For what purpose did I carve her into my Saint Graph? There is no need to ask.
To love her. To love her, love her, and love her to the very end. Unconditional love exists in this world. There is someone who loves you. I am here. I will love you.
So—do not cry, I wanted to say. Because I am by your side. Please, do not cry anymore. That was why I carved her into myself—
What is this body doing now? Of all things, it is pointing a blade at her. Of all things, it is raging to kill her. Unable to break free from the shackles of karma, using everything as a blade to somehow murder her—
[——, !]
Every time I realized this truth, my body cried out. Tears overflowed endlessly, and a silent wail shook my soul.
I'm sorry—
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. It wasn't supposed to be like this. It was never meant to be like this.
I wanted to teach you how to cook. I wanted to watch you play in good health. I wanted to see you laugh brightly. I wanted to watch you play innocently with Kintoki.
I wanted to be... your mother.
What am I to do about this blood-stained karmic disease? What am I to do about pointing a blade at my own child? No matter how far I go, are these murderous skills the only thing I can teach?
As expected... I am a demonic beast of the Ox, completely driven mad. Was it a mistake for an impossible ghost like me to try and gain a new child?
She, too, wields her weapon to kill me. Roaring with a fierce battle cry from her body. She might be enraged, disappointed, and heartbroken.
...At least. If my corpse can be of any use...
I will use everything, everything, everything ingrained in this body to entrust it all to Fujimaru Rikka. Even if it is a karmic fate crazed with blood, I believe it can leave something behind for her, who lives in the present.
Fujimaru Rikka. My kind, beloved daughter who called me Mother. Please... please step over this foolish mother.
I love you. I love you. Even though I know that with this body, I can no longer say it, nor do I have the right to say it... Even so, this feeling will never fade. It cannot be violated by anyone. It will forever remain my treasure and my salvation, and I will remain myself as I hold onto it.
Thank you. For calling me Mother. For accepting my love. I love your entire existence, everything about you.
...Please, step over my corpse. Please, go to the place you belong, to the future you ought to have.
So that you will never lose to anyone in that future... I will rouse this body and become a demon before you.
This is my final resistance. With all my heart and soul, I block your path and point my blade at you.
If it is you, you will surely overcome it. If it is you, you will definitely be alright.
After all—you are my daughter. You will surely step over [a mere corpse like me] with strength.
So—I am sorry. And... thank you.
I was... truly, truly... happier than words can say to have met you...
Fujimaru Rikka, my destiny.
Please... please continue to live in good health beyond this point. This is the fleeting wish... held by the body of Minamoto no Raikou before falling completely—
[Black-Rope Hell—!]
I'll stop her. I'll stop her. Even if it costs me my life, I will stop her.
This isn't about me. My own feelings don't matter. I can't let Mother—let Minamoto no Raikou—commit a slaughter too horrifying to even hear about.
If I lose here, there will be no one left to stop my mother who has been driven mad. I would be overlooking and letting it pass as she lays hands on parents, children, and little ones.
I can't let that happen. It has to be me. I will stop Mother here, no matter what it takes.
If my flesh is torn, I'll stop her with my bones. If my bones are shattered, I'll stop her with my soul. If my soul is crushed, I'll force myself back to life with fighting spirit and sheer willpower to stop her.
I—and only I—will stop her. I will absolutely pull this off. I will definitely accomplish it. Even if I bear the stigma of a parricide, even if I stain my hands with my parent's blood! I have to do it. I have to be the one to stop Mother!
Because—I bear that responsibility. I have the responsibility of having carved myself into Mother's very existence.
My existence should have been nothing but a burden. There was no need for her to shoulder my existence. Yet she did. She chose a path of never forgetting.
She was the one who taught me what a mother—what a mom was. She was the one who taught me what it meant to be loved.
She was the mom who accepted me with gentleness. Because she was there, I was able to save the world. I was able to keep trying my best.
She is my savior. I owe her a debt I could never repay in a lifetime. That's why—I have to do this. I will kill Mother. I will set Mother free.
I won't let anyone get in the way. I won't let anyone interrupt us. I will definitely succeed. I'll kill anyone who tries to stop us first. And right after, I'll kill Mother too—I will set her free!
Never, ever! I will never let Mother fall into becoming a monster. It's me—I am the one who will protect Mother!
The guardian of Heian, the strongest killer of the mystery. And... the gentle mother of Big Brother Kintoki and... me. I will save her!
I will protect Mother—protect Mother's existence! I will save her! From the karma embedded inside her, I will!
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