Back within the Infinity Castle, Muzan Kibutsuji's expression was unusually grim.
Kokushibo naturally knew the reason, yet he deliberately feigned confusion.
"Is something troubling you, Lord Muzan?"
Hold it together… Don't laugh.
Honestly, someone should tell the protagonist to stop looking so pleased with himself. The smugness was practically spilling off his face.
Muzan shot him an indifferent glance without answering immediately. Instead, her crimson eyes shifted toward Akaza.
"Akaza. Explain exactly what happened."
She simply wanted to understand why one of her Upper Ranks had suddenly lost his connection to her Blood Demon Art.
Although Akaza was honest to a fault and hopeless at deception, Kokushibo had rehearsed everything with him beforehand.
It had to be admitted that Kokushibo's acting skills had improved tremendously.
A true professional never left loopholes.
Akaza respectfully lowered his head.
"Lord Muzan, during my battle against those monstrous insects, I was struck by one of their attacks and poisoned."
"I managed to neutralize the toxin afterward, but for reasons I cannot explain, my connection to your blood disappeared completely."
To strengthen the story, Kokushibo suddenly appeared to realize something.
"Now that I think about it… I was also scratched by one of those insects during the battle."
The unfortunate insect, somewhere out there, deserved an apology for becoming the convenient scapegoat.
Muzan narrowed her eyes.
She did not fully believe either of them.
Something about the explanation felt incomplete.
Seeing her doubtful expression, Kokushibo wisely chose not to elaborate.
Sometimes it was far more effective to let someone reach their own conclusion than to force one upon them.
Besides…
He was genuinely curious whether Muzan's multiple brains would begin arguing with one another internally.
The thought alone was almost enough to make him smile.
Meanwhile, Muzan continued analyzing every possibility.
If Kokushibo truly had betrayed her, then his insistence on bringing Akaza to the Mugen Train suddenly made sense.
But…
Why?
What possible benefit would he gain?
Everything Kokushibo had done recently had advanced Muzan's interests.
Well…
Almost everything.
The cross-dressing incident certainly hadn't.
The more she thought about it, the more contradictory everything became.
Her thoughts nearly spiraled into complete chaos.
Finally, Muzan stopped thinking altogether.
Perhaps…
Perhaps it truly was the work of those mysterious insects.
After all, their poison remained largely unknown.
"Akaza."
"You may leave."
With a wave of her hand, Nakime immediately transported him away.
Naturally, she did not send him outside.
It was still daytime.
Instead, Akaza found himself inside Kyogai's manor within the Infinity Castle.
The moment he entered, he discovered nearly every Lower Rank demon quietly reading novels.
Everyone…
Except Rokuro.
Seeing that fellow openly loafing around, Akaza couldn't help staring for a moment.
Before he had time to ask what was happening, Kyogai emerged carrying an enormous stack of manuscripts.
His expression immediately brightened upon seeing Akaza.
"Akaza-dono!"
Without hesitation, Kyogai shoved the manuscripts into Akaza's arms.
"Lord Kokushibo specifically asked me to write this for you. It's my first attempt at a straightforward romance story, so I sincerely hope it meets your expectations."
Akaza stood frozen.
"…"
The Lower Ranks looked at him with unmistakable envy.
Among them, Mukago reacted the strongest.
She gave an irritated snort before turning away.
Even though Kokushibo had specifically instructed that Akaza should be the first to read it…
She simply wasn't happy about it.
Kyogai sighed helplessly.
Offering Akaza an apologetic smile, he hurried after Mukago in an attempt to comfort her.
Such was the strangely bittersweet daily life of the former Lower Rank Six.
Akaza stared at the manuscript in silence.
He desperately wanted to know what Kokushibo had prepared for him.
There was only one problem.
He couldn't read.
Fortunately…
Enmu noticed his predicament.
Smiling softly, Enmu accepted the manuscript and began reading it aloud.
Every Lower Rank gathered around to listen.
