After failing to save Isao from death, Shigekuni, the symbol of logic and reason and now a 58-year-old wealthy private lawyer, begins to reflect on his own irrationality in "The Temple of Dawn 暁の寺", in which he travels around Thailand and India to explore the concept of reincarnation, how reincarnation is believed in ancient Greece, Buddhism and Hinduism. It even touches upon the philosophy of Nietzsche. His obsession led him to a Thai princess, whom he believes to be the reincarnation of Kiyoaki and Isao but does not have the key evidence to support it - three moles on the side of the body that appeared on the other two. The focus of the tetralogy now shifts to Shigekuni, who is revealed to be a voyeur and has passions of his own - a sharp development from the previous two titles. The novel covers the period of 1941 - 1952, so it contrasts the social climate before and after WWII, and notes the decline of the aristocracy from the first book. Recurrence and fatalism of reincarnation are manifested by returning objects and characters, but the overall tone is one of decline and decay and total breakdown of morals and values - driven by passion and obsession, Shigekuni had to commit a crime to establish the evidence of reincarnation. After a shocking revelation, the third book concludes with a puzzling deus ex machina ending that makes the reader questions every aspect of the story, which will be the major objective of the final volume to come.
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