Shichisei, huh?
I've heard about this before.
If a group of Corpses are able to work together does that mean...
Corpses are just a pile of waste of those who are attached to this world.
In other words they only move obeying their attachment.
Do you really think those things can team up?
Saki!
She's right.
But they do exist.
The only thing we know is that one of them has 7 stars engraved on her face.
And that their objective isn't merely massacring the living.
There are many other Corpses among their victims.
What other purpose than slaughtering people could Corpses have?
We're still investigating that matter.
Please take this picture to Keisei.
Yes.
But why?
You'll know when he gets it.
I'll survey this Shichisei case.
Kamika!
Please wait just a moment.
I can't find the sutras that are supposed to be here.
Look for it later.
Shichisei have appeared.
The Shuhouha and Shujouha?
Note: Shuhouha: Faction of prayers & Shujouha: Faction of living beings
That's right.
The Kougon has been divided in two factions.
Their number 2, Great Bishop Gon, is part of the Shuhouha and is against the way the Corpses have been used until now.
How can those failures defeat Corpses anyway?
Man can make a word that can't be attached to.
In other words, if the Shuhouha perishes, the Shujouha will gain control, and Shikabane Hime will cease to be used.
We must make the Shikabane Hime's and Contracted Priests our target. And thus damage the Shuhouha.
You sure have it all planned out.
You live up to your name, Betrayer Priest.
Do you want to use us as a replacement for your collection of souls?
No, I shall make a new one.
There is one condition though.
You are just a living human being.
We can't fully trust you.
What do you want me to do?
Prove it to us.
Prove to us that you've thrown away your human heart completely.
What's this?
This watery image?
Don't betray!
Don't betray the Shichisei Hokuto!
I'll prove it to you.
I'll prove you that I've thrown away all my human feelings, except for those that want to destroy the Kougon.
He's here! He's here!
Let's go.
Oori's here!
Hide quickly!
I feel like everyone hates me.
No, they don't, Oori.
But...
It's tomorrow right?
You're turning sixteen.
That's right.
This is genius.
I didn't study Zadan techniques at all.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to use it well.
Mixing Shikimi and Boke makes a good defense.
Note: Shikimi and Boke are sacred Japanese plants.
This is an ingeniously written sutra.
This can become a good third-level, or even a second-level protector.
You think so?
But for the betrayer's curses, you'll need a special protector, right?
When did you start writing such a sutra?
You didn't possible steal Takamine's sutras!?
Yeah.
I grabbed them the other day.
Shikei...
There's a lot of national classified information in there too.
I grabbed it without thinking, so I could have gotten some of those too.
Are you planning to use yourself as a catalyst for Zadan techniques?
Yes.
Could you hold on to that for me?
So I can be assured...
If something happens...
Shikei?
Saki and Aragami-san?
Why did she come?
I called her in.
I felt that she should see this too.
These are medicine for you.
These before, these after your meal and these before sleeping.
Thank you.
And this is from High Priest Takamine.
There's no doubt?
Keisei...
Are these the next...
Yeah.
Probably.
Really?
I've been looking for you, Shichisei.
What?
I though you weren't coming near us again?
But I saw that girl with that star-thing on her face the other day.
You saw her?!
Where?
At the religious organization for research of eternal life.
Why did you go to such a place?
Isn't that that phony religious place?
I hoped there was another way but the Kougon one of helping people like you.
What are you talking about?
You are a Shikabane Hime, because you didn't have another choice.
Isn't that just like a punishment?
A punishment?
Not at all.
I wanted to become a Shikabane Hime.
I volunteered.
Are you okay?
Those sure are a lot of ingredients.
You won't grow strong from a vegetarian diet.
You need meat!
I won't give you any though.
Are you putting spices in there?
Why do you put so many in?
A long time ago I tried a lot of spices to make decent food.
And I got used to using them.
I just wanted you to eat.
Did you do that for me?
Well then.
I told you before that I lost my parents at a young age, right?
The one that took care of me was the priest Hoshimura from the Honkesu temple.
Hoshimura?
I left the Hoshimuras because I wanted to train at the Honzan.
I hardly ever came back after that.
I became employed at the Sekuu temple, where I met Riko and the old lady.
At that time both the Sekuu Temple and the Dairinkan were in an awful state.
It took a lot of time and money to restore them.
And then you came.
And ten years later...
