I literally laid out the issue of how Imaginary Space is explicitly called the "realm of the Imaginary Tree". Even the CN specifies the Tree here. That'd be such an incredibly odd choice of words if you believe that IS somehow encompasses SoQ. Which is why I'm saying that if IS doesn't encompass SoQ, that'd be js an incredibly awkward arrangement of things.
IS obviously doesn't encompass SoQ. I do not have a problem with the arrangement of the cosmology, you come to the right conclusion (though I think it has some nuance, specifically referring to Imaginary Space) but have a few points that are downright incorrect.
'1) Have IS > SoQ (and consequently GGZ's chaos) = IT'
Is the more obviously correct one out of the two.
'(as the VN statements refer to the universe as a whole, or at the
very least SoQ is explicitly dimensional since bubble worlds inherit dimensions from it)' - It refers to the bubble worlds inheriting dimensions from specifically the SoQ. We can extrapolate this into being the reason why the bubble universes break down. They lose order with inherited dimensions and the more they inherit the closer they become to the bulk of the SoQ, thus eventually dissolving into it.
'And since Imaginary Space is also the origin of the universe and all laws, then it'd also has to be the origin of SoQ:'
Completely untrue. It's stated numerous times that the SoQ defies the universe's laws, the SoQ's laws shift and change continuously and do not correlate with either the Tree or the 4D reality of Hi3. Plus I believe the 'universe' refers to the 4D universe anyway.
Anyway those are the main massive issues I have with the post. Onto my own interpretation of the cosmology.
I've literally already been talking about this issue the entire thread, but I'm not sure how it factors in to this point.
Because things are nuanced and complicated and there's many more imaginary spaces in the verse than just the one surrounding the Imaginary Tree. An Imaginary Space is more or less a type of space and more often than not it is linked to the tree, but not all mentions of 'Imaginary Space' mean that said thing or character is in the Imaginary Space surrounding the bulk of the tree.
We know this because Sirin, Seele, Mei, the Kaslana bloodline have their own Imaginary Spaces. The Tree simply has its own bulk Imaginary Space it exists upon.
From my view:
Cocoon > The Tree's Bulk Imaginary Space = I.T. = SoQ (Other Imaginary Spaces pending placement, likely lower. They link back to the main tree and space which is what allows Stigma uses to draw and resist insane amounts of Honkai Energy.)
I believe this solves the issue.
Tackling why I believe this:
'Nagamitsu: Your current location is still under the influence of the Sea of Quanta. If you go any further, you’ll be completely within the
realm of the Imaginary Tree.'
Point 1:
Durandal ended up in the Imaginary Space after this quote.
It's pretty understandable why the Tree and Imaginary Space would have overlap, especially if you interpret the following:
The Imaginary Tree and it's bulk Imaginary Space are simply part of the same construct that forms the greater Hi3 and HSR verse.
The SoQ and Tree are always eating at each other thus if you were going from one to another you'd overlap. Of course the SoQ still has some amount of influence when you're 'closer' to the SoQ but still in Imaginary Space.
Point 2:
The Imaginary Space is upscaled via holding Imaginary Singularities which are governed by the Cocoon of Finality. This is the only reason I can find for why Imaginary Space supersedes the Tree which is admittedly weak proof for why Imaginary Space is a whole different construct to the Tree. Please correct me if there's more. I don't think there is.
Point 3: It's stated that the Cocoon is dimensionally superior to all other dimensions in Part 1.5.
But it also exists in the Tree's bulk Imaginary Space or on the Tree itself as that's where Eins is searching for it.
Context for the quote: This is in the context of searching for the cocoon. Previous English translation before these quotes is:
'All Herrschers are connected to the same object subtly. In the past, we thought it was the Imaginary Tree... but that's far from the truth. If we apply the concept of transfinite numbers...'
Eins exact following quote is:
- Even if we have exhausted the Honkai on the Earth, we are still wandering on the lowest “transfinite base”, and still far from the insight into the Imaginary Tree that is “infinite in the sense of transfinite”
(Translated not MTL)
And also in the official English translation.
- Even if we have exhaust the Honkai on Earth, we're still wandering around the lowest cardinal number and far from seeing the Imaginary Tree that's also infinite in scale in a transfinite sense.
The only viable explanation for the Cocoon having a location on the Tree, or its bulk imaginary space AND being dimensionally superior, (which we know is true (Imaginary Singularities are dimensionless and exist upon all dimensions at once)) is:
Viewing the Cocoon from Imaginary Space (if we were to put this in lower dimensional terms) is like a 2D person viewing a 3D sphere. They see a 2D circle and that circle to them has mappable coordinates but doesn't paint the full picture of the 3D object. The Imaginary Space / Tree provides a lower dimensional representation of what the Cocoon is. It HAS to exist above the Tree.
The Cocoon can't have its own Imaginary Space separate we know it takes Imaginary Energy from the Tree / Imaginary Space through Imaginary Singularities and Herrschers having links with Imaginary Space, but it HAS to be dimensionally superior as it's blatantly stated numerous times.
OR
Cocoon > The Tree's Bulk Imaginary Space > I.T. = SoQ (What you suggested).
Our only differences in interpretation is how the Imaginary Space factors in with the Tree, but I believe viewing the Tree and its Space as dimensionally the same makes the events of the game make a lot more sense.
Like the writers clearly see the Tree and Imaginary Space as part of the same construct, and it's both possible for the Cocoon to exist above dimensionally and on the Imaginary Space at the same time.
(To be fair Eins could just be completely wrong and the Cocoon doesn't exist in Imaginary Space... which is unlikely because Eins is never wrong.)
can't find the scan on here that shows Otto's Ascension 
ibb.co
