Within the Eternal Paradise Faith—
Ishida Sakurako had just finished bathing. After tidying herself, she prepared to pay her respects to the cult's leader.
She felt deep gratitude toward him. It was because of the leader and the Eternal Paradise Faith he had created that a weak woman like her could live in peace.
Life here had been calm for years, and she had grown fond of it.
If there was one regret, it was that from time to time, people around her would disappear.
The leader always explained that they had gone to heaven—to the Land of Eternal Paradise.
And Sakurako believed him without question.
As she walked along the corridor, her thoughts drifted, for no particular reason, to someone from before—a woman named Kotoha Hashibira.
She had once spoken with her.
She knew that after Kotoha married, her life had been nothing but suffering—beaten daily by her husband, tormented by her mother-in-law. It wasn't until they tried to harm her child that she finally fled.
After arriving here, Kotoha had gotten along well with everyone.
And her child—Inosuke—was especially adorable. Sakurako had often thought that when he grew up, he would surely become a handsome young man. Not only that, Kotoha had a beautiful voice, and even the leader enjoyed listening to her sing.
Many times, he would keep her by his side.
But several years ago, Kotoha suddenly returned to her room in a panic, snatched up her child, and ran, shouting nonsense about the leader being a demon.
After that night, neither she nor her child were ever seen again.
The leader had said her faith was complete—she had gone to the Land of Eternal Paradise.
Sakurako had always envied her for that.
Thinking about how she would soon see the leader, Sakurako felt excited. She even arrived earlier than usual.
She pushed open the door.
Stepped inside.
—and froze.
What she saw was the leader holding what looked like a bone, gnawing on it.
In that instant, she understood.
All those who had "gone to the paradise"…
where they had truly gone.
"Oh dear, you've arrived early."
The leader stood up, calmly wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth as he looked at the stunned woman.
"There's no need to be afraid. I'm simply sending them to a paradise. In that world, they'll become like me—eternal, undying."
"You… you ate them."
Sakurako staggered backward, her face pale with terror.
"I merely allowed their bodies to become part of mine," he said with a gentle smile, as if explaining something trivial.
Overwhelmed by fear, she turned and ran.
"What a shame," the leader murmured softly. "I really didn't want to eat you yet."
In the next instant, he appeared before her.
With effortless ease, he seized her, ignoring her desperate struggles as he dragged her back into the room.
Sakurako fought with everything she had—but it was useless.
The room was lined with cabinets.
At its center stood a table.
On the table sat a decorative vase, and atop it—
a woman's severed head.
Though preserved carefully, decay had already begun.
And yet, Sakurako recognized her instantly.
It was Kotoha Hashibira.
"You liked her too, didn't you?"
Noticing Sakurako's gaze, the leader smiled faintly. Like a child playing with a toy, he reached out and handled the head with delight.
"I used to like her as well," he said lightly. "I had planned to wait until she lived out her natural life before letting her become one with me."
"But… she simply couldn't understand my kindness."
As he spoke, the cult leader smiled and gently lifted the severed head from the vase, setting it aside.
"In these past few years, you've been the one I've liked the most," he said lightly. "I was hoping your head could stay with me on this vase for a few more years. You see, this one has already decayed too much… if I replaced it with your fresh head, it would look much better."
Hearing this, Ishida Sakurako trembled uncontrollably, fear overtaking her entire body.
"Why are you making that face?"
The leader turned to look at her, his expression soft and puzzled.
"I'm only going to eat you soon. I'll consume you completely, without leaving anything behind. That way, your body will become one with mine… and you'll gain eternal life, just like me."
As he spoke, he gazed at her gently.
"You should understand me… so why don't you? Kotoha Hashibira was the same. And now you are too."
"No one understands me."
His voice remained calm, his smile warm and almost kind.
"But it's alright. Once you become part of me and live forever alongside me… you'll understand."
By now, Sakurako's legs had gone completely weak. She wanted to run, to escape—
but there was nowhere to go.
…
Soon after.
Her head was torn from her body and placed upon the vase on the table. Seeing the newly "fresh" decoration, the man's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
Then his gaze drifted to the decayed head lying nearby.
He couldn't help but recall everything about that woman.
Her singing had been truly beautiful.
Even now, he had never heard another woman with a voice as lovely as hers.
And yet… she had refused to understand him, insisting on fleeing with her child.
Tap… tap…
The vase on the table suddenly rattled, and a fish-like head emerged from within the vessel.
The man watched the creature's head quietly.
"Lord Doma… Upper Rank Three has died…"
The sudden report caused him to pause mid-bite, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
Of course, he knew Akaza well—the one who trained tirelessly, always striving to grow stronger.
In fact, Akaza had once held the position of Upper Rank Two. But over a hundred years ago, during a Blood Battle for rank, Doma had defeated him and taken his place as Upper Rank Two of the Twelve Kizuki.
Since then, Akaza had always wanted to challenge him again—but his strength had never quite been enough.
"The Master has ordered all members of the Twelve Kizuki to gather at the Infinity Castle this month…" the fish-headed messenger continued.
"I understand." Doma nodded lightly.
…
In the Yoshiwara Entertainment District—
Inside Kyogoku House—
A woman, known under the alias Warabihime, sat before a mirror, carefully applying makeup. As she gazed at her own breathtaking reflection, a satisfied smile curled on her lips.
Just as she was considering whether to participate in another Oiran procession, the news of Upper Rank Three's death reached her.
"Upper Rank Three… is dead?"
The moment she heard it, she froze.
Then, fear overwhelmed her completely. Her body trembled as tears welled up, her voice breaking into a frightened cry—
"Brother…"
Behind her, a grotesque demon suddenly appeared.
It crouched down beside her, looking at its younger sister.
"Crying won't help," it said softly. "Don't be afraid… you should take better care of your face. If you cry too much, you'll ruin it. It's rare to be born with such a lovely face."
"I'm here, aren't I?"
The ugly demon comforted her gently—
but as he lifted his head, his fists clenched tightly.
No matter what happened…
he would protect his sister.
...
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