—Cleansing.
This forbidden curse was originally created with the purpose of changing the world.
To transform a world thrown into chaos by the Devas, to overturn a land ravaged by the gods, the God of Sin, Cain, obtained the power of Cleansing in another world, and returned to this world leading humanity in rebellion.
"The Devas, having witnessed the might of Cleansing, finally came to fear it. To seal away that power and stop Cain, they created a weapon capable of slaying the undying God of Sin—namely, the Fourth Primogenitor."
At this point, Rozen's voice turned wistful.
"But the Devas never imagined that the Fourth Primogenitor, created to kill the God of Sin, would end up becoming his only understanding friend—and that friendship would blossom between them."
Those words left everyone present visibly stunned.
"Cain and the Fourth Primogenitor were... friends...?"
Even Akatsuki Kojou was taken aback.
In truth, Rozen himself had been just as shocked when he first learned this from Aiba Asagi.
But it was a fact beyond dispute.
"Why, after killing Cain, did the Fourth Primogenitor raise the banner of rebellion against the Devas, only to be torn apart and sealed into twelve parts by them?"
Rozen posed this question.
The answer was simple: because the Fourth Primogenitor had slain his own friend. It was out of that despair and rage that he rebelled against the Devas.
However...
"If the Fourth Primogenitor was Cain's understanding friend, then why did he kill him?"
Himeragi Yukina raised her hand, her voice full of doubt.
It was a question that weighed heavily on everyone's mind.
Surprisingly, the first to respond was Natsuki.
"I see... So that's what 'the Original' was."
She clicked her tongue and muttered.
"Exactly," said Yaze Motoki, finally speaking. "The 'Original' was actually the cursed soul of the Fourth Primogenitor—a personality created by the Devas to control him."
In other words, the so-called Original was no more than a cursed persona—not the true Fourth Primogenitor himself.
The real Fourth Primogenitor had been annihilated after his rebellion against the Devas.
Back then, it was under the manipulation of the Original that the Fourth Primogenitor ran amok and killed Cain.
So, after murdering his friend with his own hands, the Fourth Primogenitor fell into despair and turned on his creators. But because of the cursed soul—the Original—he couldn't prevail against the Devas and was torn into twelve fragments and sealed.
During the Blazing Banquet, when the Original encountered Cain's spirit, his rage and shock stemmed from having orchestrated Cain's death.
Likewise, when Cain saw the Original again, he was equally enraged and lent his power to Akatsuki Kojou to suppress him, so Rozen could seal the Original once and for all—because he was Cain's true enemy.
"And so, the Fourth Primogenitor and the God of Sin vanished from the earth. The Devas were utterly annihilated by Cleansing, and the gods were reduced to Demons scattered throughout the world. The age of the gods ended, leaving only humanity from the other realm and the degenerated god-born descendants of the Demons locked in endless struggle—a struggle that's lasted for thousands of years."
Rozen calmly declared.
"This is the truth behind that massacre named after Cleansing—a tale completely devoid of salvation."
Saying that, Rozen turned to face a certain someone.
"Fortunately, the Fourth Primogenitor is dead. Cain is dead. The Devas are gone. Even the Original, too, has paid the price. Yet… one hope remains."
Hearing Rozen's words, everyone turned their attention to that person.
"Ugh..."
Avrora bore their gazes, her expression complex and sorrowful.
Perhaps only now did she truly understand why her sisters had regarded her as the only hope—why they had sacrificed so much for her.
Just as Rozen said, Avrora was the sole survivor of that hopeless story.
From that chapter of ancient history, only she had been left behind.
Of course, both the Fourth Primogenitor and Cain had left behind legacies for the future.
"The Fourth Primogenitor left behind his twelve Beast Vassals."
"Cain left behind the forbidden curse of Cleansing."
"That is their inheritance—power entrusted to future generations to end war and usher in an age of peace."
Rozen continued.
"If this power is misused, it will become a spark that reignites war."
"Conversely, if used well, it can uphold the peace we now enjoy."
"Though many humans still harbor hostility toward Demons, and many Demons continue to look down on humans… even though conflict between them persists and true peace is still out of reach… the existence of the Sanctuary Treaty proves that there is at least a sliver of hope for coexistence."
"I believe Cain saw that glimmer of hope. That's why he chose to sleep quietly—never seeking resurrection. He only wished to watch the development of this world together with his friend, from the underworld, along with the past they shared."
"Cain's message is simple: This world no longer needs gods. So long as we—humans and Demons—exist, it is enough."
Rozen said this while fixing his gaze firmly on Akatsuki Kojou, as though speaking to the being within him.
"I understand your true intentions now. I know that you no longer wish to bring chaos to the world merely by existing."
"So, this time, I've come not for anything else—but to send you back."
"If you have no objections, then respond to me."
This was the decision Rozen had made after learning the entire truth from Aiba Asagi.
And so...
"Buzz!"
From Akatsuki Kojou's body, divine energy slowly began to rise.
"Whoa!"
Kojou couldn't help but cry out.
"Ah!"
Everyone present gasped in succession.
That vast divine energy surged from Kojou's body and then coalesced into a sphere of light that floated up and out of him.
The sphere rose slowly until it hovered in the air, quietly radiating a sacred aura.
Everyone gazed upon the scene with mixed expressions.
"So this is…"
Natsuki, Motoki, Yukina, Kanon, and Tokoyogi Yuuma all stood up.
"God of Sin…"
Asagi and Avrora murmured, as though their very souls trembled.
Rozen, too, raised his head to face this divine presence.
He could sense that the entity was looking at him as well, transmitting countless emotions.
Rozen smiled gently.
"Clap!"
In the next moment, he suddenly brought his palms together.
"—Commander of Onmyoudou, Tsuchimikado hereby declares to the gods and ancient beings of this world—"
After nearly a year, the Tai Mountain Sovereign Rite once again appeared on this artificial island.
Only this time, it was not to invite a god—
but to send one away.