"The title of this novel is Snowflakes of Love."
"Chapter One… The First Encounter."
Enmu's gentle voice echoed throughout the room.
"He was a man burdened by countless sins, wandering endlessly through darkness. Then she appeared… a girl as pure as falling snow. Protected by thorns, she nevertheless entered his heart with effortless warmth…"
Enmu possessed an extraordinary gift for narration.
Every word carried genuine emotion.
Before long, the entire room had fallen silent.
Several Lower Ranks quietly wiped tears from their eyes.
Even Akaza couldn't stop tears from forming.
"…Snow…"
The memories buried deep within his heart stirred once again.
Compared to the emotional atmosphere inside Kyogai's residence…
The scene on Muzan's side was considerably less dramatic.
Kokushibo and Muzan sat across from one another, calmly drinking diluted blood from bamboo cups.
After a long silence, Muzan finally spoke.
"Kokushibo."
"Exactly how many people with rare blood have you discovered?"
She had become genuinely curious.
Years had passed, yet Kokushibo never seemed to run out of blood.
Had he secretly found an entire family possessing Marechi blood?
Was he monopolizing them?
Kokushibo immediately understood what she was really asking.
She wanted a share.
"Lord Muzan," he replied casually, "don't your human identities provide access to medical institutions?"
Muzan answered confidently.
"Naturally."
"I currently control three large hospitals."
Kokushibo was genuinely surprised.
Impressive.
None of the identities Muzan had ever revealed involved hospitals.
She truly had hidden cards even from him.
Keeping his expression unchanged, Kokushibo continued.
"Then the solution is simple."
"Hospitals constantly receive donated blood and maintain blood banks."
"There is no shortage of blood there."
He intentionally stopped there, hoping Muzan would understand the implication.
Unfortunately…
He had greatly overestimated her.
Muzan nodded thoughtfully.
"I see."
"So after finding people with rare blood, you drained them dry and stored everything."
She looked rather pleased with her deduction.
Kokushibo silently sighed.
Drain them dry?
Lord Muzan…
Have you never heard of sustainable development?
If one slaughtered every source of blood immediately, where would tomorrow's supply come from?
It was the very definition of killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.
Still…
He chose not to correct her.
Sometimes allowing Muzan to misunderstand things was considerably safer.
After another sip from her cup, Muzan suddenly asked,
"By the way…"
"What effect did your operation have on those insects and the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Kokushibo considered the question seriously.
Well…
Kyojuro had gained a new uncle.
That counted as something.
He had also successfully poached one of Muzan's strongest subordinates.
Although…
That part certainly wasn't something he intended to report.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
Tanjiro.
Without his Nichirin Blade…
The poor boy was probably about to experience the wrath of Hotaru Haganezuka.
Remembering the sword he had snapped and casually thrown somewhere into the forest…
Kokushibo silently offered a prayer.
Haganezuka…
Do your best.
Seeing Kokushibo remain silent, Muzan's patience finally wore thin.
"So…"
"Two Upper Rank demons fought together…"
"And still failed to kill a single member of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
As she spoke, she deliberately released the oppressive aura of the Demon King.
Unfortunately…
It no longer had much effect.
Kokushibo's strength had increased tremendously after breaking through his long-held mental shackles.
Although he still wasn't stronger than Muzan herself…
Neither was he someone who could be intimidated so easily.
If anything…
His own presence was now capable of making Muzan uneasy.
Rather than answering directly, Kokushibo quietly changed the subject.
"Lately…"
"I've begun remembering the person I once was."
As he spoke, his flesh shifted.
The demonic features gradually receded.
His face transformed into the appearance he had possessed as Michikatsu Tsugikuni bearing an unmistakable resemblance to his twin brother, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, complete with the flame-like Demon Slayer Mark upon his forehead.
Looking directly at Muzan, Kokushibo asked calmly,
"Lord Muzan…"
"How closely do I resemble the man I used to be?"
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