Chapter 55

**Chapter 55** is the fifty-fifth chapter of the *Dead Mount Death Play* manga.

## Official Blurb

Clarissa has an unusual request for Polka...What could she be after?

## Synopsis

Lisa Kuraki greets Sayo Shinoyama, whom she recognizes as a member of Polka Shinoyama's family. Corpse God, with the real Polka on his shoulder, informs Lisa that Sayo and Rozan Shinoyama are the only Shinoyamas who know about the truth of him, for the moment. At this, Lisa warns Corpse God to be careful; if whoever originally had Polka killed finds out about the 'Corpse God' situation, there could be trouble.

In Shinoyama offices, Takumi Kuruya receives a call from Taipei, who informs him that the Youtoukorou mediators have contacted Sayo and Polka; specifically, Clarissa and a single associate who looks like a novice. Takumi tells Taipei to split forces and follow them if they make any moves, pointing out that Clarissa is likely already aware of Taipei's presence; Taipei should move immediately should he sense any foul play.

In the Torture Building, Lisa repeats her request for a favor and asks Corpse God accompany her. Corpse God hesitates, reluctant to leave Sayo alone, but Clarissa tells him not to worry. She, her associate, and Corpse God exit the building close to where Taipei is furtively standing watch; without turning her head, Lisa informs Taipei that Sayo has been alone and asks Taipei to guard her with his life until Lisa's associate returns. Having been outfoxed, Taipei begrudgingly stays behind rather than follow.

In the Tokyo Metropolitan Police headquarters, the corridor where the incident with Habaki occurred has been taped off. Jirotarou Takanosu, privately addressing Tsubaki Iwanome in his study or another room, reviews what has just transpired: Phantom Solitaire broke into his office; officers "not in their right mind went on a rampage"; someone tampered with their electrical system; and, according to Iwanome, Solitaire and Habaki escaped during the blackout.

Takanosu expresses concern over the multiple ways "[their] territory" has been invaded over the course of a single night, at which Iwanome asks if he suspected Habaki from the beginning. Takanosu replies that he had long been aware a traitor existed among upper management—though he had narrowed the suspects down to Habaki—and muses "they" were likely monitoring him (Takanosu) at the time. "Even though five years ago...... I was one step away from finally tracking them down."

Iwanome starts at this, and Takanosu continues that the person who was closest to cracking it disappeared along with the evidence: Miyabi Hosorogi.

Hosorogi, nestled in Corpse God's hoodie, remains quiet as Lisa, her associate, and Corpse God regard a certain rooftop underneath their umbrellas. Corpse God confirms they are in the presence of someone who has recently died; that "someone's" corpse has already been cleared away. Since Lisa has something she wants to ask the spirit, Corpse God offers to make the spirit visible to only those who are currently present; once Lisa accepts, he renders Habaki's spirit visible to the naked eye.

Lisa's associate notes that Habaki's brain stem was pierced, admiring the work of the Horojima siblings, whereas Lisa smirks and comments she has "finally caught" Habaki after all this time. Habaki, his bloody eyes spinning, groans that he remembers Lisa—remembers her as the person who made Hosorogi's corpse disappear. Shocked, Corpse God glances down at Hosorogi, whose own shock keeps him quiet.

Lisa 'apologizes' to Habaki through her grin, supposing he hoped to make Hosorogi's death look like she killed him "after a long and tumultuous affair"; meanwhile, Hosorogi himself is still trying to process the fact that Habaki's dead *and* the fact he apparently framed Lisa for his death. Lisa points out to Habaki that the building Hosorogi was in was a Torture Building, one that had myriad methods with which one could 'disappear' a body. Habaki acts appalled that Lisa would grind up her *lover's corpse*, but Lisa—unfazed—finally asks her question: who was it that ordered Hosorogi killed?

Habaki refuses to answer, so, on Lisa's implied request, Corpse God takes action; he casts a spell that induces a compliant state of mind, one that takes advantage of Habaki's ego. Rearing his head back and spreading his arms, Habaki says he will provide an answer as a 'souvenir' from the netherworld—he who has sacrificed so much to "The Bastard Children of Sabaramond."

Corpse God's eyes widen, which does not escape Habaki's notice; he asks if Corpse God knows the name Sabaramond, and then realizes Corpse God must be the sorcerer from the "other side of the sky"—the implication being he has been searching for him. With his head wriggling from side to side in excitement, Habaki exclaims that "that great man" will finally accept him for this discovery. Moreover, he will 'show' his daughter Soara as well—the daughter he gave to the organization, who never appreciated his devotion, who should have been grateful to die for the Bastard Children. The daughter who instead seeks revenge.

Habaki's thoughts and memories pour into Corpse God's mind and by extension Habaki's, and both witness Soara's frightened face contrasted against that of a hooded figure whose hood is inscribed with runes from the Other World; the hooded figure says, "The place you're going is like a dreamland. You should be thankful. You've been of use to me to the very end. Shouldn't you be thankful?"

Lisa and her associate tense at the feeling of magic dripping through the air. Corpse God, keeping himself composed in the wake of witnessing a child's suffering, says to her that he is aware he should try to extract more information from Habaki for her sake; however, he nonetheless asks permission to "do as [he pleases]." Clarissa simply responds that Corpse God is the only person who can perform the "duties of the Grim Reaper" in this world, so he may do as he wishes.

Splaying his right hand, Corpse God chains Habaki's wrists and ankles and surrounds him with thirteen wickedly sharp spikes. He contracts his hand into a fist—and the stakes simultaneously pierce Habaki's body.