A Paradise Apart

Muzan tossed the bones aside and leaned against the wall, wondering whether he should get the demons under his command in order.

Yanagisawa Jiyuki came over to gather up the bones from the floor and bury them beneath a tree in the yard. As Muzan made his plans, he picked up his book again.

I can figure out what to do later. Books first. There's plenty of time, so no rush.

With nearly all of Yanagisawa Jiyuki's books finished, Muzan felt it was time to move on.

Besides, since this was the Sengoku Era, he certainly wouldn't go hungry.

The more people a demon ate, the stronger he became. Thinking of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who would appear later, Muzan felt he needed to put some serious effort into growing stronger.

Two days later, he finished the hefty tome as well. Muzan lay on the floor staring at the ceiling, too lazy to move after a full meal.

Yanagisawa Jiyuki had been remarkably diligent these past few days. There wasn't a single bandit or anyone of that sort left around the village. Perhaps he wanted to squeeze out every last drop of value before leaving?

Muzan was happy to enjoy the fruits of his labor. However, with the Demon Slayer Corps having shown up a few days earlier, another demon nearby had indeed been killed.

Members of the Demon Slayer Corps had also been dropping by from time to time over the past few days. They weren't injured or sick, either. Clearly, they already suspected the two of them.

Pushing himself up from the floor, Muzan looked toward the door. "Jiyuki, the Demon Slayer Corps suspects us. Time to go."

Jiyuki had long since prepared. With the books and money packed on his back, the two left under cover of night.

The following evening, the Demon Slayer Corps could only stare at the empty house in frustrated anger. They had let the demons slip right through their fingers!

Yanagisawa Jiyuki did possess a Blood Demon Art, but it wasn't strong. Its effect was healing, which was practically useless to demons. It certainly suited his identity as a physician.

The two passed through a forest and arrived at a town.

To their surprise, in the turmoil of the Sengoku Era, there was actually a town that appeared to be flourishing. Everyone seemed to live and work in peace, painting a picture of a paradise apart from the world.

Even at night, it was bustling. Red lanterns hung along the streets, and friends, couples, and families strolled around without a care.

As soon as they reached the town gate, a pretty young girl greeted them enthusiastically and volunteered to show them around.

"Are you planning to settle here?"

Yanagisawa Jiyuki looked at Muzan, who gave a slight nod.

"Yes."

The girl immediately beamed. "My sister happens to have an empty house. Would you like to stay there for a while?"

Barely over 1.4 meters tall, the girl looked petite. Her smile was adorable on her little frame, and her long hair bounced behind her with every step.

"Thank you, then."

Muzan thanked her with a smile and followed the girl to what she called her "sister's empty house."

The wooden house was larger than he had expected and had a touch of luxury to it. It was noticeably bigger than the other houses, with decorative patterns and carved ornaments.

It was also the only house in its immediate surroundings, despite being near the center of town.

"Go on inside," the girl said, taking out a key to unlock the door. "I'll go find some cleaning supplies."

With that, she ran off. Jiyuki looked uneasily at Muzan. "My lord, something's wrong."

"We're demons. What the hell are you scared of? Come on."

Muzan walked inside without hesitation, and Jiyuki had no choice but to follow.

They had barely taken a few steps inside when the door suddenly slammed shut behind them with a bang. Jiyuki instinctively turned around and tried to open it.

But Muzan stopped him. "Leave it. Keep moving."

Jiyuki couldn't help taking another look before hurrying after him.

As they entered the courtyard, a massive black shadow suddenly lunged at Muzan. Jiyuki hurried forward to block it, but the attack came so abruptly that by the time he reacted, Muzan had already pinned the shadow firmly to the ground with one hand.

Jiyuki stood awkwardly in place, finally getting a clear look at what had attacked them—a demon.

It was another demon, of all things.

Got a death wish? A demon attacking the Demon King?

This demon had a bizarre appearance, as though countless heads had been fused together with flesh and blood. He was enormous, over two meters tall and incredibly broad. Every head had its huge mouth open, and his limbs, also made of heads, writhed grotesquely.

Muzan stomped the demon hard into the ground, crushing the center of his body inward and splattering blood everywhere. Yet he dared not make a sound.

The instant Muzan pinned him beneath his foot, the demon finally realized that he had attacked the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.

He no longer dared move a muscle. Every head wore a terrified expression. "M-my lord... spare me! Spare me!"

Muzan smiled down at the demon beneath his foot.

"No. You're too ugly."

Ignoring his wails and pleas, Muzan pressed down hard, crushing the entire enormous head demon into mangled flesh.

Jiyuki stood trembling in a corner nearby. He silently swallowed, not daring even to breathe too loudly.

Muzan looked at Jiyuki. "Clean up the floor. And bring that little girl here."

He had known from the moment they approached. This "paradise apart" existed for one simple reason: the town worshipped this demon. They offered him travelers, people from the surrounding area, and even their own flesh and blood in exchange for comfortable lives, wealth, and prestige. They relied on the demon to kill passersby and take their money to satisfy their own desires.

In fact, things like this were quite common in this era.

Muzan was merely passing through and trimming the workforce along the way. He hadn't liked what he saw, so he had dealt with it.

Unfortunately, the demon had ruined a perfectly good house, leaving the whole place looking like a filthy kennel.

Bones and rubbish had been tossed everywhere. Once Jiyuki finally managed to clear out a room, Muzan was delighted to discover that the house actually had a study!

There were quite a few books, too. Though they reeked of all sorts of rot, they would be fine after a good cleaning and airing out.

An unexpected windfall.

Soon, Jiyuki returned with the desperately struggling girl and hurled her roughly to the floor in front of Muzan. She trembled all over.

Even the divine being who lived here had disappeared. She could guess what had happened.

Whimpering, she promptly dropped to her knees before Muzan. "My lord, I didn't mean it! I know where other divine beings are worshipped! Don't kill me!"

Does she think I'm here to rid the people of evil, like someone from the Demon Slayer Corps?

Muzan looked at her and smiled. "You know about demons, don't you?"

The girl lowered her head and answered hastily, "Yes, yes!"

"Then couldn't you tell that what you worshipped was a demon? A divine being, really?"

The girl kept her head lowered, not daring to speak. Who couldn't figure that out?! But they were only trying to stay alive!

"I was wrong! I'll take you to those evil demons!"

The girl put on the air of someone eager to atone for her sins and help them.

Seeing her act like that, Muzan smiled with malicious amusement.

"I'm a demon, too."

The girl's expression visibly froze.