Chapter 13

**Chapter 13** is the thirteenth chapter of the *Dead Mount Death Play* manga.

## Summary

As Kazuki and Shizuki Shinoyama leave the current home of their uncle Polka Shinoyama—unaware "Polka" was in fact the Corpse God—they ponder his unusual behavior and wonder whether he is truly their Polka. Still, he *looked* like Polka, and they decide they will know the truth tomorrow—as their grandfather is looking forward to Polka's return too.

Back in the torture building, the Corpse God explains to Takumi Kuruya and Misaki Sakimiya that the twins were haunted by some sort of protective spirit. Takumi opines that the Corpse God should have just exorcised the spirit, but Corpse God thinks it still has the potential to regain its full consciousness. Hosorogi muses that Corpse God could then make a contract with it like he did Hosorogi, though Corpse God points out that it was amazing Hosorogi retained his consciousness for five years at all.

Takumi finds the Corpse God's decision to help the twins and the spirit a bit too cloyingly kind, and the Corpse God admits that the twins remind him of children he once knew. He then confirms he plans on visiting the Shinoyama family home tomorrow after all, as it seems he has run out of ways to delay his return. Since he does not know where 'home' is, Takumi hands him a file he has compiled on the original Polka Shinoyama per, he claims, Lisa Kuraki's orders—a file that True Polka is deeply unnerved by upon looking at it.

According to Takumi, this may be a chance for The Corpse God to solve his money troubles in one go. The real Polka has (or, had) *family* troubles: the Shinoyama Clan is a powerful financial conglomerate, and Polka is the second-eldest son of Rozan Shinoyama, the family's head.

Kazuki and Shizuki still have their "Uncle Polka" on the mind as they approach a sleek black car, where their older brother Takeru Shinoyama sighs and asks if he did not leave Polka in their hands. He scolds them for staying out late—something he disapproves of with regards to children—and asks after Polka's well-being; when Kazuki says Polka will be returning tomorrow, Takeru says he is looking forward to it (even as his hand twitches). As they speak, at least one of their men is spying on "Polka" and his friends through a window.

Takeru warns the twins to be careful, reminding them of the accident that befell someone named Suzuka. Behind the twins, the spirit from Chapter 12 continues to silently hover.

In a quite, traditionally-styled home, Rozan Shinoyama has been informed of Polka's good health and his current status as a conjurer in Shinjuku. Picking up a photograph of a smiling woman holding an infant, he muses to the woman—Kanon—that Polka took after her after all. Snickering, Rozan affirms that it is "still too soon" for him to die.

In the torture building, Takumi remarks that Rozan is seventy-nine years old this year and rumor has it he has been bedridden with an illness. Polka would be Rozan's rightful heir in the wake of his death, and Takumi considers the massive amount of inherited wealth a strong possible motive for Polka's murder.

Both the Corpse God and the real Polka slump to the ground, each dejected for different reasons. Takumi is surprised, as he had honestly thought the Corpse God deliberately chose a "rich son" to be reborn into; the Corpse God explains that he had intended to possess the fresh corpse of one of his fallen kinsmen when he prepared the ritual. Still glum, he wonders whether the different output was a result of a mistake on his part, or something else. For now, he needs to focus on his immediate problem.

Takumi raises the possibility that a family member could have potentially ordered the hit on Polka, opining that the Corpse God will be walking into enemy territory should he visit the family estate. However, Misaki thinks that Polka should be fine as long as he can use magic—but the Corpse God admits he was never as much of a fighter as his master was. He used to have bodyguards of his own, back when he was alive, using zombies and vampires when he was trying to hide the fact that he was a necromancer.

He and Takumi share a moment of mutual realization, and simultaneously turn to look at Misaki.

The next day, the Corpse God, Misaki, and the real Polka (nestled in Corpse God's hood) head to the Shinoyama manor, with the Corpse God wearing a high-collared shirt to hide the scar on his neck. Kazuki and Shizuki greet him at the front entrance, with the latter jibing he thought "Polka" would not show up, but "Polka"—regarding the spirit looming over the twins' heads—says a promise is a promise.

Takeru, oblivious to the spirit, walks through it to greet his half uncle and remark on his 'remorseless' return alongside his alleged journey to find himself. "Polka" says he found a new 'him' in Shinjuku; after considering this answer, Takeru asks if he will 'explain' his lady companion. Misaki introduces herself with a curtsy, her etiquette, sweet demeanor, and elegant dress all far from what Corpse God knows her to be. She credits "Polka" with saving her life in Shinjuku, and that she is accompanying him as a way of repaying that debt.

As Takeru turn to head back into the manor, he asks if Misaki is related to the founders of Sakimiya Steel. She pauses, still smiling her benign, mysterious smile whereas Corpse God's own expression turns quizzical.

From a window on a higher floor, a black-haired man watches "Polka" standing at the front entrance and mutters, "Just great. First he goes missing, now he pulls this..." To an unseen interlocutor via cell phone, he insists that Fire-breathing Bug should proceed with 'the job': the additional targets, he decides, shall pose no problem.