese Kitsugai. This pair of youkai was currently hiding somewhere around the Senri Shrine, plotting revenge on the shrine's head priests.
    Sukune: "Yeah, but tryin' to ambush'em from the back didn't work either!"
    Sese: "No, not that-- tryin' to beat them with sheer strength won't work. For now, at least."
    Sukune tilted their head at Sese's remark.
    Sukune: "Ooh, then how's about we challenge 'em to a cook-off~? I'm real proud of my skills, gyah!"
    Sese: "Or, even better! We could find the treasure before they do... that'd really make 'em mad, right?"
    Sukune: "That's perfect! You've got a real good brain in that skull, Sese."
    Sese: "But with just you and Sese, it'd be pretty scary out there..."
    Sukune: "Mmm... that's true, nyah."
    The two youkai continued fuming in hiding, unable to find a solution for the time being.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    ~---At the Senri Shrine veranda---~
    Some time passed... and a new visitor again came to the shrine.
    Tenkai: "Mm~? What's this? Those two are out right now? And here I was going to share some manju buns with them. They've got a nice thin skin and everything..."
    Tenkai Zuifeng was the right-hand man of the previous head priest, Tsurubami Senri.
    They were a barrier builder currently working for a barrier-building company, and were acquainted with both Yabusame and Tsubakura.
    Tenkai had some business with the two priests, but they had both been chased out by Jinbei already.
    Jinbei: "...Oh my, if it isn't that brat Tenkai! It's been a while. I hear that you've been handling the barriers as crappily as ever~."
    Jinbei, sitting on the veranda, grinned mischievously as they registered Tenkai's presence.
    Tenkai: "Venom right off the bat! As charming as ever, I must say. That's Senri for you."
    Jinbei: "I thought you wouldn't have any business here, now that Tsurubami-sama is no longer with us?"
    Tenkai: "Well, it seems like that hasn't been the case as of late."
    Jinbei: "Ah."
    Tenkai: "I wanted to talk and share souvenirs with those two... but if they're out, oh well."
    Jinbei: "...Have you, by any chance, taken an interest in the two of them?"
    Tenkai: "It's not anything like that... wait, huh?"
    ---Tenkai broke off their sentence, as they had noticed something strange in their field of view.
    Beneath the veranda where Jinbei sat, right around Jinbei's feet, there were four points of light wriggling in the darkness.
    They realized that those lights were somebody's eyes right as they made eye contact.
    At that exact moment, two figures shot out from between Jinbei's legs and flew straight at Tenkai.
    Sese: "IT'S TENKAAAI!!"
    Sukune: "It's Tenkai, nyo!!"
    The two of them clung to Tenkai's arms, not slowing down in the slightest.
    Tenkai: "WAUGH!"
    Obeying Newton's equation of motion, the surprised barrier builder flew backwards with the two youkai.
    Thanks to their center of gravity being suddenly pulled backwards, they lost their footing, but instead of slamming to the ground, they were dragged through the air by the two stragglers on their arms, flying far away from the veranda... and eventually the shrine as a whole.
    Tenkai: "Hey, HEY, WOAH, WHY ARE YOOOOU---?!?"
    Tenkai's desperately shouting was only answered with nonsensical cries of "You're strong! Help us!" and "You're gonna help us, nyah!".
    ---Thus did Jinbei watch from the shrine as Tenkai was dragged far away.
    They had a sip of tea, and sighed.
    They then glanced at the ground right in front of them, where a single paper-wrapped box was sitting.
    It appeared to be the souvenir that Tenkai had brought over.
    Most likely the manju buns they mentioned, with the thin skins.
    Jinbei stared at the box, and muttered:
    "Just when, exactly, did this shrine turn into a nursery school?"
    ---under their breath.
    Then they grinned, audaciously.
    As if they were thinking, "Well, if this is a nursery school, we'd better give them a proper education..."
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    ---So. I guess that about wraps up the prologue to all the stuff that happened then?
    They said, "Looks like I've got another opportunity to record Tsubakura-sama's exploits! ♪"...
    ...But I figure that's just to make it more fun when they get around to killing 'em.
    ...They have really got a stellar personality, don't they."
  132. ↑ 134.0 134.1 Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Tenkai Zuifeng Boss
  133. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q8. Are there any other worlds connected to Mugenri aside from the outside world? Mostly like how Gensokyo is also connected to Makai or the netherworld.
    There are no other places from which you can directly reach Mugenri.
    It has its own Netherworld, Makai, and so on separate from those of the outside world, too.
    However, you can access Mugenri from most places if you go through the outside world along the way."
  134. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q10. We've finally seen just how big Mugenri actually is, especially Devanagara, but how advanced is it? It seems to have technology from at least the 1930s. Furthermore, how far behind are the villages around it?
