"They're both doing very well～"
Facing Kocho Shizuka's inquiry, Doma replied with a smile:
"Big Butterfly has been working as the Holy Maiden's spy within the Demon Slayer Corps.
Although I didn't see her enter the Infinity Castle during this final decisive battle, I reckon Big Butterfly probably went to decapitate the Ubuyashiki offspring."
Whenever the Demon Slayer Corps faced annihilation, the Ubuyashiki Clan would always find ways to send their children away beforehand. Among the demons, this was already common knowledge.
From this perspective, it wasn't difficult to guess what Kanae—who hadn't come to participate in the final battle—was actually doing.
"That's good..."
Hearing this, Kocho Shizuka's face relaxed slightly.
During her time lingering here after death, she had worried more than once that Kanae might not have understood the true meaning of her dying words.
Now it seemed that not only had the child understood, but she had also executed it perfectly.
"As for Little Butterfly, she's been teaching in Tokyo recently. She's even a dual doctorate in medicine! Quite impressive!
When I first returned to Tokyo some time ago, I happened to see her once. At that time, she was having so much fun playing with the Holy Maiden on the streets!
But I haven't seen her recently. I only heard that she's been quite close with Lord Akaza.
Who knows what strange things those two are secretly cooking up, not bringing me along. Really now..."
"Akaza?"
"Ah, Lord Akaza is Hakuji. He's my second-best friend among all the demons! Also the Holy Maiden's most rebellious little brother!
But he's become much more obedient now. Years ago, he even earned his doctorate through his own efforts and teaches at Tokyo University together with Little Butterfly.
If it's Sumire-chan, you should still remember this person, right?"
Saying this, Doma suddenly turned to look at Kocho Sumire beside him.
"Yes, that pitiful child from the Soryu Dojo. I never thought his future would turn out like this..."
Nodding lightly, as if suddenly remembering something, Kocho Sumire hurriedly asked:
"Speaking of which, decades ago, I saw the souls of Keizo and his daughter go off to reincarnation. What's their situation now?"
This space, located at the boundary between heaven and hell, was where all human souls passed through after death.
Among them, if they had known each other in life, their souls after death could easily meet here, guided by that familiar presence.
Of course, the prerequisite was that both parties were still lingering here and hadn't departed.
In order to personally witness the destruction of the Ubuyashiki Clan, in order to personally see Mitsuba completely overcome all her flaws and become a truly perfect being.
For hundreds of years, the successive generations of Kocho ancestors had not gone to reincarnate, but chose to linger in this space. Guided by the bloodline within them, they continuously gathered here.
"They're together again. Speaking of which, that girl Koyuki is now Little Butterfly's student～
Fate from a previous life, continued in this life—oh my～this incredible destiny, I can't help but tear up just hearing about it～"
Raising his hand to wipe away the tears at the corner of his eye, Doma suddenly noticed that his arm was gradually becoming translucent and ethereal.
"Oh my, it seems my time is running out. The Holy Maiden is probably coming to retrieve me."
Instantly understanding everything, Doma—who had wanted to chat more with everyone—showed a regretful expression.
Yes, indeed. During his battle with Tanjiro and Kanroji Mitsuri, Doma had held back.
After putting up a bit of resistance for show, he smoothly let Tanjiro cut off his head.
Because from the very beginning, Doma knew he wouldn't truly die completely.
After all, the flower Inosuke gave him was on his person, and Mitsuba would definitely come to retrieve him in the end.
It was precisely because he knew he had a "revival item" on him that Doma dared to indulge himself in dying once, wanting to see what so-called heaven and hell looked like.
Of course, Doma hadn't completely neglected his duties either.
For example, in the final moments of the battle, his choice to intercept Kanroji Mitsuri instead of Tanjiro wasn't random—it was a decision he made after careful consideration.
After all, that boy Tanjiro was someone the Holy Maiden would definitely want to fight. He couldn't be allowed to fall here prematurely.
Play is play, fooling around is fooling around, but your Second Brother still does some proper work when needed.
Unfortunately, the heavenly gods wouldn't let him in, and as for hell...because he chatted with the butterflies for too long, he missed the time to go there.
[Time to leave, it seems. I'll have to wait until next time...]
"In that case, everyone! While there's still a little time left, is there anything you want to say to the Holy Maiden?
You can all tell me! I'll relay it to the Holy Maiden after I return!"
"Y-yes! Mr. Doma, please tell Mitsuba for me to take better care of herself normally, not to eat random things, and not to casually try dangerous things.
Except when absolutely necessary, don't hurt others arbitrarily. She must be a good child. And also, she should be more proactive about the Blue Spider Lily matter.
She can't just play all day—everyone will really worry about her..."
These instructions undoubtedly came from the second-generation Kocho—that short little girl with the eternally motherly face.
"I have nothing to say. For Mitsuba to still remember me, that is already enough."
The third-generation Kocho Sumire simply shook her head slightly, saying nothing.
"So do I. Just knowing that Mitsuba, Kanae, and Shinobu are all living well, I am already satisfied."
"Then let me say something! Since it's the final decisive battle, please seriously tell Mitsuba for me—don't play around and don't fool around during fights!
Against enemies, she must crush them as quickly as possible, never giving them any chance to breathe!"
"And me, I want to tell Mitsuba..."
"Everyone, no rush, no rush～Take your time. Rest assured, my memory is excellent, I can definitely remember everything～"
Amidst this clamor of voices, Doma's lower body was already nearly completely transparent.
Clearly, with Mitsuba's operations on the other side, his soul was about to depart from this place and return to the human world.
"At the very end, how about I say something too?"
A voice rang out behind him. Doma subconsciously turned to look, only to see another Kocho suddenly appear behind him, smiling as she said:
"After you return, handsome young man, please tell Mitsuba for me not to worry too much about our affairs.
After everything settles, we will naturally go to reincarnate. Tell her not to worry about how to arrange our futures, alright?"
Clearly, this particular Kocho understood Mitsuba's heart very well.
She knew clearly that if Mitsuba learned they were all still lingering here, she would definitely worry and fret over it.
That was why she asked Doma to relay these words to Mitsuba.
[Strange, how come I didn't see this Kocho appear just now? Which generation is she?]
"Um, may I ask who you are..."
Facing this Kocho's smiling expression, just as Doma was about to speak, his soul suddenly and completely vanished.