Remilia has been quite furious, stewing in anger for days because that damned scoundrel failed to deliver the blood! They had agreed on one liter per day, hadn't they? But now several days have passed, and not only is there no blood, but the wretch hasn't even shown his shadow... Remilia decided that when she finally found him, she would drain him dry... wait, draining him dry would kill him. Better to just keep him around as a personal blood bank.

“Fuyū, haven't you found that person yet?” With her decision made, Remilia sipped her black tea and inquired of the maid attending her side.

“My apologies, Ojou-sama, I’ve searched many places but could not locate him,” Fuyū bowed slightly. “However, I heard he recently traveled to Youkai Mountain, and it seems he hasn’t come down since.”

“Youkai Mountain? That’s troublesome territory. I suppose I’ll just have to wait until he emerges on his own.” Remilia couldn't help but furrow her brow. Youkai Mountain exists as an independent entity within Gensokyo, deeply resistant to outsiders. While she wasn't afraid, stirring up trouble there would be a massive headache. “Honestly, what business has he attending to that keeps me waiting so long? The next time I see him, he will be kneeling before me, licking my toes!”

Remilia declared hatefully, while Fuyū maintained an awkward composure, though a flicker of worry danced in her heart. Intelligence gathered from Youkai Mountain suggested that Lin Luo had entered the Hall of Earth Spirits—she couldn't verify if it was true. Furthermore, Lili hadn't returned since going to the Mound of Lost Souls... Fuyū had a sinking feeling that something significant was about to unfold.

If only it isn't what I fear, Fuyū thought silently.

Eientei.

“Reisen, have you finished the preparations I asked you to make last time?” Eirin Yagokoro sat near the entrance, meticulously working on a scroll, writing something on it while addressing the bunny-girl beside her.

“Master Eirin, are you referring to those arrays? I have completed those preparations, but regarding the array setup... well, I haven't learned that part yet, so...” Reisen’s voice trailed off, her face flushing as she lowered her head, a hint of shame coloring her expression for feeling inadequate.

Eirin, however, was unconcerned. She gave a faint smile. “It’s alright. Those arrays are quite complex; it’s natural you wouldn't know them yet. Come with me in a moment; you can observe and learn as I set them up.”

“Yes, Master Eirin.” Reisen nodded, then a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes, compelling her to ask, “But Master Eirin, why are you setting up those arrays? The people from the Moon won't come to capture us now; there’s no necessity.”

“Because I sense the scent of anomaly.” As Reisen finished speaking, a dry, mocking chuckle sounded nearby. Turning around, they saw Kaguya had appeared at the doorway, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Ah, Princess, why have you come out?”

“Naturally, to step out and enjoy the sunlight.” Kaguya smiled faintly, patting Reisen’s head before moving beside Eirin, a measure of curiosity in her eyes. “Is this the Shanhai Scroll? I can’t even discern how many dangers are contained within it.”

She was looking at the very scroll Eirin had been manipulating. It depicted mountains, waters, seas, and trees. If judged purely by its appearance, it was just a painting, but the issue was... Eirin Yagokoro was not a painter.

“The Shanhai Scroll, also known as the Great Array of Mountains and Seas, is an array I researched back when I was in the Lunar Capital,” Eirin confirmed with a smile. “However, I was waylaid by the Elixir of Hourai, and never had the time afterward, so I never tested it. Since being defeated by the Hakurei Miko last time, I’ve been completing it intermittently. Now is the perfect time to put it to use.”

Tap.

With that, Eirin set down her brush. Her Shanhai Scroll was finished.

“From this moment forward, I intend to transform the Bamboo Forest of the Lost into a nexus connecting mountains and seas.” Eirin unfurled the scroll, and immediately, an invisible power seemed to envelop Eientei. Her face was radiant with confidence. “Anyone who dares enter this bamboo forest without my explicit guidance will feel the oppression of the mountains and the majesty of the sea!”

“But what about our Moon Capital Exposition? It’s scheduled soon,” Kaguya asked, frowning. If the Shanhai Scroll array was deployed, no youkai could enter.

