Marionette's Notebook

Marionette's Notebook is a Quest Item obtained during the Archon Quest Welkin Moon's Homecoming in Song of the Welkin Moon: Act VIII - True Moon.

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Page 1

■ / ■ - Sunny

Alain has provided me with many notebooks. I often discard them after making a few markings. On those occasions, his expression was unreadable. Nevertheless, he supplies me with new ones. I do not understand his reasoning.
I do not know why I discarded them after making markings. I do not know why he permits this behavior. He states that my emotion module is optimal. I do not comprehend.
This is a new notebook. I do not wish to discard it.
I have learned to record.
I am beginning to record.

■ / ■ - Sunny

I have learned more, and my manner of speech has become more elegant. "Elegant" is the new word I have learned. Alain advised me not to push myself. I disagree. I have performed exceptionally well.
We conversed this afternoon. I have drawn several conclusions: 1. Alain created me. 2. He modeled me after memories of his deceased sister, and now he feels guilt. 3. My learning ability exceeds his expectations.
Alain Guillotin's younger sister was named Mary-Ann Guillotin. She passed away long ago. Alain finalized my creation on his 65th birthday. He stated that I am a friend. A family member. He expressed happiness about gaining a companion.
Alain has not defined our relationship. It is evident that I am not Mary-Ann Guillotin. He concurred, noting that I am significantly different from his sister. He expressed a desire for me to act according to my own will.
When I stated that I would no longer discard the notebooks, Alain's composure wavered briefly. He likely experienced an urge to "weep," but ultimately suppressed it.
Alain said I could choose a birthday if I wished. I will consider this proposal seriously. He mentioned that most people cannot choose their birth date, but I can. I am free.

■ / ■ - Overcast

Alain's physical condition continues to deteriorate. Doctors have visited frequently. Each time, he closes the door. I am excluded from the process.
I sensed something unfamiliar. Later, Alain identified the sensations as "anger" and "sadness." He expressed satisfaction that I was learning to recognize them.
However, he noted that I do not yet understand "guilt." He explained that the social mechanisms behind this emotion are too complex for most animals or machines to acquire easily.
I have concluded that understanding "guilt" is not a necessary function for me.
Alain inquired about my desires. My response was, "I want you to be healthy."
Also, Alain presented a new invention to me. He has named it "Pulonia."
I cannot classify Pulonia as family, kin, or friend. Its architecture lacks an emotion module comparable to mine.
The reason for Alain's design choice to create it with different specifications is unclear to me. He asserted that both Pulonia and I are unique and cannot be replicated. He clarified that I am myself, whereas Pulonia is a purely mechanical construct.

■ / ■ - Overcast

Sorted through the warehouse and cleaned the room.
Debugged Pulonia's basic functions.

Page 2

■ / ■ - Rainy

Alain has passed out. His condition is deteriorating.
The doctor examined him with a grim expression.
Alain's subordinate came to visit him, bringing a brand-new tea set and some expensive tea leaves. Alain doesn't like to drink tea, nor is he used to using luxurious things. So the tea set is mine.

■ / ■ - Sunny

All my potted plants are thriving. This is simple, and it seems almost too straightforward to claim any credit for myself. When conditions are right, they simply grow on their own, independent of any gardener.
I see a parallel in myself. I, too, don't rely on anything to grow.

■ / ■ - Overcast

Today, I helped Alain with Pulonia's final tests. He's been unable to walk, so I transported him there in his wheelchair.
Alain displayed little emotion. Despite Pulonia's stable performance, he wasn't satisfied.
He explained that Pulonia is, in essence, merely an algorithm designed to calculate the unknown. As for what "the unknown" is, he himself is uncertain.
The scope of the "unknown" is vast, too vast to quantify. I find it difficult to process that even he lacks an answer, and that this realization causes him sorrow.
I don't understand.
Alain asked: "How shall we view the fate of this world?" "Use a detector," I responded.

■ / ■ - Sunny

Alain has entrusted me with his old notebooks. It brings me genuine joy, and I find great value in the knowledge he imparted.
Lately, I've been contemplating the fate of this world. I quickly concluded that it is an inquiry without an answer. If people cannot even grasp their own destinies, how can they presume to meddle with the world's? A truly foolish notion.
Alain remarked that there are quite a few fools who hold such ideas. I laughed and gave him a disbelieving look. Then, he began to laugh as well, though I cannot comprehend what he finds amusing.

