“So…” “What brings you here?” Ronova was lying comfortably on Shoko’s sofa, scrolling through her phone with her long, fair legs crossed.
Without warning…
Suguru Geto appeared inside the apartment.
Ronova nearly dropped her phone.
“…Could you at least knock?” “Breaking into someone’s house isn’t exactly polite.” Geto merely smiled.
“I’m here to keep my promise.” “I said I’d help you grow stronger.” Ronova immediately sat upright.
“Perfect.” “I’ve been waiting.” Since she had already agreed with Gojo Satoru to act as a double agent…
She intended to cooperate with Geto—for now.
At least at this stage…
She was certain Geto had no intention of killing her.
Even if he suddenly changed his mind…
She wasn’t particularly worried.
She couldn’t defeat him yet.
But escaping?
That was another matter entirely.
Following Geto…
Ronova eventually arrived at a sprawling estate on the outskirts of Tokyo.
From the outside…
It looked like nothing more than an ordinary traditional compound.
Once they entered…
Everything changed.
Dozens of people dressed in identical robes sat neatly arranged inside a large hall.
Every face was filled with reverence.
Ronova immediately recognized what this place was.
The headquarters of the Time Vessel Association.
The Time Vessel Association was a religious organization with a long history.
Officially…
It worshipped Master Tengen.
Its members believed Tengen should remain a perfectly pure being.
Years earlier…
The organization had secretly funded the assassination of Riko Amanai, the Star Plasma Vessel destined to merge with Tengen.
To carry out that mission…
They hired the infamous assassin Toji Fushiguro.
The result was catastrophic.
Riko Amanai died.
Gojo Satoru nearly lost his life.
And Suguru Geto’s faith in humanity began to crumble.
Years later…
After abandoning Jujutsu High…
Geto seized control of the Time Vessel Association himself.
Although the organization’s public image remained largely unchanged…
Its true purpose had completely shifted.
It no longer existed merely to worship Tengen.
Instead…
Geto quietly twisted its doctrine into a tool for advancing his own vision.
A world ruled solely by jujutsu sorcerers.
A world free of ordinary humans.
Ronova understood all of that.
What she didn’t understand…
Was why Geto had brought her here.
Fortunately…
The answer arrived almost immediately.
“My brothers and sisters…” “My fellow believers…” Geto’s opening words nearly made Ronova laugh.
He looked so composed…
So charismatic…
Yet somehow…
She couldn’t stop thinking he sounded like an overly enthusiastic salesman giving a motivational seminar.
Maybe cult leaders and motivational speakers really weren’t that different.
She decided not to dwell on it.
“Today…” “I have wonderful news.” Geto spread his arms dramatically.
“Under Master Tengen’s guidance…” “I have finally found the one destined to lead us.” “Our Holy Maiden.” He slowly pointed toward Ronova.
“It is…” “Ronova.” “…Me?” She instinctively pointed at herself.
Holy Maiden?
When did that happen?
Before she could object…
Geto continued speaking.
“She is a divine gift.” “A miracle bestowed upon us.” “She will guide us toward a new world.” “A pure world.” “A beautiful world.” “A world worthy of Master Tengen.” The believers immediately erupted into thunderous applause.
“Praise the Holy Maiden!” “Lady Ronova!” “Our savior!” “Our hope!” Countless worshipful gazes focused on her.
Ronova stood frozen.
…I’ve become the mascot of a cult.
This was somehow even stranger than becoming a cursed spirit.
Then another thought occurred to her.
At least nobody’s trying to exorcise me right now.
That was…
surprisingly refreshing.
Geto quietly observed her reaction.
At first…
She looked uncomfortable.
Then…
Embarrassed.
Finally…
She seemed to settle into the role.
He nodded inwardly.
As expected.
Someone with Ronova’s charisma could naturally become the centerpiece of any organization.
If she developed stronger emotional ties to the Association…
Recruiting her permanently would become much easier.
Of course…
Making Ronova the organization’s symbolic Holy Maiden wasn’t Geto’s true objective.
He had brought her here for another reason.
To show her…
The ugliness of humanity.
Geto led Ronova deep beneath the compound.
An enormous underground chamber opened before them.
At its center stood an elaborate altar.
Behind it…
Towered a massive statue of Master Tengen.
Candles illuminated the room.
The atmosphere was solemn.
Almost oppressive.
It looked exactly like every cult headquarters Ronova had imagined.
Then…
Things became even more stereotypical.
Prisoners were brought in.
One after another…
A dozen terrified men were dragged onto the altar in chains.
Several struggled desperately.
Others had already collapsed in despair.
Geto calmly stepped forward.
“These…” “Are sinners.” “Each of them has committed unforgivable crimes.” “They have destroyed countless innocent lives.” “Today…” “Before Master Tengen…” “They shall receive judgment.” The surrounding believers erupted into prayer.
Geto then turned toward Ronova.
He silently gestured toward the prisoners.
The meaning couldn’t have been clearer.
He wanted her to carry out the execution.
Ronova hesitated.
She had no sympathy for monsters…
But taking a human life still wasn’t something she could decide lightly.
Seeing her hesitation…
Geto walked toward the first prisoner.
“This man…” “Yoshihiro Enoshiro.” “A compulsive gambler.” “He drove his parents to suicide.” “Murdered his wife.” “And sold his own children to criminal organizations for money.” Geto calmly looked at Ronova.
“Do you believe someone like him deserves mercy?” Ronova’s expression gradually became colder.
She could tell.
Geto wasn’t lying.
He moved to the next prisoner.
“This is Haruki Fujimoto.” “A serial killer.” “He called murder…” “Art.” “His victims suffered unimaginable torture.” “And because of legal technicalities…” “He received only a light sentence.” “There are even people who admire him.” Geto asked quietly, “Should someone like that continue living?” Ronova slowly closed her eyes.
When she opened them again…
The hesitation was gone.
Scarlet cursed energy quietly gathered around her right hand.
The crimson glow spread across her fingers like flowing crystal.
Geto watched silently.
He wasn’t interested in whether these criminals lived or died.
What interested him…
Was Ronova’s answer to a much deeper question.
When faced with undeniable evil…
Would the Curse Spirit of Death choose mercy?
Or…
Would she choose judgment?