神門 兵蔵

The previous head of the Mikado clan, he effectively forces Yoshito to participate in the rite to determine the husband for one of his granddaughters. A staunch traditionalist with a peculiar viewpoint to fine art. The product of centuries of clan inbreeding, Heizou rules the clan with an iron fist and actively promotes the clan custom of inbreeding to guarantee the birth of a Miko which will ensure the eternal prosperity and influence of the Mikados. His older sister was the previous Miko but has already devolved into a sanity-shredding monstrosity; his granddaughter (daughter) Ririka is the current Miko whom he treasures as a divination tool. The current rite is a charade to invite his exiled son back into the family fold as a guarantee that the bloodline will not die out. Heizou has become sterile because of his age and despite the attempts of Rei to rejuvenate him with improved potions from the Mikado apothecary knowledge base. His son is now the only hope of maintaining the bloodline and the family custom of inbreeding which is why it is arranged beforehand that Kazuo will win the rite provided he is present when the results are proclaimed. He is very willing to permanently silence anyone who discovers the family secrets and will use the clan's wealth and influence to ensure the general public remains oblivious to foul play on Mikado grounds.