Part 7: Chapter 18M: Laying a Hand on the Scarlet Devil Mansion

Sleep deprivation is a bitch, so I'll have to delay the postlogue again. At least my math class is ending next week, that should clear up some free time.
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Music: Border of Regular and Irregular Days

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Music: Secret Mission

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Music: Border of Regular and Irregular Days

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Don't be like that. I can sympathize with not wanting to stick my nose into a troublesome situation.

I don't dislike trouble. But if you're going to bring some, make it more interesting. In any case, when you get back to the shrine, give Reimu my gree... huh?

What's wrong?

Something feels strange. Hah!

Remilia attacks a nearby bush,



and some crows pop out.

That's one of the youkai crows the tengu use!

So they were keeping tabs on us!

Hmm... it's rather weak. I knew it would be pointless for us to help. Hurry and clean up this mess.

I was gonna do that anyway!



This time the Bonus requirement is left blank. That's always a sign that there's more to this chapter than meets the eye.



This map is so huge that even fully zoomed out I can't fit the whole thing in one screen.



I'd like to keep the dream team together, but on Normal these crows are too passive to draw their attention by charging down the middle.

Music: Be a Shooting Star



Crows are kind of dodgy, but not to the point Marisa can't nail them.



The initial wave goes down without much fuss.

Well that's that.

You two were talking about mountain youkai, but those were just surveillance birds. And barely any at that.

Couldn't that mean we didn't find them all? Maybe you should have Patchouli scout out the are-

...!

And that's the cue for the actual enemy force of three tengus and a couple more crows to show up. There should be an image but I kind of... lost it?

That's some impressive magic you humans are using. But we're not as half-hearted as the crow tengu, our duty is to scout to the bitter end!

It's the tengu! Should have known the boss would be hiding.

So there really were tengu. But don't I have a gatekee-

Hey, wait up!



I get reinforcements too!

There you are, Meiling. And... oh my.

Please forgive me mistress, this lot suddenly flew over the gate so there... wasn't much I could do...

Meiling is kind of bad at her job.

Sorry for not keeping in touch, Remilia.

Ah, Alice and Marisa are here too. How have you been?

You two came here as well?

There's been quite a few guests today. I imagine Yuuka's doing well? But this isn't the time for that. You, tengu. You're quite brave to trespass on my property.

Remilia Scarlet, the lady of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. This matter does not concern you.

"Yeah we're spying, breaking and entering, and committing assault on your grounds, but it's nothing personal."

Doesn't concern me? You dogs are stinking up my garden.

...If you're trying to provoke me, I assume you are unaware of the might of the mountain youkai.

I see your bark isn't up to snuff yet. For youkai like you, I see no need to join in. Sakuya, are you here!?



Hey, that's a tengu over there. Something weird must be happening.

More guests have come. Now would be a good time for you to lend a hand. Show these rude intruders out of my estate.

Understood. After I set things in order here, I'll prepare hot water for tea.

Why should I help?

...is what I would say, but hey, maybe this is just fate.

Sakuya helped Komachi out at her job last game, so she's repaying the favor.

Sheesh, people are just popping up. They here to lend us a hand?

It would seem. How reassuring.



Now I can see the Bonus. Nothing too hard... on Normal.

All I'm going to say about Chapter 18M Lunatic is that Marisa and Alice are your only characters who can do shit.



The game was kind enough to start me off in a pincer formation, so may as well use it.



Sakuya has been revamped from her FMW1 appearance, and mostly for the better. Unfortunately she lost her Strike for Devote (restore 50 MP to an ally), which will be a real pain in the ass later.



Once again, Normal AI isn't very aggressive. The only reason Tengu B is even fighting is because Meiling moved right into her range of attack.

Last time I was distracted by a conversation, but this time you're not getting away!

So the devil's servant wants to challenge us!

That pride will be the cause of your defeat!



Tengu B is pretty much Mass Produced Momiji.



Elly and Meiling both start with Support Defend, which is neat. Not so neat is Elly's lackluster defensive stats.

Anyway, why are Elly and Kurumi here? Don't tell me Yuuka's gonna waltz right in next.

Don't be ridiculous, we just came here to relax. But then something like this happened.

Oh yeah, could you tell us why we're fighting later?

The most Touhou line.

I'd like to know too.

By the way, I haven't seen you before. Are you a new maid?

She'd make a terrible maid. One slacker is more than enough.

Um, Sakuya? Are you talking about...

