I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to participate. I, Hieda no Akyuu, wish to collect all of your valuable discussions and report them for the benefit of all Gensokyo. With that in mind, I'd like to turn it over the host, human magician and one of Gensokyo's leading experts on youkai, Marisa Kirisame.

Ah, um, I am your host, Marisa. 'Cause of, I mean, because of all the fascinating stories I will be able to hear, I have accepted the honor of this role. And, umm...

You can speak like you normally do. It is unpleasant.

So, everyone, let's start with the introductions.

I am Kanako Yasaka. I manage(*1) the shrine on Youkai Mountain. I usually think of nothing but Shinto, but I'll be interested to hear about these other religions today.

1: "Manage", she says, but she actually is the god residing in the shrine herself.

I am Byakuren Hijiri. I am the chief priest of the Myouren Temple(*2) on the outskirts of the village. Although I'm the chief priest, I'm still a novice yet to attain enlightenment, so I'll be in your care today.

2: A temple with more youkai monks than human ones; the sort that could only exist in Gensokyo.

I am Toyosatomimi no Miko. Um, presently, I've renounced my humanity and am a hermit. I only awoke recently, so I'm still half-asleep, but I felt that I might deepen my understanding of Gensokyo today, so I was determined to attend. Speaking of which, the people of Gensokyo are quite friendly, to have a talk like this...

This is the first one. Well, it's a fact that we're always ready to take on new challenges, though.

Is that right...?

With that, we've got a Shinto god, a Buddhist priest, and Taoist hermit, so interestingly, we've assembled a group which should have all sorts of rivalries between them. A three-way discussion between three religious figures. So, what are you going to talk about?

Aren't you, the host, supposed to decide that?

Oh, yeah. Okay, then, the first theme is "What change will the new powers bring to Gensokyo?" Say whatever you like.

You're already saying whatever you like. (laugh)

The "new powers" refers to all of us, right?

Ah, right. To clarify a little, you all are the newcomers. The hidden theme of the discussion is that you might be hostile elements here to disrupt our peaceful Gensokyo or something.

And here I thought you all were starting to get used to us... (*3)

3: About 4 years have passed since she came to Gensokyo.

No matter how many years pass, newcomers will always be newcomers. Well, from the old timers' perspective.

Well then, as the real newcomer, why don't I start?

Go for it.

My first impression of Gensokyo is that by ignoring youkai who harm others, the human heart becomes frivolous and apathetic. The humans of the village while away their days in that apathetic state, failing to improve their lot in life, and the youkai are allowed to freely take advantage of their frivolous hearts. Frankly, it's a miracle that society hasn't collapsed yet, and I believe the current balance is dangerously unstable.

I, I guess?

Why does Gensokyo have no statesmen? If all humans have the same position and social standing, society cannot function.

Statesmen?

That's right. Humans need a leader to guide them to their hope-filled future. If no one else is qualified then I would certainly...

I wonder what kind of human future the rule of someone who is no longer human like you would create.

"Rule" is such an ugly word. It would just be a stopgap measure until someone from among the humans is able to imitate and deny me.

Can I speak for a moment? You say that there are no statesmen in Gensokyo, but I don't think that's quite true.

Meaning?

Gensokyo's current form cannot be maintained without the youkai's power(*4). Gensokyo was created by youkai to save themselves, after all. The humans in Gensokyo exist for no further purpose than to preserve the youkai. The humans are being ruled by the youkai.

4: In truth, everything is fine as long as the Barrier's power remains. This is a sophism often employed by youkai.

I agree. The youkai run rampant, ruling over the humans, and keep watch to make sure the humans don't realize this fact and advance along the wrong path(*5). Therefore, the fact that a ruler hasn't emerged from among the humans is in Gensokyo's best interest.

5: So that the humans could not be ruled over as conveniently.

So that's how it is. If that's the case, then the humans certainly are unfortunate...

Think of it this way: are the animals in a zoo unfortunate?

And a zoo is?

