Part 40: Chapter 29M: Closed Runaway

Ryza reminded me that I totally forgot about Yamame and Kisume's attack videos. They've been added to the previous update. As for Lily and Lunasa, well we haven't seen what they can really do yet.

This chapter is pretty much the best part of the game, so I kind of rushed to get here. Updates will be slower from here onwards because Ryza and I can't actually keep up with Hokuto and Clarste.

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The chapter starts in Marisa's dreams.

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Music: What's the Strategy?

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Music: Fantasy Maidens Appear!

...



Shanghai...

It doesn't look like there are up youkai up ahead. Let's proceed a bit further, everyone.



This is where it gets tough, though. Try to breathe quietly.



Sure. I come this way a lot.

Alice, look over there!

Marisa!

Oh, Alice! You came to save me?

Thank goodness you're okay. I was worried for a while there.

Sorry about that. But I knew you'd come back for me, Alice.

Someone's a little arrogant. You couldn't have known that for sure.

Huh? Marisa, that girl next to you is-

This is a bit late, but I managed to escape thanks to her. Her name's Koishi. She lives in the Underworld, but she's not our enemy.

Oh? Nice to meet you, Koishi.

So you're all youkai from the surface? Nice to meet you!

She seems pretty friendly, for an Underworlder.

A bit weird, though. It's hard to get a handle on her.

Anyway, we should thank you for saving Marisa.

Now we just have to get out of here before they find us, and-



A whole bunch of enemies spawn in and throw up danmaku.

The jerks just had to show up before you could even finish your sentence!

We don't have time to fight them all. Let's just retreat as soon as possible.

Listen carefully, we're escaping from that point over there.



Some tiles on the bottom right corner of the screen light up.

Anyone who ends their turn there will be able to get to the surface. Try to move quickly. We only have seven turns to escape.

Normally SRW games translate turns into minutes, but I guess there's no reason why Alice would know exactly how much time they have left.

Got it. Are you coming with us, Koishi?

No, but maybe I can hang out with you a bit longer.





This is a pretty neat map that a lot of people probably just blew past.



Hidden in the bottom left corridor is a Cartridge (fully restores ammo when used). I'll have Kurumi pick it up before she escapes.



Meanwhile Meiling and Sakuya will be heading for that completely harmless looking room.



One of the gimmicks of this map is that you essentially have Koishi ferry Marisa over to the goal. She'll move forward every time it's her turn, and as you might recall while Marisa's in Koishi's field she can't be hit.

That takes too long though, so I'll just have Marisa and Alice blow everything up.

Music: A Sworn Friend's Bond



Hey look, somebody voted Nitori in.



And the Three Fairies will be spending these seven turns trying to defeat these spirits that literally everyone else could blow up with ease.



Oh yeah, by the powers invested in me as a translator these things are officially called Doofy Ghosts now. Deal with it.

Two scenes play at the beginning of phases 2 and 3.

I'm impressed you two made it as far as you did by yourselves. You said that girl was the reason?

Yeah. Her power got us out without anyone noticing us. I guess you could say we're being ignored? It feels weird though, like I don't really exist.

Oh yeah, so that's how Koishi suddenly appeared and disappeared the other day.

Feeling like you don't exist though? That sounds scary.

*insert everyone doing what they were doing last turn*

I already knew this, but fighting so much trash is just irritating. Hey, Patchouli, can't you just clean 'em all up at once with that spell you used before?

You mean the sun and moon magic I used in the summer?

Yeah, those. These guys would be no problem if you were using those.

That's impossible. I have to be in excellent physical condition to use those spells. Of course, it would be a different story if I had some support...

!

Lady Patchouli, I could lend you a hand if you like.

I didn't know you knew anything about magic.

I've been studying for a while now, in case you needed my help. I should be able to boost your magical power for a moment.

Channeling this much magic can be dangerous. Are you prepared for the risks?、

I'm sure I can be of use!

Very well then, I'll take your word for it.

Beginning super long range enemy annihilation. Direct all power to me.



And now Patchy and Koa can use Silent Selene. Too bad you guys didn't vote for them!
_{I didn't force them because I couldn't make a joke about the attack.}



Oh, check it out. Hah, it's kind of like we're treasure hunti-



Some enemies spawn in after you pick up the Cartridge.

Agh, it was a trap!

Oh for heaven's sake, this is what your greed gets you.

There may be other traps. We'll have to be careful as we advance.



If you chose Alice, a special conversation plays if you use Proto Malice Cannon.

Okay, let's do the usual combo.

...

Something wrong?

Nothing. I was just thinking how getting captured hasn't changed you at all.

It's not like moping about it all the time would help anything. Plus, I always knew you'd come save me.

Say what you will. Just never let this happen again.



Welp, there goes Kurumi.

Sheesh, this is awful!

Hilariously, this doesn't cost me the bonus.



Just gonna walk in here and



oh no

So this is what they call a "Monster House"... wait, that's a different game.

Neither the shrine maiden nor the tengu are here, you know.

I'm not sure if this line's referring to AQUASTYLE's mystery dungeon games or just how Reimu and Aya were breaking the fourth wall like crazy back in 5R.



Meiling just stands in the middle and tanks everything.



It's about time everyone starts to leave.

Oh, whew, I made it to safety. Everyone, I'll be going ahead.

