Master Blacksmith in Demon Slayer

Doma's body flew backward, dodging the slash in an instant. His left hand swung again, and chilling cold visibly condensed into ice lotuses. The image of two women appeared atop the ice lotuses, suddenly opening their mouths to blow air at Kochou Kanae.

Blood Demon Art: Frigid White Princess!

With a twist and a pull, she leaped abruptly, the airborne maiden arcing around the cold air's assault. Her body spun, the Nichirin Blade carving an unimaginably subtle arc straight for Doma's neck!

This strike had reached its peak in both speed and power.

The sword light was cold and piercing through dawn, yet oddly laced with a drunken floral scent. In a single flash, it was already at the left side of Doma's neck.

No retreat was possible within the sword's momentum—any further retreat would only lead to death.

At the critical moment, Doma had no choice but to thrust out his left hand, grabbing Kochou Kanae's blade.

But in the next instant, the blade sliced clean through his palm. Blood gushed, and four fingers flew through the air!

That slight obstruction let him evade the fatal wound.

Yet his state had already deteriorated to the extreme!

His body's injuries refused to heal for a long time—he couldn't imagine what had been done to that sword!

Blood wouldn't stop, and his crippled body couldn't bring its combat power to full fruition.

The worst part was that his weapon had been smashed to pieces by that swordsmith. Facing a Pillar's sword momentum, he could only dodge or tank it with his body.

And then... the injuries worsened again.

It was a death spiral!

"If this continues... I'll die!"

The thought surged into his mind as Doma rolled his eyes toward the sky.

If he kept going, he'd die... but if he fled like this, scurrying away before a Pillar, wouldn't he die too?

He watched Kochou Kanae charge at him again—that cold, frigid sword edge, those eyes that could have been gentle but were instead wrapped in killing intent.

"Troublesome..."

He let out a soft sigh, then took a deep breath, activating his Blood Demon Art.

Cold air surged and condensed!

"Blood Demon Art—Mist Ice: Sleeping Lotus Bodhisattva!!"

This was the last Blood Demon Art he could use in his current state.

A dozen-meter-tall ice Bodhisattva statue rose in an instant. As soon as it appeared, the spreading freezing mist expanded.

But at that moment, a figure shot through the layers of mist like a shuttle, appearing directly before Doma—it was Kochou Kanae.

The blade fell, accurate and direct.

The neck!

"...That's a bit unfair, isn't it? I just unleashed my ultimate move, and you charge right in? Just how rich is your combat experience?"

A flicker of surprise showed in Doma's eyes. But just then, as if sensing something, blood churned, and his missing right arm burst forth from the stump, immediately blocking in front.

At the same time, Kochou Kanae's slash landed.

It was like cutting into wood—the blade sank three inches deep. But in the next moment, the maiden still midair spun abruptly, the blade cleaving through the newly regenerated arm and slashing heavily into Doma's neck.

"Huh?"

Before the thought could roll through, the next second, his head flew off.

Author's Note:

298316354

Of course, the protagonist played his part too. Swordsmiths—whether forging weapons or breaking them with a hammer—are true experts.

So breaking the enemy's weapon was like breaking their defense... and the Flower Pillar's attacks became even more effective~

Yeah, that's how it is~

Chapter 22: After the Battle

Doma's head rolled across the ground. The maiden's toes lightly touched down as she landed.

"Hey, what's up with that sword of yours?"

The head was still talking, its eyes showing no fear, only a faint curiosity: "Its restraint against us is way too strong, isn't it? That's not good news, but... well, I'm about to die anyway, so it's probably not my problem to worry about. Still, isn't that swordsmith kid going too far? Smashing someone else's weapon without even a word of apology?"

Tetsu no Sosuke had been staring at him the whole time. Hearing this, he couldn't help but feel speechless.

He noticed Doma's eyes still fixed on him, as if genuinely hoping for an apology. After a moment's thought, he said, "Don't mention it."

"...I suddenly feel like I might understand what anger is..."

For just an instant, there seemed to be a flicker of real irritation in his eyes. But as his body and head crumbled away, whether he could truly grasp that emotion—only he would ever know.

Kochou Kanae, having confirmed the demon before her was utterly annihilated, turned immediately and reached Tetsu no Sosuke's side in almost no time.

"Are you alright?"

She crouched down, looking at Tetsu no Sosuke.

The mask on his face shattered, revealing Tetsu no Sosuke's original features.

But his face was so smeared with blood that his true appearance was hard to make out.

He shook his head. "Not a big deal."

Struggling, he tried to stand, but the relentless use of the Gale Sun Hammer and the unbroken Breath of the Sun had drained his body beyond its limits. Just as he got halfway up, his legs gave out, and he dropped straight to his knees...

"...This is embarrassing!"

They'd barely met, and here he was dropping such a grand bow—way too polite!

A faint, sweet fragrance brushed against his senses, and suddenly there was someone in his arms. The force was considerable, and his body was fully supported.