Whoa now, don't be rude. I'm Komachi Onozuka, a friend of Sakuya's.

Oh, so she's your friend.

Something wrong with that?

Of course not. In any case, we'll be counting on you.



Now that my reinforcements are here, there's no point to separating Marisa and Alice.



So Marisa jets to Alice's side while Sakuya and Komachi replace her on the left.

Music: Chinese Girl, Stand Guard!



And on the lower front, Meiling and Elly cast Strike then start the offensive.



Kurumi helps too. Her PS is Vampire, which absorbs 10% of the damage she deals. It's almost useless since she'll die to a stiff breeze anyway but I guess it'll be cool on Remilia/Flandre.

Music: Price of Life



We interupt your Shanghai Teahouse for THE BEST MUSIC IN THE GAME.

Okay so Price of Life isn't the best song anymore but I still really like it.



Sakuya and Marisa have the top half pretty well covered.



And Elly's holding up down below.



See, Elly's thing is that she's a pretty shitty tank at the start, even with five levels of Berserk. Unless somebody else is taking the blows, she's better off defending on enemy phase.



She's not even that great at Support Defending.



Meanwhile Meiling is basically immortal. Helpfully, all of the Tengus are grounded, which means her Searing Red Fist does bonus damage.



The next turn sees me focusing on the bonus.



I try to have Elly take down a Tengu too but...



I wasn't joking when I said she can't tank.

Sorry, everyone. I'll be heading back first.

I wondered if this was a sign I should have Meiling cast Guard (halve damage for a turn).

Hahahahaha of course not.



Even if every remaining enemy tries to kill her,



Meiling can take it. And this is with a -40% defense penalty!



It's time to start wrapping this chapter up. Sakuya, Marisa, and Alice move to the main front.



Meanwhile, Komachi activates her PS.



Way of Avici essentially gives her infinite range. Only two uses per chapter, but still really cool.



Of course the distance penalties total her accuracy and damage, so Ignore Distance is a priority purchase for her.

No, I don't know why Komachi doesn't start with Ignore Distance either.



Strike can take care of the accuracy at least.



I start the final turn by using the last of Meiling's SP on Guard. Now she can counter attack.



Alice also takes the chance to shoot down the last crow.

So you think you can beat us with only this many people?

Don't be so impertinent. For the likes of you, we are more than enough.

If you really think this is enough, you're gonna look pretty bad when we send you packing. Sheesh, there's a reason you had to come out in groups yesterday you know.

...You just don't know when to hold your tongue. I'll have to cut if off for you!



And Marisa Master Sparks Tengu B because why not?



Meiling drops her finisher too. At the moment it's the strongest attack I have.



One,



two,



thr-



Oh that jerk activated Shield Defense. Characters with that skill have a chance of Defending against enemy attacks, even if they chose to counter attack. It's a very handy skill for both the player and the enemy.



Might as well give Sakuya the final blow.

The human servant...! You should be cleaning the mansion!

Ah, but I am cleaning. I'm removing intruders with my knife.

Music: The Elegant Flower that Blooms at Night



Tengu B drops another Oni's Nail.

And that settles this battle.

Wasn't what I expected. Are all tengu as weak as you?

Guh, to lose to these fools...

Well what'd you expect when you came with barely anyone?

...I suppose what I heard about humans becoming stronger when they join forces was true after all.

But don't get full of yourselves. We of Youkai Mountain are far stronger than this!

How impressive. So, when will you show me this true power?

...Retreat.

She does.

Wow, that's the mistress for you. She was up against tengu and didn't even flinch.

Meiling you literally stood up against three tengu at once.

Of course. You can't expect me to be afraid of a mere underling.

But if it was just Marisa and I, we would have been in trouble. Let me thank you.

Ahahahahaha this is giving me Marisa Lunatic flashbacks.

You were in trouble, don't worry about it. But I'd like to hear the full story while we relax.

In that case, I'm sure you're all tired after that battle so feel free to rest in the mansion. Sakuya, return to your work.

Of course, I'll start preparing everyone's tea immediately.





Since Elly was shot down, I get a penalty. I think it's Cost x 1000 points?

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Now that the game has been paused, I hope you'll relax today as well.

Hey Meiling, is this guy too tired to play with me?

That's right. The player has his own issues too, so please don't bother him.

Boring! I'm still awake, I want to do something! All the bats underground are gone, I wanna play with you and Sakuya!

Um, that's... well, I'm at work right now so...