Mitsuba's words were very direct—clearly, she had decided to kill Tamayo.
And Tamayo herself realized this as well.
[Any last words?]
At a time like this, what should she say?
Should she curse Mitsuba and Muzan before dying?
Or beg Mitsuba to give her more time, so she could see the final result of tonight's battle?
Or perhaps seek information about Kanae Kocho from her, to resolve the questions in her heart?
Or even kneel and beg for mercy, pleading for her life?
Countless thoughts rose and fell in her mind. Tamayo lowered her gaze.
Mitsuba didn't urge her, only watching her with great patience. After all, she was also curious—what kind of last words would Tamayo before her actually say?
Finally, after who knows how long of silence, Tamayo finally raised her head again. Looking at Mitsuba, she said word by word with utmost seriousness:
"Mitsuba, I'm sorry."
"Hah..."
Completely unexpected words—to the point that the moment Mitsuba heard them, she thought she had misheard.
"This truly is incredible... I'm curious, what kind of reason prompted you to say these words to me?"
"It's about what happened back then..."
Lowering her head, Tamayo slowly spoke:
"I viewed you as an obstacle to eliminating Muzan and tried to kill you more than once. These hundreds of years..."
"Ah, I understand."
Instantly comprehending Tamayo's meaning, Mitsuba smiled:
"So what you mean is, these hundreds of years you have been deeply tormented by guilt, suffering internally, and only wanted to say sorry to me after seeing me?"
Tamayo didn't answer, but her silence clearly already gave the answer.
"Then Miss Tamayo, would you like to hear my thoughts on these matters of yours?"
Looking down at Tamayo's eyes filled with exhaustion, Mitsuba smiled:
"My answer is, I have never resented you."
[...What?]
"Surprised, aren't you?"
Taking in Tamayo's shocked expression completely, Mitsuba explained:
"Perhaps from an ordinary person's perspective, I indeed should hate you. But unfortunately, I'm not those people. For matters in this world, I have always had my own standards of judgment.
In my view, since Miss Tamayo wanted to kill Lord Muzan, you would naturally try to kill any existence that would hinder you from achieving this goal. This is very normal and logical behavior.
It's just like the relationship between us demons and Demon Slayers—we are originally mortal enemies, so it's perfectly normal for us to fight to the death with each other.
I'm not one of those hypocritical Demon Slayers who always feel in their hearts that only they can kill us, but we can't kill them.
In my standards, killing between enemies is inherently very normal. When I kill them it's like this, when they kill me it's also like this.
So, Miss Tamayo, in my eyes, you simply did something that from your perspective, you would definitely do—something very reasonable. There's nothing wrong with that.
Nor would I produce hypocritical thoughts like anger, I won't accept this, this isn't allowed... just because the object you wanted to kill was me.
Even if I were truly killed by you, this would simply be my inferior skill, nothing more.
So tell me, what reason would I have to resent you?"
"I see, so it was like this, so you've always thought this way..."
After hearing Mitsuba's explanation, Tamayo was first stunned, then smiled.
It was a rather bitter smile, yet also carried a trace of relief—a complex smile.
So, Mitsuba had never resented her?
The illusion in her heart collapsed with a crash. It seemed only at this moment did she finally understand Mitsuba's true heart.
Everyone had simply done what was natural from their respective positions.
Mitsuba showing no mercy in killing those Demon Slayers was like this; her helping those Demon Slayers to kill her was also like this.
These were all natural behaviors for each of them, so naturally there was no reason for anyone to resent anyone.
So, had it only been herself tormenting herself for the past hundreds of years?
While mocking herself, Tamayo also felt somewhat relieved.
Although the method was unexpected, being able to completely untie this knot that had existed in her heart for hundreds of years before death arrived—perhaps this was also something worth being grateful for...
"Hmm... I've decided."
In the midst of Tamayo's silence, Mitsuba seemed to have thought of something interesting, and spoke once more:
"Miss Tamayo, I'm going to let you go tonight."
"Let me go?"
"That's right, let you go."
Slowly standing up, Mitsuba said leisurely in the face of Tamayo's shocked expression once again:
"Principally speaking, I perhaps should kill you—after all, this is also Lord Muzan's intention.
But first, you no longer have the strength to threaten us. Your talent as a demon is limited, your strength has long hit a bottleneck, and only your medical skills are worth mentioning.
But with only medical skills, yet without the help of absolutely powerful allies, this is completely useless as well.
Therefore, letting you go is not something unacceptable to me.
Of course, more importantly, I've suddenly become curious about your future."
Looking down at Tamayo, Mitsuba's face once again showed that smiling expression.
"Miss Tamayo, Miss Tamayo who has been deeply trapped by countless past events for hundreds of years.
After suffering for hundreds of years, suddenly being released by the enemy she once believed would certainly resent her and want to kill her.
From now on, what kind of life will she welcome?
Will she choose suicide under this absurd reversal? Or continue to be obsessed with past matters, desperately searching for opportunities to kill her enemy?
Or perhaps, finally after all this ends, completely let go of everything and begin anew?
I'm a person who is good at everything, just excessively curious.
So Miss Tamayo, please leave. I hope in the future world, I can still see an interesting future in you. Goodbye."
The moment Mitsuba finished speaking, a door of the Infinity Castle suddenly opened beneath Tamayo, moving her out.
[Mitsuba, is this really okay?]
In her mind, Nakime's voice couldn't help but ask.
Although she followed Mitsuba's instructions to let Tamayo go, she was still somewhat worried.
[If Lord Muzan pursues this matter, I'm afraid...]
[It's fine, it's fine, I'll handle things with Lord Muzan afterward. Nakime, don't worry.]
[Alright... Also, I've arranged a Demon Slayer to go to your side, Mitsuba. Please be extra careful.]
[Rest assured, I'll be fine.]
"..."
Time returned to the proper track.
With the death of Upper Rank Four · Hantengu, Nakime finally contacted Michikatsu, who had also arrived at the Infinity Castle long ago.
[Husband, there's a Demon Slayer who is very strong. He has already consecutively defeated Gyokko and Hantengu.]
[Send him directly to me. I will handle it.]
In the Infinity Castle, in the dojo specially built for Michikatsu, he who had changed back into his samurai attire after a long time sat with eyes closed.
Michikatsu had thought that tonight he shouldn't need to personally take action.
He hadn't expected that among the current Demon Slayer Corps, there still existed such an incredible powerhouse—actually able to single-handedly defeat two Upper Rank demons consecutively.
At present, Mitsuba, Doma, and Akaza had each encountered their own opponents. Only he remained idle here.
Since that was the case, then let him handle the strongest one...