A institution where endangered animals are protected and humans can observe them and learn about them. Taking a naturally free bird and locking it up in small cage... when you look at things from that perspective, it seems quite unfortunate. But now, it doesn't have to worry about predators, or running out of food, and there will always be plenty of humans for it to meet, so it will never get bored. If you think of it like that, isn't it fortunate?

So Gensokyo's humans are animals in a zoo, then? What happened to human dignity?

Dignity, eh? I don't think that's something you receive from others, though... What do you think?

Hmm? Me? What's dignity?

Like pride, or self-respect.

Of course, I'm proud of everything I do, but if all that were given to me and I could have fun every day, it's all fine by me.

I see... Then please forget about what I said.

Speaking of which, what did you say?

(Laugh)

Anyway, that conversation was a bit tough to follow. Honestly, I don't care about the humans of the village. Talk about yourselves. The theme was "what are you bringing to Gensokyo", after all. So first of all, why'd you move to Gensokyo anyway?

I came to Gensokyo to seek new faith. In the outside world, shrines have become merely tourist traps or new age "power spots" that people no longer know the true meaning of, so there isn't anywhere for gods to get their faith. Gods are beings that will cease to exist without human faith.

So you say, but I don't think you've gotten much faith in Gensokyo, either.

Just believing that we're real is enough. In the outside world, they've stopped believing that gods even exist. Everything really changed once we came to Gensokyo. Here, humans believe that gods exist as an obvious fact.

W-well, belief or not, you're right here, aren't you?

That's not good enough for the outside world. Even if you create a miracle right before their eyes, they'll convince themselves it's an illusion and absolutely refuse to accept that it actually happened. Humans are easily swayed creatures, and that's the latest boom.

A boom?

Yup, an intentionally created boom. But, you know, the best part is that even while they don't think that gods or youkai exist, they still believe in aliens.

Oh? That's the first I've heard of that.

The moment that humans realized that the vastness of space was beyond their ability to control, they started to convince themselves that there must be aliens somewhere out there. Even though nobody's confirmed such a thing. It's comical, how rationalism suddenly turns to mysticism when it goes too far.

I have been curious about this for a while now, but your shrine has two gods, right? Why is that?

Technically, we've got three(*6), but leaving that aside, it's a complicated situation... Well, Suwako(*7) is a great partner.

6: So Sanae can also be called a god, I see. By the way, though it's normal to count them as three gods instead of three people, that's only for when humans count gods.

7: Suwako Moriya, a god of frogs.

Ooh, I know this one. Suwako's the one who really rules the shrine, right? And you just handle the sales side.

Ahem. Although that's not quite how it works, it's not wrong that Moriya Shrine belongs to Suwako. But Suwako doesn't have much interest in gathering faith, you see. So I have no choice but to gather faith for us. Nope, no choice.

Speaking of which, Ms. Kanako, you are from Suwa of Shinano(*8), are you not?

8: A location in the outside world. I heard it has a sea.

I'm not, but Sanae and Suwako are. I lived there for a long time, though.

Actually, I'm also from Shinano. How nostalgic.

Oh, really?

Whenever I went back to Suwa, the lake was always full of such clean water; it's a beautiful place.

When was this?

Oh, about a thousand years ago.

Nowadays it's made an complete about face and become a rather material city... Although I'm pretty proud of its excellent factories and the precision machinery they make. There are also some nice hot springs by the train station....

Okay, let's leave the talk about your hometown that nobody in Gensokyo knows about there. Next up is you (pointing at Byakuren). Why'd you come to Gensokyo?

I am just a simple monk in training, but because of a minor disagreement, I was betrayed by humans and sealed away... Even still, some of my old friends who missed me came to my rescue. And then I just happened to find myself in Gensokyo.

Wait a moment. Does that mean you're here by coincidence?

Coincidence or inevitability? Were they not in Gensokyo, my friends would have been unable to maintain their strength.

You built your temple directly above where I was sleeping. Was this also inevitable?

Whatever could you be talking about?

Oh, yeah, Miko's grave was under the temple, wasn't it?

To have the Buddhism I used politically build a temple there... and not just any temple, but a youkai temple full of youkai monks, I hear. A temple filled with the evil power I hate...

