History[]
Bishamon blighted by her shinki.
Centuries in the past, Bishamon had numerous shinki who comprised the Ma (麻) clan.[1] Supporting so many vessels created a stress on her health, so when she was suddenly blighted one day, her guidepost at the time searched urgently for the culprit. They carried out multiple Ablutions, but none of them helped. Suspicion and tension grew among members of the clan, which only worsened Bishamon's condition. This escalated when the guidepost instructed for one shinki, Touma, to be thrown into a vent for objecting to her methods. The situation became so contentious that the shinki resorted to violence, attacking one another using borderlines. At this time, Kazuma ran to Bishamon's bedside and confessed that the clan has betrayed her by murdering one another. Accepting this, Bishamon asked Kazuma if he would be her shinki again once she reincarnated, and he responded that he would not let her die.[2] An undefined amount of time later, her shinki had coalesced into one enormous ayakashi and swallowed her whole, although she was not yet been devoured.[3] Unbeknownst to her, after their conversation, Kazuma had asked Yato and the Stray to kill his clansmen in the hopes of saving Bishamon's life. Although she begged him not to, Yato cut down the ayakashi, and Bishamon survived.[4]
Yato cuts down Bishamon's shinki.
After the death of the Ma clan, Bishamon spent many years grieving. She was at first averse to taking in new shinki,[1] as she was afraid to experience the pain of loss again and felt that Kazuma was the only one she needed.[4] However, over time, her grief began to translate into deep-seated anger toward Yato, and she was able to move forward with new strength. As this went on, she eventually did begin to take in new shinki, although she named them using the clan suffix Ha (巴) rather than Ma (麻).[1] She did so as an admonition to herself, wanting to make sure she would never forget the Ma clan.[5] She also had her new shinki refer to her as "Ane-sama" (
For the centuries following, Bishamon carried a grudge against Yato, intending to kill him to avenge her shinki.[7]
Story[]
Yukine Arc[]
In her debut, Bishamon is seen discussing Yato with Kazuma. Later, she appears, suddenly, on the street, where Yato, Yukine, and Hyori are conversing. Bishamon then attacks Yato, who counters with the Sekki, slicing her Shinki, Kinuha, and Kuraha. He is then forced to retreat with Yukine. She then searches for him, using Kazuma, and follows him to the forest, where he had hidden.
However, before Bishamon can continue her assault, Kofuku appears, opening up a Vent with Daikoku. Bishamon was about to give chase to Yato, when Kazuma tells her that, though she may be willing to pursue Yato no matter what the costs, he would not allow her to risk further harm to her Shinki. Bishamon retreats but not without warning.
She later visits Kofuku, asking about the latter's intervention in the battle. Kofuku tells Bishamon that, if something were to happen to Yato, she should be prepared for "a lot of Gloom". Bishamon is shocked by this and departs.
She's seen multiple times bathing, and later taking medicine given to her by Kugaha, for her growing Blight. It is seen that Bishamon has a habit of taking in lost souls, making them her Shinki. However, having so many Shinki wears on her, and it makes it difficult for her to care for all of them. As a result, many of her subordinates are seen feeling neglected or unloved; but, they attempt to put on a brave front to lesser their master's burdens.
Later, upon noticing the death of Suzuha, Bishamon is distraught by the loss of one of her Shinki.
Upon the discovery of Suzuha's death, Yukine, his acquaintance, follows Kazuma to Bishamon's shrine. When she sees that Yato's Shinki is in her home, she is furious. She is even more disturbed to see Kazuma conversing with him. She demands an answer from Kazuma, asking him if the rumors of his involvement with Yato's Purification Ceremony are true. When Kazuma confesses that they are, she is distraught. She accuses him of betraying her, to which Kazuma counters that Yato is their "benefactor". Bishamon, furious, attempts to shoot Yukine with Karuha; however, Kazuma draws a Boundary between them and Bishamon. Bishamon, shell-shocked, prepares to excommunicate Kazuma; however, she hesitates, choosing instead to exile Kazuma, telling him that he "could become a Stray for all she cared". She then departs, stricken that Kazuma, her blessed Shinki, has betrayed her.
When Yato believes Bishamon has kidnapped Hiyori after she vanishes with two rogue Regalia, Kugaha pushes his plan further. He unveils that the blight caused by one of the infected Regalia, Aiha. This leads to a confrontation in the shrine while Kazuma and Hiyori deduce Kugaha's plot to succeed the war god.
When Kazuma intervenes and is dealt a devastating blow, he tearfully confesses his involvement in the slaughter of the Ma Clan. A tearful Bishamon is told the truth of Kugaha's scheme for her to "repent", only for Yato to cut off his hand and state that Gods can do no wrong. After finding that Kugaha's intentions were for the best interest of Bishamon, she accepts it as truth and revokes his name before casting him away, subsequently dealing with the masked Phantom that had slaughtered most of her Regalia.
After nursing Kazuma back to health, she asks him to be her Exemplar once again, and he gratefully accepts. She, sequentially, begins a diary to exchange among the remaining Regalia in order to get to know them better.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chapter 18: Drawn Swords (Vol 5)
- ↑ Chapter 23: Guiding Light (Vol 6)
- ↑ Chapter 19: Prayer (Vol 5)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chapter 21: Don't Go— Stay With Me (Vol 6)
- ↑ Chapter 79: Near Love, Far Love (Vol 20)
- ↑ Chapter 68: The Road Home (Vol 18)
- ↑ Chapter 7: Benighted (Vol 2)