Chapter 81

Chapter 81 is the eighty-first chapter of the Dead Mount Death Play manga.

Official Blurb
The battle in Shinjuku comes to an epic conclusion! Who will remain standing in the end?

Synopsis
Corpse God, having gleaned a little insight into Framrodia Byandiraz' forward-thinking nature, says with fondness that "this time" he shall proactively involve his friend.

Framrodia declares that he is "going to have you open up a path" before unleashing a magic circle that Civil A. Sabaramond—its target—finds beautiful; his reaction is not dissimilar to that which he had when he first saw a grimoire. His countering magic circle, however, is not comparable enough to withstand or overcome Framrodia's attack, and, as the latter's searing power washes over Civil, he says "...It's been fun" with an accepting smile.

Outside the frowzy house, Ranmaru Yatsu objects to Tsubaki Iwanome offering of himself as a vessel for Fire-breathing Bug. Iwanome warns his Comps-3 subordinates to not so much as think about taking his place, only turning around when Kōzaburō Arase puts his hand on Iwanome's shoulder—and punches Iwanome's left jaw with enough force to send Iwanome to the ground.

As Iwanome gets to his knees, his hand on his cheek, Arase states that this was him keeping his promise: one that involved punching Iwanome in the event he became "emotional again." Still, he went easy on Iwanome, whom he presumes was thinking about Miyabi Hosorogi—and whom he now grabs by the shirt and hoists up, reminding Iwanome that as far as Comps-3 is concerned, he is also part of the city they are responsible for protecting.

Fire-breathing Bug acknowledges Iwanome's commitment and decides that, for now, they will merely observe [either 'if' or 'regardless of'] "whether that boy [Corpse God]...is a bug...or not." Iwanome questions Bug's mentioning of 'that boy', but Bug continues "whether it will simply go away or not...depends on you."

The Bug who has been speaking startles with an onrush of autonomy, and the evening swells with the chatter of confused questions from his compatriots. Elsewhere, the raincoated teenage Bug wonders what she is doing on a rooftop before taking notice of Phantom Solitaire, whom she eagerly asks for an autograph. Solitaire obliges, flattered, and looks back to ask whether the "young lady who looks to be a ghost—" would like one as well. However, no one is there to reply.

Soara Habaki, lying prone on the floor of a building through the exterior wall of which she has crashed, asks "...I'm alive?" to the curious heads of Rafa and Gufa, a two-fanged tiger, that loom overhead. Although she is not altogether certain if she is dreaming, she is reminded of something the laboratory researchers claimed; that the heart-resembling 'thing' they transplanted into her "was the core of a two-headed tiger monster."

Civil, lying prone on one of Shinjuku's streets, asks "...I'm alive?" to the few stars smattering the sky overhead; he then sits up, taking stock of his tattered clothes and especially his relatively whole body. Sitting close by is Corpse God, who had 'treated' Civil's severe wounds by transforming the afflicted tissue into corpse flesh. He explains as much to Civil, with the assurance that the corpse flesh will eventually be replaced with living flesh, but Civil wants more to know why Corpse God saved him than how. As a necromancer, Civil says, Corpse God could have readily killed Civil and reanimated him as his servant.

Corpse God uncurls his right hand to reveal the jewelry with which Civil had paid for his fortunetelling session; such payment was overmuch, he remarks, so healing Civil with magic was his way of returning the change. Here Lulu and Misaki Sakimiya spot them, and, while they are racing over, Corpse God adds that he disliked the thought of a child looking as sad as Civil had been. "Taking things from children" has never been something he finds palatable. When Civil, thoroughly nonplussed, retorts that Corpse God could come to regret saving him, Corpse God replies that, even then, he will do his utmost to "protect everyone from the start."

Letting out a resigned huff, Civil grins, flops back, and declares he will abandon his quest to return to his world of origin—for it seems that Earth is worth living in after all.

As Lulu tearfully collapses by Civil's side and Misaki cheerfully moves to hug Corpse God, with Xiaoyu Lei coming to a halt not far behind, Corpse God avows that he and Civil are in agreement.

Referbacks
To be added.