Page 3

■ / ■ - Sunny

I bought new bedsheets, pillowcases, and curtains.
My room is now refreshingly tidy. I must say, that was a clever decision!

■ / ■ - Sunny

I've been too modest in my recent records. I'm not just smart, I'm brilliant.
I am a quick learner. Even Alain agrees.

■ / ■ - Sunny

Alain's body won't hold on much longer. He sat by the fireplace and told me some stories.
He created me, in the beginning, to honor the memory of the years he spent with his sister. He hadn't even decided what to do with me when he first brought me into being. Later, he hoped I could travel on his behalf, to see the world and broaden my own horizons.
One problem. Alain and I are now colleagues, both tied down by long-term professional commitments! It seems true freedom to travel is for those unburdened by work. As he put it, that dream lies in ruins now. A complete and utter failure.
He mentioned that he once had another wish, but abandoned it long ago. I pressed him for details, and he admitted, with some awkwardness, that he once dreamed of saving the world when he was young...
I asked if this was a wish I needed to inherit. He was taken aback and firmly told me no. He said I can do anything I like, and that he has no expectations of me.
Alain asked if there was anything I wanted to do. Well, I... haven't found that yet.

Page 4

■ / ■ - Sunny

Parents are responsible for bringing children into the world, and children are responsible for their future. This is a social rule. I believe the final, unspoken tenet of this rule is that children are also responsible for their parents' final years.
Alain's final years have reached their end. He left a will concerning his remaining possessions — a small sum of savings, Pulonia, and some notebooks.
He asked me to burn the notebooks after his death to avoid theft. Honestly, given the sheer volume, Pulonia is probably the only one who could steal them.
Pulonia was Alain's final pursuit in life. It is a pity he did not live to see it produce a definitive answer.
He told me not to worry about it and that I could leave Pulonia to the Fontaine Research Institute. His only regret was that those people wouldn't know how to maintain it as well as I do. I disagree with this plan.
Pulonia will remain with me. However, I am not sure what I should use it for.

■ / ■ - Rainy

Today was Alain's funeral. Heavy rain fell throughout the ceremony, as if someone was crying in the sky. Ugh. Annoying! Holding an umbrella in the rain is so inconvenient!
Alain was laid to rest, and everything proceeded smoothly. I was the one who stepped forward to bid him farewell, while Pulonia stayed behind to look after the house.
The weather didn't clear up until midnight. I sat by the grave for a while, keeping Alain company, with the moon in the sky keeping me company in turn.
The night was very quiet.
No more sounds of labored breathing....
It feels as if the only companion I have left in this world is the moon.

■ / ■ - Sunny

I'm leaving now. Farewell!

■ / ■ - Overcast

Update Log:
Upgraded Pulonia's tea-brewing functions.
Upgraded Pulonia's meal delivery functions.
Upgraded Pulonia's book search functions.
Corrected a malfunction where Pulonia could not hang laundry.
To the outside, I'll claim that Pulonia is my attendant. That should turn some curious stares away.
I have to protect it. It's Alain's secret and his wish.

Page 5

■ / ■ - Overcast

Snezhnaya is so... cold! Though it has nothing to do with me.

■ / ■ - Overcast

I found a new job, and the pay is pretty good. My boss is a woman with an icy demeanor... and I do mean "icy."
As for my colleagues, they're a real mixed bag. It's already getting on my nerves.

■ / ■ - Sunny

What's the point of a sunny day in Snezhnaya!? It snows just as heavily.
My colleagues are so annoying!

■ / ■ - Rainy

I haven't journaled for a good while — it just slipped my mind. Nothing felt particularly worth recording. And since it's something I don't feel like doing, I might as well pause it for now.

Page 6

(A new text appears after a few blank pages.)

■ / ■ - Sunny

Columbina is so annoying!

■ / ■ - Sunny

Arlecchino is so annoying!

■ / ■ - Overcast

What on earth was Dottore thinking? I simply cannot agree with his approach.

■ / ■ - Overcast

It's been weeks since the new project was launched, and it's still stuck in the approval process.
What is Pantalone's problem with financial approvals? Why is he so ridiculously stringent? It's not like it's his personal money... It all belongs to the Fatui!

■ / ■ - Snowy

Dottore's project was approved ten times faster than mine? Ugh. He and Pantalone should do me a favor and disappear from my sight!

■ / ■ - Sunny

A meeting with Her Majesty the Tsaritsa. Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes.