“It’s fine,” Eirin smiled subtly. “This Shanhai Scroll is calibrated to Gensokyo itself. It will not bar the humans and youkai native to Gensokyo.”

“Then what are you trying to stop?”

“The Black Tortoise!” Eirin’s expression grew serious, and she spoke in a low tone. “I encountered the Black Tortoise a few days ago, along with the legendary Four Divine Beasts. While their power wasn't as immense as legend suggests, such an occurrence is clearly abnormal. Coupled with my previous prophecy, I cannot simply do nothing, or I won't be able to protect you... Princess, our enemy may well be someone capable of controlling the Four Divine Beasts!”

The Netherworld, Hakugyokurou.

“Ah, I’m so hungry! Youmu, isn’t dinner ready yet?” Yuyuko lay rolling on the floorboards of her room, emitting weak sounds from her mouth.

“Almost ready, Ojou-sama, please wait just a moment!” A hurried voice echoed from the deeper recesses of the mansion, presumably the kitchen.

“Hmph... You’ve said that ten times already,” Yuyuko complained. “You truly are useless, taking so long just to prepare a meal. If this continues, I won't let you support me anymore... Hmm, I want that person to support me, someone who can ensure I eat every day.”

“That’s because you ask every five seconds! Just stop asking, I’m almost done! Honestly, you’re so annoying!” Youmu finally snapped, replying impatiently.

“Youmu, getting angry like that is wrong. Someone with such a hasty temper will never achieve greatness. You need to be calmer... Ah, I’m starving.”

“It’s all because you’re rushing me to eat!” Youmu sighed in resignation. A few seconds later, she finally emerged from the inner room, holding an entire roasted ox emitting a tantalizing aroma. But the moment she stepped out, her expression shifted drastically. She hurled the ox into the air and shot forward like lightning, snatching a single red feather from Yuyuko’s mouth, angrily exclaiming, “I’ve told you countless times, don’t eat that thing!”

Swoosh!

Ignoring Youmu, Yuyuko launched herself up, pounced onto the ox mid-air, and began devouring it ferociously. In less than two minutes, the entire ox was gone, not even the bones remaining.

“Ah, even my portion is gone...” Youmu was speechless, realizing she might have to starve.

But Yuyuko was clearly not satisfied. She patted her belly, then pulled several more red feathers from her clothing, stuffing them into her mouth like lightning.

“Don’t eat them!” Youmu snatched the feathers away again, on the verge of a breakdown.

“Youmu, being a picky eater is poor conduct,” Yuyuko scolded. “Besides, do you realize what those are? Those are feathers from the Four Divine Beasts.”

“The Four Divine Beasts?” Youmu’s face changed, and she gasped, “Did that big red bird you fought earlier happen to be one of the legendary Four Divine Beasts?”

“You’re so dull, you only just realized?” Yuyuko instantly hid her face behind her fan in amusement. “Yes, they are the legendary Four Divine Beasts: the Tortoise, the Loach, the Kitten, and the Rooster. These feathers belong to that rooster. Too bad it got away... I really want to eat the Big Rooster.” Saying this, she began rolling on the ground again.

“...Youmu was utterly speechless. That was definitely not a Four Divine Beast!”

Sunflower Field.

“Medicine, you are not to go outside to play for a while, understood?” Kazami Yuuka perched atop the flowers, solemnly instructing the small girl beside her.

“Why?” Medicine asked blankly, instinctively retorting, “Even if those humans are scary and mean, I have poison; I’m not afraid of them.”

“You don't need to ask why. Just listen to me and stay obediently within the sunflower field,” Yuuka smiled, stroking the little girl’s head. “There are many strange beasts outside now; you’ll be in danger if you wander off.”

“Mhm.” Although Medicine didn't know what 'strange beasts' were, she nodded obediently. “As long as Sister Yuuka is here, I won’t play outside. When Sister Yuuka is sleeping, Shanghai keeps me company too.”

Saying this, she held up a doll that resembled her but was much smaller. Medicine was a doll herself, but after becoming a youkai, she gained the ability to control dolls, and her dolls, like Alice’s, were Shanghai dolls.

