In an instant…
Muzan nearly leapt out of her own skin.
For the briefest moment, she almost thought Yoriichi Tsugikuni himself had returned from the dead.
Fortunately, she had ruled over demons for more than a thousand years. No matter how shaken she was, she forced herself to remain standing, her expression rigid as she struggled to maintain the dignity of the Demon King.
"Heh… Kokushibo. So even you still cling to memories of your insignificant human life."
That was easy enough to say.
But, Lord Muzan…
Could you perhaps stop trembling before you spill the tea in your cup?
Kokushibo had no intention of letting Muzan believe he had accomplished nothing during the Mugen Train operation even though he had deliberately held back for most of it.
So he chose to reveal a piece of genuinely valuable intelligence.
"Among those monstrous insects, a new individual has appeared."
"I estimate his strength is second only to mine."
"He is likely the strongest of their kind."
Muzan immediately became serious.
"That is information worth noting."
"After all, aside from you and me, no demon should be capable of contending with such a creature."
She narrowed her eyes.
"What is his name?"
"Mumei."
Kokushibo paused before adding with deliberate amusement,
"Speaking of which, Lord Muzan…"
"Isn't that rather amusing?"
"His name, Mumei, sounds remarkably similar to yours."
"Perhaps he's a distant relative."
Veins immediately bulged across Muzan's forehead.
She had absolutely no desire to continue this conversation.
By that logic…
Would someone named Mukai also be considered part of her family?
Ignoring Kokushibo's shameless teasing, Muzan spoke coldly.
"Whatever he may be…"
"Since our previous campaign against them, their overall numbers have decreased."
"But in exchange…"
"Their intelligence and individual combat abilities have increased considerably."
"They have become a genuine threat."
Kokushibo nodded in agreement.
After leaving the Infinity Castle, he immediately ordered Saito Arashi to openly investigate both Mumei's origins and the mysterious physician secretly associated with the Ubuyashiki family.
Unfortunately…
One target was an enigmatic creature whose history seemed to have appeared from nowhere.
The other had concealed themselves so thoroughly that even the government's intelligence network possessed almost no information.
Even someone as capable as Saito Arashi could accomplish very little in the short term.
Before departing, Kokushibo suddenly stepped forward.
With one finger, he casually lifted Muzan's chin.
"Until next time, Lord Muzan."
"I'm going to visit Kyogai's manor."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.
Only after he disappeared did Muzan finally let out the breath she had been holding.
Her legs felt strangely weak.
"That… blasted Kokushibo…"
"How dare he suddenly get that close…"
"…Damn him…"
Upon arriving at Kyogai's manor within the Infinity Castle, Kokushibo found an unexpected scene.
Every one of the Lower Rank demons was crying.
Rokuro sat quietly in the corner, wiping away tears.
Mukago and Wakuraba huddled together, sobbing uncontrollably.
Even Rui's eyes were red.
Yet despite his own tears, he still thoughtfully handed Akaza a handkerchief.
Seeing this spectacle, even Kokushibo was momentarily stunned.
What exactly had happened?
Judging by their expressions…
Anyone would think Muzan had just declared bankruptcy.
Noticing Kokushibo's arrival, Akaza quietly wiped away the tears on his face before clutching the manuscript tightly against his chest.
"…Thank you."
It turned out that Kokushibo had only provided Kyogai with a simple outline.
The first half of the story faithfully depicted Akaza's tragic human life.
However…
Instead of allowing tragedy to continue, the story diverged.
The protagonist uncovered the conspiracy of the neighboring martial arts dojo.
After defeating the conspirators, he reported their crimes to the authorities.
Everyone involved was arrested.
Justice prevailed.
The protagonist married the girl he loved.
The two lived peacefully together for the rest of their lives.
A simple…
Yet beautiful ending.
Kokushibo smiled faintly.
"I didn't expect Kyogai to write it this well."
"He kept insisting he wasn't suited to writing."
Rokuro wiped his tears.
"The protagonist's childhood was just too heartbreaking…"
"I feel terrible for him…"
None of the Lower Ranks realized they had just been reading Akaza's true past.
If anything…
Reality had been even crueler than fiction.
Akaza had almost escaped the darkness.
Instead…
Fate had plunged him into an even deeper abyss.
After chatting for a while, evening gradually arrived.
