"How surprising. Miss, could you perhaps be a Hashira?"
Douma said, his expression one of surprise.
The Demon Slayer Corps uniform Mizuki wore beneath her cloak, unsurprisingly, allowed Douma to jump to conclusions.
Of course, this wasn't important; it was just a means to deepen the impression.
As soon as they fought, her Breathing Technique would reveal her identity to Douma.
No urgent desire to fight, and his body was incredibly relaxed... This demon... is very arrogant.
Like an old acquaintance, Douma said in surprise, "If it weren't for that annoying floral scent on you, I wouldn't be able to sense your presence at all."
That was only natural. Transparent World, or rather, the Supreme Domain, uses concealment of presence as a basic method.
As for the floral scent Douma mentioned, it was actually a sachet filled with wisteria flowers she wore on her waist.
It was used to mask her aura.
Even though she hadn't eaten anyone, a demon was still a demon, and her aura was fundamentally different from a human's.
However, Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen are either killing demons or on their way to kill them, so it's normal for them to carry the scent of demons.
Combined with the wisteria flower scent, her identity usually couldn't be confirmed.
But because of this floral scent, her location was detected by the opponent.
Mizuki had originally intended to wait until the opponent made a move before stepping out to stop them, believing that would dissuade the girl from seeking death.
By coming out now, the maiden who hadn't seen Douma's true face would only become a devoted fan of Douma, even if she sobered up.
It seemed she had caused trouble for herself.
Douma comfortably walked up to the table, sat down cross-legged, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it toward Mizuki: "Miss, would you like some tea?"
Mizuki didn't stand on ceremony, came over and sat down in front of him, picked up the tea, and drank it.
Douma's expression froze for a moment; he blinked, and a smile spread across his face.
"I'm so touched! You are the first Demon Slayer who has willingly accepted my kindness!"
"Ah, ah~~ Miss, please tell me your name."
Douma, deeply moved, sat cross-legged and swayed back and forth.
Mizuki drank it all in one gulp. It was just ordinary tea, likely replaced by the followers.
For a demon, the taste was definitely not good.
Mizuki set down the teacup and said abruptly, "I said, are you really touched?"
Douma stopped swaying, maintaining his smiling expression.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
Mizuki looked at him plainly: "Your smile... is a bit fake."
When a normal person experiences emotional fluctuations, there are subtle changes in the brain, and demons are no exception.
But the guy in front of her only had a trace of fluctuation the moment she sat down and drank the tea.
It could be said that with Transparent World, no one can lie to you, unless that person's psychological fortitude is exaggerated to an unimaginable degree.
Or even, he can deceive himself.
Like, a mentally ill person.
If he says he can fly, there won't be any abnormality in his brain; he likely genuinely believes he can fly.
"..." Douma's smile became a little strained. He looked into Mizuki's eyes and changed the subject: "Miss, you have a pair of very beautiful eyes~"
"Just like mine."
"Maybe we could get along very well~"
Douma said, playfully pointing to his own rainbow-colored eyes.
Because he also had a pair of peculiar eyes, he didn't find Mizuki strange.
Mizuki: "If you stopped eating people, perhaps we could."
Douma looked slightly regretful: "That might be a little difficult."
The regret on his face vanished instantly, and he looked at Mizuki with an excited expression: "Speaking of which, Miss, you are my favorite type."
"Gentle, powerful..."
Mizuki tilted her head: "Where did you see that I'm gentle?"
"None of the Demon Slayers I've met before have ever communicated with me as calmly as you, Miss."
Douma smiled while pouring tea for Mizuki.
"What should I do~ I want to eat Miss more and more~"
"Hey, hey, let me eat you. That way, Miss can have eternal life with me."
Mizuki picked up the tea: "You seem to enjoy this exaggerated performance."
"Because you can't feel human emotions yourself, right?"
Douma's smile faded: "I am a demon. Isn't it normal that I can't feel human emotions?"
"I'm referring to when you were alive."
"It must be sad not to be able to experience such emotions."
*Swish~*
Abruptly, a golden Iron Fan rapidly grew larger in Mizuki's vision, accompanied by Douma's icy face.
But the next moment, a trace of surprise appeared on his icy face.
Mizuki had, at some unknown point, picked up the Nichirin Blade at her waist, and the blade, along with a white cloth, pressed the Iron Fan down onto the tea table.
Fast!
This woman... is indeed not ordinary.
Douma thought inwardly.
Mizuki said plainly, "So you can get angry?"
Douma was stunned for a moment.
Angry?
Was that... Before he could finish being surprised, a blue Nichirin Blade was already right in front of him.
Douma swung the Iron Fan to block the blade, looked at the aqua-blue blade, and said regretfully.
"It's the Water Hashira. What a pity, I'm no longer interested in Water Breathing."
"If Miss doesn't have other methods, I'll have no choice but to eat you."
Mizuki narrowed her eyes. Was this demon collecting information on swordsmen too?
"Don't worry, I don't intend to be eaten by you here."
Mizuki pulled out her blade.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
Mizuki crossed her arms and unleashed a powerful flat slash, sharp and decisive.
"Blood Demon Art: Spreading Lotus."
Douma waved his Iron Fan, and several icy vines wrapped with ice lotuses shot toward Mizuki from all directions.
Is this a Blood Demon Art related to ice?
Then she truly has a connection with it.
Mizuki forcibly withdrew her attack and leaped high up, stepping on the icy vines.
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
A powerful slash, like a waterfall descending from above, fiercely struck toward Douma.
Douma retreated, crossed his arms, and waved his pair of fans, causing numerous tiny ice petals to shoot out like blades.
"Blood Demon Art: Scattering Lotuses."
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide."
Continuous dense slashes were unleashed, shattering the ice petals one by one.
Shard-like ice crystals entered her lungs via the respiratory tract, causing Mizuki's movement to stiffen slightly.
Hm?
Douma said in surprise, "Did you notice?"
What a sharp woman!
Mizuki withdrew her blade and stepped back, carefully sensing the condition of her body.
This cold air... is poisonous.
The poison was destroying her lungs.
Mizuki's eyelid twitched. She suspected she might have a grudge against this type of demon.
Having stumbled badly due to this kind of method before, how could Mizuki fall for it again?
Moreover, this poison didn't have much effect on her currently; her lungs were being rapidly repaired even as they were being destroyed.
But the current situation was no longer suitable for continuing the fight.
Mizuki glanced around the messy room.
The commotion... was getting a bit too big.
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