Yuuka smiled broadly, but when she gazed into the distance, a trace of gravity appeared in her eyes: The Four Divine Beasts, only heard of in legends, actually showing up at this time... Has Gensokyo truly become unsettled? But it is quite strange; why would the Four Divine Beasts be so weak...?

Yakumo Residence.

As Ran Yakumo was brushing the hair of her shikigami, a gap suddenly appeared beside her, from which the head and shoulders of a girl around seventeen emerged. “Ran, did you check the Great Barrier today?”

Ran Yakumo was long accustomed to this and replied respectfully, “Yes, Master. I inspected it at noon today; the barrier shows no leakage and is completely intact. No need for concern.” The Great Barrier of Gensokyo required regular inspection. This was originally Yukari Yakumo’s duty, but due to her laziness, the task fell to Ran.

“Hmm... No changes? What a shame. I was hoping some outsider had managed to break through,” Yukari sounded rather disappointed upon hearing the report. Then her gaze fell upon Chen in Ran’s arms, and a mischievous idea sparked in her mind.

She reached a hand out of the gap, holding a sake flask in her left hand and a small cup in her right. She poured a bit of sake into the cup and offered it to Chen, coaxing, “Want a taste? This is a very delicious drink, you know.”

Chen tilted her head, staring blankly for a few seconds, then looked up at Yukari. Seeing the kind and amicable expression on her face, she suspected nothing and took the cup, pouring the liquid into her mouth... Chen thought it tasted wonderful and finished it in moments. However!

Crack!

Three seconds later, she stiffened and collapsed onto the ground, her face so flushed it looked like it was about to burn.

“Ah!!” Ran Yakumo instantly sprang up from the floor, scooped Chen into her arms, and shot into the room like lightning to treat her shikigami... She was so frantic she was nearly crying.

“Oh dear, perhaps giving alcohol to a child is a bit premature,” Yukari blinked, taking a large gulp from her own flask, feeling quite pleased. Then she sighed, propped her chin on her hand, and a look of confusion crossed her eyes. “The barrier is perfectly sound. Where on earth did those four wild beasts come from? It’s unsettling. Should I go stake out the barrier myself? Taking the hide from that tiger to make a coat would be nice though...”

The Forest of Magic, the small Western-style house—this was Alice’s residence.

Marisa crept up to the house, keeping low. Peering through a window, she saw the mistress of the house busy making dolls. She let out a breath of relief, then turned toward the kitchen window.

Swish!

The instant she turned, over a dozen Spearman dolls surrounded her. Alice’s exasperated voice sounded nearby. “Honestly, how many times has this happened? You really should try to tame that clumsy nature of yours.”

“Hehe,” Marisa chuckled sheepishly, scratching her head. “I couldn’t help it; things have been tight lately.”

“Tight to the point where you can’t even afford food?”

“Alas, my luck has been absolutely dreadful lately,” Marisa began complaining bitterly the moment the topic came up. “When I try to look for books at Patchouli’s, she always catches me, and Lin Luo even threatened me with a knife; when I try to freeload at Reimu’s, I don’t know what went wrong with her, but she actually chased me out—she’s a terrible friend! Then, when I tried to rob the village, some stiff, old half-beast teacher caught me every single time and scolded me thoroughly; when I try to look for treasures in the forest, I inexplicably trigger traps and end up looking like a mess. And strangest of all, I can’t even find mushrooms anymore.”

“...” Alice was momentarily speechless.

“I knew I should have gone with Lin Luo to solve that curse. If this continues, I’m not even sure I’ll survive.”

“You can’t even find food if you can’t escape? Marisa, honestly…” Alice didn’t know what to say to her anymore. “Don’t tell me all your living expenses come from stealing and robbing?”

“Well... I can occasionally manage to support myself for a day or two,” Marisa admitted awkwardly.

“Forget it.” Alice sighed, then put away all her dolls and walked toward the front room. “You should have just told me directly; I wouldn’t have stopped you from eating.”

“Ah-ha! Alice is the best after all!” Marisa immediately trotted happily after her. However, when she saw an object inside the house, her expression changed sharply, and she couldn't help but exclaim, “Alice, has your Ahoge Mother visited?!”