After Muzan died, every demon still alive perished with a howl, vanishing from this world for good.
"Is everyone all right...?"
Haruto struggled to sit up. His internal organs were injured, but thankfully, a trace of coolness flowed through his blood, soothing the pain in his organs and the blood vessels scorched by the intense heat.
Still, he would certainly have to spend a long time recuperating in bed after this battle.
"Genya..."
"He's fine. Just exhausted." Sanemi was worn out himself, but he kept a tight grip beneath his brother's knees. "After Muzan died, the signs of demonization disappeared from his body too."
"That's good..."
Haruto breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear quiet sobbing beside him.
"Mr. Himejima..."
Gyomei Himejima leaned against a crumbling wall, utterly motionless, as though he had already died.
How could this be...?
Had the curse of the marked swordsmen come true so soon?
Would it cruelly take a life without even giving them time to celebrate?
Haruto's throat tightened, as though he had already glimpsed his own future.
Kanae stepped forward with a grave expression to examine Gyomei Himejima.
The more sensitive children were already crying aloud. They gazed sorrowfully at Himejima, the elder brother of the Demon Slayer Corps, the pillar who had steadied them all aside from the Master. Just like that, without a sound...
"Mr. Himejima..." Kanae felt for a pulse at the great monk's neck, then checked his breathing. "He seems to be asleep..."
"Waaah, Hime-huh?"
Their sorrowful tears abruptly stopped. Everyone's eyes widened.
"His heartbeat and breathing are both normal, and his temperature has come down." Pointing to the gradually fading mark on Gyomei Himejima's arm, Kanae said softly, "His mark is fading. He's simply fallen into a deep sleep from exhaustion."
"Phew..."
Someone let out a