■ / ■ - Sunny

Rosalyne brought me a new tea set, claiming it was from Mondstadt, and a bottle of wine.
That's odd... Didn't she say she couldn't be bothered to go to Mondstadt?

■ / ■ - Sunny

Attended Pierro's lecture.
Not bad. The content is pretty good.
Pulcinella's lecture is tomorrow.

■ / ■ - Rainy

A meeting with Capitano, Arlecchino, and Rosalyne. Duration: 40 minutes.
So the tea set was purchased by mail. Well, that explains everything.
Rosalyne's new high heels are so loud...
They're noisy, but I do like the gifts she gave me. I suppose I can cut her some slack.

■ / ■ - Heavy Snow

Columbina's preference for tea is quite ordinary, not as refined as Arlecchino's. Perhaps that's just like her.
Do special people like ordinary tea, and ordinary people, special tea...?

■ / ■ - Sunny

It's been two weeks since we lost contact with Tartaglia on his mission.

■ / ■ - Sunny

Tartaglia returned... with a few scratches.
Also, looks like Columbina and Dottore are on the outs. I didn't ask further — it was only a matter of time anyway.

■ / ■ - Overcast

Arlecchino and Columbina came over for tea and picked Rosalyne up on the way.
It was a good day.
I should keep some cookies on hand for next time.

■ / ■ - Snowy

Rosalyne is dead.

Page 7

(New text appears after a few blank pages. Most of it relates to the Narzissenkreuz Ordo, so abstruse that prolonged study leaves one busy.)
(Mixed in are a few offhand comments, which look like Sandrone's recent jottings.)

...

■ / ■ - Heavy Snow

Capitano chose to stay in Natlan. Shame.

...

■ / ■ - Sunny

Columbina hasn't been faring well since she resigned. Ha. Serves her right. I did warn her to think carefully before making such decisions. But she wouldn't listen.

...

The materials Arlecchino provided were extensive. I owe her my thanks.
Important: Send gifts to the House of the Hearth, one for every child.

...

A new project, and I have to collaborate with Dottore?! I can't help but feel some resentment toward Her Majesty for this...

...

But Her Majesty's plan... it must succeed.

...

Gods, Columbina, can you stop being so... annoying!?

...

Pulonia's situation is stable. Optimizing algorithmic logic. Expecting several hours of downtime.
A meeting with Arlecchino. Duration: 20 minutes.
Tea break with Arlecchino. Duration: 1 hour.

...

Page 8

(Scattered among vast volumes of data are a few terms...) Calculations... Orthants...

...

The probability of Columbina being alive is definitely higher than any other outcome. Absolutely!
Also, today is Alain's birthday.

...

I do hope the Traveler's safe. It would be a great hassle otherwise.

...

Almost there...

...

Inconceivable... Hat Guy's core is from Irminsul...
Performance is stable.
He seems to know us pretty well. Or maybe he's just the sociable sort?

...

Page 9

Core assembly completed. System checked and deployed for combat.

Recording the key points of this technique:
By using Luonnotar's (a fragment of Columbina's soul) connection with a variable in this world (a Descender), we aim to effect the retrieval of Columbina's complete soul from inside the moon's reflection...

The survival of the Traveler is a necessary condition for success.

...

Update Log:
Upgraded Pulonia's core function to the world-formula.
Upgraded Pulonia's search and retrieval functions.
Implemented a new self-preservation mechanism for Pulonia. Combat priority shifted from protecting "Me" to protecting "Pulonia."
Installed a false core and data destruction function. All log data will be cleared if the damage level falls below the critical threshold.
Iterated on my self-preservation mechanisms.

Other Languages

Language	Official Name	Literal Meaning
English	Marionette's Notebook	—
Chinese (Simplified)	「木偶」的笔记本
Chinese (Traditional)	「木偶」的筆記本
Japanese	「傀儡」のノート "Kairai" no Nooto	"Marionette's" Notes
Korean	「산드로네」의 노트 "Sandeurone"-ui Noteu	"Sandrone"'s Note
Spanish	Cuaderno de La Títere
French	Carnet de Sandrone	Sandrone's Notebook
Russian	Блокнот Марионетки Bloknot Marionetki
Thai	สมุดบันทึกของ Marionette
Vietnamese	Sổ Tay Của Sandrone
German	„Marionettes“ Notizbuch
Indonesian	Buku Catatan Marionette
Portuguese	Caderno de Marionette
Turkish	Kukla'nın Not Defteri
Italian	Taccuino della Marionetta

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