    I can't go into too much detail.
    However, there are few places more advanced than the capital.
    Also, you have so not seen just how big Mugenri actually is.♪"
  135. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q1. Do you have an estimate of the population of humans and youkai currently in Mugenri?
    The population for all of Mugenri is a secret! But the population of the capital is roughly 10 million."
  136. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q2. Are there any half-human half-youkai in Mugenri?
    There are, but I haven't decided on whether to show any yet."
  137. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q3. Are humans in Mugenri born with powers or do they have to acquire them through some method? Are there people in Mugenri who just don't have any powers at all?
    There's a variety of ways. You could be born with an ability, obtain one through practice or a contract, etc.
    However, the vast majority of people are ordinary and have no powers at all."
  138. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q5. What happens if someone dies in Mugenri? Is there any sort of afterlife?
    Save for a few exceptions, your soul is being led to the Netherworld where it will be judged within 49 days and, after receiving its due punishment, proceeds to its next life via reincarnation.
    The Netherworld's whereabouts will be shown in the distant future."
  139. ↑ Interview with JynX (2015) "Q12. How is the violence in Mugenri?
    Is it restrained by the spell card system or could youkai kill humans without any restraint?
    If you feel like attacking, you attack. However, the people of this world feel ashamed when they end up killing their opponent in battle.
    Furthermore, since the loser must follow just one command by the one they were defeated by with cards, many citizens make use of that.
    By the way, it's forbidden in Mugenri to disobey a command issued after a battle.
    However, there are some guys among the youkai that attack people just for the hell of it."
  140. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Kurohebi Boss
  141. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Aoji Boss
  142. ↑ 144.0 144.1 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Tsubakura Boss
  143. ↑ 145.0 145.1 145.2 145.3 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Tsubakura Enraku Ending
  144. ↑ 146.0 146.1 Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Tsurubami Senri Boss Fight
  145. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Hooka Boss
  146. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Kuroji Boss
  147. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Kuroji Boss Final Stage
  148. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Clause Boss
  149. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Clause Boss Extra Stage
  150. ↑ Len'en Project Evanescent Existence Tsurubami Senri Boss
  151. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Jun Amanomiya Boss
  152. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Shou Amanomori Boss
  153. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Lumen Celeritas Boss
  154. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Hibaru Kokutenshi Boss
  155. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Sukune Katano Boss
  156. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Sukune Katano Boss Final Stage
  157. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Adagumo no Yaorochi Boss
  158. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Adagumo no Lumen Celeritas Boss Extra Stage
  159. ↑ Len'en Project Earthen Miraculous Sword Adagumo no Saragimaru Boss
  160. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Sese Kitsugai Boss
  161. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Tsugumi Umatachi Boss
  162. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Fujiwara no Iyozane Boss
  163. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Yaorochi & Sukune Boss
  164. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Taira no Fumikado Boss
  165. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Shion Boss
  166. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Sese Kitsugai Boss Extra Stage
  167. ↑ Len'en Project Reactivate Majestical Imperial Tenkai Sese Kitsugai Boss Extra+a Stage
  168. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Souko Shirami Boss
  169. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kujiru Kesa Boss
  170. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kaisen Azuma Boss
  171. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Garaiya Ogata Boss
  172. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Para Boss
  173. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Taira no Chouki Boss
  174. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Mitsumo and Terumi Boss
  175. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Medias Moritake Boss
  176. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kunimutsu Ooya Boss
  177. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kaoru Kashiwagi Boss
  178. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Fujiwara no Shirogane no Sanra Boss
  179. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Ooama no Ake no Mitori Boss
  180. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kurohebi Boss
  181. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Jun Amanomiya Boss
  182. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Aoji Shitodo Boss
  183. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Shou Amanomori Boss
  184. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Tsugumi Umatachi Boss
  185. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Lumen Celeritas Boss
  186. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Sese Kitsugai Boss
  187. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Fujiwara no Iyozane Boss
  188. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Hibaru Kokutenshi Boss
  189. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Hooaka Shitodo Boss
  190. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Adagumo no Saragimaru Boss
  191. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Kuroji Shitodo Boss
  192. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Sukune Katano Boss
  193. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Taira no Fumikado Boss
  194. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Clause Boss
  195. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Adagumo no Yaorochi Boss
  196. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Tenkai Zuifeng Boss
  197. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Yago Ametsukana Boss
  198. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Haiji Senri Boss
  199. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Xeno a Boss
  200. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Tsurubami Senri Boss
  201. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle New Emperor Team Yabusame Houlen Boss
  202. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Preschool Team Yabusame Houlen Boss
  203. ↑ Len'en Project Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle Scoundrel Team Yabusame Houlen Boss

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