I was informed that Hoshimura's place was attacked by Corpses and burned down.
It was a group of Corpses that executed the attack.
Later we found out they were called Shichisei.
Are those the ones in that picture from earlier?
Keisei.
Old man.
There is still a chance for the Hoshimura's daughter.
Today we are going to make you a Contracted Priest.
She's being restrained to stop her from becoming a Corpse.
But if we don't contract her fast, she won't be herself anymore.
But I...
You and her already have a bond.
You are the only one able to be contracted with her.
Makina.
Keisei?
Please contract with me.
Do you understand what it means to become a Shikabane Hime?
I'll do anything.
I want you to fight alongside me.
So that we can kill those who murdered my family and me.
You told me before that Hoshimura-san didn't become a Shikabane Hime to go to heaven.
The Shichisei aren't ordinary Corpses.
I don't want you to get involved this time.
But, brother...
I made a promise.
I will fight alongside her.
I understand now, brother.
I understand that I know nothing about Contracted Priests or Shikabane Hime.
I was angry with you for hiding this.
Yeah.
Even now, I can't trust the Kougon who killed Minai.
But I do know that you are the same brother that always took care of me.
Priests aren't here for the dead, but for the living that are in sorrow.
I'm sorry.
Those words made me feel better.
Oori?
I've got a special present for your birthday tomorrow.
A limited edition life size figure of Pujito.
Tomorrow...
I'm sorry!
Here.
Thank you so much!
So cute.
He is a seducer.
Ena-san?
You'll puke if you know what's inside of him.
Now there is a connection between him and Ena-san.
We only have to wait for tonight now.
Let's kill them.
Keisei?
Why did they all fall asleep?
It must be a Corpse's curse.
But they must know it doesn't work on us.
In other words, they just wanted to challenge us.
And put them to sleep to prevent hindrance.
They're calling us to come out.
Again?
What do you want?
Bruises?
I can't believe the Corpses are coming to attack us directly.
That means they are well mentally capable.
Shichisei.
Or maybe, the betrayer priest.
What would you do if it were both?
Kisou Renge?
Hoshimura girl!
Long time no see!
You're that girl that ran through the neighborhood, crying for help.
What a foolish decision to come back alive.
How pathetic.
Shichisei!
Aren't you scared?
Not only did you steal the Akasha, you used Corpses and now you even got help from the Shichisei.
I am the one who is helping them, Shikei.
What do you hope to achieve with this?
I want to annihilate all Shikabane Hime's and the Kougon.
And I'll start with you.
We trained and grew up at the same temple.
Tell me what happened that day.
You are right, Shikei.
I trained together with you.
And I looked up to you.
I had nothing against you.
We trained together not longing for death, nor fearing it, to help those who were sorrowing.
You are a great Contracted Priest.
You should become a Contracted Priest too.
Yeah.
We also need the power of a Shikabane Hime.
I'm planning to contract whenever I get a chance.
I understand what you want to say.
But I just don't feel like it yet.
Why?
Before growing up and making those girls fight,
I want to fight on my own, just a bit longer.
I feel like I won't be able to forgive myself if I don't.
I trusted you.
I thought you had the right way of thinking.
That is the reason why...
I couldn't handle the truth that day.
The truth?
Killing you here today is necessary for me to be reborn.
To become one of the living dead.
I just can't follow those livings way of thinking.
That outfit...
Are you the Corpse of a priest?
Is it that obvious?
Priests only work with people.
You can't save anyone.
Do you really think you can save that girl?
The only thing you're doing is letting that girl go through another hell,
instead of the one she should have been gone to a long time ago.
Shut up!
Just as I thought.
Your curse isn't as strong as before.
He's far from having a hundred and eight souls.
I shouldn't fear this Zadan technique.
I know your weak point.
Because I had the same one before.
Do you even wonder why we came to such an advantageous place for you?
Because you have something to protect here.
Keisei, go!
But...
Don't worry about me.
I finally met the Shichisei again.
They are my prey!
This makes it one on one.
Kowaku of the Shichisei!
It's still intact.
What could this mean?
Oori?
Brother.
You look confused.
Yeah.
Why are you here?
Couldn't you get any sleep?
I can't sleep...
...on such a pleasant night.
On a night that feels like it lasts forever...
You might think you can't cry any more...
But still you can't stop crying.
Cry more.
Dawn is still far away.