Tonight, the moon shone brighter than usual, casting a soft silver veil across the world.
Kibutsuji Muzan stood atop a high tower, hands behind his back, his whole body bathed in moonlight, giving him an eerie, mysterious aura.
"Moonlight is cold and pale," he murmured, "but no matter how bright, it can never compare to the sun that warms both body and soul."
"The only thing I can't obtain… is the sun."
Demonic nature is inherently greedy—and Muzan was no exception.
As the progenitor of all demons, the very first, Muzan possessed unimaginable power.
If he so desired, there was nothing he couldn't do.
Yet after a thousand years, even someone who considered himself at the pinnacle of the world still bore a fatal weakness.
The sun—the light that even the smallest insects could bask in freely—was something Muzan could not endure, not even for a second.
Gazing up at the night sky, Muzan spoke softly, "My demons… it's time to stir. Bring more trouble to the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Kokushibo."
"Doma."
"Akaza."
"Hantengu."
Behind Muzan, multiple demonic silhouettes flickered into existence.
"We are here," they answered in unison.
Muzan's eyes were deep and unreadable as he spoke, "You four—go to the east, south, west, and north, each in a different direction."
"Spread my will among the demons."
"Each of you will choose a group of demons and annihilate a town with a population of about a thousand."
"It's time to keep the Demon Slayer Corps busy. They've had far too much free time lately, always snooping around for traces of me."
Four distinctly shaped demon shadows emerged from the darkness and knelt on the ground.
"Yes."
As if remembering something, Muzan added, "Akaza—on your way west, stop by Mount Aokari."
"There was a young demon there named Black Fang. Only a few decades old, but a promising seed. His Blood Demon Art reminded me a bit of Kokushibo's. I took some interest in him."
"But he was recently slain by a Demon Slayer. That displeases me greatly. It's part of why I've decided to wipe out four towns. Has the Demon Slayer Corps grown bold enough to slay you at will?"
"Must they destroy even the few little amusements I have?"
"You don't need to find a town yourself—I recall there's one near Mount Aokari called Ishibashi. Erase it."
Among the four figures, the one called Akaza had short hair streaked with peach and red, golden eyes, and ghostly pale skin.
He was a strikingly handsome young man, his entire body marked with deep blue bands—tattoos that signified the damned. His nails were blood-red, and he wore a crimson-purple vest, strange prayer beads hanging from his ankles.
Akaza stood up slowly. He didn't know what sort of amusement Muzan had meant—but it didn't matter.
He simply gave a slight bow and said respectfully, "As you wish, my lord."
Then, hesitating briefly, Akaza asked tentatively, "But… may I spare the women in that town?"
Muzan wasn't surprised. He responded coolly, "Akaza, you're still so bound by your principles. Still bold enough to bring them up with me."
"I do admire that about you. But what if I say no? What would you do then?"
Akaza fell silent for a moment, then replied with firm resolve, "Then of course, I will obey your will. No one will be spared."
Muzan nodded in approval. Akaza, you hold fast to your code—but in the end, it always yields to my command. That's what I truly appreciate.
"You know I've always been lenient with you. This time… follow your own judgment."
Akaza's eyes showed a flicker of gratitude. "Thank you, my lord."
Muzan waved his hand. "Go now. The rest of you—begin your work."
"Some places seem to have forgotten we demons exist."
"Starting tonight, let the world remember. Revel in the slaughter."
As he finished speaking, the shadows behind Muzan vanished completely, leaving the rooftop once again in silence. Alone, he sank into deep thought.
"Ubuyashiki family… is this really what you want—to eradicate me?"
"To think, we're even of the same bloodline…"
"For a thousand years, as generations rise and fall, your family has continued to lead the Demon Slayer Corps—ever in my way."
"One day soon… I'll find your stronghold and end this miserable cycle once and for all…"
Muzan leapt down from the tower, heading back to his home.
His daughter would be waking up soon. She'd cry if she didn't see him.
At the thought of his sweet child, Muzan's lips curved into a faint smile. His long-dark mood lifted slightly.
After all, who doesn't enjoy delicious food? Best to raise it a little longer.
...
Akaza casually selected four demons to accompany him to Ishibashi Town.
It wasn't far. At demon speed, they could arrive in just three days.
"You four—once we reach Ishibashi, you may kill and eat any men you find. But leave the women. Let them flee. Not one of them is to be touched. Understood?"
One of the demons, named Watakuchi, whose body shimmered with a dark, metallic sheen, sneered mockingly, "Akaza, just because you don't want to kill women or eat them doesn't mean you can stop us."
"The Master said you could spare the women. He didn't say we had to."
"Soft, tender women are my favorite. You can't just take that from me because of your personal code."
The other three demons stayed quiet, watching intently to see how Akaza would respond.
Among demons, only Muzan could command all others. Demons were wild and proud—without strength, no one had authority.
Akaza's golden eyes glinted. He turned toward Watakuchi and raised his fist.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion. Watakuchi's upper body was obliterated—reduced to a mist of pulverized flesh. The other three shrank back instantly, stunned by Akaza's raw violence.
Slowly, Watakuchi's body began regenerating.
He dropped to his knees. "I was wrong, Lord Akaza! Please forgive me!"
Instant submission. Though he had heard tales of the Twelve Kizuki's might, he'd never seen it for himself—and had doubted it.
Now he understood. As Upper Rank Three, Akaza could crush him like an insect. He hadn't even reacted before half his body was gone—and he'd always prided himself on his defense…
Akaza snorted coldly. "Anyone who disagrees is welcome to challenge me to a blood duel. Whoever defeats me will be the new Upper Rank Three."
"But if you lack the strength… then don't question my orders."
"My code… is your code."
"Killing fellow demons is troublesome—but I don't mind killing one to set an example."
Watakuchi trembled, saying nothing more.
Akaza gave the group a cold glance. "Let's go. If we delay the Master's orders, none of us will survive."
With that, five demon shadows raced toward Ishibashi Town.
...
Kawanishi descended into the wine cellar. Rows of oil lamps were fixed to the walls, but their oil had long dried up—useless now.
Not that he needed them. Darkness posed no obstacle to his sight.
He could see everything in the cellar clearly.
"Not bad. I'll stay here for now."
"Once I make it through tomorrow's sunlight, I'll leave immediately. I still haven't found anything about the town at the base of the mountain, but this is the best I can do for now."
Kawanishi gave a light leap, landing atop several large wine vats. He poked into one of the smaller ones.
He wanted to see what the wine tasted like.
(End of Chapter)
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