“There is no mistaking that this is a door… though I never thought I would be assigned here,” she says disappointedly as she takes her seat. “They must be important to be able to order Master around like that.” “Who could they be?” The dancers in the back tilt their heads in doubt. “You all do not need to worry about that.” The follow-up, “I will not let you get wrapped up in this,” was choked back.

The word “sage” is used to indicate intelligent people. According to the era and place, it can also indicate that someone is a scholar or an advisor to a king. The opposite of sage is “fool,” a word that is more than appropriate for me right now. The Barrier of Life and Death separates Gensokyo and the Netherworld. I should not be the one protecting it… no, that is enough of that.

“Satono, Mai, you two do not have to stay here with me.” “Why say that now…?” “No, we can’t leave you.” It’s been a long time, much longer than any human would be able to keep track of. “How about I tell you a tale from long ago to pass the time?” “Which ‘long ago’?” That is what they are going to ask me again.

I come from a group of sages that came from the continent. I was a servant at a shrine where I bestowed knowledge onto wise men. Those men were particularly good at performing arts. I haven’t experienced such a moving artistic display since then. …These memories… have I always been holding onto them? Or are they memories of someone else mixed in with mine?

“It’s almost time.” “Not too long now.” I am fully aware that my two servants are angry. “There is still time. You must calm yourselves down for the moment.” The shrine maiden is coming. If she is not the correct maiden, I will correct her, as I am the god of gods, the ultimate, secret god Okina Matara.