Nakime quietly opened a doorway.
She transported both Kokushibo and Akaza out of the Infinity Castle.
Akaza never questioned where they were going.
He simply followed.
After all…
Kokushibo certainly wasn't about to drag him outside merely to watch the sunrise.
Their destination was Mito.
There, Kuchiki Makoto immediately stepped forward.
"My lord."
"We've captured two demons attempting to steal stored blood."
Kokushibo raised an eyebrow.
Demons who survived by stealing blood packs instead of hunting humans…
Just how desperate were they?
Descending into the underground storage room, they found two restrained demons.
Their hands were bound.
Their eyes were covered.
Nearby lay several severed limbs belonging to the monstrous insects that had previously been collected for research.
The prisoners were none other than Yahaba and Susamaru.
Ever since the previous assault on Mito, the pair had vanished completely.
No one expected them to reappear under such pitiful circumstances.
Looking around at the carefully preserved blood supplies and medical equipment, Kokushibo couldn't help smiling inwardly.
Lord Muzan…
Heaven itself is my witness.
This time, I truly had nothing to do with it.
Providence simply delivered them to my doorstep.
Meanwhile…
Deep within the Infinity Castle…
Muzan suddenly sensed the return of two familiar blood connections.
Her eyes widened.
"…Those insects!"
"I swear I'll !!"
Her furious roar echoed throughout the castle.
The Lower Rank demons inside Kyogai's manor immediately shrank in fear, convinced Muzan was about to vent her anger on them.
Meanwhile…
Susamaru and Yahaba remained completely confused about their situation.
Kokushibo looked down at them.
His six eyes curved into an almost gentle smile.
"So…"
"You attempted to steal from me."
"What do you think the price should be?"
For some reason…
That calm smile terrified Susamaru far more than any expression of rage.
She bit her tongue to stop herself from speaking carelessly.
Everyone knew she had an unfortunate habit of saying exactly the wrong thing.
Yahaba, on the other hand, understood the situation almost instantly.
He immediately lowered himself into a respectful bow.
"My respects, Upper Rank One."
Only then did Susamaru hurriedly kneel as well.
Watching them, Kokushibo quietly recalled the past.
These two had once proudly proclaimed themselves members of the Twelve Kizuki.
Unfortunately…
That had never been true.
It was merely another convenient lie Muzan had told them.
Poor things.
All they had ever wanted was official recognition.
Instead…
They had encountered perhaps the most exploitative employer imaginable.
Fortunately…
Even if Muzan refused to value talent…
Kokushibo certainly did.
Muzan's workforce: -2.
At that very moment…
A significant development was unfolding within the monstrous insects' newly established headquarters.
Their previous base had already been destroyed.
Following the instincts encoded within her cells, Hera guided Meng Xiyu to their new sanctuary.
There…
They finally met Mumei.
Every monstrous insect present treated him with absolute reverence.
Every one…
Except Hera.
She showed him not the slightest respect.
"You are not my king."
"Where is my master?"
Mumei displayed no anger whatsoever.
"My master remains in hibernation."
"Until he awakens…"
"I oversee all affairs."
Before he could continue speaking, Hera simply turned around.
She had no interest in listening.
"You arrogant woman!"
Moko could no longer tolerate her attitude.
He immediately stepped forward, intending to teach her a lesson.
The next instant
A silver flash.
Both of Moko's arms fell cleanly to the ground.
Before he even realized what had happened, Hera was already holding them in her hands.
Without changing her expression, she spoke coldly.
"So…"
"Your true body really does hide inside your tail."
Moko's entire body stiffened.
For the first time…
He genuinely felt death looming over him.
Even so, Mumei never intervened.
Instead, he calmly addressed Hera.
"You may leave if you wish."
"But remember your master's command."
"Destroy the Demon Slayer Corps."
"And eliminate the Twelve Kizuki."
"I will fulfill my master's orders."
Hera answered without hesitation.
"But I will never take orders from you."
She then glanced toward Meng Xiyu.
"Are you coming with me…"
"…or staying here?"
Meng Xiyu looked first at the intimidating group gathered around Mumei.
Then he looked at the solitary Hera.
After only a brief moment of consideration…
He decisively chose Hera.
It seemed…
Even among monsters…
First impressions still mattered.