I've made it to safety. Well then everyone, I'll be stepping out.

If you ask me, running away like this makes it feel like we lost...



The main threat of the monster house is the grimoire at the top's -2 Move field. A bomb is all I need to get around that though.

I made it to the escape point! I'll see you all later!

I've escaped from the mystery dungeon! ...Er, I guess this isn't the time to joke around. I'll be going ahead.

Well, I'll be leaving here.

We should be able to get out from here. I'll go on ahead.





Okay, now I just have Marisa cast Accel one more time an-



and I used too much SP again.

Oh man, I took too long!

...And nobody knows where Marisa and the others are now.



Right, so that's everything this map has to offer. Let me actually beat it now.



Main things to note are to send a second person down to grab the Cartridge to grab the reinforcement's attention,



and to not even bother with monster house.



If you say so. I don't really get stuff like that...



Koishi runs off while Alice comes back. And it's always Alice, no matter who you picked.

Marisa, stop dawdling and escape already.

C'mon, can't I at least say goodbye to Koishi? This won't take long, just wait right there.

Fine. Keep it quick though.

Huh? Do you still need something?

Yeah so, I really owe you, huh? Thanks for everything Koishi. Without you, I might've never seen my friends again.

I had fun too. I got to see a human's danmaku battle up close again.

If that's all you want, I can show you one anytime. If you ever feel like stopping by again, we'll all welcome you.

Really? You'll really welcome me?

I mean, you saved me today, and I kinda like you. You understand, right?

...I don't understand, and I don't want to understand. It's better when I don't understand anything.

Koishi...?



Satori and co. appear.

Music: Girls, Surpass the Carnage

It's those Underworld youkai again!

Gah! Why now?!

Oh, Satori. And even Orin and Okuu. What are you doing here?

What kinda question is that? Right, Lady Satori?

Koishi, what do you think you're doing? Why are you helping the intruder escape?

Because humans are hard to house train. We don't need more pets.

But we need her as valuable evidence.

...You two take Koishi home. I'll deal with the human.

Yes, right away!



Sorry Lady Koishi, that human is dangerous.

Lady Satori, let's make sure she never runs away again. We won't even need to tie her up anymore, once we tear her limbs off.

Yes, I suppose that might save some trouble in the long run.



Some spirits surround Marisa.

Please stop this! We left, didn't we?

Alice charges in, but...





Satori, do you really have to catch Marisa?

It's necessary for the peace of the Underworld. The agreement with the surface must be upheld. As the representatives of the Palace of Earth Spirits, we cannot overlook this incident.

I see. So you've really thought about this.

Damn it!

Is this where it all ends? I was supposed to become a great magician someday... and then...

...

I see, so you thought you could meet her again by polishing your skills. And now you've realized it'll never happen.

So how does it feel? Although I can tell even if you keep quiet.

Shut up!

Very well. In deference to your feelings, allow me to put you to sleep with a technique from your own heart.

Now, remember! Have a taste of the magic you've yearned for!




Click to watch the video!




































Music: On Top of the Möbius Strip

It's you...

...no way, why are you here?

I just get back from a short business trip, and look what I find. What, did you want me to sit back and watch this play out?

No, that's not what I meant to say...

But... where? Where were you all this time?! Lady Mima!

Mima? Who's that?

That's the magician I saw in her mind. This isn't the illusion I made. So the real thing really showed up?

But sheesh, I can't believe you made an enemy of a satori. And you even dragged your friends into it! This really has become troublesome.

Hmph. Who do you think you are, waltzing in out of nowhere and acting smug? I've still got my trump card! Get to work, guys!



So many vengeful spirits... Lady Mima, you're surrounded!

Just leave this to me. You girls go on ahead. You know the way back the surface, right Alice?

Yes, but we can't just run away like this...

She's right! We'll fight too!

Don't. You're no match for a satori as you are now. Don't you have something else you need to do anyway?

Oh, right...

End this long winter, and bring spring back to the surface. Always finish what you start, Marisa.

...!

I will! But will I ever see you again? Are you just going to quietly disappear again?!

Ah, that. I promise you we'll meet again!

Marisa heads over to Alice.

Lady Satori, they're getting away!

You're persisent. If you think you can get away from u-

I think just that, in fact. Sorry, but you'll have to deal with me first.

Is this really okay, Marisa?

Lady Mima told us to, so let's just leave it to her and get out of here.

Mima! Think of me when you see the cherry blossoms fluttering on the surface!

Marisa and Alice leave.

What a weird thing to say. Was that a joke?

So should we get started then?

I see you're resolved. You have a strong will. Orin, Okuu, don't let your guards down.

Yes ma'am! Everyone, charge!



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Hey Yuyuko, how about you try?

It does look fun. I'll do my best~.

Excuse me, what are you two talking about?

Merlin here has just invited me into an idol group.

It's called TH48! I'm gonna be the producer of forty-eight happy and gorgeous idols!

I, I see. Well the name is certainly appropriate. So what do you do in an idol group?

Well, first you put on this uniform!

Oh, I se- wait, what?! Not only is there a miniskirt, but the shirt is so small...!

It's adorable~. I think I'll try it ou-

N-no, absolutely not! Lady Yuyuko, I don't want you wearing something so revealing!

...? Is that so~?