In this chapter, we learn that Hirohito has made a pact with the "clouds of blood," a group of demons who claim to possess the souls of men. In exchange, the demons promise to give him "eternal life" . In other words, they're willing to sacrifice their own souls in exchange for the promise of eternal life. The narrator tells us that the pact has come to an end. He's not happy about it. He doesn't even want to be a part of it.