In the twelfth year of the Taisho era (1923), the destiny of a girl and her companions is transformed by a tragic event in Hinamizawa village. This marks the start of the tumultuous early years of Oryou, the leader of the Sonozaki family, which is one of the Three Great Families and would eventually gain a reputation as Empress Sonozaki. The veil is lifted on the previously undisclosed connection to the original Higurashi no Naku Koro ni series.