How rude. While it may be filled with youkai, those youkai are simpler than humans. Just as humans can become hermits and celestials, youkai can become gods and Buddhas. My own power is also so vast thanks to youkai.

I guess you're a monk possessed by evil then. A monk who has fallen unthinkably far. ...or so I'd like to say, but as someone who used Buddhism for political ends, I suppose I have no right to.

Well, to be honest, we built the temple there because our treasure-finding mouse(*9) reported that "there's something incredible buried down there!" and so we surveyed it. When it turned out to be something that seemed more dangerous than what we were expecting, we thought we should hide it.

9: Nazrin. Eats the rice, squeak.

So I was that dangerous-seeming thing, then?

While I don't think my intuition was wrong, I regrettably lacked the power.

Well, I wasn't contained. How unfortunate. For our unnamed sealing monk.

You can fight later! (sweat) So, last up is Miko's story.

I put myself to sleep with a spell. I had planned to wake up as a hermit and enjoy myself in the world, but I've come to realize that this isn't the ordinary world, but instead a place called Gensokyo. I've in the process of carefully studying Gensokyo, and today will be particularly informative. I still haven't figured out the reason I'm here, though...

The reason you're here is simple. In the same way that youkai or gods like me end up here after their existence is denied in the outside world, you've also ceased to exist.

I've ceased to exist? But, aren't I here right now....

The outside world and Gensokyo are separate. It's like the difference between common sense and lacking common sense, or the difference between reality and fantasy. Basically, things that in the outside world have disappeared, been forgotten, or have had their existence denied all end up in Gensokyo.

So that means I was...

Completely forgotten.

So I've become an existence like a god then(*10)?

10: Positive thinking.

That's correct. Well, as far as I know you were made into a Shinto god quite a while ago.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this but I don't actually live in Gensokyo.

Huh?

I live in a space I created myself. Living someplace that nobody can bother them is the essence of what a hermit is.

Now that you mention it, another hermit I know (Kasen Ibara) also lives in a place that's hard to get to. How do you make a space like that anyway?

It's simple, if you study enough hermit techniques. Would you like to become my disciple?

Uh, I'll think about it.

You could become immortal and ageless.

Ooh.

Oh, we're doing conversions? If so, I'm not going to lose. Switch now and I'll throw in excellent luck on all your fortunes for two months.

Then allow me as well. You are a youkai-like human, are you not?

You sure are popular. (laugh)

A-anyway, I guess we're finished with the self-introductions. So I want to ask you all, from here on, what do you want to do in Gensokyo?

I think I'd like to live a carefree life without being disturbed.

Is that so?

Transcending worldly matters, to elegantly live in a world with no worries or anything at all, that's the dream.

You've managed to become immortal and ageless by studying hermit techniques, but unfortunately, immortals in Gensokyo have a natural enemy.

You mean shinigami?

Yes, won't they periodically come to kill you?

Those battles will be another form of entertainment. It'd be nice to have some carefree battles...

Incidentally, I am definitely not interested in immortality. Well, to be honest I used to be. But after having been touched by my disciples hearts, now I only train with an altruistic(*11) spirit.

So?

I wish to save those youkai who do not desire conflict from their undeserved position at the bottom of Gensokyo's society.

And how will you save them?

I will lead by example from a high stage.

How ominous. Imagine a world dominated by enlightened youkai and youkai bodhisattva. As for me, I want to create a world where I can be a pillar of support for both humans and youkai. That's what faith is. Faith is necessary to live emotionally rich lives free of worries.

That much is certain.

Our methods are different, but I think the same.

Speaking of emotionally rich lives, are you religionists also planning to lead rich lives?

If so, what of it? This country is full of misunderstandings about religion, and people who oppose religion. One of the reasons for that is because religions that abuse faith are also spreading. It's an unfortunate matter. Originally religion was something used to support emotional growth. Just like sports players use the latest theories to train their bodies to perfection, to become emotionally rich and feel happiness you need to use theories and morals, which is what religions are for. In Gensokyo just like the outside world, our duty is to make sure people don't become successful yet emotionally immature.

I think I get it, but hearing that from you... Anyway, since the outside world has become the topic, let's have the next theme be that.