"Tolerate!"
Kanae Kocho rushed over and helped her younger sister up.
Her eyes were fixed on Doma; in those purple eyes, there was anger, sadness, and a hint of sympathy.
"Oh dear, oh dear..."
Doma tilted his head, his colorful eyes looking at Kanae Kocho.
"Aren't you... dead, sister? Or...? That expression... it couldn't possibly be you... Well then, I'll have to cherish you, after all, you taste good, very sweet."
Kanae Kocho's lips trembled.
"You--"
"But it's okay."
Doma smiled.
"I can eat it again, since you can't escape anyway."
The battle lasted for half an hour.
All nine pillars were injured.
Doma stood in the center of the hall, his white robe unstained by a single drop of blood.
His smile remained gentle, compassionate, and chilling.
"Oh my, you guys are really tough."
His voice was soft.
"But resistance is useless. Your breathing is growing weaker, your blood is growing colder, and your bodies are growing stiffer."
He paused.
"In a little while, you will become ice sculptures. Beautiful ice sculptures. I will place you in the main hall for the believers to admire."
Sanemi Shinazugawa, supporting himself with his sword, knelt on the ground, panting heavily.
Purple blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, dripping onto the stone slab with a soft sound.
"Damn it..."
He tried to stand up, but his legs wouldn't obey him.
"Sanemi."
Obanai Iguro walked to his side and put her hand on his shoulder.
Don't be reckless.
"I... I wasn't pretending..."
Sanemi Shinazugawa gritted his teeth, trying to push Obanai Iguro, but his hands wouldn't obey him.
"Let's... retreat."
Tengen Uzui's voice was hoarse.
"If we keep fighting, we'll be wiped out."
No one spoke.
Everyone knows he's right.
If the fighting continues, we'll be wiped out.
But they don't want to withdraw.
Because they are pillars.
Because they are the strongest swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Because behind them are those who need their protection.
"Everyone."
Kanae Kocho's voice broke the silence.
"You retreat, I'll stay behind to cover the retreat."
All eyes were on her.
Kanae --
"I've died once, and I was the one who proposed this operation."
Kanae Kocho's voice was calm.
"I'm not afraid to die again, but you can't die. The Demon Slayer Corps can't be without the Pillars. Or do you want to disgrace my sword and my will?"
She turned around, faced Doma, raised her Nichirin Blade, and charged at Doma without hesitation.
"Walk."
Kyojuro Rengoku looked at her, his eyes flashing with a complex light.
Kanae --
"Walk!"
Kanae Kocho's voice suddenly rose.
"Hurry! If you don't want my soul to forever wallow in a hell of guilt!!"
Kyojuro Rengoku gritted his teeth and then turned around.
"Withdraw!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa wanted to say something, but Obanai Iguro stopped him.
"Walk."
Obanai Iguro's voice was low, and her eyes were bloodshot.
"She's right, the Demon Slayer Corps can't do without the Pillars."
Sanemi Shinazugawa closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and then nodded.
He knew that, given everyone's current state, staying would only mean death.
"Withdraw."
One by one, the pillars were removed from the main hall.
Doma did not pursue them.
He simply stood there, his colorful eyes fixed on Kanae Kocho, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
Aren't you leaving?
"I'm not leaving."
"Why?"
Because I want to keep you occupied.
Kanae Kocho raises her knife.
"Give them time to escape."
Doma smiled.
"You are really brave. I admire brave women."
He raised his hand, and ice crystals condensed in his palm.
I'll eat slowly, but I won't make it too painful for you.
Outside the main hall, Shinobu Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri remained.
They stood at the doorway, watching their sister's retreating figure and listening to her voice.
"Elder sister..."
Shinobu Kocho's voice was hoarse.
You can't... you can't be alone...
"Tolerate."
Kanae Kocho did not turn back.
"Take Kanao with you."
"I'm not leaving!"
Tears welled up in Shinobu Kocho's eyes.
"I've waited so long... so long to finally have you back... I can't... I can't lose you again..."
"Tolerate--"
"Sister, please—"
Shinobu Kocho almost knelt on the ground, her hands supporting her weight, her shoulders trembling violently.
"No... don't leave me again..."
Kanae Kocho also shed tears.
But she didn't turn around.
Kanao.
"Exist."
"Take your sister with you."
Kanao Tsuyuri didn't say anything. She simply walked to Shinobu Kocho's side, reached out, and took her hand.
Her hands were cold, but firm.
"Sister Ren, let's go."
Kanao.
"Kanae is right."
Kanao Tsuyuri's voice was very soft.
We can't let her die in vain.
Shinobu Kocho raised her head and looked into Kanao Tsuyuri's eyes.
There were no tears in those eyes.
Firm and resolute, as if they had already made some kind of preparation.
"You--"
I won't leave either.
Kanao Tsuyuri released her hand, turned around, and faced the main hall.
"I'll be with Kanae."
She drew her Nichirin Blade.
"Hold back Doma."
Shinobu Kocho stared at her for a long time.
Then she stood up.
"I'm not leaving either."
She drew her Nichirin Blade.
"If we're going to die, we'll die together."
Kanae Kocho stood there, her back to them, her shoulders trembling.
Why are you all so disobedient?
"Elder sister."
Shinobu Kocho walked over to her and stood beside her.
"We're not being disobedient, we just don't want to lose you again."
Kanae Kocho finally couldn't hold back her tears.
She didn't turn back, because she knew that if she did, she wouldn't be able to leave.
"Let's do it together."
She raised the knife.
"Kill him."
Shinobu Kocho raised her sword.
Kanao Tsuyuri raised her knife.
The three sisters stood side by side, facing the demon that had killed their sister and countless others.
Doma looked at them, his colorful eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Oh my, oh my... three sisters? They're all so beautiful and brave, they must taste so sweet."
He smiled.
"I will savor it."
Ice crystals surged out.
Like a blizzard, like a tsunami, like death itself.
Kanae Kocho closed her eyes.
It's not about giving up.
Rather, she knew she couldn't withstand this attack.
Ice crystals rushed towards me, the cold was biting, my breath froze in my throat, and my blood froze in my veins.
Her knife remained suspended in mid-air, unable to fall.
Because her hands had lost all feeling.
"Elder sister--"
Shinobu Kocho's voice rang in my ears, tinged with tears.
"Tolerate..."
Kanae Kocho wanted to say something, but her mouth had gone numb.
She can't hear, see, or feel anything.
Only darkness.
Only cold.
Only despair remained.